July 11, 2023

Summer News From Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

July 11, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

On the 26^th day of July it will be the annual Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne (parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary). For several years we have marked this as a special day for our parish and our sister parish of Saint Anne in Haiti. We have asked in the past few years, and will ask again this year, for your kind and generous support of our sister parish by way of a special collection which will be happening on the weekend of July 22-23, 2023.

Many of you who receive offering envelopes and do online giving will be reminded of this special collection automatically. However, for those who do not participate in these giving programs there will be special envelopes (marked Haiti) in the pew boxes at both churches.

On a quarterly basis we send $4400.00 to the Haiti Ministry Office of the Diocese of Norwich where they manage and securely get our gift to our sister parish. We have never, thank goodness, had a problem getting our gifts to the right place and the right time. Even though there is terrible and persistent unrest in Haiti, we have been faithfully able to safely assist our brothers and sisters at Saint Anne and school.

I often hear from Fr. Vil Johnson (the pastor) about his gratitude on behalf of the St. Anne parishioners (especially the kids). Also, the Haiti Ministry Office of the Diocese of Norwich faithfully sends us a quarterly update and audit. And our own finance council and Archdiocesan Auditors keep an eye on all this activity as well.

A word of gratitude to the few who have anticipated this Haiti collection and made some very generous and early donations. Also a word of gratitude to Barbara Wysocki and Marianne Hogan who keep an open line of communication to the Haiti Office in Norwich and with the pastor Pere Vil Johnson at Saint Anne.

Please pray for peace and renewal for the people of Haiti.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Thank You

Jim Gothers & Randy Martini!

In late spring, long time parishioner Jim Gothers decided that the hand carved entrance doors at the Saint Elizabeth Seton Campus were looking sadly weather beaten and in need of attention. After a chat with Father George, he started an almost two week project of stripping the old finish and sanding the doors by hand. Removing the old finish proved to be very challenging, but Jim was determined. Our custodian, Randy Martini, continued the sanding work and finished the doors with a rich, mahogany stain and varnish. They both worked on the brass door handles and back plates. After a month of work, they returned these handsome and irreplaceable doors to their original beauty! Many thanks to Jim Gothers and Randy Martini for their dedication and hours of work to restore the beautiful entrance doors at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church.

The 15th Sunday

in Ordinary Time

July 16, 2023

4:00 PM at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at Saint James

Photo courtesy of Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. 2014

Faith Formation Registration

Early Bird Discount

Hello Families!

As you launch into vacation mode for your children, why not take care of Registration for Faith Formation classes for the Fall now and take advantage of our EARLY DISCOUNT!

Also, be the first to sign up for your choice of day and times for classes!

All our registrations this year will be done online. You can access it by clicking the green button below or scanning the QR Code.

The early registration deadline is this coming Friday, JULY 14, 2023.

Get your forms in early to take advantage of this discount. Your early response helps us tremendously in planning for the Fall.

Fall classes begin starting the week of Sunday, September 24, 2023. We will have more information coming later about our Fall program.

If you have any questions, please contact us at reo@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-1274

Peace,

Monica, Beth, Carol, Linda, and Lori

Click Here to Register for Faith Formation

Interested in Becoming Catholic? We Can Help!

Times such as those we are living through now often prompt people to examine what we believe, how we make sense of the world and examine just what we live by, and why, and where “this all seems to be going.” Christian faith as offered in and through the Catholic Church brings 20 centuries of belief and wisdom to bear on these very questions.

Entering the Catholic Church through Baptism at Easter after exploration and instruction in the faith is the typical path for those entering the Catholic Church as adults. We are presently planning the process for those who may wish to enter the Church at Easter in the spring of 2024.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in exploring this possibility with us, we are certainly happy and eager to help. Anyone interested should contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org (best) or by phone at 860-529-3222, x14.

Visit our Website

Fifth Annual Golf Outing

Friday, September 22, 2023

Timberlin Golf Club

330 Southington Road, Berlin CT

Lunch/Registration at 11:00AM

Scramble Format

Shotgun Start at 12:30 PM

Dinner to follow

$150 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf w/cart, use of driving range, sleeve of golf balls, lunch and buffet dinner.

Cash prizes for first and second place. 50/50 cash raffle. Prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive.

Click Here for Golf Outing Brochure & Registration Form

Learn More About the Pilgrimage Here

Shopping Bags Needed

Amazing Grace Food Pantry is in need of paper, plastic and clean grocery bags. Any bags can be left with the cereal collection and will be delivered to Amazing Grace. Thank you for your generosity.

Learn More About Our Ongoing Food Drives

Serving Shelter Meals

Donations Needed July 15

We are in need of help! Sign-up sheets will be posted in the lobbies of each church. Please bring donations to the kitchen in Fr. Shea Hall a day or two in advance of July 15. For more information contact Carl Bach at 860-882-9174 or abcb1922@yahoo.com.

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.