From the Pastor – Page 3 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Sunday, June 5: Update on Fr. Jim

We want to provide, with Fr. Jim’s blessing, a little more information about what happened.

Fr. Jim was running an errand, and while standing next to his car in a parking lot he was struck by another vehicle. He was provided immediate care and taken to a Boston hospital, where he is in great hands and receiving the best possible care as he recovers. He is in contact with Fr. Hehir and the Collaborative staff, providing input as we work to arrange coverage during his absence.

So many of you have reached out to ask what you can do for Fr. Jim at this time. Your continued prayers for his complete and speedy recovery and return to us are the best way to support him while he remains in the hospital. Cards and notes can be sent to Fr. Jim at the St. John rectory (9 Glen Road, Wellesley, MA 02481) or dropped in the rectory vestibule (a box will be provided) or at either parish office and they will be delivered to him. We will, of course, continue to provide regular updates to you as Fr. Jim shares them with us. He will let us know how best to support him in the days and weeks ahead.

Saturday, June 4: Important Message About Fr. Jim

As we shared with you via email yesterday, Fr. Jim was in a serious accident on Thursday. We are so thankful that he OK and is expected to make a full recovery, but he is facing multiple surgeries and will be out of commission for quite some time. Fr. Jim is always our steadfast leader and partner in prayer, and he is comforted knowing that we are praying for him now.

So many of you have reached out to ask what you can do for Fr. Jim at this time. Please know that he is in great hands and receiving the best possible care as he recovers. Your continued prayers for his complete and speedy recovery and return to us are the best way to support him at the current moment. We will, of course, provide regular updates to you as Fr. Jim shares them with us, and he will let us know how best to support him in the days and weeks ahead.

Cards and notes can be sent to Fr. Jim at the rectory address (9 Glen Road, Wellesley, MA 02481).

In Case You Missed It: Bulletin and Homilies from “Synod Weekend”

Pope Francis has called for a synod in the church – a “Synod on Synodality” – with the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.” On the weekend of February 26-27, our Collaborative bulletin was dedicated to introducing

A Message About the Synod from Fr. Jim

“Dear brothers and sisters, let us have a good journey together! May we be pilgrims in love with the Gospel and open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit.”

A Message from Fr. Jim: News About Our Collaborative Pastoral Council

It is with my most sincere thanks, that after more than 5 years of shepherding our Collaborative Pastoral Council into existence and providing guidance, Leah Cinelli, Jon Bonsall, Ed Ryan and Jerry Kehoe have concluded their service to the Collaborative Pastoral Council. I am most grateful for their service to our Collaborative.

Please join me in welcoming the following parishioners to the CPC effective in January 2022. Each will serve a 3-year term beginning in September 2022.

Russ Morton, Odessa Sanchez and Dorene Christie will join Carolyn Anderson, Mary Mullen, and Rose Mary Donahue as representatives from St. John.

Katie Hamel, Julie Byrne and Michael Mastrianni will join Doug Smith, Donna Norwood and Eugenia Kennedy in representing St. Paul.

A Christmas Message from Our Pastor

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! (Phil 4:4). As I write these words, we have just celebrated the Third Sunday of Advent, know as Gaudete Sunday. The rose vestments and candle on the Advent wreath remind us that the Lord is near. And therefore, there is always cause for rejoicing. As I write I am also cognizant of the fact the for the second year, as we celebrate Christmas, the global pandemic continues to upend our lives on so many levels. People are weary. So many are suffering terribly. Injustices continue to be unveiled. And in our ever increasingly polarized society, the proverbial “peace on earth” declared by the angels seems elusive. Given all of this, how do we rejoice?

New Collaborative Weekend Mass Schedule Begins the Weekend of September 11-12

Our current Summer Mass Schedule is in effect through Sunday, September 5 (Labor Day weekend.) As we look to the fall, we are mindful that the pandemic is not completely behind us and that uncertainty remains. At the same time, thanks to the formidable work of scientists and health care workers (not to mention our own vigilance!), we can begin to plan more concretely for the months ahead, and to bring back many of the things that provide a richer Mass experience for our community.

We have developed a weekend Mass schedule for the upcoming fall through spring that…

Fr. John Connelly

I am sad to let you know that our beloved Fr. John Connelly died yesterday afternoon. I was with him for several hours, along with Kelly Meraw, our Director of Pastoral Care, and both Kelly and Fr. Hehir were with him when God took him home. Fr. Connelly lived an amazing 98 years. I know that we have all loved having him with us for the last eight years. We were all enriched by his intelligence, wealth of knowledge and quick wit. He was kind, caring and compassionate and, of course, a man of deep faith. This true disciple of Jesus has touched many lives, including ours, over the last 98 years. We now have a new advocate in heaven, where, I feel certain, Fr. Connelly is basking in the love of the God he has served so faithfully. Requiescat in pace.

Obituary and Services…

A Note from Fr. Jim: Thank You Msgr. Lind

Monsignor Lind, the beloved former pastor of St. Paul Church, recently moved to Regina Cleri, the priests’ retirement home in Boston. Monsignor has continued to celebrate Mass at St. Paul’s and we are grateful for all the ways he has enriched our community with his priestly ministry. We may not be seeing him as regularly now but we will always be happy to welcome him home. I know that you join me in expressing our gratitude for all Monsignor has given to the St. Paul’s community for so many years.

Thank you, Monsignor. Our warmest wishes and prayers go with you. Please come and see us soon!

Important News from Fr. Jim

It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Anne Mears will be leaving her position as Coordinator of Pastoral Care for our Collaborative, effective May 17. Anne has decided that because of both family responsibilities and the demands of her academic work in pursuit of a degree in theology, she needs to step back from her ministry for the time being. Anne always gives 100% percent of herself to all she does and came to the realization that there are only so many hours in a day! Anne has been a tremendous asset to our Collaborative and has approached her ministry with energy, dedication, love and care. It has been a joy for me to collaborate with Anne in the mission of our Collaborative. The good news is that Anne is not leaving us altogether…