June 28, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
Considering this weekend’s Gospel reading (Luke 10:1-9) I offer these reflections.
To each of us has been entrusted for a time a small piece of this earth to bring to life. It is the great journey of our life, so we need to hear what Jesus said of it so long ago, and still relevant today. “Travel light,” he said. “Your journey will test every fiber of your soul and at times success will seem utterly beyond your reach. Travel light!”
We all carry excess baggage, much of it in our heads. For some of us it is fear. For some it is worn out ideas that have long passed their expiration date. For some, it is a compulsive need to win and to possess. Etc. Etc.
Whatever baggage, it keeps us frozen in a state of spiritual inertia. We believe the seductive inner voice that whispers, “You have to be rich, you have to prevail, you have to keep up pretenses, or you will not be you.” It promises safety and comfort and security but delivers nothing but a dusty field empty of life, now and for eternity.
Give your heart to the hopes and loves that are lasting and true. Let go of all the rest. It will not be easy, because our baggage feels like an essential part of us. But the Spirit, who is God’s strength, will touch us in our weakness and draw us forward step by step. We will complete our great journey. And our small piece of the earth will come to life.
I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!
Fr. George
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In light of last week's major decision by the United States Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, allow me to offer you some resources so that we can faithfully address the questions that will surely arise about our Church teachings:
Deacon Michael offered a powerful homily this past Sunday. Continue to pray with his reflections by visiting our parish Facebook page or Deacon Michael's Blog on our parish website where his homilies are regularly posted. Click here.
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Fr. Dave Baronowski ~ Rest in Peace |
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It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Fr. Dave Baranowski. He died peacefully at home on June 25, 2022. Fr. Baranowski served as Pastor at St. James Church until our merger into Saint Josephine Bakhita five years ago this week.
All are invited to attend the services this week:
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Saint James Church.
Visitation: 9 - 11 AM
Funeral Mass: 11 AM
Rest in peace, good and faithful Servant of God.
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July 3, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
*Join us for coffee after the 9 AM & 11 AM Masses*
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Faith Formation Registration
for 2022-2023 is Now Open
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!
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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 2023.
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.
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Outdoor Places to Pray
at Saint Josephine Bakhita
Since the beginning of Lent, our parish has been exploring different forms of prayer. These were presented by speakers in evenings of reflection, through our social media platforms, in homilies and will be continued during the year.
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.
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Summer Songs Concert a Smashing Success
We enjoyed an exquisite evening on the lawn at St. James under the shade of the pine trees singing along to a fantastic selection of spiritual and spirit-filled music. Thank you to our music ministry for planning such a special concert as we celebrate our 5th Anniversary as Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish - the Catholic Community of Rocky Hill, CT. A great time was had by all!
Enjoy a gallery of pictures here. Catch the concert recording here.... |
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Parish Picnic
Sunday, September 11th
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The annual parish picnic team is seeking new leadership! If you are interested in sharing your talents to help lead an energetic team of volunteers, please consider becoming a chairperson for the parish picnic. In your role as a chairperson, mentored by the current chairpersons, you'll help coordinate the event as we celebrate the 5th anniversary of St. Josephine Bakhita Parish and look forward to next year! The time commitment is reasonable and involves running a few planning meetings with the lead volunteers, working with vendors and parish staff leading up to the picnic, and coordinating resources during the picnic. If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, please contact Bob Murray at bobm52664@gmail.com.
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Hospitality Sunday is Back!
First Sunday of the Month
July 3, 2022
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Reconciliation
Fr. George welcomes all to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton.
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Have you seen Saint Josephine Bakhita's Online Giving Platform? If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Gisele Reyngoudt, Parish Business Manager, at 860-529-8655 or email her at gisele@sjbrh.org.
To find out more about Online Giving and how it benefits our church, Click here.
To receive offering envelopes, email or call Gisele.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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