Collaborative FAQ 11: What Will Happen With the Finances?

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallQuestion 11. I know that each parish has its own Finance Council, which is responsible for the financial activities of the parish. What will happen to our Finance Council, and our finances, when we begin our Parish Collaborative?
St. John’s and St. Paul’s will continue to have two separate Finance Councils. Each parish will maintain its own identity (its own name, its buildings, its canonical rights) and this extends into the financial realm. Each parish will continue to have its own bank accounts, its own books, its own financial assets, and its own financial obligations. Common costs of the Collaborative between St. John’s and St. Paul’s (such as staffing and shared programs) will be shared between the two Parishes. Although the Finance Councils and our financial assets and liabilities will remain distinct, members of the Finance Councils will have to work together to support the mission of New Evangelization. Direction for this mission will come over time from our Pastor.

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

RCIA: Let us open wide our doors, go out, and bring the Church closer to the people! Begins This Sunday, October 27 at 10:00am

RCIAThe RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is a journey that welcomes all seekers to learn about our Catholic Christian faith.  It offers everyone, especially you who are reading this announcement, the opportunity to extend an invitation to those you know who might be thinking about becoming a Catholic, who are baptized but not confirmed, who are Catholic but want to know more about our faith, or who for whatever reason may have left the Church.

Pope Francis challenges each of us with this statement from his recent interview: “We cannot keep ourselves shut up in parishes… it is not enough simply to open the door in welcome, but we must go out through the door to seek and meet the people.”

We will convene the last Sunday in October (10/27/13) from 10:00am to 11:00am  in the Church Rectory. Let us open wide our doors, go out, and bring the Church closer to the people!

Questions?  Please contact the Church Office at 781 235-0045 or Svea Fraser at sveafraser@comcast.net (781-237-7560).

FAITH MATTERS: The Rosary – The Story of a Relationship

stainedglassmaryIt all began when, as a child on my knees (leaning against a chair), my family would pray the Rosary during every May and October. I hated it! I knew my school friends would see this as weird (although I felt like a grown-up when it was my turn to lead everyone in a ‘decade’). Strangely though, as I grew up, whenever life was hard and I had no other words to use in prayer, I would find myself saying the Rosary. The Rosary would put me in touch with the Grace of God.

The peculiar thing was that the Rosary kept ‘turning up’ in my life, at the most unexpected times. In school history, we learnt about the Battle of Lepanto, a decisive sea battle that stemmed the advance of the Ottoman Empire into Western Europe. The pope’s forces credited the victory to Our Lady since they had implored her help before battle by praying the Rosary. Since the day of the victory was October 7, Pope Pius V named it as the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. When I met a new friend called Jacinta at college she told me that her name was the name of one of the children who saw Our Lady at Fatima in Portugal. Next I learn that on October 13, 1917 the Lady of Fatima called herself the Queen of the Rosary and aske that everyone should say the Rosary for the conversion of the world. Then, when Pope John Paul II was shot on May 13, 1981 (coincidently May 13, 1917 was the date that Our Lady first appeared at Fatima), the Pope credited Our Lady of Fatima, the Queen of the Rosary for his recovery! My Buddhist and Hindu friends always seemed really ‘cool’ with their prayer beads – so like the Rosary beads my mother had given me (which I was too embarrassed to use). This was similar to how I was impressed by Muslims being called to pray throughout the day. Was this so very different to saying the Angelus at noon and 6pm? Later, when I learnt about meditation and practised Yoga, I couldn’t help thinking that I had been doing this since I was a little girl when I said the Rosary and focused on the events of Jesus’ life. I learned early that involving my conscious self in following the mechanics of physically ‘saying’ the Rosary allowing my ‘inner self’ to be with God as I mediated on the ‘mysteries’ such as the Annunciation, the Crucifixion, or the Resurrection.

When I married I longed for a child. For five years, I became more and more heartbroken, sure that I would never be able to have a baby. I was beyond conscious prayer but often I became aware of myself praying the Rosary quietly within myself. Finally, I was pregnant and I prayed that I would manage to have the baby. She was due on September 22nd but I didn’t go into labor until October 5th! You guessed it – our daughter was born early in the morning on October 7th, the feast of Our Lady, Queen of the Rosary! People wanted us to call her Rose or Rosaria, but she was named Grace because the Rosary has been the ‘door’ by which God’s Grace has entered my life.

AFFC Movie Night/Potluck Supper – This Saturday, October 5 after 5pm Mass

the-kings-speechWe invite all parishioners to join us for a Movie Night/Potluck Supper  immediately following 5:00 p.m. Mass in the Social Hall.  This month’s movie is “The King’s Speech”, which tells the story of King George VI, his impromptu ascension to the throne and the speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch find his voice.   Please join us for a special evening together. Bring a favorite recipe to share! If you would like to join a hosting committee, please email Barbara Neem.

October 6: This Week in Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLSunday, October 6
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Grade 2 Parent Meeting/Visit
Grades 7, 8 Class 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Friends for Good 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Grade 9 Friends for Good 6:00 – 7:00
Class 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Grade 10 Class 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday, October 9
Grades 1- 6 Class 3:30 – 4:45 PM
Grade 2 Parent Meeting/Visit
Next Week: No classes due to the Columbus Day holiday.

October 6: AFFC Events and News

AFFC LogoWhen do you pray? How do you pray? Why do you pray?
Join us for Conversations in Prayer beginning this Monday evening, October 7th at 7:00pm in the Parish Center. This program is a four-part video/discussion series centered on different aspects of Prayer. Each session will have a short video (approx. 25 min.) followed by small group discussions facilitated by Linda Collozi and Anne Wachtmeister.

For the month of October, the Adult Faith Formation Commission is discussing Mary, the Mother of God on our blog, Faith Matters: Reflections on Our Shared Faith.  Please visit to find reflections written by parishioners as well as links to lots of great information, such as St. John’s on Facebook to receive regular updates on our monthly theme!

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary  The Rosary has been loved for generations as a scripture – based prayer honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. During October we encourage you to experience this beautiful devotion. To assist you there are some rosaries and pamphlets at our Church entrance. Also, every Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. you are welcome to pray the rosary with parishioners in the lower Chapel.

Upcoming Dates:
October 7, 14, 21 & 28: Conversations in Prayer, 7:00–8:30 p.m., Parish Center
October 10: Book Group – “Reluctant Saint: The Life of St. Francis Assisi” by Donald Spoto, 7:30 p.m., Parish Center (Questions: contact Anita Martin at anita.m.martin@live.com)
October 16: Faith Maps Lecture Series – Fr. Robert Imbelli   “Benedict and Francis: Light of Faith and New Evangelization” 7:00 p.m., Social Hall
October 30: Lecture at BC by John Allen – “The Francis Papacy: Reform, Renewal and Resistance”, 6:00 p.m., Robsham

Annual Financial Report and 2013 Annual Appeal

Annual Financial Report 2013Please watch for the Saint John Annual Financial Report and 2013 Annual Appeal  mailing, which should be arriving at your home this week. The report reflects the income and operating expenses for the past year (July, 2012 – June, 2013) and the 2013-2014 budget for both the Parish and Saint John School.  Finance Council members will be at all Masses this weekend (October 5-6) to highlight the key points of the report.

Also included in the mailing is your 2013 Annual Appeal Collection pledge card. Our online giving program, ParishPay, can also be used for contributions to the Annual Appeal – please visit the ParishPay page on our website for more information.  Thank you for your continued support of St. John the Evangelist Parish!

September 29: News from the AFFC

AFFC Logo“I pray the breviary every morning. I like to pray with the psalms. Then, later, I celebrate Mass. I pray the Rosary. What I really prefer is adoration in the evening, even when I get distracted and think of other things, or even fall asleep praying. In the evening then, between seven and eight o’clock, I stay in front of the Blessed Sacrament for an hour in adoration. But I pray mentally even when I am sitting at the dentist or at other times of the day.” -Pope Francis

When do you pray? How do you Pray? Why do you pray?

Join us for Conversations in Prayer beginning Monday evening, October 7th from 7:00 – 8:30PM in the Parish Center. This program is a four-part video/discussion series centered on different aspects of Prayer. Each session will have a short video (approx. 25 minutes) followed by small group discussions facilitated by Linda Collozi and Anne Wachtmeister.

October 1: Evening for Women, 6:30 p.m., Social Hall

October 5: Film/Supper Night resumes with The Kings Speech following 5:00 p.m. Mass, Social Hall. Bring a favorite recipe to share! If you would like to join a hosting committee, please contact Barbara.Neem@gmail.com

October 7, 14, 21 & 28: Conversations in Prayer, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Parish Center

October 10: Book GroupReluctant Saint: The Life of St. Francis Assisi by Donald Spoto, 7:30 p.m., Parish Center Questions: contact Anita Martin at anita.m.martin@live.com

October 16: Faith Maps Lecture Series – Fr. Robert Imbelli  “Benedict and Francis: Light of Faith and New Evangelization” 7:00 p.m., Social Hall

October 30: Lecture at BC by John Allen –”The Francis Papacy: Reform, Renewal and Resistance” 6:00 p.m., Robsham Theater, BC

Collaborative FAQ 10: Will Mass Times Change?

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallQuestion 10. When the Collaborative between St. John’s and St. Paul’s starts, will mass times change?
Mass times in each Parish have traditionally been determined at the discretion of local Pastors. After the Collaborative starts, the Pastor will seek input from his Pastoral Team and Pastoral Council regarding Mass times. The Archdiocese expects that in many places, mass schedules in Collaboratives will need adjustment.
We welcome your comments and feedback. Please email your questions or comments about Parish Collaboratives to – stjohn.stpaul@gmail.com

Attention Young Singers!

The Christmas Youth Choir sign-up and first rehearsal will take place Sunday, November 3 from 10:50-11:50AM.  All students in grade 1-8 are invited to participate. High School Assistants are also welcome (counts towards confirmation community service credit)!  Seven rehearsals will take place on the following dates and times:

  • 11/03 10:50-11:50am (Sign Up Begins)
  • 11/10 10:00-11:00am*
  • 11/17 10:50-11:50am
  • 11/24 10:50-11:50am
  • 12/08 10:50-11:50am
  • 12/15 10:50-11:50am
  • 12/22 10:00-11:00am*

*Please note: The November 10th and December 22nd rehearsals are 10AM- 11:00 AM.

Children will participate in the Parish Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 8 AND/OR the Christmas Eve 5:30 Family Mass. All rehearsals are in St. John’s Chapel.  For more information, please call Maria Wardwell at 781-237-2148.