About St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church · Marlborough, Connecticut
St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish serving the small town of Marlborough, Connecticut, in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Hartford. The parish offers Saturday Vigil Mass, two Sunday Masses, and weekday Masses four days a week, along with weekly Eucharistic Adoration and Saturday confessions. The church sits at 30 Jones Hollow Road and runs an extensive Faith Formation program for children, a Youth Ministry for high schoolers, OCIA for adults, plus ministries including the Knights of Columbus, choir, prayer shawls, men's and women's prayer groups, and a weekly food drive for the Marlborough Food Bank. The parish community describes itself as a 'beacon of God's gracious and merciful love,' welcoming visitors, newcomers, and those returning to the faith.
- Patron
- St. John Fisher (Saint John Fisher, 1469–1535, English bishop and cardinal, martyr)
- Rector
- Fr. Carlos Zapata
- Diocese
- Metropolitan Archdiocese of Hartford
Why belong here
St. John Fisher is a small, welcoming parish where members know one another by name. The community gathers for daily and weekend Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Monday mornings, and Saturday confessions, and supports ministries for every age — Family Faith Formation for grades K–6, sacramental preparation for 2nd, 9th, and 10th graders, a middle-school program, a Youth Ministry open to all local high schoolers, and OCIA for adults. Outreach is concrete and local: a weekly food drive for the Marlborough Food Bank, a Prayer Shawl Ministry, Knights of Columbus Council 15734, Men's and Women's Prayer Groups, and a Lending Library — making it a place where newcomers, families, and returning Catholics can readily find community and service.
Mass times at St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM (or by appointment)
- By appointment (call parish office 860-295-0001)
Adoration times
- Every Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM (Adoration of the Eucharist)
About St. John Fisher Parish
St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church is a parish of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Hartford, located at 30 Jones Hollow Road in the small town of Marlborough, Connecticut. The parish community describes its vision as 'a beacon of God's gracious and merciful love,' with a mission of actively participating in Mass and the sacraments, serving and ministering to others, exploring and sharing the Word and teachings of Jesus, and openly embracing the needs of the parish family and broader community in Christ. The parish explicitly welcomes visitors and returning Catholics.
- Parish Vision and Mission statements published on the parish website
- Welcoming parish for visitors, newcomers, and returning Catholics
- Parish office hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Patron Saint and Feast Day
The parish is named for Saint John Fisher (1469–1535), the English bishop and cardinal of Rochester who was martyred under King Henry VIII for refusing the Act of Supremacy. He shares his June 22 feast with Saint Thomas More — his fellow martyr and patron of the parish's parish hall, 'St. Thomas More Hall.' The church's interior features a sculpture titled 'The Risen Jesus' by sculptor Deane G. Keller.
- Feast Day: June 22 (with St. Thomas More)
- Sculpture: 'The Risen Jesus' by Deane G. Keller
- Parish Hall: St. Thomas More Hall
Faith Formation and Religious Education
St. John Fisher runs a robust parish-based Faith Formation program covering every grade. Children in Grades K, 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 follow the 'Finding God' series from Loyola Press in a Family Faith model: family night on the first Saturday of the month after 4:00 Mass (approximately 5:00–6:15 PM), at-home 'homework' during the second week, children-only sessions on the third Thursday (4:00–5:00 PM), and a Family Mass at 10:30 AM on the fourth Sunday.
- Family Faith Formation (K, 1, 3–6) — Cindy Bryan
- 2nd Grade Sacramental Year — First Reconciliation (typically January) and First Holy Communion (typically May); bi-monthly Tuesdays 4:30–5:30 PM
- 9th & 10th Grade Confirmation — Helena Thomas, coordinator; classes bi-monthly on Sundays 3:45–5:00 PM; retreat at Holy Family Retreat Center, West Hartford; Confirmation typically at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, Hartford
- Grades 7 & 8 — Eileen Gilles; Sunday evening sessions
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — during 10:30 AM Mass on the first three Sundays
Youth Ministry and Adult Faith Formation
Youth Ministry is a Saturday-night program (5:30–7:00 PM, several dates per school year) for high-school teens, facilitated by two 10th-grade leaders under adult supervision. It is intentionally open to teens from outside the parish, including those with no religious affiliation, with a focus on community outreach, prayer and Scripture reflection, fun activities, and food. For adults, the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (O.C.I.A.) — formerly RCIA — is led by Jim Castellani for those seeking Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, or full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Youth Ministry — Helena Thomas
- O.C.I.A. — Jim Castellani ([email protected])
- Adult Faith Formation — seasonal topics, meetings, and small groups
Liturgy, Music, and Prayer Life
The parish's liturgical life is supported by several lay ministries: the St. John Fisher Church Choir (Adult Choir rehearses on Wednesdays) under Director of Music Ministry Janice Reska; Altar Servers; Ministers of Communion (coordinated by Peter Yorio); and Readers and Greeters (coordinated by Julie Groene). The parish quotes St. Augustine — 'He who sings prays twice' — as the choir's motto. The Holy Rosary is prayed on Mondays at 8:30 AM (in person and on Zoom).
- St. John Fisher Church Choir (Adult Choir)
- Altar Servers, Ministers of Communion, Readers and Greeters
- Holy Rosary — Mondays 8:30 AM
- Eucharistic Adoration — Mondays 9:00–9:30 AM
Parish Prayer Groups and Pastoral Care
Beyond the Mass schedule, the parish hosts several ongoing prayer and pastoral-care gatherings. The Men's Prayer Group meets on the 1st Thursday (7:00–8:00 PM) and 3rd Saturday (7:00–8:00 AM); the Women's Prayer Group meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. The Prayer Shawl Ministry ('Comfort and Warmth,' coordinated by Mary Horrigan) creates and distributes prayer shawls. The Prayer Line lets parishioners submit intentions that are included in the Prayers of the Faithful at weekend Masses, and the Lending Library supports ongoing faith reading.
- Men's Prayer Group — Jim Castellani
- Women's Prayer Group — Barbara Meyer
- Prayer Shawl Ministry — Mary Horrigan
- Prayer Line — intentions included in weekend Mass intentions
- St. John Fisher Lending Library
Outreach, Service, and Social Justice
Outreach is a major dimension of parish life. The parish collects non-perishable food, personal-care items, and household-cleaning supplies weekly at all Masses for the Marlborough Food Bank (bags are placed to the right of the altar). The Knights of Columbus, Council 15734 — the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization — operates locally from the parish. The Social Committee organizes parish events such as the Parish Picnic, Drive-Thru Café Meal, and Spaghetti Dinner. A Seminarian Education Fund is actively supported by the parish (raising toward a $5,000 goal).
- Marlborough Food Bank — weekly collection at all Masses
- Knights of Columbus, Council 15734
- Social Committee — events like Parish Picnic, Spaghetti Dinner, Drive-Thru Café
- Seminarian Education Fund (parish goal $5,000)
- Hospital/Homebound Communion visits (note: hospitals do not notify the parish — family must call)
Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation
Information about the reception of the seven sacraments is published on the parish website. Baptism is celebrated after family preparation; First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are typically received in 2nd Grade; Confirmation is celebrated in 10th Grade at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford; Marriage requires advance contact with the parish office; Anointing of the Sick and Communion to the homebound are available by request. Sponsor certificates and Godparent/Sponsor affirmations are also handled through the parish office.
- Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick
- Sponsor / Godparent Affirmation forms
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:00 PM or by appointment
Parish Staff and Leadership
The parish is led pastorally by Fr. Alvin J. LeBlanc (Pastor), with ministry support from Deacons William Gilles and Senior Deacon John W. McKaig. (The Archdiocese of Hartford clergy directory has also listed Rev. George S. Mukuka in connection with St. John Fisher Parish.) The Parish Secretary is Heather Mancini. Faith Formation is led by three coordinators by grade band, Janice Reska directs the Music Ministry, and a Parish Council advises and assists the pastor.
- 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)
- Parish Council — advises and assists the pastor; publishes regular minutes
Getting Involved and New Parishioners
New parishioners can register via the parish website (a 'New Parishioner Form' is linked from the home page). Volunteers are regularly sought for the Faith Formation team (Saturday evenings and Thursday afternoons) and for the Children's Liturgy of the Word (ideally six volunteers so each serves about once per month). The parish also accepts bulletin submissions, sponsors an online mailing list, and offers Online Giving through the parish's app (church ID: 1239).
- New Parishioner Form — linked from parish home page
- Online Giving (church ID 1239) — Apple and Android app
- Bulletin announcement deadline: Friday of the prior week, by email
- Volunteer opportunities in Faith Formation and Children's Liturgy
Practical Information and Location
The parish is at 30 Jones Hollow Road, Marlborough, CT 06447-1141. The main parish office number is (860) 295-0001; the Pastor's direct line is (860) 295-0067. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM (call first). The church website is http://stjfchurch.org/ and the parish maintains a Facebook presence. From the west, take Route 2 to Exit 13, turn right off the exit, right at the light, then first right onto Jones Hollow Road — the church is on the right.
- Address: 30 Jones Hollow Road, Marlborough, CT 06447-1141
- Phone: (860) 295-0001; Pastor: (860) 295-0067
- Parish Office Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
- Website: http://stjfchurch.org/
- Weather note: no morning Mass when Marlborough Public Schools are cancelled/delayed