Attention All Volunteers! It is Annual CORI Submission Time!

Attention All Volunteers! It is Annual CORI Submission Time!

Each year in the Spring, all staff and volunteers age 18 and older (including Eucharistic ministers and lectors, choir members and musicians, members of councils and commissions, ushers and counters, other Mass volunteers, etc.) must complete an annual Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) background screening (except for Religious Education volunteers who complete their screening in the early Fall), as mandated by civil and Archdiocese of Boston authorities.

Staff and volunteers will be available after each Mass this weekend, April 29-30, to assist you in completing your annual CORI form…

Helping with the Collection at Mass

Helping with the Collection at Mass

Many, many thanks to all who step up to do the collection at Mass every week. We appreciate everyone who sometimes spontaneously responds to our call to help with “passing the basket.” Since we have so many guest celebrants, and we want to try to ensure that all aspects of the Mass are covered, we are asking those who typically help out with collections  to contact Mary Campion so that Mary can develop a list of who is available at any given Mass.

We are also opening the door to invite newcomers! Men, women, high school age students … anyone currently serving and anyone who wants to serve, please contact Mary Campion at mary.campion@sjspwellesley.org

POWIR Update: Seeking IT Professional

POWIR Update: Seeking IT Professional

The POWIR group is seeking an IT professional as a volunteer tutor for one of the young men we are helping to resettle here in MA. He has a college degree from Afghanistan and is a hard worker. He is working on a Google Professional Certificate in IT Support and could use some assistance with this course.

Google has partnered with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies to distribute 30,000 scholarships among its member organizations. Upon completion, he will be well prepared for a competitively paid job as a Computer Support Specialist, IT Manager, Help Desk Technician, or Network Administrator, and will be able to directly apply for jobs with Google and over 150 U.S. employers.

The course is online at the student’s own pace so your time commitment is flexible. Students are expected to complete the certificate within six months, and he is on track to finish in January, but the material is becoming more challenging…

Attention Current (and Future!) Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors

Attention Current (and Future!) Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors

We are pleased to announce an exciting development in the way we organize the ministries of the Mass – a return to parish volunteers coordinating the schedules (the norm before the many disruptions caused by the pandemic!)  Dorene Christie will be coordinating the schedule of Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors for St. John, and Anne Cremonini and Leah Cinelli will be scheduling for St. Paul. You will be getting an email from them shortly since September – and the new schedule – are just around the corner!

On behalf of you, the parishioners, we thank our new coordinators for their service and look forward to lots of active participation in our vibrant liturgies! Mary Campion (mary.campion@sjspwellesley.org) will continue to be the staff liaison so if you would like to be part of ministry at Mass, please contact Mary, Dorene, Anne or Leah…

Helping a Family from Afghanistan   

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.

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

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!

Can You Help?

Can You Help?

As we begin the process of transitioning to a more “normal” weekend Mass experience, we are in great need of parishioners who can step up as greeters and ushers at our weekend Masses. Your job will be simple – just arrive a few minutes early for Mass so you can welcome parishioners as they enter the church and help with any questions about seating and Mass protocols for newcomers. You can help occasionally or on a regular basis – whatever works for you.