Adult Faith Enrichment – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

A Message from Fr. John Connelly

Fr. John Connelly has been in residence at St. John the Evangelist Parish since 2013, when he retired at the age of 90 after 30 years as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Newton. We are so blessed to have had him with us for the past eight years, and will be forever grateful for all the ways he has enriched our faith community with his wisdom, grace, and humor, and for the profound impact he has had on parishioners and staff alike. Fr. Connelly recently made the decision to move to Regina Cleri, the priests’ retirement home in Boston, and asked us to share this message.

I have enjoyed quite a remarkable tenure here in Wellesley, and St. John’s will always have a special place in my heart…

Join “Women of Faith” with TBE Online – This Thursday, June 17th at 7:30pm

All are welcome to an evening with Rabbi Rachel Saphire (Temple Beth Elohim), Rev. Margaret Schwarzer (St. Andrew’s Episcopal), Rev. Dr. Kelly Murphy Mason (UU Wellesley Hills), and Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Music and Liturgy (St. John-St. Paul Collaborative) on Zoom for sisterhood, faith, and fellowship.

Each spiritual leader will share a few teachings from their tradition that speak most meaningfully to them. We’ll have an opportunity for discussion and questions as well. All people of faith from all traditions are welcome!

This event will take place through Zoom – pre-registration is required…

Race Amity Day – Sunday, June 13

Race Amity Day Prayer Vigil Natick Common
Sunday, June 13, 2021 from 7pm-8pm

Race Amity is about peace and harmony between peoples of all cultures and races. Sunday, June 13, is Race Amity Day in Massachusetts. Local alumni from the JustFaith programs have planned an interfaith prayer vigil to celebrate the Race Amity Day with the wider community, and we warmly invite you to join in this hope-filled occasion.

Discerning Deacons

Discerning Deacons is a group of faithful Catholics, dedicated to providing educational opportunities and conversations in parishes and communities surrounding women in the diaconate. Their mission is to engage Catholics in the active discernment of our Church regarding women and the diaconate. Discerning Deacons prays, witnesses, and hopes as our Church approaches a second papal commission for the examination of the restoration of women to the diaconate in October, 2021.

A documentary film crew will be visiting St. John the Evangelist Parish on Sunday, June 27th at the 9AM Mass. All footage will be shot from behind the congregation (similar to our regular livestream). The footage will be used to create a short film being debuted on the Feast of St. Phoebe, September 3, 2021. The film will witness women who have experienced a call to the diaconate, who are already serving in diaconal roles, and who wait in patient hope to be ordained in their vocation.

“Women of Faith” with TBE Online – Thursday, June 17th at 7:30pm

All are welcome to an evening with Rabbi Rachel Saphire (Temple Beth Elohim), Reverend Margaret Schwarzer (St. Andrew’s Episcopal) , Rev. Dr. Kelly Murphy Mason (UU Wellesley Hills), and Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Music and Liturgy (St. John-St. Paul Collaborative) on Zoom for sisterhood, faith, and fellowship.

This event will take place through Zoom – pre-registration is required.

Evening for Women: Mass with Fr. Jim Laughlin on Tuesday, May 18 at 7:00pm

Please join us Tuesday, May 18 at 7pm as Fr. Laughlin celebrates Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church to mark the end of our 2020-2021 Evening for Women programming. If you are not comfortable attending in person, the Mass will be live streamed on the Collaborative website and YouTube channel where you can join us virtually. Reservations are not required, but we will continue to observe Covid safety protocols including social distancing and mask wearing.

Spring Bible Study: The Gospel According to Saint Luke

Please join us for a study of The Gospel According to Saint Luke on Wednesdays at 10:00am beginning May 19. A donation of $20 is appreciated to cover the costs of the two books which will be available for pick up at the parish offices by Monday, May 17.

Please email in advance to secure your copy of the study books and your Zoom invitation: kelly.meraw@sjspwellesley.org or davidebkhorn@gmail.com

A Message from Anne Mears

As many of you already know, I am stepping down from my full-time role as Coordinator of Pastoral Care from the middle of May. Although the decision to leave has been a very difficult one, I am looking forward to what God has in store for the next phase of my life.

For the past two years, I have also been enrolled part-time at BC for a MA in Theology and Ministry and I am looking forward to completing my studies there. I am also relishing the opportunity to spend some more time with my family and will of course continue to serve the Collaborative “from the pews.”…

Caring for Our Common Home: Let’s Remember to Honor Our Mother Earth

On the seventh day there was silence in heaven. The mighty wind of life was still. The sea was calm. The morning stars glistened. And earth slept. The work was finished. Creation had been born and the Mother of all things rested. It was a holy day. The heavens and the earth were well. God saw its fullness, creation’s seventh day. (Genesis 2, adapted by Philip Newell)

Caring for Our Common Home: “We Will be More Resilient If We Work Together”

During a live internet event on Earth Day, Pope Francis addressed both world leaders who were participating in a global climate summit and also all citizens of the world. Though the pope cautioned that “we are at the brink” with climate change, he said that it is not too late for us or the environment and advised all that “we will be more resilient if we work together.”

Pope Francis called the gathering “a happy occasion” and said it was an initiative that puts all of humanity on a path toward better stewardship of nature. He has high hopes for accomplishing the goals set forth in the Paris Agreement and is already looking ahead to the next United Nations climate conference, COP 26, which is scheduled for November in Glasgow, Scotland.

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