November 16 Family Faith Formation Recap: “Jesus’ Life and Ministry” with Grades 6-7 Salt & Light

November 16 Family Faith Formation Recap: “Jesus’ Life and Ministry” with Grades 6-7 Salt & Light

Our first Grade 6-7 Salt & Light Student Session was a resounding success!

More than 60 students gathered together with the Pastoral and Children’s Faith Formation teams, as well as our adult and high school volunteers, for reflection, discussion, and even a little competition around this month’s theme of “Jesus’ Life and Ministry.” 

As Sr. Colleen Gibson SSJ, who led the session, noted in her opening remarks, “This month we are talking about Jesus’ life and ministry, and I’m going to do it in about 15 minutes, which is not enough time to do Jesus’ life and ministry. I’ve given my whole life to this, and we’re going to do in 15 minutes.”

Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Update

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

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…

Thursday, November 27 at 9:00am: Our Collaborative Thanksgiving Day Mass at St. Paul Church

Thursday, November 27 at 9:00am: Our Collaborative Thanksgiving Day Mass at St. Paul Church

Each year on Thanksgiving Day, we celebrate one Mass in the Collaborative, inviting all to join together in thanksgiving for our many blessings. This year, our Collaborative Thanksgiving Day Mass will be at 9:00am at St. Paul Church. (The Mass will be livestreamed – please click the St. Paul Livestream link.)

Please Note: This is the only Mass on Thanksgiving Day – there will be no 7:00am Mass at St. John.

Bristol Lodge Food Pantry Collection

Please consider sharing your blessings by bringing non-perishable items for the Bristol Lodge Food Pantry in Waltham. Donations may be placed in the St. Paul main entryway as you come in to Mass – look for the Bristol Lodge Food Pantry signs. 

Advent Resources from Catholic Climate Covenant!

Advent Resources from Catholic Climate Covenant!

Creation Awaits with Eager Expectation – A Daily Advent Journey of Prayer and Reflection, Catholic Climate Covenant

This collection features 26 daily prayers and reflections inspired by Romans 8:19—“For creation awaits with eager expectation for the revelation of the children of God.” Written by a beautifully diverse group of U.S. Catholics, these short prayers and reflections will accompany you throughout the Advent season. Register here

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time with Sr. Colleen Gibson SSJ

Homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time with Sr. Colleen Gibson SSJ

On this 33rd Sunday in ordinary time, the liturgical year is nearly over. And so our readings this week direct our attention to the end times as we prepare for the peace of Christ the King next weekend and then the beginning of Advent and the new liturgical year the weekend after that… Even in the darkest of times, because of our faith, we have a light to shine. And it is at this time in our world, especially when end times seem much more prevalent than light and resolutions, that I think there’s an even greater invitation to harness the fiery hope that guides our way in fear and trial…

November 22-23: Collection for Retired Religious Sisters

November 22-23: Collection for Retired Religious Sisters

This coming weekend, November 22-23, the Archdiocese will take up the Collection for Retired Religious Sisters.

This second collection is used to assist religious communities to provide for the retirement and health care needs of Sisters who have served in the Archdiocese. 

Please take this opportunity to say thank you to the Sisters who have served the Church of Boston so generously for so many years. Your contribution does make a difference.

Collaborative Staff Day of Service

Collaborative Staff Day of Service

On Thursday, November 6, our Collaborative Staff took time away from the office to participate in a day of service with Capuchin Mobile Ministries (CMM) in Jamaica Plain.

After learning more about CMM’s ministry of spiritual accompaniment with those living on the streets, our staff prepared over 125 sandwiches, stocked the outreach van for an afternoon of visits with our brothers and sisters who are unhoused.

Two SJSP staff members joined the friars and CMM chaplains to help distribute sandwiches, coffee, hats, gloves, rosaries, and other goods at stops in and around the city of Boston…

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