Lenten Loft Book Club: “Struck Down, Not Destroyed” – March 10 at St. Paul

Lenten Loft Book Club: “Struck Down, Not Destroyed” – March 10 at St. Paul

As we pray for steadfast spirits this Lent, join in this one-night discussion of Struck Down, Not Destroyed, a spiritual memoir by America Magazine’s Vatican Correspondent, Colleen Dulle.

Exploring the inner workings of the Church and her own faith journey as a Millennial, Dulle’s story helps us reflect on our own journey of faith and what it means to claim our faith as our own in this day and age.

Join us for an evening of sharing and reflecting. Registration appreciated – please register below…

2026 Lenten Gift: Telling the Story Part 1 – When College Looks Different Than We Expect

2026 Lenten Gift: Telling the Story Part 1 – When College Looks Different Than We Expect

Many of us picture college in a familiar way. We think of dorm rooms, meal plans, walking to class, and maybe a part-time job for extra money. For those who went to college this way, the basics were covered, and that made learning easier. For most students at MassBay Community College, college looks very different.

These students balance more than schoolwork. Many are working full or part-time jobs. Some are raising children or caring for parents. Many are doing all of this at once. They travel to campus with full lives behind them and show up ready to learn…

This Sunday, March 1 at 10:00am: Family Faith Formation Lenten Retreat (Grades K-5) at St. John

This Sunday, March 1 at 10:00am: Family Faith Formation Lenten Retreat (Grades K-5) at St. John

Mustard Seeds (K-2)  and  Loaves & Fishes (3-5)
following the 9:00am Family Mass at St. John

We will begin by gathering in the Upper Church at 10:00am for an Opening Prayer and an overview of the retreat activities. Parents and kids will move together through a series of Lenten activities before returning to the upper church for a closing song and prayer.

Young Adult Ministry: “Practicing Lent” Prayer Series

Young Adult Ministry: “Practicing Lent” Prayer Series

A Weekly Exploration of Different Prayer Practices Led by Members of Our SJSP Young Adult Ministry

We are celebrating the Lenten season in a special way as a young adult community at St. John-St. Paul by “Practicing Lent”! Every Tuesday in Lent, join us for a different prayer experience from 7-8PM in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St. Paul Church. Join us as fellow young adults lead these experiences and we draw closer to God in prayer this Lent!

ALL YOUNG ADULTS (AGE 21-40) WELCOME!

2026 Lenten Gift: MassBay Community College’s Essential Needs Fund for Textbook Assistance

2026 Lenten Gift: MassBay Community College’s <i>Essential Needs Fund for Textbook Assistance</i>

Each year, in preparing for Lent, we reach out as a community to one particular place of need through our Lenten Gift. This year, we will stay very close to home, reaching into our own backyard to help students at our local community college be able to focus on their studies without undue financial stress. Students at community colleges tend to be stretched thin between a multitude of obligations and financial strains.

Tuesday, March 3 Evening for Women: “Potluck Prayer”

Tuesday, March 3 <i>Evening for Women</i>: “Potluck Prayer”

Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30pm
St. John Chapel and Powers Hall

All women of the collaborative are invited to an hour of “Potluck Prayer” –  a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel with an invitation for all gathered to share music, poems, readings, art, and anything else that may be preparing our hearts for our Lenten journey or inspiring our prayer life. 

After our Holy Hour we will gather in Powers Hall for a potluck dinner and fellowship.

Bring a dish or beverage to share and invite a friend or neighbor to come along!

Lent 2026: A Message from Fr. Jim

Lent 2026: A Message from Fr. Jim

It is impossible to miss the irony of this passage from Matthew’s gospel as it is proclaimed on Ash Wednesday. As Jesus exhorts us to pray and fast in secret, we receive ashes on our forehead that proclaim to all we see that we are fasting! There is no magic in the ashes. Unlike the Eucharist, which confers grace, ashes are a sacramental, a sacred sign which disposes us to receive grace. Jesus is not decrying ritual or communal prayer. Rather he points to centrality of our “internal” transformation. Lent is a time for us to focus on that internal transformation by turning to the presence of the Triune God, who dwells within us.

I have read and re-read a book which has been very helpful in my own prayer. It is called The Impact of God: Soundings from St. John of the Cross by Fr. Iain Matthew, an English Carmelite priest…

Lent 2026: Catholic Social Teaching Series with Fr. Ken Himes

Lent 2026: Catholic Social Teaching Series with Fr. Ken Himes

Three Thursday Evenings: February 26, March 12, March 26
7-8:30pm at St. Paul Parish Hall or on Zoom

Catholic Social Teaching has been called the “best kept secret in the Catholic Church.” Join us as we dive deeper into this hidden gem of our faith with Fr. Ken Himes as a guide on the way! This three-session series will explore the pillars of Catholic Social Teaching and how they can call us to faith-filled action in our world today. Drawing from life experience and Gospel principles, this program promises a foundational understanding of CST and will bolster you spirit in the season of Lent and beyond!

Offered in a hybrid-format – participate online via Zoom or in-person in the St. Paul Parish Hall for fellowship and sharing as we learn from Fr. Himes and reflect together on the social implications of living out our faith! Registration is required – please register below…

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