October 21, 2025

Fall News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish!

October 21, 2025

Daly Notes

Dear Friends,

This weekend Jesus tells the parable of the proud Pharisee who prayed from his self-importance and the tax collector who prayed humbly.

This parable points to what Jesus says elsewhere, “I have come not to call the self-righteous, but sinners!” If we wish to come to Church and leave on good terms with God, we need first to grasp that we’re sinners, that we need God’s mercy, ask for it and seek to live by it.

We all go to Church to pray. Some of us like the Pharisee. Some like the tax collector. Most of us, a little bit of both. That’s why we begin each Mass by praying: “Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.”

That prayer sets the tone. We’re not here to pat ourselves on the back for all the good things we’ve done. We’re here to worship the God who saves us. The parable reminds us that when we pray, we must remember our need for God in our lives.

Are you open to letting God change you?

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Shawn

Join Us For 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 25, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

October 26, 2025

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Join Us For Our Annual Memorial Mass

Thursday, November 6

7:00 PM at St. James

We will be celebrating our annual Memorial Mass for those who have had funerals at Saint Josephine Bakhita since November 2024. All are welcome to pray and support those who are mourning, or be strengthened in the face of their own mourning. During the candlelit service, we will be announcing the names of those who had funerals at Saint Josephine Bakhita in the past year.

Other Fun Tidbits

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

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

Greeters Needed

Can you smile and greet people? Why not volunteer to be a greeter at the 4:00 PM Saturday vigil or the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass, both at St. James. Then pass out bulletins after Mass. You can greet as often or as little as works for you. Please email Marge at ruschau@aol.com or speak to Fr. Shawn or Deacon Michael if you would like to join this important ministry.

Winter Clothing Collection

Our Parish Winter Clothing Collection has begun. We accept winter weather 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.