Weekly Bulletin August 16/17 and 23/24

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(A PDF version of the bulletin as printed is available here)

Pastoral Planning Community Meetings

We are grateful to the community members who joined our initial pastoral planning meetings the first two weeks of August. If you missed the meetings you can go to our website to review the slides that were shared, or use the link  https://tinyurl.com/Augustpastoralplanning.

In these meetings we grounded ourselves in both the mission of the Paulist Center and the mission of the Paulist Fathers and we also began a dialogue around defining our “mission field” and the nature of this time in which we are living. As we listen to the signs of the times and how God is calling us, these mission statements will be foundations as we build a pastoral plan that seeks to meet this moment.  

https://www.paulistcenter.org/our-mission/       https://www.beapaulist.org/about-us

Prayer and Action in Troubled Times: Lessons from Catholic Social Teachings

Join us in a year-long reflection on key documents that have challenged and inspired our faith tradition over time.  Together we will learn about them and consider what insights and actions they inspire as we face myriad assaults on social justice today. Raúl E. Zegarra, a community member and Assistant Professor of Roman Catholic Theological Studies at Harvard Divinity School, will lead the sessions.

We will introduce this series on Sept 7 after the 10am and 6pm Masses.  After that, starting in Oct, participants will meet every other month at the Center or online to reflect together on a selected text. Sponsored by the Immigration Advocacy Group. Email Susan Rutkowski with questions at susan@paulistcenter.org.

Meeting Dates:

  • Sept 7 @ 11am (Auditorium)
  • Sept 7 @ 7pm (Library)
  • Oct 19 @ 11am (Auditorium)
  • Nov 23 @ 11am (Auditorium)
  • Feb 8 @ 7pm (Library)
  • April 12 @ 7pm (Library)
  • May 31 @ 11am (Auditorium)
  • June 7 – Time & Location TBA

Banner Making Event for SunDay!

To prepare for SunDay – a global day of action on Sept 21 celebrating the unstoppable rise of clean energy – community members are invited to make banners/posters showcasing your creative thoughts on the power of the sun and wind, energy sources that can power our world without pollution. Our neighbor, St. Paul’s, is hosting this banner-making session on Sun, Aug 31 at noon. 

You are invited to proudly display your banner during the interfaith procession on Sept 21 (approx. 1 mile) – led by joyous brass band music, which will start at 1pm at the Old South Church on Boylston St. and continue down Newbury St. to the State House, with a brief multi-faith celebration of hope. All are welcome, especially families, whether guided by faith or personal conviction.

Led by Boston Interfaith Climate Allies (BICA) with support from Third Act Massachusetts and GreenFaith, our Creation Care Team is an official sponsor of this event.

Live-Streaming

Find all the livestreams and recordings on youtube.com/ThePaulistCenter

  • Sunday, August 17, 10am, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, YouTube Link
  • Sunday, August 24, 10am, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, YouTube Link

At the time of each livestream, the appropriate Order of Worship will be available at paulistcenter.org/order-of-worship.

Family Religious Education Program

The registration form for our 2025-2026 year is posted on our website!  Please register your child(ren) for formal religious education classes and/or our sacramental preparation programs.  Any questions, please contact Susan Rutkowski, Pastoral Minister of Family Religious Education, at susan@paulistcenter.org.

Attention Teens of the Paulist Center!

We are excited to announce that in the upcoming FREP* year, our Jr. High and Sr. High Teens (grades 7-12) will be part of Mosaic Interfaith Youth Action to learn about and experience social justice with other teens in the greater Boston area! The specific program is called Circles of Action and brings together teens of all faiths to take a deeper dive into the systemic issues in our world while participating in direct service projects. This program aligns with the Center’s emphasis on learning more about, and living, our Catholic social teaching. This dynamic program will take place in different locations in the Boston area on a monthly basis on Sundays from 2 – 5pm.

The program also includes Service Learning Days that your whole family can participate in. The first event is an Environmental Service Learning Day, 2 – 5pm on Sun, Aug 17 at Blue Hills Reservation (exact location details will follow upon registration). This is a fantastic opportunity to get outside, connect with friends old and new, and give back to our planet. Together, we’ll:

  • Learn about the environmental issues impacting our local ecosystems
  • Reflect on how our faith traditions call us to be stewards of the Earth
  • Roll up our sleeves to help remove invasive species and support the health of the Blue Hills
  • Have some fun in the sun while earning community service hours

This event is open to youth, their friends, parents, guardians, and youth group leaders. Spots are limited, so please RSVP by Tues, Aug 12 by filling out this form:

https://forms.gle/cVh9cd79uN528ukJ8

If you have questions, contact Susan at Susan@Paulistcenter.org. We hope our teens and families of teens are excited to work with Mosaic!   More information about the upcoming year to follow.

* Family Religious Education Program

Do You Like Teaching?

As we “speak,” families are registering their children for our Family Religious Education Program (FREP).  You can help them learn and grow in faith by:

  • becoming a full-time religious ed teacher,
  • co-teach (share a class with another volunteer), or
  • substitute teacher for grades 1-6

At the Paulist Center, we partner with parents and other adult volunteers to prepare and provide weekly catechesis to children from late September until late May. Catechists must possess a love of the Catholic faith and a desire to nurture children’s spiritual and religious potential. It is also essential to be able to communicate well with parents, prepare weekly lessons, be engaging, and maintain a disciplined yet fun catechetical session.

Our teachers have consistently remarked on how much they learn from the children! Weekly classes/group gatherings take place on Sundays after the 10am Mass (11:15am – 12:15pm).  We provide you with training, materials, and support. For more information, contact Susan Rutkowski, Pastoral Minister of Family Religious Education and Social Justice at susan@paulistcenter.org or 617-948-2426.

YOUTH LITURGICAL MINISTRY PROGRAM (YLM) – 2025-2026

As we move into the fall and the start of a new academic year, we are excited to once again offer ministry opportunities through our Youth Liturgical Ministry Program at the Paulist Center. If you’re interested in getting involved, please visit this link for the YLM Interest Form.

YOUTH LITURGICAL MINISTRY (YLM) OPPORTUNITIES

LECTOR MINISTRY

In the ministry of Lector, the assembly is nourished and strengthened through the proclamation of God’s holy word. Youth lectors (grades 3-12) have the opportunity to proclaim the Word and offer the intercessions. All youth involved as lectors will receive training and guidance on how to prepare for their assigned Mass.

ASSISTANT SACRISTANS

Youth (ages 11-18) in this ministry assist the Sacristan during Mass. Assistant Sacristans arrive thirty minutes before Mass and help to set up before Mass, preparing the vessels for the Eucharist, coordinating the collection and offertory, and helping clean up afterward. Through their faithful service, they ensure that all is ready and prepared as we gather around the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist.

LITURGICAL DANCE

Children of all ages are invited to learn and perform liturgical dance at special Masses and occasions throughout the year. Training and rehearsals are required. Contact Christine Tardiff at christine.tardiff@childrens.harvard.edu.

MUSIC

The music ministry plays a vital role in supporting and strengthening the community’s faith and worship. Youth (grades 3 – 12) are encouraged to participate in the music ministry at one of the nine YLM Masses scheduled throughout the year. Rehearsals take place at 8:45 a.m. before the scheduled Mass.

AUDIO-VISUAL MINISTERS

Audio-Visual Ministers (ages 13-18) operate the projection system used during Masses and other special liturgical celebrations. This ministry’s mission is to glorify God by ensuring the liturgy, including music and text, is accessible to all. Youth volunteers should be comfortable with computers and mobile devices. Familiarity with Apple OS is preferred. Training will be provided for any specific technical skills needed. AV Ministers need to arrive thirty minutes before Mass.

SCHEDULE OF YLM MASSES – 2025-2026

  • Sunday, Sep 21
  • Sun, Oct 19
  • Sun, Nov 2
  • Sun, Dec 7
  • Weds, Dec 24 (4 pm)
  • Sun, Jan 11
  • Sun, March 8
  • Sun, April 19
  • Sun, May 17 (First Communion)

MBTA Orange Line Suspension Update

The Orange Line will be suspended between Wellington and Back Bay on the following weekends:

August 2 – 3   |   August 9 – 10   |   August 23 – 24

Use shuttles between Wellington & North Station.
Use Green Line between North Station & Copley/Back Bay.

Invitation to Join The Paulist Center’s Eucharistic Ministry Team

We invite you to serve as a Eucharistic Minister this year. Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Body and Blood of Christ during Communion, helping create reverent flow and serving our community in a very sacred moment. We offer two initial formation and training sessions to prepare you and build community among the ministers for the year:   Sun 9/14 11:30-12:30  or   Sun 10/5 11:30-12:30

While there’s no scheduling commitment, you are asked to arrive 20 minutes before Mass and sign up to serve that day. This flexibility lets you serve when you’re available while also ensuring we have the ministers we need. This role is open to all, including teenagers who have been confirmed. If you have questions, ask Norm Gouin  norm@paulistcenter.org,  go to this link to fill out an interest form.

Young Adult Ministry – Fall Events

Welcome to Young Adult Ministry – a community of young adults (21-39 years old) focused on living out our faith through community, service, and spirituality. Even if you don’t consider yourself Catholic, we’d love to welcome you! If interested, please contact our Young Adult Minister, Gus Kellerman, by visiting http://tinyurl.com/PC1-on-1.

We have different events every month, so stay up-to-date on everything that’s happening by visiting paulistcenter.org/young-adult-events, or by following us on Instagram and Facebook at paulistcenteryoungadults.

Help us decide our next monthly outings by scanning the QR Code; and then join us in Sept and Oct. They could be anything from trips to the MFA, ISG Museum, or TimeOut Market, to a Theology on Tap, or Movie Night – so if you have a preference, hurry-up and vote!

​Season of Creation Daily Reflections

Once again this year the Creation Care ministry invites you to receive a 2-minute reflection each day of Season of Creation, Sept 1 thru Oct 4.   If you have received them before, you will automatically receive the newly revised reflections again starting Sept 1.  If you would like to start receiving them, please email  seasonofcreationdaily@gmail.com  

 Welcome To The Paulist Center!

The Paulist Center warmly welcomes recently registered members:

  • Valerie Fletcher, Boston, MA
  • Rita Ingersoll, Boston, MA

All About Pope Leo XIV: A Paulist Center Event Thurs, Sept 25 at 7PM

Christopher White, who spent four years covering Pope Francis as Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, will be at the Center to discuss his new book and provide a behind-the-scenes look at the conclave that elected the first American Pope.   Paulist Center member Bill Mitchell, a former NCR publisher, will interview Christopher, followed by audience Q and A. Please RSVP for the 7pm event here: chriswhite.eventbrite.com.

Spotlight On Haiti

The Racial Justice Advocacy Group (RJAG) calls attention to the current plight of Haitians. According to the 2025 World Population Review, Massachusetts has the second highest Haitian population in the United States with about 77,000 Haitians in the Boston area.   They may be your friends, neighbors, classmates, teachers, nurses, nursing assistants, personal, nursing home, or rehabilitation caregivers, hospital workers, transportation workers, food service workers, and more!  Their futures in Massachusetts are now in danger and they are at risk in coming months of facing deportation from the U.S.  For further information, please see the more detailed article:

https://www.paulistcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/Spotlight-on-Haiti-2025.pdf

If you are concerned about continuing the TPS (Temporary Protected Status) designation  and authorizations to work for Haitians, please reach out to your Senators and Congressional representative in Washington.  Calls (letters and e-mails) expressing your views count for a lot!   For more info on the Racial Rustice Advocacy Group (RJAG) at the Paulist Center, email Tom Sharkey at sharkey.te@verizon.net.

50TH Anniversary of the Isaac Hecker Award For Social Justice

Since 1974, the Paulist Center Community has presented the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice to an outstanding North American Catholic. Recipients have included locally and nationally recognized women and men – lay people, sisters, priests, and bishops.  Isaac Hecker, the founder of the Paulist Fathers, was particularly concerned with the growth and development of American Catholicism. Hecker and the early Paulists devoted themselves to mission preaching and communication of the Word of God.  The award was named to honor Isaac Hecker.
Please stay tuned for a fall date to celebrate the recipients of the past 50 years!

Seeking Help with our Marriage Preparation Program

Once again, I am asking you for help with our Marriage Preparation program, which we offer to 400-600 couples through the Archdiocese of Boston each year.  In addition to seeking Paulist Center couples who can present during the marriage preparation sessions, we need individuals who can assist by greeting/checking in folks (Friday evening), setting up materials and food (Saturday morning), and cleaning up materials and food (Saturday late afternoon).  Each of these tasks needs 1-2 people for less than 2 hours. Interested in learning more? If so, please contact Fr. Rick at rick@paulistcenter.org.   Thank you for your consideration.

Around the Community

Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) New England (www.ivcusa.org/newengland) is now interviewing applicants for fall openings. IVC Service Corps Members combine direct service opportunities at local non-profits serving those in need with monthly spiritual reflection in the Jesuit tradition. Volunteers, 50 years of age and better, serve one or two full days/week, Sept through June. Contact Director Dave Hinchen @ dhinchen@ivcusa.org for more info/application.

St Anthony Shrine in Boston is currently accepting applications for their 2-year Franciscan Spiritual Direction Training Program; a program inspired by a passion for the ministry of spiritual direction. Participants are guided by an experienced team who will welcome them as colleagues to create an atmosphere of mutual ministry and learning. Emphasis is placed upon the role of the spiritual director as companion rather than leader in helping others to recognize and follow the movements of grace in their lives.

Stewardship

​The Paulist Center receives no funding from outside sources. All costs to operate our ministries for both members and the wider Boston community, maintain the building, and pay our staff are supported solely by your financial donations. We are so grateful for your financial support!  See paulistcenter.org/give/ways-to-give for a variety of ways to give to the Paulist Center.
Two options include:

Give a one-time or recurring donation using your bank account or credit card by visiting tinyurl.com/DonatePaulistCenter or scanning the QR code on this page outlined in blue. You can use this method for donations for specific programs, too, and, if you are a registered member with us, these donations will be included in a year-end tax statement sent to you for any donations that are tax deductible per IRS regulations. Giving by this method helps us with our budgeting and stewardship efforts.

Use Apple Pay or Google Pay by visiting donorbox.org/paulistcenter, scanning the QR code on the red cards in the pews, or scanning the QR code on this page outlined in red. Please note that these donations will not be included in any year-end giving tax records, and they solely support our general operations.

Community Gift

The Paulist Center gives 5% of our annual offertory to 52 other charitable organizations with missions consonant with our own. These organizations receive an equal amount from our annual offertory.

The weekend of August 16 – 17, we raise up St. Francis & St. Therese Catholic Worker House in Worcester which provides emergency shelter in addition to two meals a day and laundry twice a week. The program is available for two and three weeks.

The weekend of August 23 – 24, we raise up Casserly House – a place of welcome and connection for immigrants and a collaborative partner on neighborhood issues in Roslindale.

Mass Intentions

Please stop by the reception area during the week, email Sal Whooley at sal@paulistcenter.org, or call 617-742-4460, if you would like to arrange for a Mass and/or purchase a Mass card:

  • in memory of someone who has died,
  • in honor of a special occasion,
  • or for the special intentions of yourself or a loved one

Paulist Center Rosary Circle

All are welcome to the Paulist Center Rosary Circle which meets every Monday at 7:30pm via Zoom. ID: 487 503 158; passcode: 021078.
Do you have a special intention that you would like the Paulist Center Community to pray for?  Our weekly Rosary Circle is happy to include your intentions (may be anonymous).  Go here for the form.

Low-Gluten Hosts

Low-gluten hosts are available upon request. Please see the presider in the Chapel or Sacristy fifteen minutes before Mass and indicate where you will be seated in the Chapel so the communion minister in that section will have the low-gluten host for you at communion.

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual Direction is an opportunity for one to reflect and share one’s life and prayer experience and be guided in one’s search for God.  Spiritual Direction is available at the Center from Sister Kathleen Hagerty, CSJ, or Christopher O’Rourke.
Sister Kathleen can be reached at 617-755-9729.
Christopher can be reached at 617-817-3977.

One Beacon Garage

The price discount for parking at the One Beacon garage is no longer available. We have removed the validation stamp from the foyer.  We do not know if there will be an option for a discounted rate in the future.  We do still have parking passes for the Boston Common garage available which are $10 and work for parking on weekday evenings (after 4pm) or on weekends.  Please contact Paulist Center staff member Sal Whooley at sal@paulistcenter.org or stop by the front office during weekday hours to purchase them.