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

Unsure that you are called to be a disciple?

Consider the words of Father Sas from a daily Mass homily,

“Jesus chose inadequate men with limited education to preach the Kingdom of God.
He chooses us too.”

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.