Due to the restrictions placed on social distancing from the on-going coronavirus pandemic, the Knights of Columbus are extending the due date for the 2019-2020 scholarship applications from March 31, 2020 to April 15, 2020. Additionally, e-mail approvals from school and church officals will be accepted rather than physical signatures.

Applications can be found in the left colomn of this page (or click here to go to the article or click here to download the application) and sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Good luck and stay safe!

When Jesus goes to the grave of Lazarus we see a very human, relatable Jesus. He weeps, he is mourning the loss of his friend. The key is what and how he does next – he prays. But not simply asking God for something, which is a trap we often fall into. He instead begins with “Father, I thank you for hearing me.  I know that you always hear me.” I think this message is poignant given our current circumstances. In all things, give thanks. If Jesus at a time of tremendous pain and loss can begin his prayer with gratitude and thanksgiving, we should take note. I found great comfort in knowing that even in these uncertain times, we can and must find things to give thanks to God.  Maybe for some it will just be thank you for this moment and that is fine!! At different points, everyone is struggling, the key is to remember that we can find comfort in knowing we do not walk alone and if we look carefully we will see God is working in and around us and for that we should give thanks and this is incredibly comforting. (Written by Jen O'Neill)

Prayer to St. Lazarus

Dear Saint Lazarus, friend of Christ Incarnate and patron of the poor and the sick; I request your intercession, with the aid of the Holy Spirit; May the Lord, Who prefigured His resurrection through your own miraculous rising, always guide me in my earthly pilgrimage and protect me in sickness and in health.

In light of the current public health emergency and the indefinite cancellation of St. John Fisher's weekend Masses, our parish will have none of its usual income from weekly collections, which it relies upon to meet ongoing expenses. Therefore, we ask you to please consider signing up for our online giving program. Some of our parishioners already choose to contribute weekly through this convenient method instead of using envelopes. Any help you can provide in the interim for the ongoing support of our parish will be greatly appreciated.

The Marlborough Food Bank remains open with their regular Tuesday hours; however, they will offer only drive-up service. Those currently using the food bank have shopping lists that are submitted with groceries ready for pick-up the following week. Those new to the food bank will be given lists to fill out when you arrive from your car and then shopping will be done for you and filled bags provided while you wait. Donations are being accepted Monday and Tuesday. Please visit their website for details and/or reach out via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Opportunities For Mass And Prayer At Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center

For many, the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center has been a place of peaceful growth and contemplation. With the Center closed to the public, there are wonderful online reflections, musical selections, and weekly Sunday Mass to provide support and hope during these difficult times. Visit their website to find their "Messages of Hope" series and other links.

The church building is open from 9:00 am–2:00 pm, Monday–Thursday. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held on Mondays from 5:30–6:30 pm and on Saturdays from 3:00–3:30 pm or until all confessions are heard. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Sundays from 4:00–4:45 pm. In all these situations follow the directives for spatial distancing.

I believe you all know that Archbishop Blair has extended the cancellation of public Masses at least to April 30th. This includes Palm Sunday, all of Holy Week, the Triduum (three days; Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday), and Easter itself. This is the first time in my life this has happened. I will truly miss celebrating these days with you. As of now, I don’t know how we are to keep those special days of grace. But, know this: I will be praying especially for you, for your health and safety, and for the end of this pandemic in my private Masses.

The church building is open from 9:00 am–2:00 pm, Monday–Thursday. The Sacrament of Penance will be held on Mondays from 5:30–6:30 pm and on Saturdays from 3:00–3:30 pm or until all confessions are heard. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Sundays from 4:00–4:45 pm. In all these situations follow the directives for spatial distancing. What will be available during Holy Week will be announced as it gets closer.

Although we can’t gather together in the church, we are still the Church, united in faith and love and prayer. May God bless and protect us all.

5^th Sunday of Lent, Year A

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) is the shortest verse in the entire New Testament. It stands there all alone, stark, out there. It’s meant to make one think: “Why?” Why did Jesus weep?

He’s already determined to bring Lazarus back to life. That wouldn’t be the reason for his tears. Maybe he was overcome with emotion, seeing Mary and the people accompanying her weeping. We all had that experience: tears beget tears just as laughter is contagious.

Why did Jesus weep? I think it was frustration and anger on Jesus’ part. He’s getting ready to perform the sign that would culminate his miracles in John’s Gospel, a sign that brings life to Lazarus but would be a death sentence for him. He’s become a threat to the leadership and the fragile peace they had made with the occupying Romans. He had to go! He had to die!

Furthermore, he perhaps recognized the fickleness of the crowds and his own chosen 12 and the rest of his disciples. His hour was fast approaching, And, he would be all alone.

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35).

What do we do that causes Jesus to weep today?

Calling children of all ages. St John Fisher Faith Formation invites all parishioners to fill the St John Fisher Parking Lot and sidewalks with messages of hope, promise and love Saturday April 4^th .

Only 2 families can be there at a time (One on right side of parking lot and one on left side of parking lot)

Please email Theresa Brysgel at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I will give you a 20 minute time slot for April 4th

Please strictly adhere to time slot and bring your own chalk

Just as Christ entered Jerusalem with palms on the ground, which depicted goodness and victory, let us place messages of hope and love on the ground for Palm Sunday to spread that same goodness.

THANK YOU FOR SPREADING LOVE AND JOY!   CLICK HERE FOR FLYER

In lieu of our annual Easter Egg Hunt, St John Fisher Faith Formation is asking some help from all parishioners, so our children can enjoy a fun family Easter Scavenger Hunt.

Parishioners on Saturday April 11th could you decorate either your lawn or front window with an Easter Bunny, a Cross-or both? Please have decorations up from 1-3 pm that day.

Families on Saturday April 11th walk or drive around town from 1-3 pm searching for the Easter Bunny and Crosses in peoples yards and windows. Keep count of all the bunnies and crosses you see and send me how many you find at 860-830-2194 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I will announce which family found the most bunnies and crosses and I will send a small prize to everyone who participates!

ALSO BE SURE TO DRIVE BY ST JOHN FISHER FROM 1-3 PM THAT DAY…THE EASTER BUNNY HIMSELF WILL BE WAVING AT THE CARS DRIVING BY. TAKE A PICTURE OF HIM AND SEND IT TO ME AND THAT WILL BE WORTH 5 POINTS ON THE SCAVENGER HUNT!

CLICK HERE FOR FLYER

On the 5th Sunday of Lent we read about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. (John 11:1-45) This reading encourages us to think about the ways in which our thoughts and behaviors keep us entombed and separated from God. In a homily given by Pope Francis in April 2014 he says: “May the Lord today, on this Sunday, which speaks so much about the resurrection, give us all the grace to rise from our sins, to come out of our tombs; with the voice of Jesus, calling us to go out, to go to him.”

As we ourselves worry about meeting our own needs during this uncertain time, we may find ourselves relating to and developing a heightened sensitivity to the needs of others. Many thanks to those who provided food to the Marlborough Food Bank and those who made sandwiches this past week for St. Vincent de Paul in Middletown. Please continue to remember the needs of the Marlborough Food Bank and the drop-off information and operational days/times, if your own personal needs arise.

If anyone is in need or knows of anyone in need, please contact Father Sas at 860-295-0067.

Our prayer line remains active with a day-line and night-line contact each week. For this coming week, Cheryl & John Egazarian will be on the day-line at 860-798-9010 and Barbara & Doug Meyer on the night-line at 860-295-0756. With the church office on limited hours, we thought it best to share individual contact information if you have a prayer request to offer. The weekly contact people will then forward your prayer requests to a group of prayer line members and offer up their prayers as well.

The town of Marlborough has a new number you can call designated for Emergency Management. If you are having a medical emergency, you should still call 911. For non-medical emergencies, please call 860-365-3111. You will be asked to leave a voicemail message which will be automatically transferred to someone in the emergency department who will return your call.

If anyone has a loved one in a group home, nursing home, or hospital who would like to receive cards from our Faith Formation students, email the name and address to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., who leads our Faith Formation programs for grade 1-8 at STJF. The children of our parish will make sure your loved one feels loved, supported, and held in prayer.