Welcome!
We invite you to learn more about the St. John-St. Paul Catholic Collaborative and to become a member of our parish and Collaborative communities. We look forward to welcoming you in person – be sure to introduce yourself when you have a chance.
Wherever you find yourself on life’s journey, know you are always welcome!
About our Collaborative
In June of 2015, St. John the Evangelist Parish and St. Paul Parish, two vibrant Catholic communities of faith, were joined in the St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative through the Disciples in Mission pastoral plan for the Archdiocese of Boston. We continue to grow together in faith and in service to those in need, both within and beyond our parishes.
Register
Registering at one of our parishes is the first step in getting to know one another, and is important when your family members are receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation and Marriage. Additionally, being a member of a parish gives one the identity of belonging to a family – the family of the parish and of the St. John-St. Paul Catholic Collaborative. In times of joy and in times of struggle, it is comforting to have the support of family.
So if you are new to our parishes, or if you have been attending here but have not yet registered, we invite you to do so now!
Learn More
The St. John-St. Paul Collaborative is a vibrant community of faith. There are so many ways you and your family can participate in the life of this Collaborative! The information below provides a brief overview of important areas and programs – please follow the links for more detailed information.
SACRAMENTS: In welcoming you, we welcome your participation in all aspects of our Parish life, especially in celebrating the sacraments of our Catholic Christian faith. Learn more about the celebration of the sacraments (including Baptism and Matrimony) by visiting our Sacraments page.
LITURGY: Liturgy is “the participation of the People of God in the work of God” and is central to our Catholic faith. We encourage the full, conscious, and active participation in the liturgy by all of the faithful. There are many different ways to get involved with Mass; please visit our Liturgy page to learn more about the ministries of Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Server, Sacristans, and more.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: The Religious Education Program provides our children and adolescents with ongoing faith formation, spiritual encouragement, and development of the understanding and practice of being Catholic in the world today. We offer Religious Education programs for children in Grades 1-7 and a Confirmation preparation program. Both traditional classroom programs and a Family Cluster model that provides intergenerational learning for parents and children are offered.
YOUTH MINISTRY: All high school students are encouraged to participate in our Youth Ministry program! Our program is centered around our youth-focused, vibrant, and Spirit-filled Sunday 5:00pm Mass. The students are central to and actively involved in all aspects of this liturgy, serving as greeters and lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, singers and musicians. The program also offers service opportunities within and outside our Collaborative, as well as social and recreational activities, to help them strengthen their connections to each other and to their community.
New this year: A Thursday Night Drop-In Youth Group for high school students – we’ll be here Thursdays from 7:30 – 8:30pm in the Regan Room in the St. John Parish Center. Play games, play music, or just hang out with friends! Bring your homework if you want – we’ll have quiet places to get work done, or to study with friends. Just drop in to say hi or stay for a bit! Come every week or just once in a while – totally up to you!
SUNDAY 9AM FAMILY MASS: The Sunday 9:00am Family Mass is a family-centered liturgy with our younger children central to and actively involved in all aspects of the Mass. This Mass rotates between St. John the Evangelist Church and St. Paul Church from early September through late May, and serves as the centerpiece of our Religious Education program for children in Grades 1-5. It includes upbeat, child-friendly music, homilies meaningful to both children and adults, and provides many opportunities for parents and children to actively celebrate Mass. The Family Mass is normally followed by Coffee and Donuts (in Powers Hall at St. John and in the Parish Hall at St. Paul.) On the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month, the Mass is at St. John Church; on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, the Mass is at St. Paul Church.
SUNDAY 5PM YOUTH MASS: Our Confirmation and Youth Ministry programs are centered around the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass is a deliberately youth-centered liturgy, with our young people central to and actively involved in all aspects of the Mass. From the music, to the homilies, to the Spirit-filled sense of vibrancy and joy, we are prayerfully approaching a liturgy that touches the hearts and minds of our young people and all who come to celebrate the Mass and grow in faith together. Our Sunday 5pm Mass is a truly collaborative liturgy, moving from week to week between St. John Church and St. Paul Church from mid-September through mid-May. For more information please visit the Sunday 5pm Mass page. On the 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month, the Mass is at St. John Church; on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month, the Mass is at St. Paul Church.
ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT: Adult faith enrichment is a multi-faceted, learning and living experience for Catholics that meshes education, spiritual growth, and active practice of faith that includes prayer and service to others. The Adult Faith Enrichment Commission initiates and oversees programs for all adults in the Collaborative. Programs include Spiritual Study groups, lectures, monthly gatherings for women and men, and Advent and Lenten programs. We also offer a Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program, welcoming persons committed to the journey of becoming a Christian. Please visit the Adult Faith Enrichment page to learn more.
SERVICE AND OUTREACH: Our Collaborative has a long-standing commitment to the scriptural message of service, as demonstrated by the many diverse programs supported within our parishes. By volunteering time and talent, our parishioners are following the scriptural message to love our neighbor. The Service Commission acts as a vehicle to enhance the Collaboratove’s desire to be Christ to the world around us. Please visit the Service and Outreach page to learn more.