Service and Outreach – Page 17 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Thank You for Over a Decade of Thanksgiving Dinners for Bristol Lodge

After 11 years, our Thanksgiving feast for the guests at the Bristol Lodge in Waltham has come to an end. Just as the pandemic has changed many facets of our lives, the same is true at Bristol Lodge.

Many thanks to all the parishioners who participated in this ministry. Since 2009, rain or shine, you brought cooked turkeys and gravy, green beans, peas, carrots, corn, stuffing, sweet and regular potatoes, dinner roles as well as beverages to the school parking lot the day before Thanksgiving. Most of you then returned home to start cooking for your own family’s feast. What generosity! We had many families who participated year after year, even one family where multiple generations contributed…

Donations Needed for Afghani Family

Our St. John- St. Paul Collaborative POWIR committee is overjoyed to announce that in the coming weeks we will be welcoming a refugee family from Afghanistan. Our housing committee has secured an apartment in the Newton/Brookline area for the family.

Targeted donations for their apartment needs are being solicited in both churches this weekend – look for the envelopes on the clotheslines at the main entrances. Drop off for these specific items will be in Powers Hall at St. John’s from Tuesday, October 26 through Thursday, October 28.

We are in great need of financial contributions as well! We ask you to prayerfully consider assisting this family…

Retreat and Training for New and Existing Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors

Sister Evelyn Ronan, SND will be hosting a retreat and training for new and existing Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors in the Collaborative.

Whether you are feeling called to serve for the first time, or you’d like to renew your energy for the ministry and sharpen your skills, you’ll want to attend!

The need for liturgical ministers has never been more acute. Please consider offering your presence to God in one of these two ministries. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Eucharistic Ministers: Wednesday, November 3 from 7:00-8:30pm
Lectors: Wednesday, November 10 from 7:00-8:30pm
Both retreats will be held in the St. John the Evangelist Sanctuary. Please RSVP to: mary.campion@sjspwellesley.org

October 30-31: Sale of Olive Wood Goods to Benefit School of Joy in the Holy Land

Maysoon Khair will be visiting our Collaborative on the weekend of October 30-31, selling handcrafted Olive Wood items such as nativity scenes, crucifixes, rosaries, and many other beautiful religious items in support of School of Joy, a school in the greater Bethlehem area for children with diversified abilities.

The continued effects of the global pandemic on the tourist economy in the Holy Land has had a serious impact on the school’s finances. If you are able to support this wonderful organization by stocking up on Christmas gifts, you’ll be a double blessing!

Please look for Maysoon and the wonderful carvings before and after Masses at St. John the Evangelist Church on the weekend of October 30-31.

A Message from Our Friends at NPH USA

Dear Friends,

Join us October 22 – 23, 2021, for our Grand Gala Weekend and experience two nights of inspiring change and learn how happiness heals!

The faces of the children and families supported by YOU and NPH’s programs are the best treatment to add some happiness to your life…

Helping a Family from Afghanistan

We are pleased to announce that our Collaborative Service Commission and POWIR committee have decided to sponsor a refugee family from Afghanistan. Once again, we will be partnering with Catholic Charities in this effort. This year Catholic Charities is collaborating with the Jewish Community Relations Council. Our brothers and sisters at Temple Beth Elohim of Wellesley will also be sponsoring a family and we are looking for creative ways to work together!

Our POWIR co-chairs Barbara Viechnicki and Barbara Weidlich will be looking for as much engagement as possible from parishioners. We implore you to lend a hand. We need your help for this important act of mercy.

Your Time and Talent are Needed!

Do you feel a desire to be trained as a Eucharistic Minister?
Do you feel a prompting to proclaim the Word of God as a Lector at Mass?
Are you called to comfort the grieving by serving at the Altar for funeral Masses?
Do you want to steward financial offerings by gathering the collection?
Have you been waiting for a specific call to serve?

THIS IS THAT CALL!

August 21-22: Collection of Non-Perishable Items for the New “Free Mini Pantry” in Natick

Are you looking for a way to help fight food insecurity in the local area? The St. John-St. Paul Collaborative will be holding a collection of non-perishable food and personal items for the recently established “Mini-Free Pantry” in Natick this weekend, August 21-22. Please consider supporting this effort by donating unexpired, non-perishable items to the collection bins at either church. At St. Paul the collection bins will be in the foyer of the main doors of the church and at St. John the bins will be at the Glen Road entrance.

Most needed items include: peanut butter, canned fruit, personal care items, diapers and wipes. Thank you!

The St. John-St. Paul Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Vincent de Paul, a great man of action was also a contemplative. His contemplation of God’s love overflowed into practical love for the poor. Please say a special prayer for the poor and forgotten, as you place your gift in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul poor box. There are donation boxes in support of the St. John – St. Paul Society of Saint Vincent de Paul located in the foyer of each church. Please help us help those in need. Have you considered answering the call to help serve the poor by joining the Society of St. Vincent de Paul?

Thank You from the SJSP POWIR Ministry Program

Thank you for your generous contributions of over $13,000 to our special Lenten Collection for the SJSP POWIR Ministry Fund. Your donations will support this ministry’s ongoing immigrant and refugee resettlement work in partnership with Catholic Charities Boston.