Saint Josephine
Bakhita Parish
Pentecost
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May 18, 2021 ~ IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Regarding Next Phase of Reopening Our Church
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Considering recent developments from the civil authorities regarding COVID-19 measures, Archbishop Blair has announced two things:
- As of May 19, 2021, the covid-19 restrictions and procedures first implemented on May 27, 2020, in the document “Opening Churches for Public Worship in The Archdiocese of Hartford” are hereby revoked.
- As of Saturday, May 22, 2021, the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation will no longer be in force.
Therefore, as of the weekend of Pentecost Sunday (May 22-23, 2021), there is an obligation again to participate at Mass. However, since the risk of infection, though diminished, still remains, the following individuals may very legitimately decide not yet to attend church: those suffering from serious pre-existing conditions making them more susceptible to covid-19; those who are ill or homebound or who are caregivers in close contact with someone who is; those who have tested positive for any contagious disease, including covid-19; and those who are in quarantine due to exposure to any contagion, or who reside with someone who is quarantined. And so, let us be clear, that persons with valid health concerns or even, for now, fears about the virus, should not feel constrained to come to church. And please be reminded that the Bishops of Connecticut made clear in an earlier announcement, there is nothing contrary to faith or morals that would prevent a person from being vaccinated against covid-19.
For those unable to attend due to the above descriptions, the livestreaming of Masses will continue into the near future. The Archbishop reminds us, for those who are safely able to attend church in person that the livestreaming of Masses is not a substitute for attending face-to-face.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) will continue to be celebrated on Monday evenings at St. Elizabeth Seton Church at 6:00 p.m. in a large well-ventilated, safe room.
We will continue to maintain the present modified schedule of weekend Masses: Saturday 4:00 p.m. at St. James, Sunday 9:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton and Sunday 11:00 a.m. at St. James. We will be discerning the necessity of further adjustments to the schedule as we move ahead over the next few months. Another option is attendance at a regularly scheduled weekday Mass.
Given Governor Lamont’s declaration that “remaining restrictions will be lifted, except masks” on May 19, 2021, our churches can reopen to 100% capacity with no need for any specific social distancing. However:
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Masks will be required for all who enter and remain in our churches. This requirement is still in place here despite the recent recommendations of the CDC. We have no way of evaluating who has received vaccination or not. We will play it safe. Those recently vaccinated are enjoying the benefits of greater mobility and access to social activities. So, it would benefit all to receive the vaccination, if able. President Biden and Governor Lamont have left it to the discretion of each venue about the necessity of masks. We have decided, for now, to require masks.
- Reservations (online or by phone) will be discontinued.
- Temperatures and sign-in at entryways will be discontinued.
- Entry by either front or back doors at St. James will resume.
- Exposed holy water fonts will continue to remain empty, for now.
- Music flyers will be distributed for participation at liturgy (singing with masks on).
- Bulletins and other items will only be distributed at end of Masses.
- Pew barriers and tape, signs, etc. that were previously used to direct the flow of traffic in aisles will be removed.
- The restriction against gatherings before & after Mass is rescinded, with masks on.
Liturgical Considerations:
- Liturgical ministries will gradually be reintroduced in the next few months.
- Congregational singing is once again allowed, but masks need to remain on during singing and throughout the liturgy.
- The Offertory collection will still be restricted for now. However, there will be receptacles to deposit collection offerings and envelopes at the doors of the church.
- There will be no offertory (presentation of the gifts) for the foreseeable future.
- The Sign of peace can be announced and re-instituted but only to be exchanged without touching.
- Distribution of Holy Communion will continue as we have during the pandemic: Communicants (with mask on) will receive the consecrated host in their hand, step to the side, lower mask, consume the host, replace the mask, and return to the pew.
- Communion on the tongue is discouraged for the sake of the health of others. Those who receive in this manner will receive only after everyone else has received.
- There will be no distribution of the Precious Blood for now.
Frankly, I am rather perplexed and concerned about the hasty and sudden decision of our Bishops in Connecticut. I have been very proud of our gradual steps to reopening and concern for safety and good health over the past several months. I am concerned that not enough people have been vaccinated to make this a perfect time to fully reopen. Those who have been vaccinated have experienced the benefits of greater mobility in social settings, including church. These vaccinated and otherwise healthy individuals would appear to have little reason not to return to Mass. Because the bishops decided to make this a public statement, my hands are tied, and I surrender to their decision. I leave the decision for your return to your personal decision-making and pray that your decision is one of prudence, good conscience and care for your well-being and the well-being of our brothers and sisters.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. George Couturier
Pastor
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Pentecost Sunday
May 22-23, 2021
4 PM Vigil, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM
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 afterward on the Parish Facebook page. Join us!
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Celebrate Reconciliation
Monday Evenings
6:00pm
St. Elizabeth Seton Church
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Join Us for Our Faith Formation Activity for the Month of May
All members of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish community are invited to join in the faith activity for the month of May centered on praying the rosary.
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Celebrating First Communion
Faith Formation is happy to share that 39 students will be receiving Eucharist for the first time during the month of May. We ask for your prayers for these young boys and girls as they receive the precious body and blood of Jesus and come to know Him more fully through this special Sacrament. May they always cherish this special gift they have been given and come to the table of the Lord often to receive the graces of this sacrament and celebrate God’s love for them.
Lord Jesus,
Bless the children coming forward to receive
Holy Communion for the first time.
May this day be an initial step into a
life-long love of the Eucharist.
Give them a hunger for this sacred food
so that they turn to you for comfort, guidance,
and wisdom as they grow into full discipleship.
Thank you for their innocence and goodness.
May their hands, extended in anticipation
of your Body and Blood,
inspire all of us to cherish this sacred sacrament.
Amen.
Copyright ©2014 William H. Sadlier, Inc. All rights reserved.
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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 2022.
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 (best) or by phone at 860-529-3222, x14.
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Giving Garden Plant Sale
The Giving Garden Committee (our parish community garden) is sponsoring a Plant Sale of Vegetable Starters on Saturday, May 22 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton. If there are leftover plants they will be available prior to the 4:00 p.m. Mass at St. James. The proceeds will assist the team in upkeep of the garden. The vegetables of the garden support local soup kitchens and shelters. Each plant is $1.
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The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal changes lives through service. In addition to assisting the underserved of our communities, your gift helps those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Your gift is an investment in the future of our Church and our faith.
Thank you to the parish families who have made a gift or pledge to the 2021 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not yet participated, please prayerfully consider a gift today. Please know that every dollar of your gift will have a positive impact in someone’s life.
All funds contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal are used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the Appeal literature, which can be found here. No Appeal funds are ever used for legal fees or settlements.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish has a new YouTube Channel. Subscribe today! |
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St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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