July 9, 2024

Summer Happenings at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

July 9, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

I remember seeing this ad (a joke): “For Sale: One pine coffin, unused, $400. Changed plans!”

Boy oh boy, do plans change. Life ceaselessly confronts us with unexpected turns in the road. Again and again, we begin a project with grand hopes, and then unforeseen factors intervene.

Jesus is talking about one such experience in this week’s Gospel (Mark 6:7-13) He sends the apostles out on the road, with high hopes, to share the Good News. But he wisely tells them in advance: no matter how good your news may be, some folks are not going to be interested; some will even be angry and hostile. Certainly, Jesus is very correct in that observation and warning.

So, what are we to do when our best efforts at sharing our gifts, or our insights, or our faith are rejected, sometimes with brutal coldness? What are we to do, especially when those who are brushing us off are people we really care about?

In the Gospel, Jesus suggests an answer. He tells us that after we have done our best, and we are sure there is nothing more that can be done, “shake the dust of the place off your feet,” and move on. Put it in God’s hands, and let it go! Not with ugly words or hateful glares, but with a peaceful heart. Give your disappointment, your hurt, your anger, to God, and let it go.

Does this mean giving up on people and cutting them out of our lives? Not at all! What it means is learning to recognize the moment when we have truly done all we can, and then facing the fact that not all we have left to give is our quiet good example and our prayers.

The dust we are told to shake off our feet is not the other person, or even our hopes for them. It is our disappointment, our feelings of rejection, our nagging, and perhaps even a little judgmental anger. Those do have to go, and that can be very difficult to do.

FYI…I am away on vacation July 8-12, so there will be no weekday morning Masses this week.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Join Us for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 14, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Scuba Bakhita Bible Camp

A Wonderful Success

It's a wrap! What a great time we had the week of Bible Camp! We learned so much every day with our four stations of music, games, imagination station, and faith stories! We had wonderful snacks that went along with our theme of the day, made new friends, but mostly learned all about God and how much God loves each and every one of us! We wrapped up our week with a beautiful Mass and a big pizza party with all of our family and friends!

We want to give tremendous thanks to our camp coordinator, Lisa Torneo, all of our adult volunteers, all 30 of our teen volunteers, and of course our wonderful campers! Everyone one had a fun time and learned so much and experienced the love of God every day!

Be sure to check out our wonderful gallery of pictures! Can't wait until next year!!!!

Enjoy the Gallery of Bible Camp Pictures Here

Other Fun Tidbits

Sixth Annual Knights of

Columbus Golf Outing

Friday, September 20, 2024

Timberlin Golf Club, Berlin CT

Lunch/Registration at 11:00AM

Scramble Format ~ Shotgun Start at 12:30 PM ~ Buffet Dinner to follow

$150 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf w/cart, lunch and buffet dinner, cash prizes, raffle prizes.

$55 dinner only

For more information, contact Mike DiBattisto (860-713-9070) or Mike Lombardo (860-869-2231).

Learn More Here

Prayer Shawls Available For Gifting

Our parish prayer shawl ministry groups keep a large inventory of lovingly crafted and blessed prayer shawls on hand in women’s, men’s and children’s colors and patterns. Shawls are knitted and crocheted with; each stitch carries the prayers of our parish community for the recipient. If you know someone who is struggling in any way, is ill, grieving or in need of spiritual support, consider gifting them with a prayer shawl from our faith community. Shawls are also created with happy occasions in mind such as for baptisms, weddings, Sacraments and celebrations. Contact Betty Catelli at catellib64@gmail.com, Laura Pentland at lbpent57@gmail.com or Elizabeth Husmer at Elizabeth@sjbrh.org to request a shawl for gifting.