August 12, 2025

Summer News at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish!

August 12, 2025

Daly Update

“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” Luke 12:51

Growing up I never saw my father get angry with anyone. He often went out of his way to avoid conflict. Most of us want to be friendly with others.

It is good for us to seek peace. But we must not seek “peace at any price.” That is not at all what Jesus did, and that is not at all what is needed from us. There were values and principles that Jesus fought for. And there are values and principles that we must be willing to stand up for if we are going to be Jesus’ disciples.

That is why Jesus speaks so strongly in today’s gospel. When He says that He came to spread division, He is really saying that there are things worth disturbing the peace over. There are values and principles that are so important that they are worth losing friendships and even breaking up families over. Being people of faith and integrity may require that of us. Jesus was not afraid of rejection, and we cannot be afraid of it either.

I hope you are all enjoying a peaceful and refreshing summer. These summer months are times of vacations or “staycations” for many. I am planning to be away this Monday- Friday. There will be no weekday Mass or confessions this week. I will be going to Dover, New Hampshire. I stay with my sister and her family, and during the week it is mostly quiet, with opportunities for praying, reading, relaxation and eating - my sister is an excellent cook.

I will see you on Saturday, August 23rd!

Peace,

Fr. Shawn

Join Us For The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday

August 15, 2025

8:00 AM at St. James

and livestreamed

12:00 PM at St. James

7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton

Join Us For The 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 17, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Faith Formation Registration is Open!

Faith Formation Registration for students in Grades Pre-K - Grade 10 is now open! Register prior to August 24, 2025 and receive a $25 discount.

Classes are forming now and we need adult volunteers as catechist/teachers and substitutes. Please direct any question to the Faith Formation Office at reo@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-1274.

Click Here to Register for Faith Formation

Other Fun Tidbits

Click Here To Let Us Know You Are Attending the Picnic So We Order Enough Food for Everyone!

HELP MAKE OUR ANNUAL PARISH PICNIC FUN FOR EVERYONE!

We need bakers, food servers, greeters, activity leaders and more. Check out all the opportunities to work a shift for our annual parish picnic. Many hands make light work!

Click Here To Learn More and Volunteer To Help!

Seeking Musicians to Join

Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Dixieland Band

The band is forming to play at the picnic on September 7. Three rehearsals will be scheduled for Wednesdays in August. We especially need low brass, trumpet and drums.

For more info or to sign up email: Joy@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655 x17.

Seventh Annual Knights of

Columbus Golf Outing

Friday, September 19, 2025

Timberlin Golf Club, Berlin CT

Lunch/Registration at 11:00AM

Scramble Format ~ Shotgun Start at 12:30 PM ~ Buffet Dinner to follow

$150 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf w/cart, lunch and buffet dinner, cash prizes, raffle prizes.

$55 dinner only

For more information, contact Mike DiBattisto (860-713-9070) or Mike Lombardo (860-869-2231).

Learn More About the Golf Tournament Here

Seeking musical, dance, comedic acts for the Second Annual

St. Josephine Bakhita Parish

Variety Show

Friday, October 17, 2025

7:00PM

Parish Center at St. James

For more info or to sign up email: Joy@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655 x17.

Participants must sign up by Monday, September 30, 2025.

Saint Josephine Bakhita

Faith Sharing Group

All are welcome to join the Saint Josephine Bakhita Faith Sharing Group. Our next meetings will be Tuesday, August 19 and Tuesday, September 16, from 10:30-12:00 noon at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church. This group grew out of our parish Awakening retreat in November 2024. At our meetings we start with a presentation of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 and then we engage in discussion regarding how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. For additional information or to RSVP, please contact Michael Lonergan at 860-638-7080 at Mikelonergan53108@sbcglobal.net.

Support Our Monthly Food Drive

Support our ongoing food and cereal collections 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 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00. St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.

Committee Leaders Needed!

Tea Cup Raffle

Volunteer(s) needed to coordinate and collect donated items, store and bring them to the Parish Center prior to the event. Sort, set-up tables to view all items, process and oversee items pairing and display. In addition, contact raffle items winners via text/calls who were not present for the drawing. Oversee raffle ticket volunteers day of the event.

Christmas Tree Ornaments

Volunteer(s) needed to oversee collection of gently used ornaments donated by parishioners, organize, and price to sell for both the ornament's table and Christmas tree. Coordinate volunteers to decorate the tree, oversee and operate table and tree sales day of the fair.

The Holiday Fair is November 22, 2025. Training will be provided by prior year committee leaders! To volunteer to lead the Tea Cup Raffle Committee or the Christmas Tree Ornaments Committee, send an email to sjbholidayfair@gmail.com.