Adult Faith Enrichment – Page 19 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Walking with Purpose Bible Study for Women: Reclaiming Friendship

God never intended us to walk our paths alone – and yet, this is how many of us find ourselves today. Whether it be due to the isolation of the ongoing pandemic or the stress of everyday obligations, we, as women, often put our needs last. But the spiritual need is one that cannot be ignored, and neither is the need for human connection…

Let’s fill our hearts with community and our minds with God’s Word as we embark on a shared journey of discovery and growth that will lead us closer to each other and closer to God. We encourage all women of all ages to join our Walking With Purpose Bible Study entitled Reclaiming Friendship. No previous Bible Study experience is required…

“Examining Our Public Commitment to Faith in Action” – A Workshop with Rev. J. Bryan Hehir on September 30

The social unrest and racial reckoning of the past year have inspired many to consider how faith ought to be lived in a public arena in the Covid era. As social distancing requirements ease, we have an opportunity to examine how we publicly practice our faith to stand in solidarity with those whom society marginalizes.

Join A Faith That Does Justice and Rev. J. Bryan Hehir for a Workshop to examine your public commitment to your faith. In-Person: Saint Cecilia Parish Hall 18 Belvidere Street, Boston Virtually: Zoom

TONIGHT at 7:00pm! Virtual Prayer Service and Gathering on the Feast of St. Phoebe – REGISTER NOW!

Discerning Deacons invites Catholics to gather virtually to pray for the intercession of St. Phoebe, listen to powerful testimonies from Catholic women engaged in diaconal ministry, and express our collective hope that the Church would “receive them in the Lord,” just as St. Paul asked the Church in Rome to receive Phoebe the diakonos in Romans 16:1-2.

Click here to register for the Zoom liturgy.

Background

The Second Vatican Council (1962-65) renewed the ministry of the diaconate in the Catholic Church — restoring it as a permanent state of life, opening it to married men, and teaching that deacons are ordained to serve in liturgy, word and charity to the people of God. At the Council itself, and in the decades that followed, a question has consistently emerged among popes and bishops and many others: Might the restoration and renewal of this ministry also involve giving official recognition to the diaconal ministry exercised by women?

From Discerning Deacons: “Called to Serve: Two Women’s Witness”

Discerning Deacons, a group whose mission is to engage Catholics in the active discernment of our Church about women and the diaconate, has released a short introduction to two women seeking ordination to the diaconate in the Boston region: Philomėne Pèan and our own Kelly Meraw. Both Philomėne and Kelly are working in full time positions to serve members of their communities and churches, and feel a longing to be ordained as deacons. This would, they say, be a faithful restoration of ancient orders for women to the diaconate, a respected role women held for centuries before it fell out of practice.

This fall, Pope Francis invites the Church around the world to go on a journey of renewal by becoming a more listening, participatory, and inclusive Church. Discerning Deacons hopes stories like Kelly and Philomėne can have space to be heard within this inspiring process. They seek to acknowledge these women’s work and dreams, and to hopefully reimagine how their gifts can be received within the Church… Please take a few minutes to watch this inspiring introduction to two extraordinary women of faith –

This Thursday, August 26 at 7:00pm: Join Us for a “Discerning Deacons” Conversation

In response to the call of the Holy Father to a synodal and listening Church, the SJSP Discerning Deacons Circle is hosting a collaborative-wide evening to explore the role of the Deacon, the history of women in the Diaconate, and the restoration of women to the Diaconate.

“There’s a glove somewhere that’s been thrown down. The women have put up a sign and said, ‘Please listen to us. May we be heard.’ And I pick up that gauntlet.”
Pope Francis

Please join us for conversation and refreshments or join us via Livestream:

Thursday, August 26 at 7:00pm
St. John the Evangelist Parish Sanctuary

Join Us Thursday, August 26 at 7pm for a “Discerning Deacons” Conversation

“There’s a glove somewhere that’s been thrown down. The women have put up a sign and said, ‘Please listen to us. May we be heard.’ And I pick up that gauntlet.” Pope Francis

Please join us for conversation and refreshments or join us via Livestream:

Thursday, August 26 at 7:00pm
St. John the Evangelist Parish Sanctuary

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.