Lord Jesus, help me as I begin this new school year.

Help me to use the gifts you have given me to the best of my ability.

Open my eyes to the new challenges and opportunities that this new school year may bring.

Help me to face these challenges and opportunities with excitement and enthusiasm, knowing that with your help I will succeed.

Open my heart and mind to new friends and new teachers.

Jesus, Help me to pay attention to stay focused, do my best, to be kind to my friends and to have a great year.

The presenter for our Confirmation retreat, Tony Belizzi, is in need of rosary beads for his ministry to teens. If you have extra sets and would like to donate them, please drop them off in the basket on the tables marked “Rosary Beads” near the entrance. Each year Tony distributes thousands of rosary beads to teens across the country and during his trips to South America. Any donations to help him in his ministry would be greatly appreciated.

There is a container in the vestibule of the church for anyone whishing to donate items from their garden to area food pantries receiving the harvest from our community garden. Put those extra cucumbers and squash into the hands of people who would love them!

Here are some wonderful saints to help guide you in the coming school year. Offer up a prayer to one or all every morning for guidance, strength and success!

St. Thomas Aquinas – the patron saint of scholars

St. Scholastica – the patron saint of students

St. Gregory the Great – the patron saint of teachers (they need our prayers too!)

St. John the Apostle – patron saint of friendship

St. John Berchmans – invoke him against gossip – including those talking about you and you talking about others.

If you would like to hear the stories behind this incredible people you can check out resources in our parish library or check out these web pages and search saints www.ewtn.com;  www.catholic.org;  www.usccb.org

The church garden is bursting with great produce! Here are some photos from last night’s harvest. We picked and donated 38lbs of vegetables to be offered to the Marlborough Food Bank. Over 120 lbs. has been donated so far this season. A big thank you to all of the great volunteers who come on Monday nights and to Robin, our church secretary for being a wonderful help in watering this summer!   Peg Filloramo

{gallery}Garden Harvest 2018{/gallery}

Please see Archbishop Blair’s statement regarding recent sexual abuse scandals. This letter will be inserted in parish bulletins this weekend.

Letter of Archbishop Blair in English

Letter of Archbishop Blair in Spanish

Letter of Archbishop Blair in Polish

Please see Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo’s statement:

Statement of Cardinal DiNardo, President of USCCB

Archdiocese of Hartford website

A huge thank you to all the families, children and volunteers who made our St. John Fisher Bible Camp a big success!

Our parish is blessed to have such a wonderful, devoted group of teens who made every day fun:

Lea, Madison, Theresa, Grace, Kyle, Carissa, Jenna, Rachel, Caroline, Brendan, Ellie, Jacob, Shannon & Ava

Also, thanks to the Girard/Johnson,Orzech, Sena/Delesio and Meyer familiesfor all their help!

To all parents of a child in college, any post-secondary schooling or the military: 
if would like them to receive prayer bags and encouraging messages throughout the semester, please send their mailing address to Jennifer O'Neill  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Whether your child is serving in the military, living at home or away at college, our parish family is here to offer our support.

On June 30th, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, please remember our brothers and sisters in Christ, who are victims of human trafficking. This day was established to raise awareness and aid in prevention of human
trafficking. Pope Francis reminds us that "Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ.
It is a crime against humanity."

Looking for a way to put into action Pope Francis’ call to care for each other and our planet? 

Then, as you are sorting your kids’ clothing to get ready for school, please consider donating a few items.  We are collecting gently used children’s clothing for children in shelters, Head Start and Catholic Worker House. Clean, gently-worn clothing can be dropped off at the church from August 12-26. In order to ensure the dignity of the recipients, we ask that you wash and check the clothes to be sure they are in good condition, We will also gladly accept new underwear, socks and pajamas for the children. We have limited space for adult clothing, but will bring it to the shelter with the children’s clothing.

Dear Parishioners of St. John Fisher Church

I am very grateful for the mostg enerous offering of $2,505 for the support of the Church’s missionary work. Your assistance is a blessing to those who serve in mission dioceses-and this year for the Society of African Missions.  With your help…  

...you are “building His Church,” when a priest in Africa reaches out with the healing heart of our Lord to victims of famine.

...you are “building His Church,” when a catechist in Asia is able to uplift the poor with the “Good News” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

…you are “building His Church,” when religious Sisters throughout the Missions teach children, care for the orphan, and offer the suffering, the love and compassion of our Lord.  Your help, through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is “building our Church” in the Missions year after year. Please know that we are grateful for your generosity and prayerful support.

Thanking you again for hosting the missionary at your parish, your enthusiasm and generous participation in this year’s Co-Op Appeal.

Sincerely,

Reverend Robert B. Vargo
Archdiocesan Director