October 28, 2025

Fall News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish!

October 28, 2025

Daly Notes

Dear Friends,

If you are like me, once Labor Day arrives, we move into the fast lane. And before we know it, it’ll be Christmas. We would do well to slow down because along the way, there are so many opportunities to grow in faith, to serve and to celebrate.

This month of November is a special time for us to remember our deceased loved one. As we have done in the past, we will remember those parishioners who have died in the past year with a special Mass. Our annual Mass of Remembrance will take place at 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Saint James Church, and we invite you to join us in remembering our faithful departed. All are welcome to attend! It is always comforting the families who have experienced a loss to see parishioners there to pray with and for them and their loved one during this Mass. Please join us if you are able!

Let us enter this November with hearts full of gratitude, remembering the faithful who have gone before us and celebrating the hope of eternal life that we share in Christ.

Thank you for all that you do to make our parish such a vibrant community of faith.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Shawn

Join Us Next Weekend For All Souls Day

November 1, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

November 2, 2025

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

All are invited to bring framed photos of your deceased loved ones to place in front of the altar during mass this weekend.

***Stay for Coffee & Conversation after the Sunday Morning Masses***

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

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.

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. 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

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.

How To Get Through the Holidays When You Are Grieving

The holidays can be especially difficult when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. Join Karen Carney-Pilkington, RN, LCSW, and Bill Pilkington, MA, STM, Ed.D., at St. Paul Church in Glastonbury (2577 Main Street, Glastonbury) on Tuesday, November 12 at 6:30 PM for an evening of comfort, understanding, and hope. Karen and Bill are compassionate professionals with deep expertise in death, dying, and bereavement. Together, they’ll lead an interactive presentation and discussion designed to help you—or someone you love—find ways to navigate this tender season with gentleness and care. No RSVP required.

Variety Show

Our 2nd Annual Variety Show on Friday night, October 17, was SO MUCH FUN! The talent in our parish is extraordinary! Thank you to Joy O'Sullivan for organizing a great event, John Baker for serving as Master of Ceremonies and Bill Betterini for capturing the entire evening in beautiful photos.

View Gallery of Pictures