Enjoying the long days, the glory of gardens, the relaxing of our schedules? For most summer is a time of year to slow down, breathe a little deeper  and recharge. What a perfect time to do the same for our prayer life. While we are a communal faith, our relationship with God begins with a personal relationship grounded in prayer. Like other relationships we need to be sure to tend and nurture our relationship with God. Make a thirty day commitment to enhance your prayer life this summer. Set aside a few moments every day to spend with God. Create a sacred space, go for a walk, read scripture, listen to music, sign up for the daily 3 minute retreat with Loyola press, come to daily mass, visit Holy Family Retreat Center and walk the grounds; make a commitment to create a new routine. Even taking a few minutes everyday to open our selves up to the Lord can have a profound impact. Try this summer, as you recharge and relax, to commit to spending some time with the Lord and see where the journey takes you.

Many thanks to all who generously donated flip flops during out recent collection. Over 100 pairs of flip flops were collected for men, women and children and distributed to South Park Shelter & Catholic Worker House.Thank you for making summer a bit easier for others.

“I believe in you.” I trust you.” “I have faith in you.”

How often do people say one or more of those sentences or something like them to us? Those words can not only increase our self-esteem but make us try harder to live up to those sentiments.

On January 14th , I helped serve dinner at Immacare Shelter. I found this to be especially meaningful because it opened up my eyes to a reality I thankfully have never experienced. The shelter was initially a scary place for me to visit. I wasn’t prepared for the dull and sad feeling it would give me. However, I still put on a smile and tried to show happiness to those eating our dinner. 

Have faith that God can increase the blessings in your marriage by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.The next weekend is Nov 2-4, 2018 in Manchester, CT. For more information, call Pat & Mary-Jo McLaughlin at 860-315-2127 or visit them at https://wwmectw.org/

Today’s readings, especially the reading from the Book of Wisdom , speak to me in a very personal way.

As some of you are aware, 33 years and 5 months ago, a nightmarish tragedy struck my family with the sudden death of my sister at age 32. Anyone who has had to face the death of a loved one knows the unique pain that death brings to the survivors. Often that pain cannot be expressed, only felt, and cannot always be shared.

Welcome to summer!

Here are some simple ways to “practice” your faith during the slower months of summer:

• Go outside, look at the clouds, trees, fields, oceans and remember that these are signs of God’s love for us;
• Take a book from our lending library;
• Practice gratitude by starting a gratitude journal, record three things each day;
• Go to daily Mass;
• Read sacred scripture;
• Make sandwiches for the homeless;
• Come to Mass early and spend a few extra minutes with God;
• Call a friend or family member that you haven’t seen in a while;
• Come work in the parish garden on a Monday evening;
• Pray for someone you know or those struggling with poverty, mental illness or physical illness;
• Read the blue or yellow mass guide (found at the entrances of the church) with your child;
• Say hello to the people in your pew at Mass.

While on vacation, be sure to check out www.findaparish.com to help you locate Catholic Churches where you are vacationing.

Join us on one of the dates below to explore our campus, hear student and parent testimonies and learn about important dates and deadlines for the Fall.

July 18th 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
July 31st 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
August 8th 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Pre-registration for these events is preferred but not required. You may reach out to the Admissions Office at 860-649-5336 ext 6238 or visit us at www.echs.com

Click to view the Solidarity video.

In an effort to help kids (and adults) in Hartford have a great summer, some of our high school parishioners are collecting new flip flops. We are collecting all sizes for kids and adults, males and females. Flip flops will be collected June 10th through June 24th for Ädelbrook, the Catholic Worker House, and South Park Inn.
Donations can be placed in the bins located at the entrances in the church. These groups need flip flops in order to enjoy activities such as water parks this summer. Thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS to all the graduates in our St. John Fisher Parish Family!
Continue to let God guide you as you embark on this new chapter in your faith journey.
You are in our prayers!