Bridging the Gap Between Life and Death – A Reflection by Sr. Colleen Gibson, SSJ

<i>Bridging the Gap Between Life and Death</i> – A Reflection by Sr. Colleen Gibson, SSJ

Who wants to think about death – their own or that of others? The temptation is to pass over talk of death in favor of new life. Yet if our faith teaches us anything, it is that the negative space of death has the ability, like negative space in art, to reveal the beauty of the bigger picture.

All Souls’ Day, coupled with All Saints’ Day, invites us right into that space. It invites us to bridge the gap between life and death. It asks us to put our faith on full display. Faith in the resurrection. Faith that in the dying and the rising of the everyday we grow closer to Christ. Faith that no matter who we lose in this life to death, they are never lost to God…

Thank You from Kelley Tuthill, President and CEO Catholic Charities Boston

Thank You from Kelley Tuthill, President and CEO Catholic Charities Boston

Kelley asked that we share the following message with the Evening for Women program: 

I want to thank you all for inviting me to speak at Tuesday night’s Evening for Women and for the warm welcome.  I am proud to be part of such an amazing community at St. John-St. Paul’s and grateful for the opportunity to share the important work of Catholic Charities with you. I appreciate the support so many of you have given to our clients over the years. I was inspired by your thoughtful questions and your eagerness to learn about how you can continue to make an impact for our neighbors in need. 

I want to share with you some ways to get involved…

October 23 Collaborative Book Club: “What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed” by Bishop Barron

October 23 Collaborative Book Club: “What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed” by Bishop Barron

Our next meeting will be Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm in the St. Paul office – we discuss the second half of What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed by Bishop Robert Barron.

Newcomers are always welcome! Meetings are in person on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings of each month.

For questions or information about joining us, email us at:  bookclub@sjspwellesley.org

Friday Morning Bible Study: First and Second Corinthians

Friday Morning Bible Study: First and Second Corinthians

A study of St. Paul’s First and Second Letters to the Corinthians will begin on Friday morning, October 31, from 10-11:30am in the rectory of St. Paul’s Parish.

Later meetings will be on Fridays: November 7, 14, December 5, 12. (Please note there will be no meetings on November 21 and 28.)

Our guidebook will be First and Second Corinthians, published by the Liturgical Press.  The book can be ordered from Liturgical Press or from Amazon 

Friday, October 24: “Women of the Spirit: Renewing the Face of the Earth” – An Evening Retreat Facilitated by Anne Mears

Friday, October 24: <i>“Women of the Spirit: Renewing the Face of the Earth”</i> – An Evening Retreat Facilitated by Anne Mears

Are you longing to encounter the Spirit of Hope?
To witness the fire of God’s love burning?
To rest by the refreshing waters of God’s peace?
Together, we will spend time in conversation, prayer and reflection as we open ourselves to the work of the Spirit; enlivening creation, gracing our lives, and empowering us to collaborate in the work of renewing the face of the earth.”

Dinner will be served – registration is required…

October 14: “Evening for Women” with Guest Speaker Kelley Tuthill, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, Boston

October 14: “Evening for Women” with Guest Speaker Kelley Tuthill, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, Boston

October 14, 2025 at 6:30pm
St. John the Evangelist Church – Lower Level

With Guest Speaker: Kelley Tuthill
President and CEO of Catholic Charities Boston

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.

Seasons of Hope: A Faith Sharing Group for Those Who Mourn

Seasons of Hope: A Faith Sharing Group for Those Who Mourn
Monday Evenings, 5:00 – 6:30pm
October 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24
St. John the Evangelist Church – Powers Hall

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. 

Registration Required:  sjspwellesley.org/seasons-of-hope

Collaborative Book Club: “What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed” by Bishop Robert Barron

Collaborative Book Club: “What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed” by Bishop Robert Barron

Our first meeting of the fall will be this Thursday, October 9 at 7:00pm in the St. Paul office.

This week we discuss the first half of What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed by Bishop Robert Barron.

Newcomers are always welcome! Meetings are in person on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings of each month.

For questions or information about joining us, email us at:  bookclub@sjspwellesley.org

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