June 10, 2025

Summer Happenings at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

June 10, 2025

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

Not long before he died, Jesus said, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now…” (John 16: 12-15) What was he talking about? His death? No, he had already told them about that. The end of the world? No, he had already said he did not know.

He was talking about the dark places in our hearts, which seem so ugly and overwhelming at times. The dark that sometimes seems so beyond fixing that it often frightens us into thinking or pretending it does not exist. It is like trying to protect ourselves from the hazards of the highway by driving with our eyes closed.

Jesus knew this about us and told us again and again, “Do not be afraid.” He assured us that we can risk opening our eyes and looking squarely at the inner darkness that has given us a scare. We can afford that risk, because we know the Holy Spirit is guiding us through the dark one step at a time--never giving us more than we can handle (a bit cliché…but true), but always giving us the power, wisdom, the insight, the gumption to light up the dark places within.

As we enter another chapter as a parish let us trust the Spirit who abides with us always. Know that there is no journey into the dark that is too long or too far.

Peace and Blessings!

Fr. George Couturier

On behalf of the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Staff, thank you to all who have joined in celebrating Fr. George as he prepares to retire at the end of June!

Enjoy a Beautiful Gallery of Celebration Pictures Here

Thank you to Susan O. Nedd for composing this beautiful poem on the occasion of Fr. George's Retirement!

Join Us For The Most Holy Trinity

June 15, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

This coming weekend, please welcome Rev. George Brennan who will be with us to celebrate Masses and tell us about the work of Unbound, a lay Catholic sponsorship ministry that helps children and elderly in 17 developing countries. To learn more, call (800) 875-6564 or visit Unbound online at www.unbound.org.

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

Saint Josephine Bakhita Faith Sharing Group

All are welcome to join the Saint Josephine Bakhita Faith Sharing Group. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 10:00-11:30 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church. This group grew out of our parish Awakening retreat in November 2024. At our meetings we start with a presentation of a gift of the Holy Spirit of Fortitude and then we engage in discussion to share how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. All our welcomed to join. For additional information or to RSVP, please contact Michael Lonergan at 860-638-7080 at Mikelonergan53108@sbcglobal.net.

Calling Fathers, Grandfathers & Men Who Have Mentored Youth

Come join the men of our St. Elizabeth Seton Choir for the 9:00 Mass on Fathers' Day, June 15. That day we also celebrate the Feast Day of the Holy Trinity. One rehearsal is required on Thursday, June 12 from 7:00-8:30 PM. Sign up in the SES foyer or speak with Elizabeth Husmer, Director of Music at SES. A desire to sing is all you need - not even music reading skills. God gave you the voice.

Leadership Needed for the Holiday Fair

The Holiday Fair Committee is looking for a volunteer or volunteers to manage the administrative tasks for the Holiday Fair Committee. Some responsibilities of the role include scheduling committee meetings, setting the agenda and moderating planning meetings, coordinating with office staff, acting as point of contact for sub-committee leads and Holiday Fair related questions as they arise. If you are interested in this leadership position and helping steer a major annual fundraiser and would like to learn more, please contact Jo-Ellen Vendetti at sjbholidayfair@gmail.com.

Outdoor Places to Pray

at Saint Josephine Bakhita

Now that the warm weather has arrived, consider taking your preferred prayer style to a quiet place on the grounds of either church campus.

Saint James campus offers several outdoor spots: the Labyrinth behind the church/next to the parish center as well as the benches between the two buildings. Other prayerful spots include the statue of Christ behind the center as well as on the tree covered lawns near the church.

At Saint Elizabeth Seton campus, a garden devoted to Mary is a good spot for prayer and lies across from the church with benches (and has a lending library, too!). A sheltered gazebo sits in a shaded spot opposite the rectory. Benches on the church porch during the week offer quiet as well.

Inside or outside of either campus, there are peaceful places to pray. Visit our church properties and spend time with our Lord.

Ongoing Food Collection

Support our ongoing food and cereal collections 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: St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00. St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.

It is fundamental that when you give to any charitable organization, you are confident the funds are used

wisely. Be assured that your gift to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal supports the Catholic ministries and

programs as indicated in the 2025 Appeal literature,

All funds contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal are used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the Appeal literature, which can be found here. No Appeal funds are ever used for legal fees or settlements.