2012 Lenten Gift: Giving Hope to East Africa – One Family’s Plight

Posted on March 2, 2012 | Comments Off on 2012 Lenten Gift: Giving Hope to East Africa – One Family’s Plight

Extreme hunger is a harsh daily reality for more than 12 million people in East  Africa because of what many are calling the worst drought in 60 years.  Further compounding this natural disaster are political violence in Southern Somalia and drastic increases in food prices. These numbers have swelled the already overcrowded Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya to a half a million people. Crowded conditions in Ethiopian and Kenyan camps, and in urban areas in Somalia, pose huge health concerns. Cases of cholera and measles outbreaks are on the rise. Somalia is the hardest hit of the East African countries stricken by drought. The UN estimates that more than 3 million people are suffering from inadequate nutrition. And nearly 250,000 Somalis are at risk of starvation if immediate lifesaving interventions do not reach them. Continue reading →

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Posted in 2012 Lenten Gift, Christmas & Lent, Service Commission

Dinner for Rosie’s Place Volunteers:
Reminder – Food Drop Off on Saturday, March 3 between 3:15 and 3:30

Posted on March 2, 2012 | Comments Off on Dinner for Rosie’s Place Volunteers:
Reminder – Food Drop Off on Saturday, March 3 between 3:15 and 3:30

Thank you to everyone who volunteered for this effort!   We look forward to seeing you when the food is dropped off on Saturday, March 3rd between  3:15 and 3:30 at St. John’s school parking lot.  On behalf of the women at Rosie’s, thank you.  If you have any questions, please contact Barbara Tully at btully87@comcast.net, (781)235-6182 or Pam McCourt at mccourtpam@comcast.net, (781)235-0612.

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Reminder – Food Drop Off on Saturday, March 3 between 3:15 and 3:30

Posted in Homeless/Feed the Hungry, Important Announcements, Service Commission

Adult Faith Formation Update – March 4

Posted on March 2, 2012 | Comments Off on Adult Faith Formation Update – March 4

“Vatican II: The Fiftieth Anniversary – What Difference Has It Made?” – two lectures by Father Bryan Hehir, March 12 and March 19, St. John’s Church, 7:30 p.m.

Pope John XIII announced the council in January,1959.  For four consecutive years, 1962 through 1965, the 2,850 participants met each fall for ten weeks. They discussed, debated and voted on a range of issues and produced four “constitutions”, nine “decrees” and three “declarations”. Taken together, these sixteen documents had a profound impact on the church and on the spiritual lives of Catholics throughout the world. It is for much more than nostalgia that we commemorate this anniversary of Vatican II. Understanding what happened in Rome a half century ago can give us a good perspective on the challenges facing the Church today and the critical decisions that lie ahead.  Fr. Hehir’s lectures will help us understand better the implications of this historic event. Please attend and bring your friends!

Adult Faith Formation Schedule

March 4, 3:00 p.m. “Faith Maps: Ten Religious Explorers, from Newman to Joseph Ratzinger”; discussion led by Sr. Evelyn Ronan March 4, 3:00 p.m.; showing of “Catholicism: A Documentary Video” followed by discussion.

March 4, 7:30 p.m. Sacred Heart Parish, Newton Centre; viewing of video segments of the Archdiocese Justice Convocation (2011) and discussion of Catholic social teaching.

March 6, 6:30 p.m. Program for Woman, Journey Into the Heart of Prayer in St. John’s Gospel Sr. Evelyn Ronan; Social Hall

March 8, Faith Maps, 10:00 a.m., Parish Center with John Stewart

March 8, 5:30 p.m. “Why Confirmation Matters”; discussion with Professor Liam Bergin (Visiting Scholar, Irish Studies); B.C.; Heights Room, Corcoran Commons

March 9, 7:00 p.m. Emerging Theologians Conference, “Is Vatican II Still Relevant?”; B.C., Gasson Hall, Room 100, Main Campus; Presenter: Dr. Massimo Faggioli, University of St. Thomas

St. John’s Faith Formation Commission Email: AFFC@stjohnwellesley.org

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation

2012 Lenten Gift:Giving Hope to East Africa – Supporting East African Refugees Fleeing Drought and Famine

Posted on February 25, 2012 | Comments Off on 2012 Lenten Gift:Giving Hope to East Africa – Supporting East African Refugees Fleeing Drought and Famine

St. John’s Parish will again show its solidarity with others who are in need by collecting funds for a Lenten gift. This year’s gift will be: “Giving Hope to East Africa” – Supporting East African Refugees Fleeing Drought and Famine. Throughout Lent, the plight of these refugees will be shared with you in our weekly parish bulletins and on the parish web site. Continue reading →

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Posted in 2012 Lenten Gift, Christmas & Lent, Service Commission

2012 Catholic Appeal – This Weekend, March 3 – 4

Posted on February 23, 2012 | Comments Off on 2012 Catholic Appeal – This Weekend, March 3 – 4

On the weekend of March 3-4, our parish will join with the other 287 parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston to participate in the 2012 Catholic Appeal. This annual effort Directly supports the 50 ministries that benefit hundreds of pastoral, charitable and educational programs. This  worthwhile effort is the most effective way for our parish to join in the Church’s universal work of caring for those among us who are in need. At every Mass during Appeal weekend, we will be asked to pledge our support for this year’s Appeal.  Please prayerfully consider how God is calling you to be the Good Samaritan through your support of the Catholic Appeal. For more information about the Catholic Appeal or to make a pledge to our parish campaign, please visit: www.BostonCatholicAppeal.org.

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Posted in Important Announcements, Special Collections

February 26, 2012: Pastoral Planning – Your Feedback is Needed

Posted on February 23, 2012 | Comments Off on February 26, 2012: Pastoral Planning – Your Feedback is Needed

The Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Commission (APPC) has begun a series of 20 vicariate consultations with parish pastoral and finance council members to discuss proposals to strengthen parishes for the mission of evangelization in the Archdiocese. We ask parishioners to join the Commission’s work by prayer and by visiting the planning website for important information on the proposal and the Commission’s work to date at www.planning2012.com.  The APPC is asking pastors and their councils to conduct Town Hall meetings or other sessions over the next several weeks to discuss pastoral planning efforts in the Archdiocese. Parishioners who wish to take a web survey on pastoral planning can find it at the www.planning2012.com website.

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Posted in Disciples in Mission, Important Announcements, Pastoral Planning Group

Adult Faith Formation Update – February 26

Posted on February 23, 2012 | Comments Off on Adult Faith Formation Update – February 26

Stephen Brown, a member of St. John’s parish and a distinguished theologian at Boston College, has generously offered to meet on three Wednesday mornings in Lent to talk about “St. Augustine’s Sermons on Lent”.  These will be relatively small, informal sessions in the parish Social Hall (lower level of the church) from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. on February 28, March 13 and March 27.  In addition to his teaching Professor Brown is director of the Boston College Institute of Medieval Philosophy and Theology. The discussions are open to all! Reservations are not necessary, but if you are planning to participate it would be helpful to drop a note to AFFC@stjohnwellesley.org.

Many members of the parish have participated in previous sessions of the program “Bridges to Contemplative Living”, focused on Thomas Merton.  Svea Fraser will lead a group on the topic of “Becoming Who You Are”, on Wednesday evenings, 7:30, in the Parish Center. The first meeting is February 29. For information and to register write to sveafraser@comcast.net.  Despite the fact that he died more than forty years ago Thomas Merton remains one of the most widely-read Catholic writers, and an inspiration to people of all ages.

These are but two of the many faith formation efforts available during Lent.  Check the parish website for details or contact the Adult Faith Formation Commission.  The full schedule is below:

February 28 “St. Augustine’s Sermons on Lent”, Professor Stephen Brown
February 29 “Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton”, Svea Fraser
March 1 “Faith Maps: Ten Religious Explorers”, John Stewart
March 3 Men’s Group, Deacon Tom Smith
March 3 “Word on Fire: Catholicism, a Documentary Video”, Pat Kelleher
March 4 “Word on Fire: Catholicism, a Documentary Video”, Pat Kelleher
March 4 “Faith Maps: Ten Religious Explorers”, Sr. Evelyn Ronan
March 6 Program for Woman, Sr. Evelyn Ronan
March 12 “Vatican II, the Fiftieth Anniversary”, Fr. Bryan Hehir
March 13 “St. Augustine’s Sermons on Lent”, Professor Stephen Brown
March 14 Book Discussion, “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy”, Peter Mongeau
March 19 “Vatican II, the Fiftieth Anniversary”, Fr. Bryan Hehir
March 27 “St. Augustine’s Sermons on Lent”, Professor Stephen Brown

St. John’s Adult Faith Formation Commission: Patrick Blomberg, Linda Colozzi, Marcia Grondin, Pat Kelleher (chair), John Salvati, John Stewart, and Anne Wachtmeister Sister Evelyn Ronan (advisor)

Email: AFFC@stjohnwellesley.org

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements

Can You Offer a Ride?

Posted on February 17, 2012 | Comments Off on Can You Offer a Ride?

An elderly parishioner who can no longer drive is looking for a ride to church on Sundays.  She typically attends the 7:30am Sunday Mass. If you are able to help out please contact Deirdre Heilbron at dgheilbron@yahoo.com. Hopefully we will have a few volunteers so we can share the driving.

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Posted in Service Commission, Visitation & Outreach, Volunteers Needed

Can You Help “So Others May Eat”? (S.O.M.E.) – Sunday, February 26

Posted on February 17, 2012 | Comments Off on Can You Help “So Others May Eat”? (S.O.M.E.) – Sunday, February 26

Since 1995, our parish has helped serve the homeless by providing sandwiches  on the 4th and 5th (when there is one) Sunday of each month for the Bristol Lodge in Waltham.  The sandwiches are distributed to the clients of the Bristol’s various programs for the needy and provide a nourishing mid-day meal for the residents of shelters which are closed during the daytime hours.  We need your help to provide hundreds of sandwiches on Sunday February 26. Please bring sandwiches (wrapped and without condiments) to the church kitchen refrigerator.   For more information please contact Liz Phillips at (781) 237-4430 or Liz.phillips@comcast.net

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Posted in Homeless/Feed the Hungry, Service Commission, Volunteers Needed

Help Needed: Dinner for Rosie’s Place on Saturday March 3

Posted on February 15, 2012 | Comments Off on Help Needed: Dinner for Rosie’s Place on Saturday March 3

A refuge for poor and homeless women since 1974, Rosie’s Place offers emergency and long term assistance to women who have nowhere else to turn. For many years, St. John’s Parish has taken a turn providing evening dinner for the women.  Our next opportunity to share in this gift is Saturday, March 3rd and we need your help again to provide meals for approximately 150 women.  In order to plan appropriately it would be extremely helpful if offers to provide food were made by February 27th.

  • Food Needed: sliced ham, baked potatoes, frozen vegetables, rolls and cupcakes.
  • Volunteers Needed to prepare and deliver food to St. John’s Parking Lot between 3:15 and 3:30pm on March 3rd.

If you are interested in supporting this event and for specific needs, please contact Barbara Tully at btully87@comcast.net, (781)235-6182 or Pam McCourt at mccourtpam@comcast.net, (781)235-0612.

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Posted in Homeless/Feed the Hungry, Important Announcements, Volunteers Needed