Spend some time in prayer on the grounds of St. Josephine Bakhita campuses.
Father George Couturier stands beside a tree planted for his aunt at St. Elizabeth Seton Church campus, part of St. Josephine Bakhita Parish in Rocky Hill.
Story and Photos by Karen A. Avitabile
Before her passing at age 91 this past July, Jeannine Laraia watched her nephew, Father George Couturier, celebrate Mass at one two churches in Rocky Hill that make up St. Josephine Bakhita Parish.
Laraia, a Port Charlotte, Fla., resident, watched a livestream of the Mass on her computer by visiting the parish website, saintjosephinebakhita.org.
“She would usually watch Mass every Sunday at St. Elizabeth Seton Church,” Father Couturier says of his aunt. After her passing, he celebrated her funeral Mass at the church.
As a gift to the priest in memory of his aunt, the parish staff planted a crepe myrtle tree on the campus of St. Elizabeth Seton Church, part of St. Josephine Bakhita Parish.
The fast-growing tree, which can withstand cold temperatures, blooms with bright colors in the warmer weather and produces fall foliage in the cooler temperatures.
Planted this past August, the tree is the newest addition to the grounds of St. Elizabeth Seton Church, which offers several outdoor places for group or private prayer in addition to beautiful trees, shrubs, perennials and flowers.
“There are always people planting on the campuses,” says Father Couturier. “People often drive by and say a prayer.” The campus was a popular walking spot during the coronavirus pandemic, the priest adds.
On the grounds of St. Elizabeth Seton Church, a garden devoted to Mary is a good spot for prayer. A sheltered gazebo sits in a shaded spot opposite the rectory. Benches on the church porch also offer a quiet place for reflection. A Marian meditation prayer garden was dedicated in September 2020.
St. James Church, also part of the parish, offers several outdoor spots of its own along a prayer path constructed for meditative walking and prayer. They include a labyrinth next to the parish center as well as benches between two buildings on the property.
Another prayerful area on the St. James campus is a statue of Jesus Christ situated behind the parish center. Last year, a shrine to St. Anthony of Padua was rebuilt and graces a corner on the backside of the property.
In addition to the outdoor places for prayer and walking, books are available to read on church properties or to take home. Check out the selections in the Little Free Libraries located on both church campuses.
St. James Church is located at 767 Elm St., Rocky Hill. A few miles away, St. Elizabeth Seton Church is located at 280 Brook St., also in Rocky Hill. The grounds of both churches are open to the public daily for walking and prayer.
