July 5, 2022

In Jesus' Heart There Is Always Room For One More

July 5, 2022

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and blessings!

This weekend’s Gospel (Luke 10:25-37) sparks a thought and reflection for me…In Jesus’ heart, there is always room for one more. Two weeks ago, was the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus…a time to ponder the heart of Jesus becoming our heart as well.

It seems to me that it is so easy to get marooned inside oneself, so immersed in our wants and hurts that we live as if we are the only ones who count. This posture of life and spirit can render us immune to love and friendship, even with God.

Jesus’ good Samaritan story is his plea for us to redefine our family tree and make a place on that tree for all God’s people: no more Insiders vs Outsiders, just a large circle with room for all. A safe place to explore the truths of faith in the context of our complex lives. Of course, living that way is not easy, because out hearts seem to have automatic door closers that work when we are not looking. The answer, as Jesus said so often, is to stay awake. When we find our hearts turning to stone and our hands filling up with stones to cast, we will remember how helpless we would be if God were not so full of second chances for us.

If we want loves that last and joys that fill our souls, build a heart like Jesus’ heart, where there is always room for one more. It will cost us terribly at times, as it cost Jesus, but it is the only path to the peace we all long for in these complex days.

I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!

Fr. George

With the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade on June 24^th, there is much to praise God. As you know there is a great deal of debate inside and outside the Church concerning what this means and what to do next or how to respond. To help you with that debate and find clarification about all life issues that should concern Roman Catholics, I refer you to these online resources:

Connecticut Catholic Conference website: https://ctcatholic.org

https://walkingwithmoms.com

https://hopeafterabortion.com/

https://respectlife.org

https://prayfordobbs.com

Birthright of Greater Hartford: https://birthright.org

Archbishop Blair's Letter to the Faithful ~ June 25, 2022

The 15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 10, 2022

4 PM Vigil - St. James

9 AM - St. Elizabeth Seton & livestreamed

11 AM - St. James & livestreamed

*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*

Watch on Facebook

Watch on Our Website

Faith Formation Registration is Underway

Before everyone gets caught up in the busy summer ahead, please take time to register your children for faith formation classes. Register before July 15 to take advantage of a special discounted fee of $80. This is a $20 savings off our standard fee of $100. If you volunteer as a catechist, the registration fee is waived for your entire family. Please contact Monica at monica@sjbrh.org for more information on this important ministry opportunity. Use the link below to register and have a wonderful summer!

Parish Picnic

We Need YOU!

Sunday, September 11^th

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 5^th 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.

Bakhita Servers Coordinator: Organize a group of volunteers to serve as “waiters” for Picnic Participants who have mobility issues.

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.

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.

Questions? Contact Carl Bach at abcb1922@yahoo.com

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.

Questions? Contact Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

Volunteers Needed

The cereal delivery teams are looking for volunteers to assist in transporting the monthly cereal collection to Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown.

The 3rd Wednesday of every month, the cereal is picked up at both churches and delivered to the Food Pantry.

Volunteers will be assigned to a team of 2-3 people. Currently each team is scheduled 2-3 times a year.

If you feel you might be able to assist with the cereal delivery or for more information, please contact Dennis Mazzamurro at neeceemae@sbcglobal.net.

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.