January 24, 2023

Come and pray with us!

January 24, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

I want to take this opportunity to invite all parishioners and friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish to two very beautiful events coming in February.

The first is Thursday February 2^nd at 7:00 PM at St. James Church for the celebration of the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Candlemas). Last year we gathered for this celebration of prayer and song and attracted the interest of many folks in the parish. Again, it will be an evening prayer setting with the blessing of candles. We ask that you bring a candle from your home that can be returned to your home as a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World…and that we are called to be lights as well. Shining light amid darkness…a powerful sign of hope. At the end of the prayer service we will have the opportunity for the blessing of throats…for the next day is the memorial of Saint Blaise.

The second event will be a powerful chance to pray together on the Feast Day (Wednesday February 8^th) of our Patroness: Saint Josephine Bakhita here at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church at 7:00 PM. The evening prayer is being prepared by the Archdiocese Office of Social Justice and their Task Force on Human Trafficking. As you know, due to the biography of Saint Josephine, she is the Patroness of those who are Trafficked. A horrific reality that is adversely affecting not only people in foreign lands…but even in our own backyard. The evening prayer will be a time to pray, sing and hope for a resolution to these human tragedies.

I hope you can join me and others for these powerful spiritual events.

Finally, I am looking for a cadre of folks who can become a resource of volunteers for our occasional events that need hospitality. Often this is just some cookies and coffee served at a one-time event, such as the two events above. Let me know and we will try to put together a hospitality committee. I promise this will involve no pain or stress…just some time and some fun. (call: 860-529-8655 or email frgeorge@sjbrh.org).

Peace and blessings,

Fr. George Couturier

Fourth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

January 29, 2023

4 PM Vigil-St. James

9 AM-St. Elizabeth Seton & livestreamed

11 AM-St. James

*Masks are strongly recommended in our worship spaces!*

Evening Prayer for Candlemas

Blessing of Throats

Thursday, February 2

7 PM - St. James & livestreamed

Join us in person or online for Evening Prayer. Through music, prayer, candlelight and ritual we will gather and celebrate Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of the Lord. We remember that Jesus Christ is the light to all the nations. Bring candles from home to be blessed as part of our service. For those who participate from home, set up a prayer space with candles!

Faith Formation Updates

Summer Vacation Bible Program

Coordinator Needed

We are presently in the planning process to offer our Vacation Bible program this summer for our young parishioners. Bakhita Bible Camp is a time-honored tradition in our parish and one that is loved by many, young and old alike. Those who have volunteered in the past can attest to the many gifts they have received from their participation in this program as well as it being a great evangelization tool and community building experience for our entire parish.

This year we are seeking a new coordinator or co-coordinators who would work with the Faith formation Team and other volunteers as part of a collaborative effort. Although we already have many people who have volunteered to participate in various ways, there needs to be one or two people who would be the key contacts to coordinate this one-week program.

Please contact Monica Piombino, Faith Formation Director, by email at monica@sjbrh.org or by calling the faith formation office at 860-529-1274 for more information or with any questions or concerns.

Thank you all for your prayerful consideration.

Giving Opportunities

Food & Cereal

Collection

We continue to seek food and cereal donations for the Rocky Hill and Amazing Grace food pantries. Non-perishable food items and cereal boxes can be dropped off at either church location. Learn more, Click Here.

Winter Clothing

Collection

Our parish Winter Clothing Collection continues. We accept Winter Clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church (behind the divider). Absolutely NO household goods.

Pray With Us

Daily Mass

Mon-8:30AM @ Seton

Tues-8:00AM @ St. James

Thur-8:00AM @ St. James

Fri-8:30AM @ Seton

Adoration

First Thursdays

8:30AM @ St. James

Every Thursday

3:00PM @ St. James

Rosary

Tues & Thurs

8:30AM @ St. James

Saturdays

3:20PM @ St. James

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.

Annual Men’s Retreat Weekend

Men of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish and Friends: You are invited to join us on our annual weekend retreat, February 24-26, 2023. Let us find, together, "A Missing Peace" for which we all long. Through our prayer together, presentations, and shared discussions, we can come closer to understanding how to achieve the peace that Jesus meant for us to have, and equally important, the peace that is meant for us to share in our families and in our world.

The retreat center is located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The weekend begins with a buffet dinner from 6-7:30 PM on Friday evening and concludes Sunday with the celebration of Mass at 10:45 AM followed by a hot brunch at noon.

Offering:$350, BUT! … as they often remind us…more if you can, less if you can't. Please do not allow finances to prevent your decision to attend. Scholarships for the weekend are available. See Fr. George or contact Holy Family to inquire.

There are eight additional opportunities through June 2023, if the February date is not convenient.

Question? - Contact Bob Manzi manzirj@sbcglobal.net

Registration forms can be found online: Click Here.

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish has begun to sponsor events that include hospitality. These events might be held before or after spiritual events like the yearly Memorial Mass, lectures, prayer services, etc. We are in need of folks to set up, serve and clean up food offerings. Sign up in the foyer of either church or contact any of the following if interested in helping us with these community occasions: office@sjbrh.org, joy@sjbrh.org, elizabeth@sjbrh.org.

Could a Catholic

school education

be the answer

to your prayers?

Come and experience the Corpus Christi School difference firsthand! We are hosting a Winter Open House on Sun., Jan. 29 from 12-1:30PM. at Corpus Christi School, 581 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield. Prospective students and their families are invited to attend. Tours will be available; teachers, students, and parents will be on hand to answer questions. The school encompasses PreK - Grade 8.

To register for the Open House, Click Here.

Get Connected. Stay Connected.