How is Your Lenten Journey Going?
We are three weeks into Lent and half way until Holy Week, we hope your Lenten journey and expression are going well. We have lots of opportunities for you to experience Lent and we hope you find something that enriches your personal path:
- Mondays provide a great opportunity – Online Rosary at 8:30 am (link on website), Adoration following morning Mass and Lenten Reconciliation from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
- Did you enjoy reading the Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality? Did you miss the book discussion in February? No worries! We covered the introduction and Chapter 1 with now follow-up sessions to come. Join us in April to discuss Chapters 2 & 3 as we continue to discover and learn together.
- Service & Partnering through Christian Outreach – we enjoyed providing a delicious meal to the patrons of our local foodbank through the Drive-Thru Café – how can you continue your connection with others throughout the year? Just check out the reverse side of this page to see ALL that is planned for 2026 – and join with your St. John Fisher Parish Family!
- Operation Rice Bowl annually gives us the chance to connect with and support those in the most need. Please consider putting aside some funds to participate in the effort in a meaningful and prayerful way.
- “Easter Baskets” for Journey Home – we have seen a few filled “baskets” come in already with cleaning, laundry and kitchen supplies! Many thanks and please continue to consider supporting those who are transitioning from homelessness to secure and sustainable housing.
- Have you been nourished at our Soup Suppers and Stations of the Cross? There are three more opportunities before Holy Week – please join us on Fridays at 6:00 pm for soup and 7:00 pm for Stations.
May your Lenten journey continue to be blessed with prayer, fasting and almsgiving – as we reflect, repent and renew in preparation
for the joyful celebration of Easter!
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St. John Fisher Parish – Service and Outreach Opportunities 2026
Christian Outreach Committee & Community Giving Garden
SJF’s Christian Outreach Committee (COC) continues to secure and offer service and outreach opportunities for all parishioners throughout the year. We are always looking for new members to join us as we research and plan various events to involve parishioners as they act on what Jesus asks of us – “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.“ John 13:14-15
COC initiatives focus on food, health, social and financial insecurity and on providing parishioner & neighbor support – we offer recurrent monthly opportunities, scheduled outreach initiatives and support to various organizations as needs arise. For 2026, please mark your calendars with what interests you and stay tuned for more details as the various dates approach. We have also included the Confirmation service projects below as contributions/involvement by parishioners are requested.
| Recurrent Weekly or Monthly Outreach | Service and Outreach Opportunity |
| Weekly at each Mass | Weekly Food Drive supporting patrons of the Marlborough Food Bank |
| Last Thursday of each month | Sandwich Making and Collection serving patrons of St. Vincent de Paul in Middletown Making: After 8:30 am Mass and Collection: 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm in the front of church |
| Months of Spring thru Fall | Community Giving Garden serving patrons at the Marlborough Food Bank with fresh produce on a weekly basis |
| Monthly Outreach 2026 | Service and Outreach Opportunity |
| January | Confirmation Service Project – Snack items for individual snack bags (Catholic Worker and House of Bread) |
| Lent Begins February 18February 22 | Journey Home “Easter Baskets” – Laundry baskets or cleaning buckets filled with household cleaning/laundry supplies or kitchen tools and supplies Drive-Thru Café serving patrons of the Marlborough Food Bank |
| Lent March 7March 8 | Journey Home “Easter Baskets” – Laundry baskets or cleaning buckets filled with household cleaning/laundry supplies or kitchen tools and supplies American Red Cross Blood Drive hosting a community blood drive in our hall Confirmation Service Project – Care Bags for ImmaCare in Hartford |
| Easter April 5April 19 | St. Vincent de Paul Sunday Supper serving patrons in Middletown |
| May May 24 | Baby Shower – supporting young moms and their babies through the organization Caring Families (Willimantic) & Sacred Sweeties (incarcerated pregnant and new moms) at York Correctional Drive-Thru Café serving patrons of the Marlborough Food Bank |
| June | New or Gently Used Furniture and Goods Collection – Journey Home |
| July | Back-to-School Supplies Drive – supporting Marlborough Elementary (MES) families |
| September 13 | St. Vincent DePaul Sunday Supper serving patrons in Middletown |
| October 24 | National “Make a Difference Day” American Red Cross Blood Drive hosting a community blood drive in our hall |
| November | All Souls’ Mass & Reception supporting those who lost loved ones during the yearThanksgiving Food Drive supporting patrons on Marlborough Food Bank |
| December | Christmas Cards to the Bereaved who lost loved ones during the year Christmas Giving Program supporting organizations with specific needs from their patronsand residents |