Saint Josephine
Bakhita Parish
November 9, 2021
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Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
It is hard to imagine that the great American holiday of Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Certainly, there will be a lot of preparation for the special festivities of that wonderful day. Our families and friends will be anticipating a more socially open holiday this year with the hope that the pandemic is taking a huge slow down. There is much to be thankful for.
Here at St. Josephine Bakhita we too are making preparations for some wonderful opportunities to celebrate this feast as well. On the weekend of November 20-21, we will be doing our annual parish wide food basket collection that will be presented to the Town of Rocky Hill Human Services Department/ Food Pantry. Not only will we collect food baskets we will also collect grocery gift cards for local markets. Many folks find it a bit easier to purchase a gift card rather than prepare a basket. On that weekend there will be two drop off spots: the rectory garage at St. Elizabeth Seton and Fr. Shea Hall at St. James. Learn more here. There is much to be thankful for.
Another wonderful opportunity will be the annual Town Wide Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. This year we will be hosting the gathering at St. Elizabeth Church on Monday November 22, at 7:00 PM. The town churches traditionally gather in prayer, song and meditation with the leadership of their respective pastors. Also, we will be joined by local officials and the formal proclamation from the town of Rocky Hill will be read. This gathering will be in person and also be livestreamed on our parish Facebook Page and website.
Again, there is much to be thankful for!
Also, there will be the annual parish Thanksgiving Mass at 8:00 a.m. at St. James on Thanksgiving Day. We make this an early Mass so people can return to their meal preparations or travel plans. There is much to be thankful for.
On a more personal note, I am thankful for the following: for the entire staff and all the parish volunteers that make this parish so vibrant and special, for all the benefactors that keep our parish afloat, for all the faith-filled parishioners that come together is prayer, community and hope, for the 40 years that I have been blessed to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Hartford, and most certainly for The Lord Jesus who came into our world to show us the way, the truth and the life....yes, there is much to be thankful for.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. George Couturier
Pastor
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Thirty-Third Sunday
in Ordinary Time
November 13-14, 2021
4 PM Vigil, 9 AM, 11 AM
*Masks strongly encouraged!*
Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish will livestream the 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM Sunday Mass using Facebook Live. The livestream of the Mass can also be viewed on the front page of our website. The recordings remain available on the Parish Facebook page.
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All members of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish community are invited to join in the faith activity for the months of October & November called The Thankful Pumpkin. To learn more, Click Here. Email pictures of your Thankful Pumpkin to the Faith Formation Office at reo@sjbrh.org.
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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. Baskets may contain food for several meals in addition to Thanksgiving dinner. Bring baskets to the Rectory Garage at St. Elizabeth Seton or Fr. Shea Hall at St. James on Saturday afternoon, November 20 or Sunday morning, November 21. We are also collecting gift certificates to local grocery stores to compliment the Food Baskets and enable families to buy turkeys and perishable foods. Bring the gift certificates to Mass the weekend of November 20-21 or mail them to the Church office in advance of that weekend. For buying suggestions and to learn more, Click Here.
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Support our Local Pantries
Food & Cereal Donations
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:
St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.
St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.
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Winter Clothing
Collection
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Winter Clothing Collection started Monday, November 8. We accept Winter Clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church. Please note, we are no longer able to accept household goods.
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Sweet Feet Repeat
Last year our Confirmation classes collected candy and new socks as part of their Sweet Feet Project. They filled men, women and children’s socks with candy and delivered them to numerous agencies as a special gift for Christmas. The project was huge success, and we would like to “repeat” it again this year but need lots of donated candy and socks.
Now is the perfect time to donate spare Halloween Candy. From now until the beginning of December, drop new socks and candy in the boxes labeled Sweet Feet Project located in the foyers of both churches. Thank you for making Christmas a little “sweeter” for others.
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The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. All eligible donors are encouraged to schedule appointments now. The next drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Friday, November 12 from 9am-2pm. Go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to register to give.
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Attention Holiday Fair Bakers
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DROP OFF
Please bring your donated items to the Parish Center behind Saint James Church on Friday, November 19, 2021 between 2:00 - 6:00 PM. Bring a slip of paper with your name and name of your donated item(s) as labels will be made to identify your items for the shoppers. There will be someone to check your name off the list so please check-in with the volunteers at the Cookie Walk and Bake Sale tables along the east end of the center. Thank you!
Questions? MaryAnne DiPasquale 860-529-2304 or Lynda Regina 860-563-9550
Sign up in either church foyer
or email what you will bake to
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Holiday Fair Silent Auction Preview
The Silent Auction Committee has assembled an amazing assortment of items for bidding. Here is just a partial list:
Gift Certificates: DeNovellis Restaurant, West Side Market, Amazon, Sam's Club, Rudy's Little Italy, Ocean State Job Lot, Bob's Discount Furniture, Little Theater of Manchester, Big Y, Panizzo, Stew Leonards, Saybrook Fish House, Gilbert Farm, Chuck's Steakhouse, Mark Twain House, Essex Steam Train, Hartford Yard Goats, New Britain Museum of American Art, Wadsworth Atheneum, Tennis and Fitness Center of Rocky Hill, Boston Red Sox, Connecticut Sun, Mt. Southington, and more!
Grand Prize: One week stay at the Narragansett vacation home of parishioners Joe and Pat Klinger (valued at $3000). Well maintained, updated, 3-story, 3000 sq. ft., 5 bedroom, sleeps 12, within minutes of Roger Wheeler and Scarborough State Beaches. Bidding for vacation home will start at $1300. Questions, call Joy at 860-529-8655.
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It's Not Too Early To Start Thinking About Advent |
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Advent Mini Day of Reflection
An Advent Experience of Jesus
Sunday, December 5
11 AM - 2 PM
11 AM: Mass at St. James Church
Noon - 2 PM: Light lunch followed by
reflection session at Saint James Parish Center
The most essential and life changing truth of our Catholic faith is the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is the Kerygma and it is our timeless love story with God! Come and find some rest for your soul as you experience the Good News in a new and different way. This is a perfect occasion to ready yourself for the Advent season and enter into Christmas with a renewed heart and with your face turned toward the Lord Jesus. Our guest speaker will be Kelly Henderschedt, Archdiocesan Director of Faith Formation.
Space is limited to the first 25 people. To register to attend, Click Here.
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Advent Bible Study
Prepare For Christmas With Mary
Few people have impacted the world of Christian spirituality theology and history as Mary, the Mother of the Lord. Join us for three sessions online on December Monday evenings 12/6,12/13 and 12/20 as we wait with her for the birth of Christ by considering the key events in her life that helped set the course of salvation history. No experience with Scripture necessary…newcomers, family and friends most welcome.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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