sjspwellesley – Page 7 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Family Faith Formation: Salt & Light (6-7) this Sunday, February 1 at 4pm at St. John

This is a Family Session – students accompanied by a parent/guardian. Children may not be “dropped off” without a parent or guardian for Family Sessions.

This Family Session will begin with an opening prayer and “Focus on Faith” reflection on “The Sacraments of Initiation” with Sr. Colleen Gibson. We will talk about what a sacrament is and what is meant by “sacramental grace,” focusing in particular on the three Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. These are the sacraments that welcome us into the Christian community and provide the foundation for our lifelong journey in the faith…

Important Update from the Pastoral Care Team

Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, will be away from the Collaborative on medical leave following a planned surgery from January 29 until mid-March.

During this time, please reach out to Sister Colleen Gibson SSJ, Coordinator of Pastoral Care, for all Pastoral Care concerns. Sister Colleen can be reached by email at cgibson@sjspwellesley.org or by calling either parish office.

We will, as a Collaborative community, hold Kelly in our prayers while she recovers. Please know that she will continue to hold us in hers.

Archbishop Coakley: “Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter…”

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, released the following reflection and invitation on Wednesday, January 28:

“Many people today feel powerless in the face of violence, injustice, and social unrest. To those who feel this way, I wish to say clearly: your faithfulness matters. Your prayers matter. Your acts of love and works of justice matter.

I am deeply grateful for the countless ways Catholics and all people of good will continue to serve one another and work for peace and justice. Whether feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, caring for the sick, accompanying the lonely, visiting the imprisoned, or striving daily to love their neighbors, no work of mercy or act of justice is ever wasted in the eyes of God. While proper laws must be respected, works of mercy, peacefully assembling, and caring for those in your community are signs of hope, and they build peace more surely than anger or despair ever could…”

February 3 Evening for Women: “Contemplative Prayer in a Polarized World” with Guest Speaker Dr. Brian Robinette

February 3, 2026 at 6:30pm
St. John the Evangelist Church – Lower Level

“Evening for Women” is excited to welcome Dr. Brian Robinette, Professor of Theology at Boston College (and St. Paul’s Parishioner!) to speak about the theology and practice of contemplative prayer and how contemplation can help us in the context of a polarized world.

Followed by a potluck dinner in Powers Hall – bring a friend and a dish to share!

Please visit the Evening for Women page for more information and the full schedule for the year.

Fr. Jim to Participate in Community Read of “What to a slave is the 4th of July” – February 1 at 2pm at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church

Representatives from all Wellesley churches (including our own Fr. Jim!) are participating in this Community Reading of “What to a slave is the 4th of July” on Sunday, February 1 at 2:00pm at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church.

All are invited!

We’re Joining Capuchin Mobile Ministries for “Winter Walk 2026” on Sunday, February 8!

Please consider joining us on the Capuchin Mobile Ministries Winter Walk Team to help raise awareness and vital funds for those experiencing homelessness. All are welcome – individuals, families, adults, kids – even dogs! It’s a great opportunity to join together in service with other members of our SJSP community! While those who are able to fundraise or make a personal donation for Capuchin Mobile Ministries are encouraged to do so, it not required to participate in the walk…

A group from the Collaborative is taking the Green Line in to Boston from the Riverside T Station in Newton…

Storm Update! Important Mass Schedule Changes

Heavy snow is expected to begin on Sunday in the early afternoon and continue overnight and through much of the day on Monday, with accumulations of up to 24 inches possible. The National Weather Service has stated that the heavy snow, combined with dangerously cold temperatures, will make travel difficult to impossible from Sunday evening through midday Monday.

In response we are adjusting our Mass schedule for Sunday and Monday to help keep everyone safe.

Sunday, January 25:
7:30am Mass at St. Paul
9:00am Family Mass at St. Paul (followed by Family Faith Formation)
11:00am Mass at St. Paul
12:00pm Mass at St. John
5:00PM YOUTH MASS CANCELLED

Monday, January 26:
9:00AM DAILY MASS CANCELLED

This Sunday, January 25: Family Faith Formation at St. Paul

We’re so excited to welcome our Mustard Seeds families back to a new month of Family Faith Formation!

Our theme for January is The Sacraments of Initiation, and the sessions will be led by Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy.

We will learn what a sacrament is and what is meant by “sacramental grace.” We’ll focus in particular on the three Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation. These are the sacraments that welcome us into the Christian community and provide the foundation for our lifelong journey in the faith…

Leaving Lives of Certainty – A Reflection for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time by Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy

The readings from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time offer us a timely glimpse into our often unpredictable and erratic human experience. The reading from the Prophet Isaiah shares the redemption story of a people liberated to abundant joy and great rejoicing after a period of distress, darkness, and anguish.

Our Psalmist today stokes a fire of trust in the Lord through her refrain “The Lord is My Light and My Salvation” in an almost conscious, effortful recollection of God’s provision. It is as if she has built an altar in her heart, an interior refuge, dedicated to the moments God has met her in turmoil and delivered her from fear. An altar she needs to visit and revisit, to remind herself of what is true, particularly in times of darkness…

February “Evening for Women” with Guest Speaker Dr. Brian Robinette