January 23, 2024

January 23, 2024 Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish, This world of ours is a remarkable place, full of breathtaking beauty and goodness. But there is another side to our world, a dark side of selfishness, hurt and hate…leaving many of us at times numb and feeling powerless. By his whole life and by his resurrection, Jesus gave us a very different vision of what our lives can be. As we see in this weekend’s Gospel (Mark 1:21-28), he went to a synagogue and found there a man possessed by an “evil spirit”. (That is a generic term for any evil that can take hold of a person from the inside.) The possessed man’s screaming, cursing, and flailing around were shocking and scared many away. But not Jesus. He confronted the evil that had stolen the man’s freedom. “Be quiet!” he said. “Have no more power over this man.” And suddenly the man was set free and had a second chance at life. I suspect that we all, at times, feel powerless in the face of evil. But despite our feelings, God has not left us empty handed: -God has given us the power to think, to strategize, to form a plan and to act. -God has given us friends and companions (our parish community as well) to walk with us and to encourage and keep us going. -God has given us the Spirit, always there deep within, nudging us forward as we confront what is broken or unfinished in us and in our world. Therefore, do not let evil bully us into despair. Face it, wherever it is, starting with our own hearts. Use the profound power that God has put in our hands but use it always with love. However long it takes, the goodness that is God will prevail! Peace and blessings! Fr. George Couturier The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time January 28, 2024 4:00 PM Vigil at Saint James 9:00 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton & livestreamed 11:00 AM at Saint James Evening Prayer for Candlemas & Blessing of Throats Friday, February 2 7:00 PM at Saint Elizabeth Seton & livestreamed Candlemas is a lesser known Feast of the Church. As was the custom, the infant Jesus was brought to the temple by Mary and Joseph - the Presentation of the Lord. According to Mosaic law, mothers must also appear for a purification rite 40 days after childbirth. This Feast celebrates both. The day after is the Feast of Saint Blaise, so our liturgy on February 2 will end with the Blessing of Throats. Bring a candle that is designated as a Christ Candle for your home that will be blessed during the service. 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 new 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 this winter 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 The Faith Formation Team wishes everyone, especially our Faith Formation Families, a blessed and happy New Year! We are excited to enter into a new year of classes, sacramental celebrations and other special events together. God bless you all! Monica, Carol, Linda, Lori and Beth This Lent, Deacon Michael will be leading a series for adults called: Wisdom for Everyday: How to Help Faith and Life Come Together What we profess on Sunday is for the life we face on Monday and the rest of the week. This connection is central to living our faith. Our faith has its demands, as does everyday life. Bringing them together with focus and balance can be a challenge. In our Catholic tradition those living in monasteries and cloisters have been living this challenge for over 15 centuries. They can offer us some wisdom that can make faith and life come together more fruitfully. Their lives may look different, but the challenges are familiar ones, and their thinking has much to offer us today. Deacon Michael will be offering a five session Lenten series of reading and reflection on how the practical wisdom of our monastic brothers and sisters can help us to live our faith each day…looking into matters such as nature of authority, our attitudes, prayer life, commitments and possessions, serving others and being “religious.” The series will meet on Wednesdays from February 21 through March 20. Sessions will meet in person at 10:00 AM at Saint James Parish Center and at 7:00 PM in Classrooms A&B at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. Remote online access to the evening sessions may be available…tell Deacon Michael if you are interested. There is a fee of $15 to cover printed materials to be distributed at the initial session on February 21. Deacon Michael has a supply of materials directly available on a first come basis. Registration required by email to Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or by calling the Office at 860-529-8655. Learn More Here Invitation for Boys & Girls Who Like to Sing Easter comes early this year, March 31, so this is a good time for young singers to join a Youth Choir at either of the two parish campuses. Singers learn more about their Church, its rituals, music and teamwork. Youth Choir is a ministry. Mrs. Elizabeth Husmer rehearses with boys and girls on Thursdays after school, 4:15-5:30 PM, at St. Elizabeth Seton. Preparation for regular masses, Easter and learning to play hand chimes are goals. Mrs. Joy O’Sullivan’s choir rehearses on Sunday mornings at St. James Church after the 11:00 AM mass. That choir sings on the first Sunday of each month at the 11:00 AM mass and for holidays. Register with either Director of Music: Elizabeth Husmer – elizabeth@sjbrh.org Joy O’Sullivan – joy@sjbrh.org Our Music Ministry Celebrates Epiphany Snowstorms can't stop our music ministry from sharing the special selections they planned for the Feast of Epiphany with everyone! Some of the music ministers from St. Elizabeth Seton got together and created this music video featuring the pieces they would have sung at mass if the January snowstorm hadn't blown up their plans. Enjoy this 14 minute compilation of Music for Epiphany. Valentines & Easter Table Runners Knit, Crochet, and Sew Good Works has a limited number of two sided Valentine/Easter table runners. If interested, contact Vivian Orsini at vorsini24@aol.com or text 860-906-4733. Daily Mass Mon-8:30AM @ Seton Tues-8:00AM @ St. James Thur-8:00AM @ St. James Fri-8:30AM @ Seton   Evening Prayer Fr. George leads evening prayer Monday - Friday at 5:00 PM on our parish Facebook Page. All are welcome! Reconciliation Fr. George welcomes all to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton. Parish Visitors Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are available to bring Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners and those recuperating from surgery or illness. Please contact the parish office to request a visit: 860-529-8655. Read the Parish Bulletin Visit our Website Stay Connected Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish l The Catholic Community of Rocky Hill

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