July 22, 2025

Summer News at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish!

July 22, 2025

Daly Update

Just a few things…

One of the questions I have been asked most since I arrived is:

“Where are you living?” Currently I am living in the rectory on Saint James Campus. Eventually I will move into the rectory at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s.

The rectory has needed a few repairs and updates. The roof has been deteriorating, with pieces breaking off and leaks which have caused damage within the bedrooms and dining room. This is by far, the most expensive and necessary part of the project.

There are three bedrooms in the rectory. The bathrooms in those rooms need to be repaired / renovated. The walls will be painted and rugs replaced.

If you have been on the campus, you have seen a lot of work going on at the rectory. If you have had work done in your house, you know it can get expensive rather quickly. It is my hope that we will not have to dip into our savings much to complete these projects. I hope to move in around Labor Day. I will continue to keep you updated.

With prayers,

Fr. Shawn

Join Us For The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 27, 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

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!

Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are available to bring Holy Communion to our homebound parishioners and those recuperating from surgery or illness. Please contact the parish office to request a visit: 860-529-8655.