A Message from Fr. Jim: New Seasons and New Beginnings – Thanking Maria Wardwell

A Message from Fr. Jim: New Seasons and New Beginnings – Thanking Maria Wardwell

No matter how long we’ve been out of school, the beginning of September always feels like the start of something new, and this year is no exception. I am particularly excited this year about the launch of the choral season at the Collaborative, under the direction of William Endicott, our new Director of Music. Over the summer, William announced the debut of a new Collaborative Children’s Choir, open to children in grades 3-7 (with some flexibility, just ask!) The choir will be singing the 9:00am Family Mass each week during the school year, as well as Family Masses on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday… 

At this time, it is important to acknowledge and thank Maria Wardwell, who has served for more than 20 years as the Director of Christmas & Easter Youth Choirs for St. John the Evangelist Parish, and in recent years for the Collaborative. Beginning as the cantor for the St. John Family Mass more than 20 years ago, she continued in that role after we moved to our Collaborative Family Mass program…

Our Collaborative Outdoor Mass

Our Collaborative Outdoor Mass

Please join us on Sunday, September 22 at 10:30am on the St. Paul Lawn for our annual Collaborative Outdoor Mass and fellowship event! 

NEW THIS YEAR!  Our SJSP Society of  St. Vincent de Paul chapter is 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 21-22…

Our New Collaborative Children’s Choir

Our New Collaborative Children’s Choir

We are delighted to begin our choral season at the Collaborative, and we are especially thrilled about the debut of the Collaborative Children’s Choir. The Children’s Choir will sing the 9:00am Family Mass weekly during the school year. Its repertoire will be broad and will aim to introduce the singers (and congregation) to music from different parts of the Church’s history up to and including the music of today.

The Children’s Choir is open to grades 3-7 (with some flexibility, just ask!) and meets at 8:15am before the 9:00am Sunday Mass. There are no prerequisites, just an enthusiastic attitude and the desire to sing beautifully.

The goals of this choir are to give the children an opportunity to participate more fully in the liturgy…

Come Sing in the Choir!

Come Sing in the Choir!

We are overjoyed to welcome back choristers from the summer break to the choirs in the Collaborative.

If you are interested in singing, no matter your level of experience or skill, we would love to have you in our ranks.

All choirs will be back in action on the weekend of September 7-8.

There are many opportunities to sing each week:

Saturday 5:00pm Vigil Mass at St. John – Sung by the St. John Parish Choir
Sunday 9:00am Family Mass (Rotating) – Sung by the NEW SJSP Children’s Choir
Sunday 11:00am Mass at St. Paul – Sung by the St. Paul Parish Choir
Sunday 5:00pm Youth Mass (Rotating) – Sung by the Sunday 5pm Youth Music Group

Welcoming Our Collaborative Director of Music, William Endicott!

Welcoming Our Collaborative Director of Music, William Endicott!

As we announced back in February when we began the search process, the new role of Collaborative Director of Music replaces our past structure of separate parish music directors. As Collaborative Director of Music, William has responsibility for and oversight over all facets of music ministry within the Collaborative, including the music of every Mass as well as our adult, teen, and children’s choirs.  He looks forward to familiarizing himself with the musical traditions of our unique parishes while also looking for opportunities to deepen our collaboration.

New! A Weekly Music and Worship Aid!
One area where William brings significant musicology is the regular use of a worship aid…

New in the Weekly Bulletin: “Summer Kids Corner”

New in the Weekly Bulletin: “Summer Kids Corner”

While our Sunday 9:00am Family Mass and its wonderful worship aid with activities for children is on summer vacation, we still have something for the kids! 

Each week, the bulletin features a “Summer Kid’s Corner” page with activities and coloring pictures tied to the readings of the day, and baskets of crayons are available in the narthex of both churches.

So be sure to pick up extra copies of the bulletin each week on your way in to Mass for the kids! 

May is the Month of Mary – Join us for May Crownings!

May is the Month of Mary – Join us for May Crownings!

At the 9:00AM Family Mass on both May 5 (St. John) and May 12 (St. Paul), we will celebrate Mary by having a May Crowning. All parishioners are invited to bring flowers and participate in a May Procession at the end of Mass. One child at each Mass will be selected in a drawing to place a choral crown on Mary’s head. Children who have made their First Communion (in 2024 & older) are invited to take part in this drawing. 

Look for the entry forms and drawing box in the lobby of each church through April 28…

This Sunday, January 7 is the First Sunday of the Month – Family Mass and Youth Mass are at St. John!

This Sunday, January 7 is the First Sunday of the Month – Family Mass and Youth Mass are at St. John!

Just a reminder that this Sunday, January 7 is the first Sunday of the month, and that means that the Sunday 9:00am Family Mass and 5:00pm Youth Mass will be celebrated at St. John Church. 

Yes, we were at St. John last Sunday too, but that’s because December had three Sundays and we’re at St. John on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month.  And yes, it’s a little confusing, but luckily it doesn’t happen too often!

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