Page 46 – St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

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.

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…

Our Christmas Mass Schedule

Sacrament of Reconciliation on Christmas Eve
There is no better way to prepare for Christmas!
Sunday, December 24 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
St. John Chapel

Masses on Christmas Eve
*4:00pm Mass at St. John Church 3:30pm Youth Choir Prelude and Carols

4:00pm Mass at Saint John School Hall

4:00pm Mass at St. Paul Church

*8:00pm Mass at St. Paul Church 7:30pm Choir Prelude and Carols…

Mary Campion, Coordinator of Pastoral Care, to Retire

Mary Campion, who has served as our Coordinator of Pastoral Care since August of 2021, will be retiring from ministry at the end of this year. We are grateful to Mary for sharing her gifts and talents with the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative community, and we know you join us in wishing her every blessing as she begins this new phase of her life.

Mary began her career with the Archdiocese of Boston in 1983 as a Spanish teacher in a diocesan high school. After working in the publishing industry, she returned to work for the Archdiocese in 2005 as a Director of Religious Education. She then became a Pastoral Associate and has worked in that capacity in three different parishes…

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

Founded over two decades ago by a group of St. John-St. Paul parishioners and Saint John School families, the Spirit of Sharing-Lawrence collection helps brighten Christmas for about 350 boys and girls living at severe risk for hunger in Lawrence, MA. Many thanks to Fr. Jim Laughlin and Fr. Bryan Hehir, and to all parishioners, for your abiding support of Spirit of Sharing and the Lawrence community.

Spirit of Sharing provides cheerful Christmas gifts for children whose parents, despite working two to three jobs a week, cannot afford to give them presents…

New? Start Here!.. Synod.. Donate.. Daily Readings.. Bulletin.. St. John Live Stream. . St. Paul Live Stream

St. John – St. Paul Catholic Collaborative

News and Updates