A Weekly Exploration of Different Prayer Practices Led by Members of Our SJSP Young Adult Ministry
We are celebrating the Lenten season in a special way as a young adult community at St. John-St. Paul by “Practicing Lent”! Every Tuesday in Lent, join us for a different prayer experience from 7-8PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St. Paul Church. Join us as fellow young adults lead these experiences and we draw closer to God in prayer this Lent!
ALL YOUNG ADULTS (AGE 21-40) WELCOME!
On February 12, Sr. Colleen sat down with Father Dave Dwyer, CSP, host of the Busted Halo Podcast, to talk about loss, presence, and how faith and community can hold us when words fall short.
We all walk through different seasons of life, and Father Dave welcomes Sister Colleen Gibson to discuss accompanying those in times of grief. Sister Colleen belongs to the Sisters of Saint Joseph [of Philadelphia], and co-hosts the “Beyond the Habit” podcast. She currently serves as the Coordinator of Pastoral Care at St. John-St. Paul Catholic Collaborative in Wellesley, MA, where among many things she helps run a bereavement ministry called “Seasons of Hope.”
Sister Colleen first discusses her religious order. “Sisters of St Joseph are ready for any good work… “
Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30pm
St. John Chapel and Powers Hall
All women of the collaborative are invited to an hour of “Potluck Prayer” – a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel with an invitation for all gathered to share music, poems, readings, art, and anything else that may be preparing our hearts for our Lenten journey or inspiring our prayer life.
After our Holy Hour we will gather in Powers Hall for a potluck dinner and fellowship.
Bring a dish or beverage to share and invite a friend or neighbor to come along!
In our responsorial psalm today, we hear the psalmist sing, “Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me…”
In what ways does your heart need to be purified?
What grace do you need to receive from God in order to maintain a steadfast spirit?
It is impossible to miss the irony of this passage from Matthew’s gospel as it is proclaimed on Ash Wednesday. As Jesus exhorts us to pray and fast in secret, we receive ashes on our forehead that proclaim to all we see that we are fasting! There is no magic in the ashes. Unlike the Eucharist, which confers grace, ashes are a sacramental, a sacred sign which disposes us to receive grace. Jesus is not decrying ritual or communal prayer. Rather he points to centrality of our “internal” transformation. Lent is a time for us to focus on that internal transformation by turning to the presence of the Triune God, who dwells within us.
I have read and re-read a book which has been very helpful in my own prayer. It is called The Impact of God: Soundings from St. John of the Cross by Fr. Iain Matthew, an English Carmelite priest…
Three Thursday Evenings: February 26, March 12, March 26
7-8:30pm at St. Paul Parish Hall or on Zoom
Catholic Social Teaching has been called the “best kept secret in the Catholic Church.” Join us as we dive deeper into this hidden gem of our faith with Fr. Ken Himes as a guide on the way! This three-session series will explore the pillars of Catholic Social Teaching and how they can call us to faith-filled action in our world today. Drawing from life experience and Gospel principles, this program promises a foundational understanding of CST and will bolster you spirit in the season of Lent and beyond!
Offered in a hybrid-format – participate online via Zoom or in-person in the St. Paul Parish Hall for fellowship and sharing as we learn from Fr. Himes and reflect together on the social implications of living out our faith! Registration is required – please register below…
Looking for ways to incorporate Care for God’s Creation in your Lenten prayer, fasting and almsgiving plans?
Check out Catholic Climate Covenant’s Lenten Resources!
The St. Ignatius Racial Justice Committee will host a showing of the new film Hidden in Plain Sight: The History of Black Catholics in Boston. Produced by the Archdiocese, the documentary explores the history of Black Catholics through insightful interviews with members of Boston’s Black Catholic community. After the half-hour screening, a small panel will reflect on the themes of the documentary and share their insights and lived experiences.
There will be time for Q&A, and a light supper will be offered. RSVP is strongly encouraged so we can plan on seating and food. RSVP here…
You’re invited to a soulful Lenten retreat for men of faith. Step away from the noise, slow your pace, and reconnect with your soul in the presence of God.
Join Fr. Michael Harrington, Fr. Edward Riley, and the Build the Faith / HFI Retreat Team for a powerful weekend at the Damascus Men’s Retreat, happening February 27th – March 1st.
This year’s theme, “Encountering Christ, Becoming One” is an invitation to step away from the noise and step fully into life with Christ. This retreat calls you to encounter Jesus in a personal and powerful way—through prayer, reflection, and brotherhood—and to rediscover the joy of walking closely with Him in every moment. More than a break from routine, it is a time to be spiritually renewed, strengthened in faith, and united with other men who are seeking to grow deeper in their relationship with the Lord. Come ready to be refreshed, challenged, and transformed…
Over the past year, the United States has witnessed sweeping changes to its immigration policy, communities and families torn apart by mass deportations, and a sharp rise in fear and uncertainty due to new enforcement tactics. Amid this landscape, voices of prophetic courage on the local, national, and global scenes have provided signs of hope, insisting on the contributions immigrants make and on a human dignity that crosses borders.
Speakers include scholars and graduate students from a variety of disciplines, policy experts, ecclesial and civic leaders, as well as representatives from community-based initiatives. Additionally, the conference offers an advocacy training session and spotlights local, impact-driven opportunities. In this way, the conference aims to both inform as well as provide participants with opportunities to take action…