January 31, 2023

Let your light shine!

January 31, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

There is a great and thought provoking story I would like to share with you…in light of this weekend’s Gospel.

Once there was a very fine bible scholar who was also remembered for his great prayerfulness. He spent hours every day secluded in his room studying the bible, and praying and meditating. One day a holy man visited the town in which the scholar lived. On hearing about it, the scholar set out to look for him.

He first looked in the church but did not find him there. Then he looked in the local shrine, but he was not there either. He looked in other likely places but failed to find him. Eventually he found him in the marketplace.

On meeting him he told him who he was, and how he spent hours every day studying the scriptures and in prayer and meditation. Then he said, “I have come to seek advice on how I might grow in the service of God.”

The advice he got was simple and direct. The holy man said, “It is easy to be a sage and a saint in your room. You should go out into the marketplace and try to be a saint there.” We are not told whether or not the scholar had the courage to act on the advice.

It is the kind of advice Jesus gives us in this weekend’s Gospel when he says, “You are the light of the world. No one lights a lamp to put it under a tub; they put it on a lamp-stand where it shines for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine in the sight of people, so that seeing your good works, they may give praise to your father in heaven.”

It is easy to let the light shine in the comfort and safety of one’s room. That means we keep the light to ourselves “under the tub,” so to speak. It is not easy to let the light shine in the rough and tumble of the marketplace. But that is where it is most needed…more than ever.

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

Fifth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

February 5, 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.

ImmaCare

Shelter Dinner

With ImmaCare back to near full capacity the Saturday Night Shelter Dinner Food Group will once again be requesting food and paper donations. Sign-up sheets will be posted in entrances at both churches. Our first monthly opportunity to donate will be for the Saturday, February 18th dinner.

Give Blood

The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. All eligible donors are encouraged to schedule appointments now. The next drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Thursday, February 9, from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.

Advent Giving Project

Thank You to All!

Our parish Advent Giving Campaign was a spectacular success thanks to the gracious giving from so many people. Together we were able to touch the lives of hundreds in need. What started out as a Circle of Life campaign expanded to an even greater outreach through our relationships with St. Anne/Immaculate Conception Parish and St. Augustine Church in Hartford, The Hartford International University of Religion and Peace, as well as four nursing, rehab & memory care facilities. Here are just a few of the donation highlights:

200 young mothers in the greater Hartford area were provided 1,000+ diapers, 100 infant/baby articles of clothing and boxes and boxes of wipes.

85 families in New Britain, who otherwise would have not had any Christmas gifts, were provided items ranging from hats and gloves, to sets of dishes, pots and pans and coffee makers.

100+ struggling teens in the Middletown area were provided beautiful Welcome Kits, games, puzzles, Lego sets and books.

50 plus memory care residents were delighted to receive large print puzzle books, calendars and lap blankets.

Gratefully,

Carl Bach, Outreach Ministry Coordinator

Enjoy the full story and a gallery of pictures here

Pray With Us

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.

Charismatic Prayer Group

Our Charismatic Prayer Group gives praise, honor, thanks and love to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Our gatherings include Christian music, charismatic prayer, discussion of biblical readings and sharing prayer petitions. We meet on first Tuesday of the month at St. Elizabeth Seton from 7:00-8:30 PM, both in person and online. Contact Kristie Witherspoon to learn more: kblicharz@gmail.com.

Hospitality Sunday is Back!

First Sunday of the Month

February 5, 2023

Coffee, treats, visiting with friends has returned to the first Sunday of the month. Parishioners who have volunteered to make this possible will serve treats after the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Elizabeth Seton and after the 11:00 AM Mass at St. James. Consider joining this ministry to keep this great social time going. A few teams of parishioners or families taking turns would keep this commitment feasible going forward. Contact Elizabeth@sjbrh.org or Joy@sjbrh.org to find out how you can help.

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.

The Emmaus Grieving Parents Ministry based at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church in Hartford supports parents whose spiritual journey includes the death of a child. All who have suffered the loss of a child at any time – including prior to birth and many decades ago – are welcome to participate in their monthly support meetings.

The Emmaus Ministry meets monthly both in-person and on Zoom. The next meetings take place as follows:

Please know that you are never alone on this journey. Please join us. To learn more, Click Here.

Get Connected. Stay Connected.