Adult Faith Enrichment Book Study: “Building a Bridge”

Adult Faith Enrichment Book Study: “Building a Bridge”

Christ came to call everyone, but He had a special devotion to those on the margins. If He were walking the earth today, He would likely have a ministry joyfully dedicated to our LGBT brothers and sisters. Here at the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative, we can be His hands and feet. Join us as we embark on a four-week study of Fr. James Martin, SJ’s essential book, “Building A Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity.” 

Meetings will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm in the Collaborative Boardroom at the St. John Parish Center beginning May 10 – to register please…

May is the Month of Mary – May Crowning at the Family Masses on May 7 and May 14

May is the Month of Mary – May Crowning at the Family Masses on May 7 and May 14

At the Sunday 9:00am Family Mass at St. John on May 7 and the Sunday 9:00am Family Mass at St. Paul on May 14 we will celebrate Mary by having a May Crowning.  We invite all parishioners to bring flowers and participate in a May Procession at the end of Mass. 

One child at each Mass will be selected in a drawing to place a floral crown on Mary’s head.  Children who have made their First Communion (in 2023 and older) are invited to participate in the drawing. Look for the registration forms and drawing box in the lobby of each church starting the weekend of April 15 and running through April 30. We will draw the names on Monday May 1…

Cardinal O’Malley Statement in advance of the 10th anniversary of the April 15th Boston Marathon bombing

Cardinal O’Malley Statement in advance of the 10th anniversary of the April 15th Boston Marathon bombing

“On April 15, 2013, Boston experienced an unprecedented attack that took the lives of Martin Richard, Krystle Campbell, Lingzi Lu, MIT Police Officer Sean Collier and Boston Police Sgt. Dennis Simmonds. We will never forget them. Each of their lives was a unique expression of love, concern for others, and courage. They will remain in our prayers as will their loved ones who continue to mourn their loss. Hundreds were injured that day and, in their recovery, have inspired us with their courage and determination to not let hate deter them from living their lives… 

Bishops Release North American Final Document to Conclude Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod

Bishops Release North American Final Document to Conclude Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) have issued the North American Final Document for the Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission (also available in Spanish and French.)

Begun in late 2022, the Continental Stage of the Synod was the second stage of the three-year process initiated by Pope Francis in October 2021. For the North American Continental Stage, the United States and Canada held twelve virtual assemblies: seven in English, three in Spanish, and two in French between December 2022 and January 2023. In total, 931 delegates and 146 bishops from Canada and the United States were appointed to participate in one of these twelve assemblies to share their reflections and responses…

Evening for Women with Dr. Jaime Waters: “The Women Surrounding Jesus at His Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection” – Tuesday, April 11 at 6:00pm

Evening for Women with Dr. Jaime Waters: “The Women Surrounding Jesus at His Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection” – Tuesday, April 11 at 6:00pm

TThe Women’s Night Planning Committee is excited to announce that Dr. Jaime Waters will be our speaker on Tuesday, April 11!  Dr. Waters is an Associate Professor of the Old Testament at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry with a particular interest in women in Scripture. In this Easter Season, Dr. Waters’ presentation will focus on The Women Surrounding Jesus at His Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection.

Please join us in the St. John Chapel (lower level of the church) for Dr. Waters’ presentation at 6:00pm, followed by supper in Powers Hall.  Dinner will be provided – please bring a dessert to share! Please RSVP at https://sjspwellesley.org/evening-for-women/

Dr. Waters’ presentation will be streamed live on our website for those who cannot attend in person…

Easter Message from Fr. Jim

Easter Message from Fr. Jim

Mary Magdalene had barely slept for two nights. When she would begin to drift off, she was filled with an overwhelming sense of doom. Had she just had a nightmare? Then she would awake to the awful reality that it had really happened. She had stood there and seen all her hopes evaporate. Her relationship with Jesus had completely changed her life. She had lost her equilibrium. What did her life even mean without him?< In her grief, she and her friend Mary made their way to the tomb that Sunday morning. Maybe it would bring her some comfort to be close to where his body lay. When she arrived, she was shaken from her stupor. An earthquake. An angel. The stone rolled back. Could it be? Then the light of hope pierced the gloom that had overtaken her. He was alive! He had risen! And she would soon learn that she would never have to live without him. He would promise, “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20) And that is Jesus’ promise to you and me…

Schedule for Holy Week and Easter 2023

Schedule for Holy Week and Easter 2023

It is our joy and privilege to assemble so that together we might enter into the Sacred Triduum: three days beginning with Holy Thursday evening, through Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and ending on Easter Sunday evening. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery. Our liturgies clearly illustrate this reality – you will notice that Thursday’s liturgy has no dismissal, and Good Friday’s liturgy has no entrance and no dismissal.

Once we have entered into this sacred space and time, even when we return home, our hearts and minds remain in a very real way with the Lord Jesus.

Easter Collection for Clergy Trust

Easter Collection for Clergy Trust

Every Easter, all parish collections support Clergy Trust so that they can continue to care for the health and well-being of all active and senior priests in good standing. Our priests have dedicated their lives to serving others, and through their ministry, they create stronger and more compassionate communities. Please consider a generous donation to the Easter collection and join us in supporting the Clergy Trust.

Please take a minute to watch this very brief video featuring Fr. Gerald Souza, pastor of Ascension Parish in Sudbury, who joyfully shares his favorite parts of being a parish priest…

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