Thank You from the St. John Service Commission

Posted on February 4, 2017 | Comments Off on Thank You from the St. John Service Commission

Service FairA 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)

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Posted in Homeless/Feed the Hungry, Service Commission

New Collaborative Bulletin Format Begins February 11-12

Posted on February 4, 2017 | Comments Off on New Collaborative Bulletin Format Begins February 11-12

Fr_JimBeginning 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 HERE to read Fr. Jim’s letter about our new Collaborative Bulletin format.

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Posted in From the Pastor, Important Announcements, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events

February 5: This Week in Religious Education

Posted on February 4, 2017 | Comments Off on February 5: This Week in Religious Education

THIS WEEK: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Grade 3 & 4: Mass 9:00 a.m.
Grades 1 – 6: Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Middle School Retreat 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
(prior registration required)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Grades 1 – 6: Class 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

NEXT WEEK: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Grade 1 Mass 9:00 a.m.
Grades 1 – 6: Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
High School Retreat 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. (prior registration required)
Grades 7 – 8: Class 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friends for Good 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Grades 9 – 10: Friends for Good 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Class 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

For the full calendar, please visit the Religious Ed website.

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Posted in Religious Education Program

Pastoral Care at Elizabeth Seton – Orientation February 13

Posted on January 28, 2017 | Comments Off on Pastoral Care at Elizabeth Seton – Orientation February 13

Elizabeth_SetonElizabeth Seton Nursing Home in Wellesley is offering our St. John and St. Paul parishioners the opportunity to get involved at Elizabeth Seton. Current Eucharistic Ministers and others interested in spiritual care are welcome to attend the upcoming orientation for volunteers on February 13 at 1:30 p.m. at Elizabeth Seton, 125 Oakland St. in Wellesley. Contact: Linda Colozzi, Chaplain Director of Spiritual Care at (781) 997-1119 if you are interested or have any questions.

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Posted in Important Announcements

January 29: This Week in Religious Education

Posted on January 28, 2017 | Comments Off on January 29: This Week in Religious Education

THIS WEEK: SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
Grades 1 – 6: Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Grades 7 – 8: No Class
Grade 9 – 10: 5:00 p.m. Teen Mass at St. Paul 
Reception for students follows in St. Paul’s Parish Hall.

NEXT WEEK:SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Grade 3 & 4: Mass 9:00 a.m.
Grades 1 – 6: Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Middle School Retreat 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
(prior registration required)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Grades 1 – 6: Class 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

For the full calendar, please visit the Religious Ed website.

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Posted in Religious Education Program

This Weekend: “Collection Sunday” for Refugee Relief – January 28-29

Posted on January 25, 2017 | Comments Off on This Weekend: “Collection Sunday” for Refugee Relief – January 28-29

Catholic Charities LogoAs 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.

After these families and individuals have been resettled in the Boston area, they need assistance in so many ways. One way we can help out is to collect household items that are needed in their apartments. The Service Commission has organized Collection Sundays during the weekends of January 21-22 and January 28-29. On these weekends we will be collecting Household Cleaning Supplies, including dish soap, sponges, laundry detergent, brooms (either upright or whisk brooms) and microfiber mops/dusters. Donations may be left at St. John Church in the Glen Road entrance, in the Library area on the lower level , or in Powers Hall. (Look for the “Collection Sundays” signs.)

This is a wonderful opportunity to get your children involved in a service activity. Imagine the conversations that will ensue as you explain why these families need to uproot and resettle in the United States, far from family and a familiar culture!  If you have any questions about Collection Sundays, please don’t hesitate to contact the Parish Office (781-235-0045.)

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Posted in Homeless/Feed the Hungry, Service Commission

St. John Book Discussion Group – Thursday, February 16 at 7:30pm

Posted on January 20, 2017 | Comments Off on St. John Book Discussion Group – Thursday, February 16 at 7:30pm

Edmund_Campion_A_LifeBOOK GROUP HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16.

The book to be discussed on February 16 (7:30 p.m., St. John Parish Center) is Edmund Campion: A Life, by Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh (known by his pen name Evelyn Waugh). (201 pages, paperback available for about $15.)

Edmund Campion was born in 1540 and grew up amid the religious upheavals following the break of King Henry VIII and the Vatican. After delivering a speech of welcome before the new Queen, Elizabeth I, when she visited Oxford, Campion was ordained a deacon in Anglican Church.

Soon, however, he became disenchanted, recognizing that the Protestant church was not the true continuation of the faith of the apostles. He resigned his position at Oxford, became a Roman Catholic and after years of study, a Jesuit and in 1578 was ordained a priest. Two years later he returned to England and, disguised as a jewel merchant, moved between the houses of Catholics who practiced their faith in secret. He was betrayed and arrested in 1581 and soon tortured and hung. Father Campion was declared a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1970, along with 37 other martyrs.

Evelyn Waugh, one of the most celebrated British authors of his generation, became a Catholic at age 27. Perhaps the best-known of his many books is Brideshead Revisited, published in 1946 and later made into a feature film. For further information on the Book Discussion Group please contact John Stewart at 617 969 0950 or johnstewart@alum.bu.edu.

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

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Book Discussion Group

Holy Hour for Life – Sunday, January 22 from 3:00-4:00pm at St. Paul Church

Posted on January 20, 2017 | Comments Off on Holy Hour for Life – Sunday, January 22 from 3:00-4:00pm at St. Paul Church

Good_ShepherdWe 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.

The Holy Hours for Life are sponsored by Boston Deacons for Life in collaboration with the Pro Life Office of the Archdiocese of Boston. For more information, contact ProLifeOffice@RCAB.org or 508-651-1900.

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Posted in Important Announcements

Father-Daughter Valentine’s Dance at St. Paul’s – Friday, February 3, 2017 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Posted on January 20, 2017 | Comments Off on Father-Daughter Valentine’s Dance at St. Paul’s – Friday, February 3, 2017 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Father-Daughter-DanceFathers, 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 laplacaericw@gmail.com.

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Posted in Children, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events, Special Events

From the St. John Parish Music Director…

Posted on January 20, 2017 | Comments Off on From the St. John Parish Music Director…

Christmas ChoirSt. 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!

What is amazing is how it takes so many dedicated individuals to make that “beyond expectation music” happen – to them an avalanche of gratitude should be shown. It’s the children, the teens, the young adults, “young thinking” adults – those who sing, play an instrument, parents who patiently wait for their children attending rehearsals, the children who permit a parent to attend rehearsal, the loving spouse/partner who is temporarily left alone while the other attends rehearsal. Special accolades to Family Mass Music Directors who work diligently as they are outnumbered by the surrounding children, the cantors who do their part at extra Masses.

Christmas 2016 was my twentieth Christmas here at St. John’s. With each passing year the excitement, the beauty of the music reaches a new height. In a huge way that reach for the height, the stars – particularly the bright Star over Bethlehem happens because of you – St. John parishioners – you are the church, you are the church choir. Thank you for your love and support. If at anytime you would like to experience and know what it’s like being part of one of our music groups at St. John’s – know that you will be warmly welcomed. Come, get into the “sing” of things!

Gratefully yours, Laurence Carson

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Posted in CME, Family Mass Music, Music, Parish Choir, Teen Choir, Youth Choir