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

A Prayer for Independence Day

O God, our creator and judge of all the earth, on Independence Day we acknowledge the enduring, self-evident truth stated in our Declaration of Independence: you have created all people equal and endowed every person with the innate rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Help us to have faith in ourselves. Give us the courage to recognize the many ways we do not live your truth.

Enable us to create a nation that indeed lives your truth in its social structures, politics, economics, healthcare, educational system, and international relations.

Renew our ability to be responsible for our shared freedom. Deepen our devotion to democracy for all. And give us the imagination we need to create in our turbulent times a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Amen.

-Fr. Lance Nadeau, M.M.

Faith Formation News: A Vision for Children’s Faith Formation and Youth Ministry

The Archdiocese of Boston is calling on parishes to embrace a new vision of faith formation – one that supports parents in their role as the first teachers of the faith, facilitates lifelong faith formation for all generations, encourages missionary discipleship in addition to catechesis, and engages the talents of the whole parish community.

This past spring, 234 young people in grades 8-12 received the Sacrament of Confirmation in our parishes, exponentially increasing the number of high school teens who need a robust youth ministry program to accompany them during this time of great transition and growth in their lives. Being ready to accompany these newly-confirmed teens on their journey and helping them stay connected to their faith, their parish, and each other is vitally important – for them, for our Collaborative, and for the Church…

Pope Leo XIV: ‘Humanity cries out and pleads for peace’

“Alarming news continues to arrive from the Middle East, especially from Iran,” said Pope Leo on Sunday at the Angelus address.

The Holy Father’s words came just hours after US bombers struck nuclear sites in Iran, as Israel and Iran carry out strikes on each other’s territory.

“In this dramatic scenario, which includes Israel and Palestine,” continued the Pope, “the daily suffering of the population—especially in Gaza and other territories—risks being forgotten, even as the need for adequate humanitarian aid becomes ever more urgent.”

“Today more than ever, humanity cries out and pleads for peace,” he said…

“Count on the commitment of all of us to stand with you in this challenging hour,” says Archbishop Broglio

This afternoon, Archbishop Henning shared Archbishop Broglio’s reflection with all parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston, and he joins with Archbishop Broglio in his sentiments on this important issue.

“As your shepherds, your fear echoes in our hearts and we make your pain our own. Count on the commitment of all of us to stand with you in this challenging hour,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), addressing the surge in immigration enforcement actions. He offered a reflection on behalf of the bishops of the United States and acknowledged that while law enforcement actions to preserve order and ensure community security are necessary for the common good, we cannot turn a deaf ear to the anxiety and fear in communities…

This Weekend’s Second Collection: Our Missionary Appeal for the Diocese of Galle, Sri Lanka

As part of the annual Missionary Cooperative Program, Bishop Raymond Wickramasinghe of the Diocese of Galle, Sri Lanka, will be with us at all Masses this weekend. Bishop Raymond’s diocese sits at the southern tip of his island country. There are 2.1 million people in his diocesan but Catholics are less than 1% of the population. This means his 47 priests and 70 sisters travel great distances over difficult terrain to bring the Word of God to the people.

Proceeds from this weekend’s collections will help Bishop Raymond educate and catechize workers on remote tea plantations, support a large ministry to families with disabled children, and reach out via home visits to the elderly who live a great distance from Catholic facilities…

Adult Clothing Drive for St. Francis House: June 21-22

The clothing program at St. Francis house is the only free clothing distributor for adults experiencing homelessness and poverty in the greater Boston area. Every spring our Collaborative supports this program as a collective force. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by the thousands of people who rely on St. Francis House during their most challenging times.

Items may be dropped off between the hours of 9:00am – 5:00pm at both the St. John and St. Paul garages on the weekend of June 21-22.

Items we Need!

Two categories of adult clothing are needed. All should be gently used (or new), clean, and in good condition, please…

Bell Tower Mass and Celebration at St. Paul

Sunday, June 8 marked a day of special celebration in our Collaborative community: the dedication of The Warren and Patricia Cross Bell Tower and rededication of The DeFazio Family Bell at St. Paul Church! Calling upon the Holy Spirit, the 11AM Pentecost liturgy concluded with a special blessing of new memorial plaques in the church gathering space and a celebration on the front lawn.

As our Collaborative community celebrated on the front lawn of St. Paul, the presence of the Holy Spirit in the sea of smiles and celebration was undeniable! Thank you to everyone who made this joyful occasion such a success!

Collaborative Summer Office Hours Begin Friday June 13

Beginning Friday, June 13, our parish offices will be closed on Fridays through Labor Day. As always when the office is closed, if there is an emergency need for a priest you may call either office to leave a message in the Emergency voicemail box. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.

St. John Parish Office & Collaborative offices
39 Washington St. 781-235-0045
Summer Office Hours: 9:00am – 4:00pm (Monday – Thursday)

St. Paul Parish Office
502 Washington St. 781-235-1060
Summer Office Hours: 9:00am – 12:00pm (Monday – Thursday)

A Blessing for Our Seniors – “Go, Not in Fear, But in Faith…”

At the end of our last Sunday 5pm Youth Mass before the summer break, Fr. Lesley called the high school seniors forward to receive a special blessing as they prepare to step into a new chapter of life. After imparting the blessing, he reminded them:

“And now seniors, turn toward the community –
See the faces that have loved you and prayed for you.
Know that as you go forth, you are never alone.
Go, not in fear, but in faith.
Called to be heralds, even amid hardships, always magnify love.”

Sunday, June 8, 2025: The Dedication of The Warren and Patricia Cross Bell Tower and Rededication of The DeFazio Family Bell

HISTORY OF THE ST. PAUL BELL AND BELL TOWER PROJECT

The St. Paul Mission was established in 1906 for families in the western part of Wellesley. In 1914, land was acquired on Washington Street for a new church to serve the growing congregation. Ground was broken on August 10, 1915, and construction was completed the following spring. The first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, June 4, 1916. Later that summer a parishioner, Salvatore DeFazio of Wellesley Hills, approached Rev. Edward J. Welch with the offer to contribute and install a bell in the newly completed church…

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