June 7, 2022

Welcome to Ordinary Time, Summer Concert Singers Needed, Bakhita Bible Camp is coming and more...

June 7, 2022

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and blessings!

This weekend is the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity: the powerful mystery of the relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The gospel reading from John’s Gospel makes a fascinating point especially considering the world we live in and its challenges: gun violence, racial tensions, economic worries, escalating tempers and hostile words and the horror of war, not only in Ukraine, but in many portions of our globe. All of this forming a darkness that tries to hide the light of truth, hope and faith.

Not long before he died, Jesus said, I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now….” What was he talking about? Death? No, he had already told them about that. The end of the world? No, he had already said he did not know. He was talking about the dark place in our hearts, which seem so ugly and so beyond fixing that they frighten us into pretending they do not exist. It is like trying to protect ourselves from the hazards of the highway by driving with our eyes closed.

Jesus knew this about us and told us repeatedly, “Don’t be afraid.” He assured us that we can risk opening our eyes and looking squarely at the inner darkness that has terrified us. We can afford the risk, because we know that the Holy Spirit is guiding us through the dark one step at a time, giving us the power to light up our darkness one room at a time.

Let us renew our assurance of the Spirit’s presence who assists us to keep our light vibrantly and confidently “on.” In the light of that same Spirit, may we not only think and pray for the light to shine forth in the darkness of the issues of our day…. but more importantly let us DO something empowered by that ever-present Spirit within us so to have influence in this world

Last weekend it was an honor to witness our own young adult parishioners receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit as they received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, confirmed by Archbishop Blair. May the light of the Spirit ever shine in and through these young disciples of Christ.

I wish you and yours continued blessings!!

Fr. George

The Most Holy Trinity

June 12, 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

Our 90 day journey from Ash Wednesday to Pentecost Sunday has come to an end and the Church now enters the longer season of Ordinary Time. The liturgical color for the season is green and the natural world is awash with new growth on trees and in gardens. There is nothing ‘ordinary’ about Ordinary Time. It is named for ‘ordered’ or counted time. The Church is now officially in the Tenth Week of Ordinary Time. Another term for Ordinary Time is ‘The Growing Time.’ Change your prayer space colors to green and reflect on how you hope to grow spiritually in the not so ordinary weeks ahead.

Congratulations To Our Confirmation Candidates

Our Confirmation Candidates celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. Let us lift our young people, their sponsors and families up in prayer at this very special moment in their lives.

Watch the celebration: Click here.

Enjoy some pictures from the day: Click here.

Saint Josephine Bakhita Music Ministry Presents

Summer Songs

Join us in celebrating the fifth anniversary of Saint Josephine Bakhita parish with a concert on the St. James lawn under the big pine trees.

Sunday, June 26

5:00 PM

The joint choirs and cantors will be singing some fun spiritual and secular songs we can sing in church. Bring a picnic supper, bag chairs, a blanket, and we will supply dessert!

Singers Needed!

Those who can sing on pitch and attend our Wednesday rehearsals can sing in this fun concert of sacred and secular music. Contact Joy at 860-529-8655 X10 or email at joy@sjbrh.org for more information about singing or just to talk music.

A great time was had by all at our community night at the Hartford Yard Goats on Friday, June 3, 2022. Thank you to Ken & Lori Gosselin for organizing this fun parish outing! Go Goats! Catch all the great pics: Click here

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

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 Thursday, June 9 from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.