September 27, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
I don’t know about you, but I enjoy settling into a routine and like it when things come together easily. I think we all enjoy shortcuts and for whatever makes life more comfortable. We look for the easy way out of tight spots, we try to avoid conflicts and confrontations. And at the same time, however, we also feel the impulse to make a better life for ourselves. Something within us pushes us to dream our dreams (big dreams), be ambitious, make resolutions, and become antsy with sitting still.
There is an obvious tug-of-war going on within us that at one moment wants to keep us settled and the next moment to find some excitement. What is it within us that shakes our apathy and unsettles our lethargy?
This weekend’s reading from St. Paul (2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14) may give us an answer. We are basically spirits having a human experience in a body. The body may like its routines and comforts, and an easy way out of difficult situations. But the spirit has another agenda. The spirit is not inclined to sit back as a passive spectator, it urges on to a bigger and better way.
St. Paul seems to mince no words when he says, “for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” What Paul encourages us to do, therefore, is access the Spirit. A bit like plugging into an electrical outlet, when we access Spirit, we are empowered. This is what it means to become enthused and excited in the Spirit.
Consider the times you may have found your second wind after an exhausting day, perhaps to meet with an old friend, or go out to a fine meal or special event of entertainment. Where did your energy come from? Reflect on the power of the Spirit and learn to get in touch with its vigor. Focus on what you want to do; concentrate on all the wonderful benefits that will come from doing it. Your faith focus may even move mountains for you, if you pursue what you desire with unflagging confidence in your Spiritual power within.
By the way, I am taking a bit of this spiritual advice and will be away for a week of retreat from October 10-14. Also keep all the priests of the Archdiocese in prayers as we gather for our annual convocation October 3-5. We will be exploring the further challenges that the Church in the Archdiocese will be facing in the next few years.
I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!
Fr. George
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A great time was had by all at our Knights of Columbus annual Golf Tournament last Friday! Thank you to all who worked so hard to plan and organize a great day! |
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Our generous and talented parishioner, Bill Betterini, took fantastic photos of our Fifth Anniversary Celebration on September 11, 2022. All of the pictures from the day are now uploaded to a gallery on our parish website. Enjoy the memories of the day! Click on pictures that you especially love to see them in full and download them to your device. |
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The 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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October 2, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
*Stay for coffee and breakfast treats after the Sunday morning masses!*
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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Sunday, October 2, 2022
2 PM
St. James (on the plaza between the Church and Parish Center)
The custom of blessing the animals is celebrated in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures and often held in close proximity to his feast day on October 4.
Humans, please join us with a leashed or caged pet to receive a special blessing and enjoy the company of fellow animal lovers!
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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 coffee and breakfast treats after the masses.
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Adult Spirituality Opportunities |
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Fall Bible Study:
The Book of Job: A Good Man Asks Why
***Pre-registration is requested by Tuesday September 27, 2022***
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. $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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Charismatic Prayer Group
Our Charismatic Prayer Group gives praise, honor, thanks and love to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Our gatherings include Christian music, charismatic prayer, discussion of biblical readings and sharing prayer petitions. We meet on first Tuesday of the month at St. Elizabeth Seton from 7:00-8:30 PM, both in person and online. Contact Mike Lonergan to learn more: Mikelonergan53108@sbcglobal.net.
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Food & Cereal
For Our Local Pantries
Households who struggle with hunger need our help even more in the summer time. 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. Learn more here.
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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.
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Archdiocese of Hartford
2022 Marriage Anniversary Celebration
On Sunday, October 16, 2022, at 2:00 PM, the annual Archdiocesan Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford for married couples who have observed or will be observing 25th, 50th, 60th, and other special wedding anniversaries in 2022. Learn more and sign up to register here. |
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Hospitality Sunday is Back!
First Sunday of the Month
October 2, 2022
Coffee, treats, visiting with friends - old and new - has returned to the first Sunday of the month. Parishioners who have volunteered to make this possible will serve treats after the 9:00 AM Mass at St. Elizabeth Seton and after the 11:00 AM Mass at St. James. Consider joining this ministry to keep this great social time going. A few teams of parishioners or families taking turns would keep this commitment feasible going forward. Contact Elizabeth@sjbrh.org or Joy@sjbrh.org to find out how you can help.
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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
PLEASE NOTE - NO DAILY MASS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
October 4
October 10 - 14
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Reconciliation
Fr. George will be away Monday, October 3 & Monday, October 10. Therefore he will not be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on on those dates.
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Great news, we can text now!
Help us to stay connected and keep you up to date with the information you need to know about Faith Formation and Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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