The Parish Choir has begun preparations for Holy Week and Easter and wishes to extend a special invitation to any and all singers high school age to adult to join with us. There are no auditions but it’s helpful to have some ability to read music. This is the most holy week of the year – and for the choir it is the busiest week. You may choose to sing for Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter – or choose just one or two of those days. Any sharing of your valuable time with us, raising your voice with us will be appreciated not only by the Parish Choir but by the St. John community. Our rehearsals are held in the Music Office Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9pm and Sunday mornings, 9:30pm. Led by Kelly and Michael Meraw and Larry Carson.
Invitation from the Parish Choir for Holy Week and Easter
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Posted in Music, Parish Choir
Welcoming the Stranger – Chapter 3: A Somali Family’s Story
Maryam and her 6 children, Binti, Zhara, Abdullahi & Abdirahman (twins), Shamso and Zeinab have lived in a refugee camp since 1996. They fled on foot with literally the clothes they could wear and a little bit of food and walked for miles until they found relative safety across the Kenyan border in a refugee camp in Kenya. The UNHCR registered Maryam and family as refugees in 1998. In they the camp they were issued a sturdy tent for their dwelling, firewood, and one pot for cooking. They received a ration card for food (oil, salt, corn, soya, cereal and sugar) that typically ran out before the end of the month. Maryam’s children attended school run by non-governmental organizations.
They were finally approved by US Department of Homeland Security as refugees in 2012 after going through security background checks which includes multiple identity/name check, fingerprinting and in-person interviews with US immigration officials. In August of 2014, their case was referred to Catholic Charities of Boston for refugee resettlement and CCB agreed to welcome this family and waited for an arrival date. Maryam and family were put on their first plane ever, after going through another background check 7 days prior to their scheduled arrival in November 2015. They put their possessions into one battered suitcase, a donation from overseas. They were given a white plastic bag with their identity documents, which includes evidence that they are refugees and permitted to remain in the US indefinitely and work authorized. Also included in that white bag is a promissory note with a total payment due of $7,000 to the International Office of Migration, which will be broken up into manageable payments starting in the 6 month after their arrival.
Maryam and family arrived to JFK Airport in NY after 1 day and two planes, were inspected by US immigration officials and then put on a plane to Boston, scheduled to arrive at 11:50pm on a cold November night. While Maryam’s family was getting ready to board the plane in Nairobi, the resettlement staff at Catholic Charities Boston was busy preparing for the family’s arrival. The case management staff ordered the necessary furniture: a twin bed and bed frame for each person (a set of bunk-beds for the kids), 3 dressers, a dining room table with 7 chairs, and 2 couches/sofas. The case management staff also bought food (enough for a week), necessary toiletries, household goods and bedding to outfit the apartment.
Maryam and family arrive at Logan International Airport after midnight and are greeted by their case manager and a Somali interpreter. Although this was a daunting experience, Maryam felt a sense of relief and comfort when she was greeted by a friendly face and someone else who spoke her language. The case manager explained that he would now bring the family to their new home and
brought them to their 3 bedroom apartment in Lynn. While at the apartment, the case manager provided a safety orientation and cultural orientation about the home, neighborhood and city. This apartment was found by the case management staff prior to the family’s arrival, to ensure that they had proper place to live upon arrival. Through the Reception and Placement federal program, Maryam and her family received what is known as “welcome money”. This is cash assistance provided to refugee families, which does not have to be paid back. Maryam and her family were given $925 per person, which is for the purpose of securing and renting an apartment for the family. The case manager told the family, through the interpreter, who to call in case of an emergency (911) and provided his contact information. The case manager informed the mother that he would be back in the morning to begin setting up the necessary services for the family.
The next morning, the case manager arrived at the apartment to find that the family had just finished eating. He walked into the living room and noticed that there was a pot burn mark on the hardwood floors. When the case manager inquired about this, the mother told him that they put the pot on the floor and eat around the pot as they did back home. The case manager seeing this explained that in the US that people eat at the table and not on the floor.
Throughout the week, the case manager focuses on making sure Maryam’s family is set up with all the necessary referrals and resources. An intake is completed to explain their enrollment in the Federal (Reception and Placement- 90 days) and State (Massachusetts Refugee Resettlement Program) programs. Each family member is eligible for an unrestricted social security number, which the case manager takes them to apply for at the Social Security office. Maryam is enrolled in English for Employment classes and Employment Services. However, for Maryam she believes it will be difficult to attend classes as she has two children at home to care for. The case manager encourages her to attend and bring her children with her. The case manager brings the family to the Department of Transitional Assistance to set up the TAFDC (temporary public cash assistance) and SNAP (food stamps). The family attends one of two health screenings and the school aged children receive their immunizations required for school at these appointments. Following the health screening, the case manager takes the children to enroll in the local public school and they are scheduled to start in a few weeks. Within the first month of her arrival, Maryam is scheduled for a classroom style Cultural Orientation in which she receives a comprehensive overview of life in the US.
By 90 days after their arrival, Maryam and her children have received the basic core services: children are going to school, and Maryam is slowly learning how to navigate her new community. Maryam has indicated that she would like to meet more Americans and make friends, which would also help with her English speaking skills. The case manager told her that he will try to find a parish or community volunteer to help her, but says that it may take some time. After one year, Maryam will come back to CCA to meet with the legal immigration department to help her apply for her permanent residency (Green Card). Within 5 years from her date of arrival, Maryam and the children can apply to become US citizens.
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Posted in 2016 Lenten Gift, Christmas & Lent, Important Announcements, Service Commission
Into the Heart of Mercy: Putting Mercy into Action…
Acknowledging God’s mercy is so infinite and life giving, it is difficult to fully understand, but we can at least acknowledge that it is there and available to us. This is the first step to putting mercy into action. As Pope Francis tells us, “the name of God is mercy.”
Accepting The next step appears to be easy, but is difficult for most of us. We acknowledge God’s bountiful mercy, but we find it difficult to accept it in our own lives. We can feel unworthy, or fail to acknowledge our own brokenness which is necessary to receive the full benefit of God’s mercy. “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”
Transforming Once we accept God’s mercy fully and unconditionally, we allow it to transform our lives, making us merciful beings ourselves, and allowing us to more fully live as Disciples of Christ. Like the Prodigal Son, we must accept the Father’s mercy and allow it to change our lives.
Transmitting God’s mercy is meant to be shared! We use the transforming power of God’s mercy in our everyday lives and show mercy and compassion to others.
Pope Francis says “May your heart be large enough to welcome all the men and women you come across during the day.” Through our compassion and kindness others will experience God’s love.
Acts of mercy can include visiting the sick, listening to a friend and reaching out to those who are suffering. Pope Francis encourages us not to remain indifferent to the pain and suffering of others.
The Adult Faith Formation and Service Commissions of St. John Parish facilitate our journey into the Heart of Mercy.
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Service Commission, Year of Mercy
Thursday, March 10 at 7:30pm: St. John Book Discussion Group – “Liberation Theology: An Introduction Guide” by Robert McAffee Brown
The movement we know as liberation theology originated in the mid-20th century in Latin America and is based on the historic concern of the Church for the poor, the weak and the vulnerable. While controversial, it expresses the basic need for Christians to work for justice for all of God’s people, and has identified in some, but certainly not all, ways with the social and economic message of Pope Francis.
Please note the change in the schedule:
April 14
The Churches the Apostles Left Behind by Raymond Brown
May 12
The Need and the Blessing of Prayer by Karl Rahner
For more information contact John Stewart by email or at (617) 969-0950.
Thursday, March 10, 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Parish Center
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Book Discussion Group
Lenten Lecture: Monday, March 7 at 7:30pm
Mercy: God’s Love – and by Analogy, Human Love – in the Face of Misery with Fr. John Connelly
A Lenten invitation to deepen our understanding of God and His Mercy during this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. Powers Hall (Social Hall)
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Fr. John Connelly, Lent, Year of Mercy
2016 Catholic Appeal This Weekend
This weekend, March 5-6, you will be invited to support the 2016 Catholic Appeal at Mass. Please prayerfully consider making a pledge. The Catholic Appeal is the annual fund that helps sustain the 50 ministries of the Archdiocese of Boston. These ministries directly serve the Catholic faithful, and also support our parishes, schools, and Catholic organizations.
If you are unable to make your pledge at Mass, please take a pledge form from the back of the church or pledge online at bostoncatholicappeal.org.
Thank you for your prayers for a successful Catholic Appeal.
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Posted in RCAB Announcement, Special Collections
Into the Heart of Mercy: Endow us with understanding minds…
![Final1_Cropped](https://saintjohnwellesley.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Final1_Cropped-300x286.jpg)
Our 2013 Parish Lenten Gift helped to rebuild the home of a family of four, parishioners of St. Margaret Mary, after Hurricane Sandy.
Our understanding minds must start with the realization that every gift we have… (each breath) is not our own. We are temporary trustees of these resources, to be shared in mercy and justice with all of our sisters and brothers.
How does the petition “endow us with understanding minds…” apply to our lives?
The mindful disposition to be MERCIFUL was as radical in the culture of the Holy Land in the time of Jesus Christ as it is today in our secular culture. It all starts with a mindful understanding and view of ‘the other’. Are we in competition with ‘the other’, for: influence, power, gratification or resources, or are we in community, to be aware and to provide and share our physical and spiritual resources with the needs of ‘the other’?
As we continue to journey more deeply into the heart of mercy, may even the smallest acts of everyday living express our mindful disposition of mercy.
The Adult Faith Formation and Service Commissions of St. John Parish facilitate our journey into the Heart of Mercy.
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Service Commission, Year of Mercy
Welcoming the Stranger – Chapter Two: Putting Faith into Action – How Can We Help?
For the past three fiscal years, the United States has capped the annual number of refugees it will accept to 70,000 people. There are plans to increase this number to 85,000 people in 2016 and to 100,000 people by 2017. The existing refugee screening processes are rigorous and effective. The vetting process can take up to 24 months and involves several Federal Government agencies including Departments of State, Homeland Security and Health and Human Services.
In partnership with its affiliates, the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), through its Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) resettled close to 30% of all refugees coming into the U. S. in 2015. The Catholic refugee resettlement network includes over 100 Diocesan offices across the country, one of which is Catholic Charities/Boston (CC/B). Without volunteers and resources from the community and parishes, USCCB/MRS and its Diocesan resettlement offices would not be able to undertake this tremendous task.
In recent years, CC/B has had to suspend its resettlement of refugee families because housing costs in Massachusetts are prohibitively high. CC/B receives a one-time cash stipend per refugee from the Federal government but it is insufficient to support a family as it gets established in the U. S. CC/B estimates that it needs to raise approximately $5,000 per refugee family to subsidize rent expenses for 6 months. Our Parish Lenten Gift would allow CC/B to restart the resettlement of refugee families.
The resettlement efforts focus on ensuring that refugees attain economic self-sufficiency. According to CC/B the first three months after a refugee family’s arrival are critical: the family needs to secure social security cards, enroll in the food stamp program, sign up for Mass Health and get the children enrolled in school. CC/B has case managers who handle these requirements with each family. At the same time the family must enroll in ESOL classes and job placement services. The goal for each family is to be self-sufficient by 6 months.
But even if a refugee family achieves economic self-sufficiency by 6 months, it takes much longer to acculturate and this is where our Parish can also help. CC/B needs volunteers to help refugee families learn ‘soft’ skills including employment coaching, English language conversation, and life skills such as grocery shopping (how to use coupons, for example), financial literacy, and how to negotiate public transportation among other things.
Just imagine what a refugee family’s experience entails: it starts in fear, with the trauma of having to leave behind family, a profession and possessions, and entails suffering along the way as well as a sense of disorientation before an uncertain future.
So this year’s Parish Lenten gift could have a one-two punch. First, we will raise funds for CC/B in order to subsidize the expenses of resettling refugee families in the U. S. But we could also develop long-term relationships with these families not only to help them learn ‘soft’ skills but also to “welcome the stranger” as Matthew’s Gospel instructs us.
Next week we’ll follow the journey of a refugee family from Somalia.
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Posted in 2016 Lenten Gift, Christmas & Lent, Service Commission
March 4-5: 24 Hours for the Lord
24 Hours for the Lord is a worldwide initiative called for by Pope Francis to invite all people to receive the mercy of God through Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is happening all across the world on March 4 – 5, kicked off by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square.
Adoration will be held at St. John Church in the Chapel beginning Friday, March 4 after the 7:00am Mass and concluding at 10:00am on Saturday, March 5. Please come at any time, and stay for any length of time! Bring a friend! All are invited to this experience of God’s love and mercy!
If you are able to commit to a period of time (in increments of one hour) to be present for Adoration, you can sign up online or by contacting the Parish Office (781-235-0045 or stjohnwellesley@stjohnwellesley.org). This will help to ensure that at least two people are present for Adoration at all times. Thank you!
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Posted in SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events, Special Liturgies, Volunteers Needed, Year of Mercy
February 28: Religious Education Update
This Week: Sunday, February 28
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
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.
Next Week: Sunday, March 6
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
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.
Wednesday, March 9
Grades 1 – 6 Class 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
A full calendar of all events is available at the Religious Education section of the Parish website. If you have any questions, please contact Jane Leonard or Linda Messore.
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Posted in Religious Education Program