Join the Stations of the Cross
Week 4 of Lent - Friday, March 12, 2021

Help us decorate the town by making an inspiring Easter Egg.

Poster board eggs are available at church from Mrs. O'Neill.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to participate or come pick up an egg on Wednesday, March 17 from 3:00-5:30PM

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

4^th Sunday of Lent B21

As in Advent, so in Lent we celebrate a Sunday of Rejoicing.  In Advent the Entrance Antiphon told us to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!”^[1]  Today’s Entrance Antiphon has three verbs that serve to invite us to rejoice, be joyful, exult, and be satisfied.^[2]

But, the 1^st reading from the Second Book of Chronicles starts off by relating the fact that the leadership class of the government (princes) and of religion (priests) and everyone else (the people) “added infidelity to Infidelity, practicing all the abominations of the nations and polluting the Lord’s temple”.^[3]

The Connecticut General Assembly is considering legalizing a form of suicide in our state, commonly referred to as “aid-in-dying” or “physician-assisted suicide.”  The legislation is House Bill 6425  “An Act Concerning Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients.”

Modern hospice care and the proper use of pain medications render suicide unnecessary, and we need to be mindful of the threat that a suicide mentality poses to vulnerable people and to people with disabilities.

Catholic teaching condemns physician-assisted suicide because it, like murder, involves taking an innocent human life:
      Suicide is always morally objectionable as murder.  The Church's tradition has always rejected it as a gravely evil choice: To concur with the intention of another person to commit suicide and to help in carrying it out through so—called “assisted suicide” means to cooperate in, and at times to be the actual perpetrator of, an injustice that can never be excused, even if it is requested.  Saint Augustine writes that  “it is never licit to kill another: even if he should wish it. ”True “compassion” leads to sharing another's pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear.  (John Paul II, The Gospel of Life, no. 66)

Take Action
We invite you to go to the website www.ctstopsuicide.org to read more on the issue and sign the petition to stop the legalization of assisted suicide in Connecticut.

Online Mass ~ 3rd Sunday of Lent ~ March 7, 2021
Available as of Saturday, March 6, 2021

The Grotto Gift Shop at the Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield, 53 Montfort Rd., Rte. 118, Litchfield, is now open on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 to 4:00. New stock is arriving daily including Lenten and Easter items and Baptismal, First Communion and Confirmation gifts. For further information, call 8605670891 or visit our website, www.shrinect.org.

"Chalk the Walk" (or parking lot) back by popular demand. Saturday, March 27thtime slots to be determined.

Operation Rice Bowl Rice Bowls and this year's reflections are available at church and on our parish website. Monetary contributions to the Rice Bowl should be dropped off at church at the end of Lent, in the form of bills or a check to St. John Fisher. One check will then be written to Catholic Relief Services representing our parish's contributions. Handouts are available in vestibule of church.

Family and Individuals Calendar of Activities and 40 Days of LoveThese are two resources to guide you through the 40 days of Lent and are accessible via our parish website and our Faith Formation website. Many of these activities can be done by individuals, families and/or shared with relatives remotely. Handouts are available in vestibule of church. 

Soul-nourishing Practices for Lent  Sadlier.com provides guidance on various ways to "fast" during Lent fasting from busyness, emotional exhaustion, negativity and verbal violence. These all seem like much needed releases in our world today and perfect for our Lenten journeys. For more information and details, please access our parish website.

Timor-Leste has the highest rate of child malnutrition in Asia, and many children suffer from stunting, which makes a big impact on a child’s growth and future. Home gardens and fish ponds are helping families provide better nutrition for their children. 
What do you eat to stay healthy?
What can you do to ensure children have enough food to thrive?
Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.

Where is Timor-Leste? CLICK HERE

The USCCB reminds us that we are invited to answer the Holy Fathers’s request to join with many people worldwide in praying this intention for March: 

Sacrament of Reconciliation
Let us pray that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste the infinite mercy of God.

As we celebrate women during the month of March, take some time to learn about some of the incredible women in scripture.

Pray that we may all have; the faith of Mary, the courage of Ruth, the loyalty of Mary Magdalene, the devotion of Martha, the wisdom of Deborah and the Bravery of Ester. Take some time this week to delve into scripture and learn about these women and the others that are foundational to our faith.

2020 Poster Participants

Fiona M.

Delaney J.

Winner, age 5-7

Ellie B.

Charlotte M.

Fallon M.

Grace J.

Winner, age 8-10

Ryan M.

Jack D.

Trevor H.

Winner, age 11-14

Jordyn M.

Stella B.

Grace, Delaney, Aubrey, Jim

Delaney J.

Winner, age 5-7

Grace J.

Winner, age 8-10

Trevor H. & Jim C.

Trevor H. winner age 11-14 Jim, Knights of Columbus

Trevor H.

Winner, age 11-14

« PREVIOUS ‹ PLAYBACK STOP PLAY › NEXT »

“Keep Christ in Christmas”

Winners of the 2020 Poster Contest have been selected.

Age Group (5-7) – Delaney J.
Age Group (8-10) – Grace J.
Age Group (11-14) – Trevor H.

Each winner was presented with a Winners Certificate and a $50.00 prize check.  The winning posters have been submitted for continued judging by KofC District/Regional Level, then, hopefully, at the international competition. Delaney, Grace & Trevor, you each created exceptionally beautiful, insightful and inspiring entries.  Thank you! To all 11 entrants, “What amazing work!”  You have inspired us all to continue to recognize and emphasize the true meaning of CHRISTMAS, the birth of our Savior.  Thank you all for participating in this year’s Knights of Columbus Poster Contest

3^rd Sunday of Lent B21

The Temple in Jerusalem was one of the most important symbols of the Jewish faith. It was the place where believers went to offer sacrifice and the place where God dwelt among his people. It was the place where every Jew dreamed of going at some time and, especially at Passover when they were required to be there if possible. For other Jews outside of Israel, it was a pilgrimage to make if they could afford it.

We all seek the joy and beauty that comes from a deep and personal relationship with Christ, but getting there can be a mystery.

In the midst of these challending times, create the space for a personal relationship with Christ as we unpack and explore

the Kerygma with

Kelly Henderschedy on Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00pm via Zoom

Click here to download the flyer

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Special thanks to Nicki Banbury for taking the time to teach evidence based skills to manage stress.  Nicki shared her time and talents to teach us ways to grow in relationship with God by using different types of stress management, some of which can take on the form of prayer. May we all remember that selfcare is a form of love and that as God’s beloved children we are all worthy of love, compassion and understanding

Drought has become a big problem across El Salvador, making it difficult for farmers to produce enough crops to support their families. But, new farming techniques and a new generation of young farmers are making a difference. What would you do if your livelihood was threatened? How can you support young people in your community and around the world? Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.