June 4, 2024

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish News

June 4, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

All too often we find ourselves in troubles of our own making. And we ask ourselves, “How did I get into this? Can this ever be fixed?” And we all fear the answer will be “no”! In Sunday’s Gospel (Mark 3:20-35) Jesus says there is no wound that can’t be healed, no sin that can’t be forgiven, no life that can’t be changed. That is what Jesus says, but there is something in us, at times, that is afraid to believe it.

Our problem may be an old habit or an old hate or a whole lifestyle. Whatever it is, it can sometimes make us say, “Even God can’t fix it, so I give up.” This is the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that the Gospel is talking about: despairing of God. By despairing we have closed the door and locked God out so God can’t touch us with his healing love.

Remember there are things in us all that need healing and changing. And that healing and changing can happen if we if we let God be God for us, if we say yes to God’s powerful desire to help us.

So, we have a choice (as individuals, as families, as communities as a nation and world): We can cling to our wounds in silent desperation; or we can name our wounds out loud, give them to God, and ask God to touch us and help us become whole again. That is a prayer that God always listens to and never refuses. But we must speak it, from the heart, with all our heart, every day!

Peace,

Fr. George Couturier

This past Sunday June 2, 2024, on the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, four of our dedicated parishioners received awards for their years of service as catechists in our Faith Formation program. They are: Lori Gosselin for 25 years, Beth Monaco for 20 years, Leslie Esoian for 10 years, and Elizabeth Cook-Asal for 10 years. These generous folks are duly being awarded for their sharing of faith and helping to bring our young ones that nourishment and medicine that come from Jesus alone. We are all grateful for their commitment and love of our young ones.

Join Us For The 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 9, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Enjoy this beautiful gallery of pictures from our First Eucharist Weekend when 49 of our young members received the Body of Christ for the first time. Thank you to Bill Betterini for taking and editing all these wonderful images!

View the Gallery

Other Fun Tidbits

Food & Cereal

For Our Local Pantries

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

Give Blood

The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. All eligible donors are encouraged to schedule appointments now. The next drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.

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.

A Grateful Thank You to All

Through our Parish Outreach Ministry your wonderful donations throughout the past year have enabled our parish to touch the lives of "thousands" of those less fortunate both locally and at St Anne in Haiti. The following is a listing of the organizations that have received donations from our parish over the course of the last 12 months because of your generosity and the efforts of our Outreach Ministry:

St. Anne Church, Saintard, Haiti; House of Bread; ImmaCare Shelter; Casa DeFrancisco; Mercy Housing; My Sister's Place; St. Elizabeth House; Catholic Worker Hartford; Friendship Service Center; Solnit Center; St. Vincent de Paul; Amazing Grace Food Pantry; Rocky Hill Food Pantry; South Park Inn, Apple Rehab.

Carl Bach, Outreach Ministries Coordinator

Archbishop's Annual Appeal Commitment Weekend

This weekend is Commitment Weekend at our parish and across the Archdiocese for the 2024 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not yet made a gift or pledge, please pray about your decision before completing your pledge or one-time gift. Please be as generous as possible - thank you for your support. Please visit the Appeal website to learn more or make your gift today. Be assured that your gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal supports the catholic ministries and programs as outlined in the Appeal literature, which can be found here. No Appeal funds are ever used for legal fees or settlements.

Our community trip to the Yard Goats Game last Friday evening was a HUGE success! Thank you to Ken & Lori Gosselin for coordinating such a fun outing!

View the Gallery of Pictures Here