September 21, 2021

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Fall 2021 September 21, 2021 Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,  Greetings and blessings! This past Sunday afternoon I was privileged to attend a wonderful event at MERCY BY THE SEA Retreat and Conference Center. This awesome place is part of the ministries of the Sisters of Mercy. Its location is on a wondrous piece of property right on Long Island Sound in Madison, CT. It is a place of prayer, reflection, quiet and shared insight about the intersection between life and faith. Truly a gem that needs to be shared with the world and all who are searching for meaning and contemplation.   Over the past four years, I have been privileged to be on the Board of Trustees of this sacred space on the Sound. This special event celebrated the transition of leadership at Mercy Center…remembering the awesome servant leadership of Sister Eileen Dooling, RSM for the past eight years and the new leadership of Dr. Cathy Collins.   The beautiful day was marked by a very moving ceremony and service of transition and blessing. Symbolically the following gestures and ritual captured the moment and the powerful grace of the work of the Sisters of Mercy over the decades. At one point the ritual dramatically switched gears with the entrance of one of the senior members of the religious community who then proceeded to the podium with a beautiful walking stick…as if she were on a journey. She stopped at the podium and delivered a powerful message that spoke of the history, vision, and tradition of Mercy Center. She then passed the walking stick onto Sr. Eileen who proceeded to eloquently speak of gratitude and new beginnings. Then Sister Eileen passed on the walking stick to Dr. Cathy who proceeded to then speak of her vision and her hopes for maintaining and building on the ongoing tradition of the retreat center.   For me the walking stick was a powerful image of the strength and wisdom of the tradition being passed on from generation to generation. The walking stick is the help given on the journey when the climb is steep or the path rough. The stick brings stability and the fortitude to carry on in the great tradition of the Mercy Sisters.   As I ponder my 40th anniversary in ministry as a priest, I was greatly moved by this symbolic and insightful ritual witnessed this past Sunday. Over the past 40 years there have been great and moving events and accomplishment as well as challenging and threatening rough days along the journey. I thank God for the ever present “walking stick” of faith, church, family, friends, staff and parishioners that provide the stability and strength along the way. For all this and much more I am grateful. It has been one heck of a great walk and life. I have at least 9 more years, God willing, before retirement…may they be as exciting, gratifying and life/spirit expanding as the past 40 years!   UPDATE ON COVID-19 (Delta) safety:  For the deepest concern and respect for all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Blair announced and requested on August 7th, that all those attending Masses and other events be encouraged to resume the wearing of masks due to the rise in the virus infections in our state.   Additionally, the Town of Rocky Hill issued a mandate on Friday August 20th that masks be worn while in indoor public spaces.   I personally think this is a wise and prudent decision. Peace and Blessings, Fr. George Couturier Pastor Please Join Us! Celebration of Service: Faith, Food & Fellowship In Honor of Fr. George's 40th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood & Our Community Commitment to Service Sunday, September 26 Saint James Campus 11am Outdoor Mass Simple Box Lunch & Musical Entertainment Our deadline for ordering lunch is now past but please register to attend the outdoor mass, click the red button: Click Here to Register to Attend on September 26 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time September 25-26, 2021 4 PM Vigil, 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Outdoor Mass *Masks Required Indoors per Rocky Hill Mandate * Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish will livestream the 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM Sunday Mass using Facebook Live. The livestream of the Mass can also be viewed on the front page of our website. The recordings remain available on the Parish Facebook page.  Parish Facebook Page Parish Website For the Sunday Music, Click Here For the Sunday Readings, Click Here Catechists Needed Please prayerfully consider this important ministry to the young people of our Parish. To volunteer or for more information, please contact the Faith Formation office at reo@sjbrh.org or 860-529-1274. Bakhita Bible Study Returns in October Jesus the Word Made Flesh: Gospel of John Chapters 1-10 More than we realize most Christians these days look at Jesus Christ through the lens of John’s Gospel, which is a long and deep meditative account of Jesus ministry and vision of his identity.  This first part of John’s gospel presents Jesus as the personal revelation of the unseen God and develops selected words and deeds of Jesus into several great dramas to demonstrate the power and love of God working in him. This study will help you understand the scope of this monumental and unique gospel as well as its personal implications for the lives of disciples today.  Join us for a deep dive into these great dramas that reveal so much about our faith!!! In light of the evolving COVID pandemic this series will be held “online only” with six sessions starting on Wednesday October 13 at 7:00 PM.  Email Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com to register. Check the parish website for more information, deadlines, registration and book ordering details: Click Here. Maybe You Want To Become A Catholic…. 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 “all this seems to be going."   The Catholic Christian faith relates directly to these questions and explores these realities with a wisdom of nearly 2,000 years. If you desire to explore becoming a Catholic, we are certainly happy and eager to help.   Maybe you know someone who may be interested as well. We’re glad to help them out too. The time to inquire is now! Preparation sessions will begin in October. Contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org (best) or by phone at 860-529-3222 Ext 14 and leave a message and we’ll get back to you. 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 will help you get “caught up.”   The time to inquire is now! Preparation sessions will begin in October. 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 860-529-3222 Ext 14. Leave a message and we’ll get back to you. Pray Every Day Virtually With Fr. George Fr. George livestreams Evening Prayer on Monday-Friday at 5:00 PM using Facebook Live and the Parish website. The recordings remain available afterward on the Parish Facebook page. All are welcome!  Parish Facebook Page Parish Website The Archdiocese of Hartford Catholic Schools HOPES collection directly supports the students of our Catholic elementary schools by funding advances in technology, safety, marketing and so much more. HOPES = "Help Our Parish Elementary Schools." Please consider donating to this important cause this coming weekend! Your donation ensures our schools continue to thrive and provide a culture of faith, educational excellence and strong community. Click here to give online to support Parish Elementary Schools Save The Date! Saint Josephine Bakhita Holiday Fair Saturday, November 20, 2021 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saint James Parish Center Silent Auction & Teacup Auction Crafts & Homemade Ornaments Cookie Walk & Bake Sale Fun Foods to Buy & Enjoy We need bakers! Get your holiday treat recipes ready. Sign ups start soon! Admission is Free Read the Parish Bulletin Sign Up for Online Giving Sign Up To Receive Our Weekly e-Newsletter Stay up to date with parish news delivered right to your email. Let us know if you have moved, changed your phone number or email address. Complete this simple online form today! Click Here to Update Your Contact Information Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish 767 Elm Street Rocky Hill, CT 06067 www.saintjosephinebakhita.org Follow Us ‌ ‌