June 24, 2025

Summer Happenings at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

June 24, 2025

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

This Feast Day of two very inspirational heroes of faith (Peter and Paul) seems to be an appropriate context in which I present to you my final message. Over the years these very ordinary and flawed men have given me moments to pause and ponder what ministry should look like for me and all priests. First it brings me solace and hope that God would even want to work with me….as God did with them. Second each man had a different thrust or focus to their ministry…the focus of Peter was an “in the fold” kind of ministry and Paul’s focus was an active outward focus beyond “the fold.” As a pastor in a very contemporary setting, I gradually discovered the necessity of both approaches so to be an effective pastor and truthful to the Gospel and vision of our Lord. St. Josephine Bakhita provided the opportunity to be both a Peter and a Paul. Thank you for providing this opportunity.

As I depart, there are just a few necessary updates:

Your generosity towards the Scholarship Fund in memory of my parents has gone far beyond my imagination. As of this weekend, the fund has collected well over $40,000. My parents would be pleased to provide a reason to assist some future students of our parish. Many thanks!!
Your gifts and pledges to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal have done better than ever. Our goal was $145,000…as of June 18, 2025 we have given $158,000. Bravo…what a great way to support the Archdiocese and its outreach on behalf of all parishes.
The first week of July will begin construction on the refurbishing of the front patio at Saint James Church. The work is long overdo and has become a hazard that our insurance company is strongly encouraging repairs immediately. Therefore, the front entrances to the church will be closed for most of the month of July. Please use the back entrance. A necessary inconvenience. Thank you for your generosity by your ongoing gifts to maintain our facilities.

Finally, many are curious where I will be residing in my “retirement.” I will be at the Pastoral Center (formerly St. Thomas Seminary) 467 Bloomfield Ave. Bloomfield, CT 06002.

For those of you worried that I may not be busy enough…my calendar to cover parishes for vacationing or ill priests is filling up quickly.

Indeed, I will miss you all. You have been a blessing and a sign of hope in our fragile world.

Continue to be a vibrant sign of hope, peace and justice! Be assured of my prayers!!

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

Join Us For The Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul

June 29, 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

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.

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.

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 planning. Click the button below to look at our on-line resources for funeral planning.

Parish Funeral Planning Resources

Parish Visitors

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.

Give Blood

The American Red Cross has launched a Severe Blood Shortage Appeal. All eligible donors are encouraged to schedule appointments now. The next drive hosted at our Parish Center at St. James Church is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, 2025 from 1PM-6PM. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org to register to give.