October 23 Collaborative Book Club: “What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed” by Bishop Barron

October 23 Collaborative Book Club: “What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed” by Bishop Barron

Our next meeting will be Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm in the St. Paul office – we discuss the second half of What Christians Believe: Understanding the Nicene Creed by Bishop Robert Barron.

Newcomers are always welcome! Meetings are in person on the 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings of each month.

For questions or information about joining us, email us at:  bookclub@sjspwellesley.org

Friday Morning Bible Study: First and Second Corinthians

Friday Morning Bible Study: First and Second Corinthians

A study of St. Paul’s First and Second Letters to the Corinthians will begin on Friday morning, October 31, from 10-11:30am in the rectory of St. Paul’s Parish.

Later meetings will be on Fridays: November 7, 14, December 5, 12. (Please note there will be no meetings on November 21 and 28.)

Our guidebook will be First and Second Corinthians, published by the Liturgical Press.  The book can be ordered from Liturgical Press or from Amazon 

Friday, October 24: “Women of the Spirit: Renewing the Face of the Earth” – An Evening Retreat Facilitated by Anne Mears

Friday, October 24: <i>“Women of the Spirit: Renewing the Face of the Earth”</i> – An Evening Retreat Facilitated by Anne Mears

Are you longing to encounter the Spirit of Hope?
To witness the fire of God’s love burning?
To rest by the refreshing waters of God’s peace?

Together, we will spend time in conversation, prayer and reflection as we open ourselves to the work of the Spirit; enlivening creation, gracing our lives, and empowering us to collaborate in the work of renewing the face of the earth.”

Dinner will be served – registration is required…

Archbishop Henning’s message following the release of the Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te

Archbishop Henning’s message following the release of the Holy Father’s Apostolic Exhortation, <i>Dilexi te</i>

Today, Pope Leo offered a meditation on the mystery of the Lord’s particular love for the poor and the summons for all disciples to participate in His compassion and solidarity by our own embrace of those who are poor in any sense of that term.

United with the witness of Pope Francis, Our Holy Father Leo XIV has offered a gospel vision of faith hope and love in a time of violence and division. I encourage all of us to make this important reflection a part of our own spiritual reading.

The Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te, may be found here.

October 14: “Evening for Women” with Guest Speaker Kelley Tuthill, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, Boston

October 14: “Evening for Women” with Guest Speaker Kelley Tuthill, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, Boston

October 14, 2025 at 6:30pm
St. John the Evangelist Church – Lower Level

With Guest Speaker: Kelley Tuthill
President and CEO of Catholic Charities Boston

Followed by a potluck dinner in Powers Hall – bring a friend and a dish to share! 

Please visit the Evening for Women page for more information and the full schedule for the year.

Seasons of Hope: A Faith Sharing Group for Those Who Mourn

Seasons of Hope: A Faith Sharing Group for Those Who Mourn
Monday Evenings, 5:00 – 6:30pm
October 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24
St. John the Evangelist Church – Powers Hall

If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are searching for meaning and consolation, we invite you to join a Seasons of Hope group here at the Collaborative.

Seasons of Hope is centered on Jesus Christ and grounded in the healing wisdom, traditions, and practices of the Catholic Church.  The sessions help explore mourning through scripture, prayer, reflection activities, and faith sharing. 

Registration Required:  sjspwellesley.org/seasons-of-hope

October 5: Mustard Seeds Launch Our Renewed Family Faith Formation Program!

October 5: Mustard Seeds Launch Our Renewed Family Faith Formation Program!

We launched our new “Family Faith Formation” program with great joy last Sunday with a Family Session for our youngest children and families – our “Mustard Seeds” in Grades K-2.

Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, opened the packed session by welcoming everyone and explaining a little bit about what Family Faith Formation is and why parishes around the Archdiocese and across the country are moving to this model.

She emphasized that Family Faith Formation is not about expecting parents to be “CCD teachers” at home – it’s a way to shift faith formation to be more conversational, to be something that is baked-in to everyday life. Fr. Jim then offered a “Focus on Faith” reflection on this month’s theme of “The Liturgical Year,” explaining the different seasons in the Church year…

Scenes from Last Sunday’s Collaborative Outdoor Mass

Scenes from Last Sunday’s Collaborative Outdoor Mass

We had a record-setting crowd and summer-like weather last Sunday for a beautiful celebration of the Mass and time of fellowship afterwards! Many thanks to everyone who helped make the day possible – parishioners, staff, and clergy.

Deep gratitude to our St. Vincent de Paul Conference who sponsored and served the cookout – we continue prayers that their fundraising efforts are successful this year so they can continue to provide much-needed support to our neighbors. (Donations to the SJSP St. Vincent de Paul Conference may be made online at sjspwellesley.org/svdp