Sacraments
Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Baptism
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit moves us to answer Christ’s call to holiness.
Have your child baptized at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish.
To arrange your child’s baptism, please make the request by contacting the parish office at office@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655.
Baptism for Adults - If you or an adult you know would like to explore being baptized in the Catholic Church, please contact Deacon Michael Ward. You can click here to learn more about the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program.
Confirmation
Confirmation deepens our baptismal life and calls us to be missionary disciples.
Confirmation for youth at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish is through our Office of Faith Formation. Learn more here.
Confirmation for Adults - If you or an adult you know would like to explore Confirmation in the Catholic Church, please contact Deacon Michael Ward.
Eucharist
Encountering and receiving God’s presence, physically or spiritually, is essential for our spiritual lives and for the relationship we share with one another as the Body of Christ. The Eucharist that connects us most specifically with the poor, allowing us to recognize Christ in those most needy and vulnerable among us. The Catholic Church offers the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist every time we gather for the celebration of Mass.
First Eucharist for children at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish is through our Office of Faith Formation. Learn more here.
First Eucharist for adults - If you are an adult you know would like to explore receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time, contact Deacon Michael Ward. You can click here to learn more about the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program.
Sacraments of Healing
Penance and Reconciliation
Not only does it [the Sacrament of Penance] free us from our sins but it also challenges us to have the same kind of compassion and forgiveness for those who sin against us. We are liberated to be forgivers.
Jesus entrusted the ministry of reconciliation to the Church. The Sacrament of Penance is God’s gift to us so that any sin committed after Baptism can be forgiven. In confession we have the opportunity to repent and recover the grace of friendship with God. It is a holy moment in which we place ourselves in his presence and honestly acknowledge our sins, especially mortal sins. With absolution, we are reconciled to God and the Church. The Sacrament helps us stay close to the truth that we cannot live without God. “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
From the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
First Reconciliation for children at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish is through our Office of Faith Formation. Learn more here.
First Reconciliation for adults. If you are an adult you know would like to explore receiving the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation for the first time, contact Fr. George Couturier.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered every Monday night from 6:00 - 7:00 PM at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church. Reconciliation by appointment is also available. Please contact the parish office at office@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655.
Anointing of the Sick
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
From the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
There is no need to wait until a person is at the point of death to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
To arrange for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, please contact the parish office at office@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655.
Sacraments of Service
Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant, which is more than a contract. Covenant always expresses a relationship between persons. The marriage covenant refers to the relationship between the husband and wife, a permanent union of persons capable of knowing and loving each other and God. The celebration of marriage is also a liturgical act, appropriately held in a public liturgy at church. Catholics are urged to celebrate their marriage within the Eucharistic Liturgy.
From the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish begins at least six months in advance of your wedding day by meeting with Fr. George Couturier. To arrange a meeting, please contact the parish office at office@sjbrh.org or call 860-529-8655.
Holy Orders
Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest. Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God’s call using the words of the prophet, “Here I am, send me” (Is 6:8). This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.
From the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
For more information about vocations on the priesthood, diaconate or consecrated life, please visit the vocations page for the Archdiocese of Hartford. Learn more here.
Funerals
The passing of a loved one is a difficult time. But understanding Christ's victory over death, the funeral liturgy is an act of worship not just an expression of grief. The funeral liturgy is the central liturgical celebration of the Catholic community for the deceased. When a member of our community dies, we encourage the celebration of the funeral liturgy at a Mass. When Mass cannot be celebrated, a funeral liturgy outside Mass can be celebrated at the church or in the funeral home.
In most cases, the primary point of contact for funeral arrangements after a loved one passes will be the funeral home. The family will then be contacted by one of our music ministers to help them through the process of planning the funeral liturgy. Families may choose appropriate readings, hymns, and the prayers of the faithful.
Click here for more information about funerals at Saint Josephine Bakhita Parish.