May 20, 2025

Introducing Our New Pastor and Easter Season News

May 20, 2025

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

As we all know, transitions are difficult and challenging on many levels. In this weekend’s Gospel (John 14:23-29) Jesus, the resurrected one, is encountering his disciples during the most profound transition in the disciples’ lives. Jesus addresses them with a word of PEACE and a reminder of the presence of the Advocate, The Holy Spirit. And Jesus addresses them with the comforting words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”

I am certain that our newly elected Pope Leo was comforted by similar words when he became aware of his election to the Chair of Peter. Pope Leo is an ordinary person, like us, chosen to serve and lead the Church. He will need to rely on the truth that the Advocate will be his strength and guide…. which, if he relies on the Spirit, he will find peace and the necessary zeal to carry on. Let us pray for this extraordinary man who bravely takes on an awesome responsibility.

Also, let us pray for Father Shawn Daly, as he begins the transition to be our new pastor here at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish. I am certain he will be relying on the Advocate, Holy Spirit as his inspiration, strength, guide and lasting peace. Fr. Daly brings 30 years of priestly ministry to our parish community. A few of his assignments have included pastor (presently) at St. Damian of Molokai Parish in Windsor and pastor at St. Mary, Newington, and pastor at Corpus Christi, Wethersfield and a special assignment as Vicar for Priests (personnel director). I am proud to say that he was a student at St. Thomas Seminary when I was on staff. He brings a myriad of pertinent pastoral and administrative skills. I am so very happy about this transition…it brings me peace as I move on to the next phase of life and ministry. I feel the living presence of the Advocate at work in this transition.

I sincerely pray for the new Pope, our new pastor and the awesome parish of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish.

Peace!

Fr. George Couturier

Join Us For The Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 25, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Join Us For The Ascension of Our Lord

Thursday, May 29, 2025

8:00 AM at St. James

and livestreamed

Noon at St. James

7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton

Congratulations and blessings to the 36 first communicants who received the Sacrament of First Communion on May 3, 2025. We also had a special Children’s Liturgy of the Word and May Crowning on Sunday, May 4, 2025 where we honored Mary with a special procession and crowning! May God continue to bless all of these children as they continue to learn more about Jesus and His special love for them every day through our prayerful support!

Congratulations to the members of our parish community who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday, May 10, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph with Archbishop Coyne. May the gifts of the Holy Spirit strengthen you, making you a witness of Christ's love in your families, your communities and in the world!

Retirement Celebration for Fr. George Couturier

The Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Pastoral Council invites you to join us for a retirement celebration in honor of Father George Couturier on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 12:30 PM. The celebration of his decades of service will take place in the Saint James Parish Center after the 11:00 AM Mass. All are welcome for food, drinks, music and more as we wish Father George well in his retirement. In lieu of gifts, Father George has requested donations be made to the newly-established Fernand & Yvette Couturier Scholarship Fund.

Food Contributions Welcome for the Celebration!

We welcome contributions of refreshments for this special event such as pastries, cookies, mini muffins, small croissants or other snacks that can be served as individual servings, finger foods. Both store bought and homemade items are welcome. Food donations must be dropped off at the Parish Center on Saturday, May 31 between noon and 6:00 PM. All questions related to the celebration can be directed to parishcouncil@sjbrh.org.

Click Here to Sign Up to Donate Refreshments

Retirement Gifts for Fr. George Couturier

Many have asked about the protocol of, and Father George’s needs, tastes and wishes regarding gifts for him on the occasion of his retirement.

With characteristic foresight, humility and generosity, Father George has not left us in the dark on this matter. With emphatic clarity he has indicated that he does not wish to receive personal gifts on the occasion of his retirement.

Rather, he has asked that in lieu of personal gifts that people make a donation to a parish scholarship fund established in the memory of his dear parents, Fernand and Yvette Couturier. This fund, now being established at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish, would provide financial assistance to young people, from parish families, that are furthering their education after high school.

Those wishing to honor Father George in his retirement may do so by making a contribution to the:

Fernand & Yvette Couturier Scholarship Fund

℅ St. Josephine Bakhita Parish

767 Elm Street

Rocky Hill CT 06067

Checks should be made payable to “St. Josephine Bakhita Parish” with “Couturier Scholarship Fund” on the memo line. Donations in envelopes so addressed may be mailed, delivered to the parish office at that address, placed in the Sunday collection, or placed in designated receptacles at the parish reception for Fr. Couturier on Sunday June 1, 2025 following the 11:00 AM Mass at the St. Josephine Bakhita Parish Center.

Please help us celebrate Fr. George, and keep the memory of his dear parents, by honoring this generous request!

Other Fun Tidbits

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

Vegetable Plant Sale

The Garden Ministry is sponsoring a Plant Sale of vegetable starters on Saturday, May 24 from Noon - 2:00 PM at St. James. The proceeds will assist the team in upkeep of the garden. The vegetables of the garden support local soup kitchens. All plants sold for $1!

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.

Saint Josephine Bakhita Faith Sharing Group

All are welcome to join the St. Josephine Bakhita Faith Sharing Group. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, May 27, 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 and then we break into small groups to share how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. A main focus is how we keep the Holy Spirit as an active component of our everyday life. All our welcomed to join. For additional information or to RSVP, please contact Michael Lonergan at 860-638-7080 at Mikelonergan53108@sbcglobal.net.

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.

Thank you to the parish families who have made a gift or pledge to the 2025 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not yet participated, please prayerfully consider a gift today. Be assured every dollar of your gift will have a positive impact in someone’s life. 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.