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Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Have you ever been sure you had an answer just right, and then found you got it backward? That is what happened to the apostles in Gospel this weekend (Mark 9:30-37). They had a consensus (they thought), and they were sure they knew what makes a person great: Power, the ability to enforce your point of view, to take what you want, and to make others bow down and knuckle under. In short, being King, or at least the king’s right-hand person.
When he heard that, Jesus just shook his head, “You got it all backward. If you really want to be great, you have to become a servant, not a king.”
It is difficult to see the logic in that, isn’t it. Becoming a servant in order to become great?! It is a strange paradox, but it is true. Think for a moment about what it means to be a good servant. It means living without pretense—servants do not hire image makers; they just go about their business and are what they are. It means being available and on tap. It means being ready and willing to do whatever is needed, when it is needed. And so much more.
Becoming a servant means nothing less than becoming like God, because, if you think about it, that is what God is for us: quietly present, always available, always ready and willing to do what is needed when it is needed. Servant!
But there is even more. In becoming servant, not only do we become like God, we begin to experience the joy that is uniquely God’s, the joy of watching those we have helped and served, coached and walked with, grow whole, holy, strong and true, and complete.
Peace and blessings!
Fr. George Couturier
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Join Us for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time | | |
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September 22, 2024
4:00 PM Vigil at St. James
9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton
and livestreamed
11:00 AM at St. James
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Faith Formation classes for all of our registered students in grades Pre-K through Confirmation will be starting soon. Please see below for the starting date for your child’s grade level:
Pre-K and Kindergarten: Sunday, October 20, 2024, 8:45-9:45 AM, St. Elizabeth Seton
Grade 1: Sunday, September 29, 2024, 8:45-9:45 AM, St. Elizabeth Seton
Grades 2 & 3: Sunday, September 29, 2024, 4:00-5:00 PM & Monday, September 30, 2024, 5:00-6:00 PM, St. Elizabeth Seton
Grades 4-7: Sunday, September 29, 2024, 4:15-5:15 PM & Monday, September 30, 2024, 4:30-5:30 PM & 5:45-6:45 PM, St. James
Grade 8: Sunday, October 6, 2024, 5:30-7:00 PM, St. James
Confirmation Year 1: Sunday, September 29, 2024, 5:45-8:00 PM, St. James Parish Center
Confirmation Year 2: Sunday, September 22, 2024, 5:45-8:00 PM, St James Parish Center
Families will be receiving individual class assignments and calendar for the year via email.
Please keep all of our children and their families in your prayers as we begin another Faith Formation year learning about Jesus and sharing His love with one another!
Please direct any questions to Director of Faith Formation, Monica Piombino at REO@sjbrh.org.
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Did You Miss Confirmation the First Time Around?
We Can Help With That
It’s never too late. Even if you are way “past the age” or even a little ;-) ...and not yet Confirmed...you can be. You certainly are not alone. It happens for a variety of reasons. We’re here to help you get “caught up”!
So..If you have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation and would like to, contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org (best) or by phone at 860-563-5151. Leave a message and we’ll get back to you.
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Blessing of Animals
Feast of St. Francis
Friday, October 4
6:00 PM
St. James Patio between Church and Parish Center
All are welcome!
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Seeking musical, dance, comedic acts for the First Annual
St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
Variety Show
Friday, October 4, 2024 at 7:00 PM
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.
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Join the St. Elizabeth Seton Music Ministry
Youth Choir: This choir meets weekly on Wednesday 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.
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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 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.
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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!)
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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.
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The annual HOPES (Help Our Parish Educators & Students) Collection takes place in our parish on the weekend of Sept. 21 and 22. This fundraiser supports Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford.
The most vital resource in every Catholic school is its dedicated teachers. Their profession is a vocation. This collection provides new revenue sources to offer teachers a just wage, ensuring quality education, enthusiasm, and stability. We ask you to join us to support our children by supporting their teachers. HOPES means brighter futures for all our children by enabling us to keep tuition affordable for families. Thank you for your generosity.
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2025 Mass Intention Scheduling
It is time to schedule your Mass Intentions! This year will be just like 2024 with two additional ways to remember your loved ones. 1.) Lighting of a special 5-day Vigil candle and 2.) 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 1, OCTOBER 2, OCTOBER 3,
OCTOBER 8, OCTOBER 9 OR OCTOBER 10
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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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
Rectory Office
on the campus of St. James Church
767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill
860-529-8655
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish l The Catholic Community of Rocky Hill | | | | |
