Saint Josephine
Bakhita Parish
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August 3, 2021
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Hope everyone is enjoying the grace and potential peace that comes with summer? If not then maybe this reflection on this Sunday’s (19th week of Ordinary Time) first reading from 1st Kings 19:4-8 may give you some food for thought, meditation, and prayer.
There comes a time in all our lives, I suspect, when we all have to say “enough!”
That is what happened to the prophet Elijah. In a bold face down, he confronts the evil Queen Jezebel in the presence of a crowd. By his confronting her he showed how empty and phony she was. It seems he wins the debate, but in a flash the soldiers were ordered to eliminate him.
He flees to the desert, wondering if his winning the debate was any good…. for now, he had no friends, no place to hide, nor food or water to sustain him. He was running out of options and after running away for days he was so very tired that he turns to God and says, “Lord, just let me die,” and he fell asleep. But when he awakens, he found that he was provided food and water and discovered he had enough strength to make his way to shelter and begin again.
Elijah’s story should sound familiar, because there is not one of us who has not been brought low, defeated, and left with what seems to be an empty cup.
The Lord’s response to Elijah may be a surprise…. the Lord does not say “Be Strong!” for the Lord knows when our strength is spent, and we are empty. Instead, God says, “Be still. I am God; rest with me awhile and wait. As a slow rain fills an empty upturned cup, I will fill you, if you hold up your cup, and wait, and be still.”
I sincerely believe that we need to remember this when life has drained us dry, and our cup is empty. Be still and wait with God. The Lord will give you what you need to finish your journey.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. George Couturier
Pastor
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Make your pledge TODAY to the Forward with Faith Campaign to help us address important needs in our parish and within the Archdiocese of Hartford. Use this Pledge Form, Click here.
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Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 7-8, 2021
4 PM Vigil, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM
Reservations to Attend Mass No Longer Required
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 on the Parish Facebook page.
A Special Note: Music Directors Joy and Elizabeth knew that the day so many of you would return to our church buildings for masses, there would be immense joy in hearing you sing and it has been wonderful to see and hear you again! We hope that you also can hear each other and feel the power of your communal participation! Maybe because of the long break we’ve had this past year and a half, the singing and spoken prayers seem even stronger! As you’ve noticed, we are using worship aids instead of hymnals because of continuing COVID concerns. In addition to the life giving masses and the words of Father George and Deacon Michael, we hope that the texts in the music we’ve chosen will also help support your spiritual journey. Welcome back to church!!
Joy O’Sullivan & Elizabeth Husmer
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Register Now for 2021-2022 Faith Formation
Registration for our faith formation classes grades Pre K-10 including the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation is now available online. You must be registered in the parish in order to register your child for Faith Formation. For more information or questions, please contact the Faith Formation office at reo@sjbrh.org or 860-529-1274.
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Intergenerational Faith Event
for
Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Families
Compassion in Action - Changing the World with Loving-Kindness
Saturday, August 21, 2021
9am -12pm
Saint Elizabeth Seton Church Campus
Masks must be worn by all participants
Last opportunity to sign up: Monday, August 16
Faith & Bible stories—Recreation—Food—Activities for all ages
Please join us to celebrate and reconnect as a Parish community as we begin the first in a series of Faith Formation Family Events! Pizza and refreshments will be served at 11:30am. For more info contact the Faith Formation office at: 860-529-1274 or reo@sjbrh.org. Sign-up ASAP by using the red button below to help us in planning!k H
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Save the Date: Saturday, November 20
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Holiday Fair
Is Back & Better Than Ever!
We want this year’s Silent Auction to be the best ever. How can you help? Ask a business you frequent to donate something. Or donate something yourself. Here are some ideas:
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New higher-end merchandise: Designer Pocketbooks, TV’s, Electronics
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Services: landscaping, leaf raking, meal preparation, accounting, legal
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Tradesman: carpentry, plumbing, electrical
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Gift Cards: We will take partially used cards — please specify the $ amount — place them in an envelope marked “Holiday Fair” and drop in our offertory boxes at either church
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Travel packages: Donate time at a vacation home you own
- Signed sports memorabilia or tickets to a great sporting event
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Something fabulous we haven’t thought of!
Your donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Your donation will not only help our community of St. Josephine Bakhita, it will help you!
Questions or want to donate, contact:
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2022 Mass Intention Calendar
The Saint Josephine Bakhita Office Staff will be opening the 2022 Mass Intention Calendar soon. We will be in the Parish Center at Saint James on the following dates to schedule reservations:
Tuesday, August 31: 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday, September 1: 9am - 11:30am
Thursday, September 2: 12:30 - 2:00pm
Please Note there is a maximum of 3 Masses per parishioner. Please be considerate of the entire parish community and understand we will attempt to accommodate everyone’s request.
Offering’s are $10 for Weekdays & $15 for Weekends and Holy Days.
Office phone: 860-529-8655
Office email: office@sjbrh.org
Thanks, Carrie and Pam
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Saint Josephine Bakhita has a number of communications platforms and will be enhancing and expanding them over the coming year including our website, FaceBook Page, YouTube Channel, e-newsletter and bulletin. If you have an event or announcement that you would like communicated to the wider parish, please email of the details to communications@sjbrh.org. For information that you want included in the Parish Bulletin, also email office@sjbrh.org. Include the Name of Event, Date, Time, Location, Contact info (email/phone), Words you would like used to describe the event. We will determine the best platforms, timing and frequency for getting your message out to the parish. We may also edit the information that you send to fit the communications formats.
The deadline for inclusion in the bulletin is Thursday at noon (7 days in advance of digital publication on the parish website, 10 days in advance of paper copy distributed after Sunday Mass). The deadline for inclusion in the e-newsletter is Friday at noon (3 days in advance of publication).
If you have any questions or suggestions as we grow our parish communications, please email Lisa Orchen at communications@sjbrh.org.
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The Parish Pastoral Council welcomes your feedback, questions and concerns and will respond as appropriate. Please contact the Council via email by sending a message to parishcouncil@sjbrh.org.
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Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Rectory Office
on the campus of St. James Church
767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill
860-529-8655
Monday - Friday: 9:00AM - 2:30PM
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St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
767 Elm Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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