June 3, 2025

Join Us for Pentecost at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

June 3, 2025

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

In my humble estimation, it is built into our nature to cling to someone we love and depend on. We cannot bear the thought of that person leaving us. When Jesus told the apostles that he was leaving them, they were plunged into gloom. But he said to them, “It is for your own good that I go away, because unless I go, the spirit will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

It must have been very hard for them to see how his going away could be for their good. Had Jesus always remained with them in his physical presence, they would never have come of age themselves.

In that context, we must remember that no one ever showed more confidence in, or more respect for, people than Jesus. He did not dominate them. He gave them a chance to shine. He handed over his entire work to them. But he knew that they still needed help. That was why he sent them the Spirit.

What the Spirit did was bring out what was already inside them. His love awakened energies in them that they did not know were there, so they were able to do things they did not think they were capable of. After Pentecost their hearts were on fire and there was wind at their backs.

As we enter a transition period in our awesome parish of Saint Josephine Bakhita we too need the Holy Spirit. We need the Spirit to help us to realize the power and the gifts we have within us. We need the Spirit to harness that power and release those gifts so that we too can become fearless witnesses for Christ.

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!

The Prayer of St. Francis de Sales

Be at peace.

Do not look forward in fear

to the changes of life;

rather look to them with full hope as they arise.

God, whose very own you are,

will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand it,

God will carry you in His arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

the same everlasting Father

who cares for you today

will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering,

or give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace,

and put aside all anxious thoughts

and imaginings.

Amen.

Fr. George Couturier

Celebration of Retirement

June 30, 2025

Join Us For Pentecost

June 8, 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.

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.

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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.