An Important Message from Fr. Jim: Announcing Our New Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy

An Important Message from Fr. Jim: Announcing Our New Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy

It is my great pleasure to announce that Sister Colleen Gibson will be assuming the role of Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy for the Collaborative effective immediately.

Sister Colleen joined us in the fall of 2023 as Coordinator of Pastoral Care, working in partnership with Kelly Meraw, our former Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, to offer faith formation and enrichment programs, facilitate service and outreach initiatives, and coordinate sacramental liturgies and services across the Collaborative…

Risking It for The Impossible – A Reflection on Matthew 14:22-33 by Kelly Meraw

Risking It for The Impossible – A Reflection on Matthew 14:22-33 by Kelly Meraw

For the most part, I consider myself to be a highly decisive person. Some would call it “impulsive”, and on occasion they’d be right, but in general I prefer “resolute”. Stubbornly self-sufficient and willing to face any resulting consequences, my first instincts are typically my lasting ones. I’m plagued by very little doubt or regret and, by God’s grace, I haven’t yet met any catastrophic repercussions…

It’s for this reason that I’ve always loved Peter. Simon Peter, who drops his whole life to follow a man he’d just met, because he was that resolute…

George Cronin: Our New Collaborative Facilities and Property Manager

George Cronin: Our New Collaborative Facilities and Property Manager

George Cronin, who has served the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative for 10 years as the Facility Manager for St. John the Evangelist Parish and Saint John School, has been named to the newly-created position of Collaborative Facilities and Property Manager, with responsibility for all buildings and grounds at St. John, St. Paul, and Saint John School.

George and Dave have been working together to ensure a smooth transition for the work at St. Paul, and we know you join us in welcoming him to this new role.

Dave Pini, St. Paul Property Manager, Retires

Dave Pini, St. Paul Property Manager, Retires

Dave Pini, a life-long parishioner and dedicated St. Paul employee of more than 50 years (his service to St. Paul began on a part time basis in the 1970s!)  is retiring from his position as property manager effective August 9, 2026. St. Paul Parish has long been known for its beautifully landscaped and well-maintained grounds, which has been a labor of love for Dave for all these many years, along with our church, rectory, and school buildings. We have been extraordinarily blessed by Dave’s 50+ years of dedication to the parish, and we know you join us in wishing him every blessing as he begins this new chapter in his life. He will be deeply missed.    

This Tuesday, August 11, all are invited to join us for a special Mass at St. Paul Church at 10:30am, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall to honor and thank Dave and wish him well in retirement.

Msgr. Lind’s Funeral Mass Recording, Obituary in the Pilot, and Photos

Msgr. Lind’s Funeral Mass Recording, Obituary in the Pilot, and Photos

From The Pilot: Obituary: Msgr. Joseph G. Lind, Boston’s oldest priest, former pastor in Wellesley

Boston’s oldest priest, Msgr. Joseph G. Lind, died on July 17, 2026, at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Born in Newton on Oct. 24, 1927, he was 98. He was raised in St. John the Evangelist Parish in Wellesley, one of the four children of the late Frank and Winifred (Joyce) Lind. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his siblings, Frank, Richard, and Mary (Lind) Devlin…”

Ultreia et Suseia: Camino Wisdom for Us All

<i>Ultreia et Suseia:</i> Camino Wisdom for Us All

“You walked how far??”

This question has become a kind of refrain in the wake of my return from the Camino de Santiago earlier this summer. There, with twenty-four young women going into their senior year of high school and a cohort of dedicated chaperones, we trekked over 200 miles across Spain.

Any length of the Camino, be it the minimum 100km, the over 300km my group traversed, or the nearly 800km from the French border (or more if you, like some we met, came from far beyond), is an accomplishment. No distance, it seems, is requisite to capture the wisdom and grace of such a pilgrimage. As we came to learn, each Camino is as unique as the one who makes the pilgrimage…

Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Lind (October 27, 1927 – July 17, 2026)

Rev. Msgr. Joseph G. Lind (October 27, 1927 – July 17, 2026)

It is with combined sadness and gratitude for a beautiful life of ministry that we let you know that Msgr. Joseph Lind, beloved longtime pastor of St. Paul Parish, went home to God yesterday. What a remarkable gift he has been to us and to the Church – how many lives he has blessed with his presence and faith! Requiescat in pace

Instead of flowers, the family of Msgr. Lind asks for celebration of “Fr. Joe’s” legacy through contributions to the retirement home for senior priests of the Archdiocese of Boston at Clergy Trust/Regina Cleri, 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA 02184 or St. Paul Parish 502 Washington Street Wellesley, MA 02482.

Sisters Mark Milestone Anniversaries – Including Sister Evelyn Ronan!

Sisters Mark Milestone Anniversaries – Including Sister Evelyn Ronan!

On June 28, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur gathered at Emmanuel College to honor 10 Jubilarians, including Sister Evelyn Ronan, beloved Pastoral Associate at St. John from 1993-2016 and a 70 Year Jubilarian! The sisters participated in Mass, renewed their vows and celebrated with family and friends. Sister Pat  O’Brien gave the homily, which included these thoughts:

As I bring these reflections to a close, I invite you to bring to mind the Jubilarians we celebrate today and to recall a time when one of them blessed you with one of the gifts of which Saint Paul writes – a time when she bore with you or treated you gently; when she treated you with compassion or kindness; when she modeled humility; when she forgave you; when she brought peace or unity; when you felt her love, even if it was tough love. Hold that moment in your heart, give thanks for the encounter and for the woman who brought it to you, and pray for the grace to give that gift to someone in your life…”

Family Faith Formation News from Fr. Jim

Family Faith Formation News from Fr. Jim

I am writing to let you know that Linda Messore is no longer working as Director of Children’s Faith Formation for the Collaborative. We are thankful for her many years of service and wish her well in her future endeavors.

We have begun a formal search for a Director of Family Faith Formation to lead our Mustard Seeds (K-2), Loaves & Fishes (3-5), and Salt & Light (6 & 7) programs, as well as our programs for First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation (typically Grade 2), and Confirmation preparation (Grade 8 and up.)

We will share more information later in the summer about the coming year as we continue our ongoing renewal of our faith formation ministry…

A Word from Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy

A Word from Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy

It is with thankfulness I share exciting news of where the Holy Spirit has led me. In late August, I will step into the role of Director of Vocal Music at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. The mission of Sacred Heart Schools – to form courageous, globally-minded young women for leadership – is in direct concert with the ways God continues to call me in ministry. I’m inspired to join the seasoned faculty, empowering young women in strong social awareness, active faith, intellectual values, service, and personal growth.

I will always hold a space of deep gratitude and sacredness for my time working at St. John-St. Paul Collaborative…

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