News and Updates – Page 2 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Wellesley Food Pantry Collection at St. Paul Church – Soup!

On the first Sunday of each month, items are collected for the Wellesley Food Pantry at St. Paul Church.

NEW! We are currently collecting SOUP for the Wellesley Food Pantry. All soups are appreciated, but the pantry is specifically in need of the following:

Beef * Vegetable * Lentil * Tomato * All Chowders

We will be working with the Food Pantry to focus our collection on the Pantry’s most pressing needs. At some times of the year it may be soup, at others times it may be laundry detergent or canned fruit – watch the bulletin and website for updates…

No Coffee & Donuts this Sunday, January 15

There will be no Coffee & Donuts after the 9:00am Family Mass at St. John this Sunday, January 15 due to the long holiday weekend.

Coffee & Donuts will be back next Sunday, January 22 after the Family Mass at St. Paul.

Bell Tower Project Update

Great news – the scaffolding on the Bell Tower has been completely removed! The parapet has been fully recast and can now be seen from the street. The only outdoor work remaining is to repaint the front façade pieces that were painted several years ago… The interior work on the bell supports was postponed until January. Once this work is completed, we will be able to reopen the choir loft. In addition, the parts needed to restore the bell’s ringing mechanism have been ordered and the work is scheduled for this spring…

As of December 31, 2022, gifts and pledges totaling more than $328,700 have been made toward the total project budget of $487,200 – 67%! We’re getting closer but we still need your help…

Thank You from the Christmas Wish Team!

For almost 30 years the Christmas Wish team has reached out and asked for sponsors and donations and once again our parishioners answered the call! This program is only possible because of the incredible generosity of our parishioners who donate gifts, money and time to us each year.

This year we were able to support 334 children and their families in Wellesley, Roxbury, Brockton and Lowell. Each child received a special gift as well as clothing and their family received a $200 grocery gift card. In addition, we were able to give Julie’s Family Learning Center in South Boston a substantial number of food cards that the women use throughout the year.

Thank you for the amazing response this year. We are beyond grateful for your continued support.

Thank You from St. Paul Giving Tree Team!

Thank you to our wonderful parishioners who gave so generously to the 2022 Giving Tree Program! Every tag was taken from the trees. We collected hundreds of gift cards and gifts which will ensure many families will have food and gifts they otherwise might not have received. Truly this is the spirit of Christmas!

Our agency contacts extend their prayerful gratitude for the thoughtfulness and generosity shown by the SJSP Collaborative.

Thank you for always making this beautiful tradition possible!

Archdiocese of Boston Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and CatholicTV Schedule for Funeral from Rome

A Mass of Remembrance for the late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be held at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Thursday, January 5th at 12:00 noon. Most Rev. Robert Reed, Auxiliary Bishop will be the celebrant. The Cardinal is in Rome attending the funeral for the Pope Emeritus.

CatholicTV schedule regarding the Pope’s funeral Mass from Rome on Thursday, January 5th:
3:30am LIVE

12:00noon rebroadcast

5:00pm rebroadcast

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap Statement on the Passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

“Today a loving God called Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI home to his eternal reward for a lifetime of dedicated service to the Church. That service included 71 years as a priest, 28 years as a Cardinal, and nearly eight years leading the Catholic Church as the Bishop of Rome and Successor to St. Peter. His life and his pontificate were based in a deep and abiding faith and an extraordinary record of theological scholarship. In the years leading to the Second Vatican Council and at the Council itself, Father Joseph Ratzinger made substantial contributions to the renewal of Catholic theology, and he played a significant role in the drafting of key conciliar documents…

Remembering Sr. Julie McDonough, SNDdeN, former Saint John School Principal

Sr. Julie McDonough, SNDdeN, principal of Saint John School for almost 25 years, went peacefully home to her good God on December 25, 2022 after 72 years of service to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.

Sr. Julie will be remembered at the Saint John School Mass on Monday, January 9 at 9:00am at St. John the Evangelist Church, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The Mass is open to all members of our collaborative and school community to join in remembering and praying for Sister Julie.

A Christmas Message from Fr. Jim

As I write these words, we have just celebrated the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. The rose vestments and candle on the Advent wreath remind us that the Lord is near. And therefore, there is always cause for rejoicing.

Six months ago, I was involved in an accident which nearly took my life. Today my heart is full of gratitude to God as I am restored in body, mind and spirit. And my heart overflows with gratitude to you! The support of your love and prayers during these months has been a balm to my spirit. God has heard your prayers. I begin my slow return to ministry with a renewed conviction that God is good, and that God is faithful. You have been Christ’s face to me!

Cardinal’s Christmas Message

My dear friends, I wish all of you and your loved ones a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

We want to remember in a very special way all of those who are suffering, beginning with the people of Ukraine and all those who will celebrate Christmas in cold, hunger, and darkness. We remember, too, those who have lost loved ones and face the prospect of celebrating Christmas this year without a beloved member of the family. We pray for those battling with addiction, depression, and hopelessness…