February 3, 2026

Winter News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

February 3, 2026

Daly Notes

Friends,

Catherine of Siena is one of my favorite saints. Catherine was a woman who played an extremely significant role in the history of the Church. The fourteenth century was a troubled period in the life of the Church and throughout Italy and Europe. It was in the midst of those dark days that Catherine was born. By the world’s standards, Catherine was nobody. She wasn’t educated. She didn’t come from an important family. She had no power, no title, no position. She wasn’t a nun or a scholar or a public figure. She was a young laywoman living an ordinary life.

And yet, she changed the world.

As she grew older, Catherine developed an intense prayer life. Prayer wasn’t just something she fit into her day. It shaped her whole life. She spent hours in silence with God and had profound mystical experiences of Jesus. Her faith was lived. It was real.

One of Catherine’s most famous quotes sums it all up: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” She didn’t try to be extraordinary. She simply tried to be faithful. And God did the rest.

We live in dark times. What people need most is to know they’re loved. And to be shown how to love others. That’s the call Jesus gives us today: to be who God created us to be. And when we do that, even in small ways, the world begins to change.

Catherine still speaks to us and directs us to walk courageously toward holiness to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Shawn

The Fifth Sunday

in Ordinary Time

February 8, 2026

4:00 PM Vigil at Saint James

9:00 AM at Saint Elizabeth Seton

& livestreamed

11:00 AM at Saint James

The Soup Pots Are Coming Back!

As excitement builds for Super Bowl Sunday on February 8, our Confirmation Candidates are gearing up for their own friendly competition — the Souper Bowl of Caring! Two Confirmation classes will go head-to-head to see who can collect the most donations to support local food pantries and provide meals for our homeless neighbors.

You can get in the game too! Confirmation candidates will be holding soup pots after all Masses on February 7 & 8, 2026. A donation of $1 or more can help make a real difference. Thanks to your generosity in the past, we have helped feed so many in our community.

“Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl, help us to remember those without even a bowl of soup to eat.”

Saint Josephine Bakhita

Awakening Retreat

Save the Date: June 6, 2026

The Awakening retreat experience is an opportunity to explore and strengthen your relationship with God, and especially how the Holy Spirit works in your life.

This event is sponsored by the Faith Sharing and Charismatic Prayer Groups of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish.

If you have questions or would like to support the planning of this event, please contact Michael Lonergan at 860-638-7080 or at Mikelonergan53108@sbcglobal.net.

Hospitality Ministry

We all have happily experienced being welcomed into someone's home with a greeting, food and catching up with friends/family. Parishes that have greeters with smiles and 'welcomes' are the most vibrant.

For many years, the welcome at the entrances of both St. James and St. Elizabeth Seton has been an important ministry. Beside the greetings, these ministers pass out bulletins, programs, check for seating, give directions and information.

Hospitality is another branch of our Welcome Ministries. At least once a month, hospitality means donuts or baked goods and coffee after mass. Joy O'Sullivan has made sure that bakers are enlisted to bring their specialties for all to enjoy after the 11:00 mass. She also sets up the night before.

An anonymous parishioner at St. Elizabeth's buys donuts and muffins for all to enjoy after the 9:00 mass and a hospitality coordinator plans the alternating teams that set up, serve and clean up.

With gratitude, we thank all who give their time and smiles to this ministry!

Consider becoming a Welcome Minister! Share a bit of your time and, perhaps, your baking skills! To learn more or volunteer, contact Elizabeth Husmer at elizabeth@sjbrh.org or Joy O'Sullivan at joy@sjbrh.org.

Plan A Retreat

Holy Family Retreat Center

West Hartford, CT

We invite you to join us this year at Holy Family for your annual retreat as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary of ministry. Together, as part of God’s beloved creation, we can pursue that blessed goal – life with God as beloved companions and pilgrims of hope.

Faith is a journey! Last year, just months before his passing, Pope Francis called for a jubilee year, and he announced the theme would be Pilgrims of Hope.

As “pilgrims of hope,” we must be willing to take risks, to make the effort to understand God’s call, and to grow in our faith. The pilgrim doesn’t travel aimlessly but allows God to be the North Star, leading us to discover that God is at the heart of our journey.

Join members of our parish community on retreat this year:

Couples Retreat: February 13-15, 2026

Men’s Retreat: February 20-22, 2026

For more information visit holyfamilyretreat.org or call us at 860.760.9705.

Parish Promoters:

Bob Manzi (860) 502-5097 manzirj@sbcglobal.net

Kathleen Quintana (860) 680-3195 kathleen_quintana@snet.net

Lent Bible Study:
The Tragic and Triumphant Cross

The cross is prominently displayed at both Saint James and Saint Elizabeth Seton churches as a focal point in the place where we all pray together so often. The cross is both a feared and contemptible instrument of punishment and the symbol of humanity's greatest hope. In turning this tool of torture into his followers' proudest boast, Jesus produced the most dramatic reversal the world has ever experienced. Worn around our necks, hung in our homes, carried in procession, and set on mountaintops, the cross speaks to what we believe about Jesus and about how we understand our lives in relationship to him. During Lent we will plumb the depths of Scripture to contemplate both its horrible and glorious significance for our faith.

This Lent Deacon Michael will lead a six-part series on The Tragic and Triumphant Cross.

Registration is required for ordering of required book ($10 book fee payable at the first session)

The series begins on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Two identical sessions are offered each week at 10:00 AM at Saint James Parish Center and then again at 7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. It will be possible to join the 7:00 PM evening session online as well, via Google Meet (please indicate interest at registration to help us plan).

To register please email Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com.

Learn More Here

Congratulations Joy!

We had such a beautiful, heartfelt celebration giving thanks for Joy and her decades of musical leadership for our parish. Thank you to everyone who helped planned the party!

View the Party Pictures Here

Lent is Coming!

February 18, 2026

8:00 AM Mass & Ashes at Saint Elizabeth Seton

& livestreamed

12:00 PM Distribution of Ashes at St. James

4:00 PM Distribution of Ashes at St. James

7:00 PM Distribution of Ashes at St. Elizabeth Seton

On Ash Wednesday, Eucharistic ministers are available to visit and bring ashes to those who are homebound. If interested, please call the office at 860-529-8655.

We collect unused travel-size toiletries at both St. James and St. Elizabeth Seton to donate to the shelters and agencies we support. Save the toiletries from your hotel stays and travels and drop them off to be shared! There are collection bins in the foyers of both churches.