The month of October is a favorite of many who have devotion to Our Blessed Mother, the angels, and the saints. (click message for more)

Although our love and care for our beloved dead is expressed each week at our parish in many ways through our funerals, Mass intentions, prayers of the faithful, devotions, private prayer, and cemetery visits, the month of November is set aside in a special way for prayers for the dead. (click message for more)

Get ready for Apple Crisps and Italian Dinner Night! (click message for details)

Every year during the month of November we are asked to pray for the dead in a special way. Over the years I have invited families prayerfully to consider that if they possess the cremated remains of a loved one in their home, they now may now decide lay them to rest in St. John’s Cemetery. This is free of any costs on the Saturday following All Souls Day in November. Many have responded over the years and it has been a very positive experience. (click message for more)

On September 14th, Fr. Thiago will visit the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., for the dedication of the Oratory of Our Lady of Aparecida, which represents our Brazilian Community at Saint John’s. (click message for more)

High school graduation season in early June is an exciting time for our teens. It is accompanied often by national news stories of diplomas granted to senior citizens who for some reason or another missed their high school graduations many years ago. Such a story came to light this past June when 100-year-old Ethel Nishimoto was surprised... (click message for more)

In New England, the seasons of Summer and Fall have always been a popular time to celebrate the holy Sacrament of Matrimony. Sacred Scripture begins with the creation and union of man and woman and culminates with “the wedding feast of the Lamb.” (Rev 19:7,9) Marriage reflects the spousal love Jesus has for the Church. (click message for more)

The Catholic Church cares deeply about marriage. The Second Vatican Council stated that, “The well-being of the individual person and of human and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy condition of that community produced by marriage and family.” (Gaudium et Spes, 48) Marriage is a great gift to society. (click message for more)

Over the coming weeks, I will attempt to clarify the truths and dispel common myths about three areas of Church practice. We will begin with Annulments. One of the unfortunate myths about divorce is that a civilly divorced Catholic is “excommunicated” and no longer able to receive the Sacraments of the Church. This is not true. (click message for more)

July 30 marked the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, sponsored by the United Nations. This year's day was dedicated to children. One in three victims of human trafficking globally is a child and a disproportionate number of them are girls, according to the U.N.'s Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. Children are also twice as likely to face violence during trafficking than adults. (Click message for more)

The Catholic author, Daniel Fitzpatrick, recently wrote an excellent book entitled Restoring the Lord’s Day: How reclaiming Sunday can revive our human nature. Mr. Fitzpatrick’s book is based upon the Apostolic Letter, Dies Domini, promulgated by St. Pope John Paul II in 1998. I highly recommend it. (click message for more)

On July 2, 2024, Pope Francis released a brief video message stating: “This month, let us pray for the pastoral care of the sick. The Anointing of the Sick is not a sacrament only for those who are at the point of death. No. It is important that this is clear.” When the priest draws near a person to perform the Anointing of the Sick, it is not necessarily to help them say goodbye to life. Thinking this way means giving up every hope. (click message for more)

Every four years, the bishops of the United States have provided a document entitled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility. In a series of statements, they remind us of our rich Catholic heritage of contributions to human dignity and justice for all people. The entire 64-page document is available online at usccb.org under “Issues and Action.” (click message for more)

The people who choose to live in New England, and even those who have moved out of the area, often speak of their appreciation of the seasons. We have four of them. By most accounts, winter is the longest, and spring is the shortest. Many people share a favorite — which is summer! (click message for more)

Last week, the Massachusetts state government announced their “first-in-the-nation” effort to scare pregnant women away from Pregnancy Resource Centers throughout our state. With our governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and other state officials, the Department of Public Health launched what it called an “education campaign” to highlight “the dangers and potential harm” of crisis pregnancy centers. These organizations support pregnant women, particularly women in desperate situations and who may be considering abortion. They also offer direct material support to infants and children and social-emotional and parenting support to men, all free of charge because of private donations. (click message for more)

Over the next several days, we will do well to prepare our hearts to enter prayerfully into this year’s observance of Religious Freedom Week which begins on Saturday, June 22. As we approach this special week, the Holy Spirit continues to give us the courage to bear witness to the truth of the Gospel at all times. (click message for more)

Gathering together weekly to worship, to receive the Blessed Sacrament, and to hear the living Word of God is vital to our spiritual health. By doing so, we also obey the Commandment to keep holy the Sabbath. Gathering together socially as a family of faith is also vital to our spiritual health. We are blessed to have such an occasion eight days from now on Saturday, June 15. On that Saturday from 11am to 2pm, we’ll enjoy the Men’s Club Annual Chicken Barbecue. (click message for more)

This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi which is also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This Feast celebrates our belief in the true presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and that He is powerfully ever-present in our Church, in the World, and in our lives, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. (click message for more)

Memorial Day is a cherished national holiday. For many people, it marks the beginning of summer, time for families to gather together, for backyard barbecues, or for enjoying the natural beauty around us. Most of all, Memorial Day is an opportunity to pause, to remember, and to pray. We do so in tribute to those who have given their lives in defense of our country. (click message for more)

By the time we celebrate our Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:30pm on May 18, the seminarian assigned to Immaculate Conception Church, Jonathan Amidon, will have been ordained a deacon. We are very proud of Jon, and we are grateful for God’s call to him to serve His Church. (click message for more)