May 2, 2023

Confirmation Next Weekend, All Masses at Saint James starting Monday, Night Out at the Yard Goats, and more....

May 2, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

When we read the words of Jesus with two thousand years of salvation history in our rear-view mirror, it all seems clear. Jesus repeatedly tells the disciples exactly who he is, who sent him, and where he is going. He promises his disciples, whom he loved with human and divine power, that they will remain close for all eternity. Human death will not destroy the bonds of love and relationship.

This promise, first spoken to the disciples shortly after Jesus washed their feet, extends to believers across the generations as well. He offers a compass so that we can always stay close. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). There it is: we remain close to God by remaining close to Jesus. Last Sunday, Jesus told us that he is the gate. On the Fifth Sunday of Easter he tells us he is the “way” and the “truth” and the “life.” Follow his way. Believe his truth. And you will have life eternal.

At that moment of revelation, the disciples responded with questions and confusion. But with the advantage of knowing the full story, we can proceed with confidence, faith, and trust. In the opening prayer for Mass this coming Sunday, we ask God to “constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us” that we baptized Christians may “bear much fruit” in our lives and eventually “come to the joys of life eternal.” Persevere in following the footsteps of Jesus, confident they lead to eternal joy with him.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 7, 2023

4:00 PM at St. James

9:00 AM at St. James

11:00 AM at St. James

PLEASE NOTE:

SAINT ELIZABETH SETON CAMPUS

CLOSED MAY 1 - 19

DUE TO VERY NECESSARY PATIO RECONSTRUCTION AT SAINT ELIZABETH SETON CHURCH, THE BUILDING WILL BE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN FROM MAY 1-19. THIS INCLUDES THE WEEKEND OF MAY 7-8 & MAY 13-14. IF THE WORK IS NOT FINISHED, THE CAMPUS WILL ALSO BE CLOSED MAY 20-21. THE 9:00AM MASS ON SUNDAYS, WEEKDAY MASSES AND MONDAY CONFESSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT SAINT JAMES.

Congratulations

To Our Confirmation Candidates!

Please keep our thirty Confirmation Candidates in your prayers as they prepare to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation this coming Sunday, May 7 at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford.

Confirmation Prayer

Lord, You send out Your Spirit

to touch the hearts of all people,

so that they may believe in You

and in Jesus whom You sent.

Look kindly on all

candidates for Confirmation

as they listen to Your voice.

Open their hearts to Your Spirit

and bring to fulfillment the good work

that You have begun in them.

As we prepare these youth

for the Sacrament of Confirmation,

make each of us an

instrument of Your love.

Teach us to appreciate

what is holy in others,

and to be patient with what

we do not understand.

Deepen our faith in the Gospel

and help us to pass it on

by our example.

We pray that You will continue

to guide us and sustain us.

Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Bakhita Bible Camp is Coming

Cathletics Vacation Bible School

Become Champions for Christ

July 17-21, 2023

9:00 AM - Noon

St. James Campus

Children beginning Kindergarten in the Fall through Fifth Grade

Online registration will be available soon. Space will be limited.

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

Evening of Reflection for Couples

Join us for an evening of reflection for couples led by Lil and Rick Baruffi on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:00PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. The focus of the evening will be on navigating communication and conflict in our relationships. Learn more and sign up HERE.

Eucharist: Meal, Sacrifice, Presence

May 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13

Saint James Parish Center

7:00 P.M.

Our Catholic Christian faith sees the Eucharist as central to the nature of our lives as disciples. There is so much that the various dimensions of this rich and beautiful sacrament seeks to communicate to us.

For so many of us that last structured learning we had on the Eucharist was in childhood. Updating our “software” on this critical sacrament may help us to deepen and refocus our faith and spiritual lives.

This May and June Deacon Michael will lead a six-part series on the Eucharist using Bishop Robert Barron’s study program “Eucharist: Sacred Meal, Sacrifice Real Presence.”

The series will be held on May 9, 16, 23, 30, and June 6, 13 at 7:00 at the Saint James Church Parish Center 767 Elm Street. There is a $10 fee for materials. Please register via email at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com (BEST!!!) or by leaving a message at 860-529-3222 Ext 14.

The sessions are free and open to all members of the parish community and friends. Learn more here.

The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal changes lives through service. In addition to assisting the under served of our communities, your gift helps those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Your gift to the Appeal is an investment in the future of our Church and our faith.

Thank you to the parish families who have made a gift or pledge to the 2023 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not yet participated, please prayerfully consider a gift today. Please know that every dollar of your gift will have a positive impact in someone’s life.

All donations 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.

Donate to the Archbishop's Annual Appeal

Give Blood

The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. The next blood drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Wednesday, May 10, from 1PM-6PM.

Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org to learn more.

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.

New England Catholic Biblical School (NECBS) enrollment is now open. For over 25 years, the New England Catholic Biblical School (NECBS) has helped adults understand, love, and serve God better. They teach Scripture in the Catholic Tradition and welcome adults of all ages who want to learn to read the Bible with greater understanding and to engage the biblical texts in ways that will bring them to a deeper understanding of their authentic identity found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Scan the QR code above for more information.

Hospitality Sunday is Back!

First Sunday of the Month

May 7, 2023

Coffee, treats, visiting with friends 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 and the 11:00 AM Masses at St. James. Consider joining this ministry to keep this great social time going.

Contact Elizabeth@sjbrh.org or Joy@sjbrh.org to find out how you can help.