September 13, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
This past Sunday marked a moment that will go down in the history of our Parish of Saint Josephine Bakhita. An awesome picnic and parish celebration that marked the 5th anniversary of our merged parish. There was an outstanding turn out in all ways. Attendance was amazing and the cadre of generous volunteers made the whole event come together with enthusiasm and a real good dose of Holy Spirit. Even my attempt at providing good weather, in the end, turned out well. Despite a few drips here and there during Mass. Through the generosity of those attending we collected well over 813 pounds of pasta and sauce given to Amazing Grace Food pantry. Outstanding!
So, an abundance of gratitude is in order. Especially to our event coordinators: Bob and Laura Murray and Joe and Peg Clarizio. Five years ago, they stepped up so generously and wisely to plan a picnic that would bring the two churches together in celebration and hope. And now they transfer the mantle of leadership to a new team, so we can continue the tradition for years to come. Gratitude!
Again, a word of gratitude for the patience and financial support of many during the recent paving in the front of St. James Church. About one year ago we made a list of priority/emergency capital improvements: air conditioning replacement at St. James (completed); paving in front of St. James church (completed); the replacement of large glass walls (potentially collapsing) in lobby at St. James (next); the replacement of the patio at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church (which will be addressed in the Spring of 2023…in serious/dangerous need of repair asap). And God knows what next will need attention for these two aging sets of facilities.
We need to take these projects in a triage order of priority and safety. All projects will need to be funded by reserves (provided by both churches when we merged) and Forward in Faith Campaign funds.
Your continued support financially will be required to assist in these very expensive projects. Our part time project manager and I can only do one project at a time. We are only human. Some wonder why we can’t do all these projects all at once. It is very, very time consuming to gather contractors, take bids and get permissions from the Archdiocese of Hartford. Also, many of our reserved funds are locked up in a very bad stock market situation at this time. So that limits our ability to have the necessary funds available immediately, without a major loss in our investments. Thank you for your continued patience and support and we move forward.
I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!
Fr. George
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The 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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September 18, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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2023 Mass Intention Calendar
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Office Staff will be opening the 2023 Mass Intention Calendar soon. We will be in the Parish Center at Saint James on the following dates to schedule reservations:
Tuesday, September 13: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday, September 14: 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Thursday, September 15: 9:00am- 12:30pm
Please Note there is a maximum of 3 Masses per parishioner. Please be considerate of the entire parish community and understand we will attempt to accommodate everyone’s request.
Offering’s are $10 for Weekdays & $15 for Weekends and Holy Days.
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Our 5th Annual Parish Picnic was a great success! Our community was truly blessed to share mass, lunch and time with family and friends on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Thanks to the team of leaders whose organization and leadership made the day run so smoothly. Thanks, also, to the parish staff, who went above and beyond to support the effort behind the scenes. Thanks to the vendors who provided us with many of the resources needed, including West Side Market, Coca Cola, Sam's Club, and InTents. Thank you to the band, The Second Chance, for wonderful music. And thank you to the many volunteers, without whom we wouldn't have been able to hold an event of this scale.
Gratefully,
The Parish Picnic Planning Team
Thank you to everyone who donated to the pasta/sauce collection at the picnic. Over 810 pounds of pasta and sauce was collected and delivered to Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Middletown on Monday morning. Amazing Grace provides food for over 1000 families per month. Your donation is very much appreciated!!!
Gratefully,
The Parish Food Pantry Collection Team
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Kick-off Celebration
Sunday, October 2
We look forward to kicking off our Faith Formation year on Sunday, October 2. All parish families enrolled in our faith formation programs are invited to attend the 9:00 AM Mass at Saint Elizabeth Seton or the 11:00 AM Mass at Saint James. There will be a special blessing for the children and their families as well as hospitality after the masses.
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Catechetical Sunday ~ September 18
As part of a 1935 initiative to recognize and celebrate the gift that catechists give to their parish communities by volunteering their time for the education of children, the Church began what we know today as Catechetical Sunday. On Catechetical Sunday, we come together as both a parish and Church community to acknowledge the dedication of those who serve as catechists in our parish family. On Catechetical Sunday, parents and guardians are also honored because they are the true first catechists, sharing the Catholic faith with their families. Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for all Catholics to rededicate themselves to the mission of handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel as a community of faith. The day also provides an opportunity for us to consider ways we are witnesses for Jesus Christ ourselves. At Saint Josephine Bakhita we wish to acknowledge the many catechists in our faith formation program now and in the past that have generously volunteered their time to educate our children in the Catholic faith and to share their own faith as well. May God bless them all as we begin classes this year. We thank you all for participating in this wonderful ministry in our church.
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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.
Copyright © 2022, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
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Adult Spirituality Opportunities |
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Contemplative Dialogue
New Series Beginning on October 3
Come and join fellow parishioners for this seven week series that will be held on Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00pm beginning on October 3rd. We will be reading The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams. Each week, participants will read a chapter and reflect on it in silence. There is then a sharing period when members may choose to share how certain parts of the readings were meaningful and relevant in their lives. Everyone is asked to listen to each other’s sharing respectfully. To listen deeply is to cultivate inner silence. These sessions will be held on Zoom. If you would like to participate, please sign up on the sheets located in the foyers of both churches by September 17 to allow sufficient time to order and receive books before our initial session. Please contact Maryann Lonergan at 860-604-2807 or mca0711@sbcglobal.net with any questions.
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Fall Bible Study:
The Book of Job: A Good Man Asks Why
The tension between joy and suffering is inherent to our lives. The book of Job helps us work through one of the most difficult questions that confronts us in life: Why do bad things happen to good people?
This fall Saint Josephine Bakhita Adult Bible Study will be offering a 6-part read and reflect series on the Book of Job that will help us to understand suffering, justice, and love in a new light.
The series begins on Wednesday October 12th. Two identical sessions are offered each subsequent Wednesday, one at 10:00 AM at St. James Church Parish Center, 767 Elm Street in Rocky Hill, and one at 7:00pm ONLINE.
Participation details can be found here.
All are welcome. No special knowledge of Scripture is required.
Pre-registration is requested by Tuesday September 27th. $8 fee for materials.
Please register by signing up via email at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or by calling and leaving a message at 860-529-3222 Ext. 14.
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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 2023.
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.
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Inviting all Sewers, Knitters & Crocheters
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Knit, Crochet, Sew & Pray Ministries have resumed in person gatherings.
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.
Need a prayer shawl or lap blanket for yourself or someone else? Please contact Laura Pentland, Betty Catelli or Sandy Rokosz.
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Saint Elizabeth Seton
Katie Shattuck, our flutist at the 9:00 mass, graduated from East Catholic High School in June and is off to college. Her musicianship skills improved tremendously while with us and along with her band experiences at school. We have loved having her with us! She graciously wrote the following about her experience.
Hi, my name is Katie. Many of you may have seen me singing and playing the flute on Sundays at the 9:00 mass. I started out singing in the children’s choir and gradually began playing my flute and singing with the adult choir. I really enjoyed being a part of this music ministry community. At first, I was a little nervous to play my flute. I was so worried I would play a wrong note. However, I overcame these fears and gained confidence as I played. The schedule was flexible, and I could work around my other commitments. It is a great group of people who encourage and support one another. They pray for each other through particularly challenging times. As I head off to college, I am excited to begin the next chapter of my life, but I know I will miss being part of the music ministry. I would encourage any interested musicians and singers to join this group.
Since instruments add a lot to the sound experience of the 9:00 team, we are now hoping that other high school students will come join us. Music and guidance/coaching from the music director and support from the singers make this experience fun, expands music reading as well as ensemble experience. Some skill is desirable in flute, violin, viola or cello; these can be determined in one-on-one sessions with the music director. Speak to the music director, any singer or instrumentalist in the group for information or questions. Adult instrumentalists are most welcome as well!
Since singing was determined to be a super COVID spreader, we’ve been cautious about groups of choir members being together in our music area. Our adult singers have been breaking up into small teams, wearing masks as much as possible, to keep us and the congregation safe. As always, we are thrilled that as a congregation, you join each other in the prayers - spoken or sung! It is electrifying to hear you all singing with us and we hope you hear and feel it as well!!
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Saint James
The St. James Music Ministry is seeking new members to join our choirs in singing to the Lord!
St. James Adult Choir meets on Wednesdays at 7PM beginning in late September to prepare anthems for our weekly 11AM Mass and holidays.
St. James Children’s Choir meets after the 11AM Mass and sings one Sunday per month and on holidays. To join, children should be able to read.
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The Archdiocesan annual "40 Days for Life" Campaign will take place from Wednesday, September 28th to Sunday, November 6th. The Peaceful Prayer Vigil will be held daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the public sidewalk in front of the Planned Parenthood facility at 1030 New Britain Avenue in West Hartford. For more information or to sign up to participate (you select your days/times), check out the Archdiocese of Hartford Respect Life Ministry website at prolifeministry.org or contact Coordinator Teresa Wells at 203-312-9816.
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Daily Mass Schedule
Monday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
Tuesday: 8:00am-St. James
Thursday: 8:00am-St. James
Friday: 8:30am-St. Elizabeth Seton
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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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Text-to-Give
Another easy way to manage your church giving is with our new Text-to-Give function that is fully integrated with our Online Giving. You can text an amount followed by the word ‘text’ to 860-821-7962. If your phone number is not recognized, you can associate your number with an existing account or follow the simple steps to create an account. To send a donation of $25.00, tour text would look like this: 25 text
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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