Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

This past week during my daily time for prayer and reflection I was drawn to the fascinating passage from Matthew 7: 6-14 about the Narrow Gate. We have all been walking through many “narrow gates” these days, to say the least.

We are asked to isolate behind the narrow gate of our home. Now we gingerly maneuver through the limited gates that are open to us with masks and distancing required. In the next few weeks, we need to negotiate through the new gateways set for school, work, events….and church. Also, we have been asked to go through the narrow gate of new understanding and action seriously and critically in the face of the rising concerns of racism in our nation.

Maybe these “narrow gates” have afforded us the opportunity to move beyond the confining, limiting, complicated gates we are now edging through. For me, this has been a time to rediscover the rich and beautiful Catholic teaching about human dignity and respect that is revealed in the life and ministry of Jesus, in the rich pages of the scriptures and the long and profound Church tradition. At the same time, to confront the shortcomings in my life, the life of our nation and the church when it comes to racism and prejudice. Loosely, Jesus says, the narrow gates are hard to negotiate. But the struggle opens to us the life of God, the conversion of heart and the call to action.

To help you negotiate the racism we confront and the “narrow gate” of understanding, insight and action: I recommend the following link to a very fine article called Guidelines I’ve Learned for Talking About Race .”

To read the article, Click Here.

This week I did hear from the Archbishop’s Office that we will hear very soon about a plan to softly open for weekend Masses. In anticipation of that reopening, we need to get some things in place now . My main concern for a possible and successful reopening is having the necessary volunteers to do several very crucial tasks. If we are unable to get the necessary volunteers it may prohibit our ability to reopen.

Even though some volunteers have come forth this past week…we are still looking for volunteers for the following areas:

Greeters : Along with welcoming people to church they will assist in asking basic health questions, ask people to sign-in and acknowledge their reservation for church attendance (we will have a maximum seating capacity for a while), and assist people to appropriately marked seats in the church. Essentially being a warm, hospitable, and patient person who eagerly welcomes people back to church. We need volunteers under 65 years of age and have no underlying health issues for all four Masses on the weekends. Please contact Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or frgeorge@sjbrh.org

Cleaners : We need approximately 4 people after each weekend Mass to assist in sanitizing the church in preparation for the next Mass. It will involve wiping down pews/seats, surfaces, and doorways. We have all the necessary equipment and chemicals to do the job efficiently and safely. We need volunteers for all four weekend Masses under the age of 65 and with no underlying health concerns. Please contact Fr. George frgeorge@sjbrh.org or call the parish office at 860-529-8655.

Digital Disciples : We are seeking a few volunteers to join our team of "digital angels" to help run the video and sound equipment utilized to live-stream Mass through Facebook Live. Volunteers will be fully trained, paired with members of the current team and serve on a rotating schedule. Help us extend out flight into the digital world! To learn more, contact Lisa Orchen at parishcouncil@sjbrh.org .

Finally, we have an immediate need and hiring of a new part/time custodian/sexton for the parish . The qualified person will work 20-25 hours per week and have duties that include: cleaning, event preparations, some over-site of maintenance needs of buildings and grounds, minor security issues, etc. For more details contact the parish office for a job description and application at 860-529-8655 or email frgeorge@sjbrh.org .

Fr. George Couturier  

Do you find yourself in need of a compassionate ear for your grief due to a loss of a loved one from the coronavirus? Send your name, email address and phone number to me via email and I will connect you to a local bereavement minister from the parish: frgeorge@sjbrh.org
The Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 21, 2020
We will livestream the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass using Facebook Live. The recording will also be available afterward on the Parish Facebook page at the link below. You do not have to have a Facebook account to watch. You can click 'not now' when invited to join Facebook. Click on "Videos" on the left hand side of the Facebook page. On the "Videos" Page, click on the red "live" button to watch the livestream starting at 9:00 AM Sunday. If you visit the "Videos" Page after the mass is over, you can click on the image of the mass to watch the recording.


For a helpful guide to participating in Mass at home and partaking in Spiritual Communion , Click Here .

To join in the singing of the mass hymns view or print the music, Click Here .
Join Father George for Daily Prayer
Fr. George will livestream Evening Prayer on Monday-Friday at 5:00 PM using Facebook Live. The recording will also be available afterward on the Parish Facebook page at the link below. You do not have to have a Facebook account to watch. You can click 'not now' when invited to join Facebook. Click on "Videos" on the left hand side of the Facebook page. On the "Videos" Page, click on the red "live" button to watch the livestream starting at 5:00 PM. If you visit the "Videos" Page after short prayer time is over, you can click on the most recent image of Fr. George to watch the recording.

Important Parish Announcement
Bakhita Bible Camp

Dear Families,

With heavy hearts, and after much thoughtful, careful and prayerful consideration, we have decided to cancel the Saint Josephine Bakhita Bible Camp for this summer. Given all of the precautions we would need to take to keep our children and volunteers safe, socially distant and healthy due to COVID-19, we felt that holding this event would be too risky and challenging this year. This decision did not come easily, but we felt it was in the best interest of everyone involved. We do however have resources that we can provide you for different faith filled summer activities that you can do with your children. Please let us know if you would like some of those resources.

Despite our disappointment, we are enthusiastically looking forward to being back next year with all the fun faith-filled activities, songs and friendships that Bakhita Bible Camp has to offer! If you are interested in summer activities or resources please
contact: Monica@sjbrh.org . Be safe and stay well!

Lori Gosselin and Monica Piombino, Co-Coordinators of Bakhita Bible Camp
Father’s Day Car Parade
to Local Nursing Homes

You are invited once again to participate in a car parade being organized by one of our catechists, Elizabeth Cook-Asal, this Sunday, June 21, 2020. The Mother’s Day parade was so successful and appreciated by the patients and workers in the local nursing homes that we will be spreading cheer once again this Sunday, June 21st and visiting Atria Greenridge and Apple Rehab nursing homes. If you are interested in joining our car parade, please gather at Saint Elizabeth Seton Parking lot at 1:45 PM with your decorated car and/or signs. We will depart from there at 2 PM.

Please contact Elizabeth at cook-elizabeth@sbcglobal.net or text 860-538-3207 no later than Saturday, June 20 th if you would like to participate so she can have a car count. Please invite other families to join also! Please consider taking a little time out of your day this Father’s Day to make someone’s day a little brighter.
Donate to Our Shelters
& Pantries
Now more than ever, the shelters and food pantries that our parish supports need our help. Food or gift certificates can be ordered online (Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc.) and shipped directly to the organizations. Please contact
Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or
Carl Bach abcb1922@yahoo.com  
with any questions. As always, thank you for kindness and generosity! To learn what items are most needed and the mailing addresses, Click Here .
Sew Good Works Masks
The Sew Good Works Ministry has begun to make masks for parishioners of St. Josephine Bakhita. Masks will be available at St. James and St. Elizabeth Seton. For Adult masks, contact joy@sjbrh.org for St. James pickup or elizabeth@sjbrh.org for St. Elizabeth Seton pickup. A donation to the Rocky Hill Food Bank is appreciated, but not necessary. Thank you to all who have already offered donations in exchange for masks!
Vivian Orsini, mask maker extraordinaire, will make a mask for your children. Email vorsini24@aol.com your child's age and gender. You will be contacted when the mask is ready. 
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St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067