News and Updates – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Saturday, May 18: Veterans Memorial Mass at the 4:00pm Vigil at St. Paul

All military veterans and their families are cordially invited to attend a special Veterans Memorial Mass at St. Paul Church at 4:00pm on Saturday, May 21. Organized by the Wellesley Veterans’ Council, this annual event brings Wellesley veterans together as part of the annual Wellesley Wonderful Weekend. Veterans are invited (but not required!) to wear their uniforms and gather in the St. Paul foyer to process in with the celebrant to reserved seats at the front of the church.

During the Mass we will remember those veterans from Wellesley who gave their lives for our country.

Tuesday, May 13 at 6:00pm: “Evening for Women” Closing Mass at St. John

As the 2024-2025 Evening for Women season – Women in Scripture and the Church – comes to a close, all women of the Collaborative are warmly invited to join us as Fr. Jim Laughlin celebrates Mass on Tuesday, May 13 at 6:00pm at St. John the Evangelist Church.

Mass will be followed by a potluck dinner so dust off those Spring recipes!

To help us plan for the evening kindly RSVP…

THIS WEEKEND, May 10-11! Baby Shower to Support “Pregnancy Help Boston”

This weekend our Collaborative is hosting a “Baby Shower” to collect items for Pregnancy Help Boston, a pregnancy resource center supported through the Archdiocese of Boston, whose mission is to provide compassionate, practical, life-affirming alternatives for women facing crisis pregnancies…

Would you consider providing a *NEW* item from the “registry” below for our Collaborative Baby Shower for Pregnancy Help Boston? See below…

May 10: Young Adult Ministry “Games and Gumbo” Night

With the Easter season upon us, our Young Adult Ministry will be hosting a “Games & Gumbo” Night on Saturday, May 10 at 6:00pm in the St. John Rectory.

Young Adults aged 21-40 are invited to join us for an evening of fun and fellowship as we indulge in authentic gumbo and all those sweets you might have given up for Lent! Participants are encouraged to bring a drink, dessert, or game to share, as well as a friend to join in the fun!

Registration is appreciated but not required at: sjspwellesley.org/adult-faith-enrichment/young-adults

May 7: NPH “Pints for Pequeños” Event in Boston and Online Silent Auction

Join the NPH USA East Coast Associate Board for Pints for Pequeños, at Harpoon Brewery in Boston on May 7, 2025 from 7-8:30pm.

Enjoy unlimited 5 ounce pours of Harpoon beers and ciders on tap, appetizers and snacks while learning about NPH and bidding on exciting silent auction items. Tickets are $45 per person, must be 21 or over to attend – REGISTER HERE!

Even if you can’t attend the event, you can still support NPH through their East Coast Silent Auction 2025, which is open now and closes Wednesday evening at 8:00pm.

Sr. Colleen’s Interview on CNN’s Live Coverage of Pope Francis’ Funeral

Sister Colleen Gibson, SSJ and her co-host on the “Beyond the Habit” podcast, Sr. Erin McDonald, CSJ, were interviewed on CNN this morning during their pre-funeral coverage.

Sister Colleen and Sister Erin reflected on Pope Francis’ lasting impact, especially on women and young people – click the video below to watch!

Collaborative featured in WCVB report: “How Pope Francis changed the lives of these Massachusetts residents”

On Monday, April 21, following the announcement of Pope Francis’ death, WCVB5 Boston produced a report on local reaction to the news – Catholics across Massachusetts mourn pope, praise groundbreaking papacy.

As part of that report, WCVB reporter Ted Wayman reached out to Kelly Meraw, our Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, for a video segment: How Pope Francis changed the lives of these Massachusetts residents which appeared on the evening news broadcasts.

They spoke in particular about the Holy Father’s special connection with young people, and about our Collaborative’s pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Portugal in 2023.

Funeral for Pope Francis this Saturday, April 26 at 10:00am local time (4:00am ET)

The body of the late Pope Francis was transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday to lie in state until his funeral on Saturday morning, April 26 at 10:00am local time (4:00am ET) in St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican announced.

Many U.S. television networks, including NBC, CBS, CNN and ABC, are planning to broadcast the funeral live…

Archbishop Richard Henning Announces Three Masses to Pray for the Holy Father

“As the universal Church prepares for Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome, here in the Archdiocese of Boston, there will be three opportunities for clergy, religious, and the lay faithful to pray for our Holy Father’s eternal rest.

On Wednesday evening, April 23, Holy Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 PM at St. Theresa’s Parish in West Roxbury.

On Thursday evening, April 24, Holy Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Parish in Lowell.

On Friday evening, April 25, Holy Mass will be celebrated at 7:00 PM at St. James Church in Stoughton.

I strongly encourage the people of this Archdiocese to join one of these Masses and commend the Holy Father to the Lord.”

Archbishop Henning’s Statement on the Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Pope Francis. His legacy as Holy Father is broad and deep. In his ministry and across his writings, he has continuously called us to deeper faith and to a more generous participation in the boundless compassion of God. He has challenged us to turn away from selfish impulses and towards communion with others and respect for God’s creation.

I am personally grateful that he called me to the Episcopacy and entrusted me with the pastoral care of the Church of Boston. His example remains a guiding light to the Universal Church. Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, may he rest in peace.

-Archbishop Richard Henning

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