St. Francis House Adult Clothing Drive: June 20-21, 2026

St. Francis House Adult Clothing Drive: June 20-21, 2026

The clothing program at St. Francis House is the only free clothing program 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 9:00am – 5:00pm at both the St. John and St. Paul garages on the weekend of June 20-21.

Items St. Francis House Needs!

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

Our 2026 Collaborative Lenten Gift for the MassBay Community College Textbook Assistance Fund

Our 2026 Collaborative Lenten Gift for the MassBay Community College Textbook Assistance Fund

This past Tuesday, May 26, Fr. Jim and members of our Collaborative Service Commission presented a check for $35,346.49 to the MassBay Community College Foundation in support of their Textbook Assistance Fund.

Your generosity will help students prepare for a successful future regardless of economic barriers.

Thank you for your support for this wonderful cause and your heartfelt support of our neighbors at MassBay!

Pope Leo asks Catholics worldwide to pray rosary for peace on Saturday, May 30

Pope Leo asks Catholics worldwide to pray rosary for peace on Saturday, May 30

Pope Leo XIV will preside over a worldwide rosary for peace May 30, uniting Marian shrines across continents in simultaneous prayer to close the Catholic Church’s month of devotion to the Virgin Mary.

The pope will lead the prayer from the Lourdes grotto in the Vatican Gardens at 7pm local time (1:00pm Eastern time) on Saturday. The livestream will be available at vaticannews.va.

Pope Leo will pray the joyful mysteries, with each of the five decades dedicated to those suffering the effects of war and violence, and entrusted to the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace.

Sr. Colleen on CSSJ Panel to discuss Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas

Sr. Colleen on CSSJ Panel to discuss Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, <i>Magnifica humanitas</i>

From the Sisters of Saint Joseph U.S. Federation: Join us for a panel with respondents from across the CSS] community who will offer initial thoughts on Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, which is focused on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence.

Speakers include Sr. Colleen Gibson, SSJ who serves as Coordinator of Pastoral Care at St. John-St. Paul Catholic Collaborative in Wellesley, Massachusetts and Mr. Fred Robinson who is the Director of Technology for the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Brentwood, New York. The one-hour session will include Q&A from participants.

Click here for more information and to register!

“Pope Leo’s ‘Magnifica humanitas’: AI must serve humanity not concentrate power”

“Pope Leo’s ‘Magnifica humanitas’: AI must serve humanity not concentrate power”

“Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.”  -Pope Leo XIV

The opening words of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, summarize its underlying reasons and purpose. The Pope signed the encyclical on May 15, the 135th anniversary of the promulgation of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum novarum.

Read more at VaticanNews.va

Congratulations Fr. James!

Congratulations Fr. James!

Please join us in congratulating Fr. James Taah on his graduation with a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) from the Clough School of Theology and Ministry (CSTM) at Boston College!

We’re thrilled to let you know that Fr. James has been accepted into the Doctorate in Sacred Theology program at the CSTM, which means he will  be remaining with us here at the Collaborative for at least a few more years!

Spring 2026: First Communion at the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative

Spring 2026: First Communion at the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative

In keeping with our new Family Faith Formation model and the guidance of the Archdiocese of Boston, this spring children began receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion with their families at a Sunday Mass – the same way they will receive the sacrament throughout their lives.

During April and May, 65 children in our Family Faith Formation program received their First Holy Communion at our Family Masses. Please keep them and their families in your prayers as they continue to grow in love and faith!

Boston Catholic Appeal Update

Boston Catholic Appeal Update

As we pause to assess participation in this year’s Catholic Appeal, we want to thank all who have generously supported the effort thus far! We know there are many good causes vying for your attention, and we are grateful for every gift that supports the Appeal…

Each year, the Archdiocese sets an assessment for each of its parishes. When parishioners’ giving surpasses the assessment, the parish receives a rebate (roughly 40% of the overage) from the  Archdiocese. Here at the Collaborative, an estimate of the expected Catholic Appeal rebate (based on recent history) is included in each parish’s annual operating budget. If, however, a parish has a shortfall (the amount given by parishioners is less than the assessment), the parish is responsible for the difference between the parishioners’ donations and the assessment…

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