News and Updates – Page 11 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

This Sunday, December 7: Advent Family Retreat for Mustard Seeds and Loaves & Fishes (Grades K-5)

“Waiting in Hope” – An Advent Family Retreat at St. John the Evangelist Church following the 9am Family Mass

We will begin by gathering in the Upper Church at 10:00am for an Opening Prayer and an overview of the retreat activities. Parents and kids will move together through a series of Advent activities before returning to the upper church for a closing song and prayer – a great way to enter together into this season of waiting in hope!

REMINDER: All sessions for Grades K-5 are Family Sessions (children and parent/s together.) Children may not be “dropped off” without a parent or guardian.

December 6-7: Special Second Collection for Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) Guatemala

December 6-7: Special Second Collection for <i>Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos</i> (NPH) Guatemala

We are deeply grateful for the longstanding support this community has shown to Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) and the thousands of vulnerable children we serve throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Your generosity has brought safety, stability, and hope to so many young lives.

This weekend, December 6-7, there will be a second collection at both St. John and St. Paul Churches to support the mission and programs of NPH Guatemala.

Saribel García, who grew up at NPH Guatemala, will be speaking at all Masses that weekend. Saribel will share her story of growing up at NPH and how it transformed the course of her life. Her testimony is a powerful reminder of the impact this community makes through its support.

TO SUPPORT THE COLLECTION FOR NPH GUATEMALA: CASH/CHECKS may be placed in the Second Collection at all Masses on the weekend of December 6-7…

NEW DATE! Evening for Women Advent Liturgy
Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30pm at St. John

NEW DATE! Evening for Women Advent Liturgy<br>Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30pm at St. John

Hope is the light that breaks through the darkness. But, at a time when it does feel like the darkness is winning, it is a discipline to conceive hope… John’s prologue and the season of Advent reminds us that God’s version of greatness is never in what we’d expect…

All women of the Collaborative are invited to an evening of music, scripture, guided meditation, prayer, and reflection.

Followed by a potluck dinner in Powers Hall – bring a friend and a dish to share! We look forward to seeing you there!

SJS Trees & Trimmings Christmas Market: This Saturday, December 6 from 8am-1:30pm

SJS <i>Trees & Trimmings Christmas Market:</i> This Saturday, December 6 from 8am-1:30pm

For nearly 50 years, Saint John School has hosted our annual Trees & Trimmings Christmas Market with Premium Fresh Cut Trees, Wreaths, and Greens, and more! Trees & Trimmings brings together SJS families, alumni, faculty, and staff, our St. John-St. Paul Collaborative parishioners, and our neighbors as we celebrate the season while supporting Saint John School.

In addition to the trees and greenery offerings onsite, Trees & Trimmings Christmas Market also offers the opportunity to bid on Winter Silent Auction items online. The Silent Auction is now live and will run until December 10th at 10:00PM

November 23 Family Faith Formation Recap: “Jesus’ Life and Ministry” with Grade 3-5 Loaves & Fishes

Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, led our Loaves & Fishes Family Session on “Jesus’ Life and Ministry.”

As a Collaborative family we looked at many different ways Jesus has been depicted, in art and our own imaginations! We learned, as one student shared “that Jesus can look a lot of different ways” and that as one parent shared, “Jesus is always our home.”

We learned that Jesus chose to become fully human but was also fully God. The students learned about the four big reasons Jesus became incarnate for us: to demonstrate an inclusive table, to teach, to heal, and to make us whole with God’s forgiveness…

Young Adult Ministry: Advent Theology at the Table on Saturday, December 6 at St. John

Young Adults in and around the Collaborative (age 21-40) are invited to an Advent theme “Theology at the Table” event on Saturday, December 6^that the St. John Rectory following the 5pm Vigil Mass. Join us for dinner and discussion with special guest Fr. Bryan Hehir as we deepen our understanding of “what we’re waiting for” in Advent.

RSVP appreciated but not required.

Visit RSVP for Theology at the Table or email Sister Colleen (cgibson@sjspwellesley.org) to register or with any questions.

November 16 Family Faith Formation Recap: “Jesus’ Life and Ministry” with Grades 6-7 Salt & Light

Our first Grade 6-7 Salt & Light Student Session was a resounding success!

More than 60 students gathered together with the Pastoral and Children’s Faith Formation teams, as well as our adult and high school volunteers, for reflection, discussion, and even a little competition around this month’s theme of “Jesus’ Life and Ministry.”

As Sr. Colleen Gibson SSJ, who led the session, noted in her opening remarks, “This month we are talking about Jesus’ life and ministry, and I’m going to do it in about 15 minutes, which is not enough time to do Jesus’ life and ministry. I’ve given my whole life to this, and we’re going to do in 15 minutes.”

Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem Update

Since 2023, when we supported Holy Family Hospital through a special Advent Second Collection, new challenges in health care delivery have emerged. Pilgrimages and tourism, the backbone of Bethlehem’s economy, have vanished. Consequently, more than 90% of families have been left unsalaried… This escalation in hunger and poverty has brought new nutritional and health challenges for expectant mothers and children. Holy Family Hospital is committed to helping ensure their well-being. At great risk and sacrifice, medical staff continue to commute through checkpoints to and from the Hospital and venture out into the desert to care for these vulnerable families. As the Season of Advent approaches, Holy Family Hospital humbly requests your prayers and generosity. Through such support, you offer hope to this courageous and resilient community…

Greetings of Gratitude & Grace From Cameroon

During the month of November, Fr. Gabriel is taking time for a home visit to see his family, connect with community, and make his annual retreat in Cameroon.

This week, he sent good news that the construction of St. John Paul II Church is well underway. What a beautiful testament to the generosity of our 2025 Lenten Gift! He also had the opportunity to attend the reconsecration of the cathedral in Bamenda.

Thank you for continuing to pray for Fr. Gabriel throughout November!

Advent Lectio Divina: “Encountering the Living Word” – A 3-Week Series Beginning December 2

Advent <i>Lectio Divina</i>: “Encountering the Living Word” – A 3-Week Series Beginning December 2

Come explore the practice of Lectio Divina (literally “divine reading”), by prayerfully listening to the Sunday scriptures for Advent and reflecting with a group on where the Spirit is drawing your prayer. These small group sessions are designed for those who want to deepen their encounter with the Word made Flesh that dwells within the depth of our heart and the fullness of Scripture.

We will me on Tuesdays, from 9:30-10:30AM in the Chapel at John the Evangelist Church (lower level of the church building) on December 2, 9, and 16.

Questions? Contact Sister Colleen Gibson Registration required – please register below…