Important Announcements – Page 7 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Thank You for Your Prayers!

It was with great joy that I was able to be a part of the General Chapter for my congregation, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia, at the end of June.

For ten days, a group of 189 sisters gathered at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia to pray together, discern our future, and ask God’s guidance on the next five years of our Congregation.

As our Chapter theme called us we spent our days “Listening Deeply & Loving Courageously,” not just for our own life but for the life of the world and the many communities we serve. Truly it was blessed time to be together, filled with sacred sharing, heartfelt reunions, and a healthy dose of laughter along the way…

St. John Parking Lot Reconstruction is Underway!

The reconstruction of the parking lot at St. John the Evangelist Parish is now underway – check out some photos from the first few days of work below!

As we announced earlier this month, we cannot celebrate weekend Masses at St. John while the parking is closed.

The Temporary Mass Schedule for this weekend, July 20-21, next weekend, July 27-28, and the following weekend, August 3-4, is:

Saturday 4:00pm Vigil Mass at St. Paul*
Sunday 9:00am Mass at St. Paul*
Sunday 11:00am Mass at St. Paul*

St. John Parking Lot Reconstruction and Temporary Weekend Mass Schedule Changes Beginning July 20-21

We are excited to let you know that we will be replacing the St. John parking lot this summer! The parking lot is long past its expected lifespan, so the project will be a major undertaking as it requires the demolition and removal of the existing surface prior to the installation of the new surface. The work will begin on Monday, July 15 and is expected to be finished by the week of August 5.

We will be unable to celebrate weekend Masses at St. John on July 20-21, July 27-28, and August 3-4 while the parking lot is closed. During this time, there will be NO Saturday 5:00pm Vigil Mass and the Sunday 11:00am Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Church.

Temporary Weekend Mass Schedule for July 20-21, July 27-28, August 3-4:

Welcoming Our Collaborative Director of Music, William Endicott!

As we announced back in February when we began the search process, the new role of Collaborative Director of Music replaces our past structure of separate parish music directors. As Collaborative Director of Music, William has 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. He looks forward to familiarizing himself with the musical traditions of our unique parishes while also looking for opportunities to deepen our collaboration.

New! A Weekly Music and Worship Aid!
One area where William brings significant musicology is the regular use of a worship aid…

Welcome Fr. Kevin!

Fr. Kevin Onyeka Chukwuka of the Archdiocese of Onitsha in Nigeria will be joining us at the Collaborative this summer.

Fr. Kevin, who has served as Parish Vicar at the Cathedral Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity in Onitsha, and as Secretary to the Archbishop of Onitsha, is currently on break from his studies at the Pontifical Institute of Moral Theology, Alphonsian Academy in Rome. He will be with us in the St. Paul rectory until late September, when he returns to his studies in Rome.

We know you join us in welcoming Fr. Kevin and helping him to feel at home here at the Collaborative!

Happy 4th of July! Collaborative Offices Closed July 4-5

In honor of the Independence Day holiday, our Collaborative Offices will be closed Thursday, July 4 and Friday, July 5.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July!

Please Pray for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia

The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia ask for your prayer during their General Chapter 2024. From June 21-30, nearly 200 Sister-delegates (including our own Sr. Colleen!), representing the 522 members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia, will gather in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia for this important work.

A General Chapter is a canonically required gathering of members of a religious institute to discern their direction for the following 5 years and to elect congregational leadership. This assembly of sisters seeks to communally discern God’s will through deep prayer around the call of the Church, the needs of society, and the spirit and mission of the Congregation…

Congratulations and Thank You, Fr. Gabriel!

It is with great joy that the Collaborative celebrates Fr. Gabriel Afumbom Tokoh’s successful completion of his Master degree in Leadership and Administration from Boston College!

With his graduation, Father Gabriel has received a new assignment and will be serving as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted in Waltham starting in July. While we will miss his daily presence with us, we are happy that he won’t be too far away!

To celebrate the gift Father Gabriel has been to our community, a reception will be held at St. Paul following the 9:00am Mass on Wednesday, June 26…

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

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…