Category Archives: Important Announcements

Posts that need to appear on the front page of the website go in this category.

Sunday, October 18 at 12:00pm – “The Pope Francis After Effect”

pope_francis_visitFor six whole days our country was washed in the light of Pope’s Francis’ message of love, inclusion and mercy. Let us keep the fire burning! One opportunity is to meet and share our reflections of the visit. We can begin with Pope Francis’ speech to Congress on his first day. Please join us after the 11:00 Mass this Sunday, October 18th in the Parish Center. Bring a bag lunch!

This Weekend (October 17 & 18): St. Francis House Men’s Clothing Drive

stfrancishouse_largeReminder: This weekend is our new  Winter Men’s Clothing Drive for St. Francis HouseWe will be collecting men’s gently-used everyday clothing such as jeans, shirts, sweatshirts, coats, hats, and gloves as well as *new* socks for their Foot Clinic, which provides foot care and new socks to homeless clients.  Donations may be dropped off over the weekend of October 17 & 18 in the garage (behind the church) any time during the day (until 5pm.)

The items in highest demand for winter include:
• Footwear (men’s sneakers or winter boots)
• Men’s pants (especially jeans – given out on a daily basis)
• Sweaters & Sweatshirts
• Coats, hats, gloves, and scarves (Men’s coats most needed during winter)
• T-shirts (extremely important – given out on a daily basis)
New (unused and still packaged) socks & undergarments (men’s)
• Backpacks/duffel bags

They DO NOT accept children’s items or used under garments or discolored items. If you can put your items in boxes or secured bags, and label it with the general contents, it would be a great help with sorting.  Thank you for your generosity!

Questions? Please email Shilan Yeung or call 781-707-8290.

October 11: Adult Faith Formation Update

AFFC LogoCOMING UP AT ST. JOHN

THE POPE FRANCIS “AFTER EFFECT”
Sunday, October 18 after 11:00am Mass
For six whole days our country was washed in the light of Pope’s Francis’ message of love, inclusion and mercy. And the sun shone on us all. Many of us watched and listened, our hearts burning inside! Most of us were unable to see every minute. However, thanks to the miracle of technology, we can see and hear every speech, every homily, every blessing Pope Francis gave. They are available on YouTube or any of the major media sites (CNN, NYT, etc.) John Allen writes in the Boston Globe (9/30/15 p. B1) “A papal visit like this is an opportunity for all of us to reflect upon our own ideals and the transcendence of God and his presence in our lives.” Let us keep the fire burning! One opportunity is to meet and share our reflections of the visit. We can begin with Pope Francis’ speech to Congress on his first day. Please join us after the 11:00 Mass next Sunday, October 18th in the Parish Center. Bring a bag lunch!
Contact: Svea Fraser

Fr. Richard Lennan on Karl Rahner
The Theology of Karl Rahner, SJ, one of the major Catholic theologians of the twentieth century
Wednesday, November 4, 7:30pm
Powers Hall (Social Hall)

Rahner’s impact on the church at large was profound, especially through his contribution to the Second Vatican Council. Rahner’s theology continues to offer rich resources for the life of Christian faith in our complex world.
Speaker: Richard Lennan is a priest of the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (Australia) and was ordained in 1983. He holds a Master of Philosophy degree from the University of Oxford and a Doctorate in Theology from the University of Innsbruck in Austria. He is a former President of the Australian Catholic Theological Association and is currently Professor of Systematic Theology in the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College.

BOSTON COLLEGE LECTURES

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 , 5:30 p.m.
Forgiveness and the Pursuit of Justice: A Conversation with Richard Moore
Richard Moore will address how in the face of conflict and violence people and communities can practice forgiveness and create justice.
B.C., McGuinn Hall, Room 121

October 19, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
Book Launch, Catholic Sacraments a Rich Source of Blessings
Presenters: John F. Baldovin, S.J. & David F. Turnbloom
B.C., Murray Function Room, Yawkey Ctr.
Sponsors: C21 Center and STM

October 22, 2015, 5:30 p.m.
Sowing and Growing the Seeds of Faith: It is (Almost) All in the Family
Presenter: Thomas Groome, Director, C21 Center
B.C., The Heights Room, Corcoran Commons,
Sponsors: STM

October 29, 2015, 530 p.m.
Thomas Merton: A Prophet for Our Time
Presenter: Colleen Griffith, Associate Professor of the Practice of Theology and Director of Spirituality Studies
B.C., The Heights Room, Corcoran Commons

Collaborative Pastoral Council Nominations Due by October 30

SJSP Collaborative Logo_Small The Collaborative Pastoral Council (CPC) will be comprised of an equal number of parishioners from each parish.  The CPC advises the Pastor in his role in forming and implementing the mission of the parishes in the collaborative.

The selection process begins with nomination. An individual can nominate him/herself or a parishioner may nominate a person they believe will be able to fulfill the expectations of the role. Ballots and ballot boxes have been placed at the entrance of each Church.  Please place cards with your nomination(s) for the Collaborative Pastoral Council in the ballot box at the Church entrance. (Cards may also be submitted to either the St. John or St. Paul parish office.) Please submit your nominations as soon as possible – nominations will close on Friday, October 30, 2015.  

The names will be vetted and confirmed.   During one of the Masses in each parish, following a prayer to the Holy Spirit, Fr. Sepe will draw the names from a
basket for the selection. The pastor may appoint additional members in order to assure appropriate representation of parishioners. Although each parish will have equal representation on the CPC, its members are reminded that they are distinct from a Parish Pastoral Council in that they are expected to understand that their view of church is as a collaborative.

Qualifications: (1) Be a Catholic who is registered and active in one of the Collaborative Parishes, (2) Participate in the sacramental life of the Church, (3) Be 18 years of age or older.

Expectations include:  Ongoing meetings (up to twice a month initially),  participation in council training sessions for Disciples in Mission where three topics will be addressed at three separate training seminars, and an individual meeting with the Pastor.

 

 

October 12: “Answering the Call – An Interfaith Gathering for Climate Action”

Interfaith_ClimateA special interfaith gathering on Monday, October 12, 6:30 pm at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley. Join people of many faiths to share Pope Francis’ encyclical message Laudato Si’ and share messages of hope, inspiration and action
for healing our world. Fr. Bryan Hehir will be participating in this event. To assist planning, kindly register at www.tbewellesley.org/climate

Thank You!

Emmanuel Dim Nigeria_2On the weekend of August 30-31, St. John Parish took up a special second collection for the Society of African Missions. Thanks to St. John’s, the missionaries received $5,616 and Fr. Emmanuel collected $3,735 for the purchase of a car for the mission.

Thank you for your generosity and kindness!

Food Pantry Collection for St. Katherine Drexel will be NEXT Weekend, October 18

feed the hungryThis month’s delivery date for the St. Katharine’s Food Pantry will be moved from Sunday, October 11 to the following Sunday, October 18 due to the long holiday weekend.

Please contact Angela Spinale at (781) 431-0008 with any questions.

Coming October 17 & 18: St. Francis House Men’s Clothing Drive

stfrancishouse_largeThis year, we are adding a Winter Men’s Clothing Drive for St. Francis House, the largest day shelter in New England serving over 800 men and women on a daily basis. St. Francis House is the largest distributor of clothing to the poor and homeless in Greater Boston, distributing more than 750 changes of clothing every month.  To help meet this ongoing need, we hope you will take the time for a quick closet downsizing and bring the items to our parish garage on the weekend of October 17 & 18. We will be collecting men’s gently-used everyday clothing such as jeans, shirts, sweatshirts, coats, hats, and gloves as well as *new* socks for their Foot Clinic, which provides foot care and new socks to homeless clients.  Donations may be dropped off over the weekend of October 17 & 18 in the garage (behind the church) any time during the day (until 5pm.)

The items in highest demand for winter include:
• Footwear (men’s sneakers or winter boots)
• Men’s pants (especially jeans – given out on a daily basis)
• Sweaters & Sweatshirts
• Coats, hats, gloves, and scarves (Men’s coats most needed during winter)
• T-shirts (extremely important – given out on a daily basis)
New (unused and still packaged) socks & undergarments (men’s)
• Backpacks/duffel bags

They DO NOT accept children’s items or used under garments or discolored items. If you can put your items in boxes or secured bags, and label it with the general contents, it would be a great help with sorting.  Thank you for your generosity!

 

Questions? Please email Shilan Yeung or call 781-707-8290.

Tricia Fraser Joins the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative Staff

tricia.fraserTricia Fraser has joined the SJSP Collaborative staff as Director of Finance and Operations effective September 21, 2015. Tricia comes to the Collaborative staff after having many years of experience as a financial consultant for parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese of Boston. Tricia is on board to support the parishes, school and councils with financial, administrative and operational matters. Tricia’s office is located at St. John the Evangelist Parish and she may be reached by calling the office phone number or by email.

Collaborative Pastoral Council

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallThe Collaborative Pastoral Council advises the Pastor in his role in forming and implementing the mission of the Parishes in the Collaborative. Since there is one Pastor for the Collaborative, there will be one Collaborative Pastoral Council (CPC).  St. John the Evangelist and St. Paul Parishes will soon begin the process of forming their first CPC. The CPC will include parishioners from each parish.

Expectations of CPC members include ongoing meetings (up to twice a month initially) and participation in council training sessions for Disciples in Mission where three topics will be addressed at three separate training seminars. More information on the process for CPC nominations will be in the bulletins in the next few weeks. We ask that you prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve this important ministry.