St. John Fisher Confirmation Class Bake Sale February 24-25
Supporting Our Neighbors in Christ
Our 9th grade Confirmation class is sponsoring a bake sale after all the Masses the weekend of February 24 and 25.
WHY: To raise funds to benefit the AHM (Amston, Hebron, Marlborough & Columbia) Youth and Family Services’ initiative to expand counseling services for children and families through a self-sustaining Therapist Mentoring Program.
The Confirmation class is focusing our service efforts this year by identifying and assisting with needs in our local area and this project is a wonderful match!
OUR GOAL: To raise $500 to benefit this important AHM initiative focused on improving mental health of youth and families within our communities. We are also excited to share that all donations will be matched up to 100% by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
Please stop by the tables after Mass to pick up a tasty treat and support this valuable AHM initiative. Thank you in advance for supporting this important cause.
We NEED You To Evangelize (Four Steps)
Jesus told us to evangelize all nations. Have you lived up to this call? If you don't know what to do, here are four steps to making that happen.
Breaking In The Habit
Christian Outreach Committee & Community Giving Garden 2024
St. John Fisher Parish Family
Our Mission:
The Christian Outreach Committee (COC) of SJF Parish provides opportunities for parishioners to (1) live their faith by partnering in care for others and (2) by supporting and sustaining the strength of a faithful community through initiatives of service and outreach that produce lasting benefits.
We are always looking for new members as we research and plan various events for parishioners to 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
Read more: Christian Outreach Committee & Community Giving Garden 2024
SCAM EMAIL WARNING!
An email or set of emails have been sent using Father's name in the “From:" field of the email. If the email requests you send money via gift card(s) or other non-traditional forms of payment, don't do it! This is common SCAM sent to you in anticipation of fooling you out of your hard earned money. This form of SCAM is not unusual and there is very little you can do to prevent it.
Anyone receiving an email should be aware of how to check the origin of that email, be able to ascertain if it’s a legitimate request and follow-up with an inquiry if even the least bit suspicious. If you hover your cursor over the “To:" address in any email, you can usually see the actual email address that the message was sent from. You’ll see that the SCAM email is not from Father Al.
Do NOT click on any links. If you respond to the email to vent your anger and or frustration, YOUR email address will be added to the SCAMMERs collection to be used in future email SCAM compaigns. Delete the email message.
6. The Healing of the Man Born Blind: A Revelation of Divine Purpose
In the Gospel of John, we encounter a profound narrative of healing that transcends physical restoration to unveil deeper truths about divine purpose and the transformative power of faith. The story begins with Jesus encountering a man blind from birth, prompting his disciples to inquire about the cause of his condition – whether it was the result of his sin or that of his parents.
Jesus' response challenges conventional notions of sin and suffering, shifting the focus from assigning blame to recognizing an opportunity for the works of God to be made visible. He declares, "Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him." This statement underscores the redemptive purpose inherent in human suffering, as it becomes a canvas upon which God's glory and transformative power are displayed.
Moreover, Jesus uses this encounter to impart a profound lesson about the urgency of doing the works of God while there is still time. He declares, "We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work." This admonition serves as a call to action, urging his followers to seize the opportunity to participate in God's redemptive work in the world.
As Jesus proceeds to heal the man born blind, he demonstrates his divine authority and power through a simple yet profound act. He spits on the ground, makes clay with the saliva, and applies it to the man's eyes, instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man obeys, and in an instant, his sight is restored, marking a miraculous transformation that symbolizes the illumination of spiritual truth and the revelation of God's redemptive power.
Read more: 6. The Healing of the Man Born Blind: A Revelation of Divine Purpose
3. Healing at the Pool of Bethesda: A Testament to Jesus' Compassion
In the heart of Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, lies a pool known in Hebrew as Bethesda, surrounded by five porticoes. This site, steeped in history and significance, serves as the backdrop for a profound encounter between Jesus and a man who had been afflicted with illness for thirty-eight years. The narrative unfolds as a testament to Jesus' compassion and power to bring about miraculous healing.
The scene is set with a description of the pool of Bethesda, where a multitude of individuals suffering from various ailments – the ill, blind, lame, and crippled – gather in hope of receiving healing. Among them is a man who has languished in illness for nearly four decades, his life marked by suffering and despair.
Jesus, in his divine wisdom and compassion, approaches the man and engages him in a simple yet profound question: "Do you want to be well?" This inquiry goes beyond the surface level of physical healing; it delves into the depths of the man's desire for restoration and transformation.
The man, in his response, reveals the obstacles that have hindered him from receiving healing – the lack of assistance to lower him into the pool when its waters are stirred, believed to possess healing properties. His words resonate with a sense of resignation and hopelessness, reflecting the struggles faced by many who grapple with illness and adversity.
Read more: 3. Healing at the Pool of Bethesda: A Testament to Jesus' Compassion
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