This weekend we will step up as a parish to join Catholic Charities Boston to Welcome the Stranger. Our Lenten Gift will allow Catholic Charities Boston to restart the resettlement of refugee families in the Boston area. It also provides us with the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with these families, by providing volunteer help with English language conversation, life skills and financial literacy assistance, and employment coaching as they acculturate. We at St. John’s have this opportunity to Welcome the Stranger and bring Pope Francis’ words alive-
“At the heart of the Gospel of mercy the encounter and acceptance by others are intertwined with the encounter and acceptance of God himself. Welcoming others means welcoming God in person! Do not let yourselves be robbed of the hope and joy of life born of your experience of God’s mercy, as manifested in the people you meet on your journey!” (Pope Francis, January 17, 2016)
Please give as generously as you can.
At Masses this Weekend: The Service Commission invites parishioners to perform an individual act of mercy by going to the front entrance/foyer of the church, to the large container, clearly marked and waiting for your contribution. (Checks should be made payable to “St. John Parish”, noting “Lenten Gift 2016” in the memo. We will total all funds and present one check to Catholic Charities Boston.)
By Mail or at the Office: Donations can be mailed to the Office or dropped off weekdays during regular business hours (9 Glen Rd., Wellesley, MA 02481)
Online via ParishPay: Click this link and choose 2016 Lenten Gift under Secondary Collections. (Please Note: you do not need to be a regular ParishPay user to donate online – anyone can make a secure, one-time donation with a credit card. No need to set up an account – just click Start Giving!)
For more information please visit our 2016 Parish Lenten Gift page.
