A big thank you to all the parishioners who contributed to the Household Goods collection for Refugee Relief. Over 100 items (including brooms, dusters, laundry detergent, dish detergent and various soaps) were delivered to Catholic Charities/Boston (CCB) for distribution to refugee families who have been resettled by CCB. Our efforts were especially appreciated given the recent Executive Order which limits both the number of refugees who are allowed in to the U. S. (from 110,000 to 50,000 in FY 17) as well as their country of origin.
Please remember that caring for refugees is based on Catholic social teaching. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus instructs us to welcome the stranger, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Mt 25:35-40)
Beginning next week (February 11-12), at the recommendation of the Collaborative Pastoral Council, the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative will issue one common bulletin. Each week, parishioners from both parishes will now see both collaborative news and news from each parish. Please click 
As many of you know, last year the proceeds of our Lenten gift went to Catholic Charities/Boston for their Refugee Relief activities. CC/Boston settles between 300-400 refugees each year and the majority of these refugees come from African countries including DR Congo, Eritrea and Ethiopia as well as Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.
St. John’s Adult Faith Formation Commission
We encourage you to come and pray together during this hour for all those who have been wounded by abortion, for respect for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, and that those who govern us may be guided by justice, truth, and a love for the gift of life.
Fathers, father-figures and special friends are invited to bring their daughters (of any age) to St. Paul’s Parish Hall and spend quality time with each other and experience an evening of dance and fun! Tickets are $20 for two, max $25 per family. This includes a D.J., dancing (with a dance contest), snacks, drinks & free raffle. Tickets will be sold after the 9:00 a.m. Mass at St. Paul’s in the Parish Hall on January 22 and January 29 as well as at the door the night of the dance. For more information or to help with the event contact: Eric LaPlaca at (617-365-5063) or 
St. John’s Music during Christmas 2016 was effulgent with its glowing joy. Those of you who were present at our Christmas liturgies knew immediately that this great Feast of the Nativity is remarkable, glorious. A couple of weeks before Christmas a parishioner put fear in my heart as she was so filled with anticipation of being with her family, as well as her church family, and stressed how she just knew the music would exceed her expectations. I thought quietly to myself – it had better!