Important Announcements – Page 6 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Archdiocese of Boston Cheverus Awards 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care for our Collaborative, was awarded the Cardinal’s Cheverus Award medal this past weekend. These medals are conferred upon selected laypeople, religious, and deacons from around the Archdiocese each year at a prayer service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

The medal recipients are chosen for their service to the Church and God’s people. We know you join us in extending heartfelt thanks to Kelly for her dedicated service to the Church and for the many ways she ministers to the people of our Collaborative and beyond.

Service: “College Behind Bars” Mentoring Program – Zoom Info Session Thursday, November 30

In an effort re-launch our Prison Ministry work, our Collaborative Service Commission is working with a local organization, Partakers, to help recruit mentors for their College Behind Bars program. Partakers pairs mentors with incarcerated men and women earning college degrees from Tufts University, Emerson College, Boston College, and Boston University… If you’re interested in learning more about the program and what being mentor involves there will be a Zoom Info session on Thursday, November 30 at 7pm. Please RSVP by completing the form available…

At the Collaborative this Weekend, November 11-12: Star of Bethlehem Handicrafts

A representative from Star of Bethlehem Handicrafts will be at both parishes on November 11-12 representing over 100 Christian families living in the Holy Land who make their living by selling hand carved olive wood religious articles.

After all masses this weekend there will be a display of these beautiful pieces, including nativity sets, crucifixes, rosaries, and other sacred statues. Please stop by and purchase some early Christmas gifts, while also helping to support these Christian families living in the Holy Land.

“Welcoming the Stranger” – A Message from Cardinal O’Malley

Cardinal Seán wrote to pastors and the parishes of the Archdiocese regarding a growing humanitarian and societal crisis that is building in the Commonwealth and Archdiocese of Boston. The issue involves the fate of immigrants arriving daily in Massachusetts and in need of basic shelter and compassionate care. The Cardinal’s letter is posted in it’s entirety below, and all parishioners are encouraged to take time to read it.

In the coming weeks, the Collaborative, with the help of our Collaborative Service Commission, will make every effort to respond generously and effectively to answer the call to “welcome the stranger” and give aid to our immigrant sisters and brothers. Stay tuned for details!

October 8: Deacon Good News

Thank you for warmly welcoming Rita and me into the St. John-St Paul Collaborative community. It has only been a few weeks, and I see that this is a special place where God’s grace and His Holy Spirit shine. As a Deacon, I am called to serve in three key areas:

1) I proclaim and preach the Word of God (Proclaiming)
2) I help, and encourage others to help, those needing spiritual support (Service)
3) I reach out to, and inspire others to reach out to, those who are having difficulty getting by (Charity)

I will begin offering office hours to facilitate related discussions in support of Service and Charity…

Service: “College Behind Bars” Mentoring Program

The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat all others, as if they were Christ in disguise. One of the Corporal Works of Mercy – to visit the imprisoned – is at the heart of Prison Ministry programs.

Our Collaborative Outdoor Mass is this Sunday, September 17 at 10:30am on the Lawn at St. Paul

Please join us as we gather together as a community on the expansive lawn in front of St. Paul Church to celebrate our first Collaborative Outdoor Mass since 2019. Parishioners are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. A section of chairs will be set up and available for those who require them due to mobility issues. We ask all others to please bring their own lawn chairs/blankets for seating. After Mass, please join us in the parking lot behind the church for fellowship, food, and fun!

We will have a reduced Mass schedule on…

Reminder – Our Regular Weekend Mass Schedule is Back!

SATURDAY
4:00pm Mass at St. Paul
5:00pm Mass at St. John

SUNDAY
*9:00am Family Mass
11:00am Mass at St. Paul
12:00pm Mass at St. John
*5:00pm Youth Mass

*The 9:00am Family Mass and 5:00pm Youth Mass rotate between the parishes on the following schedule…

Our Sunday Family Mass and Youth Mass are Back!

This weekend we welcome back our Sunday 9:00am Family Mass (and Coffee & Donuts!) and our Sunday 5pm Youth Mass!

It’s the 2nd Sunday of the month, so we’re at St. Paul this weekend – please join us after the 9:00am Family Mass for Coffee & Donuts in the Parish Hall, and after the Sunday 5pm we’ll celebrate with “Make Your Own Sundaes”!

Welcome Sister Colleen!

I am so happy to introduce you to Sister Colleen Gibson, SSJ, the new Coordinator of Pastoral Care for our Collaborative. Sister Colleen, whose primary office will be at the St. Paul Rectory Offices, will work in partnership with Kelly Meraw, our Director of Pastoral Care, on adult faith formation programs, service and outreach initiatives, and coordinating sacramental liturgies and services across the Collaborative. Below is a brief introduction – please join me in welcoming Sister Colleen to our Collaborative!

Sister Colleen Gibson, SSJ is a Sister of Saint Joseph from Philadelphia and recent graduate of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. An award-winning writer, her work appears regularly in Give Us This Day and the National Catholic Reporter…