Special Collection: April 6-7
Each year, through our Collaborative Lenten Gift, we reach out as a community to one particular place of suffering, amid so many in the world. Over the years, our reach has extended around the globe, as far as the Central African Republic and as close as the streets of Boston. This year, we will open our eyes and hearts to the plight of those who are suffering right here in our own community – and who are so often unseen in the midst of the abundance that surrounds us – and reach out to help through our newly formed Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Throughout Lent, here and in the bulletin, we will share this story with you – the story of the need, and the story of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – as we prepare for our collaborative-wide Special Collection on April 6-7.
Our gift will allow each of us to share in easing the suffering
and to answer Lent’s clarion call to love extravagantly.
TELLING THE STORY
The most recent chapter appears first; scroll down for older entries.
Week 4: Collection Weekend April 6-7
As you know, each year in Lent we reach out as a community to one particular place of suffering, amid so many in the world, through our Collaborative Lenten Gift. This Lent, we open our eyes and hearts to the plight of those who are suffering right here in our own community - and who are so often unseen amid the abundance that surrounds us. With our Collaborative Lenten Gift, we reach out to help through our newly formed St. John-St. Paul Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The Society is best described by their mission statement: A network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with, and service to, people ...
Week 3: Our Conference
Over the past few weeks, we've introduced you to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and to the recently formed Conference established by parishioners from St. John and St. Paul parishes. Our new Collaborative Service Commission has chosen the Conference as the recipient of this year's Lenten Gift, providing a fitting opportunity for our two parishes to come together during this Lenten season to help launch the conference with a sound financial base. Many of us might assume that there would not be a significant need for personal or financial assistance in the affluent communities of Wellesley and the part of Newton that make up the Collaborative. This is most emphatically not the case. You might be surprised and disturbed by the struggles that ...
Week 2: The Need
Last week, we introduced you to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an international organization that addresses the needs of the poor. This week, we will talk about the need that exists here in our community, and the work that our newly established conference of the Society has already begun, with outreach and home visits to individuals and families who have requested assistance. While it may seem, on the surface, that the need doesn’t exist in affluent Wellesley, there are, in fact, those in town who are well below the guidelines for comfortable living and are silently struggling just to come up with the basics for themselves and their families. Some times these needs are long-term and complex. At other times, they can be ...
From the Wellesley Townsman: “Wellesley parishes form new group to help needy neighbors”
When a fledgling nonprofit comes knocking at your door or email account, it is often looking for a check to fund staff or office space. But a new volunteer group in town is searching for something more: neighbors in need... Please visit The Wellesley Townsman to read more ...
About The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The St. John-St.Paul Collaborative is blessed to have strong traditions of charitable outreach in each of its vibrant parishes. Over the last two years, as part of the Lenten Gift initiative, we cooperated to make a significant gift to Bahkita House to support the brave women struggling to escape the ravages of entrapment into slavery. Last year, we contributed very generously to rebuild the Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH) facilities in Mexico that were destroyed by a massive hurricane. This Lent, we are joining forces for the third time to open our eyes and hearts to the plight of those who are suffering right here in our own community – and who are so often unseen in the midst of the abundance that surrounds us – ...