News and Updates – Page 9 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

“One Body, One Family” A Reflection for the Feast of the Holy Family

By Kelly Meraw for the BUILD THE FAITH BLOG

This reflection is being penned the day after another horrific mass shooting; innocent people murdered and wounded, parents left reeling, and students left with a life-long trauma that no surgeon could bind up. Yet another atrocity in a country so accustomed to gun violence that we have settled for it as an unchangeable reality. It’s unlikely this event will persevere in the headlines past the obligatory 72-hour news cycle. Our level of grief and outrage can simply not be sustained now that we’ve collectively resigned ourselves to living like this, deciding meaningful reform is unachievable…

Scam Warning from Wellesley Planning Department

The Wellesley Planning Department has issued a warning after receiving reports from residents about invoices received purportedly from the department regarding outstanding balances that must be paid by wire transfer.

**SCAM WARNING*** We have received reports from Wellesley residents that they have been contacted regarding an outstanding balance owed to the Planning Department. Many of these claims are false. If you have received any such notification, please contact us to confirm whether the balance is legitimate. We will never ask for cash or wire transfers, we only accept payment via check. Please click here to see an example of a fraudulent invoice.

For more information please contact the Wellesley Planning Department at 781-431-1019, ext. 2232 or by email planning@wellesleyma.gov

Start the New Year With a Gift to Creation!

Our homes were graced with beautiful Christmas trees this season. We invite you to show your gratitude and “pay it forward” by planting a tree (or 2 or 3) to start the new year. Many organizations, including the Arbor Day Foundation, One Tree Planted, the USDA Forest Service Plant-a-Tree Program, the National Forest Foundation and The Nature Conservancy make it easy to plant trees from the comfort of your home.

Better yet, plant one in your yard or at the home of a loved one! It’s a gift that keeps on giving for a lifetime!

Adult Faith Enrichment: Wednesday Morning Discussion Group on “The Chosen”

Wednesday Mornings from 10am – 11:30am
St. Paul Office – Lower Level Conference Room

Join us for an exploration of the Gospel through the lens of “The Chosen”, a video series about the life and ministry of Jesus, the people he met, and the people who followed him. It is primarily set in the first century and has been viewed by over 300 million people.

All are welcome, no registration needed! Join in at any time – each session is a stand-alone discussion.

Adult Faith Enrichment: Calling Out From the Depths: The Book of Psalms – a 7-Week Psalm Study in Partnership with Temple Beth Elohim (BEGINS JANUARY 8!)

Adult Faith Enrichment: <i>Calling Out From the Depths: The Book of Psalms</i> – a 7-Week Psalm Study in Partnership with Temple Beth Elohim (BEGINS JANUARY 8!)

In a time when we are divided in so many ways, Calling Out from the Depths will explore the beliefs we share in common and the ways we can grow in faith and knowledge as beloved children of One God.

This 7-session study beginning January 8 will be team-taught by Dr. Andrew R. Davis, Professor of Old Testament at the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry, and Rabbi Or Rose, founding Director of the Hebrew College Miller Center for Interreligious Learning & Leadership.

Thursday Evenings from 7:00-8:30pm. Begins January 8 – the first three sessions will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church, and the remaining four sessions will be at Temple Beth Elohim. Cost: $350 Registration and payment through the Hebrew College website..

Thursday, January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God – A Holy Day of Obligation

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

9:00am Mass at St. Paul Church*

*The 9:00am Mass will be streamed live on our website.

Reminder: The Sunday 7:30am Mass Moves to St. Paul Church in January

The Sunday 7:30am Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul Church beginning Sunday, January 4.

This schedule will remain in effect until the Summer Schedule (TBD) begins Memorial Day Weekend.

A Poem for Christmas by Sr. Colleen Gibson, SSJ

The angel said to them: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

-Luke 2:10-12

What is this that shepherds seek?
Curious cries from nascent lungs
The ancient cry of God that rises above the din

No carols or cookies
but alleluias amid the hay
the whole thing— this living &
giving life— a messy affair…

2025 Lessons & Carols at St. Paul

Scenes from a beautiful afternoon of “Lessons & Carols” at St. Paul Church on December 14!

Sunday 5pm Music Group Heads to Boston for Cathedral Concert!

On Monday, December 8th, the SJSP Sunday 5pm Music Group traveled to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston to see Catholic contemporary worship musicians Matt Maher and Sarah Kroger. The night was an awesome opportunity for fun, fellowship, and a deepening of faith as the concert spanned everything from Eucharistic adoration to a jazzy rendition of Jingle Bells.

The group is already working to bring some of the music they heard back to the Collaborative for this Christmas season!