September 4, 2024

Welcome to Fall at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

September 3, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Is fear driving your life? Fear is a tricky thing, never too far away, and often whispering lies. Sometimes we can’t hear what we need to hear, because of fear. Sometimes we can’t say what needs to be said, because we fear.

It seems to me that fear is the great destroyer of communion. It sees enemies around every corner; it chokes out the natural instincts to love and to share; it imprisons us inside our heads. That is why Jesus’ healing of the deaf man grabs our attention (Mark 7:31-37), for he too was a prisoner, cut off from life and love. Jesus set him free, because his heart was true. And so, it can be for us, if we ask honestly. How?

Begin by naming your fears and claiming them as your own. Then place them gently in Jesus’s wounded hands; rest there with him awhile. Let his hands tell you that courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to go forward anyway, because you love. God’s love can become your love, and you can step forward despite your fears, for he is shown you how, and God will be with you always.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

Join Us for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Click Here to RSVP for Our Parish Picnic

September 8, 2024

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Parish Picnic begins immediately following Mass

Help Make Our Annual Parish Picnic Fun for Everyone!

We need bakers, food servers, greeters, activity leaders and more. Check out all the opportunities to work a shift for our annual parish picnic. Many hands make light work!

Click Here To Volunteer

We will be taking a special collection of food items greatly needed by the food pantries we support at our parish picnic. Kindly bring the following in non-breakable containers:

Soup

Brown & White Rice

Pasta Sauce

Cereal

Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Mustard

Vinegar (Red, White, Cider)

Sixth Annual Knights of

Columbus Golf Outing

Friday, September 20, 2024

Timberlin Golf Club, Berlin CT

Lunch/Registration at 11:00AM

Scramble Format ~ Shotgun Start at 12:30 PM ~ Buffet Dinner to follow

$150 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf w/cart, lunch and buffet dinner, cash prizes, raffle prizes.

$55 dinner only

For more information, contact Mike DiBattisto (860-713-9070) or Mike Lombardo (860-869-2231).

Learn More About Our Golf Tournament Here

REGISTRATION FOR

STUDENT FAITH FORMATION CLOSES SEPTEMBER 11!

HELLO FAMILIES!

We have two forms this year, one for children in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade and one for children in grades 2-10.

If you are a catechist/teacher please contact the office for a separate form as your registration fee will be waived.

We are still in need of catechists for grades 6 - 7 on Monday afternoons from 4:30-5:30PM - no experience necessary and teaching support provided. If you volunteer to teach, the registration fee is waived! If you need more information, please contact Monica Piombino at monica@sjbrh.org.

Please click the appropriate button below to access our online registration forms and sign up your child/children for classes.

Please note that it may not be possible to give you the option you choose in every case based on class size and catechist availability.

This year all grade 8 students will be meeting once a month on Sunday from 5:30-7:00PM at St James.

Please contact the faith formation office at reo@sjbrh.org or by calling 860-529-1274 with any questions.

We look forward to sharing faith with you and your children for another exciting year of faith formation!

Peace,

Monica Piombino, Faith Formation Director

Monica@sjbrh.org

860-529-1274

PreK, K, and Gr. 1 Registration

Grade 2 - 10 Registration

Prayer for the School Year

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift of our families.

Thank you for the gift of love, of life,

and of community.

Lord, we trust you with everything

in our lives and our most precious gift:

children and family.

As we prepare for the school year

ahead, we pray for our children

as they prepare for

another year of learning.

We pray that in all that they do they

will be guided by you

and by your Holy Church.

We pray for our schools, for school administrators,

for all who work behind the scenes,

and for the wonderful ways you work

to bring everything together

for another year of school.

We also lift prayers for all parents, educators,

and homeschooling families.

We pray that all parents become more aware

and more involved in the lives

of the children at school, at home,

and in the community.

We lift prayers for safety for all children,

especially those who are educated away from home.

May they feel safe and secure and protected from all harm.

We pray for decision makers within our communities,

that they will always keep in mind

the welfare of families and of children.

Lord, you love families more than we can imagine.

You wish for our children to be blessed, protected,

educated, and cared for.

We pray that through the intercession

of your Mother Mary

that this upcoming school year

is fruitful, productive, and most of all

blessed by you and your teachings.

We ask this in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Other Fun Tidbits

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.

Join the St. Elizabeth Seton Music Ministry

Youth Choir: This choir meets weekly on Thursday 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.

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.

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!)