October 20, 2026

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Fall News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

October 20, 2026

Daly Fall Notes

Dear Friends,

This is a wonderful time of the year at our parish, and we are thrilled to see our community coming alive with life, faith, and service. As we move deeper into autumn, there are so many ways for you and your family to get involved, grow closer to Christ, and connect with fellow parishioners.

Growing in Faith & Community

Faith Formation is in full swing and going strong! Many ministries are officially starting up again, and there is a place here for everyone! Consider joining us to deepen your faith and meet new friends:

Bible Study – Dive deeper into Sacred Scripture with Deacon Michael.
Faith Sharing Group – Connect with a vibrant community to discuss and live out your faith.
Charismatic Prayer Group – Gather online with fellow parishioners for prayer and spiritual growth.

Be the Hands and Feet of Christ

We have several upcoming outreach events and welcome your generous support:

Fall & Winter Clothing Drive – Donations of seasonal clothing items are now being accepted to help our neighbors stay warm.
Thanksgiving Baskets – Help us bring the blessings of the holidays to local families in need.
ImmaCare Dinners – We continue our commitment and ongoing support to providing meals for the ImmaCare shelter.

Upcoming Events & Mark Your Calendar

The Concert For Haiti – Join us on November 1 at 3:00 PM. “From Broadway to the Met” promises to be a wonderful afternoon of music for a great cause. Let’s fill the church!
Annual Holiday Fair! November 21 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Stay tuned for more details on this festive parish tradition.

We are a community dedicated to including newcomers. If you are visiting, new to the area, or looking for a spiritual home, please introduce yourself after Mass—we are so happy to have you here!

Looking Ahead: Believe it or not, it is almost time to start planning for Christmas! Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Shawn

An Important Invitation from Deacon Michael Ward

Please join me this coming Thursday October 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the St. James Parish Center, 767 Elm Street in Rocky Hill.

At this meeting we will be learning about and discussing two important related issues:

We will hear from the Archdiocese of Hartford about reinvigorating and integrating outreach ministries focused on the protection of human life, charity, justice and public advocacy on related issues important to the church in the Archdiocese. This is an opportunity for growth here at Saint Josephine Bakhita.
We will learn about how we as a parish can support efforts right here in Rocky Hill to address human trafficking and related illegal activities. Wethersfield is working on new town ordinance changes to address these issues. The Archdiocese has asked us to help advocate for similar changes here in Rocky Hill. We, along with a representative from the Archdiocese have had a positive initial meeting with the Mayor and the police chief.

Please join us to learn more about these important developments in our parish and how you might be a part of these important efforts going forward. I look forward to seeing you there!!!

Deacon Michael Ward

Join Us For The
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 26, 2026

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:30 AM at St. James

Other Fun Tidbits

Faith Sharing Group

All are welcome to join the Saint Josephine Bakhita Faith Sharing Group. Our October meetings are Tuesday, October 20, 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.

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

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

Support Our Toiletry Collection

We collect unused travel-size toiletries at both St. James and St. Elizabeth Seton to donate to the shelters and agencies we support. Save the toiletries from your hotel stays and travels and drop them off to be shared! There are collection bins in the foyers of both churches.