News and Updates – Page 35 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

Announcing Our 2023 Collaborative Lenten Gift: City of Goodness in Ukraine

City of Goodness is a social service and support center that was originally established to care for women and children fleeing domestic violence. With the onset of the war, City of Goodness has become a shelter for women with children, families (with their pets!) and elderly people from all over Ukraine. They settle them, feed them, provide medical treatment, and try to make this time a little less traumatic for the little ones. They have also taken in evacuees from three orphanages from the South of Ukraine – children from birth to 7 years – and are constructing additional buildings (with bomb shelters) so they can accommodate another two hundred evacuee children.

Our gift will help with construction costs and the constant need for food, medicine, hygiene items, pillows, baby food and formula, and clothing…

First Week of Lent: The Second Word – “Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Can you recall a hurt that has taken hold of you, one that you can’t seem to let go? Have you noticed how it can drain your energy and attention? How it can turn you into the sort of person that you really don’t want to be? As you mediate on the words of Jesus this week, consider how he invites you to follow his example.

Here are some thoughts and questions for your consideration during this week:

Imagine this gospel scene. Speak to Jesus about his forgiveness for those who have hurt him.

How does this prayer of Jesus influence the way in which Jesus dies?

A Lenten Message from Fr. Jim

Last June 2, when I came to consciousness on the pavement after having been hit by a car at high velocity, I truly saw my life flash before me. Somehow, in that moment of shock, pain, and disorientation, I knew that Jesus was with me. Over the next many months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, I had a lot of time to reflect on my experience. I could easily have died on that pavement and yet God spared my life. I have a renewed sense that I am here on this earth for a purpose. And I firmly believe that this is true not only for me but for each one of us. You are in this world for a purpose, one which only you can fulfill. God loves you profoundly and has called you… in your family, your profession, your relationships… to bring His light into the world. I see the fruits of your call every day…

Mass Schedule for Ash Wednesday, February 22

9:00am Mass at St. Paul

12:30pm Mass at St. John

5:30pm Mass at St. John

7:00pm Mass at St. Paul

All Masses on Ash Wednesday will be live streamed.

Instead of Giving Something Up For Lent, Consider Give Something Back

Make a real difference this Lenten Season by helping families struggling to pay bills and put food on the table.

This Ash Wednesday, a special collection will be taken up in every parish across the Archdiocese of Boston in support of Catholic Charities Boston. Catholic Charities helps thousands of families across Eastern Massachusetts, providing food, shelter, utilities assistance, childcare and youth programming, refugee and immigrant services, and adult education with a mission of moving people toward self-sufficiency.

The Week of Ash Wednesday: The First Word – “I Am Thirsty.”

For what do you thirst? Can you be attentive to the words of Jesus as they reveal your own thirst?

Here are some thoughts and questions for your consideration during this week:

Recall your own experiences of thirst. How do they help you to relate to this scene of Jesus on the cross? In your prayer, express to him how you feel.

Consider the people around the world who suffer because of the poor quality or the inadequate supply of water. Remember them to Jesus in prayer. Imagine the face of Jesus.

For what do you thirst this Lenten season? Can you name it? Can you ask for it? How is Jesus the living water for you?

Cardinal Authorizes a Special Collection for Turkey/Syria Earthquake Relief on February 18-19, 2023

The images coming out of Turkey and Syria following the February 6, 7.8 magnitude earthquake, are showing the world that the people there are experiencing immense suffering, destruction, and death. Recognizing the growing need for assistance, Cardinal Seán has asked that a special collection be taken the weekend of February 18-19 in all parishes in the Archdiocese.

Contributions may be made during the special second collection at all Masses on the weekend of February 19-20. Please make checks payable to your parish (St. John Parish or St. Paul Parish) with “Turkey/Syria Earthquake Relief” noted in the memo. (Checks may also be mailed/dropped to either parish office.)
Donations may also be made online by visiting either parish’s Online Giving page…

“Seven Last Words for Seven Weeks: Praying with Jesus on the Cross” with Sister Mary Sweeney, SC

This Lent we are invited to truly walk with Jesus and journey through the Gospels as we pray simply over one phrase each week spoken by our dying Lord.

The “Seven Last Words” that Jesus spoke from the cross are not really words, but sentences. No single Gospel account contains all seven last sentences; rather, they are compiled from the four Gospels and they capture the experience of the dying Jesus.

All groups will be facilitated by the author, Sr. Mary Sweeney, SC

Thursday Evenings – Beginning February 16 at 7:00pm on ZOOM

Friday Mornings – Beginning February 17 at 9:30am at the St. Paul Rectory

Privately – Beginning February 19 Meditate on the seven last words each week in a dedicated section of our Lenten bulletins and on our website.

To learn more and register…

“Lent: A Time to Listen, A Time to Let Go, A Time to Laugh” – Saturday, February 25

The SJSP SVdP Conference welcomes you to this free Lenten Retreat. Sr. Carlotta delves into the story of The Passion. What does it mean today? Sister helps bring it into practice as we enter Lent, and especially Holy Week.

Saturday, February 25 – 9:00am to 1:00pm

St. Joseph Spiritual Ministries
71 Walnut Park Newton, MA

Numbers are limited – to attend please RSVP to SVDP@sjspwellesley.org
Questions: Julia: 781-816-9748

World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 – Sponsor a Pilgrim!

Since its first edition in Rome in 1986, World Youth Day (WYD) has proven to be a laboratory of faith and an instrument for the evangelization and transformation of the Church. It aims to provide all participants with a universal Church experience, fostering a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Our Collaborative has a long history of sending young pilgrims to WYD. Many of our young people who have attended in the past have described it as a life-changing event in their journey of faith.

This summer, our Collaborative is sending 14 pilgrims – 10 young people and 4 chaperones – to WYD Lisbon 2023. As you can imagine, the expense of participating in this week-long pilgrimage is significant – the total cost is projected to be $4,000 per person – so we are asking for your help to make this possible…