March 14, 2023

Jesus Offers Us The Gift of Spiritual Sight

March 14, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

The Fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday, a name inspired by the entrance antiphon, “Rejoice, O Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:10).

On Laetare Sunday we momentarily pause from some of the penitential observances of Lent. With joy, our eyes turn toward Easter. This spirit of rejoicing is reflected in our liturgies, which differ from the other Sundays of Lent. Flowers are permitted in the sanctuary. Fr. George may wear rose-colored vestments, ordinarily worn only on one other day of the liturgical year, the Third Sunday of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday.

The Scripture readings also highlight reasons to rejoice. Jesus proclaims to his disciples, to a blind man on the side of the road, and ultimately to all of us, “I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). Perceiving the deepest needs of the man’s heart, Jesus performs a miraculous healing. He restores the man’s physical sight to offer him spiritual sight. Through his subsequent encounters with Jesus, the healed man comes to see, believe, and follow him.

Likewise, we are invited to wake up from our blindness. Jesus looks into our hearts and desires to illuminate our intrinsic goodness. He offers us the gift of spiritual sight to see God’s essence radiating through all human reality. Shall we follow the blind man’s lead and joyfully look at the world and all those we meet with the eyes of faith?

Some of the children in our early childhood faith formation program offered this beautiful reflection of Open My Eyes Lord last Sunday at mass. Enjoy this short piece as a powerful invitation to reflect on the gift of spiritual sight.

Our parish continues to offer a myriad of Lenten spiritual opportunities. We hope you will receive these offerings as invitations of love. Read on to learn more.

Click Here to See All We Have Planned for Lent

March 19, 2023

4:00 PM at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at Saint James

Lenten Fasting Cup Activity

Lifting Up Intercessory Prayer in Our Churches

Prayer Walls

This Lent our parish Faith Formation Program has placed “Prayer Walls” in both of our churches. All are welcome to write a prayer intention on small strips of provided construction paper and tie them with a ribbon on the wire “wall.”

Prayer Intention Books

Along the back wall of St. James and in the foyer of St. Elizabeth Seton, you can also find prayer intention books. These intentions are then prayed for during the celebration of Mass, and the rosary offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays following daily mass.

Light a Candle

Along the back wall in St. James Church and in the Reservation Chapel at St. Elizabeth Church there are votive candle stations which represent our “Sacrifice of Praise.” The word “votive” comes from the Latin word "votum," which originally meant “expressing a desire.” So the next time you are in the chapel, feel free to light a votive candle as a sacrificial offering, expressing your desires and petitions to God.

Lent Prayer & Devotions

Pray the Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross invite us to use all our senses as we reflect prayerfully and walk intentionally with Jesus through his suffering, death on the cross and resurrection.

Friday Evenings

5:30PM at St. James

7:00pm at St. Elizabeth Seton

Lent Evening of Reflection for Couples

Tuesday

March 21

7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton

Navigating a Deeper Relationship

Presented by Lil & Rick Baruffi

Learn more & sign up here

Daily Mass

Mon-8:30AM @ Seton

Tues-8:00AM @ St. James

Thur-8:00AM @ St. James

Fri-8:30AM @ Seton

Adoration

First Thursdays

8:30AM @ St. James

Every Thursday

3:00PM @ St. James

Rosary

Tues & Thurs

8:30AM @ St. James

Saturdays

3:20PM @ St. James

Lent Almsgiving

Easter Food Baskets

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish will be collecting Easter food “baskets” for families within our community on the weekend of April 1-2 so that they can be delivered before Easter. Rocky Hill Human Services is asking for "generic" baskets for families of four to six people. If your family or group would like to donate a basket, please sign up on the sheet located in the Foyer of either church so we know how many to plan for. If we get enough, some will also be donated to Catholic Worker in Hartford.

Please bring your basket (any container is acceptable as long as it looks nice) to the Rectory garage at Saint Elizabeth Seton or Father Shea Hall at Saint James on Saturday afternoon, April 1 or Sunday morning, April 2. A list of suggested items is available here. Please do not include perishable foods. People will be given gift certificates to use for their fresh foods.

During this weekend we will also be collecting grocery store gift certificates which Rocky Hill Human Services will add to the baskets when they are distributed. Please bring the gift certificates to Mass April 1-2 and place them in the collection basket.

Other Fun Tidbits

Saint Joseph Medal Recipient

Each year Archbishop Blair, near the Feast of Saint Joseph, awards at a Cathedral ceremony the Medal of Saint Joseph to a candidate nominated by their home parish. A person of outstanding distinction for service to the parish and beyond. This year we are pleased to honor our own CARL BACH for his outstanding service on behalf of the parish to our many outreach programs. Carl is an exemplary leader and coordinator along with many very generous volunteers. We are all inspired by Carl and the many volunteers to better imitate the call to serve our brothers and sisters in need. This year’s ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph will be Sunday March 19, at 3:00PM. Congratulations Carl!!

St. Patrick's Day Dinner

Join the Knights of Columbus for our annual St. Patrick's Day celebration featuring a traditional corned beef dinner with all the fixings and dessert.

Saturday, March 18

4:00 - 7:00 PM

Saint James Parish Center

Tickets on sale Feb. 18 - Mar. 12.

Learn more here.

Palm Crosses for Sale

The Knights of Columbus will be taking orders for palm crosses after every mass at the St. James and St. Elizabeth campuses for the following dates: February 25 - March 19. Palm crosses will be available for pick up after every mass on Palm Sunday. The cost of the palm crosses is $13. Please contact David Mikol at (860) 726-3585 with any questions.

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 2023 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.