September 10, 2024

Welcome to Fall at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

September 10, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

WOW…what a success was the annual parish picnic last Sunday!! I certainly had a delightful time as I hope all who attended did as well. Million thanks to the planning committee and the special and gracious leadership of Danielle Hollister and Jennifer Hussey. A million thanks to the many volunteers who worked so hard to bring us a flawless fun time…. from soup to nuts. Tom Dzimian captured the picnic in photos for all of us to enjoy. Click below to see the full gallery on our website. Many thanks to the generous folks who were able to bring non-perishables to the church to be distributed to the The Amazing Grace Food Pantry.

I ask that you, pray for good weather for the Knights of Columbus Annual Golf Tournament. Again, outstanding volunteers make this great event a blockbuster supporting the charitable outreach of the Knights. The Knights bring a wonderful spirit of generosity and Spirit to our already vibrant parish.

I kindly ask that all parishioners please keep our Faith Formation Team and catechists in prayer as we begin another year of formal classes and events for the youth of our parish. Their ministry is vital to the well-being of the church at large and our parish. I am certain, the Team can use more than your prayer…they could use your time and talent shared with the youth of our parish. Do not be afraid to offer all of this to our Team and youth…. We need you!

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Enjoy a Gallery of Picnic Pictures Here

Join Us for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 15, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Sixth Annual Knights of

Columbus Golf Outing

Friday, September 20, 2024

Timberlin Golf Club, Berlin CT

Lunch/Registration at 11:00AM

Scramble Format ~ Shotgun Start at 12:30 PM ~ Buffet Dinner to follow

$150 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf w/cart, lunch and buffet dinner, cash prizes, raffle prizes.

$55 dinner only

For more information, contact Mike DiBattisto (860-713-9070) or Mike Lombardo (860-869-2231).

Learn More About Our Golf Tournament Here

LET’S CELEBRATE CATECHETICAL SUNDAY

Sunday, September 15, 2024

A celebration of gratitude for all those who serve as catechists in our parish community. Parents and guardians are also honored because they are the first catechists of their children and continue to share their faith with their families.

The theme for this year is “Lord, When Did We See You Hungry” – Matthew 25:37

This theme is a reminder of the call to missionary discipleship that we all share as Catholics. This day is an opportunity for all Catholics to rededicate themselves to holiness and mission.

A Prayer for Catechists

Loving Father,

we pray today for our catechists.

We thank you for their gift of

ministry in your Church.

Grant them your wisdom that they may

grow in the understanding and teaching

of your Word. Grant them also your love

that they may be fruitful heralds of your

Word and lead others to love you.

Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon them to

grant them wisdom about what is

important; knowledge of the truths of

faith; understanding of their meaning;

right judgement about how to apply them

in life; courage to persevere even in the

face of adversity; reverence before all

that is sacred and holy;

and that loving zeal

which leads others to a transforming

encounter with your Son.

We pray this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Interested in Becoming Catholic? We Can Help!

Times such as those we are living through now often prompt people to examine what we believe, how we make sense of the world and examine just what we live by, and why, and where “this all seems to be going.” Christian faith as offered in and through the Catholic Church brings 20 centuries of belief and wisdom to bear on these very questions.

Entering the Catholic Church through Baptism at Easter after exploration and instruction in the faith is the typical path for those entering the Catholic Church as adults. We are presently planning the process for those who may wish to enter the Church at Easter in the spring of 2025.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in exploring this possibility with us, we are certainly happy and eager to help. Anyone interested should contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org (best) or by phone at 860-529-3222, x14.

Learn About Becoming A Catholic Here

Other Fun Tidbits

Join the St. James Music Ministry

Our Adult Choir meets every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the small chapel at St. James Church. It is for anyone, including high school kids, who enjoys singing and spreading the Good News through song. We usually sing at the 11:00 AM Mass, but once a month we sing at the Saturday Vigil Mass.

The Adult Choir also sings at all holidays and at the Advent/Christmas Concert. This is a very relaxed and fun-filled group. You don’t need to be able to read music, but must be able to sing on pitch. Don’t know what that is? Ask Joy. First rehearsal and social is Wednesday, September 4 at 7:00 PM at St. James.

Instrumentalists enhance all liturgies and play at any Mass that they choose. Rehearsals are by appointment. We have a special need for Violinists.

The Youth Choir sings at the 11:00 AM Mass on the first Sunday of the month and Christmas and Easter Masses. Children must be able to read. This is one of the best things you can do to help your children learn. Singing in a group gets all cylinders firing. Reading lyrics and notes, rhythms, intonation, listening to others, dynamics. We’ve got it all.

Friends of the Music Ministry help with projects including putting together major programs, filing, publicity.

Contact Joy for more information or help in determining where you fit in the ministry at 860-529-8655 x17 or joy@sjbrh.org.

Join the St. Elizabeth Seton Music Ministry

Youth Choir: This choir meets weekly on Thursday afternoons after school from 4:30 to 5:30 PM and is a ministry for singers in grades 2 through middle school. This choir sings at occasional 9:00 masses and special liturgies.

Our goals are: 1. experience the joy of singing our church songs at mass; 2. develop good singing and music reading skills; 3. earn more about our faith and traditions of our liturgies; 4. work as a team in a music/spiritual setting.

Young people also learn to play hand chimes which requires and develops concentration. Children like this experience – like learning to play in an orchestra or band. Rehearsals begin on September 26 and requires registration.

Adult Choir: This choir sings weekly at the 9:00 AM Mass, rehearsing 40 minutes prior to the start of mass. Occasional rehearsals are head following the 9:00 AM Mass to prepare new music.

Holiday Choirs: Weekly rehearsals are held 6-8 weeks before Christmas and Easter to prepare for these special liturgies.

Instrumentalists: Presently, we have two accomplished high school string players and a fine percussionist, also in high school, plus our regular guitarists and a percussion section leader. For a long time, our ministry has nurtured and been gifted by young instrumentalists who’ve gone on to participate in music at their college liturgies. Students and adults with good instrumental and music reading skills are invited to audition.

Contact Director of Music at St. Elizabeth Seton, Elizabeth Husmer, by speaking with her after the 9:00 AM Mass or emailing elizabeth@sjbrh.org.

Hospitality Bakers & Servers Needed

Be one of the reasons we are a welcoming community! Prepare food for special Masses and monthly hospitality after the first Sunday of the month masses. Email joy at Joy@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655 x17 or sign up in the foyer of either Church.

Many hands make light work (and good food!)

Seeking musical, dance, comedic acts for the First Annual

St. Josephine Bakhita Parish

Variety Show

Friday, October 4, 2024

7:00PM

Parish Center at St. James

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

Participants must sign up by Monday, September 23, 2024.

Inviting all Sewers, Knitters & Crocheters

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Knit, Crochet, Sew & Pray Ministries serve our community in generous ways.

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.