Friday, February 7 from 6:00-8:00pm
St. Paul Parish Hall
DJ, Games, Food, Prizes and Fun!
$10 per ticket at the door
Fathers, Father-figures, and special friends!
* ALL AGES WELCOME *
Friday, February 7: Our Annual Father-Daughter Dance
February 4: Evening for Women Program – “The Nameless Women of Mark’s Gospel” with Kelly Meraw
All women of our Collaborative are invited to our first Evening for Women of 2025!
As we continue to explore our theme, “Women in Scripture and the Church”, our Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, Kelly Meraw, will explore “The Nameless Women of Mark’s Gospel.” Come and enjoy an evening of reflection and prayer and see afresh the impactful faith of these women in scripture.
Bring a friend and a dish to share for a potluck to follow! Please RSVP…
February 1-2: A Special Second Collection for Catholic Charities Relief Efforts Responding to L.A. Wildfires
The enormity of the tragedy that has unfolded in Southern California as a result of the wildfires is heartbreaking. The wildfires have killed 28 people with the expectation that number could increase. More than 15,400 structures have been destroyed. 40,000 acres have been impacted. There have been many injures, homes and businesses destroyed, and entire neighborhoods wiped out. Thousands of brave firefighters and other first responders have been working around the clock to contain and put out the fires.
Recognizing the immediate and growing needs, Catholic Charities USA is seeking assistance for relief efforts in response to the wildfires. In the spirit of solidarity, Archbishop Henning has asked for a special collection to support Catholic Charities relief efforts…
Sunday, February 2: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
This year the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (February 2) falls on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, superseding the readings for the Fourth Sunday and offering us the opportunity to take part in special rituals associated with the Presentation.
Popularly known as “Candlemas,” the Feast of the Presentation celebrates the fortieth day after Christmas and is traditionally marked by the solemn blessing of and procession with candles. To mark this feast, a special blessing of the candles will take place at the beginning of every Mass next weekend, February 1-2…
January 17: Holy Hour for Life, Forgiveness, and Healing with Exposition of the Holy Eucharist
A Holy Hour for Life, Forgiveness, and Healing will be held on Friday, January 17 from 7:30am-8:45am at St. Paul Church, as part of the Archdiocese of Boston observance of the National Day of Prayer and Penance.
Led by Deacon Rick, we will pray together for respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death; for those who have been wounded by abortion; for those facing death; and for increased holiness in the Church.
Please join us, all are welcome.
January 12, 2025: An Important Message from Fr. Jim
As many of you know, in the spring of 2022 I sustained life-threatening injuries when I was struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian. I am now writing to let you know about a new development from my accident – the gift that keeps on giving!
As a direct result of the injuries I suffered, I need a total hip replacement, which is scheduled for this week. Due to the prior trauma, there are some additional complications associated with the procedure and recovery, but my surgeon assures me that it will greatly improve my quality of life. I’ve been told that my recovery from surgery will require several weeks, and my return to ministry at the Collaborative will be based on the progression of my rehabilitation and my doctor’s advice…
Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
As Pope Francis writes, “Dr. King’s dream of harmony and equality for all people, attained through nonviolent and peaceful means, remains ever timely. ‘Each one of us is called to be an artisan of peace, by uniting and not dividing, by extinguishing hatred and not holding on to it, by opening paths of dialogue’ (Fratelli Tutti, 284). In this way we will be able to see ourselves, not as ‘others’, but as neighbors, in the truth of our shared dignity as children of Almighty God. Only by striving daily to put this vision into practice can we work together to create a community built upon justice and fraternal love.”
Please Note: The St. John-St. Paul Collaborative Offices will be closed on Monday, January 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Come Sing in the Collaborative Children’s Choir on Christmas Eve!
Children in grades 3-7 are invited to join the Collaborative Children’s Choir to sing at the 4:00pm Mass at St. Paul Church on Christmas Eve. We will be holding a special rehearsal on Saturday, December 21 at 9:30am at St. Paul Church.
But why wait – start singing at the Family Mass now!
The Collaborative Children’s Choir sings the 9:00am Family Mass weekly…
Updates from the November 19 School Committee Meeting: Vote Postponed to December 10, New Models Being Considered
Our Pastor, Fr. Jim, and Kelly Meraw, our Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, have both spoken at recent School Committee meetings to explain the centrality of Good Friday in Christian belief and worship. We are grateful to all who have taken the time to share their thoughts with the School Committee, both during public comment and via email…
Thank you for recognizing that while we are speaking on behalf of our own Catholic Christian community, we are also in solidarity with the other faith/cultural communities involved in this discussion. In particular, we want to thank our high school students and the students from other faith/cultural traditions who spoke so eloquently about their own personal faith journeys and practices…
Update: Good Friday and the Wellesley Public Schools Academic Calendar
As we explained in last week’s bulletin, the WPS Academic Calendar Task Force has presented a recommended option to the School Committee that retains Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Lunar New Year as holidays. It also adds either Eid Al-Fitr or Eid Al-Adha (depending on the year) and removes Good Friday and Diwali as holidays.
Kelly Meraw, our Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, spoke at the School Committee meeting on October 29.
Fr. Jim Laughlin, our pastor, hopes to speak at the meeting on November 12.
All are encouraged to share comments with the School Committee via email at: School_Committee@wellesleyps.org or during the public comment…