June 20, 2023

We Have A Lot Happening This Summer!

June 20, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Our parish has been part of a Catholic Prison Ministry for many years, where every Saturday morning a Catholic prayer service is held with supervised inmates at Cheshire Correctional Facility (adult men). On March 7, 2020 the last service was held due to the pandemic restrictions. Recently, we have been informed that the prison is again open to volunteers. The men we serve need spiritual and religious consolation and healing in the face of darkness and sorrow. We bring a message of reconciliation and hope. The men are very anxious for the volunteers to return and perhaps you might want to join the volunteers as ambassadors of Christ and Church.

In Matthew’s Gospel we see this saying of Jesus: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Mt. 25:34-40) Jesus is explaining that when we have done these things, we have visited him. He also said that He would leave the 99 found sheep to search for the one sheep that is lost or strayed.

Please call Fr. George at the rectory for more details 860-529-8655.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

The Twelfth Sunday

in Ordinary Time

June 25, 2023

4:00 PM at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at Saint James

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 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

Congratulations to all our High School and College Graduates!

This is a very important milestone in your life’s journey and your parish community of Saint Josephine Bakhita wishes to celebrate with you.

You are invited to celebrate your accomplishment by joining us in a special liturgy on Sunday, June 25. You may attend either the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Elizabeth Seton or the 11:00 AM Mass at St. James. Fr George will be offering a special blessing at this Mass to carry with you as you continue your journey.

Whatever you plan to do after high school or college, remember that the Holy Spirit is with you wherever you go, always guiding you. Use your gifts to bless and change the world! Remember how amazing you are and how much you are loved! As a parish community, we will continue to pray for you and welcome you always!

Please RSVP to this invitation by email, reo@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-1274 and let us know what Mass you will be attending.

The Faith Formation Team,

Monica, Beth, Carol, Linda, and Lori

Dear Lord,

please help me face the future

with optimism

and trust in Your love and providence.

Bless my heart with hope

and strengthen my faith

amid uncertainty and doubt.

Lead me, Lord, in this new path of life.

I humbly ask this in thy Holy Name.

Amen.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

On Sunday, June 4 at the 11 AM Mass, we celebrated the Children's Liturgy of the Word! Children gathered at the front of the church at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Word to receive a special blessing by Father George and then processed down the main aisle to the back of the church where they gathered together to hear and experience the Sunday readings from Scripture in language that they could understand.

We were blessed to have 30 children participate in this, our first celebration of the Children's Liturgy of the Word at our parish, under the leadership of Filomena Martinelli. We then celebrated together at the end of Mass with coffee and other refreshments with all the members of our parish family.

We look forward to continuing this ministry in the Fall on the first Sunday of every month at 11 AM Mass. Thank you to all who celebrated with us!

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.

Learn More 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 June 25

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 June 25. For more information contact Carl Bach: at 860-882-9174 or abcb1922@yahoo.com.

Outdoor Places to Pray

at Saint Josephine Bakhita

Now that the warm weather has arrived, consider taking your preferred prayer style to a quiet place on the grounds of either church campus.

Saint James campus offers several outdoor spots: the Labyrinth behind the church/next to the parish center as well as the benches between the two buildings. Other prayerful spots include the statue of Christ behind the center as well as on the tree covered lawns near the church.

At Saint Elizabeth Seton campus, a garden devoted to Mary is a good spot for prayer and lies across from the church with benches (and has a lending library, too!). A sheltered gazebo sits in a shaded spot opposite the rectory. Benches on the church porch during the week offer quiet as well.

Inside or outside of either campus, there are peaceful places to pray. Visit our church properties and spend time with our Lord.

Learn more here.

It’s time for Summer Choir at St. James!

Experience Mass in the choir loft. Join us at 10:30 AM to review hymns and simple harmonies to be sung at the 11:00 AM Mass. No prior experience necessary other then the ability to 'carry a tune.'

Call or email Joy for more info: joy@sjbrh.org, 860-529-8655 X17. Or just show up.

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

Daily Mass

Mon-8:30AM @ Seton

Tues-8:00AM @ St. James

Thur-8:00AM @ St. James

Fri-8:30AM @ Seton

Evening Prayer

Fr. George leads evening prayer Monday - Friday at 5:00 PM on our parish Facebook Page. All are welcome!

Rosary

Tues & Thurs

8:30AM @ St. James

Saturdays

3:20PM @ St. James

It is important that when you give to any charitable organization, you are confident that the funds received are being used wisely. Be assured that your gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal supports the ministries and programs indicated in the 2023 Appeal literature! Please visit the Appeal website to learn more and make your gift today.

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.