Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish
We are a Christ centered, Roman Catholic faith community in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
We are committed to being a welcoming, inclusive and hospitable parish celebrating vibrant Eucharistic liturgies for all ages.
We value an unwavering commitment to social justice and a compassionate outreach to all.
We also laud an innovative, lifelong and inter generational faith formation approach, embracing technology in the service of our ministries.
Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Josephine Bakhita Parish: Saturday May 23, 2020
Contrary to what you may have heard on the national news on Friday May 22nd; churches, especially in the Archdiocese of Hartford, will not be opening immediately for Masses or gatherings.
With an abundance of caution and sound advice from very fine sources, the Archdiocese will announce, at an appropriate time, a well-crafted and responsible plan for a very soft opening of churches.
Please, please trust that I will inform you of those plans when the Archdiocese releases that information.
I have every confidence that the Archdiocese’s plan will reflect a sincere desire to preserve our Sacred Traditions (Eucharistic Celebrations, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, etc.) and, at the same time, preserve the sanctity and general well-being of all human life.
In the meantime, we here at the parish are gathering up hard to find cleaning and protective supplies, redesigning seating arrangements for each church (limited capacity), preparing our HVAC systems for virus filters, etc. Before we can open, even in a soft way, we must make the necessary preparations. Otherwise, we will not be able to open.
Please stay tuned for more information
Fr George Couturier
To view Sunday 9 AM Mass Online
Click here for the Mass on Facebook...
You do not have to have a Facebook account to watch. You can click 'not now' if invited to login to 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.
New Bible Study: “Letting Go of Stress and Worry”
On three Wednesday evenings beginning June 10th Deacon Michael will be convening a online scripture reflection series on finding peace in our current realities,looking to the Word for some inspiration in dealing with stress and worry.
All are welcome...(friends, family and “FaceBook” Mass viewers included)
Details can be found on the parish website HERE
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
To see Father George's Latest Newsletter, Click Here.
To see the latest Communique from the Archdiocese, Click Here.
To receive these parish communications in your E-Mail,
update your contact information here.
Opportunities to support our local agencies
5/23/2020 - Latest From Father George
Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Josephine Bakhita Parish: Saturday May 23, 2020
Contrary to what you may have heard on the national news on Friday May 22nd; churches, especially in the Archdiocese of Hartford, will not be opening immediately for Masses or gatherings.
With an abundance of caution and sound advice from very fine sources, the Archdiocese will announce, at an appropriate time, a well-crafted and responsible plan for a very soft opening of churches.
Please, please trust that I will inform you of those plans when the Archdiocese releases that information.
I have every confidence that the Archdiocese’s plan will reflect a sincere desire to preserve our Sacred Traditions (Eucharistic Celebrations, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, etc.) and, at the same time, preserve the sanctity and general well-being of all human life.
In the meantime, we here at the parish are gathering up hard to find cleaning and protective supplies, redesigning seating arrangements for each church (limited capacity), preparing our HVAC systems for virus filters, etc. Before we can open, even in a soft way, we must make the necessary preparations. Otherwise, we will not be able to open.
Please stay tuned for more information
Fr George Couturier
April 2020 - From Father George
1. Suspension of all Masses, liturgies and gatherings has been extended until further notice (beyond April 30th). Originally the suspension was until April 30th. Due to State and Health Dept. directives and strong advice all closures (schools, businesses, etc.) has been extended to at least until May 20th.
2. All opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) have been suspended until further notice (beyond original April 30th date).
3. Both St. James and St. Elizabeth Seton churches will be open for a few hours M-F from 9:00a.m.- Noon for private prayer.
4. The Church office will be closed starting Monday 4/6/2020 for the foreseeable future. Staff will call in to obtain calls. We will continue to publish the bulletin.
On Line Giving
Mass Times
Saturday Vigil:
4:00 PM @ St James Church
Sunday:
7:30, 9:00 AM @ St Elizabeth Seton Church
11AM @ St James Church:
Daily: Mon & Fri: 8:30 AM @St Elizabeth Seton
Tues & Thurs: 8:00 AM in the Chapel @ St James
Holy Days:
7:00 AM @ St James Church,
[email protected] Saint Elizabeth Seton Church,
7:00PM Evening Mass @ St James Church
Sacrament of Penance @ St James Church
Saturday 3PM to 3:45 or by appointment
Office 860-529-8655 9AM-2:30
Office Hours
Staff
- Father George M Couturier, Pastor
- Parish Council, Parish Council
- Michael Ward, Deacon
- Elizabeth V. Husmer, Director of Music, Saint Elizabeth Seton
- Joy O'Sullivan, Director of Music, Saint James Church
- Monica Piombino, Director of Faith Formation
- Beth Mulvey, Administrative Assistant Religious Education
- Carrie Silvia, Administrative Assistant
- Gisele Reyngoudt, Business Manager
- Pamela Funk, Parish Secretary
- Randy Martini, Sexton, Saint Elizabeth Seton Church
Is God talking to you?
Catholic News
Feast of the Ascension
05/24/20 6:00 am
The Feast of the Ascension is the fortieth day after Easter Sunday, which commemorates the Ascension of Christ into heaven, according to Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:2. In the Eastern Church this feast was known as analepsis, "the taking up", and also as the episozomene, the salvation, denoting that by ascending into His glory, Christ completed the work of our redemption. The terms used in the West, ascensio and, occasionally, ascensa, signify that Christ was raised up by His own powers. Tradition designates Mount Olivet near Bethany as the place where Christ left the earth. The feast falls on Thursday. It is one of the Ecumenical feasts ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter and of Pentecost among the most solemn in the calendar. The feast has a vigil and, since the fifteenth century, an octave which is set apart for a novena of preparation for Pentecost, in accordance with the directions of Leo XIII.
Read MoreGarden Sale
The Giving Garden Committee (our parish community garden) is sponsoring a Plant Sale of Vegetable Plants beginning Friday May 29th at 3:00 p.m. until Saturday May 30th until plants have sold out at St. Elizabeth Seton Campus. The proceeds will assist the team in upkeep of the garden. The vegetables of the garden support local soup kitchens and shelters. Each plant is $1 and you can leave your donation in a an envelope provided and then leave the envelope at the St. Elizabeth Seton Office door mailbox.
Newsletters
NOTICE of CANCELLATIONS
The Parish Office is closed until further notice. Phone messages will be picked up.
Religious Education Classes are cancelled until further notice or until we hear otherwise.
Saint Josephine Bakhita Adult Bible Study will not be meeting face-to-face on Wednesday's until further notice. It has been taken online consistent with the "social distancing" all are urged to observe during the current COVID-19 emergency. Members should check their email for details. If you did not receive an email from Deacon Michael please email him at [email protected]
Saint Josephine Bakhita North Campus
Saint Josephine Bakhita South Campus
Pilgrimage to Poland 2021
2021 POLAND PILGRIMAGE
INFORMATIONAL MEETING TO BE RESCHEDULED
Due to the current COVID-19 Restrictions on public meetings and social distancing the informational meeting on our pilgrimage will need to be rescheduled.
Please check this space periodically for updated information.
If you would like to be notified of the rescheduled meeting by email please e-mail deacon Michael at [email protected] and let him know.
Peace...and hang in there...be strong...be hopeful.
Upcoming Funerals
None at this time.