3rd Sunday of Lent A20

As a result of the Corona Virus all sorts of things have been cancelled, postponed or put on hiatus. Panic buying is in full swing. Do you know what is the most cherished commodity after hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, and toilet paper? It’s bottled water.

Thirst can be deadly. The human body can live longer without food than water. And thirst can do strange things to us. I can remember a time on a bike ride when I didn’t drink enough water and became a little disorientated, weak, and scared until someone saw me and gave a drink. Sometimes medical intervention is needed as many of us have experienced. That’s why thirst is an excellent symbol of our greatest needs and deepest desires.

Get your spring cleaning started and help out!

APRIL 25 (11:00 AM-3:00 PM)

Who: The Confirmation Candidates of St. John Fisher Parish have been busy serving God by serving others and we would like to offer the same opportunity to everyone in our parish

What: A collection for four charitable organizations  

Where: Drop-off in Church Hall

When: Sunday, April 25th from 11:00am to 3:00 pm

Why: Because everyone has something to give!

Questions? Please contact Jennifer O’Neill ia the Parish Office

Organizations:

A Hand Up, Inc. needs gently used household items such as bedding, lamps, kitchen items, small appliances, towels, and furniture (no sofa beds) to help furnish apartments for people transitioning from shelters to independent living.

The Cromwell Home for Children needs used books levels 3rd grade to high school for children in crisis and their families.

The Catholic Worker House where children are tutored, fed and loved needs used bicycles for children living in the Clark Street area of the North End of Hartford.

The House of Bread needs paper and plastic grocery bags (without tears).

Thrift Shop at House of Bread needs small items such as collectibles, costume jewelry and small household items and decorations.

Many thanks for supporting our young people

as they serve others as Disciples of Christ

Due to the coronavirus all programs except, adoration, reconciliation and Mass have been cancelled until March 30^th at which time we will re-evaluate the situation.

We will still collect sandwiches for St. Vincent DePaul place on Thursday, March 26^th, but will not gather after the 8:30am Mass to make them as a community.   Sandwiches can be dropped off at the church during regular business hours or from7:00-7:30pm.

This includes:  Faith Formation, Stations of the Cross, the presentations on Isaiah, Teen Night, Choir Rehearsal, Faith Fair, Cupcake contest, Pray and Play Bible group, & Men’s prayer group 

As concern grows about the spread of the Coronavisus, Archbishop Blair has requested the following precautionary measures for parishes in the Archdiocese of Hartford:

• SIGN OF PEACE: The sign of peace should be exchanged without physical contact like hand-shaking; or else the call to exchange a sign of peace should simply be omitted.
  
  
• BLOOD OF CHRIST: The distribution of Holy Communion via the chalice should be suspended; celebrants and assisting deacons should receive only by intinction.
  
  
• BODY OF CHRIST: Communion on the tongue should be strongly discouraged
  
  
• COLLECTION BASKET: There should be minimal handling of collection baskets, by ushers only.
  
  
• HOLY WATER FONT: Holy water fonts should be emptied.
  
  
• GOOD HYGIENE: All clergy and Eucharistic ministers are urged to practice good hygiene, washing their hands before Mass, or even using hand sanitizer before and after distributing Holy Communion.
  
  
• MASS ATTENDANCE: The faithful are reminded that if they are sick or experiencing symptoms of sickness, they are not obligated to attend Mass, and that out of charity, they ought not to attend.

Online scams, phishing and fraudulent activities are on the rise due to the coronavirus. It's common for scammers to take advantage of emergency situations and vulnerabilities. Therefore, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers valuable some tips on how you can avoid being a victim of these scams: Coronavirus: Scammers Follow the Headlines.

The St. John Fisher Spring 2020 Genesis choir is looking for additional singers from kindergarten through high school
to sing at the Palm Sunday and/or Easter Sunday Masses (April 5 and 12).

Rehearsals: Mondays from 5:00-5:45 pm 

If interested please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Genesis Choir Director,
Call the parish office

Need to jumpstart your Lent? Ready to move beyond just giving up chocolate? So here’s a list of different things to do for Lent. The best part is that even though some may seem a bit odd, they will actually help you to be holy!

• Pray each day – it is a key to growing closer to God
• Park at the back of the parking lot – taking care of your physical and mental health
is a sign of loving and caring for yourself – remember you are made in God’s
likeness and image!
• Follow the Lenten Calendar on bustedhalo.com
• Put a popcorn kernel in your shoe every day as a reminder of the burdens others
carry – then say a prayer for them
• Start or end each day by thanking God for your blessings – see how it changes your
day

Meet Yvone from Kenya.

She learned proper nutrition and hygiene

practices to help keep her healthy and in

school. Yvone now has a chance to dream and

the strength to follow those dreams.

How can you ensure that young

people in your community receive proper

nutrition? Visit www.crsricebowl.org for more.

TO THOSE WHO ARE

VISITORS TO

ST. JOHN FISHER CHURCH

DURING THE LENTEN

SEASON, WE WELCOME

YOU TO OUR CHURCH AND

OUR PARISH FAMILY!

ST. JOHN FISHER MEN’S RETREAT April 3-5 Holy Family Passionist Retreat & Conference Center We spend our time and energy on the necessities of everyday life, which hold so many things that are beyond our control. But what is it that we are longing for in the deepest way? What is our passion in life? This year at Holy Family, we will explore that deep longing planted in our hearts by God - a longing for peace, for wholeness, and for relationships that give us joy and lift us up.

On November 19th, House of Bread manager, Tony came to speak to the children. The kids wrapped packages of socks that they donated. They put them in a large stocking that was given to The House of Bread. The House of Bread has a 5 days of Christmas event where they give people who eat and live there a gift each day for 5 days leading up to Christmas. This was our contribution.

View the photographs by logging into the website, then CLICK HERE, or navigate to OUR PARISH | Extra's | Photo Gallery, then select "2019 Socks For House of Bread"

Join our faith community and more than 14,000 Catholic communities across the  United States in a life-changing Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl. Pick up your family's CRS Rice Bowl at the entrances to the church.

Sunday, March 29, 2020 ~ St. Thomas More Hall ~ After Both Masses

You’re invited: Bring baked goods for the bake sale
(All baked goods must be dropped off Saturday 3/28 or Sunday 3/29 8:30 mass)

Bring cupcakes to enter (Bakers entering in cupcake contest must enter final product by 10:30 am) Judging based on presentation, originality and taste. Winners will be announced at 11:30 am

CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS

The Catholic Graduates Club of Greater Hartford. Inc., will award three scholarships of $2,000 each for one year—2020/2021 
To be eligible: The candidate must be any Catholic student who is a Hartford County resident now attending an accredited secondary school, and who wishes to attend a four year college beginning in 2020. Students are chosen based on: financial need, scholarship, character, leadership and achievement. Application deadline is March 16, 2020. For more info:See your principal or counselor or go to http://www.catholicgraduatesct.org/