The Gaze of Mercy
A wonderful way for us to continue our Lenten journey together. Come join us for prayer, reflection and sharing and a fabulous “Pot Luck”! All welcome! Starts at 6:30pm in Powers Hall (Social Hall) Moderator: Sr. Evelyn Ronan, SND
“Evening for Women” This Tuesday, March 1 at 6:30pm
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation
The Light is On For You Tonight!
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Tonight and every Wednesday during Lent from 6:30 – 8:00pm in the Chapel (lower level of church.)
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Posted in Lent, Special Liturgies
“The Young Messiah” – Thursday, March 10, 2016
The Propagation of the Faith is pleased to announce that they are hosting the Boston Premiere of the feature film The Young Messiah to benefit children around the world. Made possible by Motive Entertainment – the promoters of The Passion of the Christ – this is a free opportunity for parishioners to be a part of this evangelizing event.
The Young Messiah remains true to the character of Jesus revealed in the Bible, and is an inspirational story for the whole family about the childhood of the Savior. When the mystery of Jesus’ divinity begins to unfold in His childhood, He turns to His parents for guidance. But Mary and Joseph in an effort to protect their child, are afraid to reveal all they know. How do you explain the ways of the world to the Creator of the world? How do you teach the Teacher? How do you help the Savior who came to save you? Follow the young Messiah as He and His family take the dangerous journey from Egypt to Nazareth and on to Jerusalem, where His true identity and profound destiny is fulfilled.
This premiere of The Young Messiah will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2016. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Premiere begins at 7:00 p.m. at AMC Framingham 16 at 22 Flutie Pass Framingham, MA. Rated PG-13
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Posted in Important Announcements
Attention Young Actors – Help “Perform” the Passion Play on Palm Sunday!
Seeking Actors/Actresses in Grade 3 and older to help “perform” the Passion Play at the 9:00am Family Mass on Palm Sunday, March 20. Attendance at one rehearsal on Saturday, March 19 from 9:00am- 12:00pm is required/mandatory. Confirmation candidates earn 5 hours of community service credit. Please contact Maria Wardwell (781-237-2148 or maria.wardwell@stjohnwellesley.org) for information and registration.
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Posted in Children, Family Mass, Music, Religious Education Program, Youth Choir
Attention Young Singers – Rehearsals Begin this Sunday, February 28!
Children in grades 1-8 are invited to participate in the St. John’s Easter Youth Choir. High School Assistants are welcome. There are 4 rehearsals: February 28, March 6, 13, and 20 at 10:50-11:50 a.m. in the Chapel. Sign up and first rehearsal February 28. The Children will sing at the 9:00 a.m. Family Mass on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016. Registration closes Sunday March 6. For more information and to register call Maria Wardwell 781-237-2148 or Maria.wardwell@stjohnwellesley.org.
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Posted in Music, Youth Choir
February 21: From the AFFC
Thursday, February 25, 5:30 p.m.
Who are the ‘Nones’?
Nancy T. Ammerman, Professor of Sociology of Religion, Boston University
Roughly one-third of younger adults now say they have no religious affiliation. Who are they, why aren’t they in Church—and what do they mean when they protest that they are ’spiritual’? This presentation considers the demographic, political, and cultural trends that have expended the ranks of the unaffiliated – and asks what local communities of faith can do to respond.
Boston College (Brighton Campus) Simboli Hall, Room 100
Tuesday, March 1, 6:30 p.m.
EVENING FOR WOMEN, The Gaze of Mercy
A wonderful way for us to continue our Lenten journey together. Come join us for prayer, reflection and sharing and a fabulous “Pot Luck”!
Powers Hall (St. John Church Social Hall)
Sr. Evelyn Ronan, SND Moderator
St. John Book Discussion Group
Please note the change in the schedule
March 10
Liberation Theology: An Introduction Guide by Robert McAffee Brown
April 14
The Churches the Apostles Left Behind by Raymond Brown
May 12
The Need and the Blessing of Prayer by Karl Rahner
All meetings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Parish Center
For information contact John Stewart or at
(617) 969-0950
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Posted in Important Announcements
February 21: Religious Education Update
Classes will resume on Sunday February 28 – see you then!
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
Into the Heart of Mercy: Bless us with listening ears and gentle hearts…
The one who listens to me, who carefully seeks me in everyday things… that person will find true happiness. (Prov 8:34)
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise person who built a home on rock. (Mt 7:24)
Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.(Lk 11:28)
When Jesus speaks of a “listening ear” he is referring to the God-given grace of being able to listen to what the Spirit is saying and then acting upon it in
our hearts.
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 One: Who is a Refugee?
Like many of you, we have been moved by what we’ve seen and read about in the media: the chaos at border crossings, the wretched conditions in makeshift refugee camps, and reports that in 2015 alone, as many as 3,000 people drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to escape civil war and persecution in their own country. The full horror of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding on the shores of Europe was revealed late last year in the heartbreaking photograph of a drowned Syrian toddler, on a Turkish beach, after two boats bound for the Greek island of Kos sank.
In fact, caring for refugees is based on Catholic social teaching. Think of Christ’s life: the baby Jesus was a refugee who, along with the Holy Family fled the terror of Herod into Egypt (Mt 2:14-15). In his public ministry Jesus was itinerant, moving from place to place “with nowhere to lay his Head…” (Mt 8:20). 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)
In any discussion of displaced persons it is important to understand the distinctions between refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and immigrants. A refugee is a person who has fled armed conflict or persecution and who is recognized as in need of international protection because it is too dangerous for them to return home. Refugees are protected under international law by the 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines what a refugee is and outlines the basic rights afforded to them. Refugees must secure refugee status while still outside the United States. After a comprehensive screening process, refugees are admitted to the U.S. legally with work authorization and limited benefits. Eventually, refugees may apply for permanent residency and citizenship in the United States. For example, those fleeing Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syria and Iraq are considered refugees.
An asylum seeker is a person who has applied for asylum on the grounds that if he is returned to his country of origin he has a well-founded fear of persecution. An asylum seeker is already present in the United States or is seeking admission at a port of entry. A migrant is someone who moves either temporarily or permanently from one place to another, generally for economic reasons. For example, those fleeing poverty in Nigeria would be considered migrants. An immigrant is a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence.
Next week we’ll discuss how the U. S. Catholic community is helping refugees to resettle in the United States.
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Posted in 2016 Lenten Gift, Christmas & Lent, Service Commission
Our 2016 Parish Lenten Gift: Welcoming the Stranger
Lent’s clarion call to love extravagantly is what this Lenten Gift is all about. For many years in preparing for Lent, St. John Parish has chosen to reach out as a community to one particular place of suffering. This year, our focus turns to the plight of refugee families fleeing war and persecution in their own countries. Throughout Lent, our Service Commission will tell you more about our opportunity to step in and help Catholic Charities/Boston welcome the stranger and invite them in. Please look for weekly installments of the story in the bulletin and here on the website.
Dear brothers and sisters, migrants and refugees! At the heart of the Gospel of mercy the encounter and acceptance by others are intertwined with the encounter and acceptance of God himself. Welcoming others means welcoming God in person! Do not let yourselves be robbed of the hope and joy of life born of your experience of God’s mercy, as manifested in the people you meet on your journey! -Pope Francis, January 17, 2016
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Posted in 2016 Lenten Gift, Christmas & Lent, Lent, Service Commission