In this weekend's Gospel reading, Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. Thomas asks, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way to get there?” Jesus replies, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." His answer is simple and profound. Jesus is the WAY. He is the Good Shepherd, guiding us on our journey, and leading us to God, our Father. Knowing Jesus is the only way to truly know our Father in heaven.

Father Sas will be offering online Mass on Sunday, May 10, the Fifth Sunday of Easter. Mass intentions are for all mothers, both living and deceased. Thank you to Gil Thompson for recording, Jim Castellani for reading, and Kathleen Filosa, Carolyn Henderson, and Janice Reska for providing music. Listen for the beautiful and moving “Ave Maria Litany.” Mass will end with a special blessing for all mothers. The Mass will be available on our parish website on Sunday morning.

We are grateful to our sandwich-making volunteers who donated over 200 sandwiches, pre-packaged snacks, and cookies for the patrons of St. Vincent de Paul in Middletown. Our monthly sandwich delivery is extremely valued by both St. Vincent de Paul and our STJF parish family. Thank you for your generosity and putting your faith in action as you share God's love and care. 

Thank you St John Fisher parishioners for your kindness and generosity in supporting our healthcare heroes at Marlborough Health and Rehabilitation Center (MHRC). In less than 24 hours we surpassed our goal and paid for 70 meals to feed all of the staff there. These meals will be delivered on Wednesday, May 13 along with beverages provided by our parish donors. In addition, Marlborough Pizza is generously donating pizza on May 20 to all of the staff at MHRC as another thank you! Sincere thanks to all who have made a difference...to the families who contributed; to Marlborough Pizza for preparing, delivering, and adding to the donated food; and most importantly, to the MHRC staff who give 100% of themselves every day to help others. 

As we celebrate all mothers on Mother's Day, we are reminded of our Blessed Mother and the opportunity to honor her during the month of May. Some people display their statue of Mary with draped rosary beads, a vase of flowers or by a crowning of Mary tradition. This link from Catholic Culture provides additional ideas and the history of honoring Mary this month, including the various indulgences granted.

The Marlborough Food Bank continues to collect and distribute food to our residents. Since we are not having our monthly food drives, we ask that you drop off your donations directly to the food bank in their open garage on Monday between 9:00-11:00 a.m. and Tuesday between 8:30-10:00 a.m.  Another source of food is the Foodshare's distribution at Rentschler Field. Please click here for additional information, dates of distribution and other helpful links for aid in accessing food. Marlborough Food Bank, Foodshare and St. Vincent de Paul in Middletown continue to need and accept monetary donations as well.

• Adoration - Sunday from 4:00-4:45 p.m.
• Individual prayer - Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (Please observe guidelines for spatial distancing and disinfecting.)
• Prayer Line (Day) - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at 860-295-1373
• Prayer Line (Night) - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at 860-295-8374. 
• In addition you can email a prayer request to our church office and it will be forwarded to the Prayer Line.

During this time of uncertainty, there is one thing that we do know: our frontline workers are true heroes!  Show your support by placing a “Gratitude Sign” on your lawn to show our heroes that they are truly appreciated! Each sign is 18″x24″, double sided in full-color and available for purchase at $20.00 per sign, as part of our Gratitude fundraiser. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of lawn signs will benefit the following charitable organizations helping residents during the COVID-19 crisis: Andover Congregational Church Food Pantry, Columbia Senior Association, Hebron Interfaith Human Services, Food Bank of Marlborough and AHM Youth & Family Services. Click here for more information on how to order and when to pick up.

“That is the purpose of our mission: to identify the material and immaterial needs of the people and try to meet them as we can. Do you know what agape is? It is love of others, as our Lord preached. It is not proselytizing, it is love. Love for one’s neighbor, that leavening that serves the common good.” – Pope Francis

Heeding our call to ensure that all life is sacred and the dignity of our neighbor is ensured, let us take time during this month of May—dedicated to Mental Health awareness—to offer a prayer that all people feel loved and respected as children of God.  There is such stigma associated with mental health issues, yet as a community we need to embrace, uplift, and support all families and individuals struggling with these issues.

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

We encourage you to remember the businesses that support St. John Fisher through their bulletin advertisements, as shown at this link. Both St. John Fisher and the advertisers thank you for your patronage of these businesses.

A society without mothers would be a dehumanized society, for mothers are always, even in the worst moments, witnesses of tenderness, dedication and moral strength. Mothers often pass on the deepest sense of religious practice: in a human being’s life, the value of faith is inscribed in the first prayers, the first acts of devotion that a child learns. It is a message that believing mothers are able to pass on without much explanation: these come later, but the seed of faith is those early precious moments. Without mothers, not only would there be no new faithful, but the faith would lose a good part of its simple and profound warmth. And the Church is mother, with all of this, she is our mother! We are not orphans, we have a mother! Our Lady, mother Church, is our mom. We are not orphans, we are children of the Church, we are children of Our Lady, and we are children of our mothers.

Dearest mothers, thank you, thank you for what you are in your family and for what you give to the Church and the world. And to you, beloved Church, thank you, thank you for being mother. And to you, Mary, Mother of God, thank you for letting us see Jesus.

Pope Francis
General Audience, January 7, 2015

The words of wisdom I want to share about the Men's Prayer Group meeting that occurred when you were asking me about the view I saw from my window. do not come from me but from something Matthew Kelly wrote. The genius of gathering as a group of Christian men to read scripture and discuss our interpretations it is that we may each take away something different. 10 people may take away 10 different messages because God is giving each one of us the message of love, hope, inspiration, strength, etc. that we need to hear at that point in time.

Pete Yorio

A View From My Window

Julie Groene, St. John Fisher Parish

I work at a high school and the last day we were physically gathered as a school community ironically was Friday the 13^th of March. That day the superintendent announced that education would shift to “digital learning.” At the end of that day on parking lot duty, I waved to the seniors who jubilantly exited the parking lot beeping and blaring their music as if leaving for vacation.  Little did any of us realize six weeks later, we would still be learning from home.