This Weekend December 16-17: Our Special Advent Second Collection for Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem

This Weekend December 16-17: Our Special Advent Second Collection for Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem

Greetings from the courageous, highly skilled medical staff associated with the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem, where expectant mothers deliver their infants just 1,500 steps from the Manger of Jesus Christ.

Holy Family Hospital is a touchstone in Bethlehem and a place of hope. It operates a remarkable Level III Neonatal ICU, the country’s only gestational diabetes clinic, and the country’s only menopause clinic.  For remote villages, refugee encampments, and Bedouin communities in the desert, it runs a mobile clinic with 3 specially trained staff members and one well-equipped van…

St. Paul “Christmas Pops Concert” – Sunday, December 10 at 2:00pm

St. Paul “Christmas Pops Concert” – Sunday, December 10 at 2:00pm

The St. Paul Parish Adult Choir, under the direction of Mary Lee Cirella, presents their annual Christmas Pops Concert with soloists and orchestra.
The concert will include Cantata 140 “Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme” by Bach with soloists Abby Rogers, Stephen Chrzan, and Michael Szydlowski.

Other music will include works by John Rutter and some special music from the movie, “Home Alone,” by John Williams with soloist Eleanor Galvao.

Fr. Jim Laughlin will be singing a very special song as well!

Advent Collection for Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem

Advent Collection for Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem

SPECIAL SECOND COLLECTION DECEMBER 16-17

Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem is a Catholic teaching hospital located just 1,500 steps from the birthplace of Christ. It is a state-of-the-art maternity and neonatal critical care center serving poor and at-risk women, infants, and children throughout the Bethlehem region. The Hospital stands as a beacon of hope for families regardless of creed, nationality, or ability to pay. No one is ever turned away.

Your generous donations will deliver life, peace, and hope in the Holy Land. This modern-day manger is sustained by generous donations from individuals and parishes throughout the world…

2023 “Spirit of Sharing” Gift Collection for St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence

2023 “Spirit of Sharing” Gift Collection for St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence

Over the past two decades, Spirit of Sharing has brightened Christmas for several thousand young boys and girls struggling from poverty and hunger in the gateway immigrant city of Lawrence. This unique Season of Advent initiative was conceived and launched within our collaborative by a group of St. John-St. Paul parishioners and Saint John School families, and we are deeply grateful for Fr. Jim Laughlin’s enthusiastic continuing support…

“Faces at the Manger”: An Advent Reflection Group

“Faces at the Manger”: An Advent Reflection Group

This Advent and Christmas season, the Collaborative will be offering a 5-week small church community to reflect on the “Faces at the Manger.” Weaving together prayer, art, poetry, and music, this group will gather to reflect on those who joined Jesus in the manger that first Christmas – Mary, Joseph, the Inn Keeper & Animals, the Shepherds, and the Magi – while providing prayerful space to grow in our faith.

NEW! Two groups are now being offered – one on Tuesday mornings at 9:30am that begins November 28 and one on Wednesday evenings at 5:00pm that begins November 29.

To register please click here…

Attention Young Singers! Join the Christmas Youth Choir!

Attention Young Singers! Join the Christmas Youth Choir!

Sign-up and first rehearsal will take place Sunday, October 29 from 11:15am-12:15pm in the St. John Chapel. Participation is open to all St. John and St. Paul parishioners in grades 1-8. Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to participate as assistants – Community Service and Confirmation hours/credits are earned. Adult Family members are invited to join our Family Mass Musician Group for Christmas Eve. Attendance at rehearsals is required.

This year, the Christmas Youth Choir will participate in the 4:00pm Christmas Eve Family Mass at St. John (3:30 candlelight procession and prelude.) All rehearsals are in St. John Chapel…

Our Christmas Mass Schedule

Our Christmas Mass Schedule

Sacrament of Reconciliation on Christmas Eve
There is no better way to prepare for Christmas!
Sunday, December 24 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
St. John Chapel

Masses on Christmas Eve
*4:00pm Mass at St. John Church 3:30pm Youth Choir Prelude and Carols

4:00pm Mass at Saint John School Hall

4:00pm Mass  at St. Paul Church

*8:00pm Mass at St. Paul Church 7:30pm Choir Prelude and Carols

“Spirit of Sharing” Gift Collection for St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence

“Spirit of Sharing” Gift Collection for St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence

Founded over two decades ago by a group of St. John-St. Paul parishioners and Saint John School families, the Spirit of Sharing-Lawrence collection helps brighten Christmas for about 350 boys and girls living at severe risk for hunger in Lawrence, MA. Many thanks to Fr. Jim Laughlin and Fr. Bryan Hehir, and to all parishioners, for your abiding support of Spirit of Sharing and the Lawrence community.

 Spirit of Sharing provides cheerful Christmas gifts for children whose parents, despite working two to three jobs a week, cannot afford to give them presents…