Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

As I shared last week, the Archdiocese of Hartford has asked that parishes begin holding Sunday mass starting the weekend of July 4-5 following very specific guidelines designed to protect the health and safety of all. In anticipation of that reopening, we need to get some things in place. 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 .

The details about our reopening plans and instructions on how to make reservations will be sent out in a special edition of our e-newsletter as well as posted on the parish website, Facebook page and sent to every household through the US mail later this week. Stay tuned!

Fr. George Couturier  
The Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 28, 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.

So, Maybe You Want To Become A Catholic….
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 “all all seems to be going."
 
If you are interested in how Catholic Christian faith may relate to these questions, explore these realities and the possibility of becoming a Catholic, we are certainly happy and eager to help.
 
Maybe you know someone who may be interested as well. We’re glad to help them out too if we are able.
 
If so….contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org (best) or by phone at 860-529-3222 Ext 14 and leave a message and we’ll get back to you.
Not Confirmed?
Want To Be?
 Well...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. Many, for a variety of reasons, find themselves in this situation. We can help with that!
 
So..If you have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation and would like to contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org (best) or by phone at 860-529-3222 Ext 14 and leave a message and we’ll get back to you.
Donations
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. 
Annual Bishop Peter Rosazza Social Justice Conference Focuses on Racism
Free Online Conference
The Archdiocese of Hartford Office of Catholic Social Justice Ministry’s Annual Bishop Peter Rosazza Social Justice Conference for 2020 was moved online this year. In light of COVID-19 this conference has taken the form of a series of online presentations and discussions on "Open Wide our Hearts: The Enduring Call To Love” the 2018 pastoral letter on racism offered by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
 
This online series is free, though registration is required. The second conference in the series is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday July 8, 2020 and is now open for registration. For further information and registration details, Click Here .

To see resources to address racism with children at home and in the classroom as well as for all of us, Click Here.
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St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067