SJSP Collaborative “Holy Hour for Life” – Sunday, January 24 at 3pm

Holy Hour for LifePlease join us this Sunday, January 24, at St. Paul Church at 3:00 p.m. as we join in prayer with thousands of others in the Archdiocese of Boston’s Holy Hour for Life. The Holy Hour for Life will unite the Archdiocese of Boston in prayer, asking forgiveness on behalf of all people for sins against the dignity of the human person, committed through acts of abortion and many other offenses against human life.  All are welcome.

Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy

In response to the invitation of Pope Francis, we continue on our journey with the Church throughout the world. With his words initiating this Extraordinary Year of Mercy, Pope Frances says:

Logo_OfficialWe need constantly to contemplate the mysteries of mercy. It is a wellspring of joy, serenity and peace.
Mercy: the word reveals the very mystery of the most Holy Trinity.
Mercy: the ultimate and supreme act by which God comes to meet us.
Mercy: the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life.
Mercy: the bridge that connects God and us, opening our hearts to the hope of being loved forever despite our sinfulness.”

The full text of Pope Francis Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year of Mercy can be found on the Vatican website.  More about the logo and motto for the Jubilee Year may be found here.

From the Pastor: St. Vincent de Paul Society

SVDPIn 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

“Evening for Women” Resumes Tuesday, February 2 at 6:30pm

Duc-in-Altum_event-imageJoin us for an evening to ponder, pray, share and enjoy a wonderful potluck (bring your favorite Winter recipe). Pope Francis sets the context for the theme of this year’s program with the announcement of his Jubilee Year of Mercy  “Putting Out Into The Deep… Where Mercy Dwells”  So, come join us to continue this year’s journey into the deep. All welcome! Moderator: Sr. Evelyn Ronan, SND. In the Chapel and Powers Hall (Social Hall)

January 25: Religious Education Update

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis Week: Sunday, January 24
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, January 27
Grades 1 – 6 Class 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

Next Week: Sunday, January 31
Grade 3 Mass 9:00 a.m.
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Grades 7 & 8 No class
Grades 9 & 10 Teen Mass @ St. Paul’s 5:00 p.m.
Reception for students follows in the Parish Hall.

Thanks to the generosity of the Religious Education students in grades 7 – 10 and their families, over 300 warm hats were donated to St. Francis House in Boston. During Friends for Good on January 10th, students wrote and attached personal messages of support to those served by St. Francis House, a day shelter for the homeless. Hats were delivered last week to a very appreciative group. “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25)

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.

The Disciple Maker Index (DMI) Survey is Now Open!

Planning Survey ImagePlease help us participate by completing this 10-15 minute survey as soon as possible.

The survey will ask you to reflect on your own spiritual growth and enable you to provide feedback on what efforts the Parish is doing to help you grow. All responses will be confidential and the Parish will only receive information about the community as whole. If you have any questions, please call the Parish Office (781-235-0045) or you can contact DMI directly at 1-844-DMI-DESK.

The survey is only open until Ash Wednesday, February 10. We are trying to get the highest response rate possible, as this information will be invaluable to Fr. Sepe and our various ministries as we plan ahead and try to be the best disciples we can be. We will receive the results this summer at which time we will share what we have learned with the entire parish.

If you do not have the ability to complete an online survey, paper copies will also be available at the back of the church or by contacting the Parish Office at 781-235-0045 or stjohnwellesley@stjohnwellesley.org. Paper surveys must be completed and returned to the Parish Office no later than Sunday, February 7. (Please note that this cut-off date is earlier than the online cut-off date—this is because the paper surveys must be sent to DMI for data entry.)

Thank you for helping with this important project!

 

Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy

Year_of_Mercy_ICONPope Francis has announced an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy which began with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on December 8, 2015, and will conclude with its closing on November 20, 2016. The Adult Faith Formation and Service Commissions have been inspired by the Pope’s call and would like to recognize the ways we as a Parish are already performing spiritual and corporal acts of mercy and raise consciousness of more that we can do. Throughout the coming weeks and months look to this section of the website as we explore how we, as a parish and as individuals, can respond to the Pope’s call for mercy and kindness.

Religious Education Update for the Week of January 17

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis Week: Sunday, January 17
No classes

Next Week: Sunday, January 24
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, January 27
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.

The Disciple Maker Index (DMI) Survey Opens January 18!

Planning Survey ImageAs you know, St. John has been selected to participate in a national study of vibrant parishes conducted by the Catholic Leadership Institute! Please help us participate by completing this 10-15 minute survey as soon as possible.

  • If we have your email, we will send you an email with a link to the survey during the week of January 18th
  • If you are not on our email list, please click the DMI Survey link on our website.
  • If you do not have the ability to complete an online survey, paper copies will also be available at the back of the church or by contacting the Parish Office at 781-235-0045 or stjohnwellesley@stjohnwellesley.org. Paper surveys must be completed and returned to the Parish Office no later than Sunday, February 7. (Please note that this cut-off date is earlier than the online cut-off date—this is because the paper surveys must be sent to DMI for data entry.)

The online survey will only be available from the week of January 18 through Ash Wednesday, February 10, and will ask you to reflect on your own spiritual growth and enable you to provide feedback on what efforts the parish is doing to help you grow. All responses will be confidential and the parish will only receive information about the community as whole. If you have any questions, please call the Parish Office (781-235-0045) or you can contact DMI directly at 1-844-DMI-DESK.

We are trying to get the highest response rate possible.  This information will be invaluable to Fr. Sepe and our various ministries as we plan ahead and try to be the best disciples we can be.  We will receive the results this summer at which time we will share what we have learned with the entire parish.

Thank you for helping with this important project!

Special Collection for Catholic Schools January 16-17

rcabschoolsThe Archdiocese of Boston has called for a special second collection for Catholic schools this weekend, January 16-17. Proceeds from this collection will support Catholic elementary schools in our Archdiocese and will assist more families from these schools who demonstrate financial need. Saint John School will receive 50% of the funds collected through this second collection at all Masses this weekend. The remaining funds will be distributed to other elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Boston. Parishioners can also donate online at catholicschoolsboston.org. (Please note that donations made online cannot be directed toward a specific school.)

Did you know that approximately 22,000 students attend 79 Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Boston?  In our Archdiocese:
• 96% of Catholic school students matriculate to college
• Catholic elementary school students score well above average on national assessments

Studies show that Catholic school students are:
• Academically more confident with greater proficiency in writing and public speaking
• Attending Mass more frequently
• More tolerant of diverse views
• More engaged in their communities and more likely to volunteer

“Catholic education is the soul of evangelization. It is not just about communicating information, but forming people in the faith and leading them to Christ.” – Cardinal Seán O’Malley

To find out how a Catholic education can impact your child’s future, call 617-779-3601. Thank you for your generosity and belief in the gift of a Catholic education.