COVID-19 Response – Page 3 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

On COVID Vaccines: “We Are in a Race Against Time…”

In an effort to bring more clarity and clear guidance to the COVID vaccines, MC Sullivan, Chief Health Care Ethicist for the Archdiocese of Boston, has published an article articulating the position of the Archdiocese in addressing the vaccines and the desire for everyone to be vaccinated.

“People of faith have raised concern about the development of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the newest weapon in the arsenal to fight this dangerous disease, related to the use of aborted stem cell tissue. They are right to raise the question, but it is extremely important to understand that the Church has addressed those concerns…”

Saint John School in the News!

Our own Saint John School is featured in this WBZ report – “Some Private Schools Have Been In Class Full Time Since Fall – How One Made It Work”.

“It wasn’t [a question of] are we going to open, it was how are we going to open?” said St. John School Principal Siobhan Mahoney. “We had a COVID task force that met throughout the summer to identify best practices.”

The small parochial school, of 218 students, divided classes into cohorts to minimize movement, invested in air purifiers, plastic barriers, cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment. Mahoney says the safety upgrades cost an estimated $41,000. So far, administrators have seen fewer than five confirmed cases and no in-school transmission…

Ash Wednesday Mass Reservations are Now Open

This year, the usual practice of imposing ashes by thumb on the foreheads of parishioners cannot be followed. Packets of blessed ashes will be distributed at the end of each Mass, and on the front lawns of both churches from 1:00-3:00pm,

St. Paul “Giving Tree” Wrap-Up

THANK YOU to our wonderful parishioners who gave so generously to the 2020 Giving Tree Program! Despite the pandemic, we collected hundreds of gift cards and gifts which will ensure many families will have food and gifts they otherwise might

Letter from the St. John “Christmas Wish” Team

Dear Christmas Wish Sponsors and Donors, 2020 has certainly been a year to remember. The families that we support through our Christmas Wish outreach program needed our help more than ever this year. Many of the children in our program

Ringing of the Bells for Lives Lost to Covid

The Archdiocese of Boston joined the Archdiocese of New York, and others around the country, in ringing their church bells on Wednesday, December 30 at 12noon to remember and honor the more than 330,000 lives lost to COVID-19 this year in the United

Wednesday, December 30 at Noon: Ringing of the Bells for Lives Lost to Covid

The Archdiocese of Boston will join the Archdiocese of New York, and others around the country, in ringing their church bells on Wednesday, December 30 at 12 noon to remember and honor the more than 330,000 lives lost to COVID-19 this year in the United States. Our Collaborative will join in this effort by live streaming the ringing of bells from St. John Church. We invite everyone to take a moment at noon, whether in person or via the live stream here on our website, to listen and participate with us. (Unfortunately, the bells at St. Paul Church cannot be rung until repairs have been completed.)

Friday, January 1 is the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God

Please join us online for a live stream of our Mass for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God from St. Paul Church. The Mass will be available live on our website and on our Vimeo and YouTube channels at 9:00am (and on demand after that.)

Reminder: The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation remains suspended in the Archdiocese of Boston. Individuals at particular risk, including older adults and those with complicating medical conditions, are strongly urged to avoid the risks associated with in-person indoor events.

A Christmas Message from Fr. Jim

This year is a Christmas like no other in a year like no other. As I write, I have just finished recording my part for our upcoming virtual Lessons and Carols. “Virtual… one of those words we now use daily for reasons we could not possibly have imagined. Yes, indeed, our celebration of Christmas will look very different both in our church and our homes this year. Yet at Christmas this year more than ever, we cling to the eternal truth that never changes. Jesus is the light that shines in darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it…

Our Collaborative Mass for Christmas

On this Christmas like no other in a year like no other, when the obligation to attend Mass continues to be suspended, please gather virtually with us, and with friends and family near and far, to celebrate Christ’s birth with