July 18, 2023

Summer News From Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

July 18, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

The Gospel reading on the 16^th Sunday of Ordinary time (Matthew 13:1-23) sparks a few thoughts to share with you. It strikes me that most folks dislike living in a mess: we have an instinct to clean up the place. The more tidy-minded we are, the more trouble we will have with messy rooms, messy organization, messy thinking, messy feelings….

For some folks, even the church can be too messy: of course, not in its ideal, but in actual experience. There are Christians who are unable to live with this, and who become angry with everyone who is different from themselves. For me that seems to be starting from the wrong point of view. The real beginning/starting point is our own conversion, not that of others. When I begin at the wrong starting point my religion becomes a crusade, a search for a “pure race”. Certainly, faith is not just my own business, but if I am converted, I will go to others with the Good News, not with a critical and hateful judgementalism.

The spirit of Jesus says, leave the weeds; leave them for God to sort out at harvest-time—in other words, leave them forever. On the day of the final harvest, the judge will be Jesus, He who has sown good grain in the world and who Himself became the “grain of wheat”, who died and rose. In the end we will be judged by the measure with which we have judged: the mercy we have shown to others will also be shown to us. Things are often very messy.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Special Collection for our Sister Parish in Haith this Weekend!

The 16th Sunday

in Ordinary Time

July 23, 2023

4:00 PM at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at Saint James

Hello Families!

Registration for our Faith Formation Program is happening NOW!

Summer is flying by so please get your registration in as soon as you can!

By registering now, you help us in planning our classes and recruiting the number of catechists we will need.

Registration for all classes will close this year on September 1, 2023.

We also need catechists for the upcoming year for grades 4 - 8. If you volunteer as a catechist you will receive free registration for your child/children. You will complete a separate registration form if you volunteer. Please contact the Faith Formation Office at reo@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-1274 to learn more.

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

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

Have a wonderful summer!

Peace,

Monica, Beth, Carol, Linda, and Lori

Click Here to Register for Faith Formation

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

Support Our Food Drives

We continue to seek food and cereal donations for our monthly delivery to the Rocky Hill and Amazing Grace food pantries. Non-perishable food items and cereal boxes can be dropped off at either church location. Amazing Grace Food Pantry is also 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.

Visit Our Marion Garden

New plants were added to the Marion Garden at the St. Elizabeth Seton Campus to welcome and encourage God’s flying creature. The Lavender planted last year is gorgeous; the long stemmed flowers of the Gaura look like moths that are a favorite. Bee balm and a short Russian Sage were recently added and are beginning to get some attention. The garden and Mary provide a peaceful place to sit and visit. The Little Library filled with books is on the other side of the garden to enjoy as well. Reminder: bring your water and a hat if you come during the day!!