May 16, 2023

Elizabeth Seton Reopens Next Weekend, Holy Day This Thursday, May Crowning and more...

May 16, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

In a heartfelt prayer the night before he dies, Jesus professes God’s desire to be close to us. The prayer comes after Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with the disciples and stunned his followers by washing their feet.

During a long talk after the meal, Jesus predicts what will happen to the disciples and he gives them a new commandment—to love one another. He tells them that he is the way, the truth, and the life. He promises he will send the Holy Spirit to help and guide them. At the end of this discourse, Jesus turns his eyes to heaven for an intimate prayer to God, his abba, for his disciples.

On the Seventh Sunday of Easter we always hear part of this prayer, which comprises John chapter 17. Reading like a stream of conscious thought, Jesus implores the Father to keep his disciples close—to strengthen and sustain the bonds already formed. Though Jesus prayed for his beloved disciples on that night, the prayer is also meant for us today. Jesus implores each of us to remain close in the bonds of love and faith. As we near the end of the Easter season, we step back to consider our life with Christ. What opportunities have you seized to remain close to the risen Lord and grow in faith?

Ascension of the Lord

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Holy Day of Obligation

Noon at St. James & livestreamed

7:00 PM at St. James

Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 21, 2023

4:00 PM at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton & livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

ST. ELIZABETH SETON

WILL REOPEN MAY 20!

Crowning of Mary ~ Sunday, May 14

Congratulations to our

First Eucharist Candidates

We congratulate and ask God's blessings on the children who received the Eucharist for the first time last weekend. We pray that Jesus, the Bread of Life and Cup of Eternal Salvation, will always nourish your faith and you grow in your knowledge and love of him. God bless you all!

Stay Tuned Next Week for a Gallery of Pictures from First Communion

Bakhita Bible Camp

Cathletics Vacation Bible School

Become a Champion

for Christ

July 17-21, 2023

9:00 AM - Noon

St. James Campus

Children in Grades 1 - 5 for the fall of 2023.

Bible stories, skits, music, games, crafts, snacks and more!

For more information, contact the Faith Formation Office at reo@sjbrh.org or 860-529-1274.

Learn More & Register Here

Donate to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal

Food & Cereal

For Our Local Pantries

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, Click Here.

Dear Carl & Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Amazing Grace Food Pantry, a ministry of St. Vincent DePaul Middletown, gratefully acknowledges your recent generous donation of 462 pounds of healthy food on 04/28/2023.

Each month, more than 900 families ‘shop’ at our Amazing Grace food pantry, and over 24,000 food items are distributed free of charge to those families. Your generous contribution helps keep the pantry shelves stocked so that we are able to meet the needs of families in our community.

Whether you bring food to Amazing Grace once a year or every month, please know that your commitment to helping families in need is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Brenda Reilly, Program Manager

Amazing Grace Food Pantry