July 19, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
Recently our beloved business manager Gisele Reyngoudt, after twenty years of service to our parish, has decided to retire and begin a new chapter of her life. Her spirit, hard work, skills, and commitment were a blessing to our parish…she will be missed. We wish her every blessing.
Therefore, we are looking to fill her position as soon as possible. Below is a brief position announcement. I believe we have the skilled person right within the parameters of our parish.
Business Manager
Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
The parish is seeking a business manager who can assist the pastor with the financial and business matters of the parish. The position requires a seasoned person for this role who is concerned about the stewardship of the resources of the parish. The position will be 30-35 hours per week (flexible). The position’s responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Finance and bookkeeping functions: accounts receivable/payable, general ledger, payroll and benefits, oversight of parish banking accounts and investments, prepare quarterly statements, annual reports/budgets (assisted by CPA), oversight of weekly/special collections and volunteer counter teams, oversight of on-line giving and envelope systems.
Interface with the following constituencies: vendors (relationships and purchases and contracts), IT consultants, CPA consultants, Archdiocese offices (finance, benefits, personnel), financial institutions (banks and investment firms: deposits, transfers), staff (benefits, vacation/holiday/sick day requests), Parish Finance Council and their meetings, and parishioners.
Qualified candidates must possess a minimum of a BA/BS degree in accounting or business administration. Experience in a non-profit or religious organization will be a plus. A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel and QuickBooks is required. Understanding of Paychex payroll services will be a plus. The ability to multitask while maintaining a high level of organizational skills, productivity, problem solving skills and a strong concern for security and confidentiality is important.
To request a copy of the full job description or to submit a cover letter, 3 reference letters and a resume please contact the Pastor Father George Couturier at frgeorge@sjbrh.org or 860-529-8655 ext. 11 by August 12, 2022
If you know of someone who might be the right fit for this position, please encourage them to apply. I invite all to pray for our search for our new parish Business Manager.
I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!
Fr. George
|
|
The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
|
|
July 24, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
|
|
Happy Feast of St. James
July 25 is the feast day of one of our patrons, St. James, who is also the patron Saint of Spain. It is thought that his remains were brought to Compestela and buried shortly after his martyrdom at the hand of Herod. A huge shrine was built over the burial place and the faithful take pilgrimages there to this day.
St. James was the son of Zebedee, a Galilean fisherman, and Salome, who tended after Christ. He and his younger brother, St. John, also fishermen, were called as disciples. After the death and resurrection of Jesus, St. James's zeal for evangelizing took him to parts of Spain for a time. He returned to Judea for his martyrdom, the first of the Apostles to die.
Here tradition picks up again by telling us that James's relics were moved to Spain. One legend explains why the shell is St. James's emblem. It is said that when the Saint's relics were being conveyed by ship from Jerusalem and approached the coast of Portugal, a man happened to be riding his horse on the beach. The horse disobediently plunged into the sea, with its rider, making for the boat. They sank, of course, but then rose again, covered with scallop shells, and hence the cockleshell became the symbol of St. James. It is also said that the shell is a metaphor, in that its lines represent the different routes traveled by pilgrims from around the world, which all lead to one point, the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela. The Scallop Shell can be found on the milestone markers, guiding pilgrims in the right direction. Thousands each year make the pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago (“The Way”) across Spain.
On his feast day, people who couldn't make the pilgrimage to St. James's shrine would gather up seashells, bits of broken colored glass, pretty stones, and flowers and would build little grottoes in honor of St. James. It is also customary for the English to eat oysters today. It is said that "Who eats oysters on St James's Day will never want!" In France, it is not the oyster that is eaten, but the scallop -- named "coquilles St.Jacques" -- "shells of St. James" -- in his honor.
|
|
Parish Picnic
We Need YOU!
Sunday, September 11th
Many hands make light work!
Planning for our annual Parish Picnic is well underway. The date has been set for Sunday, September 11, 2022. It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our 5th Anniversary as Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish - the Catholic Community of Rocky Hill.
The Picnic is organized ahead of time by a group of “Team Captains” who coordinate groups of volunteers on the weekend of the picnic. Soon we will be inviting volunteers for the day but first we are looking for a few new "Team Captains." Please consider taking on a leadership role for one aspect of the Parish Picnic. You will be mentored by folks who have led before. Here is a list of the open positions:
Lunch Coordinator: Coordinate with West Side Market on the food order. Pick up supplemental food supplies at Sam’s or Costco the week before. Organize a group of volunteers the morning of the picnic to pack & label the lunch bags. Organize a group of volunteers to set out and distribute the lunch bags. Organize a few volunteers to prepare alternative lunches for those with dietary restrictions. Deliver leftover food to a local shelter at the end of the day.
Dessert Coordinator: Organize a group of volunteers to bake easy to serve desserts. Organize a group of volunteers to set up and distribute dessert after lunch. Package leftover dessert to be delivered to a local shelter at the end of the day.
Drink Coordinator: Shop for water, soda, soda alternatives to be served at the Picnic. Organize a group of volunteers to pick up ice the morning of the Picnic, chill all drinks with ice in coolers, set up drink stations and keep refreshed throughout the Picnic.
Trash & Recycle Coordinator: Set up and label trash and recycle receptacles the day of the Picnic. Circulate during the picnic & remove filled receptacles as needed. Organize delivery of recyclable containers.
Parking, Safety and Security Coordinator: Coordinate volunteers to direct cars in the parking lot prior to the Picnic. Set up caution tape around parts of the lawn that present trip hazards. Have a first aid kit on hand as needed.
Set up & Break Down Coordinator: Coordinate a group of volunteers to set up chairs and tables according to a pre-set diagram the day before and the morning of the Picnic. Coordinate volunteers to break down and put away tables and chairs at the end of the Picnic.
Children & Family Activities Coordinator: Work with a group of volunteers to plan, set up, supervise/facilitate child-friendly picnic games and activities.
If one of these leadership positions appeals to you, please email Bob Murray at bobm52664@gmail.com.
|
|
Giving Garden Summer Update
Thanks to all who supported the Plant sale as we now have replenished our budget for next year’s needs (like compost and fertilizer). A special thank you to all the parishioners who planted those plants from seed and nurtured them for 3 months before the sale. We have been picking peas for the last 3 weeks. We already have green tomatoes and have harvested much of our spinach for the Saint Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen in Middletown. Green beans are growing well and we had a donation of cabbage and pepper plants from two parishioners that have been planted in the garden as well.
We manage our garden with 3 teams: 1.) The seed planters are done for the year; 2.) the weekly maintenance team who plants new crops, weeds, fertilizes, etc.; 3.) and the picking and delivering team. We can always use new volunteers to help with the work and we also need volunteers who can fill in when our picker/deliverers go on vacation.
Some like to donate produce from their own gardens and that is appreciated as well.
Finally, we always dream of what else would make the garden special. So here is our wish list:
- A bench old or new…where we could place the tools or harvested vegetables while we are working. It also would be a great place to come, sit, meditate and pray. We have already seen our first swallowtail butterfly and you can hear the bees buzzing.
- A couple of parsley plants for our herb garden.
- Flowers to attract the pollinators (annuals or perennials).
- Gravel…we need to keep the weeds down outside the garden so we will lay cardboard around the exterior of the garden and then but gravel on top
- A bigger ask…we want to expand the garden so we can plant some crops like asparagus. We need someone to manage the project; figure out the best design, find where we can get materials and get cost estimates on fencing, poles, etc. Once approved, purchase all and then get a work team together for installation.
To volunteer for any of the above, contact Claire Dalidowitz at 860-518-7435.
|
|
Food & Cereal
For Our Local Pantries
Households who struggle with hunger need our help even more in the summer time. 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. Learn more here.
St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.
St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins are near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.
|
|
Summer Clothing Collection
Our Parish Summer Clothing Collection continues through the coming weeks. We accept warm weather clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church (behind the divider). Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept household goods.
St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.
|
|
Hospitality Sunday is Back!
First Sunday of the Month
Coffee, treats, visiting with friends - old and new - 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.
|
|
Text-to-Give
We are keeping up with technology! With 97% of smartphone users texting at least once a day, Saint Josephine Bakhita has decided to add the option to give via text. You can text any amount followed by the word ‘text’ to 860-821-7962, and your transaction will be processed through the Online Giving account associated with your mobile phone number. If your phone number is not recognized, you can associate your number with an existing account or follow the simple steps to create a Text-to-Give account.
|
|
The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal helps provide the critical funding needed to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, counsel those in despair, offer much-needed assistance to the unemployed, and make medical care available to those without health insurance. Your gift to the 2022 Appeal will help to continue these and other vital ministries, services, and programs that reach out to so many in need. All funds contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal are used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the Appeal literature, which can be found here. No Appeal funds are ever used for legal fees or settlements.
|
|
Daily Mass Schedule
Monday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
Tuesday: 8:00am-St. James
Thursday: 8:00am-St. James
Friday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
|
|
Reconciliation
Fr. George welcomes all to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton.
|
|
The Parish Pastoral Council welcomes your feedback, questions and concerns and will respond as appropriate. Please contact the Council via email by sending a message to parishcouncil@sjbrh.org. Learn more, Click here.
|
|
Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
