Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
I do hope everyone is well and finding some peace and renewed hope in these trying times. As we approach the national election, I have been receiving requests to clarify the perspective on Catholic participation in elections. This responsibility has special significance this year. In a democracy, voting is a moral responsibility. It is our way of speaking and acting as God asks us to do. We clearly have a moral responsibility to vote, but how to vote is not as easy to determine.
In a perfect world, we would vote for the candidate whose positions conform to the moral teachings of our church. But there is no candidate on the ballot this Autumn who conforms to Catholic moral teaching adequately or completely. It is for this reason that the United States Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have issued a document called “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” You can find it on their website - Click Here. In this document, they do not mention or endorse any particular candidate. What they call Catholics to do is to enter into a formation of conscience regarding the upcoming election. They ask that we form, to the best our human ability, our consciences in a way that best conforms to God’s truth.
The bishops go through a wide range of moral issues that we should carefully consider as we prepare to vote. The life issues top the list. Abortion and euthanasia are singled out as prime examples of evil because they directly attack innocent life. But other life issues also need to be considered: racism, poverty, health care, immigrants/refugees, climate change, capital punishment, religious freedom, and the definition of marriage.
Most candidates for office do not align fully with the perspectives offered by Catholic teaching on the range of challenges that face our nation. Therefore, it is likely that you and I will have less than perfect choices to make. So, what we are called to do is to form our consciences in a way that prepares us for responsible voting. This includes surveying the issues, considering the character of the candidates, evaluating their integrity, and discerning how a candidate may impact these issues of concern in the years ahead.
In a sense we may, as a result of discernment, end up having to vote for a candidate who is less flawed, less likely to do harm as we have come to see it. The U.S. Bishops see this as a real possibility. In their document, “Faithful Citizenship,” section 1; par. 36: they state: a Catholic “may decide to vote for the candidate deemed less likely to advance such a morally flawed position and more likely to pursue other authentic human goods.”
So you can see that you and I have a difficult responsibility this November. But it is a responsibility nonetheless. That is why all of us should set aside some time in the next few weeks to reflect upon accurate information on the candidates and their policies and spend time in prayer and discernment reflecting upon how we will vote. Our ultimate decision may not be perfect. But we have confidence that God will accept our best and sincerest effort to vote responsibly, an effort that strives to move our country closer to the Kingdom of God and for the sake of the common good.
To assist our parish community in this discernment process, we will be posting in our e-newsletter, on our website and on our Facebook page the pertinent information and guides established by the U.S. bishops and their document “Faithful Citizenship.” I pray that this will help us and help our nation in these very challenging times.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr George Couturier
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Week 1: Family, Community and Participation
Our God is Trinity: three persons, one God. These three persons are in constant relationship with each other, and – being created in the image of God – we too need to be in relationships. Each human person is not only sacred but also social. We must recognize and cherish the gift of belonging to our immediate family and wider family, the Church and society. Furthermore, the Church teaches that in order to fully belong to a family and community, participation is essential.
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Sunday Mass Schedule
Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at St. James capacity of 80 people
Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton capacity of 50 people
Sunday at 11:00 a.m. at St. James capacity 80 people
Reservations are required!
We have a limited seating capacity & we need a written record
of attendees for contact tracing.
There are two options for making your reservations:
Online
Sign up online at www.saintjosephinebakhita.org for the upcoming weekend starting Tuesday morning. Reservations will close by Thursday evening or before if we reach capacity. We need to close the reservations by Thursday evening so that we can prepare for the weekend Masses. When you make your reservation, enter the # (quantity) of people attending from each household. We will set up the reservation system one week at a time.
By Phone
If you have no access to internet, call 860-529-8655 and our office staff will assist you with reservations. Please call only on Tuesday or Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. You will need to call each week for the upcoming weekend. Do not leave a voicemail, there will be no guarantee to reserve a seat by voicemail.
Read the Guidelines for attending Sunday Mass - Click Here.
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The Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 20, 2020
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 for Sunday Mass online!
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Catechetical Sunday
This Sunday, September 20, the Catholic Church community celebrates Catechetical Sunday: a day to celebrate and pray for the Church’s mission to teach the Gospel to all people. It is a day when we honor and ask for blessings for all volunteers who participate in our faith formation program and share their faith. This year, however, is unlike any other year as we will be blessing catechists to teach during the Covid-19 pandemic and experience a whole new way of sharing their faith . They will be teaching remotely or in small groups or a combination of both. Parents will also be called to participate even more fully in teaching the faith as they guide their children through this new way of learning. We wish to share with you a special blessing for all of our catechists for this new catechetical year:
Loving Father,
we pray today for our catechists.
We thank you for their gift of ministry in your Church.
Grant them your wisdom
that they may grow in the understanding
and teaching of your Word.
Grant them also your love
that they may be fruitful heralds of your Word
and lead others to love you.
Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon them to grant them
wisdom about what is important;
knowledge of the truths of faith;
understanding of their meaning;
right judgement about how to apply them in life;
courage to persevere even in the face of adversity;
reverence before all that is sacred and holy;
and that loving zeal which leads others
to a transforming encounter with your Son.
We pray this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
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Registrations are now being accepted for our new Faith Formation Program for grades pre-K - 10. Our program theme for this year is entitled:
VIRTUAL JOURNEY TOGETHER IN FAITH
If you will be participating in our program this year, please register no later than Friday, October 2, 2020 as we will be ordering materials, determining class groupings, and starting online classes by mid October.
If your child is preparing to receive a sacrament in 2021, they need to register and participate in the program this year.
How do I sign my children up?
Click on this link and it will take you to our online form. Fill it out the form, provide payment information and submit. Please do not use internet explorer when submitting the form.
Your Faith Formation Team
Monica, Beth, Carol, and Linda & Lori
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Our Dynamic Catholic Event “Find Your Greatness," which was to be held at Incarnation Church, Wethersfield, will now be virtual. We can participate in this life-changing event from the comfort of our homes on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. The details are posted on the Incarnation Parish website. To learn more: Click Here.
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Fall Bible
Reading & Reflection
Starting in October
“Living for a Just Society”
Matters of “social justice” have certainly been in the news and in the air in our nation with a particular intensity over the past few months. “What do you mean by that?” is a common question that arises in response and the ensuing discussion can often be difficult. Some find the idea too abstract to be useful. Others see it as an invitation to an argument.
On Wednesdays this fall Saint Josephine Bakhita Adult Bible Study will be offering a 6-part read and reflect series on “Living for a Just Society,” exploring what Sacred Scripture has to offer to guide us when engaging and responding to these important matters. The series begins on Wednesday October 7 and will be convened ONLINE in light of the current precautions appropriate to control the spread of COVID-19.
All are welcome, including friends and family of parishioners. No special knowledge of Scripture is required. Email Deacon Michael with any questions or concerns that you might have at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com.
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Faith and Racial Equity:
New Read, Reflect, and Discuss
Convening at St. Josephine Bakhita This Fall
In recent months matters of racial have resurfaced as a particular major public concern in our country. Many are challenged about how to think through and do something about this reality.
Starting on Tuesday evenings, Saint Josephine Bakhita will be offering a 8 session read/reflect/discuss series on racial equity. Developed by JustFaith Ministries, this series looks at this issue through the lens of Christian faith. This particular series will explore issues of power and privilege in our society and their implications for matters of racism, inequality and justice in important areas of our national life.
The series, facilitated by Saint Josephine Bakhita parishioners, begins on Tuesday, October 6 and will be convened ONLINE in light of the current precautions appropriate to control the spread of COVID-19. Check out the Saint Josephine Bakhita Adult faith Formation page at the parish website https://www.saintjosephinebakhita.org/adult-faith-formation- for details about how to participate.
Questions can be addressed to Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or by phone at 860-529-3222 Ext. 14 and leave a message.
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2021 Mass Intention Scheduling
It is time to schedule your Mass intentions but due to Covid-19 we will be doing it differently this year.
Here’s what you need to do:
1) Call the office anytime NOW between 10:00 am - 2:00 pm and we will make a phone appointment for you on one of the following dates:
Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 8
Scheduled times will be between 10:00 am & 2:00 pm
2) On your scheduled day and time YOU will call the office and we will put your requests in the book. Limit of 3.
3) Payment will be due within 2 weeks of your appointment to hold your dates. You can mail a check to the office or leave your payment in an envelope by using the slot in the Rectory office door.
Office Phone: 860-529-8655
Thanks!
Carrie & Pam
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Car Caravan to Homebound Members of
St. Josephine Bakhita
On Saturday, October 3 at 10:00 am, the Parish Visiting Team will be leading a car caravan to visit homebound members of our community. Our first caravan in May was a huge success with both those visited and those in the caravan feeling greatly uplifted. The visiting team regularly brings the Eucharist to parishioners who are not able to attend Mass. We are currently unable to enter these homes, so we will be stopping in front of the homes to wave and bring them cards and flowers from our community. If you are able to join our caravan, email Joy@sjbrh.org, and meet us in your decorated car at the St. James Church parking area on October 3 at 9:45 am. If you are unable to join our caravan but would like to help, consider making inspirational cards or small gifts and drop them off in a basket in the St. James foyer (open from 9-1 am), as well as continuing to pray for our homebound friends.
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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. Contact Sandy Ambrose amb321@cox.net or
with any questions. As always, thank you for kindness and generosity! To learn what items are most needed and the mailing addresses, Click Here.
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A simple reminder of an upcoming second collection for the support of Elementary Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford, which will take place at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish on the weekend of September 26-27. You can only imagine the stress that the pandemic has placed on schools in general and on Catholic parochial schools, in particular. Most Catholic elementary schools face economic stresses in a normal year. This year they need our help more than ever. I pray you can consider some financial help via this special annual collection. If you receive giving envelopes through the mail or contribute on-line, you will be aware of the scheduled collection. If you do not have those options for contributions, and would still like to make a donation to the schools…please forward a check made out to the parish and we will pool all donations and forward the funds to the Archdiocese School Office. Thank you for your generosity! Fr. George |
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St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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