Coming Up in Religious Education

Posted on December 8, 2017 | Comments Off on Coming Up in Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis week: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10
Grades 1 – 6: Class 10:00 – 10:45am
HS Retreat: 11:00am– 6:00pm
Grade 9 – 10: 5:00pm Teen Mass w/St. Paul students. Grades 9 & 10 are expected to attend this Mass to which the 9th and 10th grades from St. Paul’s have been invited. A Christmas celebration follows in the Social Hall.
Grades 7 & 8 are encouraged and most welcome to attend the Mass; however, no class is scheduled for these grades.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13
Grades 1 – 6 Class 3:30 – 4:45pm
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16
Christmas Pageant Practice 2:30pm
Next Week: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17
Christmas Pageant 9:00am Family Mass
No classes.

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Posted in Important Announcements, Religious Education Program

Evening for Women RSVPs are Now Closed

Posted on December 4, 2017 | Comments Off on Evening for Women RSVPs are Now Closed

We’re sorry – the attendee list is now closed.  We cannot accept any additional RSVPs for this event because we have reached capacity in Powers Hall.

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events

Updates from our Seminarians: A Reflection from Chris Holownia

Posted on November 29, 2017 | Comments Off on Updates from our Seminarians: A Reflection from Chris Holownia

Dear Parishioners,

Happy Advent! In the spirit of this season of transition, renewal, thanksgiving, and conversion, I wanted to share with you a reflection I wrote on Luke 16:1-15 for Mass on November 11, 2017. The story of the dishonest steward is one of Jesus’ most puzzling parables, yet its meaning was made known to me through my experience working as a chaplain at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. In our consumerist and individualist culture, it’s sometimes difficult to remember that everything we call our own, even life itself, is a gift from God. We are not entitled to anything we call “mine,” and any control or agency we may seem to enjoy over our human condition is ultimately illusory. So thanks be to God for the unconditional love with which He sustains us and for the many blessings He showers upon us.

Ad maiorem Dei gloriam!
Chris Holownia, n.S.J.

Please click to read: A Reflection from Chris Holownia

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Posted in Important Announcements, Updates from our Seminarians

Friday, December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Posted on November 28, 2017 | Comments Off on Friday, December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Immaculate ConceptionMASS SCHEDULE
7:00am at St. John
9:00am at St. John with Saint John School – all welcome!
9:00am at St. Paul
12:00pm at St. John
7:00pm at St. Paul

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Posted in Holy Days, Important Announcements, Special Events, Special Mass Schedule

Thanksgiving Thank You!

Posted on November 28, 2017 | Comments Off on Thanksgiving Thank You!

A big thank you to all the Parishioners who contributed to the Thanksgiving Feast at Bristol Lodge soup kitchen in Waltham. Thanksgiving is such a busy time of year, so we are always amazed by the number of parishioners who contribute year after year to make a memorable Thanksgiving for the guests at Bristol Lodge. We served 10 large turkeys with twice as many sides… and there were leftovers for weekend meals!

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Posted in Homeless/Feed the Hungry, Seasonal Initiatives, Service Commission

Saint John School “Trees & Trimmings” is this Saturday, December 2!

Posted on November 28, 2017 | Comments Off on Saint John School “Trees & Trimmings” is this Saturday, December 2!

Please join us this Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm for Trees & Trimmings, Saint John School’s annual holiday market filled with everything you need for a magical Christmas: freshly cut trees from Wilson Farm, our legendary custom decorated wreaths, boxwoods, poinsettias, and roping, delicious homemade baked goods in Santa’s Bake Shop, and much more!

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Posted in Christmas, Saint John School

December 9-10: Build the Faith with Girl Scout Troop 73848

Posted on November 28, 2017 | Comments Off on December 9-10: Build the Faith with Girl Scout Troop 73848

Girl Scout Troop 73848 is pleased to announce that Build the Faith will be present at all Masses on December 9-10 at St. Paul and St. John. Build the Faith is a non-profit organization established by Christina, a sixth grader at St. John Parish. Christina’s dream is to spread the Catholic faith to rural areas of economic distress around the world. To reach her goal, Christina’s foundation designs lovely rosaries which are sold for $25. All of the monies raised go to the construction of churches. These rosaries make a thoughtful Christmas gift, First Communion, Confirmation or other notable occasion – the gift of devotion to Mary, the gift of Catholicism and community for the economically disadvantaged and the gift of making a young girl’s dream come true. For more information, please visit buildthefaith.org.

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Posted in Important Announcements

“Polar Express” Family Movie Night – Friday, December 15

Posted on November 24, 2017 | Comments Off on “Polar Express” Family Movie Night – Friday, December 15

Join us as we get in the Christmas spirit on Friday, December 15 from 6:00-8:30pm in Powers Hall! Watch the Polar Express on the big screen under the lights of the Christmas tree. Hot Cocoa and snacks will be served. Feel free to wear pajamas and bring sleeping bags or blankets!

To help us plan for the event, please click the button to the left to let us know that you will be coming.

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Posted in Children, Family Mass, Religious Education Program

Christian Service Forum: A Message from Fr. Jim

Posted on November 19, 2017 | Comments Off on Christian Service Forum: A Message from Fr. Jim

Over 60 parishioners from the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative joined on November 7 to discuss a shared vision of what constitutes Christian Service and how we can achieve expanded opportunities to answer Christ’s call as we move forward as a collaborative. There was great energy and excitement in the room as members of both parishes got to know each other in the context of discussing an issue vital to our lives as Catholic Christians. Led by Carol Yamartino, a professional executive coach and leadership meeting facilitator, the ideas flowed freely as the attendees focused on many of the communities among us who are crying out for help – the hungry, poor, elderly, immigrants, prisoners, the homeless and the list goes on. The group also considered such topics as the extent of our outreach and the kinds of service we should seek to provide. The evening concluded with a discussion centered on potential models for implementing the ideas expressed.

The meeting was part of the consultation process that allows the voices of parishioners to be heard as the Collaborative Pastoral Council and I contemplate the creation of a Pastoral Plan for our collaborative. We also anticipate an additional forum in 2018 that will focus on family life as we move forward with the overall effort of exploring topics of importance to our parishioners.

How blessed we are to have such wonderful parishioners, passionate about living your faith through Christian Service. I feel very blessed indeed to serve as your pastor!

Yours in Christ,
Fr. Jim

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Posted in Important Announcements, Service Commission, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Pastoral Council

Help Make Wishes Come True!

Posted on November 16, 2017 | Comments Off on Help Make Wishes Come True!

Christmas Wish and TreeSome children wish upon a star. This year, about 400 children will wish upon the caring generosity of our parish community through the St. John Christmas Wish program, which has been making wishes come true since 1993. Needed clothing and a special Christmas wish gift will go to youngsters in our own parish and in parishes in Roxbury, Lowell and Brockton.

You can help make wishes come true by:

  • Sponsoring a child or family – fulfilling specific clothing and gift requests
  • Helping us shop – for children who have not been matched with sponsors
  • Making a financial donation – to be used to purchase clothing or gifts for children who have not been matched with sponsors

Save time by signing up as a Sponsor or Shopper online:  Christmas Wish Sign-Up  

Financial donations can also be made online:  Donate Now! 
(Anyone can make a one-time donation to Christmas Wish – no need to set up an account!)  

Forms and Checks (payable to St. John Parish, please indicate Christmas Wish in the memo) may be mailed to: St. John Parish, 39 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02481 or dropped at the SJSP Collaborative Administrative Offices in the Parish Center. (39 Washington St. Business hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm)

Questions?  Please contact Liz Corcoran or Sarah Connolly, or call the Parish Office at 781-235-0045.

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Posted in Christmas & Lent, Christmas Wish, Service Commission