24th Annual “Spirit of Sharing” Gift Collection for Saint Patrick Parish, Lawrence

24th Annual “Spirit of Sharing” Gift Collection for Saint Patrick Parish, Lawrence

Begun in our St. John – St. Paul Collaborative, Spirit of Sharing is a Christmas gift program that has brightened the Christmas season for thousands of young boys and girls living at risk for hunger in Lawrence, Massachusetts. When Rev. Paul O’Brien, uncle of three St. John’s School alumni, began serving as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence, he discovered that many parents worked three jobs yet could not afford to provide Christmas presents to their sons and daughters.

Spirit of Sharing was founded to share our community’s time and treasure with members of this faithful, family-oriented, and financially impoverished community just about thirty miles away. With the help of many teen and adult volunteers, we collect donations from our area and then, on the Saturday before Christmas, categorize and display them, greet the parents, and assist them in selecting gifts for their children. We invite you to donate gifts for children and/or volunteer (adults and teens 14+) at the event on Saturday, December 20…

Thank You From Our SJSP Conference of St. Vincent de Paul

Thank You From Our SJSP Conference of St. Vincent de Paul

As we enter the Christmas season, the SJSP St. Vincent DePaul Conference wishes to thank the parishioners of the St John- St. Paul Collaborative for their generous support of our efforts. We raised over $23,000 through the Special Second Collection in September at the Outdoor Mass, and our SVDP Fill-a-Truck drive filled the truck for the SVDP thrift stores.

Our fundraising is on-going throughout the year. Donations can be made online on our SVdP page through the parish online giving sites as well as in the SVDP donation boxes at the entrances of the churches. These funds allow us to continue to support those in need in our neighborhoods as well as the overall Boston Diocese.

Each year at Christmastime, we visit parishioners who are home bound, and this year the visits will take place on Saturday, December 13. If anyone desires a visit, please contact either parish office…

This Sunday, December 7: Advent Family Retreat for Mustard Seeds and Loaves & Fishes (Grades K-5)

This Sunday, December 7: Advent Family Retreat for Mustard Seeds and Loaves & Fishes (Grades K-5)

“Waiting in Hope” – An Advent Family Retreat at St. John the Evangelist Church following the 9am Family Mass

We will begin by gathering in the Upper Church at 10:00am for an Opening Prayer and an overview of the retreat activities. Parents and kids will move together through a series of Advent activities before returning to the upper church for a closing song and prayer – a great way to enter together into this season of waiting in hope!

REMINDER: All sessions for Grades K-5 are Family Sessions (children and parent/s together.) Children may not be “dropped off” without a parent or guardian. 

Sing in the Collaborative Children’s Choir on Christmas Eve!

Sing in the Collaborative Children’s Choir on Christmas Eve!

If your child is interested in joining us to sing at the 4pm Mass at St. John on Christmas Eve, come to our rehearsal on Saturday, December 20 at 9am at St. John.

But why wait – start singing at the Family Mass now!

The Collaborative Children’s Choir sings the 9:00am Family Mass weekly during the school year. The Choir is open to children in grades 3-7 (with some flexibility, just ask!)  We meet at 8:30am Sunday mornings to rehearse before the 9:00am Family Mass  – come join us! To express interest or with any questions please email Music Director William Endicott.

Christmas Music and Flowers

Christmas Music and Flowers

Each year at this time we invite you to donate toward Christmas Music and/or Christmas Flowers at your parish in memory or honor of a loved one. 

You may use the Flower and Music envelopes included with your offertory envelopes and drop them in the collection at Mass, or you may mail or drop your donation to either Parish Office.  Please be sure to include the name(s) of those you want remembered in this special way, and please print clearly.

You can also donate online at sjspwellesley.org…

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

×