St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative – Serving Wellesley and Newton, Massachusetts

St. Paul Giving Tree is an Advent tradition spreading Christmas cheer from our parish to hundreds of people through several local organizations. Take a Gift Tag from the trees in the church, shop for your gifts, and return them to St. Paul Church by Sunday, December 14! (Details at Giving Tree)

Or shop online – our Amazon & Target Wish Lists to make giving easier! Just click the links on our Giving Tree page, select the items you would like to gift, and they will be shipped directly to the organization! Wish List Gifts can be ordered as late as Sunday, December 21!

Click here for our Giving Tree Wish Lists!

CONFESSIONS CANCELLED
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2
DUE TO WEATHER

TUESDAY EVENING
7:00-8:00pm at St. Paul

SATURDAY AFTERNOON
1:00-2:30pm at St. John

And by appointment –
please call either parish office to arrange.
St. John: 781-235-0045 | St. Paul: 781-235-1060

December 6-7: Special Second Collection for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) Guatemala

December 6-7: Special Second Collection for <i>Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos</i> (NPH) Guatemala

We are deeply grateful for the longstanding support this community has shown to Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) and the thousands of vulnerable children we serve throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Your generosity has brought safety, stability, and hope to so many young lives.

This weekend, December 6-7, there will be a second collection at both St. John and St. Paul Churches to support the mission and programs of NPH Guatemala.

Saribel García, who grew up at NPH Guatemala, will be speaking at all Masses that weekend. Saribel will share her story of growing up at NPH and how it transformed the course of her life. Her testimony is a powerful reminder of the impact this community makes through its support.

TO SUPPORT THE COLLECTION FOR NPH GUATEMALA: CASH/CHECKS may be placed in the Second Collection at all Masses on the weekend of December 6-7…

NEW DATE! Evening for Women Advent Liturgy
Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30pm at St. John

NEW DATE! Evening for Women Advent Liturgy<br>Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30pm at St. John

Hope is the light that breaks through the darkness. But, at a time when it does feel like the darkness is winning, it is a discipline to conceive hope… John’s prologue and the season of Advent reminds us that God’s version of greatness is never in what we’d expect…

All women of the Collaborative are invited to an evening of music, scripture, guided meditation, prayer, and reflection.

Followed by a potluck dinner in Powers Hall – bring a friend and a dish to share! We look forward to seeing you there!

SJS Trees & Trimmings Christmas Market: This Saturday, December 6 from 8am-1:30pm

SJS <i>Trees & Trimmings Christmas Market:</i> This Saturday, December 6 from 8am-1:30pm

For nearly 50 years, Saint John School has hosted our annual Trees & Trimmings Christmas Market with Premium Fresh Cut Trees, Wreaths, and Greens, and more! Trees & Trimmings brings together SJS families, alumni, faculty, and staff, our St. John-St. Paul Collaborative parishioners, and our neighbors as we celebrate the season while supporting Saint John School.

In addition to the trees and greenery offerings onsite, Trees & Trimmings Christmas Market also offers the opportunity to bid on Winter Silent Auction items online. The Silent Auction is now live and will run until December 10th at 10:00PM

Young Adult Ministry: Advent Theology at the Table on Saturday, December 6 at St. John

Young Adults in and around the Collaborative (age 21-40) are invited to an Advent theme “Theology at the Table” event on Saturday, December 6^that the St. John Rectory following the 5pm Vigil Mass. Join us for dinner and discussion with special guest Fr. Bryan Hehir as we deepen our understanding of “what we’re waiting for” in Advent.

RSVP appreciated but not required.

Visit RSVP for Theology at the Table or email Sister Colleen (cgibson@sjspwellesley.org) to register or with any questions.

Sunday, December 14 at 2pm: A Service of Lessons and Carols at St. Paul Church

Sunday, December 14 at 2pm: <i>A Service of Lessons and Carols</i> at St. Paul Church

Come and hear the Christmas story in words and music during this season of preparation!

Lessons and Carols is a service of Scripture and song that dates to the late 19th century. Through poignant readings from the Old and New Testaments, interspersed with beautiful music sung by the combined choirs of St. John and St. Paul, the congregation is invited to reflect on the birth of Jesus in the context of its significance in salvation history.

Don’t miss this festive tradition presented by the Parish Choirs of St. Paul & St. John, led by William Endicott, Collaborative Director of Music.

Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Update

Since 2023, when we supported Holy Family Hospital through a special Advent Second Collection, new challenges in health care delivery have emerged. Pilgrimages and tourism, the backbone of Bethlehem’s economy, have vanished. Consequently, more than 90% of families have been left unsalaried… This escalation in hunger and poverty has brought new nutritional and health challenges for expectant mothers and children. Holy Family Hospital is committed to helping ensure their well-being. At great risk and sacrifice, medical staff continue to commute through checkpoints to and from the Hospital and venture out into the desert to care for these vulnerable families. As the Season of Advent approaches, Holy Family Hospital humbly requests your prayers and generosity. Through such support, you offer hope to this courageous and resilient community…

Greetings of Gratitude & Grace From Cameroon

During the month of November, Fr. Gabriel is taking time for a home visit to see his family, connect with community, and make his annual retreat in Cameroon.

This week, he sent good news that the construction of St. John Paul II Church is well underway. What a beautiful testament to the generosity of our 2025 Lenten Gift! He also had the opportunity to attend the reconsecration of the cathedral in Bamenda.

Thank you for continuing to pray for Fr. Gabriel throughout November!

Advent Lectio Divina: “Encountering the Living Word” – A 3-Week Series Beginning December 2

Advent <i>Lectio Divina</i>: “Encountering the Living Word” – A 3-Week Series Beginning December 2

Come explore the practice of Lectio Divina (literally “divine reading”), by prayerfully listening to the Sunday scriptures for Advent and reflecting with a group on where the Spirit is drawing your prayer. These small group sessions are designed for those who want to deepen their encounter with the Word made Flesh that dwells within the depth of our heart and the fullness of Scripture.

We will me on Tuesdays, from 9:30-10:30AM in the Chapel at John the Evangelist Church (lower level of the church building) on December 2, 9, and 16.

Questions? Contact Sister Colleen Gibson Registration required – please register below…

Wednesday, December 03 2025

9:00 am Mass at St. Paul Church
10:00 am "The Chosen" Discussion Group at St. Paul (Office Lower Conference Room) (Click for more details and links...)

Thursday, December 04 2025

7:00 am Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church

Friday, December 05 2025

7:30 am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Paul Church (Click for more details and links...)
9:00 am Mass at St. Paul Church
10:00 am Bible Study: First and Second Corinthians (St. Paul Rectory Offices) (Click for more details and links...)

Saturday, December 06 2025

"Trees & Trimmings" - 8am-1:30pm at Saint John School
12:00 pm Deacon Rick Office Hours at St. Paul (Pastoral Office) (Click for more details and links...)
1:00 pm Confessions at St. John (Lower Level Chapel) (Click for more details...)
4:00 pm Vigil Mass at St. Paul Church
5:00 pm Vigil Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church
6:00 pm Young Adults Advent "Theology at the Table" at St. John (Click for more details and links...)

Sunday, December 07 2025

At St. Paul: Wellesley Food Pantry Collection (Click for more details and links...)
Special Second Collection for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) Guatemala (Click for more details and links...)
7:30 am Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church
9:00 am Family Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church (Click for more details...)
11:00 am Mass at St. Paul Church
12:00 pm Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church
5:00 pm Youth Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church (Click for more details...)

Monday, December 08 2025

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - A Holy Day of Obligation (Click for more details and links...)
9:00 am Holy Day Mass at St. Paul Church
12:30 pm Holy Day Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church
7:00 pm Holy Day Mass at St. Paul Church

Tuesday, December 09 2025

7:00 am Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church
9:30 am Advent Lectio Divina: “Encountering the Living Word” (St. John Chapel) (Click for more details and links...)
6:30 pm Evening for Women Advent Liturgy at St. John (Click for more details and links...)
7:00 pm Confessions at St. Paul (Click for more details...)
7:15 pm Marian Movement (Rosary) at St. John (Lower Chapel) (Click for more details and links...)

Wednesday, December 10 2025

9:00 am Mass at St. Paul Church
10:00 am "The Chosen" Discussion Group at St. Paul (Office Lower Conference Room) (Click for more details and links...)

The St. John-St. Paul Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is available to help those in our community in need of emergency assistance. If you need help with food, rent or mortgage assistance, or help with a utility bill, please reach out to us. Please let any friends or neighbors who might need assistance know that the mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to help those in need.

To contact the SJSP SVdP, please email SVDP@sjspwellesley.org. You may also call either parish office and leave a message. All information received is kept completely confidential.

To learn more about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the SJSP Conference, and how you can help, please visit sjspwellesley.org/svdp

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