January 26: News and Events from the AFFC

Posted on January 23, 2014 | Comments Off on January 26: News and Events from the AFFC

Child_JesusFAITH MATTERS: For the month of January, the Adult Faith Formation Commission is discussing The Childhood of Jesus. Please visit our blog page to find reflections written by parishioners as well as links to lots of great information. Choose the “like” option on Facebook to receive regular updates on our monthly theme!

heart-of-godTuesday, February 4 – Evening for Women
6:30pm, Chapel/Social Hall
This year’s theme – Becoming a Space for God… A Journey Into the Heart of Life – invites us to travel down new avenues of seeing and hearing to experience the grace in everyday life. Through reflection, prayer, sharing, with a fabulous potluck, we’ll travel this road together every first Tuesday evening. Join us at 6:30pm in the Social Hall – bring a favorite winter recipe! All are Welcome!  Moderator: Sr. Evelyn Ronan, SND

Jesus Prayer-sinai-christ-pantokratorThursday, February 26 – Lecture: The Jesus Prayer 
7:00pm, Social Hall
Jeff Bloechel, Associate Professor at Boston College
From Prof. Bloechel: “The ‘Jesus Prayer’ is distinguished by its simplicity (in Greek it is only five words long) and by its age (explicit references date to the 5th century). It is generally understood as a prayer by which the mind is taken into the heart, where God’s love touches us most deeply. In modern times, the Prayer was revived in Russia and brought to Mt. Athos, where it has become the center of an entire spirituality for many Greek Orthodox monks. My own encounter with the Prayer was shaped by three visits to Mt. Athos, and so I will include some discussion of the Holy Mountain in my thoughts on the Prayer.”

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation

January 26: This Week in Religious Education

Posted on January 23, 2014 | Comments Off on January 26: This Week in Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis Week: Sunday, January 26
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Grades 7 & 8 Discussion with Kerry Cronin,
Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in Philbin Hall (see below)
Grades 9 & 10 5:00pm Teen Mass at St. Paul’s – reception for students follows in the Parish Hall.

Next Week: Sunday, February 2
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Grade 2 Parent Meeting/Visit

Wednesday, February 5
Grades 1 – 6 Class 3:30– 4:45 PM
Grade 2 Parent Meeting/Visit

Grade 7 & 8 Discussion: Kerry Cronin, Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, will be speaking to Grade 7 & 8 students today, January 26 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM in lieu of their regular Religious Ed. classes. The discussion will focus on topics, issues, and challenges that our young people may be facing. Parents are welcome to attend this session.

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Posted in Important Announcements, Religious Education Program

February 20: Girls Smocking Workshop at St. John’s

Posted on January 21, 2014 | Comments Off on February 20: Girls Smocking Workshop at St. John’s

smocking_diamond_stitchThe Charles River Smockers, a group of women whose goal is to preserve and foster the art of smocking and fine sewing skills, meets monthly in the Parish Center.  As a Community Project, the Charles River Smockers would like to invite girls in grades 4-6 from the St. John community to make an American Girl doll (or any loved doll) an apron. There is no charge for this workshop, which will be held during February school vacation on Thursday, February 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Parish Center. Class size will be limited to 15 students. Please contact the Charles River Smockers President, Mrs. Durocher at (617) 694-6300 or durx5@aol.com to register.

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Posted in Children

Wednesday, January 22 at 6pm: Come, Pray for Life

Posted on January 21, 2014 | Comments Off on Wednesday, January 22 at 6pm: Come, Pray for Life

Holy Hour for LifePlease join us this Wednesday,  January 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Chapel as we join in prayer with thousands of others in the Archdiocese of Boston Holy Hour for Life. The Holy Hour for Life will unite the Archdiocese of Boston in prayer, asking forgiveness on behalf of all people for sins against the dignity of the human person, committed through acts of abortion and many other offenses against human life. All are welcome. Please call Tom Smith at (781) 235-6442 with any questions.

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Posted in Special Events, Special Liturgies

Join Us at the 9:00am Family Mass

Posted on January 21, 2014 | Comments Off on Join Us at the 9:00am Family Mass

Family Mass_AltarSt. John’s Family Mass is held on Sundays at 9:00 a.m.,  followed by Donuts and Coffee downstairs in the Social Hall. The Family Mass is a wonderful way for families young and old to participate in prayer and worship together. This Mass supports the Religious Education program with seasonal and grade level liturgies throughout the year. Features of the Family Mass include:

* Music appealing to the children sung by our Family Mass Choir
* Homilies meaningful to both children and adults
* Children serving as gift bearers and other special roles
* Youth Choir during Easter and Christmas

For more  information,  or to be added to the Family Mass Email List, please visit our Family Mass page. 

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Posted in Children, Family Mass, Important Announcements

Faith in Our Future Campaign Update

Posted on January 21, 2014 | Comments Off on Faith in Our Future Campaign Update

Faith_in_Our_Future_Image_SmallWe appreciate all who have so generously given to our Capital Campaign, Faith in Our Future.  As of January 14, we have raised $1,066,745 in pledges and one-time gifts.

We encourage everyone to consider making a contribution to this effort.

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Posted in Capital Campaign

January 19: This Week in Religious Education

Posted on January 17, 2014 | Comments Off on January 19: This Week in Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis Week: Sunday, January 19 
No classes. Enjoy the long weekend!

Next Week: Sunday, January 26
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Grades 7 & 8 Discussion with Kerry Cronin,
Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in Philbin Hall (see below)
Grades 9 & 10 Teen Mass @ St. Paul’s 5:00pm
Reception for students follows in the Parish Hall.

Upcoming Event: Kerry Cronin, Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, will be speaking to Grade 7 & 8 students on January 26 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM in lieu of their regular religious ed. classes. The discussion will focus on topics, issues, and challenges that our young people may be facing. Parents are welcome to attend this session.

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Posted in Religious Education Program

A Thank You Letter from a Christmas Wish Family

Posted on January 9, 2014 | Comments Off on A Thank You Letter from a Christmas Wish Family

Christmas Wish and TreeBelow is a letter St. John Parish received this week from one of the many people who were helped by the Christmas Wish Program this season.

Hi – My name is Yvette. I am part of a family in which your parish helped with gifts this season. I know these things are given anonymously and it’s OK. I understand! But I wanted to thank all of you, on behalf of myself, my family and every family ever helped along the way.

I wanted to say that knowing that someone out in this world has taken their time and love to share what they have with my family is the greatest gift ever! Just knowing that someone cares is enough. It’s beautiful! It is what Christmas is all about “The birth of our Lord brought joy, love and peace,” and that’s what you’re doing by helping others.

It warms my heart to know someone else besides me cares and loves my children and wants us to have a nice Christmas. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for sharing your blessings with us. May the Lord bless you and yours Have a wonderful Christmas! Know you are loved and appreciated.

– Mom, Yvette

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Posted in Christmas & Lent, Christmas Wish, Service Commission

January 12: News from the AFFC

Posted on January 9, 2014 | Comments Off on January 12: News from the AFFC

Child_JesusFor the month of January, the Adult Faith Formation Commission is discussing The Childhood of Jesus on our blog, FAITH MATTERS. Please visit our website at www.stjohnwellesley.org/affc to find reflections written by parishioners as well as links to lots of great information. Choose the “like” option on Facebook to receive regular updates on our monthly theme!

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation

January 12: This Week in Religious Education

Posted on January 9, 2014 | Comments Off on January 12: This Week in Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis weekend the altar is covered with a unique quilt that was created by the Religious Education Grade 2 students in celebration of their First Reconciliation. Each child created a personal square of artwork, and the pieces were woven together to produce this truly meaningful expression of their sacramental experience.

This Week: Sunday, January 12
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45am
Grades 9, 10 High School Retreat 1:00 – 6:00pm, Church Social Hall

Next Week: No classes. Enjoy the long weekend!

Upcoming Event: Kerry Cronin, Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, will be speaking to Grade 7 & 8 students on January 26 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM in lieu of their regular religious ed. classes. The discussion will focus on topics, issues, and challenges that our young people may be facing. Parents are welcome to attend this session.

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Posted in Religious Education Program