For all who have contracted coronavirus,
     We pray for care and healing.

For those who are particularly vulnerable,
     We pray for safety and protection.

For all who experience fear or anxiety,
     We pray for peace of mind and spirit.

For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety,
     We pray for policies that recognize their plight.

I hope you and your family are doing well and staying healthy and safe during this time of separation.  As we continue to move forward in the midst of the pandemic, I hope you are finding strength and comfort from your faith.  In a recent reading, Peter and John are told by the Jewish elders that they must remain silent about the teachings of Christ.  Their beautiful response is a rallying cry for all of us, “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20).  Just as the disciples before us, we are living in a time with fear and suffering, but we must draw upon the strength and love of our Father to fortify us and grow as a community.

Hello Hunger Action Team Network,

Please share this important information throughout our community!

Now in its third week distributing food to the community through a drive-thru distribution model, Foodshare has decided to extend its operation at Rentschler Field in East Hartford until the end of May.  As the lines continue to grow, on average Foodshare provides food to approximately 1200 households per day.  [CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOODSHARE DISTRIBUTION MAY 2020 ~ This article]

Hello Hunger Action Team Network,

Please share this important information throughout our community!

Now in its third week distributing food to the community through a drive-thru distribution model, Foodshare has decided to extend its operation at Rentschler Field in East Hartford until the end of May.  As the lines continue to grow, on average Foodshare provides food to approximately 1200 households per day. 

“With no decline in attendance, we have made the decision to keep our emergency food distribution running through the month of May,” said Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Foodshare. “The financial support from our corporate and community partners plus an incredible group of volunteers is what is allowing us to continue this work. We also remain grateful to Governor Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz and the Capital Region Development Authority for allowing us to continue to use Rentschler Field.” 

In Honor of Nurses Appreciation Week, St John Fisher and Marlborough Pizza are working together to deliver meals for all of the Marlborough Health & Rehabilitation Center. Click here to view the flyer.

I am so thankful for teachers! Think about how hard they work for you. Some might have newborn babies or food shortages, but they are still there for you during all of this, plus having to take care of a whole class online! They are still the closest they can be to us (six feet!). So let's take a moment to thank them. Thank you teachers! 
-Charlotte, age 10, 4th grade

I miss school and my teacher but at least I have virtual meetings with my class every Tuesday and Thursday every week to talk to them.  
-Fallon, age 8, 3rd grade

Thank you for teaching us even though we are at home. I like that my teacher has Zoom meetings so I can see her and my friends.  
-Fiona, age 6, 1st grade

Good and gracious God, bless our teachers who lovingly guide our children through this time of uncertainty. Fortify them as they face new challenges in a changing world. Strengthen them as they continue to care and nuture our children.

Continue to give them open hearts to love each child as Your special gift; Open eyes to see the unique gifts each child brings to their classes; Open mouths to praise and lift our children as they accomplish their lessons; Open ears to hear each child's voice as they combine to build a community.

We thank you, loving God, for the gift of our teachers. May You protect and stregthen them in the days ahead. May we show them our deepest appreciation for their devotion to our children.

In Your name we pray, Amen.

Click image to download a copy

Heavenly Father, we ask that You bless our nurses, especially those serving on the front lines of the current pandemic. Be with them and strengthen them, Lord, as they provide care and compassion to the sick and the lonely.

Your light shines beautifully through them, As they care for the sick with the expertise of their field, A kind word, soft smile, gentle touch or patient ear. We ask You to keep them healthy, strong, and safe.

Protect all nurses and their familes as they care for others. We ask You grant them peace, patience and grace, as they serve You by serving others. Hold them close, Lord, and fill them with Your grace and mercy.

Amen

Click image to download a copy 

Click here for a prayer for those who have contracted coronavirus.

Taken from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Are you tired of all the reading you've been doing on your computer screen? We encourage you to check out some of these beautiful and inspiring video reflections to foster your faith and prayer life:

• Daily Video Reflections with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Daily Faith Sharing with Fr. James Martin, SJ
• Messages of Hope Video Series by Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center

St. John Fisher Website
St. John Fisher Facebook Page
Archdiocese of Hartford Website
Marlborough Food Bank
ORTV Daily Televised Mass
EWTN Daily TV Schedule
AHM Youth & Family Services

• to provide an opportunity to share our feelings, thoughts and fears
• to support one another and discuss what works for stress reduction and managing anxiety
• to pray as a group and stay connected to our faith and our Lord
• to breathe deep, relax, and meditate knowing that others are by our side, if not physically, but emotionally and spiritually

As we gather together as a faith community to celebrate the beginning of the month of May, we thought you might enjoy bringing the celebration of the May crowning to your home so you can celebrate our Blessed Mother in a special way. Joe Paprocki of Loyola Press has an excellent video of how to do an"At Home" May Crowning, complete with prayers, reflections and even songs to sing to honor our Blessed Mother.

To see how CRS is responding to the world wide pandemic follow the links bellow.

CRS continues our work around the world in the most vulnerable places, especially communities that lack infrastructure to handle a healthcare crisis. Given our past experience in responding to global health crises, CRS is responding immediately and efficiently to the coronavirus. Our advocacy work is as important as ever to ensure adequate funding to respond to the COVID-19 crisis around the globe. 

Please be sure to send your Rice Bowl collections, by check, to St. John Fisher Church or donate on-line HERE