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

Reinstatement of Sunday Mass Obligation Effective the Weekend of June 19-20, 2021

Aware that the opportunity to participate in Sunday Mass is increasingly available and increasingly safe for our Catholic people, we are joining dioceses in the Boston Province (Boston, Fall River, Springfield, Manchester, and Portland) in lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Day Mass obligation, effective the weekend of June 19 and 20, 2021.

This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have been recently exposed to COVID or any other communicable illness; those who are confined to their homes or to hospitals or other facilities due to illness, infirmity, frailty, or age; and those who are not yet able to be vaccinated, due to age or any health consideration. Parishioners should consult their local pastor if they have questions about the obligation.

A Message from Fr. John Connelly

Fr. John Connelly has been in residence at St. John the Evangelist Parish since 2013, when he retired at the age of 90 after 30 years as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Newton. We are so blessed to have had him with us for the past eight years, and will be forever grateful for all the ways he has enriched our faith community with his wisdom, grace, and humor, and for the profound impact he has had on parishioners and staff alike. Fr. Connelly recently made the decision to move to Regina Cleri, the priests’ retirement home in Boston, and asked us to share this message.

I have enjoyed quite a remarkable tenure here in Wellesley, and St. John’s will always have a special place in my heart…

Join “Women of Faith” with TBE Online – This Thursday, June 17th at 7:30pm

All are welcome to an evening with Rabbi Rachel Saphire (Temple Beth Elohim), Rev. Margaret Schwarzer (St. Andrew’s Episcopal), Rev. Dr. Kelly Murphy Mason (UU Wellesley Hills), and Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Music and Liturgy (St. John-St. Paul Collaborative) on Zoom for sisterhood, faith, and fellowship.

Each spiritual leader will share a few teachings from their tradition that speak most meaningfully to them. We’ll have an opportunity for discussion and questions as well. All people of faith from all traditions are welcome!

This event will take place through Zoom – pre-registration is required…

A Note from Fr. Jim: Thank You Msgr. Lind

Monsignor Lind, the beloved former pastor of St. Paul Church, recently moved to Regina Cleri, the priests’ retirement home in Boston. Monsignor has continued to celebrate Mass at St. Paul’s and we are grateful for all the ways he has enriched our community with his priestly ministry. We may not be seeing him as regularly now but we will always be happy to welcome him home. I know that you join me in expressing our gratitude for all Monsignor has given to the St. Paul’s community for so many years.

Thank you, Monsignor. Our warmest wishes and prayers go with you. Please come and see us soon!

Race Amity Day – Sunday, June 13

Race Amity Day Prayer Vigil Natick Common
Sunday, June 13, 2021 from 7pm-8pm

Race Amity is about peace and harmony between peoples of all cultures and races. Sunday, June 13, is Race Amity Day in Massachusetts. Local alumni from the JustFaith programs have planned an interfaith prayer vigil to celebrate the Race Amity Day with the wider community, and we warmly invite you to join in this hope-filled occasion.

Discerning Deacons

Discerning Deacons is a group of faithful Catholics, dedicated to providing educational opportunities and conversations in parishes and communities surrounding women in the diaconate. Their mission is to engage Catholics in the active discernment of our Church regarding women and the diaconate. Discerning Deacons prays, witnesses, and hopes as our Church approaches a second papal commission for the examination of the restoration of women to the diaconate in October, 2021.

A documentary film crew will be visiting St. John the Evangelist Parish on Sunday, June 27th at the 9AM Mass. All footage will be shot from behind the congregation (similar to our regular livestream). The footage will be used to create a short film being debuted on the Feast of St. Phoebe, September 3, 2021. The film will witness women who have experienced a call to the diaconate, who are already serving in diaconal roles, and who wait in patient hope to be ordained in their vocation.

“Women of Faith” with TBE Online – Thursday, June 17th at 7:30pm

All are welcome to an evening with Rabbi Rachel Saphire (Temple Beth Elohim), Reverend Margaret Schwarzer (St. Andrew’s Episcopal) , Rev. Dr. Kelly Murphy Mason (UU Wellesley Hills), and Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Music and Liturgy (St. John-St. Paul Collaborative) on Zoom for sisterhood, faith, and fellowship.

This event will take place through Zoom – pre-registration is required.

June 5-6: Emergency COVID Special Collection for the Church in India and Brazil

At a crematorium in New Delhi, India, women mourn a person who died of COVID‑19. Photo by Vijay Pandey/ZUMA Wire/Alamy

Cardinal Seán has asked for an Emergency COVID special collection for the Church in India and Brazil to be taken in all parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston… The Catholic Church, through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), is on the ground in those countries working to support local hospitals and programs which are being overwhelmed and which have reached a breaking point. Given our own experience in the United States with regards to the pandemic and the important role the Church has in being able to respond to global events, we have an opportunity to assist relief efforts in India and Brazil.

Memorial Day 2021

We remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy every day. We pray that God will hold our servicemen and women in His strong arms, and cover them with His sheltering grace and presence.

Updated Guidance & Practice for Our Parishes Effective 5/29/2021

As you know, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is lifting many of the current COVID-19 restrictions on Saturday, May 29. In response, the Archdiocese of Boston has issued new archdiocesan protocols to help guide pastors, staff, and parish leadership in how to best implement these changes in their own parishes. We want to share with you how these changes will begin to be implemented in our parishes. As of May 29, fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear masks or to socially distance in most indoor and outdoor settings in Massachusetts. The State does advise that non-vaccinated people continue to wear masks in indoor settings.

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