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September 12, 2023
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
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The narrative in this weekend’s gospel reading (Matthew 18:21-35) is a powerful statement about the importance of forgiveness, about how far and deep our forgiveness must reach. When asked how often we should forgive someone who offends us, Jesus declares that our forgiveness should be limitless.
For Jesus, it is not the so much the offender, or the seriousness and number of offenses we endure that are in question; it is our personal well-being that is at stake in forgiving others. Just as love tells us something about the condition of our souls, so does hatred, anger, and the hunger for revenge. Love effectively changes us, but so does the lack of forgiveness.
Questions to consider: Do we ever consider who we are really hurting when we are unforgiving? Why do we put up—sometimes for years—with ill will that poisons no one but ourselves?
Maybe the invitation from Jesus in this gospel is to let go. Breathe the fresh air of freedom that forgiveness bestows. If a forgiving God and forgiving people absolve you for your many offenses, is it not time to return the favor, no matter who, no matter what, no matter how many times?
Peace and blessings!
Fr. George Couturier
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The 24th Sunday
in Ordinary Time
September 17, 2023
4:00 PM at Saint James
9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton
11:00 AM at Saint James
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Faith Formation registration is now closed for this year. If you have not yet registered, you must contact the Faith Formation office directly to request a space for your child.
Students are now being assigned to classes for all grades. Families will be receiving notification shortly as to what class date and time you have been assigned.
Students in grades K-8 will receive a schedule that will begin the week of September 24, 2023. Confirmation Year Two (Grade 10 ) will begin on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Families will receive the completed calendar for the year at the parent orientation meetings to be held later this month.
If you have any questions, please contact the Faith Formation office, 860-529-1274.
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Catechetical Sunday 2023
Catechetical Sunday, a national day to celebrate the ministry of passing on the faith, will be September 17, 2023. This year's theme is: "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened."
With these words from the Gospel (Matthew 11:28), the Lord Jesus offers an invitation to follow Him and the promise that He doesn’t want to add to our burdens; he wants to lighten them. This theme reminds us that the object of all catechesis is Jesus himself. The role of the Catechist is, first of all, to be a disciple - one who draws close and rests in Jesus - and then to be a witness to others and a companion as they too come to know Jesus.
Catechetical Sunday also offers an opportunity to recall that all the Baptized have roles in handing on the faith in their daily life, families, work, and church involvement.
In a special way we would like to acknowledge and thank all the catechists who have volunteered this year to share their faith with the children in our faith formation program. We offer this prayer for them to be blessed and inspired this year by the Holy Spirit as they serve as catechists and share the Good News of Jesus. May God Bless You all!
Lord God, source of all wisdom and knowledge, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to live among us and to proclaim his message of faith, hope, and love to all nations. In your goodness, bless our brothers and sisters who have offered themselves as catechists for your Church. Amen.
Monica Piombino
Director of Faith Formation
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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!
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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.
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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 2024.
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.
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Fifth Annual Golf Outing
Friday, September 22, 2023
Timberlin Golf Club
330 Southington Road, Berlin CT
Lunch/Registration at 11:00AM
Scramble Format
Shotgun Start at 12:30 PM
Dinner to follow
$150 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf w/cart, use of driving range, sleeve of golf balls, lunch and buffet dinner.
Cash prizes for first and second place. 50/50 cash raffle. Prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive.
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Annual Holiday Fair
Planning for our annual Holiday Fair is well underway. We are seeking a volunteer to take on the role of Advertising Assistant this year. We have loads of other volunteer opportunities as well. Volunteer by clicking HERE or contact Holiday Fair Chairperson, Jo-Ellen Vendetti at SJBholidayfair@gmail.com..m.
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Daily Mass
Mon-8:30AM @ Seton
Tues-8:00AM @ St. James
Thur-8:00AM @ St. James
Fri-8:30AM @ Seton
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Adoration
First Thursdays
8:30AM @ St. James
Every Thursday
3:00PM @ St. James
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Reconciliation
Fr. George welcomes all to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton.
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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 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 6 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.
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Join the St. Elizabeth Seton Music Ministry
The Youth Choir meets on Thursday’s from 4:30 - 5:30 PM. Our singers are in grades 2 through 5. Our goals are to experience the joy of singing our church songs at mass in a ministry for children, developing good singing and music/hymn reading skills, learning more about their faith and becoming good team members in a musical/church setting. The Choir also learns to play hand chimes which requires and develops concentration!
Rehearsals begin on Thursday, September 21, at 4:30 PM. See Elizabeth Husmer, Music Director at St. Elizabeth Seton with questions and registration – at the piano after the 9:00 AM masses OR call 860-529-3222 and leave a message.
Adult Singers: We continue to work in small rotating teams, still cautious about new variants of COVID in our small space. We do welcome new singers, however, so see Elizabeth or any music minister if interested. Holiday choirs are formed and rehearse 6-8 weeks before Easter and Christmas.
Instrumentalists: We are delighted to have added two string players to our 9:00 AM instrumental team. The two sisters, one in high school and the other in 8th grade, play cello and violin. Our ministry has helped develop young instrumentalists for many years and we welcome new young players. Now in college, Katie Shattuck has played flute for us while in high school and joins us when she is home from school. See Elizabeth for more information.
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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
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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. Learn more here..
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Looking for a great read? Check out our selections in our Little Free Libraries located on both our church campuses! Take or leave a book! | |
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish l The Catholic Community of Rocky Hill | | | | |
