November 8, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
Wow, what powerful scripture readings for this weekend Masses. Readings that capture the end of our liturgical year…all a bit heavy but thought provoking. The prophet Malachi and Jesus are speaking in apocalyptic language. Language echoed in some of the heated political lingo of our day. What does that big word mean? They are speaking in highly symbolic language about the end time, the end of the world.
Despite all that over the top symbolic religious or political language…Christians are invited, more positively, to maintain our stability and a firm sense of identity by anchoring our lives to something unshakable. Even in the face of life’s changes and turmoil, anchor our lives in fidelity to the Lord and his way of life.
Faithfulness to being a loving person gives our lives all the meaning and purpose it needs. Do not permit “trying times,” bad news, shifting public opinion, economic uncertainties, or personal hardships to destroy our equilibrium and peace of mind.
In moments of despair or confusion, always remember what you are for. We have no need to be frightened, no matter how chaotic the times may be, as long as we remain true to our purpose. Trust that in God’s care, “not a hair of our heads will perish,” continue to live by love.
Next weekend we enter into the glorious celebration of Christ our King of the Universe…something to really look forward too.
I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!
Fr. George
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The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
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November 13, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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Rocky Hill Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
Monday, November 21, 2022
7 PM
St. Andrew the Apostle Episcopal Church
331 Orchard St, Rocky Hill
Thanksgiving Day Mass
Thursday, November 24, 2022
8 AM
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Fall Faith Activity
The Thankful Pumpkin
Try a faith tradition that focuses on thankfulness. Every night leading up to Thanksgiving, gather as a household and add a message, passage, name, or prayer on your Thankful Pumpkin! It can be a real pumpkin, a personal hand-crafted pumpkin, or non-perishable store bought pumpkin.
You can do this as a household of one or with everyone (mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandparents, cousins, god-parents and grown-ups)! Be creative and have fun!
You will have a beautiful, thoughtful Thanksgiving decoration!
Please send pictures of your Thankful Pumpkin to the Faith Formation Office so that we can share them. Our Office is located on the Saint James Campus, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill or email them directly to reo@sjbrh.org.
Enjoy pictures of parish pumpkins from prior years here.
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Adult Spirituality Opportunities |
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Annual Women's Retreat Weekend
Women of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish and Friends: You are invited to join us on our annual weekend retreat, January 6-8, 2023. Let us find, together, "A Missing Peace" for which we all long. Through our prayer together, presentations, and shared discussions, we can come closer to understanding how to achieve the peace that Jesus meant for us to have, and equally important, the peace that is meant for us to share in our families and in our world.
The retreat center is located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The weekend begins with a buffet dinner from 6-7:30 PM on Friday evening and concludes Sunday with the celebration of Mass at 10:45 AM followed by a hot brunch at noon.
Offering:$350, more if you can, less if you can't. Please do no allow finances to prevent your decision to attend. Scholarships are available. See Fr. George to inquire.
Registration forms can be found in the foyers of both churches or sign up online: Click Here.
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Sweet Treat Returns
Last year, thanks to our community's overwhelming generosity, we were able to provide a sweet treat as a small Christmas gift to numerous organizations. The Faith Formation Confirmation Program would like to continue this tradition and are asking for your help.
Do you have any leftover Halloween candy or is there a sale you see at the store? If so, we will be accepting donations of chocolate or hard candy for the next few weeks. Boxes labeled “Sweet Treat Candy Collection” will be in the foyers of both churches.
A small chocolate treat brings large smiles to so many. Thank you for supporting this annual project!
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Catholic Campaign for Human Development Special Collection
November 18 – 19
Did you know that nearly 34 million Americans live below the poverty line? You can help by supporting the collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development through our special collection the weekend of November 18-19, 2022.
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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.
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Winter Clothing Collection
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Winter Clothing Collection begins November 7th. We accept Winter Clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church (behind the divider). Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept household goods. Questions? Contact Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com
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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 19-20.
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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. |
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Inviting all Sewers, Knitters & Crocheters
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Knit, Crochet, Sew & Pray Ministries serve our community in generous ways.
The Knit, Crochet & Sew Good Works Ministry meets every Wednesday in Fr. Shea Hall at St. James Church from 1pm – 4pm.
Contact: Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com
The Morning Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the forth Monday of each month at St. Elizabeth Seton Church at 9am.
Contact: Betty Catelli at catellib64@gmail.com
The Evening Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first Monday of each month at St. Elizabeth Seton Church at 6:45pm.
Contact: Laura Pentland at lbpent57@gmail.com
We are open to anyone who has the skills to sew, knit or crochet or who would like to learn how. Whether you knit or crochet quickly or slowly, your help is welcome to fulfill the mission of spreading God’s love through our craft. It is our hope that those who receive our crafts will feel the love that goes into making each and every one of them. Our time together begins and ends with prayer and all creations are prayed over and blessed prior to being gifted.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita
Holiday Fair
Saturday, November 19
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saint James Parish Center
Silent Auction & Teacup Auction
Crafts & Homemade Ornaments
Cookie Walk & Bake Sale
Fun Foods to Buy & Enjoy
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We Need Volunteers
We can't wait for our annual Holiday Fair and we need lots of help to make it happen. There is a job for everyone! Check out all the opportunities and volunteer to help make 2022 the best year ever! If you prefer to talk to someone about volunteering rather than using our e-form below, call Kathy Alexander at 860-563-5859.
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We want this year’s Silent Auction to be the best ever. How can you help? Ask a business you frequent to donate something. Or donate something yourself. Here are some ideas:
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New higher-end merchandise: Designer Pocketbooks, TV’s, Electronics
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Services: landscaping, leaf raking, meal preparation, accounting, legal
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Tradesman: carpentry, plumbing, electrical
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Unused Gift Cards: Please specify the $ amount — place them in an envelope marked “Holiday Fair” and drop in our offertory boxes at either church
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Travel packages: Donate time at a vacation home you own
- Signed sports memorabilia or tickets to a great sporting event
- Tickets to concerts, theater, Broadway shows
Your donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Your donation will not only help our community of St. Josephine Bakhita, it will help you!
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We Need Tea Cup Raffle
& Ornament Donations
We are seeking new or gently used items for our Teacup Raffle as well as Christmas Ornaments. Bins will be placed at the entrances of both Churches. Any questions, feel free to call Kathy Alexander at 860-563-5859.
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The Season of Advent is right around the corner, starting on Sunday, November 27. Our parish has a wide variety of devotional & faith-filled opportunities planned!
Do you have a nativity scene/crèche that you set up every year? Send a picture along with one or two sentences about where it is from, where you got it or what it means to you to communications@sjbrh.org. We have something special planned to share our beautiful home nativities this Advent. |
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Advent Bible Study
Mary has had a profound influence on Christian spirituality, theology and history. Join us to reflect on three incidents in the life of Mary on three Wednesdays during Advent: December 7, 14 and 21. Saint Josephine Bakhita Adult Bible Study will be offering a 3-part read and reflect series on Mary by exploring three scenes from her life that are critical to our own lives as disciples of her Son. This is a profound and powerful “Advent way” to prepare for the joy of Christmas.
The series begins on Wednesday December 7th. Two identical sessions are offered each week, one at 10:00 AM at St. James Church Parish Center 767 Elm Street in Rocky Hill, and at 7:00 PM ONLINE.
Participation details can be found online, Click Here.
All are welcome. No special knowledge of Scripture is required. Pre-register by Tuesday November 21st. $6 fee for materials.
Please register by signing up via email at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or by calling and leaving a message at 860-529-3222 Ext. 14.
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Looking for a great read? Check out our selections in our Little Free Libraries located on both our church campuses! Take or leave a book! |
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Daily Mass Schedule
Monday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
Tuesday: 8:00am-St. James
Thursday: 8:00am-St. James
Friday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
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Rosary
Our parish community gathers to pray the rosary at St. James Church on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30am and Saturday afternoons at 3:20pm. All are welcome!
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Help us to stay connected and keep you up to date with the information you need to know about Faith Formation and Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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