November 11, 2025

Fall News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish!

November 11, 2025

Daly Notes

Dear Friends,

We are in the final days of the liturgical year. Two weeks from today is the First Sunday of Advent. The readings for this weekend invite us to reflect on the coming of the “Final Days”. We want to be “in that number” when the saints go marching in! We are praying in preparation for hearing these readings by reflecting upon how we get into that “number”.

So, as we contemplate the last things as well as try to make sense of and respond to the natural disasters, wars, and sufferings present in our time, Christ is calling us not to be led astray but to follow him more fully. Jesus wants us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to give testimony through words and deeds.

Next week we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. This Sunday we are offered the time and grace to commit ourselves to the Gospel’s invitations to faith in his Kingdom. If we are faithful to the end - no matter what we might be threatened with - then our eternal life will be assured. That is the life that matters most.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Shawn

Join Us Next Weekend For

The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 15, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

November 16, 2025

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Join Us For The Rocky Hill Thanksgiving Service

Tuesday, November 25

7:00 PM at

Saint Elizabeth Seton

Join Us Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 27

8:00 AM at Saint James

and livestreamed

Other Fun Tidbits

Thanksgiving Food Baskets &

Grocery Store Gift Certificates

Create a Thanksgiving Food Basket for a household of 4-6 people to donate to Rocky Hill Human Services and deliver to either church the weekend of November 22-23.

Donate gift certificates to local grocery stores to compliment the Food Baskets and enable families to buy turkeys and perishable foods. Bring the gift certificates to mass on November 22-23 or mail them to the Church Office in time for the weekend.

Learn all about where to donate and how to build your basket, Click Here.

URGENT NEED:

Food & Cereal For Our Local Pantries

We continue to seek food and cereal donations for our monthly delivery to the Rocky Hill and Amazing Grace food pantries. In light of the current increased food needs during our government shutdown, please consider additional food/cereal donations as you are able. Items in demand include: Condiments, Progressive and Chunkie Soups, Coffee (non k cups), Cake Mix and Frosting, Brownie mix, Gravy, Broth, Salt and pepper, Rice.

As always, our Rocky Hill food bank and the Amazing Grace food pantry are very appreciative of our generosity. Thank you! Non-perishable food items and cereal boxes can be dropped off at either church location.

Annual Holiday Fair

Bake Sale & Cookie Walk

Donations of baked goods and cookies are needed for our annual Holiday Fair. We have many talented bakers in our parish and each year they donate delicious homemade baked goods for our very popular Holiday Fair Bake Sale & Cookie Walk. We can never have too much! Every last crumb sells! Please sign up to donate one or more items.

Bake for the Bake Sale

Bake for the Cookie Walk

Holiday Fair Volunteers Needed

Planning for our annual Holiday Fair is well underway. We need lots of volunteers to help make it all happen! Click the button below or scan the QR Code to sign up to help! If you prefer to talk to someone about volunteering, call Kathy Alexander at 860-563-5859.

Click Here to Volunteer at the Holiday Fair

Ornaments Needed

We are seeking new or gently used holiday ornaments for the Holiday Fair. Collection Bins will be placed at the entrances of both Churches.

Early Access to Holiday Fair Items Available NOW!

Knit, crochet and Sew Good Works has Holiday Fair items available again this year for early purchase, or to order. Returning items include Irish knit sweaters, table runners, quilts, cobbler aprons and more. (Some items are limited and may not be available by the fair.) Great Gift ideas! For more information or to make an appointment, contact Vivian Orsini at vorsini24@aol.com, or text 860-906-7433 and leave a message.

Hang a Flyer About the Holiday Fair Where You Live, Work or Gather! Download & Print Flyer By Clicking Here.

Saint Josephine Bakhita

Faith Sharing Group

All are welcome to join the Saint Josephine Bakhita Faith Sharing Group. Our next meetings will be Tuesday, November 18, from 10:30-12:00 noon at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church. This group grew out of our parish Awakening retreat in November 2024. At our meetings we start with a presentation of the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025 and then we engage in discussion regarding how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. For additional information or to RSVP, please contact Michael Lonergan at 860-638-7080 at Mikelonergan53108@sbcglobal.net.