Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees – National Migration Week 2022

Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees – National Migration Week 2022

For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. Commenting on the place of migrants in God’s plan, Pope Francis emphasizes that “the Kingdom of God is to be built with them, for without them it would not be the Kingdom that God wants. The inclusion of those most vulnerable is the necessary condition for full citizenship in God’s Kingdom.”

Let us take some time to reflect on how we can better welcome, protect, promote, and integrate migrants living in our midst. More information about can be found…

Cardinal O’Malley Statement on Venezuelan Refugees and Immigration Policy

Cardinal O’Malley Statement on Venezuelan Refugees and Immigration Policy

Immigration policies and practices stand as an abiding moral, legal and political challenge to our Commonwealth and our country. We have delayed far too long in developing an effective response to immigrants, migrants, and refugees at a moment when the movement of men, women, children, and families surpasses any other known example in our history.

Our common humanity is the lens through which our response to immigrants and refugees must be judged. Pope Francis has made the plight of immigrants and refugees a constant theme of his pontificate. The Holy Father’s witness, in word and deed, has been based on understanding immigrants and refugees as pilgrims forced by socio-economic conditions, human rights abuses, and the climate crisis to leave their homes in search of safety, security and stability for themselves and their families.

From Our SVdP Conference: Special Stories of our Visits and Assistance Provided

From Our SVdP Conference: Special Stories of our Visits and Assistance Provided

The SVDP Conference has shared in this space the life of St. Vincent de Paul and the international society dedicated to the ministry of serving the poor that he inspired. We also have shared our local history and an overview of the numbers we have served in our community of Wellesley and Newton. Below, we would like to share a few reflections on some friends we have worked with through the generous donations of many parishioners and how that experience has inspired us.

A First Home Visit:It was to be my first home visit. I was to accompany two other members of our local SVDP Conference who had home visit experience. We began with a prayer in the car as we awaited the start of the visit. The friend who had reached out for help was a single mother with three school-age children. She found herself short of funds as she worked through the break-up of her marriage, and needed help to pay her children’s school tuition. As we listened to this mother’s situation, one thought ran through my head – this young friend is just like all of us…

Getting to Know Our Guest Celebrants

Getting to Know Our Guest Celebrants

As you well know, we have been blessed here at the Collaborative by the outpouring of support for Fr. Jim from his brother priests. Since June, we have been celebrating Mass with guest celebrants from nearby parishes as well as with priests from the Jesuit Community at Boston College. We are going to be featuring our guest celebrants in the bulletin in the coming weeks to help you learn a little bit about them and put faces with names!

Fr. Brett O’Neill, S.J.
Fr. O’Neill is a recently-ordained Australian Jesuit studying at Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry. Before entering the Society of Jesus in 2014, Fr. O’Neill worked in public policy with the Australian Government. As a Jesuit he has worked in policy advocacy with Jesuit Social Services…

September 17-18: Second Collection for the Clergy Trust

September 17-18: Second Collection for the Clergy Trust

For priests, bringing the presence of Christ to others is a daily calling that extends far beyond the walls of the Church, and impacts the lives of people of all faiths and backgrounds throughout the entire community. There are countless examples of priests in the Archdiocese of Boston working tirelessly and selflessly to make the world a better place for all of us. Our priests don’t just enrich the lives of Catholics in parishes, they enrich the lives of everyone in all communities.

It’s simple: healthier priests mean stronger communities. 

You can help by contributing to the Clergy Trust special collection at all Masses on the weekend of September 17-18…

September 24-25: Feast of St. Vincent de Paul Celebration

September 24-25: Feast of St. Vincent de Paul Celebration

The Saint Vincent de Paul Conference of the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative invites all parishioners to a series of events to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Vincent de Paul..

Saturday September 24: Retreat at Sisters of St. Joseph Retreat Center (71 Walnut Park, Newton MA)

Space limited – open to first 25 respondents to SVDP@sjspwellesley.org.

Sunday September 25: Community Walk from St. Paul Church to St. John Church

Immediately following the St. Paul 11:00am Mass, join us for the 2.4 mile walk from St. Paul Church to St. John Church along Washington St.

Sunday September 25: Fall Welcome Back Luncheon at St. John

The festivities will begin at the conclusion of the St. John 12:00pm Mass with the arrival of the walkers from St. Paul…

Women’s Book Discussion – Begins Monday, October 3

Women’s Book Discussion – Begins Monday, October 3

An invitation for every woman who feels she isn’t doing enough…

isn’t godly enough…

isn’t prayerful enough…

A Women’s Book Discussion

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver

Beginning Monday October 3rd, 9:45am – St. John the Evangelist Powers Hall. Book can be purchased on Amazon

No need to RSVP – come prepared to discuss Chapters 1 & 2.

History of the St. John and St. Paul Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

History of the St. John and St. Paul Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

Our St. John and St. Paul Conference (local chapter) of the International Society of Saint Vincent de Paul was started over five years ago to extend Christ’s ministry to those struggling to get by in our community. Under the leadership of Fr. Robert Blaney several members of both parishes met to learn more about the starting of a Conference of Saint Vincent de Paul Society. This ministry at its core is centered on the confidential home visit to our friends in need by two of our members, dating back to the 19th century tradition when Blessed Frederick Ozanam initiated the home visit so members could understand directly the needs of our friends.

Our conference of Saint Vincent de Paul was led by founding President Michael Mastrianni with Margaret Klingmeyer as Treasurer. The Society members began to meet on a monthly basis to grow in holiness and help serve those in need who contacted the conference…

From Youth Ministry: Welcome Back to the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass!

From Youth Ministry: Welcome Back to the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass!

Attention All High School Students!
Welcome Back to the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass and Our Youth Ministry Program!

Please join us this Sunday, September 11 for our Welcome Back Event – Build Your Own Sundae -outside after the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass at St. Paul.

Our Youth Ministry Team – Luke, Jimmy, Katie, Christian, Eve, and Christina – will be on hand to answer questions about Youth Ministry and discuss upcoming events and happenings. For more information on our Youth Ministry Program and Team please visit the website sjspwellesley.org/youthministry – you can contact us at youthministry@sjspwellesley.org

Celebrating St. Vincent de Paul: The History

Celebrating St. Vincent de Paul: The History

As Christians we are called to minister to the poor and needy among us. The parable of the Good Samaritan offers a prime example of the ministry Jesus envisioned. Throughout more than two millennia, service to the poor has been an important component of all Christian ministries. Guided by the vision and leadership of St. Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frederic Ozanam, a world-wide Vincentian community carries out its mission of service to the poor while fostering spiritual development of all its members.

St. Vincent is recognized as the “Apostle of Charity” and “Father of the Poor,” as well as being named patron of all works of charity by Pope Leo XIII in 1885. Vincent de Paul was canonized by Pope Clement XII in 1737. St. Vincent de Paul’s Feast Day is September 27…

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