We have a rich, full schedule of liturgies, programs, and events planned for Lent,
centering around the theme of “accompaniment”.
Please join us on this Lenten journey!
A Lenten Message from fr. jim
A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Moved with pity, [Jesus] stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.”
The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean.
-Mark 1: 40-42
My dear friends in Christ,
Leper. That is all we know of him. Deemed ritually impure, he was banished from society. He had lost everything: his family, his community… even his name. Leper. This classification became his identity. That is, until he encountered Jesus. Perhaps Jesus could help him. He was desperate. It was worth a shot. He knelt down before him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.”
Jesus’ response is astonishing, beginning with the compassion which motivated his actions. Our translation “moved with pity” doesn’t begin to capture the power of the Greek verb σπλαγχνίζομαι (splanchnizomai). Jesus was moved from the depths of his being, literally from the entrails, believed in the ancient world to be the seat of emotions. The intense movement of his spirit propelled him forward into action as he reached out his hand in healing. At this moment, the man was made clean. He was given back his life, his family, his community… his name.
In this act of divine compassion, Jesus incurred ritual impurity himself by touching the unclean. In this powerful gesture, he demonstrated God’s relationship to suffering humanity which the law could not restrain. Through Jesus’ touch, this man was restored to his true identity as a beloved child of God.
During these holy days of Lent, may we draw close to Jesus, who looks upon each of us with the same passionate love and compassion. And may we accompany other pilgrims on the journey with the same compassion. As Pope Francis writes in The Joy of the Gospel, “One who accompanies others has to realize that each person’s situation before God and their life in grace are mysteries which no one can fully know from without.” (EG 172).
In these polarized times, as we contemplate relationships in our families, community and with suffering people throughout the world, may we be instruments of Christ’s light. As we draw close to Jesus, may we more and more see with his eyes, listen with his ears, and love with his heart.
Much love in Christ,
Fr. Jim
Revisiting “The Joy of the Gospel”
six Tuesday Evenings IN LENT Beginning February 20
February 20, February 27, March 5, March 12, March 19, April 2
6:30pm – 8:00pm in the St. Paul Parish Hall
REGISTRATION HAS NOW CLOSED
Ten years after Pope Francis’ first apostolic exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel (Evangeli Gaudium), is an important reminder for every disciple to live in joyful, missionary witness. The legacy of Francis’ papacy is undoubtedly tied to what he calls “the ministry of accompaniment.”
Through this six-session study we will revisit this consistent theme and discuss what it means for our faith and Church today as we enhance our understanding of what it means to be a Synodal Church.
“The Church will have to initiate everyone – priests, religious and laity – into this ‘art of accompaniment’ which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other…”
“One who accompanies others has to realize that each person’s situation before God and their life in grace are mysteries which no one can fully know from without.”
-pope francis, the Joy of the Gospel
The Joy of the Gospel is available online to read and download from the Vatican website: The Joy of the Gospel Paperback versions are also available to purchase online
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND BUT WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE:
Each week, in the bulletin and online, we will share a brief reflection with some thoughts and questions for your consideration. All are encouraged to follow along in the bulletin or on the Revisiting ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ page on our website.
scripture study: “The book of revelation”
Four Wednesdays in lent beginning february 21
FEBRUARY 21, FEBRUARY 28, MARCH 13, MARCH 20
Morning Group: 9:30am in St. Paul Parish Hall
Evening Group: 7:00pm on Zoom
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Inarguably the most eccentric book of the Bible, The Book of Revelation stands in a unique place in the Canon. Its apocalyptic imagery and symbolism can both confound and intrigue the reader. It is also the only book of the Bible which promises a blessing over anyone who reads aloud and hears the words of the prophecy.
Join a group this Lent to dive into John’s riveting eschatology!
“poetry and prayer” with sr. mary sweeney, s.c.
FRIDAY MORNINGS IN LENT BEGINNING FEBRUARY 16
9:30AM IN THE ST. PAUL RECTORY
All are invited to gather after the 9:00am Mass at St. Paul on Friday mornings in Lent for a peaceful hour of reflection and prayer over sacred poetry with Sister Mary Sweeney, S.C. No registration required – all welcome!
For those unable to attend in person, selected poems will be shared in the bulletin and on our Poetry and Prayer page.
Reconciliation and Worship Service for Teens
FRIDAY, MARCH 1 AT 5:00PM AT ST. PAUL CHURCH
Are you a teen? Has it been a while since your last confession? Are you a little nervous about it but really want to receive the sacrament?
Come join the Youth Ministry Team for this special reconciliation service – there will be music, a brief reading from scripture, a short reflection, and a walk through an examination of conscience. The Youth Ministry team will help guide you through all the steps to leaving a little lighter and filled with God’s mercy!
Are you receiving Confirmation this spring?
There is no better way to prepare to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit!
Interested, but not sure if you’ll feel ready to receive the sacrament on Friday night?
That’s OK – please come anyway, and encourage your friends to come too! There will be no pressure, just an open invitation to experience God’s love and mercy.
Poetry reading
with rev. Tom Fitzpatrick, SJ
Sunday, March 3 at 2:00pm at St. John the Evangelist Chapel
Please join us for a Lenten afternoon poetry reading and discussion led by Rev. Tom Fitzpatrick, SJ, from Weston’s Campion Center. Father Tom has been a Jesuit for 64 years and a priest for 51. His writing reveals a lifelong spiritual journey with God. He uses humor and images of nature, with simple and direct language, to make God real for us.
Fr. Tom founded the Jesuit Center in Amman, Jordan, and remained as director for 14 years. He also served as director of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem for 10 years, and taught for more than 10 years at Fairfield University.
ADORATION FOR TEENS
MONDAY, MARCH 4 AT 7:30PM AT ST. JOHN CHAPEL
Led by Our Youth Ministry Team
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
lenten lecture: “spiritual resources for the street” WITH CAPUCHIN MOBILE MINISTRIES
Wednesday, March 6 at 7:00pm at St. John the Evangelist Church
Our Mission:
Capuchin Mobile Ministries is a ministry of spiritual caregiving to our homeless sisters and brothers.
We take our inspiration from Saint Francis, who embraced lepers and made them know that they were precious to God. Showing mercy to the marginalized is fundamental to the Capuchin mission. It is how we live the Gospel and share it with others. We also take inspiration from Pope Francis, who calls for the Church to be like a field hospital that takes in those who are sick or weak in spirit and revives their souls.
Br. Anthony and Br. Paul will talk about the history, mission, and work of Capuchin Mobile Ministries, the recipient of this year’s Lenten Gift. Come learn about this wonderful organization and the ways you can support them both financially and practically, by volunteering with their outreach efforts.
ADORATION FOR YOUNG FAMILIES
FRIDAY, MARCH 8 FROM 5:00 – 5:30PM AT ST. JOHN CHAPEL
Adoration is simply to show our love for Jesus, to Adore Him in the Eucharist – and allow Him to love us. The purpose of Family Adoration is to welcome families and to help young children learn to adore Christ present in the Eucharist. Children, as well as all present, are led through the Adoration through a short, informal program to engage young children. You are welcome to come and go at any time. And remember, you are always welcome to stop by church to say a prayer before Jesus in the tabernacle with your children, even if it is not during an Adoration time.
Family community service project
Sunday, March 10 from 10:30am – 12:00pm at St. Paul Parish Hall
We will be assembling “wellness bags” for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth supported by the Bridge Over Troubled Waters program in Boston after Coffee & Donuts at St. Paul. Families are welcome to drop in for a bit or stay until all of the bags are made. This is a great activity to share with your family during Lent!
Sponsored by Religious Education – all welcome!
Taizé Prayer Service
WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
monday, march 11 at 7:00pm at st. paul church
All are invited for an evening of beautiful Taizé-inspired music and prayer.
Taizé is an ecumenical monastic order in Burgundy, France, with a strong devotion to peace and reconciliation through prayer, meditation, and song. Taizé welcomes young people from around the world to live and pray among the brothers, hosting up to 3,000 people during Lent and Easter.
The repetitive sung simple prayers draw you deeply into communion with the Holy Spirit and allows the clutter of your thoughts to subside. Holy Scripture and silence are interwoven in the experience in order for worshipers to be attentive to God’s voice. There will be opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation throughout.
There can be no better way to prepare for Holy Week than to approach it full of God’s abundant grace.
“Evening for women” Lenten Retreat
Friday, March 15 FROM 5:00 – 9:00PM
AT THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH SPIRITUALITY CENTER IN NEWTON
Facilitator Crista Mahoney will invite us into a moment of pause,
to tend to the present moment with Jesus.
All women of the Collaborative are warmly invited –
dinner will be served and carpool arrangements are available.
(Please see Registration page for carpool details.)
REGISTRATION REQUIRED – sjspwellesley.org/evening-for-women-retreat
About Crista Mahoney
Crista Mahoney earned her Master of Divinity from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry after graduating with a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross in 2002. Her professional ministry began in campus ministry at Emmanuel College, then as the Catholic Chaplain on a multi-faith team at Babson College before returning to her alma mater to work with students on retreats and women’s faith sharing groups. Crista also coordinates and edits the Return To Me: Lenten Reflection Series at Holy Cross. In 2019 Crista finished her Post-Master’s Certificate in Spiritual Formation at the BC STM, and her current primary ministry is accompanying individuals in spiritual direction from across the Christian tradition. She also accompanies people of all ages in their spiritual journeys on retreat and in workshops in the Boston area. She and her family live in Sherborn, where she enjoys hiking with her family and pup Oakley, cooking with her kids, and sharing meals around their farm table with family and friends.
Donations to the St. John-St. Paul Adult Faith Enrichment program to help defray the costs associated with this offsite retreat gratefully accepted:
our collaborative lenten gift for capuchin mobile ministries
Each year, in preparing for 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 year, we will open our eyes and hearts to the plight of those suffering close to home, on the streets of Boston.
The St. John-St. Paul Collaborative Service Commission has chosen Capuchin Mobile Ministries , a ministry of spiritual caregiving to our homeless sisters and brothers, as the recipient of our Lenten Gift.
Throughout Lent, in the bulletin and here on the website, we will share their story with you as we prepare for our collaborative-wide Special Second Collection.
special second collection: march 16-17
Ours is a ministry of accompaniment; a ministry of presence.
We have heard the cry of the poor in the voices of our homeless sisters and brothers. For many reasons, the homeless do not find a welcome inside our churches.
They are looking for a home for their spirits as well as for their bodies.
-capuchin mobile ministries
Our gift will allow each of us to share in easing the suffering
and to answer Lent’s clarion call to love extravagantly.