Children’s Faith Formation

Our Collaborative Outdoor Mass

Please join us on Sunday, September 28 at 10:30am on the St. Paul Lawn for our annual Collaborative Outdoor Mass and fellowship event! This will be our third time celebrating Mass on the expansive lawn in front of St. Paul Church, recreating what Fr. Jim calls “our own Tanglewood East!”

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! Please plan to bring a side dish/salad 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 27-28…

Renewing Children’s Faith Formation – An Important Message from Fr. Jim

The Archdiocese of Boston is calling on parishes to embrace a new vision of children’s faith formation – one that supports parents in their role as the first teachers of the faith, facilitates lifelong faith formation for all generations, and encourages missionary discipleship in addition to catechesis by engaging the talents of the whole parish community.

In response to this call, our Pastoral team, in partnership with our Children’s Faith Formation and Youth Ministry teams, has been working to develop a unified approach to faith formation that builds bridges between these unique programs, invigorates our Collaborative liturgical life, and renews the engagement of our young children, teens, and families in the life of the parish, especially Sunday Mass.

It is with great joy that we share with you our plans for renewing Children’s Faith Formation (previously known as “Religious Education”) in our Collaborative by launching two exciting new programs this fall…

Faith Formation News: A Vision for Children’s Faith Formation and Youth Ministry

The Archdiocese of Boston is calling on parishes to embrace a new vision of faith formation – one that supports parents in their role as the first teachers of the faith, facilitates lifelong faith formation for all generations, encourages missionary discipleship in addition to catechesis, and engages the talents of the whole parish community.

This past spring, 234 young people in grades 8-12 received the Sacrament of Confirmation in our parishes, exponentially increasing the number of high school teens who need a robust youth ministry program to accompany them during this time of great transition and growth in their lives. Being ready to accompany these newly-confirmed teens on their journey and helping them stay connected to their faith, their parish, and each other is vitally important – for them, for our Collaborative, and for the Church…

First Holy Communion at the Collaborative

Earlier this month, 54 children from our Religious Education program received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion.

Please keep them in your prayers as they continue on their faith journey.

The Sacrament of Confirmation at the Collaborative

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.

Over the past few weeks 234 young people in Grades 8-12 received the Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Robert Reed in three separate liturgies – including two at St. John on the same evening!

Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit and grow in their faith.

Our Last 9am Family Mass (and Coffee & Donuts!) and 5pm Youth Mass is this Sunday, May 18

Every year, our Sunday 9:00am Family Mass and 5:00pm Youth Mass programs go on their own “summer vacation” from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.

This Sunday, May 18 will be our last 9:00am Family Mass (and Coffee & Donuts!) and last 5:00pm Youth Mass until September 7, so be sure to join us!

April 27: Celebrate the “Jubilee of Teenagers” with the Natick Catholic Collaborative

DID YOU KNOW THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 25-27 IS THE GLOBAL JUBILEE OF TEENAGERS? Let’s join our brothers and sisters at the Natick Catholic Collaborative on Sunday, April 27 for a special half mile Eucharistic Procession around the Natick Common to celebrate the amazing teens who help make our local Catholic community so strong and vibrant. The procession will follow the 11:00am Mass at St. Patrick Church (gather in front of the church at 11:45am.) All teens, families, and parishioners are invited to join the Procession! Rain or shine! Click here to sign up to walk with Jesus!

Questions? Please contact Dawn Sullivan of the Natick Catholic Collaborative: dsullivan@natickcatholic.org

Registration for Religious Education for 2025-2026

Registration for our 2025-2026 academic year is now underway. The registration process will take place in person via short meetings with parents/guardians and the Religious Education staff. Families will sign up for a 15-20 minute session to discuss their child(ren)’s program and any considerations to support their faith journey. Sacrament preparation families will be prioritized to early Spring sessions.

For more information about next year’s program and to sign up to register please visit…

Family Bingo Night! Thursday, February 27 at 6:00pm at St. Paul Parish Hall

Fun for all ages! (Children must be accompanied by an adult.) We will have prizes for all different age groups, including adults! Snacks will be provided, however, voluntary donations are encouraged and all proceeds will be donated to Boston Children’s Hospital.

This event is being hosted by our Collaborative Religious Education students who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this spring. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is “sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit” and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. Participating in Christian service during their preparation helps to foster an understanding of the centrality of service in the Christian life…

A Fun-Filled Evening at the Annual Father-Daughter Dance

This year’s annual Father-Daughter Dance was held on Friday, February in a beautifully decorated St. Paul Parish Hall with a packed-house of dads, daughters, and special friends. The DJ kept the party going with great music and fun games and prizes, and great time was had by all!

This annual event is organized and run by dads – a big thank you to Russ Morton and friends for making this year’s event a huge success!

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