A Christmas Message from Our Pastor

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?

Special Mass Schedule for Sunday, December 26 – the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Special Mass Schedule for Sunday, December 26 – the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

7:30am Mass at St. John Church
9:00am Family Mass at St. Paul Church
11:00am Mass at St. Paul Church
12:00pm Mass at St. John Church

There will be no Vigil Masses on the evening of December 25 for Sunday, December 26.

There will be no Sunday 5pm Youth Mass on Sunday, December 26 – we will see you at the next Sunday 5pm Youth Mass at St. John on Sunday, January 2!

RCAB Mask Mandate Begins Saturday, December 18

RCAB Mask Mandate Begins Saturday, December 18

In the light of spiking numbers of new COVID cases and the likely increase in those numbers in the upcoming holiday season, Cardinal Seán O’Malley has mandated the wearing of masks when attending public Masses, including weddings and funerals, throughout the Archdiocese of Boston, beginning next Saturday, December 18.

Masks will be required, regardless of vaccination status, beginning next weekend, December 18-19.  

Upcoming Retreats for the Grieving

Upcoming Retreats for the Grieving

The St. John-St. Paul Collaborative is dedicated to both the prayerful and practical support of those experiencing loss. In the coming months, we will be hosting two special retreats.

In December, we will host “Blessed Are Those Who Mourn”, a half-day retreat offering Christ-centered consolation in the midst of grief.

In February, we will be hosting a one-day retreat with The Emmaus Ministry, which was founded to serve the unique spiritual needs of grieving parents…

Thursday, November 25: Collaborative Thanksgiving Mass at 9:00am at St. Paul Church

Thursday, November 25: Collaborative Thanksgiving Mass at 9:00am at St. Paul Church

God bless you, and keep you, and walk beside you, at Thanksgiving. . . . and always.

This year, our Thanksgiving Mass for the Collaborative will be celebrated Thanksgiving morning at 9:00am at Paul Church, and will feature music from both the St. John and St. Paul music programs. Please join us – in person or on the St. Paul Livestream!

Please Note: This will be the only daily Mass of the day; there will be no 7:00am Mass at St. John on Thanksgiving.