September 6, 2022
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings and blessings!
On this 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time, we couldn’t find a clearer view into Jesus’ soul than the sneering words of his critics: “He welcomes sinners and eats with them!” Certainly, that was the essence of the person Jesus. He did not just tolerate sinners, he welcomed them: “Come on in. You are just in time for supper. Sit here by me!”
Jesus looked into the hearts of the most troubled and found sisters and brothers. He took them into his life and made them glad to be alive. That is the same embrace He is offering us, an extraordinary gift that calls for a response. In the society we live in that often wants to “cancel” folks, how are we to respond to the folks we disagree with or misunderstand. How to respond, like Jesus?
Jesus said: “What you have received as a gift, give as a gift.” Give hope to your faltering brothers and sisters by recognizing the good in them, speaking it aloud, and helping it to grow. What could be more natural? And yet it seems we have to struggle mightily to do it…at least I do sometimes.
And so let us remember the words of Jesus as we go about our daily business in life, “What you have received as a gift (from Jesus), give as a gift!”
The final tally of the gifts/donations you made to the mission appeal for Uganda was well over $12,477. As I mentioned last week, this is probably the all-time most generous gift to a mission appeal ever in the history of Rocky Hill Parishes. On behalf of Fr. Richard Okiria, his home diocese and our Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Hartford, I express our sincerest gratitude for your generosity in helping spread the Good News in the name of Jesus.
Finally, I do hope you will be able to join us for our parish picnic on September 11, 2022 marking the 5th anniversary of becoming Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish starting with Mass at 11:00am outside behind our parish center on the St. James campus. Be sure to sign up (online below or call into office) to attend. And, if possible, sign up as a volunteer to assist with the variety of tasks that make this gathering a huge success. Million thanks to the leaders and volunteers that have already stepped up in such a generous way.
I wish you and yours continued Blessings!!
Fr. George
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The 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
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September 11, 2022
4 PM Vigil - St. James
(Outdoors behind the Parish Center)
*Masks are strongly encouraged in our worship spaces!*
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2023 Mass Intention Calendar
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Office Staff will be opening the 2023 Mass Intention Calendar soon. We will be in the Parish Center at Saint James on the following dates to schedule reservations:
Tuesday, September 13: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday, September 14: 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Thursday, September 15: 9:00am- 12:30pm
Please Note there is a maximum of 3 Masses per parishioner. Please be considerate of the entire parish community and understand we will attempt to accommodate everyone’s request.
Offering’s are $10 for Weekdays & $15 for Weekends and Holy Days.
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Parish Picnic
Sunday, September 11
Saint James Campus
11am - Outdoor Mass
Noon - Picnic
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Prefer to call in your picnic reservation? Call the Parish Office between 9am - 2:30pm Monday - Friday at 860-529-8655.
There is no charge to attend the parish picnic. Instead, we are holding a special food collection for Amazing Grace Food Pantry. Bring past and pasta sauce (plastic jars preferred) to drop off at the welcome tables on the day of the picnic!
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We Need YOU!
Many hands make light work!
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Last call for volunteers to help out during the picnic weekend. Here is a list of the help we still need:
- Set-up Volunteers
- Bakhita Lunch Servers
- Mass Procession Volunteers
- Children & Family Activities Volunteers
- Trash/Recycle/Custodial Volunteers
- Parking Lot Attendants
- Tear down & Clean up Volunteers
Learn more about each of these opportunities and sign-up using this form.
If you have any questions about the picnic or prefer to volunteer by phone rather than using the electronic form, call Laura Murray at 860-818-9765.
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Adult Spirituality Opportunities |
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Contemplative Dialogue
New Series Beginning on October 3
Come and join fellow parishioners for this seven week series that will be held on Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00pm beginning on October 3rd. We will be reading The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams. Each week, participants will read a chapter and reflect on it in silence. There is then a sharing period when members may choose to share how certain parts of the readings were meaningful and relevant in their lives. Everyone is asked to listen to each other’s sharing respectfully. To listen deeply is to cultivate inner silence. These sessions will be held on Zoom. If you would like to participate, please sign up on the sheets located in the foyers of both churches by September 17 to allow sufficient time to order and receive books before our initial session. Please contact Maryann Lonergan at 860-604-2807 or mca0711@sbcglobal.net with any questions.
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Fall Bible Study:
The Book of Job: A Good Man Asks Why
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.
Pre-registration is requested by Tuesday September 27th. $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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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.”
If you have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation and would like to, contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org or by phone at 860-529-3222, x14. Leave a message and he will get back to you.
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Saint Elizabeth Seton
Katie Shattuck, our flutist at the 9:00 mass, graduated from East Catholic High School in June and is off to college. Her musicianship skills improved tremendously while with us and along with her band experiences at school. We have loved having her with us! She graciously wrote the following about her experience.
Hi, my name is Katie. Many of you may have seen me singing and playing the flute on Sundays at the 9:00 mass. I started out singing in the children’s choir and gradually began playing my flute and singing with the adult choir. I really enjoyed being a part of this music ministry community. At first, I was a little nervous to play my flute. I was so worried I would play a wrong note. However, I overcame these fears and gained confidence as I played. The schedule was flexible, and I could work around my other commitments. It is a great group of people who encourage and support one another. They pray for each other through particularly challenging times. As I head off to college, I am excited to begin the next chapter of my life, but I know I will miss being part of the music ministry. I would encourage any interested musicians and singers to join this group.
Since instruments add a lot to the sound experience of the 9:00 team, we are now hoping that other high school students will come join us. Music and guidance/coaching from the music director and support from the singers make this experience fun, expands music reading as well as ensemble experience. Some skill is desirable in flute, violin, viola or cello; these can be determined in one-on-one sessions with the music director. Speak to the music director, any singer or instrumentalist in the group for information or questions. Adult instrumentalists are most welcome as well!
Since singing was determined to be a super COVID spreader, we’ve been cautious about groups of choir members being together in our music area. Our adult singers have been breaking up into small teams, wearing masks as much as possible, to keep us and the congregation safe. As always, we are thrilled that as a congregation, you join each other in the prayers - spoken or sung! It is electrifying to hear you all singing with us and we hope you hear and feel it as well!!
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Saint James
The St. James Music Ministry is seeking new members to join our choirs in singing to the Lord!
St. James Adult Choir meets on Wednesdays at 7PM beginning in late September to prepare anthems for our weekly 11AM Mass and holidays.
St. James Children’s Choir meets after the 11AM Mass and sings one Sunday per month and on holidays. To join, children should be able to read.
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15th Annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference
The 15th annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference is happening Saturday, September 24 at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford. This year’s theme is the Most Holy Eucharist. Featured speakers include four nationally known priests who have given up their lives for the Eucharist. Registration is required. Click here for more information or to register.
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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
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Reconciliation
Fr. George welcomes all to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday evenings at 6:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton.
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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: 9:00AM - 2:30PM
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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