July 2014: News from Religious Education

Posted on July 3, 2014 | Comments Off on July 2014: News from Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLRegistration: Religious Education registration packets for the 2014/2015 school year were mailed to all families. If you have not received a packet in the mail, it is available for download on the Religious Education page. Please remember to include the $25 per child late fee when registering.

Confirmation: The Parish’s Confirmation preparation is a two year program beginning in grade 9. Except for those enrolled in Catholic schools, all students must complete the two year program prior to being Confirmed. All 10th grade Catholic school students planning to be Confirmed in May 2015 must fully participate in the second year of the Parish Religious Education Program. If you have any questions, please contact Jane Leonard at jane.leonard@stjohnwellesley.org or at 781.237.0141.

Teachers: We are always looking for teachers who are willing to teach any of the grades 1–10. If you are interested, please contact the Religious Education office at 781.235.5337 (grades 1–6) or 781.237.0141 (grades 7 – 10).

First Communion Pictures: The pictures from the 2014 First Communions are now available in the vestibule of the rectory.

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Posted in Religious Education Program

Collaborative Question 8: Is there anything we should do or not do before the formal launch?

Posted on June 27, 2014 | Comments Off on Collaborative Question 8: Is there anything we should do or not do before the formal launch?

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallThe St. John and St. Paul Collaborative will be formally launched in the summer of 2015.  Following is a recently asked question and answer about the new Collaborative:

QUESTION 8: Is there anything that St. John and St. Paul parishes should avoid doing in the lead-up to the formal launch of our Collaborative?

The Office of Pastoral Planning has recommended that we should not invest money on meeting or residential space, without first having done a Collaborative space study. Additionally, we must not neglect to inform new hires of the details of the Collaborative process and the role they may play in the new Collaborative.

More information can be found on the St. John’s web site  (St. John – St. Paul Collaborative News) and on the Archdiocese of Boston Pastoral Planning website (www.disciplesinmission.com)

The Inter Parish Collaborative Team welcomes your comments and feedback. Please email your questions or comments to: stjohn.stpaul@gmail.com  

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Posted in Disciples in Mission, Important Announcements, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Planning - FAQ

Parish Service Commission Announcement: Our Lenten Gift to Bishop Nestor

Posted on June 24, 2014 | Comments Off on Parish Service Commission Announcement: Our Lenten Gift to Bishop Nestor

For many years, St. John’s Parish has made the decision to reach out to one particular suffering amid so many in the world. As you know, our 2014 Lenten Gift was for the Central African Republic (CAR) to Bishop Nestor, a priest of the Society of Missionaries of Africa. Long after Lent ended, our parishioners kept responding. Now we have sent our completed gift to Bishop Nestor.  It is our great joy to tell you the extraordinary news that the amount of our Lenten Gift was $34,800 sent to Bishop Nestor’s Diocesan bank account in France. Bishop Nestor will have the discretion to use our gift to meet immediate needs (food, shelter and medical supplies) as well as long term rebuilding. How blessed are we to be able to so share our gifts! Thank you one and all!

The situation in the Central African Republic continues to be dangerous and unsettled, even as displaced families begin the long and arduous process of returning to their homes, farms and lives, and as the Church begins to rebuild. During Easter Week, Bishop Nestor and three of his priests were briefly kidnapped by Seleka rebels who planned to execute them; they were freed unharmed on Holy Thursday after one of the Seleka commanding officers, described  by Bishop Nestor as “a good man with a good conscience,” ordered that they be released.  You can read more about this incident on the CAR News and Resources page on our website, which we continue to update with news from CAR and  Bishop Nestor. 

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Posted in 2014 Lenten Gift, Christmas & Lent, Service Commission

Collaborative Question 7: What Has Been Learned from Phases I and II?

Posted on June 24, 2014 | Comments Off on Collaborative Question 7: What Has Been Learned from Phases I and II?

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallThe St. John and St. Paul Collaborative will be formally launched in the summer of 2015.  Following is a recently asked question and answer about the new Collaborative:

QUESTION 7: Can you share some of the difficulties that the Phase I and II Parishes have experienced as they have entered into the formal Collaborative process? And what lessons has the Archdiocese learned from the experiences of the Phase I and Phase II Parishes?

In the Parishes where there was little or no advance preparation, or negative advance preparation—the formation and development of the Collaborative has been greatly impeded. Forming new Pastoral Teams is a complex process. Choosing the right team for the mission is a necessity. Collaborative Pastors have enormous responsibilities and need to have a strong support team in place in order to accomplish their objectives. The Archdiocese has learned that forming Collaboratives is a slow process that takes time and planning to get right. As a result, the process has been elongated, to allow more time for advance preparation.  It is important to choose a good leadership team, very early. The Pastor needs an excellent Executive Assistant, Finance and Operations Manager, and Director of Ministries. The Pastor must delegate as much as possible. It is critical to have as many people as possible participate fully and actively in the training program. As with most endeavors, it helps to be creative.

More information can be found on the St. John’s web site  (St. John – St. Paul Collaborative News) and on the Archdiocese of Boston Pastoral Planning website (www.disciplesinmission.com)

The Inter Parish Collaborative Team welcomes your comments and feedback. Please email your questions or comments to: stjohn.stpaul@gmail.com  

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Posted in Disciples in Mission, Important Announcements, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Planning - FAQ

FAITH MATTERS: The Meaning of Grace

Posted on June 20, 2014 | Comments Off on FAITH MATTERS: The Meaning of Grace

stone of graceFor the last few decades the word “Grace” has been a very “in” word! It has been used to help sell many self-help and religious books. But what does the word actually mean? And why is it important?

“Grace” is the English translation of the Greek word charis which means “that which brings delight, joy, happiness, or good fortune” (HaperCollins Bible Dictionary). In secular Greek, charis was related to the verb chairo, “to rejoice”. As far back as Homer, it denoted “sweetness” or “attractiveness.” Eventually it came to signify “favor,” “goodwill,” and “lovingkindness.”  In the New Testament, “grace” (the word appears 156 times) is often used by St. Paul as a greeting: “Grace and peace to you from God our Father” (Colossians 1:2) where the greeting of peace would be recognized as a blessing by his Jewish audience and grace would be familiar as a blessing among his Greek readers. Continue reading →

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, AFFC-blog

Parish Anniversaries Planning Survey

Posted on June 18, 2014 | Comments Off on Parish Anniversaries Planning Survey

circa 1880In 2015, St. John’s celebrates two significant milestones in the history of our Parish:

May, 2015 is the 140th anniversary of the first Mass celebrated in our church
November, 2015 is the 125th anniversary of the founding of our Parish

Our goal is to make these anniversaries a parish-wide series of spiritual, historical, and social events that honor our past, celebrate the present, and welcome the promise of our future.  To ensure that activities of interest are planned, we are conducting a brief survey.  The survey can be taken online, and will also be available in the bulletin this weekend if you prefer a paper copy. Completed paper surveys can be dropped off in the designated boxes at the church entrances or mailed to/dropped off at the Parish Office (9 Glen Road, Wellesley, MA  02481).   Please assist us by completing this brief survey by June 27.

You can also share your suggestions with any of the committee members listed below, or send comments to our e-mail address: anniversaries@stjohnwellesley.org.  We thank you for your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.

Anniversary Committee Members:  Father Tom Powers, John Calcio, Rose Mary Donahue, Jan Schreiber, Jim Stokes, Christine Tierney

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Posted in Anniversaries, Important Announcements

Collaborative Question 6a: Is Any Consideration Being Given to Merging Schools?

Posted on June 14, 2014 | Comments Off on Collaborative Question 6a: Is Any Consideration Being Given to Merging Schools?

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallThe St. John and St. Paul Collaborative will be formally launched in the summer of 2015.  Following is a recently asked question and answer about the new Collaborative:

QUESTION 6a.) I am a parishioner at St. Paul whose children have attended both St. Paul’s and St. John’s schools. My question is: given the declining enrollments of both St. John’s and St. Paul’s schools, is any consideration being given to merging the schools?

Beginning with the formal launch of our collaborative a pastoral service team will be established, and a pastoral plan will be developed for the 2 parishes in the collaborative. This plan will cover all aspects of the parishes, including the schools, so any merger or collaboration between the 2 schools could be part of that plan as it evolves over time, and the parish and school communities will have input on all aspects of the plan, including the parts of the plan dealing with the schools. In addition, the Archdiocese is very supportive of parish schools and the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese will be involved in any decisions made with respect to the schools.

More information can be found on the St. John’s web site  (St. John – St. Paul Collaborative News) and on the Archdiocese of Boston Pastoral Planning website (www.disciplesinmission.com)

The Inter Parish Collaborative Team welcomes your comments and feedback. Please email your questions or comments to: stjohn.stpaul@gmail.com  

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Posted in Disciples in Mission, Important Announcements, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Planning - FAQ

Special Invitation from the St. John Service Commission

Posted on June 12, 2014 | Comments Off on Special Invitation from the St. John Service Commission

Service FairJust so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your heavenly Father.  –Matthew 5:15

To serve is to walk in the footsteps of Christ. To help one another is to live out His example. To give aid when it is needed is to take up his cross and be the light we are called to be. As disciples of Christ, we are called to take up the mantle of service and live for others. In acts great and small we are called to live out the example of Christ and let our example shine as a beacon for those who are in need of a little light.

In this spirit, the St. John Service Commission invites any parishioners interested in becoming more involved in the work of service to others to join us next year. The Service Commission acts as a coordination and oversight committee for our parish outreach and service programs, and provides a channel for exploring and incorporating new programs and new opportunities to serve into the St. John’s community. Our role is to be a catalyst for Christ’s call to serve, and a support mechanism for those who choose to answer that call.

The Service Commission meets approximately once every two months for 1 1/2 hours and typically members serve a three-year term. Requirements are that you feel a call for service and are looking for a way to express it. Those interested in becoming a Commission member should visit our page on the parish website  for information, or contact Michael Cassa or Mary McCauley.

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Posted in Service Commission

Saint John School News

Posted on June 12, 2014 | Comments Off on Saint John School News

SaintJohnSchool_LogoAs students and families enjoy the summer vacation months, be sure to visit the Wellesley Free Library for summer reading and to view the exciting art exhibit of Saint John School student works. “Dinner with the Masters,” an exhibit located in the new book section, features several dinner place settings inspired by the works of artists such as Pollock, Albers, Riley, O’Keefe, Mondrian, Escher and Vasarely. Appearing in the cases in the Children’s section are exhibits titled ‘Klee Cats”, “The Groom’s Arrival“ and “Portrait of a Man,” all inspired by artist Paul Klee. The wavy wall in the Children’s section shows “Dancers”, a reflection of the color and movement shown in Keith Haring’s work along with our final exhibit which highlights the artistic technique of paper folding. Be sure to see our exhibits full of masterpieces!

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Posted in Saint John School

FAITH MATTERS: Devotion to the Sacred Heart

Posted on June 9, 2014 | Comments Off on FAITH MATTERS: Devotion to the Sacred Heart

The Sacred Heart_square‘The more things change, the more they stay the same.’ (A. Karr)

During my childhood, a picture of the Sacred Heart hung on the wall of our living room – kindly watching over us, protecting us, loving us. That picture was a sacramental in my life, a tangible reminder of God’s unconditional love. Often I would pray by talking out loud to the kind and good God represented by that picture. Intuitively, I understood that the heart, so graphically portrayed, was symbolically beating with love for me. The eyes which seemed to follow me as I moved around the room were kindly watching over me with love. I found it hard to have a relationship with God the Father in Heaven, or the Holy Spirit, who was like the wind which blows wherever it wills (John 3:18), but Jesus Christ, who loved me enough to die for me, was alive and real. Continue reading →

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, AFFC-blog