This Weekend: Special Collection for Super Typhoon Haiyan Recovery

Typhoon_HaiyanCardinal Sean has authorized a special collection to be taken this weekend, November 16-17, in all parishes of the Archdiocese in support of the relief efforts in those areas of the Philippines and Vietnam that have been devastated by the recent Super Typhoon Haiyan. All monies collected will be distributed from the Archdiocese to Catholic Relief Services. This special collection will assist persons directly impacted by this storm as well as the rebuilding of the Church in the affected areas, so that the Church may be restored in her ability to serve the people.
At Masses this Weekend: Please give generously to our Special Second Collection at all masses this weekend. (Checks should be made out to “St. John the Evangelist Parish” with “Super Typhoon Haiyan Recovery 2013” in the memo.)
To Donate Online via ParishPay: Click this link and choose “Typhoon Haiyan Recovery” under One-Time Donations. (Please Note: You do not need to be a regular ParishSoft user to make a one-time donation – anyone can make a secure, one-time donation with a credit card.)

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A Special Mass for Victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan
Saturday, November 16, 6:30pm at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross

The Filipino Apostolate of Boston, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Boston and the different local Filipino organizations and communities of Boston and nearby areas, has scheduled a special Mass to offer prayers for the repose souls of those who perished in the storm and for the strength to bring the needed healing to the injured. During the Mass, a collection will be taken to assist our Filipino brothers and sisters affected in recovering from this natural disaster. All are welcome to attend. (Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 1400 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111)
Statement from Rev. Cyriac C. Mattathilanickal, MS, Chaplain, Filipino Apostolate of Boston:
“I am calling on all Filipinos to join His Eminence Sean Cardinal O’ Malley and the Archdiocese of Boston to unite, pray, and help our brothers and sisters in the Philippines… Let us stand in solidarity with these brethren and pray for God’s healings in the midst of all grief and loss. We will emerge stronger than the typhoon for our faith is greater. May San Lorenzo Ruiz and Pedro Calungsod, the patron saints of the Philippines, intercede for us. May the Blessed Mother, Mama Mary, draw us closer amidst our loss and grief.”

Residents walk on a road littered with debris after Super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban city in central Philippines

Christmas Wish – It’s Not Too Late!

Christmas Wish and TreePlease consider participating in this year’s Christmas Wish Program. Your involvement means a great deal to over 400 children who depend on our community’s generosity and kindness to help them receive needed clothing and a special Christmas Wish gift. We invite you to participate by:

* Sponsoring a family or child (fulfilling their desired clothing and gift requests) * Donating to the program * Helping us shop for children who have not been matched with sponsors * Helping with gift preparation

Please visit our Christmas Wish page today for more information and to sign up to help and/or make a donation online. Paper forms and contributions should be returned to the Rectory Office as soon as possible, but please know that it is never to late to get involved! Thank you in advance for your kindness!

We also invite you to complete an applicant form, if you find that your family needs assistance this holiday season. Please call the Rectory with any questions 781-235-0045.

For more information: Please contact us:
Liz Corcoran (efcorcoran@aol.com) or Sarah Connolly at the Rectory (stjohnwellesley@stjohnwellesley.org)

November 17: This Week in Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis Week: Sunday, November 17
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Grades 7, 8 Class 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Friends for Good 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Grade 9 Class 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Grade 10 Friends for Good 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Class 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday, November 20
Grades 1- 6 Class 3:30 – 4:45 PM
Grade 3 Parent Visit
Next Week: Sunday, November 24
Grade 3 Mass 9AM
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Grade 3 Parent Visit
Grades 9, 10 High School Retreat 1:00 – 6:00 PM, Church Social Hall

Faith in Action
Many, many thanks to the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students who so generously donated warm hats for the men at the St. Francis House day shelter in Boston. We collected well over 100 hats. During the Friends for Good segment of the evening, students wrote personal notes wishing the men good health in the coming cold months and attached them to the hats.

Save the Date! Trees and Trimmings – Saturday, December 7th

Trees & TrimmingsThe Saint John School annual holiday market – TREES & TRIMMINGS – is on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7th! Please plan your weekend so we will see you on Saturday, then you will have Sunday to deck your hall with your fabulous tree, wreaths, roping, and greens.  Our fresh and beautiful Advent Wreaths will be available for purchase on the first Sunday of Advent, December 1st, after the 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Masses, as well as the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, November 30th. No preorder necessary!

Trees & Trimmings loves and needs donations of homemade baked goods for Santa’s Bakeshop. Bake your favorite goodie or classic family recipe – we can use cookies, brownies, bars, decorated Christmas cut-out cookies, breads, pies, and especially FUDGE! Please drop off all baked goods at Philbin Hall on Friday, December 6th, or contact Amy Kane at amykane@hotmail.com or Mariela Baker at mbaker@bdg-inc.com if you wish to make a contribution of your favorite holiday goodie. Thank you!

“In the Garden” a signed, framed print by former Saint John parishioner E. Joseph Fontaine, will be our showcase raffle item this year. Tickets will be available after select masses later this month and at Trees & Trimmings on Saturday, December 7 until 4:00 p.m. Please contact Christina McCormick at chmcc94@gmail.com with any questions.

Questions about Trees & Trimmings or for volunteer opportunities, please contact Marie Carroll at carroll.marie@yahoo.com or Kati Bannish at katib.mac@me.com

Thanksgiving Dinner at Bristol Lodge

Thanksgiving DinnerThanksgiving is just around the corner and with it comes our commitment to serving dinner to 100 guests at Bristol Lodge in Waltham. Please consider cooking or baking for this important outreach program. We will need the following cooked items:
* Ten 18-20lb cooked (but unstuffed) Turkeys * Mashed Potatoes * Gravy * Butternut Squash * Corn * Green beans * Cranberry sauce *  Rolls * Cider * Cranberry Juice
Food should be brought to the St. John’s parking lot on Wednesday, November 27 between 12pm and  2:00pm.  (Turkeys, as well as other side dishes may be cooked as early as the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving.) Please contact Deirdre Heilbron at dgheilbron@yahoo.com or 617-894-4416 if you can help.

Vatican Questionnaire on Family Life

Francis_VaticanAs some of you may have heard on the news, the Vatican in preparation for a Synod in 2014 has sent a questionnaire to all members of the Church.  If you are interested in reading it you may find it on our website:  Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization.  Responses that parishioners send will be shared with the Parish Council and a collective summary will be sent to the Diocese. We have been informed that the due date for the input is December 17.

Can You Help? Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Bristol Lodge

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is fast approaching! Please
consider cooking turkey or side dish for the Thanksgiving feast at Bristol Lodge in
Waltham. Bring your donations to the Church parking lot on Wednesday, November 27
between 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. Contact Deirdre Heilbron at dgheilbron@yahoo.com
or 617-894-4416 if you are interested in helping or have any questions.

Parish Choir Holiday Music

Music_Christmas SeasonInterested singers are invited to join with the Parish Choir as we prepare for our Thanksgiving Day Mass, Parish Christmas Concert and/or our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses. Due to time constraints, you are to choose which of those events you would like to participate in. Holiday Music rehearsals are held each Sunday evening, 6:15-8:15pm in the Music Office, downstairs in the Church.

Christmas Wish Kicks Off This Week!

Christmas Wish and TreeThe St. John Christmas Wish Program kicks off this week! Please check your mailbox for an invitation to participate in this year’s Christmas Wish Program. Your involvement means a great deal to over 400 children who depend on our community’s generosity and kindness to help them receive needed clothing and a special Christmas Wish gift. We invite you to participate by sponsoring a family or child (fulfilling their desired clothing and gift requests), donating to the program, helping us shop for children who have not been matched with sponsors, or helping with gift preparation. We also invite you to complete an applicant form, if you find that your family needs assistance this holiday season.

You can also donate on line or sign up to participate on our Christmas Wish page.  Thank you in advance for your kindness! Any questions, please contact us: Liz Corcoran (efcorcoran@aol.com) or Sarah Connolly at the Rectory (stjohnwellesley@stjohnwellesley.org).

Collaborative FAQ 16: Will our Pastors have to resign?

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallQuestion 16. I’ve heard that when the Parish Collaboratives form, all the Pastors in that Collaborative Phase have to resign. Is this correct?
Yes. However, the Archbishop will appoint the best Pastor for the unique needs of each Collaborative. It may be the case that the best Pastor for a given Collaborative is one of the current Pastors or Administrators (interim Pastors), or it may be the case that the best choice is someone new, from another Parish altogether. In Phase One, which began in the summer of 2013, half of the twelve Collaboratives got a new Pastor, and the other half retained a Pastor from one of the Collaborating parishes.

We welcome your comments and feedback. Please email your questions or comments about Parish Collaboratives to: stjohn.stpaul@gmail.com