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

Sunday, December 14 at 2pm: <i>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.

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. 

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

November 23 Family Faith Formation Recap: “Jesus’ Life and Ministry” with Grade 3-5 Loaves & Fishes

November 23 Family Faith Formation Recap: “Jesus’ Life and Ministry” with Grade 3-5 Loaves & Fishes

Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, led our Loaves & Fishes Family Session on “Jesus’ Life and Ministry.” 

As a Collaborative family we looked at many different ways Jesus has been depicted, in art and our own imaginations! We learned, as one student shared “that Jesus can look a lot of different ways” and that as one parent shared, “Jesus is always our home.”

We learned that Jesus chose to become fully human but was also fully God. The students learned about the four big reasons Jesus became incarnate for us: to demonstrate an inclusive table, to teach, to heal, and to make us whole with God’s forgiveness…

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

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 6th at 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.

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