Church guide

Holy Week and Easter Schedule

Reconciliation Opportunities this week: 4/17/19 @ 7:30 pm Penance Service 4/18/19 @ 10-11:30 am & 4-5:30 pm

Palm Sunday Schedule April 13 - Vigil - 5:00 pm April 14 - 7:30, 8:45 (begins outside w blessing of palms), 10:45 am, 12:30 & 5:00 pm

The Easter Vigil is offered for the intention of all who donate Easter lilies to decorate our church. Please bring a lily to the church vestibule and fill out a card from the basket on the cabinet and designate your prayer intention.

Lenten Penance Services: 4/17/19 - St. John Fisher @ 7:30 pm This is an opportunity to experience the unconditional love of God through the sacrament of reconciliation. Many priests from nearby parishes will be present to hear confessions and offer the absolution of the Church.

"He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress." Proverbs 23 Fill your lips with prayer not gossip.

This Friday, April 5, 2019, is the Last chance to join us in the auditorium for our Lent Soup Supper at 6:00 pm followed by Stations of the Cross at 7:00 pm.

"What makes you unwell mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically? We say we want to be well even as we put up walls to keep out God's healing grace. We keep at the behaviors we know don't serve us well: the addictions and dependencies, the obsessions and distractions, in part because they keep us occupied. It's easier to sign onto social media than to sit down in silence and pray. It's easier to buy another gadget, eat another cookie, work another hour, than it is to allow ourselves to empty ourselves before the Lord. Being well doesn't require a miracle; it just requires a willingness to put aside the things that make us unwell so that Jesus can fill all our empty spaces. Today, limit or cut out those things that take up the space in your heart, mind and soul. Give your fears and struggles to God and take those steps toward well-being.

Join us on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 3pm. A presentation of "The Messiah" by G.F. Handel with Choir and Orchestra.

Happening this weekend at St. John Fisher Friday, March 29 - Lenten Soup Suppers 6pm - Stations of the Cross 7pm Sunday, March 31 - Organ & Trumpet Recital 3pm - Festival of Faith 6pm

"Oftentimes we let our fear and uncertainty keep us from getting to the heart of what God is calling us to do and be. We get in our own way, afraid to hear God's answer to the questions burning in our hearts. Let us pray: Jesus, we come to you today with unspoken questions that long for answers. Calm our fears, strengthen us and give us courage, hear our prayers, and fill our hearts with gentle love not only for our neighbors, but for ourselves as well." Lenten Reflections

St. John Fisher Music Guild invites you to join us this Sunday, March 31 at 3 pm in the Church for an organ and trumpet recital. Performing trumpet will be our own Music Director Grant Hungerford with organist Ty Woodward. A freewill offering is accepted. No reservation needed.

"Our world doesn't give us a lot of opportunities for quiet time with God. It seems luxurious, selfish even, to steal away for a chunk of time and do nothing more than sit and listen for the still small voice of the Spirit. But in this distraction-filled world of ours, that is what we need more than anything else: time apart, a place where nothing comes between us and God." Make regular time to sit quietly and listen for God's voice each day. Give yourself the gift of peace, tranquility, and connection with God.

Save the dates! This year's Festival of Faith will feature Roy Petitfils on the theme: "Blessed, Broken, and Shared: Discovering God in our Everyday Lives." Dinner will be served each evening in Barrett Hall from 6 pm followed by the presentation at 7 pm. Join us for an opportunity to learn what it really means to be "blessed," to "take up the cross," and how to share our light in relationship and community. Presentations are a mix of humor, sacrament, scripture, and storytelling. All ages and backgrounds welcome. Questions: 310-377-4573

"We need each other more than we care to realize. Our Eternal salvation hinges upon how we act in relation to each other. Jesus said: You will not receive what you refuse to give. Every day we are given the chance to let something slide, to forgive, to accept, to encourage, whether in a traffic jam, a classroom, or living room. But we tend toward self-preservation, which manifests in grudges, backbiting, and fear-based responses that harden us and make us unforgiving. The same way, our hearts are heavy and we are weighed down when our own debts have not been forgiven by others. Let us ask God our Father to teach us to unclench our fists and open our hands and hearts to those who need our forgiveness and love so that we may in turn be open to God's merciful embrace and be freed at the same time."

Are we agents of Love or Anger? We tend to look out only for ourselves while we judge and stone others in all sorts of figurative ways: social media, email, text, meetings, gossip, etc. Sometimes we are triggered by someone or something and we twinge with anger and jealousy over others' lives, looks, family, or achievements. But, it is up to us to flip that trigger to soften our hearts, open our minds, and realize that "everyone from our most beloved family to our most despised enemy is grappling with some deep-seated insecurities, issues, heartaches, and suffering. Regardless of what they look like in the outside; inside there are scars, maybe even open wounds, in need of healing. Today, choose to send light and love to a person who typically causes you sorrow and strife. Be Christ's body, hands, feet, eyes, mouth, & heart, and choose love and compassion and be transformed."

Together in Mission supports many parishes and schools that need our generosity. If you have not yet made your pledge or your gift, please visit www.ourmissionla.org or fill out a pledge card in pew. Thank you!

The SJF School kids had a blast this last weekend with their production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Thank you to all of you who attended and showed your support.

Joe Melendrez Concert & Rally was a great success. Many High School Teens and adults attended the event and enjoyed and evening of dancing, singing, praising, and worshiping.

"We remind our children again and again to listen to us, and to follow our instructions, but do we, ourselves, take the time to do the same when God our Father speaks to us? Today, amid the noise and chaos of the world, we ask God to help us to become more peaceful, more grounded, and more open to his voice speaking to our hearts."

View the Installation of our beautiful new pipe organ. Thanks to all who made this possible! Music Ministry ROCKS!