Would you like to make a donation towards our Easter flowers or Easter music in memory of a loved one during this holy season? If so, you may make a donation using you offertory envelopes, the collection basket, ParishPay, or by dropping your donation off at the rectory or in the mail. Please make sure to include the name of the person you want remembered in this special way. The deadline for submissions is this Tuesday, March 31 at noon. Thank you!
Category Archives: Lent
Easter Flowers and Music
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Posted in Important Announcements, Lent, Music, Special Collections
Lenten Series on Pope Francis Concludes this Sunday, March 22 at 3pm
A JOURNEY INTO THE MIND AND HEART OF POPE FRANCIS
Come join the final session of this special journey with others – each session stands alone and materials will be provided each week. More information here – if you have questions, please contact Sr. Evelyn at evelyn.ronan@stjohnwellesley.org
Runs through Sunday, March 22
3:00-4:30 p.m. Parish Center
Moderator: Gerald Kehoe
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements, Lent
Joint Parish Lecture with Fr. Raymond Helmick, S.J.
Sunday, March 22 at 2:00pm at St. Paul
Do you wonder about the complicated situation in the Middle East? What about the Holy Land? Would you like to have a better understanding of the issues involved in this area of the world? We are a group* of your fellow parishioners from St. John’s and St. Paul’s eager to hear Fr. Raymond Helmick, S.J., Professor of Conflict Resolution at Boston College talk about this conflicted land. We also think our fellow parishioners and a wide range of Wellesley area residents would like to learn about what is going on in that part of the world. Fr. Helmick has vast experience as a peace negotiator in the Israeli and Palestine treaties, in Northern Ireland and the Balkans. Please join us on Sunday at 2pm in the St. Paul Parish Hall to learn more about and from this remarkable person and priest. Visit his website Raymond G. Helmick, S.J.
*The 2015 St. John-St. Paul Lenten Lecture Committee
Kathy and Rick Hughto
Mary Lou Crane and Robert Ryan
Christine and Joe Tierney
Marcia and Chris Gorgone
Kathi Aldridge
Kathy and Brian Boyce
Liz and Tom Fleming
Audrey Moran
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Sunday, March 22 at 2:00pm at St. Paul
Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements, Lent
Special Collection for Our Parish Lenten Gift to St. Francis House – A House of Grace
This is the weekend to share in the extraordinary ministry of St. Francis House through our Lenten Gift! Our Gift brings the Gospel alive –
“…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me…” (Matthew 25:34-40)
Once again, this is our opportunity, as individuals and as a community to respond to the need before us and ease the suffering of the homeless. Over the years, we have tried to direct our Lenten Gift to an immediate, urgent situation, and this iswhat exists now at St. Francis House. The needs there can seem overwhelming. However, we can remind ourselves of the words and spirit of another heroic relief worker –
“Some people find God in church, others in nature, still others in love. I find God in suffering.”
At St. John Parish, most of us are fortunate enough to have experienced the first three more than many people do. This is another opportunity to find God in our suffering brothers and sisters at the other end of Route 9. Now is the time!
At Masses this Weekend: Please give generously to our Special Second Collection at all Masses during the weekend of March 21-22. (Checks can be made payable to “St. John Parish”; we will total all funds and send one check to St. Francis House.)
By Mail or at the Office: Donations can be mailed to the Office or dropped off weekdays during regular business hours (9 Glen Rd., Wellesley, MA 02481)
Online via ParishPay: Click this link and choose 2015 Lenten Gift (Please Note: you do not need to be a regular ParishPay user to donate online – anyone can make a secure, one-time donation with a credit card. No need to set up an account – just click Start Giving!)
For more information on St. Francis House and our Gift, please visit our 2015 Parish Lenten Gift page: St. Francis House – A House of Grace
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Small yet strong in the love of God, like Saint Francis of Assisi, all of us, as Christians, are called to watch over and protect the fragile world in which we live, and all its peoples.(Pope Francis)
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Posted in 2015 Lenten Gift, Adult Faith Formation, Lent
St. Francis House
Chapter 3: What Happens Inside the 10 Story Building on Boylston Street?
When you walk by a building, have you ever wondered what could be inside, behind the closed doors? When I was a teenager walking past Boylston Street to get to the Park Street T-stop, I often passed the entrance of St. Francis House, and I was always curious what happens inside. All I saw was a line of people outside waiting, but what are they waiting for? As a Service Commission member, I had the benefit of visiting St. Francis House this January. I was amazed at how much happens inside the 10 story building.
As you probably know by now, the St. Francis House is a day shelter that provides basic services. It offers a place for guests to sit and rest during the day, away from the elements, and it acts as a complement to the night shelters that close at 7:00 am. While inside the building, guests can have two nutritious meals, breakfast and lunch, or a snack to-go made available for those need it. Guests can also take a shower and select clothing that fits in both size and style. Beyond basic needs, St. Francis House also has an in-house Foot Clinic where guests can receive personal care as well as new socks before heading back out to the streets. St. Francis House also partners with Boston Healthcare and provides treatment to those who need it. For guests who need an address for mail, such as paychecks or personal letters, St. Francis house offers Mail Services and IDs. In 2014, St. Francis House served more than 445,000 meals, provided 7,321 showers, and distributed 6,342 changes of clothes. All of these services are available to anyone who walks through the door, no questions asked.
What makes the St. Francis House’s model unique? It strives to integrate guests back into society when they are ready to take the “next step” by offering comprehensive Rehabilitative Programs, such as substance abuse counseling, case management, vocational rehabilitation, and on-site housing. Their mission is to “invest in [their] guests so they can invest in themselves.” The Sullivan Family Moving Ahead Program (MAP) does just that. It is a vocational, curriculum-based, 14-week rehabilitation program that focuses on supporting students in gaining self-sufficiency and securing meaningful, lasting employment. Situated on the fourth floor of the 10-story building, the setting simulates a typical work environment for students to use throughout the day. Instruction includes searching for jobs, creating and revising resumes and cover letters, and practicing interview skills. The MAP Employment Services Team provides one-on-one employment support. They meet regularly with students outside of class to coach them through various aspects of job seeking process, such as how to dress for an interview. In addition, the Employment Services Coordinator has developed relationships with local businesses to create internship and employment opportunities in students’ fields of interest. The St. Francis House, as opposed to a regular government agency, continues to provide support for every graduate for as long as he or she needs it.
Similarly, the Next Step Housing Program provides 56 units of sober, on-site permanent housing. It occupies floors 7- 10 of St. Francis House. Residents pay rent based on their income, and have to sign a lease, similar to a regular rental place. The program provides a fitness room, computer room, library, and craft room for the use of all program residents. Residents move on when they are ready; there is no time limit. The St. Francis House has been named a National Model Program for homelessness. Its comprehensive approach is holistic and compassionate in helping one get back on his/her feet.
As this winter has been extremely tough with both the snow and the closing of the Long Island shelter (in Boston harbor), the basic needs have increased dramatically. This is where St. John’s community can make a big difference: our financial aid during the 2015 Lenten season can help St. Francis House meet the needs of all those who walk through the doors of this 10 story building on Boylston Street!
To be continued next week…
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Chapter 3: What Happens Inside the 10 Story Building on Boylston Street?
Posted in 2015 Lenten Gift, Adult Faith Formation, Lent
Lenten Series on Pope Francis Continues this Sunday, March 15 at 3pm
A JOURNEY INTO THE MIND AND HEART OF POPE FRANCIS
Come join this special journey with others, whenever you can – each session stands alone and materials will be provided each week. More information here – if you have questions, please contact Sr. Evelyn at evelyn.ronan@stjohnwellesley.org
Runs through Sunday, March 22
3:00-4:30 p.m. Parish Center
Moderator: Gerald Kehoe
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements, Lent
St. Francis House – Chapter 2: How Did this House of Grace Begin?
In 1984, the Franciscans opened St. Francis House in the heart of downtown Boston, just east of the Boston Common, on Boylston Street. It started as a simple bread line yet 30 years later it is the largest day shelter in the Commonwealth. Today it supports over 800 poor and homeless women and men each day, every day. During its 30-year history it has pioneered unique ways of supporting the homeless and along the way it received national recognition for its efforts. The 1990s marked a period of tremendous growth for St. Francis House
In 1990 the Social Security Administration named it a National Model Program for its representative payee program that enables guests to receive their benefits. In 1995 it began the Moving Ahead Program (MAP), a 14-week job and life skills training program. MAP serves 200 students a year and boasts more than 1,200 alumni.
In 1997, recognizing the need for interim housing for some of its population, St. Francis House opened the Next Step Housing Program which provides 56 units of independent living.
In the 2000s St. Francis House expanded its quarters to accommodate the growing needs of its population. During the past decade it has renovated its kitchen and dining room, established a Women’s Center and expanded its number of units to
permanent housing.
Over the past 30 years St. Francis House has come a long way. Once it was a breadline, yet today it is a vibrant force in Boston providing not just meals but also rehabilitative programs for the poor and homeless.
It is noteworthy that St. John the Evangelist has supported St. Francis House since its inception, contributing funds to its operations since the 1990s and, more recently, organizing an annual men’s clothing drive each spring. This year’s Lenten gift to support St. Francis House will continue a long tradition started by Fr. Philbin.
To be continued next week…
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Posted in 2015 Lenten Gift, Adult Faith Formation, Lent
Special Request: Men and Women to Assist at Our Holy Week Services
This is a special request for men and women who would like to assist at our Holy Week Services: Holy Thursday – April 2, Good Friday – April 3, and Holy Saturday – April 4. All Services are at 7:30 p.m. Training will be provided ahead of time. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Tom Powers by Monday, March 16 at 781-235-0045 or stjohnwellesley@stjohnwellesley.org Thank you!
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Posted in Lent, Volunteers Needed
Now Available Online: Lenten Meditation with Fr. John Connelly
If you were not able to attend Fr. Connelly’s lecture “Faith Working Through Love Galatians 5.6 – Revisiting The Joy of the Gospel“, you can now listen to it online by visiting our Podcasts page. A copy of the text is also available on Fr. Connelly’s blog: Prayer and Intelligence.
The profound and enriching content provides a wonderful and thought-provoking Lenten meditation.
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Lent
Lenten Series on Pope Francis Begins This Sunday, March 1
A JOURNEY INTO THE MIND AND HEART OF POPE FRANCIS
Pope Francis has captured the world with his joyful faith and commitment to the most disenfranchised in society. In this four-week series, journey into the Pope’s highly-acclaimed letter to the whole Church, The Joy of the Gospel, and discover for yourself the mind and heart of Pope Francis and his appeal and challenge to all Christian believers. (Come join this special journey with others, whenever you can – each session stands alone and materials will be provided each week.)
Begins this Sunday, March 1 and runs through Sunday, March 22
3:00-4:30 p.m. Parish Center
Moderator: Gerald Kehoe
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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Important Announcements, Lent