November 19, 2024

Fall Happenings at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

November 19, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Our faith is full of paradoxes! On the Feast of Christ the King we profess love of the King of the Universe, yet he in turn humbled himself and became one with us, only to die a terrible death. He washed the feet of his apostles at the Last Supper, an act of humility verging on humiliation, and asked them—and us—to do the same.

Clearly, Jesus is not an ordinary human king, ruling with power and fear. He is a king of mercy and gentleness, a shepherd of the lost. His is a Kingdom unlike any our world has seen. And yet, as we pray daily the Our Father, we fervently ask that “your kingdom come, your will be done” here as in heaven.

This is the Kingdom we embrace and the Kingdom we are dedicated to building. Even when we know it “does not belong to this world” in the present age, it is the greatest longing of our heart.

Next weekend we are beginning our Advent Season in preparation for the Christmas Feast and the Christmas season to follow. May this sacred time be a time of deep reflection on the meaning of the King of the Universe born humbly into our world. In a world enamored with out-of-control power, position and possessions we need, more than ever, the Prince of Peace.

I am very pleased to turn over this weekly message to our very own Lisa Orchen. She will be sharing powerful messages each week during the Advent and Christmas Seasons. Thank you, Lisa.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

November 24, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Other Fun Tidbits

Thanksgiving Food Baskets &

Grocery Store Gift Certificates

Create a Thanksgiving Food Basket for a household of 4-6 people to donate to Rocky Hill Human Services and deliver to either church the weekend of November 23-24.

Donate gift certificates to local grocery stores to compliment the Food Baskets and enable families to buy turkeys and perishable foods.

Please indicate your intention to donate a basket by signing up in either Church Foyer. Learn all about where to donate and how to build your basket, Click Here.

Amazing Grace Food Pantry Ministry Needs Your Help!

Our Amazing Grace food pantry ministry is in need of volunteers to retrieve and deliver our parish contributions. As a volunteer, you would be paired with 1-2 other volunteers. The ministry requires approximately 2 hours, only 2-3 times each year. If you are interested in assisting, please contact Denise Mazzamurro at:neeceemae@sbcglobal.net.

Candy Collection

Everyone Loves a Sweet Treat!

The Faith Formation Confirmation Program is collecting candy as part of their annual Christmas project servicing various organizations. Chocolate is always an unexpected and welcoming surprise that all will appreciate receiving! If you find candy on sale, please consider purchasing an extra bag or two and donate to our collection. Students can bring the candy to class any time before December 9, 2024. We will gladly accept candy from your Trick or Treat Bags or leftover candy bowls. Thank you for bringing some “sweet” joy to others this Christmas Season.

Silent Auction Highlights

The Silent Auction at the Holiday Fair is always tremendous but this year promises to surpass all others. Come and bid on some of these outstanding items and opportunities:

One week at a 3 bedroom condo in Kissimmee, Florida, 10 miles from Disney World!

One week at a Cape Cod Condo at Ocean Edge Resort in Brewster, Mass!

One week at a large vacation home on the water in Narragansett, R.I.!

Holy Family Retreat Center Gift Basket and Weekend Retreat!

The Hartford Stage - Christmas Carol Tickets

Gift cards to restaurants, grocery stores, nurseries!

Tickets to local museums and excursions!

So much more!

Annual Holiday Fair

Bake Sale & Cookie Walk

Donations of baked goods and cookies are needed for our annual Holiday Fair. We have many talented bakers in our parish and each year they donate delicious homemade baked goods for our very popular Holiday Fair Bake Sale & Cookie Walk. We can never have too much! Every last crumb sells! Please sign up to donate one or more items.

Click Here To Volunteer To Bake For The Bake Sale

Click Here To Volunteer To Bake For The Cookie Walk

Volunteers Still Needed!

Planning for our annual Holiday Fair is well underway. We need lots of volunteers to help make it all happen! Click the button below or scan the QR Code to sign up to help! If you prefer to talk to someone about volunteering, call Kathy Alexander at 860-563-5859.

Click Here to Volunteer at the Holiday Fair

Looking Towards Advent

Advent Bible Study

This Advent, Deacon Michael will be leading a three session Bible Study called: Advent Anticipation - Meditating on the Gospel Christmas Story. The focus will be on the Gospels that tell the story of the Angel Gabriel’s Annunciation to Mary, the Visitation of Mary with Elizabeth, and the Birth of the Lord. We will be reading through these accounts together and consider their meaning to us today.

There is no text or fee for this series. Registration is required for:

reproduction of materials for our meetings together
forwarding of reading materials for each session and
access to the on-line option described below.

The series runs on Wednesdays: December 4, 11, 18. Two identical sessions are offered each week at 10:00 AM at Saint James Parish Center and then again at 7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. It will be possible to join the 7:00 PM evening session online as well, via Google Meet (please indicate interest at registration to help us plan).

Consider joining others in person or online for this three week reflection on the deeper Christian meaning of the Nativity. To register please email Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com.

Annual Retreat Weekends

Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center

Members & Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish are invited to join together on our annual weekend retreats in 2025. The retreat theme this year is In my Love, Abide. We invite you to come and explore the depths of a life of prayer and learn ways to maintain the sacred connection to God through Christ, the true vine.

The retreat center is located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The weekend begins with a buffet dinner on Friday evening and concludes Sunday with the celebration of Mass. The retreat offers conferences, workshops, wonderful musical liturgies, time for contemplation or quiet walks in a clean, comfortable setting with private rooms & great food.

Parish Contacts are Kathleen Quintana at 860 680-3195 or Bob Manzi at 860 502-5097

Learn more and sign up online at: holyfamilyretreat.org/themed-retreats

Requested Offering: $350, but they emphasize more if you can, less if you can't. Couples weekend requested offering is $575. Please do not allow finances to prevent your decision to attend. Scholarships grants are available. See Fr. George or our parish contacts.

Need a Christmas gift idea? Certificates in any amount are also available from the retreat office and will be available after all masses at St. Josephine Bakhita on Dec 7 & 8.

Women's Retreat Weekend: January 3-5, 2025

Men's Retreat Weekend: February 21-23, 2025

Couple's Retreat Weekend: February 14-16, 202

(includes Valentine’s Gourmet Dinner)