September 23, 2025

Fall News from Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish!

September 23, 2025

Daly Notes

Dear Friends,

This past spring I met with the Vicar of Clergy who informed me of Archbishop Coyne’s desire to appoint me as the new Pastor of Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish. He did not need to twist my arm. I am grateful to Archbishop Coyne for this opportunity, and I pray that I may be a spiritual leader to our parish community for many years to come.

As you know, there is a wonderful pastoral team here at the parish and I look forward to collaborating with them, and our Pastoral and Finance Councils. I also wish to acknowledge the support and guidance of Fr. George Couturier in assisting me in this transition. Father George is a great mentor and friend.

As a spiritual leader, a Pastor must first nurture and develop relationships within the parish. I am very grateful to many of you for the warm "SJB” welcome I have received since arriving.

As I look around the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish, I am amazed at all that has been accomplished this year. To all that have given of their time, for the many that have kept us in their prayers, and to all that have sacrificially supported the mission of our parish, we appreciate all of you and the efforts you have made to propel us forward.

Thanks to your amazing generosity and the leadership of Father George and our Finance Council, our financial stewardship remains strong. This allows us not only to sustain our ministries and maintain our facilities, but also to plan for the future.

Through your generosity, we completed FY 24-25 with collections totaling $844,643.00 exceeding the previous year by almost $14,000. We ended the fiscal year with a surplus of $103,846.00.

As we began this new fiscal year, we undertook a number of projects to enhance our physical plant. The cost of the repairs to the rectory on the Saint Elizabeth Seton campus ended up costing almost double what we anticipated. Our next major expense will be replacing the roof of Saint James Church.

I am mindful of the financial challenges of our time and the need for continued careful stewardship of the funds that have been entrusted to us. I know you have immense pride in your parish. I want you to know I share that same pride.

This is an exciting time at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish as we continue to look to the future of our faithful community.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Shawn

Parish Picnic 2025

Enjoy a Beautiful Gallery of Picnic Pictures Here

Photos courtesy of Tom Dzimian.

Join Us For 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 27, 2025

4:00 PM Vigil at St. James

September 28, 2025

9:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Seton

and livestreamed

11:00 AM at St. James

Bakhita Bible Study:

Acts of the Apostles: The Church of the Holy Spirit

Many have observed that these days it often seems that we are in times akin to those of our first ancestors in the faith, believers in Christ at a time when few did. The New Testament Acts of the Apostles is a thrilling and adventurous account of that time of the earliest Church, when Christianity was being lived for the first time. It takes us to some of the great cities of the ancient world. It introduces us to all kinds of people: apostles, prophets, martyrs, philosophers, governors, kings, merchants, jailers, and sailors. It tells of dramatic spiritual experiences, missionary journeys, trials and imprisonments, powerful speeches and dramatic responses, sea voyages and shipwrecks, and the clash of ancient cultures. It invites us to see the adventure continuing in our own lives.

This October Deacon Michael will lead a six-part series on the Acts of the Apostles using Stephen Binz’s “Church of the Holy Spirits,” with readings taken from the first half of the Acts of the Apostles.

The series will be held on October 8,15, 22, 29 and November 5 and 12 at 10:00 AM at the Saint James Church Parish Center 767 Elm Street repeated at 7:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 280 Brook Street. The evening session will be available for online attendance through Google Meet. There is a $10 book fee. Please register via email at saintjmdeacon@gmail.com (BEST) or call and leave a message at 860-836-8218 if you don’t have email. (Unless specifically waived by the registrant, all registrants will be ordered a book for purchase.)

Learn More Here

A Note of Thanks to the Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish Family!

The past six years at Saint Josephine Bakhita have been a true blessing in my life. I am profoundly thankful to our parishioners for their faith, encouragement, and prayers; to our dedicated catechists for sharing their gifts so generously, and to Fr George, Fr Shawn, the Faith Formation Team and parish staff for their steadfast support and collaboration.

My time in this community has been filled with joy, learning, and grace. Walking alongside so many of you has been a privilege beyond measure, and I will always treasure the relationships and memories we have built together. You all have deeply touched my heart in so many ways!

As I move into retirement, please know that you will remain in my prayers. I give thanks to God for the opportunity to have served here and for the great gift of these past years with you.

With gratitude and blessings,

Monica Piombino

Catechist Brunch Celebrating Monica Piombino

Other Fun Tidbits

Seeking musical, dance, comedic acts for the Second Annual

St. Josephine Bakhita Parish

Variety Show

Friday, October 17, 2025

7:00PM

Parish Center at St. James

For more info or to sign up email: Joy@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655 x17.

Participants must sign up by Monday, September 30, 2025.

Saturday, November 22, 2025

2026 Mass Intention Scheduling

It is time to schedule your Mass Intentions! This year will be just like 2025 with two additional ways to remember your loved ones. 1.) Lighting of a special 5-day Vigil candle and 2.) Ringing of our beautiful carillon bells at St. James with an option of a song (list provided), toll (in memory of) or peal (in honor of).

Due to Mass Intentions being so popular we need to limit each household to 2 Mass intentions for the year so that everyone in our parish community has an opportunity to reserve a mass.

MOTHER’S AND FATHER’S DAY MASS INTENTIONS:

Due to the popularity of these dates we will no longer schedule individual names but together as a parish will celebrate All of our Mothers and Fathers together as one.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Call the office anytime NOW between 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (860-529-8655) and we will make a phone/office appointment for you on one of the following dates:

OCTOBER 7, OCTOBER 8, OCTOBER 9,

OCTOBER 14, OCTOBER 15, OR OCTOBER 16

SCHEDULED TIMES WILL BE BETWEEN

10:00 AM & 2:00 PM

On your scheduled day and time you may call the office or stop by the Rectory Office at Saint James and we will put your request in the calendar book. Limit 2 per family.

Thank you,

Carrie & Pam

Parish Administrative Assistants

Congratulations!

The Knit, Crochet, and Sew Good Works Group and the Prayer Shawl Ministry recently entered a number of their creations in the needlework competition at the Berlin Fair, September 2025. Many of the items won prizes. The prize money will be used for supplies for more creations, which are donated to local charities. Learn more about our parish 'needle' ministries!

Learn More About Knit, Crochet, and Sew Good Works and Prayer Shawl Groups

Monthly Food Drive

Support our ongoing food and cereal collections 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: St. James Church: Father Shea Hall, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the masses at 4:00 or 11:00. St. Elizabeth Seton Church: Bins located near the kitchen, Mon - Fri (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM) or before the Sunday mass at 9:00.

Amazing Grace Cereal Delivery Team for September 17 (Ulli Dzimian, Denise Mazzamurro, Lorraine and Bob Kulesa). Denise is the head of the cereal donation ministry. Teams are regularly scheduled for pick-ups twice a month. The collection on September 17 totaled 258 pounds of cereal for those in need. Thank you to all who support this important parish ministry!

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.