October 3, 2023

Fall News From Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

October 3, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Greetings and Peace.

This weekend’s readings from Scripture (Isaiah 5:1-7 and Matthew 21:33-43) we hear about a vineyard and its owner (once again) coming to collect the produce from the tenants. They either refuse to grow anything or refuse to hand it over. The tenants refuse to work the vineyard as it was designed.

Jesus is trying to tell the religious leaders of his day that there is more than avoiding sin and evil, they need to produce good fruit. And the vineyard is not theirs but the Lord’s.

We are reminded that each of us has been given a piece of the vineyard of the Kingdom of God. Each of us shares in that kingdom within ourselves. Each of us has been given the responsibility to produce good fruit for that kingdom. We too are reminded that it is not enough to avoid evil and sin; we need to produce real fruit from our labors. It is not enough to have no weeds in our garden, we need to have some plants that produce fruit or nourishment. For example, it is just not enough to give our children food and water, we need to show them love and how to love others.

This all takes a huge commitment, doesn’t it? We first start with our families and friends, but we do not stop there. It is not enough to avoid our family member who hurt us; we may need to reach out in reconciliation. It is not enough to avoid that person who we do not like at work, school, or in the neighborhood but we may need to extend a fresh hand of hospitality. It is not enough to just give money to charities. To those in need we may need to work for real justice and right.

This week, may we look at the gardens of our lives and not only make sure there are no weeds but ensure there is some good fruit growing as well.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Mass of Welcome

Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne

October 9, 2023

2:00 PM (1:30 PM Procession)

Cathedral of Saint Joseph

SJB Parish Bus departs St. James Parking Lot at 12:00 PM.

Contact Fr. George to reserve a seat at frgeorge@sjbrh.org.

Blessing of Animals

Feast of St. Francis

Wednesday, October 4

6:00 PM

St. Elizabeth Seton Patio

All are welcome!

The 27th Sunday

in Ordinary Time

October 8, 2023

4:00 PM at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at Saint James

Children's Liturgy of the Word

The Children's Liturgy of the Word was joyfully presented this past Sunday to children ages Kindergarten through Grade 5 during the 11AM Mass at St. James Church.

We will continue to offer this special ministry to our children the first Sunday of every month at St. James Church during the 11AM Mass from now through the month of May. We also welcome volunteers, older teens and adults, who would like to assist with this ministry . The Mass will be followed by coffee and refreshments, an opportunity to gather and meet new friends.

If you have any questions, please contact the Faith Formation office, reo@sjbrh.org.

Feast Day of St. Francis

of Assisi Film Night

Wednesday October 4

7:00 PM

St. James Parish Center

St. Francis of Assisi is among the best known and most readily recognizable saints of the Catholic faith. Join Deacon Michael on the Feast Day of Saint Francis to view a one hour film on the life and significance of Saint Francis. A discussion of the film will follow. All are welcome!

Learn More Here

Surrounded by Love

Teachings of St. Francis of Assisi Study Series

Wednesdays

October 11, 18, 25 & Nov 8

St. James Parish Center at 10:00 AM

or

Online via Google Meet at 7:00 PM

Deacon Michael will be leading a 4 part series on the teachings of Francis, considering just how they might challenge us today in living our own faith here and now.

To frame our consideration we will be reading through and discussing the short book “Surrounded by Love: Seven Teachings from Saint Francis” by Murray Bodo, OFM. This accessible and lyrical book will help us connect with Francis in a way that can help us live our faith with deeper authenticity and joy.

Email Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com to register.

Scan the QR Code or Click Here to Learn More

Annual Holiday Fair

Saturday, November 18

9AM - 4PM

St. James Parish Center

Planning for our annual Holiday Fair is well underway. We need lots of volunteers to help make it all happen! Click the button below or scan the QR Code to sign up to help!

Learn About All The Ways You Can Help At Our Holiday Fair

Do you prefer to talk to someone about volunteering? Call Kathy Alexander at 860-563-5859.

Early access to Holiday Fair items starts NOW! Irish knit sweaters (children's starting at $23 and adults starting at $40), quilts, table runners, baby sleep sacks & more. For info and to pre-order, contact Vivian Orsini at vorsini24@aol.com or text her at 860-906-7433. For a full list of items for sale, Click Here.

Daily Mass

Mon-8:30AM @ Seton

Tues-8:00AM @ St. James

Thur-8:00AM @ St. James

Fri-8:30AM @ Seton

Evening Prayer

Fr. George leads evening prayer Monday - Friday at 5:00 PM on our parish Facebook Page. All are welcome!

Rosary

Tues & Thurs

8:30AM @ St. James

Saturdays

3:20PM @ St. James

2024 Mass Intention Scheduling

Its time to schedule your Mass Intentions! This year we are making updates and changes to our scheduling process and adding 2 new ways to remember your loved ones. We are excited to introduce to our parish another avenue of intention by the lighting of a special 5-day Vigil candle. Also, we will be bringing back the 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 3RD, OCTOBER 4TH, OCTOBER 5TH,

OCTOBER 10TH, OCTOBER 11TH OR OCTOBER 12TH

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

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. Additionally, we need volunteers to deliver the food to Amazing Grace.

Learn more, Click Here.

Give Blood

Give Blood! The American Red Cross needs you! The next blood drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Thursday, October 12 from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

Go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to register to give.