This Weekend December 16-17: Our Special Advent Second Collection for Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem

This Weekend December 16-17: Our Special Advent Second Collection for Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem

Greetings from the courageous, highly skilled medical staff associated with the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem, where expectant mothers deliver their infants just 1,500 steps from the Manger of Jesus Christ.

Holy Family Hospital is a touchstone in Bethlehem and a place of hope. It operates a remarkable Level III Neonatal ICU, the country’s only gestational diabetes clinic, and the country’s only menopause clinic.  For remote villages, refugee encampments, and Bedouin communities in the desert, it runs a mobile clinic with 3 specially trained staff members and one well-equipped van…

St. Paul “Christmas Pops Concert” – Sunday, December 10 at 2:00pm

St. Paul “Christmas Pops Concert” – Sunday, December 10 at 2:00pm

The St. Paul Parish Adult Choir, under the direction of Mary Lee Cirella, presents their annual Christmas Pops Concert with soloists and orchestra.
The concert will include Cantata 140 “Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme” by Bach with soloists Abby Rogers, Stephen Chrzan, and Michael Szydlowski.

Other music will include works by John Rutter and some special music from the movie, “Home Alone,” by John Williams with soloist Eleanor Galvao.

Fr. Jim Laughlin will be singing a very special song as well!

Advent Collection for Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem

Advent Collection for Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem

SPECIAL SECOND COLLECTION DECEMBER 16-17

Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem is a Catholic teaching hospital located just 1,500 steps from the birthplace of Christ. It is a state-of-the-art maternity and neonatal critical care center serving poor and at-risk women, infants, and children throughout the Bethlehem region. The Hospital stands as a beacon of hope for families regardless of creed, nationality, or ability to pay. No one is ever turned away.

Your generous donations will deliver life, peace, and hope in the Holy Land. This modern-day manger is sustained by generous donations from individuals and parishes throughout the world…

Archdiocese of Boston Cheverus Awards 2023

Archdiocese of Boston Cheverus Awards 2023

We are thrilled to announce that Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care for our Collaborative, was awarded the Cardinal’s Cheverus Award  medal this past weekend. These medals are conferred upon selected laypeople, religious, and deacons from around the Archdiocese each year at a prayer service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

The medal recipients are chosen for their service to the Church and God’s people. We know you join us in extending heartfelt thanks to Kelly for her dedicated service to the Church and for the many ways she ministers to the people of our Collaborative and beyond.

Evening for Women: “Making Haste Into the Hill Country: An Encounter of Blessing” with Dr. Colleen Griffith

Evening for Women: “Making Haste Into the Hill Country: An Encounter of Blessing” with Dr. Colleen Griffith

Tuesday, December 5 at 6:30pm at St. John

All women of the Collaborative are invited to join us at St. John the Evangelist Church (Lower Level) for our December “Evening for Women” program.  Our featured speaker this month will be Dr. Colleen M. Griffith, Professor of the Practice of Theology at Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry.

After our program in the Lower Chapel (more info coming soon!) we will gather in Powers Hall for a potluck dinner – please bring a dish or beverage to share! Invite a friend or neighbor to come along! To help us plan for the evening, please RSVP…

2023 “Spirit of Sharing” Gift Collection for St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence

2023 “Spirit of Sharing” Gift Collection for St. Patrick Parish in Lawrence

Over the past two decades, Spirit of Sharing has brightened Christmas for several thousand young boys and girls struggling from poverty and hunger in the gateway immigrant city of Lawrence. This unique Season of Advent initiative was conceived and launched within our collaborative by a group of St. John-St. Paul parishioners and Saint John School families, and we are deeply grateful for Fr. Jim Laughlin’s enthusiastic continuing support…

Our Thanksgiving Day Mass – Thursday, November 23 at 9:00am at St. Paul Church

Our Thanksgiving Day Mass – Thursday, November 23 at 9:00am at St. Paul Church

This year, our Collaborative Thanksgiving Day Mass will be at St. Paul Church – all are invited to join together in thanksgiving for our many blessings. (The Mass will be livestreamed for those who may be traveling – please click the St. Paul Livestream link.) Please consider sharing your blessings by bringing non-perishable items for the Bristol Lodge Food Pantry.  Suggested donations include: snacks for kids, pasta and sauce, tuna, peanut butter, rice, cooking oil…

“Faces at the Manger”: An Advent Reflection Group

“Faces at the Manger”: An Advent Reflection Group

This Advent and Christmas season, the Collaborative will be offering a 5-week small church community to reflect on the “Faces at the Manger.” Weaving together prayer, art, poetry, and music, this group will gather to reflect on those who joined Jesus in the manger that first Christmas – Mary, Joseph, the Inn Keeper & Animals, the Shepherds, and the Magi – while providing prayerful space to grow in our faith.

NEW! Two groups are now being offered – one on Tuesday mornings at 9:30am that begins November 28 and one on Wednesday evenings at 5:00pm that begins November 29.

To register please click here…