Please join us at 7:30pm in the Church for this year’s Lenten Lectures with Fr. Bryan Hehir:
Monday, March 4: The State of the Church
Monday, March 25: Church and State: Here and Abroad (note change of date)
Lenten Lectures with Fr. Bryan Hehir: March 4 and 25
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements, Lent, Special Events
February 24: News and Upcoming Events from the AFFC
Tuesday, February 26: The Christ–Centered Theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar with Father Robert Imbelli
7:00 p.m. (time change), St. John Social Hall
Hans Urs von Balthasar was one of the giants of 20th century Catholic Theology. His massive production of books and articles fills a whole bookcase, and the architectural mass of his work resembles a great cathedral. But its basic lines are clear and straightforward. Fr. Imbelli’s presentation will seek to illuminate the basic patterns and perspectives of von Balthasar’s thought, mindful that for von Balthasar, theology is at the service of Christian living. He speaks of his theology as a “praying theology:” one that derives from prayer and leads to prayer. Fr. Robert Imbelli, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, teaches theology at Boston College. He recently edited B.C.’s Church in the 21st Century’s Issue on “The Catholic Intellectual Tradition.”
Wednesday, February 27: Book Launch – New Voices in Catholic Theology
Boston College, Corcoran Commons, Heights Room, 5:00pm Presenters: Anna Bonata Moreland, Professor, Department of Humanities, Villanova University and Joseph Curran, Professor of Religious Studies,
Misericordia College
Saturday, March 2: Film Evening and Potluck Dinner
Of God and Men
St. John Social Hall, after 5:00 p.m. Mass
(See announcement for more details.)
Tuesday, March 5 * * * CANCELLATION * * * Evening for Women Unfortunately it is again necessary to cancel our next program scheduled for March 5. Sr. Evelyn has developed some unexpected medical issues but is hoping to return to the parish before too long. As always she deeply appreciates your prayers.
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements, Lent
February 24: News from Religious Education
This Week: No Classes
Next Week: Sunday, March 3
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Grade 2 Parent Meeting/Visit
Grade 7 & 8 Class 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Grade 9 Friends for Good 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Grade 9 & 10 Class 7:00 – 8:00
Wednesday, March 6
Grades 1 – 6 Class 3:30 – 4:45 PM
Friends for Good is a dynamic component of the Religious Education Program designed to enable older students (Grades 7-10) to put their faith into action while deepening their individual commitment as life-long disciples of Christ. The wide variety of activities and events are intended to encourage personal reflection, create a sense of community, and promote social outreach. Through camaraderie, fellowship, and good will, participants foster the mission of the Catholic faith for the benefit of themselves and their neighbors. For more information please visit the Friends for Good page on our website. Every 9th and 10th grade student attending the full Friends for Good session will be credited with one-half hour of community service which may be applied to the twenty-five hours required for Confirmation. Students will sign-in upon arrival.
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Posted in Important Announcements, Religious Education Program
Sunday, March 3: FSC and Choir Rehearsals for Holy Week and Easter Begin
Consider These Opportunities to Assist with Your Lenten Journey…
Choir rehearsals for Holy Week and Easter will begin on Sunday, March 3. The Parish Choir meets at 10am (except on the first Sunday of the month when it meets with the FIRST SUNDAY CHOIR at 9am) to prepare hymns and responses for the 11am Mass.
FIRST SUNDAY CHOIR (FSC) meets on the first Sunday of every month October- June at 9am to prepare a special choral piece to be sung that day at the 11am Mass. Children, grownups, families and former choir members are invited as we meet at 9am in the Music Office downstairs to learn a simple anthem to be sung at Mass. No prior music experience is necessary, there are no auditions. Children under 12 must bring a singing adult with them!! We’ll have a good time together and offer some very accessible music. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who wants to sing, but cannot commit to a regular rehearsal schedule. Please speak with Larry Carson or any choir member with your questions or to express your interest in becoming part of this exciting ministry. Our next FSC will be Sunday, March 3.
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Posted in Music, Parish Choir
Easter Youth Choir Rehearsals Begins Sunday, March 3
Attention young singers – children in grades 1-8 are invited to participate in St. John’s Easter Youth Choir! High School Assistants are welcome. Sign up and first rehearsal on Sunday, March 3. There are 4 rehearsals: 3/3, 3/10, 3/17 and 3/24 from 10:50-11:50 in the Chapel. The children will sing at the 9:00AM Family Mass on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. For more information email Maria Wardwell or call 781-237-2148.
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Posted in Children, Family Mass, Family Mass Music, Important Announcements, Music, Youth Choir
Our 2013 Lenten Gift: Rebuilding in Faith – Supporting St. Margaret Mary Parish, Staten Island
Week 2: The Devastation
This week our Lenten Gift story continues as we introduce the devastating Hurricane Sandy and its impact on residents of Staten Island, particularly those in the St. Margaret Mary Parish located in the Midland Beach area.
Superstorm Sandy – A Hurricane Turned Cyclone Causing Major Devastation
The storm originated in the Caribbean and for ten days gradually made its way through Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas before turning northward up the eastern U.S. seaboard. The storm grew to about 1,000 miles in diameter (twice the size of Hurricane Katrina) and earned the nickname of “Frankenstorm.”
On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit Staten Island, located at the mouth of New York harbor, with a combination of strength (winds of 80 mph), astrological high tides and an angle of approach that produced a record storm surge of 16 feet.
The storm surge wiped out homes on the water and flooded neighborhoods up to one mile inland with 8 feet of water. Trees and power lines were down and people were stranded in their homes until emergency personnel could rescue them in boats.
The storm resulted in over 100 deaths, $60 billion in damage, and over 100,000 people being displaced from their homes. New York City officials estimate that nearly 6,000 buildings sustained damage on Staten Island causing occupants to seek temporary lodging elsewhere. People are still recovering from the loss of property and home as they struggle to take care of their most basic needs and attempt to re-build for a future.
St. Margaret Mary Parish
The Parish is located in the Midland Beach section on the east coast of Staten Island, originally a beach community with many one-story bungalow style homes. The parishioners suffered the full brunt of the storm as their homes were severely damaged by the storm surge and resulting flood due to their location on the island’s east coast, the storm’s thirteen inches of rain and the housing stock’s small size and low rise design. Hundreds of families are still struggling to put their lives back together with city officials estimating 300 homes are still without power or heat and another 200 homes classified as uninhabitable because they were destroyed or rendered structurally unsound. While all of this occurred over three months ago, hundreds of families continue to struggle to rebuild their shattered lives. They live in temporary housing, their children are bused to schools far away, and they have lost many of their prized possessions. The parish has established a relief fund which has been very successful but the proceeds go out as fast as they are raised due to the community’s great need. Our St. John’s 2013 Lenten Gift will go to this fund.
Next Week: We introduce one of the impacted St. Margaret Mary parish families and their struggle to Rebuild in Faith.
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Posted in 2013 Lenten Gift, Christmas & Lent, Important Announcements, Lent, Service Commission
Lectio Divina – Begins this Sunday, February 24 at 3:30pm in the Parish Center
Words, Words, Words. Words have power. In the midst of the relentless bombardment of meaningless sound bites some really hit home. They hit us in our deepest core. They resonate with a deeper interior truth. Allowing the words of sacred Scripture to touch us this way at the center of our being is an ancient prayer method called Lectio Divina, literally “holy or sacred reading.” It’s simple and flexible for anybody with an over-stimulated mind seeking to stir the embers of faith and love of a relationship with God. It begins with a short passage—a verse or two of Scripture (lectio) until a word or phrase jumps out at you. Next, ask – What does this mean to me? What is God trying to tell me? (meditatio). This leads into a time of prayer—a conversation with God (oratio). Finally, you take a moment to silently rest in the presence of God (contemplatio). Sound interesting? Want to learn more? Lent is the perfect season to try it out. Sr. Evelyn Ronan and Deacon Tom Shuler invite you to re-ignite the embers of faith” this Lent with a four-session program, “Holy Reading.” Join them each Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. in the Parish Center Chapel beginning February 24th. You’re welcome to come to one or all sessions, and there’s no need to register for anything.
Sundays, beginning February 24, from 3:30-4:30pm in the Parish Center Chapel Room.
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements, Lent, Special Events
2013 Catholic Men’s Conference – Saturday, March 16, 2013
The St. Paul Catholic Men’s Fellowship Group is planning to car-pool to the Catholic Men’s Conference to be held at the DCU Center in Worcester on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Scheduled for this all-day conference are dynamic talks from outstanding Catholic leaders: Fr. James Martin, SJ; NHL & Olympic Referee Kerry Fraser; Fr. Sammie L. Maletta; and Joe McClane, “The Catholic Hack.” Bishop McManus will offer the conference Mass. Bishops, diocesan and religious priests are available for confession. For a Conference brochure, further information, or registration, call 508-929-4345 or visit the website, www.firstmensconf.org for information and ticket purchase. Tickets are $45 per person ($60 after March 3rd). We cordially invite the men of St. John the Evangelist Parish as well as their sons, brothers, fathers and friends to join the St. Paul Men’s Group in this annual event. For Wellesley car-pool information call Tory DeFazio 781-237-6738 or Joe Cavanaugh at 781-237-0759.
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Posted in Important Announcements, Special Events
Beginning Wednesday, February 27: A Profound Call/A Unique Response… Quiet Meditation on Scripture and Prayer
“…but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:13)
How do we hear that still small voice? We offer three opportunities to be still and listen – with an hour of very gentle yoga stretching along with quiet meditation on Scripture passages and prayer. Three sessions (attend all or one) facilitated by Anne Wachtmeister and Svea Fraser. Wednesdays, February 27 and March 6 from 7:30-8:30pm and Sunday, March 10 from 2:00-3:00pm. In the Parish Center Chapel Room. NO experience necessary: only comfortable clothing and an openness to finding ways to quiet our souls. (No floor mats required and no floor exercises will be done.)
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Lent, Parish Liturgical Commission, Special Events
Parish Business Office Closed – Monday, February 18
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Posted in Important Announcements