March 21, 2023

Holy Week is Coming, Easter Food Baskets Needed, Keep Filling Those Rice Bowls, and more....

March 21, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

The readings from the Gospel of John proclaimed on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent are explicitly tied to the scrutiny rites celebrated with those preparing for baptism at Easter. Throughout Lent, the assembly participates in these rites that are part of the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. The assembly, too, benefits spiritually as all pray that the candidates be enlightened with a deeper knowledge of Christ and purified from anything that blocks their full assent of belief. Those seeking baptism are preparing to approach the font and make a profession of faith in front of the community. Simultaneously, the rest of us are preparing to renew our baptismal promises with full hearts.

These Gospel accounts guide us so that we may hear and believe (like the Samaritan woman), see and believe (like the man born blind), and finally believe without proof (like Martha, Mary, and Lazarus). In each of these Gospels, Jesus reveals his true identity. They culminate in the exchange between Jesus and Martha on the road to Bethany. Jesus proclaims to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25) and then asks Martha, “Do you believe this?”

This final week of Lent invites us to join those preparing to join our Church in prayer and reflection. Our Saint Josephine Bakhita community is accompanying Danielle Oliveira and her sponsor/husband Jonathan as she prepares to be received into Full Communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. As Danielle makes her promises of faith to the Catholic Church, we will be asked to renew and affirm our faith in Jesus Christ. Are you ready to affirm with Martha: “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” (John 11:27)?

Click Here to See Our Holy Week Schedule

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

March 26, 2023

4:00 PM at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at Saint James

Lenten Fasting Cup Activity

The Campailla Family Fasting Cup

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.” 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

Evening Prayer

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

Reconciliation

Mondays at 6:00 PM

St. Elizabeth Seton.

April 2 at 4:00 PM

St. James

April 4 at 6:00 PM

St. James

April 5 at 6:00 PM

St. Elizabeth Seton

Lent Almsgiving

Catholic Relief Services

Rice Bowl Challenge Continues

Our faith formation students in grades 4-8 have been busy collecting money in their rice bowls as the competition continues! Many of them have been donating their own money that they had already saved, doing chores in return for money from Mom and Dad, and putting money in their rice bowls as they give up special meals or snacks that they enjoy. We are so proud of all of them and their efforts to give to all those in the world who are served by Catholic Relief Services. The grade that collects the most money will be treated to an ice cream party served by our Confirmation students! God bless all your ongoing efforts to aid the less fortunate in our midst!

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.

Holy Week Schedule

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

April 2, 2023

4PM ~ St. James

9AM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton (livestreamed)

11AM ~ St. James

Holy Thursday

April 6, 2023

Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

7PM ~ St James (livestreamed)

Adoration until 10:00PM

Good Friday

April 7, 2023

Celebration of Our Lord’s Passion

3PM ~ St. James (livestreamed)

Tenebrae & Veneration

7:30PM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton

Holy Saturday

April 8, 2023

Blessing of Easter Foods

Noon ~ St. James

Easter Vigil

8PM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton (livestreamed)

Easter Sunday

April 9, 2023

9AM ~ St. Elizabeth Seton (livestreamed)

9AM ~ St. James

11AM ~ St. James

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 was held Sunday March 19, at 3:00PM. Congratulations Carl!!

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for a fantastic and fun Saint Patrick's Day Dinner.

Enjoy a Gallery of Pictures Here

Click Here to Sign Up for the Earth Day Celebration

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.