September 26, 2023

Fall News From Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

September 26, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Here are just a few random thoughts and reflections on this week’s Gospel Matthew 21: 28-32.

Jesus’ simple story of the two sons takes the Gospel out of the realm of just fanciful theory and places the mercy of God squarely in the middle of our busy, hectic, stressful, and complicated everyday lives. Compassion, forgiveness, and mercy are only words until our actions give expression to those values in our relationships with others. Our simply calling ourselves followers of Jesus has little meaning unless our lives express that identity in the values and beliefs we uphold.

The words of the Gospel need to be lived. Jesus’ teachings on justice, reconciliation and love must be the light that guides us, the path we walk, the prayer we work to make a reality.

Let me offer another “take” on this Gospel passage to help us understand what I am getting at: A father had three sons. One day he said to them, “Go and work in the vineyard today.” The first said, “Sure dad.” But he did not go. The second said, “I won’t go.” But later in the day he changed his mind and went grudgingly. The third said, “Sure dad.” And he went immediately and willingly. Which of the sons will feel closest to the father at the end of the day? The third of course. The more we do the will of God out of love, the more we will appreciate his love for us.

Discipleship begins within our hearts, where we realize Christ’s presence in our lives and in the lives of others and then honoring that presence in real and meaningful acts of compassion and charity.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

You are all cordially invited to the MASS OF WELCOME for His Excellency The Most Reverend Christopher J. Coyne (Coadjutor Archbishop of Hartford) on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. Our parish will be providing a coach to the Cathedral leaving St. James parking lot at Noon that day (returning about 5:00 PM) The coach will have approximately 20 seats, first come, first served. E-mail or call Father George with your reservation (no cost).

Mass of Welcome

Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne

October 9, 2023

2:00 PM (1:30 PM Procession)

Cathedral of Saint Joseph

SJB Parish Bus departs St. James Parking Lot at 12:00 PM.

Contact Fr. George to reserve a seat at frgeorge@sjbrh.org.

The 26th Sunday

in Ordinary Time

October 1, 2023

4:00 PM at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at Saint James

*** Stay for coffee and refreshments after the Sunday Morning Masses ***

Annual Parish Picnic

Once again, a word of congratulations and gratitude to the planning team for our annual parish picnic. Despite the crazy weather, they miraculously pulled off an outstanding time of prayer and fun for the entire parish community. We probably had the largest attendance in the history of the merged churches.

Our talented parishioner, Bill Betterini, took over 100 beautiful pictures capturing the fun of the day.

Click Here To See The Gallery of Picnic Pictures

Faith Formation classes for children in grades Kindergarten through Grade 10 have begun this week. We are very excited to be welcoming our students back and look forward to an energizing and action-packed year of learning about their faith and serving their community through all the ministries in our parish.

Please pray for our students as well as our amazing catechists who volunteer their time to teach and share their faith. We are so grateful to them for all that they do! We also look forward to connecting with the families of our children to support them as they teach and model for their children the ways to live out their faith every day.

The first Children's Liturgy of the Word Celebration for this Faith Formation Year will take place during the 11AM Mass next Sunday, October 1, at St James Church. All children from Kindergarten through Grade 5 are invited to participate. This Mass will be followed by a community gathering and refreshments for all parishioners in Father Shea Hall.

The Children's Liturgy of the Word will be held the first Sunday of every month at the 11AM Mass at St James Church.

We are actively seeking adults and teens who would be willing to assist with various aspects of the program. Please contact the Faith Formation office for more info on how you can become involved in this important ministry with our children.

Learn More About Children's Liturgy of the Word

Blessing of Animals

Feast of St. Francis

Wednesday, October 4

6:00 PM

St. Elizabeth Seton Patio

All are welcome!

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!

Learn More Here

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.

Scan the QR Code or Click Here to Learn More

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.

Annual Holiday Fair

Specialty Items Available NOW!

Early access to Holiday Fair items starts NOW! Irish knit sweaters (children's starting at $23 and adults starting at $40), quilts, table runners, baby sleep sacks and more. For more info and to pre-order, contact Vivian Orsini at vorsini24@aol.com or text her at 860-906-7433.

For a full list of items for sale, Click Here.

Learn About All The Ways You Can Help At Our Holiday Fair

Only a few spots left! Act Now!

Learn More About the Pilgrimage Here

Daily Mass

Mon-8:30AM @ Seton

Tues-8:00AM @ St. James

Thur-8:00AM @ St. James

Fri-8:30AM @ Seton

Adoration

First Thursdays

8:30AM @ St. James

Every Thursday

3:00PM @ St. James

Reconciliation

Fr. George welcomes all to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton.

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, 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

Give Blood

Give Blood! The American Red Cross needs you! The next blood drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Thursday, October 12 from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

Go to www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to register to give.

Text to Give

Support our parish in a convenient, simple and secure way. Simply text an amount to (860) 821-7962 followed by the word ‘text’ and your transaction will be processed through your OSV Online Giving account. If your mobile phone number is not recognized the first time you Text-to-Give, you can associate your number with your OSV Online Giving account or follow the steps to create an account.

Learn more, Click Here.

Parish Visitors

Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are available to bring Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners and those recuperating from surgery or illness. Please contact the parish office to request a visit: 860-529-8655.