January 20, 2021
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Recently, I received a wonderful surprise. God knows we all need good surprises these days. I heard from a former student of mine when I was chaplain at East Catholic High School. It was a Christmas/New Year card. It took a moment to remember him (after all I am getting older). He included an awesome letter explaining his reason for writing. He informed me that he has joined a Benedictine Community at Newark Abbey in Newark, N.J. as a novice. He also apprised me of my positive influence for exploring this path for his life. I was moved and proud and over-joyed by the prospect of his vocation. You just never know when you may be dropping a seed. Please pray for Brother Bruno.
Recently as well, I was informed that one of our own parishioners, Victoria Clarizio, will be joining a contemplative cloistered community of religious women “The Passionist Nuns of Pittsburgh." Victoria has gone through the awesome, exciting, and yet challenging process of discernment necessary to take this huge step in her life. I have come to know that she will bring a deep, insightful, and vibrant faith to the life of that particular community of women. We send her off, this coming February, with blessings and prayers for peace and support as she continues to discern this path and vocation.
This past weekend we heard about Samuel, Andrew and Simon Peter and their invitation to participate in the ways of God. For Samuel it was truly a dramatic event, with booming voice and a high-powered call to action. For Andrew and Simon Peter it was more a vague and gentle invitation to “come and see." Frankly, for most of us, that gentler and more subtle call is our common experience. And so it behooves us to pay attention amid the dominant voices of our day and culture that call us away from the Christ call. And once we begin the daily listen, our lives slowly but surely will be impacted. Infrequently will it be an explicit call to a religious vocation…but a call, nonetheless, within our own life circumstances and unique giftedness. Let us pray that we all listen to the call and respond in our own beautiful and amazing way.
Peace,
Fr. George Couturier
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Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday of the Word of God
January 24, 2021
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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Pray Every Day Virtually With Fr. George
Fr. George will livestream Evening Prayer on Monday-Friday at 5:00 PM using Facebook Live and the Parish website. You do not need a Facebook account to watch. The recordings remain available afterward on the Parish Facebook page.
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All members of the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish community are invited to join in the faith activity for the month of January. To learn more, Click Here. Email pictures of your cross to the Faith Formation Office at reo@sjbrh.org.
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Lent Bible Reading & Reflection:
“When I am Weak, Then I am Strong”
Life often pushes us out of our “comfort zones” where all seems well and good, safe and sound, seeming to shift the ground under our very feet. The past year of pandemic, economic hardship, and social conflict, compounding the universal experiences of illness, death, job loss and other personal challenges highlight this reality even more.
On Wednesdays this Lent, Saint Josephine Bakhita Adult Bible Study will be offering a 6-part read and reflect series entitled “When I am Weak, Then I am Strong." We will explore comfort zone challenges, hardship and setbacks of life in light of Christian faith. Saint Paul will be our guide through the words of his Second Letter to the Corinthians.
The series begins on Ash Wednesday February 17th and will be convened ONLINE in light of the current precautions appropriate to control the spread of COVID-19.
The Registration deadline is midnight Wednesday February 3rd to enable our book order to be placed in time. If you do not register by that date you risk not having the book in time.
All are welcome, including friends and family of parishioners. No special knowledge of Scripture is required. Email Deacon Michael with any questions or concerns at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com.
Check out the important details about registration and participation at the Bible Study page at the parish website for details about how to participate.
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Armchair Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
In November of 2019 members of the Saint Josephine Bakhita community and friends made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Their pilgrimage followed in the footsteps of Jesus from place of the Annunciation of his birth to Mary all the way to his post-resurrection appearance to the disciples on the road to Emmaus.
Some who made that pilgrimage will be meeting online during Lent to recall their experiences as well as share and reflect on how this experience has been important to them...sharing reflections, stories, pictures and prayer.
These online Sessions are open to members of the parish community and offer the opportunity to “travel in place” to the land where our Christian faith was born.
We will be convening on Tuesday nights during Lent from 7-8 PM starting on Tuesday February 16 and continuing through Holy Week and Easter.
The series 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 at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com.
Check out the Bible Study page at the parish website for details about how to participate.
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Seeking Food Donations for 2021
We continue to seek food and cereal donations for our monthly delivery to the Rocky Hill and Amazing Grace food pantries. Non-perishable food items and cereal boxes can be dropped off at either church location:
St James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon-Fri (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00.
St Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located in church entry, Mon - Fri (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.
with any questions. Thank you for your generosity!
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Advent Toiletries Collection a Huge Success
Thanks to all for giving so generously to our Advent Collection of socks, candy, toiletries and more. The response was overwhelming and the items were truly appreciated by who benefited from our parish outreach.
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Support Our Catholic High Schools
The Catholic High School Collection, occurring in all parishes of the Archdiocese on the weekend of January 23/24, supports the outstanding education offered at our Catholic secondary schools by providing funds for tuition assistance, technology enhancements, curricular improvements, and marketing, all of which are so critical during this ongoing pandemic. Please consider investing in the exceptional academics, solid faith formation, and spirit of service at our high schools by making a gift to this year’s Catholic High School Collection.
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Complete this simple online form to update your contact information for our parish. |
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St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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Follow Us at Saint Josephine Bakhita Facebook |
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