August 15, 2023

Summer News From Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

August 15, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

On the weekend of August 26-27, our parish will welcome Fr. Suresh Rajaian, SAC, a Pallottine priest as our guest for the annual missionary appeal Sunday. The Pallottines are a religious order founded in 1835 by a Roman Priest, St. Vincent Pallotti, who carried out a wide range of apostolic activities in the city of Rome, which included assisting the poor, sick, marginalized and the orphan, and educating the poor children through evening schools. Over last 187 years the Pallottines have spread their mission and ministry far and wide, in 45 countries, on 6 continents, serving in parishes, schools, hospitals, missions, retreat houses and many more charitable works urged by the love of Christ (2 Cor 5:14)

The Pallottines went to India in 1951 and grew stronger in many parts of the country. On January 6, 2020, the Pallottines in Tamilnadu, India, became an independent Province and named after Our Lady of Good Health. The Province is blessed with over 100 priests, and more than 50 students in various levels of formation.

Drawing inspiration from our Founder St. Vincent Pallotti, the Province is involved in various ministries and missions such as pastoral care in the parishes, social justice, Catholic education for the poor and the downtrodden. Additionally, they sponsor a women’s empowerment program, where women were taught skilled work like tailoring, fashion designing and beautician. Their healing ministry supports patients with AIDS and Leprosy. During the time of Coronavirus pandemic and the consequent lock down, they came to the aid of the poor people providing them with groceries like food grains, vegetables, oils and sanitation kits.

The Province is also entrusted with mission abroad like Taiwan and Sri Lanka. Your financial offerings will go into four main areas for the Pallottines of Tamilnadu, India: 1.) Supporting the seminarians to become Priests; 2.) Education of poor children and orphans; 3.) Empowerment of the women and widows through self- help groups; and 4.) Healing ministries like AIDS and leprosy Centers and Hospitals.

Thank you, in advance for your generous support of this annual missionary appeal.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

August 15, 2023

8:00 AM at Saint James

Noon at Saint James

7:00 PM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

The 20th Sunday

in Ordinary Time

August 20, 2023

4:00 PM at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at Saint James

Grades K-10th Grade

Registration for our Faith Formation Program is happening NOW!

Summer is flying by so please get your registration in as soon as you can!

By registering now, you help us in planning our classes and recruiting catechists for grades 4-8.

Registration for all classes will close this year on September 1, 2023.

We especially need catechists for grades 6 and 8. If you have a child in these grades, please consider teaching or co-teaching with another volunteer. We are planning Sunday classes this year which may enable you to volunteer!

If you volunteer as a catechist you will receive free registration for your child/children. You will complete a separate registration form if you volunteer. Please contact the Faith Formation Office at reo@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-1274 to learn about being a catechist. It is a wonderful and rewarding opportunity for you to learn more about our faith as well.

All our registrations this year will be done online. You can access it by clicking the green button below or scanning the QR Code.

Fall classes begin starting the week of Sunday, September 24, 2023. We will have more information coming later about our Fall program.

Have a wonderful summer!

Monica, Beth, Carol, Linda, and Lori

Click Here to Register for Faith Formation

Did You Miss Confirmation the First Time Around?

We Can Help With That

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. It happens for a variety of reasons. We’re here to help you get “caught up”!

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 860-563-5151. Leave a message and we’ll get back to you.

Click Here to Volunteer

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!

Fifth Annual Golf Outing

Friday, September 22, 2023

Timberlin Golf Club

330 Southington Road, Berlin CT

Lunch/Registration at 11:00AM

Scramble Format

Shotgun Start at 12:30 PM

Dinner to follow

$150 per golfer includes 18 holes of golf w/cart, use of driving range, sleeve of golf balls, lunch and buffet dinner.

Cash prizes for first and second place. 50/50 cash raffle. Prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive.

Click Here for Golf Outing Brochure & Registration Form

Planning for our annual Holiday Fair is well underway. We are seeking a volunteer to take on the role of Advertising Coordinator this year.

We are also seeking crafters and vendors for the fair. We offer spaces of 10x10 feet for a cost of $65.00.

Does either of these opportunities call out to you?

If so, contact Holiday Fair Chairperson, Jo-Ellen Vendetti at SJBholidayfair@gmail.com.

Learn More About The Holiday Fair

Learn More About the Pilgrimage Here

Support Our Food Drives

We continue to seek food and cereal donations 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. Amazing Grace Food Pantry is also in need of paper, plastic and clean grocery bags. Any bags can be left with the cereal collection and will be delivered to Amazing Grace. Thank you for your generosity.

ImmaCare Shelter Meal Donations Needed

Our next meal at ImmaCare Shelter will be served on Saturday, August 26. We are in need of your help! Sign-up sheets with specific needs for the dinners will be posted in the lobbies of each church. Please bring donations to Fr. Shea Hall a day or two in advance of August 26. Thank you for your continued support!

For more information, contact Carl Bach at 860-882-9174 or abcb1922@yahoo.com.

Last Call for HomeFront Day Volunteers

Our parish HomeFront project is finalized for a Rocky Hill home off of Orchard Street on Saturday September 23, with a rain date of October 7. St Josephine Bakhita parish sponsors the event financially through a donation to Homefront, Inc. We expect a team of 30-40 volunteers but could always use more help. We will paint the home exterior and clean up the landscaping around the house and rear yard. Additionally we will perform some outside repair and carpentry tasks. The day runs from 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM. We will serve breakfast and lunch. We need volunteers for all aspects of the project including a hospitality team for serving food. Even if you are not up the physical tasks, we could use some talented leaders to guide the efforts. As the parish coordinator and team captain but would love to share the fun!

I plan to have a meeting in mid-September to introduce the volunteers to each other and provide more details. If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please email me at mrjfiles@sbcglobal.net.

Bob Manzi, Parish Chairperson

Learn More About HomeFront Day Here