July 15, 2025

Summer News at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish!

July 15, 2025

Daly Summer Notes

It’s been a busy summer at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish, with several repair projects taking place all at once. These include ongoing work on the rectory at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and the recently completed work on the front entrance at Saint James Church. If you haven’t seen it, be sure to stop by. It is simply beautiful.

In our Gospel this weekend we continue to accompany Jesus to Jerusalem. On his way, he stops at the home of Martha and Mary to share a meal with them. The story of Martha and Mary is one of the most famous episodes in Scripture. It resonates with every family and circle of friends. There is often the Martha who organizes, who fixes, and who does the heavy emotional lifting. And then there always seems to be the Mary who is the first to tell everyone else about their faith but rarely does the dishes or even puts the coffee on.

If we are finding ourselves feeling like Martha - overworked, overwhelmed, and frustrated - perhaps it is time to choose “the better part” - to show our love for Jesus by spending time listening to Him in prayer.

When we do that, we allow Jesus to love us. We are reminded that Jesus does not so much want us to do great things but to do small things with great love.

Thank you for all you do to share God’s love in our community and in our world!

With prayers,

Fr. Shawn

Join Us For The 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 13, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Other Fun Tidbits

Become a Cross Bearer at Saint Josephine Bakhita

A Cross Bearer's Ministry is to lead the entrance procession with the altar cross, followed by presider, deacon, candle bearers if present. The presider lets all involved know when it is time to line up. The cross bearer would lead the procession out at the end of mass as well. Again, the presider indicates when it is time to move to the front of the altar to process out. Other minor details would be covered in a quick training session. This invitation is for men and women & older boys and girls.

Arriving 15 minutes before mass and having the strength to carry the cross are required. Both campuses need cross bearers. Having more people involved would allow us to have a rotating schedule as well as having substitutes when needed.

Questions and concerns? Interested in signing up? Speak to Father George, Elizabeth Husmer or Joy O'Sullivan.

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 Here

Pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes & Spain

April 28 - May 8, 2026

Deacon Michael and Krystyna Ward are pleased to announce that they will be leading a pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal, Lourdes in France and notable sites in Spain along the way from April 28-May 8, 2026.

Arriving in Lisbon from New York and after a brief stop in Lisbon we will be moving on to our first major spiritual pilgrimage site visit at Fatima. From there we will stop in the Spanish cities of Salamanca, Valladolid and Burgos on our way to our second major pilgrimage site at Lourdes in southern France. At Lourdes we will visit the apparition site and related points of interest. Leaving Lourdes we will return to Spain visiting the mountaintop monastery at Montserrat before concluding our pilgrimage in Barcelona, visiting the famous Gaudi-designed Holy Family Church and other points, with some free time for exploring this beautiful city, before heading home!

If you are at all thinking of going, or are just curious, please contact Deacon Michael at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com or call him at 860-836-8218.

Learn More Here

Funeral Liturgy Planning

Funeral liturgy and music planning can be stressful for families who have just lost their loved ones. Consider making these choices yourself well ahead while all is well; choose the readings and music that are meaningful to you.

Once choices are made with music directors Joy O’Sullivan or Elizabeth Husmer, the planning materials are safely saved. You’d also have copies for yourself and whomever you choose to entrust with the information. Contact either Joy@sjbrh.org, 860-529-8655 x17 or Elizabeth@sjbrh.org, 860-529-3222 for information or consultation. Click the button below to look at our on-line resources for funeral planning.

Parish Funeral Planning Resources

Parishioners and friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita have been so blessed to join Fr. George in Evening Prayer on Facebook every evening since the start of the pandemic. With great joy we announce that our practice of praying together virtually each evening will continue under the leadership of Pastoral Council members Steven Hinchey and Bob Murray. Thank you to Steven and Bob for stepping up and continuing this sacred, communal prayer tradition so treasured by our faith community!

Clothing Collection

Support the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Clothing Collection. We accept clothing in clean, good to excellent condition. Place donations in the collection bin in the front foyer of St. James Church (behind the divider). Unfortunately we are no longer able to accept household goods.