Children’s Faith Formation – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Introducing Rachel Sexton, Our New Director of Family Faith Formation!

It is with great pleasure that we introduce our new Director of Family Faith Formation, Rachel Sexton. Rachel studied Cognitive Science at Vanderbilt University while participating in the Army ROTC program throughout her four years there. Upon graduating, she commissioned as an officer and Chaplain Candidate in the U.S. Army Reserve and has served with her unit at Fort Devens, MA, for the past three years. Rachel recently completed her Master of Divinity at Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry, an experience she describes as transformative…

Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 10:30am: Our Annual Collaborative Outdoor Mass on the St. Paul Parish Lawn

Please join us for our annual Collaborative Outdoor Mass and Fellowship event! This will be our fourth time celebrating Mass on the expansive lawn in front of St. Paul Church, recreating what Fr. Jim calls “our own Tanglewood East!” Please bring lawn chairs/blankets for seating.

Our SJSP Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapter is once again sponsoring a cookout after Mass, providing hotdogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers for all – bring a side dish/dessert to share if you are able!

So that as many members of our community as possible can join together for this special liturgy and fellowship event, there will be a reduced Mass schedule at the parishes on the weekend of September 26-27…

Family Faith Formation News from Fr. Jim

I am writing to let you know that Linda Messore is no longer working as Director of Children’s Faith Formation for the Collaborative. We are thankful for her many years of service and wish her well in her future endeavors.

We have begun a formal search for a Director of Family Faith Formation to lead our Mustard Seeds (K-2), Loaves & Fishes (3-5), and Salt & Light (6 & 7) programs, as well as our programs for First Reconciliation & First Communion preparation (typically Grade 2), and Confirmation preparation (Grade 8 and up.)

We will share more information later in the summer about the coming year as we continue our ongoing renewal of our faith formation ministry…

Spring 2026: First Communion at the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative

In keeping with our new Family Faith Formation model and the guidance of the Archdiocese of Boston, this spring children began receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion with their families at a Sunday Mass – the same way they will receive the sacrament throughout their lives.

During April and May, 65 children in our Family Faith Formation program received their First Holy Communion at our Family Masses. Please keep them and their families in your prayers as they continue to grow in love and faith!

Spring 2026: The Sacrament of Confirmation at the Collaborative

Over the past two weeks more than 100 young people received the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Robert Reed. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit and grow in their faith.

In 2024, the Archdiocese of Boston announced that the ordinary age of Confirmation would be lowered from Grade 10 to Grade 8. This change was made to facilitate a renewal in family engagement in the life of the parish, especially Sunday Mass, and a renewal of youth ministry within parishes – one that goes beyond sacramental preparation.

We Are Celebrating First Holy Communion at the Family Mass!

In keeping with our Family Faith Formation model and the guidance of the Archdiocese of Boston, children now receive First Holy Communion with their families at a Sunday Mass – the same way they will receive the sacrament throughout their lives.

Last Sunday, we celebrated the sacrament with 11 children at the 9:00am Family Mass at St. Paul.

We will have groups of First Communicants receiving the Sacrament at our 9:00am Family Masses on May 3, May 10, and May 17.

Our regular 9:00am Mass congregants are encouraged to attend these Masses and witness this important moment in the lives of these children and families!

The Celebration of First Holy Communion at Our Parishes

Beginning this year, in keeping with our new Family Faith Formation model and the guidance of the Archdiocese of Boston, children will be receiving their First Holy Communion with their families at a Sunday Mass, the same way they will receive the sacrament throughout their lives. Groups of First Communicants will be receiving the Sacrament at our 9:00am Family Masses on April 26, May 3, May 10, and May 17. Several rows of pews in the center of the church will be reserved for the children and their families each Sunday as we celebrate this joyous occasion together as a parish family!

Our regular 9:00am Mass congregants are encouraged to attend these Family Masses and witness this important moment in the lives of these young children and families.

Join the Easter Children’s Choir – All Children in Grades 2-7 Are Welcome!

We are singing on Easter Sunday, April 5 at the 9:00am Family Mass at St. Paul Church .

We will rehearse this Saturday, April 4 from 3:00 – 4:00PM at St. Paul Church, and will meet at 8:30AM before Mass on Easter Sunday at St. Paul.

To learn more or ask questions please email William Endicott, Music Director

Family Faith Formation: Living Vocation

In these final sessions of Family Faith Formation for the 2025-2026 year, we have been talking about living vocation – recognizing and becoming who God has called us to be in this world.

Fr. Jim, Sr. Colleen, and Kelly shared their own unique experience of the call to vocation, and we talked about how each of us can think about and nurture our own vocations in the context of faith, family and community.

If you missed the session or would like to hear about Fr. Jim’s story of the first inkling of his vocation to the priesthood at the age of 5, or Sr. Colleen’s story of life with 400 sisters, you can watch the recording here on our website.

Family Faith Formation: Our Final Theme for the Year – Living Vocation!

Who has God called you to be? What are your innate God-given gifts? What are your child’s? How can we foster those gifts and bring them to our own unique place in the world?

This is Living Vocation!

In these final sessions of Family Faith Formation for the 2025-2026 year, Father Jim, Sister Colleen, and Kelly will share their own unique vocations and how you can nurture your own in the context of faith, family and community.

Sunday, March 15 at St. John 10:15-11am Loaves & Fishes (3-5)
Sunday, March 22 at St. Paul 10:15 -11am Mustard Seeds (K-2)
Sunday, April 12 at St. Paul 4:00-4:45pm Salt & Light (6-7)

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