October 1, 2024

Welcome to Fall at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

October 1, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

In this weekend’s Gospel (Mark 10:2-16), Jesus tells us, “If you want to enter the kingdom of God, you have to accept it like a little child." I think this is what Jesus means: Trusting so deeply in God’s presence, love and mercy that we are willing to take God’s hand—like a child—and walk with him wherever he leads.

Can you imagine what living with that total trust must feel like on the inside? So calm and peaceful, unhurried and unworried. Boy could we all really use a dose of all those ingredients!! Ready for whatever comes. Taking life one moment at a time and giving our very best to each moment and to each person. Living that way becomes possible when we trust our Lord enough to let go and just walk with him one step at a time.

That trustful walking with the Lord is what Jesus calls “the kingdom of God” here and now. Is that where we live—in God’s embrace? Our faces (mine too) suggest too often that is not where we live. Our faces and our actions suggest that too much of the time we are walking alone—or to be more accurate—running alone, harried, worried, rarely at rest, often late.

So why not trust his love for us? Take his hand. Walk with him in peace. God knows that the alternative ways that our culture often offers are just not working.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish's new ministry, Nurturing Seedlings, and parishioners, Juan and Victoria Escoriza, were featured in the October edition of the Catholic Transcript. Read this wonderful article and learn more about this outreach to parents with young children by clicking the button.

Read the Article Here

Join Us for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 6, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Faith Formation classes for all of our registered students in grades Pre-K through Confirmation will be starting soon. Please see below for the starting date for your child’s grade level:

Pre-K and Kindergarten: Sunday, October 20, 2024, 8:45-9:45 AM, St. Elizabeth Seton

Grade 1: Sunday, September 29, 2024, 8:45-9:45 AM, St. Elizabeth Seton

Grades 2 & 3: Sunday, September 29, 2024, 4:00-5:00 PM & Monday, September 30, 2024, 5:00-6:00 PM, St. Elizabeth Seton

Grades 4-7: Sunday, September 29, 2024, 4:15-5:15 PM & Monday, September 30, 2024, 4:30-5:30 PM & 5:45-6:45 PM, St. James

Grade 8: Sunday, October 6, 2024, 5:30-7:00 PM, St. James

Confirmation Year 1: Sunday, September 29, 2024, 5:45-8:00 PM, St. James Parish Center

Confirmation Year 2: Sunday, September 22, 2024, 5:45-8:00 PM, St James Parish Center

Families will be receiving individual class assignments and calendar for the year via email.

Please keep all of our children and their families in your prayers as we begin another Faith Formation year learning about Jesus and sharing His love with one another!

Please direct any questions to Director of Faith Formation, Monica Piombino at REO@sjbrh.org.

Catechist Brunch and Retreat

We celebrated a wonderful brunch and retreat on September 22, 2024 after the 9AM Mass at Saint Elizabeth Seton. Laurie Janecko, our retreat presenter inspired and energized us for a new year of faith formation. Please pray for all of our catechists who have so generously volunteered to share their gifts and faith with our youth!

Other Fun Tidbits

Blessing of Animals

Feast of St. Francis

Friday, October 4

6:00 PM

St. James Patio between Church and Parish Center

All are welcome!

St. Josephine Bakhita Parish

Variety Show

Friday, October 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Parish Center at St. James

For more info email: Joy@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655 x17.

Give Blood

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 10, 2024 from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.

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.

Click Here to Download the Awakening Retreat Registration Form

2025 Mass Intention Scheduling

It is time to schedule your Mass Intentions! This year will be just like 2024 with two additional ways to remember your loved ones. 1.) Lighting of a special 5-day Vigil candle and 2.) Ringing of our beautiful carillon bells at St. James with an option of a song (list provided), toll (in memory of) or peal (in honor of).

Due to Mass Intentions being so popular we need to limit each household to 2 Mass intentions for the year so that everyone in our parish community has an opportunity to reserve a mass.

MOTHER’S AND FATHER’S DAY MASS INTENTIONS:

Due to the popularity of these dates we will no longer schedule individual names but together as a parish will celebrate All of our Mothers and Fathers together as one.

HERE’S WHAT YO U NEED TO DO:

Call the office anytime NOW between 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and we will make a phone/office appointment for you on one of the following dates:

OCTOBER 1, OCTOBER 2, OCTOBER 3,

OCTOBER 8, OCTOBER 9, OCTOBER 10

SCHEDULED TIMES WILL BE BETWEEN

10:00 AM & 2:00 PM

On your scheduled day and time you may call the office or stop by the Rectory Office at Saint James and we will put your request in the calendar book. Limit 2 per family.

Payment will be due within 2 weeks of your appointment to hold your dates. If you call in a reservation, you can mail a check to the office or leave your payment in an envelope by using the slot in the Rectory office door. Make checks payable to Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish.

The Office Phone is: 860-529-8655.

Thank you,

Carrie & Pam

Parish Administrative Assistants