January 9, 2024

Winter News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

January 9, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

First, a word of gratitude for the outstanding weekday/weekend reflections and meditations provided by Lisa Orchen during the Advent and Christmas Season. Now I return to my regular weekly parish news updates or meditations.

Here are a few updates and bits of information I would like to share with everyone. First, a word of praise to the staff and the multitude of volunteers for the outstanding and inspiring efforts of the Advent and Christmas Season. All their efforts and creativity brought a light of hope, peace, and joy!

I received a call from the Chancery informing us of the great news that in the history of the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal the Parish of Rocky Hill reached its parish goal of $145,000.00 for the very first time ever. (The first time even when the two churches were independent). Amazing and inspiring to see such generous support by the parish for the Appeal and its outreach to the many ministries and charities in the Archdiocese. Thank you!

It is that time of the year when we start to review the many aspects of our parish life. I was amazed by the number of new registrations to join our parish in 2023: 117. It is a sure sign of the present stability of our parish but some hope for the future of our parish overall. It is an interesting statistic considering the decline of parishes throughout the New England region.

As you heard last weekend, there is an opportunity to show some pride and solidarity with our Parish with the availability to purchase “swag” such as sweatshirts and t-shirts, etc. with our Parish logo. This is not a fund raiser…it is meant to be a celebration of our vibrant faith community. Keep your eye on the bulletin or newsletter for more information.

Last weekend, we provided to each parish family a copy of the book “Beautiful Eucharist” a compilation of wonderful essays on the Eucharist. It is a gift to you as well as a celebration of this Year of the Eucharist celebrated by our Universal Church. Drawing attention to the centrality and vitality of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. If you have not received a copy, please pick one up as you leave church…as long as they last.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Welcome to Ordinary Time

We transition from the Christmas Season to Ordinary Time on our Liturgical Calendar. Ordinary Time is anything but "ordinary." When referring to Ordinary Time, the word "ordinary" means counted time. This coming Sunday is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Sunday after that is the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, and so on until we enter the Season of Lent on February 14. The liturgical color for the season is green as seen in the vestments Fr. George and Deacon Mike wear for Sunday Mass.

Prayer for Ordinary Time

God of Eternity,

As I walk the path of Ordinary Time,

help me to count the

many ways you are present:

In the comings and goings of family,

friends, coworkers and neighbors;

In the sounds of winter and

the beauty of your magnificent creation;

In the daily routines and responsibilities

that make up the rhythm of my days.

Make all time extraordinary

as I seek to become

more attuned to your presence.

Amen.

The Second Sunday

in Ordinary Time

January 14, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

& livestreamed

11:00 AM at Saint James

New Year ~ New You

Our SJB Shop Will Be Open Until Jan 18, 2024!

The Pastoral Council of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish is excited to announce the opening of our parish store featuring high quality apparel branded with our beautiful parish logo. Our parish store will open several times a year, allowing parishioners and friends of the community to place orders. The apparel and accessories available will change with the seasons and in response to feedback from the community.

This offering is meant to be a ‘fun-raiser’ rather than a ‘fund-raiser.’ It is our hope that we can share the good news of our vibrant parish through sporting our brand out and about in the community.

Our store opening sale is offering short and long-sleeved T-shirts, hooded sweatshirts, quarter-zip sweatshirts, full-zip sweatshirts, long sleeve polos, and a canvas shopping bag.

You can choose to have items shipped directly to your home address for a fee or pick up your purchases after mass in mid-February (no fee).

Learn More 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.

We would like to share this New Year Prayer as we enter 2024!

God bless you all!

Monica, Carol, Linda, Lori and Beth

The final numbers are in and the Holiday Fair Committee is delighted to share that we raised approximately $17,800.00 for Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish.

Thank you to all who volunteered, organized, baked, crafted, shopped and helped in any and every way to make our Holiday Fair a smashing success!

Inviting all Sewers, Knitters & Crocheters

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Knit, Crochet, Sew & Pray Ministries serve our community in generous ways.

The Knit, Crochet & Sew Good Works Ministry meets every Wednesday in Fr. Shea Hall at St. James Church from 1pm – 4pm.

Contact: Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

The Morning Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the forth Monday of each month at St. Elizabeth Seton Church at 9am.

Contact: Betty Catelli at catellib64@gmail.com

The Evening Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first Monday of each month at St. Elizabeth Seton Church at 6:45pm.

Contact: Laura Pentland at lbpent57@gmail.com

We are open to anyone who has the skills to sew, knit or crochet or who would like to learn how. Whether you knit or crochet quickly or slowly, your help is welcome to fulfill the mission of spreading God’s love through our craft. It is our hope that those who receive our crafts will feel the love that goes into making each and every one of them. Our time together begins and ends with prayer and all creations are prayed over and blessed prior to being gifted. Learn more here.

Learn More Here