June 22, 2021
Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,
Greetings to one and all! I do hope that the Father’s Day weekend was a blessing of gratitude to all our dad’s living and deceased. My dad passed away many years ago…I still miss him very much. I speak with him in my prayers whenever I get in a bind, which is frequent these days.
I need your help! I would like to invite you to an upcoming event sponsored by the Archdiocese of Hartford on Friday evening August 13, 2021 to be held at the Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT. It will be a Mass to mark the conclusion of the Archdiocesan-wide Synod (more about this below) and will be the first memorial Mass dedicated to a priest of the Archdiocese, Blessed Michael J. McGivney (soon to be a Saint, we pray). Founder of the Knights of Columbus.
Every parish has been asked to bring a minimum of 30 people to the event. It will be an awesome time to gather as local church and celebrate safely and in solidarity. We would leave the St. James parking lot by coach at about 4:30 p.m. and return about 9:00 p.m. There will be no cost but your time and enthusiasm. Please let me know of your interest ASAP by emailing me at frgeorge@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655 ext. 11. The pressure is on for me to get 30 people from Saint Josephine Bakhita.
So, what is the Synod I mention above? I share with you a very fine explanation offered by our own parishioner, Joseph Clarizio (who was a delegate at all the Synod sessions along with Deacon Michael Ward).
Some of you may remember that back in the old days around 2018 the subject of the sharp decline in church attendance, participation in the sacraments, and vocations was the main topic of the day. Subsequently there were a series of listening sessions held in all parishes. The purpose of these was to answer the following three questions:
(1) What are we (as an Archdiocese) doing well?
(2) What are we (as an Archdiocese) not doing well?
(3) What are we (as an Archdiocese) not doing that we should be doing?
All that input from you along with the input from all the parishes was compiled and condensed into specific themes and propositions. Then back in October 2019 I attended along with Deacon Michael a Synod weekend along with representatives from every parish in the Archdiocese to review and make suggestions for a Synod document.
Archbishop Blair in his Decree Announcing the Synod said, “The Synod is meant to clarify priorities and identify practical steps to promote the life and the mission of this local Church.” He then added, “If you want to know my principal hope for this Synod, it is that the Synod will help transform us from an archdiocese that is managing the decline into an archdiocese that is disrupting the decline.”
As we emerge from the past year of lockdowns now would be a good time to think about how you can be involved. One suggestion is to attend the Closing Mass of the Synod on August 13th. (Joe Clarizio).
As I put this message together, the Graduating Class of Rocky Hill, High School is passing by the church in a caravan of joyous and talented young men and women. Sirens are blasting, horns are blaring, music is celebrating them and their successes and futures. Blessings on each and every graduate here and surrounding towns who are part of our great parish.
I would like to encourage you to consider and participate in the FORWARD WITH FAITH campaign that we embarked on for the sake of our parish and the Archdiocese of Hartford. It is a very real and concrete way of supporting our mission and ministry. Your substantial sacrificial gift or pledge will secure the continued forward movement of our parish. I am sincerely asking for your help and am very grateful to those who have already made the financial commitment.
Peace and Blessings,
Fr. George Couturier
Pastor
