The Scribes and Pharisees are eager to condemn the woman in today’s Gospel without considering the ways they themselves fail to live in accordance with the law. Jesus compels them to self-reflection.
In what ways have you been prone to judge and condemn those around you? Are your judgments related to the ways you fail to examine your own conscience effectively?
Zoom Info Session Thursday, May 1, 2025, 6 PM – 7:15 PM
For over three decades, the Partakers College Behind Bars Mentoring Program has changed lives by matching teams of volunteer mentors with incarcerated individuals enrolled in college degree programs based in MA prisons. Partakers mentors develop transformative helping relationships with College Behind Bars students and support their mentees as they navigate the academic and personal challenges of pursuing higher education in the prison setting.
We now have six SJSP mentors and it would be great to get another team of 4! Please join us to hear about Partaker’s powerful mentoring program…
Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00pm at St. Paul Church
Please join us on Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00pm for Fr. Bryan Hehir’s Lenten Lecture: “Pope Francis, the Church, and the World.”
This lecture will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person at the St. Paul Livestream link…
When Fr. Gabriel arrived in the St. John-Paul II community in Bamenda, the people had no place to worship together and were hanging on by a thread. He told himself, “We must have a church here.” The people asked him, “Father, how can we have a church here? We have no land, we have nothing.” He answered, “We just pray. God will show us a way.” Fr. Gabriel told them to look for anything – any building, any place someone offers to start their church. A family came to him and said, “Father, we have a piece of land, and a chicken coop…”
So they cleared out the chickens, cleaned up the building, and started their church. Even this seemed like a small miracle, despite the fact that half of the large and growing congregation had to remain outside during Mass. They continued to dream of and pray for the proper church they would build someday – even if it took 30-40-50 years – where the whole community would be able to worship in together…
The parable of the Prodigal Son invites us to consider the relationships in our lives and the extravagant love of God that is offered to each of us. Whether we are lost or found, Jesus says to each of us “you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31)
Is there an area in your life (a relationship, feeling, emotion, or habit) that feels lost or separate from God’s love and mercy? What would it mean to let God embrace this area of your life?
Monday night’s program featured outstanding sacred music, scripture, and poetry that spanned the ages of our Catholic tradition. While these elements were woven together, participants were guided into prayer and contemplation surrounding their personal Lenten journey. After, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was available to all who wished to receive it.
The ensemble included Kelly Meraw and William Endicott, and several parishioners served as readers of sacred scripture and poetry along with Fr. Jim and Sister Colleen. Fr. Bryan, Fr. Gabriel, and Fr. Lesley were also on hand to participate in the service and offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Many parishioners remark that this evening is one they look forward to all year, because the opportunity for prayer, reflection, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation has become an important part of their personal Lenten journey…
All women of the Collaborative are warmly invited – dinner will be served and carpool arrangements are available.
WITH FACILITATOR SARA MILONE
Steeped in Jesuit education, Sara received her B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, a M.Ed. from Loyola Marymount University, and a M.Div. and Post-Master’s Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Her areas of ministry experience include high school campus ministry and education, parish youth ministry, college and young adult retreats, hospital chaplaincy, adult faith formation and spiritual direction.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are searching for meaning and consolation, we invite you to join a Seasons of Hope group here at the Collaborative. Seasons of Hope is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions, and practices of the Catholic Church. The sessions help explore mourning through scripture, prayer, reflection activities, and faith sharing.
Monday Evenings from 5:00 – 6:30pm
March 31, April 7, 14, 28, May 5, 12
St. John the Evangelist Church – Powers Hall
Registration Required…
In this week’s readings, our Lord asks Moses to remove his sandals as the place he is standing is Holy Ground. God was physically present to Moses in the burning bush.
In what moments of your life have you experienced Holy Ground? What was your response to God being revealed to you in that moment?
Monday, March 24
7:00-7:45pm at St. John the Evangelist Church
Music, Prayer, and Contemplation followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation
All are invited for an evening of outstanding sacred music, scripture, and poetry that span the ages of our Catholic tradition. While these elements are woven together, participants will be guided into prayer and contemplation surrounding their personal Lenten journey.
Following the liturgy there will be an opportunity for those who wish to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.