The Assumption reminds us our bodies are blessings

<i>The Assumption reminds us our bodies are blessings</i>

This column by Sr. Colleen Gibson, SSJ appeared in Global Sister Report on August 15, 2025

A few weeks ago, my beloved grandmother passed away. At 93 years old, she had lived a full life. Passing the news of her death along to friends, sisters, and colleagues came with a mix of emotions.

I was sad, for sure, and yet the fact that I had her in my life for nearly four decades was a blessing not lost on me.

As a woman I work with passed on her family’s condolences, she also conveyed her teenaged daughter’s amazement. “Sister still had her grandma?!” the girl remarked with shock and awe. The same was true of condolences from my sisters in community, many of whom underscored the blessing of my grandmother’s long presence in my life…

Friday, August 22: More Summer Fun with the Young Adult Ministry!

Friday, August 22: More Summer Fun with the Young Adult Ministry!

Join the SJSP Young Adults for some summer fun on Friday, August 22nd  as we enjoy some mini golf & ice cream! We’ll meet at 7:00PM at Golf on the Village Green in Natick for a round of mini golf ($9) and then head to Truly’s in Wellesley for ice cream!  

 All young adults (age 21-40) from in and around the SJSP Collaborative are invited – bring a friend & we’ll look forward to a great night out! Click here to RSVP and let us know if you need a ride! 

Make sure you never miss an event by signing up for the Young Adult text/email list! 

Wednesday, September 3, 2025: Feast of St. Phoebe Celebration

Wednesday, September 3, 2025: Feast of St. Phoebe Celebration

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

St. John the Evangelist Church

7:00PM: Evening Prayer (Upper Church)

8:00PM: Virtual Feast of St. Phoebe Celebration with Discerning Deacons (Powers Hall)

All are welcome for our second-annual Feast of St. Phoebe celebration!

We will be joined by students and faculty of Clough School of Theology at Boston College and parishioners of St. Ignatius Parish.

Prayer in Honor of the Queenship of Mary

Prayer in Honor of the Queenship of Mary

A Reflection by Sr. Colleen Gibson, Coordinator of Pastoral Care, from the August issue of Give Us This Day

Soon after graduating from college, I found myself immersed as a yearlong volunteer in a trilingual parish. Dedicated to the Visitation, the parish brought together new immigrants and well-established neighbors to worship side by side. While each language group had their own Sunday liturgies, our shared celebrations were an amalgamation of Vietnamese, Spanish, and English. At daily Mass, a simple prompt to recite the Hail Mary would bring forth a symphony of praise as tongues as varied as the faces in the pews filled the packed basement chapel…

Good Samaritan

Good Samaritan

A Reflection by Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, from the Build the Faith blog

Our Catholic lectionary recently brought us to this familiar dusty spot, on a hot and dangerous stretch of road. While the story itself is familiar and its message unequivocal, we see irrefutable evidence all around us that the Christian community still struggles with the concept of Love of Neighbor.

It seems clear, doesn’t it? You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, being, strength and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself…

Friday, August 15: The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday, August 15: The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A Holy Day of Obligation

MASS SCHEDULE

9:00am Mass at St. Paul Church

7:00pm Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church

The Assumption refers to Mary, “free from… original sin,” being assumed (taken up) into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her life. The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates this Church teaching on August 15 each year.

Prison Ministry Update

Prison Ministry Update

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. 

This past June EPI celebrated the graduation of several students many of whom spoke of their Partakers mentors saying they could not have done it without their support. Current students just completed their summer course work and have a 6 week break before their Fall session begins with Macroeconomics, Spanish 2 and other courses. Our SJSP mentors continue to support their students with visits and emails.

If you’ve been thinking you might be interested in mentoring, please email Chrissy Cassa (chrissy.cassa1358@gmail.com) for more information.

Young Adult Summer Events

Young Adult Summer Events

The SJSP Young Adult community had a beautiful evening for their summer cookout last weekend following the 4:00PM Mass at St. Paul.  Over a dozen young adults, age 21-40, enjoyed a night of grilled goodies and fun lawn games with the priests-in-residence at St. Paul Rectory and our pastor, Fr. Jim. Sister Colleen made sure everyone was well fed with her barbecuing talents and Fathers Gabriel and Lesley learned how to play a game new to them: cornhole!

We also discovered that Fr. Gabriel is an ace at calling his shots and the passing traffic on Washington Street took in the view of a heated match of bocce on the church’s front lawn. Between rounds of catch and paddle ball, everyone delighted in fresh watermelon and a batch of cannoli provided by participants. 

Our next event – a summer outing for mini-golf and ice cream – will be later this month for all Young Adults in the Collaborative!  Keep your eyes peeled for details coming soon and be sure to sign-up for Young Adult Ministry text and e-mail reminders so that you never miss an event!

With Gratitude to Dr. Elizabeth “Betty” Rock

With Gratitude to Dr. Elizabeth “Betty” Rock

Since 2023, St. Paul Parish has received over $95,000 from the estate of Dr. Elizabeth “Betty” Rock, a longtime St. Paul parishioner who passed away in 2022.

Dr. Rock joined the faculty at Wellesley College in 1959 and was a Professor of Chemistry there until her retirement in 1992. She was a beloved teacher to generations of students and a treasured mentor to faculty throughout the College. She was also a longtime member of the U.S. Army Science Board (ASB), one of only a handful of women who served at the time she became involved. According to an ASB spokesperson, “Her reputation and her work on the ASB leave a legacy that will never be forgotten.”

The Parish is most grateful for Dr. Rock’s kindness, and her bequest will benefit St. Paul Parish for many years to come.

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