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
“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.”
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.
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?
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…
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.
Obituary and Services…
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!
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…
I have some good news that I am thrilled to share with all of you. St. Paul Parish has received a signed lease for the rental of the St. Paul School building from Star Academy Boston. This is a 20 year lease with options to extend up to 30 years.
Star Academy is a private school serving students in Preschool through Grade 8 on their campus in Watertown, and they are very excited to be expanding to Wellesley. They will be giving the inside of the St. Paul School building a much-needed facelift before opening their doors to students on September 1, 2021, and St. Paul Parish will begin to receive rental income from them at that time.
My dear friends in Christ,
Jesus’ disciples were feeling utterly destitute. How would they go on without him? In Mark’s account, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome had been there as their beloved Jesus was crucified. These same women made their way to the tomb early in the morning on the third day. As the approached the tomb, they saw that the stone had been rolled back. What could this mean? They had come only to be near his body. They had seen him die an anguished death. Could the angel’s words be true? Could they dare to hope?