Season of Creation: September 1 – October 4, 2025

Season of Creation: September 1 – October 4, 2025

Looking for ideas to celebrate the Season of Creation?

Observe September 1, World Day of Prayer, by praying for renewal of the face of the earth, spending some prayerful time in nature, or planting some seeds — whether it’s seeds in your garden or seeds of hope.
On September 21, join a pilgrimage sponsored by Boston Interfaith Climate Allies.  Catholics will gather at St. Clements in Boston and walk to Boston Common, stopping at houses of worship along the way…

Also, save the date for our own Blessing of the Animals here at the Collaborative on October 5 at 3pm on St. Paul lawn.

Renewing Children’s Faith Formation – An Important Message from Fr. Jim

Renewing Children’s Faith Formation – An Important Message from Fr. Jim

The Archdiocese of Boston is calling on parishes to embrace a new vision of children’s faith formation – one that supports parents in their role as the first teachers of the faith, facilitates lifelong faith formation for all generations, and encourages missionary discipleship in addition to catechesis by engaging the talents of the whole parish community.

In response to this call, our Pastoral team, in partnership with our Children’s Faith Formation and Youth Ministry teams, has been working to develop a unified approach to faith formation that builds bridges between these unique programs, invigorates our Collaborative liturgical life, and renews the engagement of our young children, teens, and families in the life of the parish, especially Sunday Mass.

It is with great joy that we share with you our plans for renewing Children’s Faith Formation (previously known as “Religious Education”) in our Collaborative by launching two exciting new programs this fall…

The Assumption reminds us our bodies are blessings

<i>The Assumption reminds us our bodies are blessings</i>

This column by Sr. Colleen Gibson, SSJ appeared in Global Sister Report on August 15, 2025

A few weeks ago, my beloved grandmother passed away. At 93 years old, she had lived a full life. Passing the news of her death along to friends, sisters, and colleagues came with a mix of emotions.

I was sad, for sure, and yet the fact that I had her in my life for nearly four decades was a blessing not lost on me.

As a woman I work with passed on her family’s condolences, she also conveyed her teenaged daughter’s amazement. “Sister still had her grandma?!” the girl remarked with shock and awe. The same was true of condolences from my sisters in community, many of whom underscored the blessing of my grandmother’s long presence in my life…

Friday, August 22: More Summer Fun with the Young Adult Ministry!

Friday, August 22: More Summer Fun with the Young Adult Ministry!

Join the SJSP Young Adults for some summer fun on Friday, August 22nd  as we enjoy some mini golf & ice cream! We’ll meet at 7:00PM at Golf on the Village Green in Natick for a round of mini golf ($9) and then head to Truly’s in Wellesley for ice cream!  

 All young adults (age 21-40) from in and around the SJSP Collaborative are invited – bring a friend & we’ll look forward to a great night out! Click here to RSVP and let us know if you need a ride! 

Make sure you never miss an event by signing up for the Young Adult text/email list! 

Wednesday, September 3, 2025: Feast of St. Phoebe Celebration

Wednesday, September 3, 2025: Feast of St. Phoebe Celebration

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

St. John the Evangelist Church

7:00PM: Evening Prayer (Upper Church)

8:00PM: Virtual Feast of St. Phoebe Celebration with Discerning Deacons (Powers Hall)

All are welcome for our second-annual Feast of St. Phoebe celebration!

We will be joined by students and faculty of Clough School of Theology at Boston College and parishioners of St. Ignatius Parish.

Prayer in Honor of the Queenship of Mary

Prayer in Honor of the Queenship of Mary

A Reflection by Sr. Colleen Gibson, Coordinator of Pastoral Care, from the August issue of Give Us This Day

Soon after graduating from college, I found myself immersed as a yearlong volunteer in a trilingual parish. Dedicated to the Visitation, the parish brought together new immigrants and well-established neighbors to worship side by side. While each language group had their own Sunday liturgies, our shared celebrations were an amalgamation of Vietnamese, Spanish, and English. At daily Mass, a simple prompt to recite the Hail Mary would bring forth a symphony of praise as tongues as varied as the faces in the pews filled the packed basement chapel…

Good Samaritan

Good Samaritan

A Reflection by Kelly Meraw, Director of Pastoral Care and Liturgy, from the Build the Faith blog

Our Catholic lectionary recently brought us to this familiar dusty spot, on a hot and dangerous stretch of road. While the story itself is familiar and its message unequivocal, we see irrefutable evidence all around us that the Christian community still struggles with the concept of Love of Neighbor.

It seems clear, doesn’t it? You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, being, strength and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself…

Friday, August 15: The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Friday, August 15: The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A Holy Day of Obligation

MASS SCHEDULE

9:00am Mass at St. Paul Church

7:00pm Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church

The Assumption refers to Mary, “free from… original sin,” being assumed (taken up) into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her life. The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates this Church teaching on August 15 each year.

Prison Ministry Update

Prison Ministry Update

For over three decades, the Partakers College Behind Bars Mentoring Program has changed lives by matching teams of volunteer mentors with incarcerated individuals enrolled in college degree programs based in MA prisons.  Partakers mentors develop transformative helping relationships with College Behind Bars students and support their mentees as they navigate the academic and personal challenges of pursuing higher education in the prison setting. 

This past June EPI celebrated the graduation of several students many of whom spoke of their Partakers mentors saying they could not have done it without their support. Current students just completed their summer course work and have a 6 week break before their Fall session begins with Macroeconomics, Spanish 2 and other courses. Our SJSP mentors continue to support their students with visits and emails.

If you’ve been thinking you might be interested in mentoring, please email Chrissy Cassa (chrissy.cassa1358@gmail.com) for more information.

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