Category Archives: SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events

June 1-2: Annual Men’s Clothing Drive for St. Francis House

Posted on May 21, 2019 | Comments Off on June 1-2: Annual Men’s Clothing Drive for St. Francis House


Each spring our community comes together to support St. Francis House with a Men’s Clothing Drive, and each year the drive is a huge success because of your generosity and grace. This year’s drive will take place June 1-2.  St. Francis House serves approximately 50 clothing appointments per day (Monday-Friday) which is 250 full sets of clothing per week to their guests in need. Please join us in helping by donating clean, practical clothing. Your efforts and generosity are appreciated by the thousands who come to St. Francis House each year for a fresh pair of clothes in times of need.

MOST NEEDED ITEMS INCLUDE:

  • Men’s pants (especially jeans size 30-40)
  • T-shirts, shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, & spring coats
  • Footwear (walking shoes and sneakers)
  • Backpacks/duffel bags/tote bags
  • Summer hats (baseball caps, beach hats)
  • NEW underwear and undershirts (in original packaging)
  • NEW socks (for their Foot Clinic)

ALSO ACCEPTED: Women’s everyday clothing

NOT ACCEPTED: Children’s clothing; used socks, underwear, and sleepwear; household items (including linens); damaged or discolored items

WHEN: Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 from 9:00AM to 5:00PM

WHERE: Drop off items at the St. John the Evangelist Church garage (behind the church)

HOW: If you can put your items in boxes or secured bags and label them with the general contents it would be a great help with sorting.

Thank you for your generosity!

If you have any questions please call the St. John (781-235-0045) or St. Paul (781-235-1060) parish office.

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Posted in Homeless/Feed the Hungry, Seasonal Initiatives, Service Commission, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events, SJSP Service

The Sunday 5pm Mass is on Summer Vacation!

Posted on May 20, 2019 | Comments Off on The Sunday 5pm Mass is on Summer Vacation!


Sunday, May 19 was the last Sunday 5pm Mass for the 2018-2019 school year.

The Sunday 5pm Mass will return in the Fall for the 2019-2020 school year.

Please visit Our Sunday 5pm Mass for more information.

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Posted in SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events, Youth Ministry

Sunday, May 19: Last Sunday 5pm Mass

Posted on May 17, 2019 | Comments Off on Sunday, May 19: Last Sunday 5pm Mass

The Sunday 5pm Mass this Sunday, May 19 at St. John Church will be the last Sunday 5pm Mass for the 2018-2019 school year.  We will be celebrating our graduating seniors – please join us! 

The Sunday 5pm Mass will return for the 2019-2020 school year in the fall.

Please visit Our Sunday 5pm Mass for more information.

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Posted in SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events, Youth Ministry

Matthew Norwood: Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate

Posted on May 15, 2019 | Comments Off on Matthew Norwood: Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate


We are pleased to announce that our seminarian, Matthew Norwood, has received his Call for Orders and will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on June 8, 2019 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. This day marks a definitive step before he is ordained to the priesthood in May of 2020.

On Sunday, June 9th, Matthew will serve as a Deacon for the first time and preach the homily at the St. Paul 9:00am Family Mass. Please keep Matthew in your prayers and join us for this special Mass on June 9th at St. Paul’s.

Mass will be followed by a reception in the St. Paul Parish Hall to which all are invited.

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Posted in Important Announcements, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events

Divine Mercy Sunday

Posted on April 25, 2019 | Comments Off on Divine Mercy Sunday

Divine_Mercy_JesusJoin us for an hour of prayer and reflection
Sunday, April 28, 2:00pm
St. Paul Church
The message of The Divine Mercy is simple.  It is that God loves us – all of us, and he wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy and let it flow through us to others.

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Posted in SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events, Special Events

April 6-7: Our 2019 Collaborative Lenten Gift Collection

Posted on April 4, 2019 | Comments Off on April 6-7: Our 2019 Collaborative Lenten Gift Collection

As you know, each year in Lent we reach out as a community to one particular place of suffering, amid so many in the world, through our Collaborative Lenten Gift. This Lent, we open our eyes and hearts to the plight of those who are suffering right here in our own community – and who are so often unseen amid the abundance that surrounds us. With our Collaborative Lenten Gift, we reach out to help through our newly formed St. John-St. Paul Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

The Society is best described by their mission statement: A network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with, and service to, people in need.

The Society offers tangible assistance on a person-to-person basis through local Conferences. It is this personalized involvement that makes the work of the Society so unique. The St. John-St. Paul Conference, which was established last year by members of both parishes, has already begun this work, with outreach and home visits to individuals and families in need in our community. Our Collaborative Lenten Gift will give the Conference a sound financial base from which to provide much-needed assistance.

A Special Second Collection will be taken up at all Masses in both parishes this weekend, April 6-7, for the St. John-St. Paul Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Checks should be made payable to your parish, noting “Lenten Gift 2019” in the memo. Donations may also be made online by clicking here, or mailed to or dropped at the parish offices. We will total the gifts received from all sources and present one check to the Conference.

The three Lenten disciplines recommended by the Church are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This is our opportunity as a Collaborative to show Christ-like love for our neighbors in distress, and for each of us to answer Lent’s clarion call to love extravagantly. On behalf of the Collaborative Service Commission, we ask that you be as generous as your means will allow. Thank you.

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Posted in Service Commission, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events

St. Patrick’s Day Thanks!

Posted on March 20, 2019 | Comments Off on St. Patrick’s Day Thanks!

A grand time was had by all at the annual St. Patrick’s Dinner last Saturday. The throngs were sated by a traditional Irish boiled dinner, salmon, and loads of soda bread, as well as spread of scrumptious homemade desserts and Guinness. Al MacKay’s jigs and reels wafted over the crowd, and the lovely lasses of our own Goulding School of Irish Dance, based at St John’s, stole our hearts with the culture and rhythmic step of Ireland.

Many thanks to the St. Paul Social Committee and the many volunteers who helped make the night a success. We hope to see you all next year!

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Posted in SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events

Saturday, March 30: Ministry to the Homebound – A Two-Hour Mini Retreat at St. John

Posted on March 20, 2019 | Comments Off on Saturday, March 30: Ministry to the Homebound – A Two-Hour Mini Retreat at St. John

In Luke’s Gospel Jesus sends seventy-two out in pairs to do the work of His mission. Jesus sent these lay ministers out with His authority, with a mission to care for His people, especially the sick. Nothing has changed since that time. Jesus is still very much with us, and seeks to send us out with a commission to spread His love to those who need it. Ministry to the sick and homebound is a unique, intimate and beautiful one.

Sr. Evelyn Ronan will join us for a spiritual journey through this ministry, followed by an informal discussion over breakfast. If you feel called to visitation of the sick and homebound please join us for an enriching morning.

Saturday, March 30 at 8:00am in St. John Chapel

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, Lent, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events

Begins Monday, March 18: “Women Deacons: Past, Present and Future” at St. John

Posted on March 17, 2019 | Comments Off on Begins Monday, March 18: “Women Deacons: Past, Present and Future” at St. John

All parishioners in the collaborative are invited to study the work of Dr. Phyllis Zagano, PhD. In her recent book, Women Deacons: Past, Present and Future, Dr. Zagano explores the tremendous growth of the permanent diaconate, and the lingering questions about women deacons. She highlights the evident need for more women in ministry and its subsequent need for careful evaluation of historical roots, contemporary ecclesiastical realities and creative future possibilities for women in the diaconate. In August 2012, Phyllis was appointed by Pope Francis to the Papal Commission for the Study of Women in the Diaconate, which convened in Rome in 2016.

The 4-session study guide for this exploration was written by Sister Donna L. Ciangio, a Dominican Sister of Caldwell and the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark.

Mondays: March 18, March 25, April 1, April 8
7:00pm at St. John in Powers Hall

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Posted in Adult Faith Formation, SJSP Collaborative, SJSP Collaborative Programs and Events

Reconciliation Service for High School Students – Sunday, March 17 at 4:00pm

Posted on March 15, 2019 | Comments Off on Reconciliation Service for High School Students – Sunday, March 17 at 4:00pm

We are offering a Reconciliation Service for all high school students on Sunday, March 17 at 4:00pm before the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass in the Chapel at St. John’s. There will be a short reflection and preparation time, followed by the opportunity to receive the sacrament of confession. Those receiving Confirmation this spring are especially encouraged to attend!

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Posted in Religious Education Program, SJSP Confirmation, SJSP Youth Ministry, Youth Ministry