October 13, 2026

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Fall News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

October 13, 2026

Daly Fall Notes

Dear Friends,

“Give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and to God the things that are God’s.”

Have you had a chance to read Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence”? In it Pope Leo offers us some guidance on what we as believers must contribute to secular society.

First of all, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we witness to the dignity of every person made in the image and likeness of God. That dignity does not depend on social status, wealth, or political power. The beggar on the street corner has as much dignity as the CEO in the boardroom.

So, it is our duty to fight for laws and policies that promote the dignity of every person. That means we oppose abortion, because from conception to birth, the unborn child is a human being who has a right to life. We also oppose physician assisted suicide because no matter how sick or disabled people become, they still retain their human dignity. We may not kill them because they are inconvenient. That is why we oppose war, because it results in the deaths of many innocent people. They are individuals endowed with dignity whose right to life must be respected.

Our Catholic faith also demands that we work to ensure that the poorest and neediest among us have a place at the table.

So, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to promote the dignity of every human person and work to lift up the poor so that the world can be transformed by the love of Jesus Christ, who gave His life for the sake of every human person.

Fr. Shawn

Join Us For The
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 18, 2026

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:30 AM at St. James

Fall Bakhita Bible Study
”Go In Peace…”

In our times, as in the times of Jesus, violence and conflict seem a stubborn “fact of life”. Then and now, wars, rumors of wars, civil strife and conflicts, social and cultural discord, violent crimes and domestic violence were and are everyday realities.

Disciples of Jesus Christ, reaching back to the Old Testament prophets and strengthened by the Lord’s own teaching words and example, are called to turn away from violence toward peace in our lives and relationships in a reconciling way that speaks to the world around us.

Bakhita Bible Study will be considering these realities and challenges starting on Wednesday October 14 through November 18 at 10:00 AM at the St. James Parish Center and at 7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. The 7:00 PM evening sessions will be live streamed online for remote participation. There is a $10 book charge. Please preregister by Sunday October 4 by emailing Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com (best) or by calling 860-836-8218 and leaving a message.

Other Fun Tidbits

Faith Sharing Group

All are welcome to join the Saint Josephine Bakhita Faith Sharing Group. Our October meetings are Tuesday, October 21, 1:00-2:30 PM and Tuesday, October 27 from 6:30-8:00 PM. Both meetings will be in person at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church in room B. We focus on prayer, a brief scripture review on the workings of the Holy Spirit, with a continued discernment in open discussion and personal prayer intentions. You are invited to come to one or both, we are using the same format but will have different members and discussions.

We also have a charismatic prayer group that is led by Kristie Bilcharz. This group meets on Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month. For additional information about any of these groups, please contact Michael Lonergan at 860-638-7080 or at Mikelonergan53108@sbcglobal.net. I will forward your information to Kristie regarding the charismatic prayer group and she will send you the Zoom link.

You are welcome to attend any of these faith sharing groups and feel free to invite friends or family members from our parish or not.

Camino de Santiago:
In the Footsteps of a Pilgrim

In 2011, the movie “The Way” with Martin Sheen introduced many to Camino de Santiago – The Way of St. James, a trek dating back to the Middle Ages, that stretches 800 km (500 miles) across Spain. Each year, a half million “pilgrims” venture out along one of seven routes, each of which ends at the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

But what is this “pilgrimage” – a spiritual journey, a physical journey, or an ordinary walk with strangers?

For some answers, please join recent “pilgrims” Sr. Patty Moriarty RSM and Deacon Michael & Krystyna Ward for an evening of reflection and storytelling rooted in their “Camino walks” in France, Spain and Portugal.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

DATE: Thursday, October 15, 2026

TIME: 7:00 – 8:30 PM

PLACE: Saint James Parish Center, 767 Elm Street

Sr. Patty Moriarty, RSM, a lifelong member of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish, has been a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas since 1988. Deacon Michael and Krystyna have been members of the parish community for over 40 years and have organized parish pilgrimages to the Holy land, Poland, Italy, Fatima and Lourdes.

HAITI CONCERT:
’From Broadway to the Met!’
Sunday, November 1, 2026

Good Day & Bon Jour friends of Haiti,

We know the news from Haiti is discouraging, but now more than ever, we need to support them in every way. Start with prayer. Then rejoice that our generous and talented Music Director, Rochelle Bard, is planning a choral program, From Broadway to the Met, on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The benefit concert will begin at 3:00PM at St James Church. The afternoon will feature our own adult and children’s choirs plus notable professional voices.

So how can you help? We are looking for a few people to plan a simple, post-show reception. Lots of publicity is important, so help us spread the word. Plan to attend and bring a friend! In addition to free-will donations from attendees, we would love to have sponsors.

Our Haitian Promise co-chairs, Barbara Wysocki and Marianne Hogan, are eager to get plans going. You can reach Barbara at 860-563-9015, wysockb@aol.com. Get in touch with Marianne at 860-748-7291, mandbhogan@gmail.com. Every Sunday we remember our Haitian sisters and brothers. Here’s your chance to help them.

Barbara and Marianne

Our Haitian Promise Ministry Co-Chairs

World Youth Day 2027

Seoul, Korea

Imagine joining young people from every corner of the globe — and Pope Leo himself — for one of the most extraordinary gatherings in the Catholic world.

World Youth Day 2027 takes place in Seoul, Korea, July 30 – August 11, 2027 — and we have a very special reason to go: one of the patron saints of WYD 2027 is none other than Saint Josephine Bakhita! The theme is “Take Courage! I Have Overcome the World!” (John 16: 33)

Deposits are due soon. Learn more at wydseoul.com. For questions, contact Sharon Gagne at 860-712-5245.

Save The Date for The Holiday Fair

Holiday Fair Committee Members Needed

The 2026 Holiday Fair Committee is looking for volunteers to organize, coordinate, and plan this year’s Holiday Fair! The Committee is looking for committee members to help with the Tea Cup Raffle, Volunteer Coordination, and Publicity. Each committee member attends monthly meetings leading up to the Holiday Fair. Contact Erica McKenzie (mckenzie.ec@gmail.com) and Kathy Alexander (alexandjk@aol.com) for more details.

Early Access to Holiday Fair Items Available NOW!

Knit, Crochet and Sew Good Works has Holiday Fair items available again this year for early purchase, or to order. Come shop for Irish knit sweaters, table runners, quilts, cobbler aprons and more, including specially priced items not available at the Fair. Great Gift ideas! For more information or to make an appointment, contact Vivian Orsini at vorsini24@aol.com, or text 860-906-7433 and leave a message.

2027 Mass Intention Scheduling

It is time to schedule your Mass Intentions! This year will be just like 2026.

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 YOU NEED TO DO:

Call the office anytime between 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (860-529-8655) and we will make a phone/office appointment for you on one of the following dates:

November 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6

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.

Call the Parish Office with any questions at 860-529-8655.

Carrie & Pam

Parish Administrative Assistants