This Thursday, September 12: Wellesley Interfaith Lay Dialogue Event: “Synodality: A Language of Listening”

This Thursday, September 12: <i>Wellesley Interfaith Lay Dialogue</i> Event: “Synodality: A Language of Listening”

In late April, Temple Beth Elohim hosted a beautiful night of Shabbat services and interfaith sharing. Members of faith communities throughout the Wellesley community were invited to worship together and hear reflections from representative clergy. From that beautiful event the idea for an interfaith lay ministry arose. Members of various congregations met together and formed the Wellesley Interfaith Lay Dialogue – WILD – whose aim is to explore opportunities for lay conversation and collaboration.

Our first event, facilitated by Kelly Meraw, will be held on Thursday, September 12 at 7:00pm at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley. The topic of the evening’s dialogue will be “Synodality: A Language of  Listening”…

Seasons of Hope: Fall 2024 – Begins September 23

Seasons of Hope: Fall 2024 – Begins September 23

If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are searching for meaning and consolation, we invite you to join our Seasons of Hope group. Seasons of Hope is a Christ-centered group where we will be able to share and learn from each other as we walk together in faith on our unique journey of grief.  

Fall Session Begins September 23. We will gather from 5:00pm – 6:30pm at St. John the Evangelist Church in Powers Hall (lower level of the church) on the following dates: September 23, September 30, October 7, October 14, October 21, and October 28. 

Registration is required: for more information and to register please visit…

Fall Bible Study: Isaiah Part Two – Begins September 18

Fall Bible Study: Isaiah Part Two – Begins September 18

You are invited to join a 6-session Little Rock study of the second part of the prophet Isaiah, chapters 40 to 66. (Part 1 is not required as a prerequisite.)

Dates: September 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23

Time: Wednesdays at 9:30 am

Place: St Paul Parish Hall

Following the oracles of destruction that dominate the earlier portion of the book of Isaiah, Part Two of our study covers Isaiah 40–66, emphasizing the majesty of God and the divine plan for Israel’s restoration…

Evening Prayer on the Feast of St. Phoebe

Evening Prayer on the Feast of St. Phoebe

On September 3 we gathered at St. John to celebrate the Feast of St. Phoebe with song, prayer, and readings from scripture.

Sr. Colleen preached on the life of St. Phoebe, a deacon and mother of the ancient Church, who shared the Good News of Christ’s resurrection through the letter she carried to Rome and the witness she gave by her life. She reminded us of the significance of the St. Paul’s letter to the Romans and the trust and faith he must have had in Deacon Phoebe’s ability to effectively preach it to an unfamiliar and important community. Phoebe’s example still brings hope for women in the Church, and reminds us that we are all called to share the good news and to receive others in the Lord…

Tuesday, September 3: Please Join Us to Celebrate the Feast of St. Phoebe

Tuesday, September 3: Please Join Us to Celebrate the Feast of St. Phoebe

Please join us on Tuesday, September 3 at 7:00pm for our Feast of St. Phoebe Evening Prayer Service at St. John.

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor to many and to me as well.”              

Remembering Fr. Peter Gyves, SJ of “A Faith That Does Justice”

Remembering Fr. Peter Gyves, SJ of “A Faith That Does Justice”

Fr. Peter Gyves, SJ, the founder and director of “A Faith That Does Justice,” died unexpectedly this past week. 

Fr. Peter joined us in October of 2022 to celebrate the Opening Mass for our Evening for Women program, and to share the story of his life and his work with “A Faith That Does Justice,” an interfaith network that challenges people to experience God by living their faith intentionally in service to others, especially the marginalized of the world.  

Before entering the Society of Jesus in 2003 at the age of 52, Fr. Peter was a pediatric endocrinologist. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2008…

Wellesley Interfaith Lay Dialogue (WILD)

Wellesley Interfaith Lay Dialogue (WILD)

In late April, Temple Beth Elohim hosted a beautiful night of Shabbat services and interfaith sharing. Members of faith communities throughout the Wellesley community were invited to worship together and hear reflections from representative clergy. 

From that beautiful event the idea for an interfaith lay ministry arose. Members of various congregations met together and formed WILD (Wellesley Interfaith Lay Dialogue), whose aim is to explore opportunities for lay conversation and collaboration.

Our first event, facilitated by Kelly Meraw, will be held on Thursday, September 12 at 6:00PM at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley. The topic of the evening’s dialogue will be “Synodality: A Language of  Listening”…

Caring for Our Common Home – Roof Garden Experiment!

Caring for Our Common Home – Roof Garden Experiment!

In Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter, “Laudato si’ – On Care for Our Common Home”, he notes that scripture tells us to “till and keep” the garden of the world (cf. Gen 2:15). “Tilling” refers to cultivating, ploughing or working, while “keeping” means caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving. He calls on all of us to consider how even our smallest daily actions and decisions can shape the future of the planet, for better or for worse.

This winter, staff members in the Collaborative Offices (the former Saint John Convent building) came up with the idea of using the roof of the former sunroom to “till and keep” a vegetable garden – the kind of small step that can help shape a better future. Rooftop gardens can have a positive environmental impact, because the increased surface area of vegetation lowers the surrounding air temperature, and the vegetation helps absorb and purify rainwater and storm runoff…

Kelly Meraw Preaching for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene on “Catholic Women Preach”

Kelly Meraw Preaching for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene on “Catholic Women Preach”

Please take a few moments to watch Kelly’s reflection on the readings for July 22, the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene.

Kelly reminds us of Mary’s deep listening to Jesus’ call, and her courage and perseverance in answering his call to “go and tell.”

“He is here. He is alive. He is speaking to us. And we’ve got to tell everyone!”

Click the Play button below to watch the video – 

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