St. Paul Church in Wellesley to bring back the ring of historic bell

July 10, 2022 by Deborah Brown 2 Comments

St. Paul Catholic Church in Wellesley is looking to bring back the joyful noise of its 96-year old historic church bell after many years of silence. It’s not that there’s anything seriously wrong with the gong itself—just a ringing mechanism that’s no longer functional, but that’s an easy fix. The larger reason the church chimes have been out of commission is because tests conducted by Salem-based engineering firm, Structures North, reflected that supports for the 3,000-lb. bronze instrument have weakened to the point where safety was compromised, making replacement of the old wooden beams essential.

St Paul Bell Tower, Wellesley — St. Paul Catholic Church is covered in scaffolding during repair work. Photo by Duncan Brown.

Work to get the bell back into tolling shape is underway. Scaffolding has gone up around the St. Paul bell tower so that the team from Aniceto Historical Restorations out of Milford can replace badly deteriorated wood framing that supports the bell; repair crumbling sections of the bell tower’s masonry; and repair the parapet. A crane will be brought in to lift the bell while new beams are put in place. The church may still be accessed through the main doors during construction.

“I am thrilled that St. Paul Parish is able to undertake this important project, which is being made possible by the generosity of our wonderful community. We look forward to the day when we can proudly ring the bell at St. Paul Church once again,” said Rev. Jim Laughlin in an email. Laughlin is recovering from injuries sustained in the spring when, as a pedestrian, he was hit by a vehicle. Although it will be some time before he can return to ministry, the pastoral staff including Rev. Bryan Hehir have things bell in hand. (Sorry, not sorry for the pun.)

An inscription on the bell notes that it was donated to the church in 1926 by Salvatore DeFazio and family. The DeFazio family is still a contributing force to be reckoned with around town. Salvatore’s great-grandson and Wellesley resident Tory DeFazio in a phone interview said soon after the church opened in 1916, Salvatore promised the pastor that he would donate a bell. Pastor Edward Welch held him to it. “It took my great-grandfather about ten years to raise the money, but he did it,” said DeFazio, owner of the Windsor Press in Wellesley Hills, a Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend committee member, and a past president of the Wellesley Historical Society

St. Paul church, Wellesley — Crumbling sections of the parapet, covered with protective mesh so that bits don’t break off and fall during construction, will be replaced as part of the project. The Celtic cross will be temporarily removed during work.

Total repair costs are expected to be over $485k. The parish has obtained a short-term loan from the Archdiocese of Boston for up to 75% of the budget. Income from St. Paul’s leasing of the school building to Star Academy will be helpful to cover part of the project, however, the St. Paul community has been called on to help repay the loan. You don’t have to be a church member to chip in, so if you enjoy hearing the peal of church bells, or just like the idea of preserving a part of Wellesley’s history, don’t be shy about contributing to the St. Paul Bell Tower Fund.

Once repairs are complete, those who have been sauntering to mass, unprompted by the bell to quicken their pace, will lose their excuse to slide into the pews after the first, “Lord, hear our prayer.”

You know who you are.

Happy Passover, Wellesley

April 15, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Passover starts April 15 at sundown to commemorate the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. The festive and social spring-time ritual lasts until April 24.

Last year due to coronavirus, synagogues including Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley and Wellesley Weston Chabad celebrated Passover Seder with their members online as they carried on the ancient traditions.

This year many feel its high time to attend services, carry on the traditions—and find the afikomen—in-person again.

Happy Passover to all who celebrate.

Where to worship in Wellesley

Wellesley Catholic churches seek all voices and stories during Synod process

April 3, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Question: When was the last time a Catholic pope asked what you thought? Yes you, the one who is so spiritually lapsed, it seems likely that your religious subscription could never be renewed? Yes you, the one who walks through the cafeteria of catholicism and chooses only dessert (“I’ll take a little Christmas, and a side order of absolution, please.”) Yes you, the one who’s not Catholic, or Christian, or even a believer in any higher power. Yes you, the true believer, the every Sunday mass-goer.

Answer: Never, until now.

As Father Jim of the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative in Wellesley explains, times are changing. In an announcement to parishioners, he shared that Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic church, has called for a Synod in the church, asking all to engage in, “listening deeply and allowing all voices to be heard, especially those on the margins.”

“Synod” comes from the Greek for “assembly” or “meeting,” and the Collaborative has been holding lectures and a discussion series, to which all are welcome. “Unlike past Synods,” Fr. Jim Laughlin said in an announcement, “this is not simply a discussion for the hierarchy, or for those on the inside—Pope Francis is calling all of us to express our faith, our hopes, and our dreams for the Church.”

Kelly Meraw, the Collaborative’s Director of Collaborative Pastoral Care, and one of the Synod discussion facilitators, said,”The Synod is for the purpose of growing and for changing the culture of listening within the church. It’s about listening, not about debate, or judgement.”

The next community lecture takes place with Fr. Bryan Hehir on April 7, 7pm, at the St. Paul parish hall, 502 Washington Street.

Learn more here about the Synod and how the process is unfolding worldwide

Taking time to appreciate all things big and small in Wellesley

October 31, 2021 by Fiona Zhou 1 Comment

On Oct. 3, a warm and clear Sunday afternoon, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church parishioners headed over to the Wellesley house of worship to sing hymns and recite prayers on the lawn, many with their best companions beside them. The humans and their dogs were led by rectors for the annual Blessing of the Animals service.

For the majority of the time, the rectors led churchgoers in songs and prayers to appreciate all things big and small. Later, each rector went around to bless the animals individually.

Blessing of the Animals is a worldwide service commemorating St. Francis of Assisi (one of the most popular Catholic Saints) and his love and appreciation of all creations. The practice has been present all the way since the 4th century and takes place every Sunday closest to St. Francis Day, Oct. 4. The event is very popular in Episcopal churches.

“We remember today—St Francis… who had a deep wisdom about appreciating all creations and honoring all of creation. Making sure that we recognize that we are all a part of a web of creation.” said Associate Rector Margaret Schwarzer.

After reciting prayers and blessings as a whole community, the rectors went to each animal. The prayers usually went like this:

“N., (name of animal, i.e. ‘Smokey’, not cat/dog) may you be blessed in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. May you and (the name of the ‘owner’) enjoy life together and find joy with the God who created you.”

“N., may you be blessed in the Name of God who created you, and may you and (owner’s name) enjoy life together with our God.”

At St. Andrew’s, the blessings have been going on for decades, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event wasn’t held last year. Luckily this year services could be held outside, making it more COVID-friendly and safe for everyone.

This year’s service was more dog-heavy than those of years past since these pets are easier to keep tabs on outside. Cats and caged animals have made appearances when services are held indoors.

To all the parishioners and rectors, this service means a lot to them and the happiness of their pets. It’s a time to reflect and thank God for creating creatures besides humans.

“For me what it means is giving thanks to all the blessings—God’s creation. Typically these animals teach us to love in a different way. They show us love and we show them love and mostly just remembering that this world that we have is not just our world but their world, too. It always makes me think about how we need to re-care for the world around us.” says Head Rector Adrian Robbins-Cole.

More from Fiona Zhou: From Student To Teacher

If you’d like to support students who contribute articles like this to Swellesley, please let us know your ideas: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Shanah tovah, Wellesley

September 6, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

We wish Wellesley’s Jewish community Shanah tovah, as Rosh Hashanah begins the new year this Sept. 6.

Visit the Temple Beth Elohim and Wellesley Weston Chabad websites for more information on local services.

Everyone zoomed in on Wellesley baby’s baptism

June 11, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The decision to celebrate Griffin Baum’s baptism by Zoom came down to a race between when it would be safe to join in community at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church in light of the COVID-19 crisis and when the baby would outgrow his great grandmother’s baptismal gown.

But with Griffin born in February at a solid 9 lbs, 14 oz, it became apparent this was going to be no contest. A hybrid digital-and-in-person ceremony it would be.

baum baptism

Baum, a single mom by choice, had big plans for Griffin’s baptism before the pandemic emerged. The mom and her baby were to be joined at the ceremony by family, friends, and the congregation. The family included Baum’s parents and 2-year-old son Parran as well as the Godparents—a cousin who is a resident at Washington University, his wife, and Baum’s sister, who lives in Virginia. Plus 5 kids between them.

“About two or three weeks ago it was clear that the day wouldn’t happen as planned. But I wanted to have Griffin baptized in his great grandmother’s baptismal gown,” Baum says. “Because we are a unique family I wanted to make sure that Griffin feels that he is part of a great family from the start. Many family members have been baptized in the gown.”

Baum’s parents moved to Wellesley in 1990, when she was in 8th grade. She went to college and lived elsewhere for years, but moved back in December of 2015 to have her children near family and join her father as a financial advisor.

That local family joined outside on the porch on Sunday, June 7th for the newfangled baptism. Rev. Anne Marie Holloway led the service in person, and was joined there by Baum, her children and her parents. The Godparents and their families joined by web conference, as did other friends and family, making for about 30 people on the call across 15 devices.

“I emailed and talked a lot with Anne Marie” leading up to the ceremony, said Baum, who has been working from home during the COVID-19 crisis, with many thanks to a reliable nanny. “[Anne Marie] and the church were in constant communication about what they could do to make the baptism happen. She said that the church proper would remain closed but that we could have it at the house outside. We didn’t want to put anyone at risk having it indoors (for my parents or my children).”

The baptism took lots of planning. This included staging an altar in preparation for Griffin to receive the sacrament, as well as getting the camera and mic working. Readings were chosen for the Godparents and Baum’s niece, and a program was created. Set-up was done with masks on; they were removed just for the actual ceremony.

“Making sure everyone could be seen and heard. Avoiding zoombombers. Making sure everyone was on mute and there were no unconventional sounds during the ceremony,” Baum said. “In the end the actual ceremony was only 13 minutes, according to my sister… In the end more family was able to attend via Zoom. And they probably had a better view than from the pews.”

Plans are to do something in the church once it re-opens to all. “It will be announced in the Parish Register this Sunday,” she says.

Those who Zoomed in this past Sunday weren’t disappointed. They were treated to a moving ceremony plus the sort of hijinx you’d expect from a 2-year-old big brother.

“We had Parran pour the water into the font. Anne Marie blessed it and then Parran and I baptized Griffin. Parran said, ‘Bless you, I love you.’ And then big brother baptized him three more times…,” Baum said.

Aiming to hold Parran’s attention during the ceremony, Rev. Holloway had given him a little lamb to hold. Naturally, the lamb got baptized, too, and went swimming in the font toward the end of the ceremony.

Any pictures I asked? Why of course…