Category Archives: Important Announcements

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

Collaborative FAQ 14: What Does it Mean to be an “Evangelizing Parish”?

Posted on October 25, 2013 | Comments Off on Collaborative FAQ 14: What Does it Mean to be an “Evangelizing Parish”?

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallQuestion 14. It has been said that evangelization is a critical component of the Parish Collaborative process and the long term strength of the archdiocese. What does it mean to be an “evangelizing parish”?

Evangelization (reaching out to our brothers and sisters and drawing them more fully to Jesus Christ) is a component of the Parish Collaborative Process because evangelization and collaboration are two critical ways to enable the mission of Christ and the Catholic Church to grow stronger. To make our Catholic community stronger, we need to find ways to welcome our brothers and sisters back to active practice of the faith. Evangelizing parishes exercise what is called “radical hospitality.” They are always mindful of the lost. They pay careful attention to what they look like to people coming through the door for the first time. They make excellent and bold use of social media. They are committed to forming disciples, who in turn form other disciples. They have a strong focus on adult religious experiences, and adult faith formation, especially in small groups. We all know Catholics in Wellesley and elsewhere who have drifted away from the Catholic Church. To make our Catholic community stronger, we need to find ways to welcome our brothers and sisters back to active practice of the faith.

We welcome your comments and feedback. Please email your questions or comments about Parish Collaboratives to: stjohn.stpaul@gmail.com

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

October 27: News and Events from the AFFC

Posted on October 24, 2013 | Comments Off on October 27: News and Events from the AFFC

AFFC LogoCONVERSATIONS IN PRAYER: Prayer is always God’s initiative. It is our response to God’s presence in our lives. Various forms of meditative and contemplative prayer can help us be more open and present to God.  Missed the first few sessions of Meaningful Conversations about Prayer? Please join us this Monday, Oct 21st for Session 4 in the Parish Hall Chapel from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.

AFFC BLOG: For the month of October, the Adult Faith Formation Commission is discussing Mary, the Mother of God. Please visit our website to find reflections written by parishioners as well as links to lots of great information, such as St. John’s on Facebook to receive regular updates on our monthly theme!

OCTOBER, THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY: The Rosary has been loved for generations as a scripture – based prayer honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. During October we encourage you to experience this beautiful devotion. To assist you there are some rosaries and pamphlets at our Church entrance. Also, every Tuesday at 7:00pm you are welcome to pray the rosary with parishioners in the lower Chapel.

LIAM BERGIN LECTURE:
Proclaim the Lord’s Death Until He Comes in Glory
Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00pm in the Social Hall

How does our faith in Jesus Christ influence the way we meet the challenges that face the church and the world in times of economic, political, ecclesia and personal uncertainty? In 1932 the German Benedictine Odo Casel wrote that Christian life and worship is an insertion into the “mystery of Jesus Christ”. Although not well known, the influence of Casel on the Second Vatican Council and beyond has been significant. This lecture presents some of the ideas of Casel that may well inspire women and men of faith today.

Liam Bergin is a priest of the diocese of Ossory (Ireland). He has been teaching sacramental theology at Boston College since 2011. Previously he was rector of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome for ten years. He has written and edited a number of articles and books in theology and has commented on many contemporary Church issues in the media. Since transferring to Boston, he has become an incurable Red Sox fan!

AFFC Calendar:

Monday, October 28: Conversations in Prayer
7:00–8:30 p.m., Parish Center

Wednesday, October 30: John Allen Lecture at B.C.
The Francis Papacy: Reform, Renewal and Resistance,
6:00 p.m., Robsham Theater, BC

Tuesday, November 5: Evening for Women
6:00 p.m., Social Hall/Chapel

Saturday, November 9: Film/Supper Night
Following the 5:00 p.m. Mass, Social Hall

Tuesday, November 12: Liam Bergin Lecture
7:00 p.m., Social Hall

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements

Be an Altar Server at St John!

Posted on October 22, 2013 | Comments Off on Be an Altar Server at St John!

Altar Server training will Father Tom Powers will take place in the upper church from 3:30 – 5:00pm on the following dates: Monday, October 28; Tuesday, October, 29; Monday, November 4; Tuesday, November 5.  Any child who has made his or her First Communion is eligible to serve.  Interested children should attend ALL sessions, and servers must be available to serve the following Saturday or Sunday (November 9/10) at Mass.  Please contact Anne Connors, 781-237-0565 or anneconnors@verizon.net to register or with any questions.

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Posted in Children, Important Announcements, Religious Education Program

Labyrinth Choir Concert at St. John’s on Saturday, November 16 at 7:30pm – “Wanting Memories” (Free and Open to the Public)

Posted on October 21, 2013 | Comments Off on Labyrinth Choir Concert at St. John’s on Saturday, November 16 at 7:30pm – “Wanting Memories” (Free and Open to the Public)

Labyrinth-Concert_PosterOn Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 7:30 pm Labyrinth Choir, a professional choir of 16 voices, will present a free concert called “Wanting Memories” at St. John the Evangelist Church. Dr. Ysaye Barnwell’s song (Sweet Honey in the Rock) is the inspiration for our program: “I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes.” Our concert will feature choral songs and poetry highlighting remembrances and memorials, culminating in the Fauré Requiem, accompanied by Laurence Carson and Suzanne Sheppard. The Requiem, a poignant choral work, will have the added dimensions of staging, lighting and an art installation by Anna Etsuko Tsuri (staging/lighting) and Takashi Horisaki (artist). Please join us for an evening of beautiful songs, as well as a traditional piece, the Requiem, presented in a novel way. The audience will be encouraged to participate in song and poetry. For more information: info@labyrinthchoir.org.

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Posted in Important Announcements, Music

Collaborative FAQ 13: What is Evangelization, Really?

Posted on October 19, 2013 | Comments Off on Collaborative FAQ 13: What is Evangelization, Really?

SJSP Collaborative Logo_SmallQuestion 13: What is evangelization, really? Why is “New Evangelization” highlighted as a key part of the Parish Collaborative Process? How are the two related, anyway?
Evangelization is the work of reaching out to our brothers and sisters and drawing them more fully to Jesus Christ. Cardinal Sean, echoing the teaching of Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, has repeatedly emphasized that the Church will only be strengthened to the extent that every practicing Catholic embraces the “New Evangelization,” the particular work of reaching out to Catholics who are not currently active in the Church. Evangelization is a component of the Parish Collaborative Process because evangelization and collaboration are two critical ways which will enable the mission of Christ and the Catholic Church to grow stronger. We all know Catholics in Wellesley and elsewhere who have drifted away from the Catholic Church. To make our Catholic community stronger, we need to find ways to welcome our brothers and sisters back to active practice of the faith.
We welcome your comments and feedback. Please email your questions or comments about Parish Collaboratives to – stjohn.stpaul@gmail.com

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

New Members Named to Parish Council

Posted on October 18, 2013 | Comments Off on New Members Named to Parish Council

PPCAs you know during the month of October, we invite the congregation to nominate individuals for our Parish Pastoral Council. Those nominated were contacted and from those who were willing to serve, we drew the names of two men and two women. We did this at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, October 12. We congratulate our new members: Tony DeProspo, Ronda Dew, Rose Mary Donahue and Paul Rolincik.

Out going members are: Kate Donovan, Jack Kapples, Stephanie Morgan and Ed Nelson. They have been an enormous help to us over the three years, and we are genuinely grateful to them for their service.

Our newest members now join with current members: Art Greenwood, Steve Healy, Mark Kelley, Marci Loeber, Mary Mullen, Suzanne Pasko (Chair) Christian Rubio and Sheelah Sullivan.

For more information on the Parish Council, please visit our Parish Pastoral Council page.

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Posted in Important Announcements, Parish Pastoral Council

October 20: News and Events from the AFFC

Posted on October 18, 2013 | Comments Off on October 20: News and Events from the AFFC

AFFC LogoCONVERSATIONS IN PRAYER: Prayer is always God’s initiative. It is our response to God’s presence in our lives. Various forms of meditative and contemplative prayer can help us be more open and present to God.  Missed the first session of Meaningful Conversations about Prayer? Please join us this week, Oct 21st for Session 3 in the Parish Hall Chapel from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.

AFFC BLOG: For the month of October, the Adult Faith Formation Commission is discussing Mary, the Mother of God. Please visit our website to find reflections written by parishioners as well as links to lots of great information, such as St. John’s on Facebook to receive regular updates on our monthly theme!

BOOK GROUP: Upcoming Book Selections
November 14: New Seeds of Contemplation, Thomas Merton
December 5: Faith in Poetry, TS Eliot – The Journey of the Magi and more
January 16: Tenth of December, Donald Saunders
February 13: Paul Among the People, Sarah Ruden
March 13: Pope Francis I, Selected Articles
April 10: Trent: What Happened at the Council?, John W. O’Malley
May 8: Life of the Virgin: Maximus the Confessor, Stephen J. Shoemaker

OCTOBER, THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY: The Rosary has been loved for generations as a scripture – based prayer honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. During October we encourage you to experience this beautiful devotion. To assist you there are some rosaries and pamphlets at our Church entrance. Also, every Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. you are welcome to pray the rosary with parishioners in the lower Chapel.

AFFC Calendar:

Mondays, October 21 & 28 Conversations in Prayer
7:00–8:30 p.m., Parish Center

Wednesday, October 30 John Allen Lecture at B.C.
The Francis Papacy: Reform, Renewal and Resistance,
6:00 p.m., Robsham Theater, BC

Saturday, November 9 Film/Supper Night
Following the 5:00 p.m. Mass, Social Hall

Tuesday, November 12, Liam Bergin Lecture
7:00 p.m., Social Hall

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements

October 20: This Week in Religious Education

Posted on October 17, 2013 | Comments Off on October 20: This Week in Religious Education

Religious-Education-Contemporary_SMALLThis Week: Sunday, October 20
Grade 2 Mass 9:00 AM
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Grades 7, 8 Class 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Friends for Good 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Grade 9 Class 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Grade 10 Enrollment Mass 5:00 PM
Friends for Good 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Class 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday, October 23
Grades 1- 6 Class 3:30 – 4:45 PM
Grade 1 Parent Meeting/Visit
Next Week: Sunday, October 27
Grades 1 – 6 Class 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Grade 1 Parent Meeting/Visit

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Posted in Important Announcements, Religious Education Program

Collaborative FAQ 12: What Will Happen With Parish Councils?

Posted on October 10, 2013 | Comments Off on Collaborative FAQ 12: What Will Happen With Parish Councils?

SJSP Collaborative Logo_Small Question 12: It is my understanding that each Catholic parish has its own local governing body, the Parish Council. How will this work once we start our Parish Collaborative?
St. John’s and St. Paul’s will have one combined Pastoral Parish Council, made up of parishioners from both parishes. Although each parish will maintain its own identity (each will keep its own name, buildings, and canonical rights), there will be one Parish Council to assist and advise the Pastor in the mission of the Parishes of the Collaborative. The Pastor will seek to structure the Pastoral Parish Council in such a way that all parishioners will be able to have open and honest communication with him, both through the Parish Pastoral Council and in other settings.
We welcome your comments and feedback. Please email your questions or comments about Parish Collaboratives to – stjohn.stpaul@gmail.com

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

Octoberfest! St. John Parish Service Fair THIS Weekend, October 19-20

Posted on October 9, 2013 | Comments Off on Octoberfest! St. John Parish Service Fair THIS Weekend, October 19-20

Service FairCelebrating Who We Are and How We Care
Have you been hearing Christ’s call to serve, but not sure how?  We can help! The specific work of the Service Commission is to be a catalyst for Christ’s call to serve, that it be continually heard and responded to in all aspects of parish life.  Join us after all the Masses this weekend (October 19-20) outdoors for refreshments and information on the many ways you can participate.  Come and see the Gospel alive! Sponsored by the Parish Service Commission.  For more  information,  please email us:  SC@stjohnwellesley.org

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Posted in Important Announcements, Service Commission, Volunteers Needed