Regardless of whether you’ve been worshiping at home or back in the pews, you must be feeling it!? Thanks to the formidable work of scientists and health care workers (not to mention our own vigilance) we are seeing parish life return in a more recognizable way.
We are in need of help in every area in order to accommodate our growing congregation. No long-term commitment required – sign up to help at a single Mass or several as your schedule allows…
High schoolers are invited to join the Youth Ministry Team for an afternoon of fun and games this Sunday, May 23 at 2:30pm at St. Paul. Reconnect and play lawn games as we wind down the 2020-2021 academic year! Player with the most wins gets a $100 gift card! One automatic entrance into a raffle when you show up – bring friends and get more!
Please join us Tuesday, May 18 at 7pm as Fr. Laughlin celebrates Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church to mark the end of our 2020-2021 Evening for Women programming. If you are not comfortable attending in person, the Mass will be live streamed on the Collaborative website and YouTube channel where you can join us virtually. Reservations are not required, but we will continue to observe Covid safety protocols including social distancing and mask wearing.
Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control issued a statement that in many settings fully vaccinated people can now go about their days not wearing masks and not social distancing. Governor Baker has stated that, like some other states, Massachusetts will not be lifting the masking and distancing mandates immediately. We will continue to monitor the State mandates closely, and as soon as there is a change, we will adjust our archdiocesan protocols accordingly.
As of now, we are not making any changes – masks (covering the nose and mouth) and social distancing are still required, regardless of vaccination status.
As many of you already know, I am stepping down from my full-time role as Coordinator of Pastoral Care from the middle of May. Although the decision to leave has been a very difficult one, I am looking forward to what God has in store for the next phase of my life.
For the past two years, I have also been enrolled part-time at BC for a MA in Theology and Ministry and I am looking forward to completing my studies there. I am also relishing the opportunity to spend some more time with my family and will of course continue to serve the Collaborative “from the pews.”…
The purpose of World Day of Prayer for Vocations is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). It is the pinnacle of a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church. It affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all vocations to ordination, to consecrated life and to lay ministry. The Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate) and to the consecrated life (religious sisters and brothers). We invite the entire collaborative to commit their prayers today to an increase in vocations.
Unfortunately, we must cancel our regularly scheduled Confessions at St. Paul this Wednesday, April 28. Confessions will still be available this Saturday, May 1 from 1:00-2:30pm at St. John, and our regular Wednesday evening Confessions from 7:00-8:00pm at St. Paul
The killing of George Floyd has had a traumatic impact on our society. The suffering he endured and the immense loss his family has experienced speaks to us on a very human level. The death of Mr. Floyd in a very public and raw manner catapulted this case into the conscience of the nation. The resulting anger and protest that culminated in the trial and conviction of Derek Chauvin is one important step in the process of addressing the broader issues facing our country in terms of racism, a criminal justice system many feel needs reform and the reality of living as a person of color in America…
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 would like to share my sincere thanks and let you know what a privilege it’s been to be a Cantor for St. Paul Church and Section Leader for the St. Paul Choir as I retire this weekend. Over the past 29 years I’ve watched children in our parish grow up, sung at baptisms, first communions, confirmations, weddings, and too many funerals. I’m so thankful to Mary Lee Cirella for having the confidence in me to be a part of the music ministry here at St. Paul’s. Each and every liturgy and concert was truly a highlight because of the caring, supportive priests and staff, you, the dear parishioners, and especially Mary Lee and the St. Paul Choir. Thank you for these amazing years together…