The Light is On For You Tonight!

lio-vertical-color-largeSacrament of Reconciliation: Tonight and every Wednesday during Lent from 6:30 – 8:00pm in the Chapel (lower level of church.)

Last Chance – Online Survey Closes TODAY! (February 17)

Planning Survey ImageDon’t forget – the DMI online survey closes on Wednesday, February 17. Please CLICK THE LINK today! 

All adult (18+) parishioners are strongly encouraged to complete this 10-15 minute survey as soon as possible.  All responses will be confidential and the Parish will only receive information about the community as whole. Thank you for helping with this important project!

 

Into the Heart of Mercy: In a world that is so filled with turmoil and suffering, we need to experience God’s mercy in our everyday lives and bring that mercy to others…  

Be_Merciful_LukePope Francis invites us “to find in this Jubilee Year the joy of discovering and rendering fruitful God’s mercy, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and every woman of our time”. How might we become more open to the needs of others so that people see in us a reflection of Christ and his mercy?

The Adult Faith Formation and Service Commissions of St. John Parish facilitate our journey into the Heart of Mercy.

From the Pastor: St. Vincent de Paul Society

St_Vincent_de_PaulIn light of the Year of Mercy I am hoping to establish a St. Vincent de Paul Society for our Collaborative. Parishioners (men, women and married couples) who  might feel called to this important outreach ministry to the less fortunate are invited to contact either parish office with your name and contact information.

St. John Office: 781-235-0045 or email stjohnwellesley@stjohnwellesley.org
St. Paul Office: 781-235-1060 or email office@stpaulwellesley.com

February 14: From the AFFC

AFFC LogoThursday, 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

Tuesday, March 15, 5:30 p.m.
Thy Will Be Done
Thomas D. Stegman, SJ
While Luke’s Gospel is known as the ‘Gospel of Prayer,’ prayer also plays an important role in Mark’s Gospel. Not only does Mark present Jesus as the model of someone who prays, he also emphasizes the significance of prayer among the new family who gathered around Jesus, committed to doing God’s will.
Boston College (Chestnut Hill Campus)
Heights Room, Corcoran Commons

February 14: Religious Education Update

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis Week: February 14, 2016
Public School Winter Break Begins
Sunday classes resume on 2/28/16.

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.

Share Your Acts of Mercy

Acts_of_MercyPope Francis’ Year of Mercy calls us to know mercy and show mercy in a very intentional way. We are always doing acts of kindness and we’d like to raise awareness of this gift of mercy by having a Mercy Basket! We will have a table set-up with paper hearts and pens in the front foyer of the Church (or you can print your own at home using the “Printable Hearts” link to the right!) During the week adults and children can write down their acts of mercy on a heart and then on each weekend, place it in the basket that will be next to the offertory table at the back of the Church.

During Mass each week throughout Lent, we will carry the Mercy Basket up to the altar with the bread and wine presenting them as gifts of ourselves. So take time throughout this week to be mindful of ways you show mercy to others . . . through forgiveness or through acts of kindness to others in need.

The Adult Faith Formation and Service Commissions of St. John Parish facilitate our journey into the Heart of Mercy.

Online Survey Deadline Extended to February 17!

Planning Survey ImageThe Catholic Leadership Institute has notified us that they are extending the deadline for online surveys by one week. Online survey will now be available until Wednesday, February 17.

All adult (18+) parishioners are strongly encouraged to complete this 10-15 minute survey as soon as possible.  All responses will be confidential and the Parish will only receive information about the community as whole. For more information about the survey, please see this list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Please CLICK THE LINK today!  Thank you for helping with this important project!

 

Into the Heart of Mercy: Jesus, born of Mary, had a human heart as we do…

CK7gxi-WoAAL3peThe Name of God is Mercy. The face of God is Jesus. Jesus, born of Mary, had a human heart as we do…

A human heart works with four chambers and a circulatory system. The chambers direct the flow of blood, connecting the lungs, a system that cleanses and renews repeatedly with every heartbeat and breath. As Mary pondered the things of God in her heart, this Year of Mercy is creating a time for each of us to focus on our own hearts.

Our hearts operate on a physical and spiritual level. Just as our hearts function physically, responding to our mind, body and environment, our spiritual hearts are a place to ponder, pray, and connect ourselves with God and others. Our heart is a tabernacle for God, a space of love and forgiveness, a space of safety in the loving mercy of God, a place to encounter mercy and grace, a space where God can connect with us. God works in the human – in Jesus, in Mary and in each one of us! This is a time for seeking with God, our source of all love and mercy, how we can be His hands and hearts on earth now.

As we begin this Year of Mercy, let’s ponder in the tabernacle of our human heart, our relationship with God – our own human heart relating to the sacred heart of Jesus, seeking a way, relating heart to heart with others.

The Adult Faith Formation and Service Commissions of St. John Parish facilitate our journey into the Heart of Mercy.

Collaborative Pastoral Council News

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallWe are blessed! Last week, your St. John-St. Paul Collaborative Pastoral Council (CPC) held its second meeting, and toured the facilities of our two parishes. We are blessed to have beautiful, well-maintained buildings and grounds at both locations. Our goal will be to determine how to creatively utilize all the space for the benefit of parishioners in a manner that will maintain the character of each parish, while accommodating the growth we hope to realize through Disciples in Mission. The Collaborative Pastoral Council (CPC) has also begun the training offered by the Archdiocese to help us better serve you and our parishes in our new roles. We look forward to working with Fr. Sepe as we begin to move forward.

ST. JOHN-ST. PAUL COLLABORATIVE PASTORAL COUNCIL
St. John Representatives: Carolyn Anderson, Jon Bonsall, Rosemary Donohue, Jerry Kehoe, Mary Mullen St. Paul Representatives: Leah Cinelli, Mary Kay Heath, Edward Ryan, Doug Smith, Thomas Ulfelder

If you would like to contact a member of the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative Pastoral Council, please e-mail CPC@sjspwellesley.org or call St. John Parish at (781) 235-0045 or St. Paul Parish at (781) 235-1060 and a member will contact you.