October 4, 2022

Happy Feast of St. Francis, Save the Date for the Holiday Fair, and so much more...

October 4, 2022

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and blessings!

We celebrate the Feast Day for St. Francis of Assisi today and truly all through October. In the spirit of St. Francis we gathered on the plaza at St. James on Sunday afternoon to give thanks for and bless our beloved four-legged friends.

In his Encyclical, Laudato Si', Pope Francis said,

I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically. He is the patron saint of all who study and work in the area of ecology...he was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his open heartedness. He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.

In that spirit, I invite and encourage you to enjoy the wonders of creation. Visit our church campuses and discover the peaceful places and beauty of our Saint Bakhita Parish during these autumn months.

Saint Elizabeth Seton: The Marian Garden and Gazebo on the Saint Elizabeth Seton campus are peaceful spots that have been spruced up since spring to receive visitors. On balmy days, visitors take their walks around the parking lot, individuals sit for a while, others browse books at the lending library and the Prayer Shawl Ministry might be knitting, crocheting, chatting, and praying over their work as well as for those who will receive those shawls.

Saint James: The Labyrinth at Saint James provides a new experience for those who have never tried this form of prayer. The needle crafters work under the trees. There are many locations on the campus of Saint James to walk, sit, enjoy God’s creation and pray. Wander around to discover a new prayer spot.

We officially kicked-off the Faith Formation year on Sunday, welcoming young people from Kindergarten through High School and their parents to the first week of classes. As I said to the parents at mass this weekend as we blessed all the faith formation families:

You need encouragement and blessings galore. You have the spiritual custody of your children. You have a relationship with your children and Jesus Christ. You are the first and primary teachers of the faith. And it isn’t always easy, I know that.

The parish is here to try to support that as best we can. We pray for you that you have strength. Kids are very busy with so many things that make their lives rich and full but I believe that faith formation is the foundation of it all and I encourage you to promote that as best you can.

Pray every day with your children. Come to church as a family. Listen to the word of God. And be blessed by the presence of God in your lives in the good times and the hard times alike.

I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!

Fr. George

The 28^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 9, 2022

4 PM Vigil - St. James

9 AM - St. Elizabeth Seton & livestreamed

11 AM - St. James & livestreamed

*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*

Watch on Facebook

Watch on Our Website

Faith Formation Updates

Faith Formation Classes

Have Begun

A big Thank you to everyone who attended our Kick-Off Celebration this past Sunday! It was so wonderful to see so many families with their children at Mass and then celebrating together at our following reception. Heartfelt Blessings were given by Fr. George to the students and parents at the end of Mass to encourage and inspire us all as we continue to grow in our faith as a vibrant and loving parish community.

All families who are formally registered in the parish as well as in Faith formation should be assigned to a class, date, and time. If you have any questions please contact Monica at monica@sjbrh.org.

We wish continued blessings on all of our families as we begin our faith formation year!

Adult Spirituality Opportunities

Did You Miss Confirmation the First Time Around?

We Can Help With That

It’s never too late. Even if you are way “past the age” or even a little ;-) ...and not yet Confirmed...you can be. You certainly are not alone. It happens for a variety of reasons. We will help you get “caught up.”

If you have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation and would like to, contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org or by phone at 860-529-3222, x14. Leave a message and he will get back to you.

Outreach Opportunities

Food & Cereal

For Our Local Pantries

Households who struggle with hunger need our help even more in the summer time. 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 here.

ABC Women’s Center

“Baby Bottle Drive”

October 15~30

ABC Women’s Center, located in both Middletown and New Britain, is a faith-based pregnancy resource center. The “Baby Bottle Drive” is an annual fund-raising event and 100% of the donations go directly to ensure the availability and growth of programs and services offered to all their clients free of charge. Since they do not receive any state or government assistance and are solely funded by private donations from individuals, businesses and churches, this event is vital to their ongoing ministry. They offer a variety of life-affirming pregnancy, parenting, and post-abortive support for both women and men. On the weekend of October 15 & 16, we will have baby bottles available for parishioners to take home to fill with their donations (checks are made payable to “ABC Women’s Center). Return the bottle no later than the weekend of October 29 & 30. Our Parish is supporting this event as one more way to participate in the “40 Days of Life” Campaign of the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Birthright is Seeking Volunteers

Birthright is an emergency pregnancy service for expectant mothers. Birthrights guiding principle is that it is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth and the right of every child to be born. There are seven Birthright chapters in Connecticut. Volunteers, especially those who speak Spanish, are needed. Training is provided. Call 800-550-4900 to learn more.

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 Thursday, October 13 from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.

Inviting all Sewers, Knitters & Crocheters

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Knit, Crochet, Sew & Pray Ministries have resumed in person gatherings.

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.

Need a prayer shawl or lap blanket for yourself or someone else? Please contact Laura Pentland, Betty Catelli or Sandy Rokosz.

Holiday Fair ~ Save The Date!

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

Calling all bakers! Get your recipes ready!

Baking Questions:

MaryAnne DiPasquale 860-529-2304

Lynda Regina 860-563-9550

Click Here for Holiday Fair Baking Information

Around the Archdiocese

Archdiocese of Hartford

2022 Marriage Anniversary Celebration

On Sunday, October 16, 2022, at 2:00 PM, the annual Archdiocesan Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford for married couples who have observed or will be observing 25th, 50th, 60th, and other special wedding anniversaries in 2022. Learn more and sign up to attend here.