May 27, 2025

Easter Season News at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish

May 27, 2025

Dear Parishioners and Friends of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish,

This weekend’s (7^th Sunday of Easter) first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (7:55-60) we read/hear the horrific story of the stoning of Stephen. Why the stoning? Because of his witness to his vision of the glory of God and the vision of the Risen Lord. This story always pushes me to the edge of my seat and nudges me to ponder how I witness to the glory of God in this complicated world. This should draw us to that inevitable question, “To whom and in what way might I/we most witness to Jesus’ living presence in our lives?”

I can’t help but reflect on Pope Francis’ life and ministry as pope. I think, for me, the most powerful witness he made in his papacy was his call to mercy.

Here are some of his powerful words about witnessing to mercy: “The Church is commissioned to announce God’s mercy, the beating heart of the Gospel, which in its own way must penetrate the heart and mind of every person. The Church must pattern her behavior after the Son of God who went out to everyone without exception. Today, as the Church is charged with the task of the new evangelization, the theme of mercy needs to be proposed again and again with new enthusiasm and renewed pastoral action. It is absolutely essential for the Church and for the credibility of her message that she herself live and testify to mercy. Her language and her gestures must transmit mercy, so as to touch the hearts of all people and inspire them once more to find the road that leads to the Father.”

Repeatedly, during my 9 years in Rocky Hill, I have very frequently watched the glory of God revealed in big and small ways by your witnessing to the mercy of God. Indeed, growth in this truth has been revealed in your behavior, gestures and attitudes. It has inspired me and sustained me in my priestly ministry as your pastor. Pure joy!!

Finally, a very sincere word of gratitude to the Parish Pastoral Council and the entire staff for their very generous preparations and execution of the festivities this Sunday…in anticipation of my “retirement”. I am humbled by their energy, generosity and encouragement during this transition period.

GRATITUDE!!! Peace!!!

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!

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

Join Us For The Sixth Sunday of Easter

June 1, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Food Contributions Requested

for the Retirement 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

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

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.

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.

The Archbishop's Annual Appeal changes lives. In addition to assisting the under-served of our communities, your gift helps those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Your gift to the Appeal is an investment in the future of our Church and our faith. Please continue to pray for an increase of vocations especially in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

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.

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.