August 8, 2023

Summer News From Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

August 8, 2023

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

A man named Peter who ventured over water is the subject of this weekend's Gospel passage at our Masses. Peter tries to follow in faith the Lord’s invitation to walk on water. But when his faith falters, he begins to sink. In desperation he cries out to Jesus to save him. Jesus stretches out his hand to catch Peter but expresses this disappointment over Peter’s lack of faith. Ouch, that must have hurt!

As long as Peter kept his focus on the Lord, all went well. As soon as he forgot about Jesus and worried about the wind, he began to sink. Maybe this is what faith means: keeping our focus on the Lord, regardless of the turmoil around us; trusting that God is always near to support us, regardless of the waves of trouble that can surround us.

This kind of faith is more about an “encounter” with God than it is a belief about God. It is more an experience of the divine presence itself, than an acceptance of some dogmatic pronouncement about it.

Such faith will not remove all our difficulties. In fact, it might create some new ones. But it will give us the strength we need to cope with them. Such a faith will not be the master key that unlocks the answers to all our questions. But it will give us the assurance that Christ holds the key, and that will be enough for us. Such faith will not eliminate all the darkness that sometimes surrounds us. But it will filter through some light to allow us to recognize Christ’s presence in that darkness.

Peace and blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

The 19th Sunday

in Ordinary Time

August 13, 2023

4:00 PM at Saint James

9 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

11:00 AM at Saint James

The Calming of the Storm. Photo courtesy of Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. 2014.

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

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

Interested in Becoming Catholic? We Can Help!

Times such as those we are living through now often prompt people to examine what we believe, how we make sense of the world and examine just what we live by, and why, and where “this all seems to be going.” Christian faith as offered in and through the Catholic Church brings 20 centuries of belief and wisdom to bear on these very questions.

Entering the Catholic Church through Baptism at Easter after exploration and instruction in the faith is the typical path for those entering the Catholic Church as adults. We are presently planning the process for those who may wish to enter the Church at Easter in the spring of 2024.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in exploring this possibility with us, we are certainly happy and eager to help. Anyone interested should contact Deacon Michael at dcnmichael@sjbrh.org (best) or by phone at 860-529-3222, x14.

Learn About Becoming A Catholic Here

Click Here to Volunteer at Our Parish Picnic

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. Does this opportunity 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

Inviting all Sewers, Knitters & Crocheters

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Knit, Crochet, Sew & Pray Ministries serve our community in generous ways.

The Knit, Crochet & Sew Good Works Ministry meets every Wednesday in Fr. Shea Hall at St. James Church from 1pm – 4pm.

Contact: Sandy Rokosz at sandyrokosz7@hotmail.com

The Morning Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the forth Monday of each month at St. Elizabeth Seton Church at 9am.

Contact: Betty Catelli at catellib64@gmail.com

The Evening Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first Monday of each month at St. Elizabeth Seton Church at 6:45pm.

Contact: Laura Pentland at lbpent57@gmail.com

We are open to anyone who has the skills to sew, knit or crochet or who would like to learn how. Whether you knit or crochet quickly or slowly, your help is welcome to fulfill the mission of spreading God’s love through our craft. It is our hope that those who receive our crafts will feel the love that goes into making each and every one of them. Our time together begins and ends with prayer and all creations are prayed over and blessed prior to being gifted. Learn more here.