January 21, 2025

Winter News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

January 21, 2025

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

A few weekends ago, on the feast day of The Baptism of the Lord, I announced my anticipated “retirement” in June 2025. I put retirement in quotes for priests, in one sense, do not retire. We are considered to be a priest forever. Nonetheless, I will be transitioning away from being a pastor. My hope is to be available for other priests who need a break, a vacation, some sick leave, or sabbatical.

About a year ago, the former Archbishop Blair changed the policy about the age for retirement…from 75 to 71. With that prospect before me I went into discernment mode to ponder, pray, and discuss the possibility for my own “retirement.”

If you want to see and hear the announcement which I made at all the Masses I would direct you to view the livestream on our parish Facebook page where you can scroll down to find our 9:00 a.m. Mass that January 12^th. https://www.facebook.com/saintjosephinebakhita/

It is my sincerest hope and desire that the next pastor will bring us to the next level of vibrancy as a parish with a strong emphasis on ministry to youth and young families. I strongly believe that we have successfully engaged in the necessary merger of our two impressive communities (St. James and St. Elizabeth Seton). Over the past 8 years we have become a more unified and yet diverse community of believers. Now is the time to build on that success by the grace of God, the openness of all the parishioners, the wisdom and service of so many volunteers and the leadership of a younger pastor.

I am grateful for my time to walk with you and pray that you all prosper in your love of Christ and become a strong sign of the presence of Christ inside and beyond the walls of the church buildings. Peace always!

Fr. George Couturier

The Third Sunday

in Ordinary Time

January 26, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

& livestreamed

11:00 AM at Saint James

The Soup Pots are Coming Back

What will you be doing on Sunday, February 9, 2025? Perhaps watching your big screen TV to see the Big Game namely the Super Bowl. Excitement is building as some favorites teams have a chance to make it to the Super Bowl this year but so is the excitement building between the Confirmation candidates in our first and second year program. They have been training in anticipation of our annual Souper Bowl of Caring event held annually on Super Bowl Weekend! Our Confirmation Candidates collect food items for our local food pantries and for our homeless shelter meals and will be asking for your help. Can you drop $1 or more in the soup pots they will be holding after all the masses on Super Bowl Weekend? Thank you for helping us tackle hunger!

Annual Retreat Weekends

Holy Family Retreat Center

Members & Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish are invited to join together on our annual weekend retreats in 2025. The retreat theme this year is In my Love, Abide. We invite you to come and explore the depths of a life of prayer and learn ways to maintain the sacred connection to God through Christ, the true vine.

The retreat center is located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The weekend begins with a buffet dinner on Friday evening and concludes Sunday with the celebration of Mass. The retreat offers conferences, workshops, wonderful musical liturgies, time for contemplation or quiet walks in a clean, comfortable setting with private rooms & great food.

Parish Contacts are Kathleen Quintana at 860 680-3195 or Bob Manzi at 860 502-5097.

Learn more and sign up online at: holyfamilyretreat.org/themed-retreats

Requested Offering: $350, but they emphasize more if you can, less if you can't. Couples weekend requested offering is $575. Please do not allow finances to prevent your decision to attend. Scholarships grants are available. See Fr. George or our parish contacts.

Men's Retreat Weekend: February 21-23, 2025

Couple's Retreat Weekend: February 14-16, 2025

(includes Valentine’s Gourmet Dinner)

Have you recently had your child baptized? Do you know parents with very young children who would benefit from connecting with other new parents?

Watch this 3 minute video to learn more about Nurturing Seedlings and then share it!

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish is excited to offer a very special opportunity for parents of children age birth to five, in our community. Nurturing Seedlings is designed to provide parents the support, encouragement and skills needed to nurture the spiritual life of their young children. The ministry also aims to build community among parents who are in the midst of raising babies, toddlers and preschoolers. The opportunity begins in late January under the leadership of Lori and Ken Gosselin. Learn more about how you can get involved by clicking the button below!

Learn More About Nurturing Seedlings Here

Winter Clothing Collection

Support the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Winter Clothing Collection. We accept clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church (behind the divider). Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept household goods.

Easter Youth Choir

at St. Elizabeth Seton Campus

Our wonderful singers welcome more children interested in singing at the Easter Morning mass on April 20, 2025. Now is the time to start learning more about singing and the music of the church. Our singers are in 3-8 grade. This choir will sing at one mass a month as well. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. We will resume rehearsals on January 15, 2025 after our Christmas break. Contact Elizabeth Husmer at elizabeth@sjbrh.org to register and learn more.

Greeters Needed!

An easy way to get more involved with the church in the new year is to become a greeter. Simply smile and greet people as they arrive and pass out bulletins after Mass. Greeters are needed at the 4:00PM Saturday vigil and the 11:00AM Sunday Mass, both at St. James. You can greet as often or as little as works for you. Please email ruschau@aol.com if you would like to join this important ministry.

The Archdiocese of Hartford is celebrating its’ annual Wedding Anniversary Mass in conjunction with the observance of National Marriage Week (February 9 – 15, 2025) an international event seeking to strengthen marriages in communities and influence the current culture.

National Marriage Week is an opportunity for the Catholic Church to focus on and celebrate the vocation to marriage and family life. It is an opportunity for the Catholic faithful to renew and deepen the lived experience of the Sacrament of Marriage – and bear witness to God’s call to love.

On Saturday, February 15, 2025, The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford, will be honoring couples celebrating milestone marriage anniversaries: first and five-year increments from 5 to 60 years, and every year beyond 60 years during 2024 – 2025. The Marriage Anniversary Mass will be at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford at 4:00 p.m. (Registration closes January 28.)

The Knights Will Take

the Penguins Plunge Again!

For the last several years members of our Knights of Columbus Council have committed to Special Olympics Annual Penguin Plunge. A chilling adventure to say the least! Might you want to “Dip Your Do Too"?

Our “Penguins in the Knights” of Columbus Council 10651 are seeking young and old Penguin Participants” (Wet ones) and “Team Sponsors”! (Warm ones)!

So we will soon be providing you with a special “link to participate"!

Last year, only Willie and Mike became “BRIEFLY” wet, yet we all raised over $2,000 for their charity’s works. Wet or dry, you can help and we will welcome your support!