🫖 A Wonderful Mother's Day Gift ~ Spring High Tea
TICKET SALES START THIS WEEKEND
ONLY $10.00 Each
May 19, 1:00PM to 3:00PM in our church hall
The whole story can be found by clicking here
Vigil Mass ~ Saturday, 4:00PM
Sunday Mass ~ 8:30AM and 10:30AM
Daily Mass ~ Mon-Tue & Thur-Fri ~ 8:30AM
ADORATION OF THE EUCHARIST every
Monday from 9:00AM to 9:30AM
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 3:00pm or by appointment
Welcome, Visitors
For those who are visitors to St. John Fisher Church, we welcome you to our church and our parish family
Holy Day of Obligation
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Thursday, May 9th
Masses at 8:30 am and 7:00 pm
Second Collection for the Catholic Communications Campaign
There will be a second collection on May 11-12 for the Catholic Communications Campaign. This campaign engages and builds Catholic communities using the internet, television, radio, and print media. Fifty percent of the money collected stays in the Archdiocese of Hartford to support local communication projects.
30 Jones Hollow Road,
Marlborough, Connecticut 06447-1141
Pastor, Fr. Alvin J. LeBlanc
(860) 295-0067
Deacon William Gilles
(860) 805-5826
Senior Deacon John W. McKaig
(860) 942-7961
Parish Secretary, Heather Mancini
(860) 295-0001
Coordinators of Faith Formation.
Cindy Bryan
Family Faith Formation
Grade K,1,3,4,5 & 6
Helena Thomas
Sacramental Preparation
Grade 2, 9 & 10 Confirmation
Deacon Bill Gilles
Grade 7 & 8
Director of Music Ministry
Janice Reska
Youth Ministry
Helena Thomas
PARISH OFFICE HOURS:
Monday-Thursday, 8:30am to 1:30pm
(Best to call first)
ARCHDIOCESE OF HARTFORD
Baptism and/or Confirmation
Godparent/Sponsor Affirmation
Sponsor Certificates, Marriages & Baptisms
Click link to see details in article below
The Hospital Doesn't Tell Us You're There!
Click link to see details in article below
TICKET SALES START THIS WEEKEND
ONLY $10.00 Each
May 19, 1:00PM to 3:00PM in our church hall
The whole story can be found by clicking here
In the Gospel of Mark, we encounter a profound account of Jesus' ability to calm a raging storm at sea, a miraculous event that not only demonstrates his power over the forces of nature but also offers timeless lessons about faith, trust, and finding peace in the midst of life's storms.
The narrative unfolds as Jesus and his disciples embark on a journey across the Sea of Galilee, leaving the crowds behind and venturing into the unknown. As evening draws near, a sudden and violent squall descends upon them, causing the waves to surge and break over the boat. The disciples, seasoned fishermen who are accustomed to the perils of the sea, find themselves in a dire situation as the boat begins to fill with water.
In the midst of the chaos and turmoil, Jesus remains seemingly unperturbed, asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. His disciples, gripped by fear and desperation, awaken him with a plea tinged with desperation: "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" In response, Jesus rises from his slumber, rebukes the wind, and commands the sea to be still.
With a single word, "Quiet! Be still!" Jesus calms the storm, and immediately, there is a great calm that descends upon the sea. The wind ceases its howling, and the waves subside, leaving the disciples in awe of the miraculous display of Jesus' power over nature.
Read more: 9. Finding Peace in the Storm: The Calming of a Tempestuous Sea by Jesus
We will be spreading mulch on the church and rectory gardens this Saturday, May 4, at 12:00 pm. Shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows are needed and appreciated.
In the past we have had a good turnout and finished in under two hours. Questions please reach out to Donna Sawan via the parish office.
To further our focus on celebrating the true presence of Jesus - Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity - present in the Eucharist, we’d like your thoughts on moving our tabernacle from the side chapel to the sanctuary, placed front and center just under our beautiful Risen Christ.
There will be two opportunities to come together and share your thoughts and input: Monday, May 6, following Adoration at 10:00 am, and later that day at 7:00 pm. We will gather both times upstairs in the church.
Birthright will distribute baby bottles after Masses on Mother’s Day, May 12 weekend. We ask that you take the bottles home, fill them with coins, cash or check and return them to the Birthright volunteer stationed after Masses on the weekend of June 2.
As you will see from the insert inside the bottle, you may make a donation in honor or in memory of a loved one. Birthright will send an acknowledgement card of your gift of life.
This is an opportunity for our church families to have hands-on involvement in a project that saves the lives of unborn children and makes a lasting difference in the mothers’ lives. Thank you for any help you can give.
Weekend of May 18-19 and May 25-26
Purpose: As we offer SJF parishioners opportunities to demonstrate our Catholic faith, we will provide a fact sheet on the various organizations to build awareness for what they do, their value added, the opportunities for involvement and how it relates to what we are called to do as Catholics.
Organization: Caring Families Pregnancy Services, Inc
37 Ivan Hill Main Street
Willimantic, CT 06226
Phone: 860-786-1124
Why we like this organization: As Catholics, we value life, support pro-life efforts and the dignity of all life. While doing so, we also need to support those who make the decision to preserve life and bring life into the world. In addition, modeling grace, acceptance and compassion for women who have made decisions that require healing from past pregnancies. CaringFamilies focuses on empowering individuals to make informed decisions in life by supporting women and men with spiritual, emotional, educational and material support as they seek help with pregnancy related issues.
Read more: Baby Shower to Support CaringFamilies in Willimantic
The staff and board at AHM are thrilled to announce our annual Spring Fundraising Concert on Saturday, May 18. This year, we will be hosting three local musical groups, including; One Part Harmony, Steve McCarthy, and Key of H. It will be a fantastic evening of music and fun!
Proceeds from the annual concert ensure that AHM Youth and Family Services is able to continue to provide mental health and positive youth development services to the children, young people and families in our community. Appetizers and desserts included! To purchase your tickets and learn about sponsorship opportunities, please visit: ahmyouth.org/fundraisers-events/spring-concert.
Spring is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the season than with a Spring Tea? Hosted by Christian Outreach, this charming event promises an afternoon of camaraderie, delectable treats, and a sprinkle of fun. Tickets are only $10.00 each.
Set to commence at 1:00 PM, May 19, 2024, you will be greeted with the aroma of freshly brewed tea as you arrive. The centerpiece of the gathering, the tea service, will feature a variety of blends to suit every palate, ensuring a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the affair.
As you settle in, you'll be treated to a selection of savory finger foods. These delectable bites will perfectly complement the delightful conversations and laughter shared among friends old and new.
But the indulgence doesn't stop there. Throughout the afternoon, tea will flow freely, ensuring everyone's cup is never empty. To add an extra layer of excitement, a few games are planned, promising entertainment and friendly competition.
And what's a gathering without a touch of sweetness? As the afternoon progresses, indulge your sweet tooth with an array of tiny desserts, the perfect finale to a delightful tea-filled afternoon.
But the highlight of the event? The anticipation of winning the door prize and other small prizes awarded throughout the day. It's the cherry on top of an already delightful gathering, adding an extra element of excitement and anticipation.
While the Spring Tea promises a delightful time for all who attend, it's also an opportunity to support Christian Outreach. Though the proceeds from the event aren't earmarked for a specific project, every ticket sold contributes to the Christian Outreach projects, ensuring they can continue to make a positive impact within our community.
So mark your calendars and join us for a Spring Tea like no other. It's more than just tea; it's an afternoon of warmth, laughter, and making memories to cherish for years to come.
Most of you will agree that we have an amazing adult choir. If you like to sing and have ever thought about joining us, we are extending an invitation to anyone to come sing with our choir at mass during the month of May. Rehearsals are not necessary: just come up and join the choir in song. They will be singing at the 8:30 Sunday masses on May 5 & 19, and the 10:30 masses on May 12 & 26. We would love to have you join us.
As for high school and college students who may be off during the summer, we know that many of you have beautiful voices or play an instrument. If you are interested in sharing your musical gifts with us during the summer months, whether it’s simply to spread the word of God through song or to gain some experience musically, please see Janice Reska, our music director. This can be a wonderful opportunity to enhance our music ministry.
We hope you will consider joining us and look forward to speaking with anyone who may be interested.
This year (2024), the Church is facing a conundrum, all because Holy Week was in the last week of March, Easter was on March 31st and the Octave of Easter ended on April 7th. As a result, the celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation was moved to April 8th from the normal March 25th since Holy Week takes precedence over all other celebrations that occur.
What to do with this odd situation? Ignore it? That would make Jesus a “preemie” this year.
Or, should Christmas therefore be moved to January 8th? That would respect the nine-month perfect pregnancy which the Church has for John the Baptist, Mary, and especially Jesus. Fun fact: January 8th also happens to be Elvis’ birthday and another singer/guitarist of middling talent.
But, that would mess up the Advent season. It would have to start two weeks later. “Black Friday” would have to be moved as well from the traditional day after Thanksgiving. And shoppers wouldn’t have the pressure of buying gifts at the last moment on the 24th of December. They would be able to wait until the 7th of January! What about school vacations (except for colleges)? And, The Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary would come before she has given birth.
A conundrum indeed!
The first meeting of the Board of Loss and Damage Fund, established at COP28 in Dubai, took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from April 3 to May 2, 2024.
Ahead of this important event, CRS, CIDSE and Caritas Internationalis sent a letter to the members of the Board to outline what they believe should be the priorities of the Board, urging them to act and support those hardest hit by the climate crisis.
Visit www.crs.org for more information and to see how you can help!
The first offering of Wine, Wisdom and Wit was a great success - being able to ask Father Al any questions and gain insight was the focus on the night. We learned more about purgatory (and no, it is not some thing to fear), the final judgement, what we believe happens when we die and Jesus' desire to bring everyone into His kingdom with His Father. Insight, discussion and Father's wit all graced our time together.
Photos by Nancy Gianetti
The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal changes lives through service. In addition to assisting the underserved of our communities, your gift helps those discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Your gift to the Appeal is an investment in the future of our Church and our faith.
Thank you to the parish families who have made a gift or pledge to the 2024 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. If you have not yet participated, please prayerfully consider a gift today. Please know that every dollar of your gift will have a positive impact in someone’s life.
All funds contributed to the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal are used exclusively for the purposes outlined in the Appeal literature, which can be found at https://archdioceseofhartford.org.
No Appeal funds are ever used for legal fees or settlements.
Page 1 of 3
🫃🏽Baby Shower Supporting Babies and Moms
Beginning on Mother’s Day weekend, 5/11 & 5/12, we will host a baby shower for Caring Families in Willimantic. This organization provides support to moms (many times young and unwed) who give birth to their child. Supporting these moms in their decision is another part of our calling to honor the preciousness of life.
We are a beacon of God’s gracious and merciful love as we glorify His name through service to others; devotion to His teachings and His Son Jesus; and by maintaining a welcoming, accepting and embracing Catholic community of faith that judges none, embraces and protects the vulnerable, builds community of all ages and life stages and acts for the greater Glory of God.
We provide an open, welcoming and active Catholic faith community that is inspired by the gifts of the Holy Spirit as we demonstrate our faith by (1) actively participating in Mass and the Sacraments, (2) by serving and ministering to others, (3) by exploring and sharing the Word and teachings of Jesus and (4) by openly embracing the various needs of our entire parish family and broader community in Christ.
Our Online Giving system now is also an App for Apple and Android products! You can download it for free in the App Store, Google Play Store or CLICK HERE. If you are new to Online Giving, register by entering our church ID of 1239.
Faith Vos Winkel, MSW
Victim Assistance Coordinator
860-541-6475
faith.voswinkel@aohct.org