Mass at St. Paul Church with Archbishop Fuanya of Cameroon

Mass at St. Paul Church with Archbishop Fuanya of Cameroon

On Friday, June 14, we were honored to celebrate Mass with Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of the Diocese of Bamenda, Cameroon, at St. Paul Church. 

Archbishop Fuanya was in the Massachusetts to visit with Fr. Gabriel and other priests from his dioceses who are currently studying and serving here in Boston.

Following his time here, Archbishop Fuanya was off to visit with priests from his diocese who are serving and studying in dioceses around the U.S. 

Supporting Your Parish

Supporting Your Parish

With the fiscal year end of June 30 rapidly approaching, we are asking for your help. Over the past eleven months, you have answered Jesus’ call to “love your neighbor” over and over again, through your generous support of our Advent Gift for Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem, our Lenten Gift for Capuchin Mobile Ministries, our Mother’s Day collection of items for the mothers and babies supported by Pregnancy Help Boston, as well as many other Archdiocesan Second Collections throughout the year. You have also generously supported the Clergy Trust Collections which fund the healthcare costs of our beloved priests, and for all of this we are most grateful.

Now we ask you to turn your attention to supporting your parish home by increasing your contribution to the Weekly Offertory, if you are able…

Front Step Replacement at St. Paul Church

Front Step Replacement at St. Paul Church

We are pleased to let you know that the work to replace the current brick steps with new granite steps has begun.

The work is expected to take 2-3 weeks and the front entrance will not be available during that time. You will continue to be able to enter the church by any of the four side doors.

Thank you for your patience during the construction process!

Celebrating Mary Lee Cirella!

Celebrating Mary Lee Cirella!

Last Sunday we celebrated Mary Lee Cirella, our St. Paul Music Director and Organist for over 30 years!

After the 9:00am Mass a large crowd of friends, family, and parishioners old and new joined Fr. Jim and the St. Paul Choir in the Parish Hall to congratulate Mary Lee on her considerable legacy of Music Ministry to St. Paul Parish and to wish her well!

Please visit the Collaborative Photo Albums page for more photos from this wonderful event!

Attention Volunteers! April is CORI Renewal Month

Attention Volunteers! April is CORI Renewal Month

Each year in the Spring, all staff and volunteers age 18 and older (including Eucharistic ministers and lectors, choir members and musicians, members of councils and commissions, ushers and counters, other Mass volunteers, etc.) must complete an annual Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background screening (except for Religious Education and Youth Ministry volunteers who complete their screening in the early Fall), as mandated by civil and Archdiocese of Boston authorities…

Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30pm: “Evening for Women” with Dr. Jaime Waters

Tuesday, April 9 at 6:30pm: “Evening for Women” with Dr. Jaime Waters

We are excited to welcome back Dr. Jaime Waters! Dr. Waters is an Associate Professor of the Old Testament and Program Director of Courage to Preach at the B.C. Clough School of Ministry and Theology.  Her presentation will highlight “Hidden Women of the Exodus” and consider how these women can serve as models for us today, particularly in responding to injustice and oppression.

All women of the Collaborative are warmly invited!  A pot-luck supper will follow Dr. Waters’ presentation.  Please bring a dish to share and kindly RSVP…

Lenten Lecture: “Spiritual Resources for the Street” – Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00pm at St. John

Lenten Lecture: “Spiritual Resources for the Street” – Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00pm at St. John

Br. Anthony and Br. Paul will talk about the history, mission, and work of Capuchin Mobile Ministries, the recipient of this year’s Lenten Gift. Come learn more about this wonderful organization and the ways you can support them – both financially and by volunteering with their outreach efforts.

Come learn more about their mission and work and how you can help!

Annual St. Patrick’s Dinner: Saturday, March 16 from 5:00-8:30pm at St. Paul Parish Hall

Annual St. Patrick’s Dinner: Saturday, March 16 from 5:00-8:30pm at St. Paul Parish Hall

Join Us for Dinner, Drinks, Music, Coffee and Dessert!

Performance by Goulding School of Irish Dance!

Meal Options: Corned Beef Sandwich, Turkey Sandwich, Vegetarian Sandwich

Attention Bakers! Please bring a dessert to share!

Tickets are $20 for Adults and $10 for Children (families with children maximum $50)

Please make your reservations by March 13 to help with planning – thank you!

Please reserve online NOW! Click this link:  sjspwellesley.org/st-patricks-dinner

An Important Message about Music at the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative

An Important Message about Music at the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative

Over the course of the almost 9 years since our parishes came together as a Collaborative in 2015, we have worked to establish a Collaborative Pastoral Council, Collaborative Adult Faith Enrichment and Service Commissions, and Collaborative Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs. This work has made our Collaborative, and our parishes, even stronger and more vibrant.

Now, in 2024, the time is right to put the last piece of the collaborative puzzle in place by creating the new role of Collaborative Director of Music, replacing the current structure of separate parish music directors. Reporting directly to the pastor, the Collaborative Director of Music will have 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.  Over time, we have created unique musical cultures at each of our Masses, and our desire is to honor and retain that uniqueness moving forward…