Weekly Bulletin for September 26/27
(A PDF version of the bulletin as printed is available here)
Join us this Saturday to Celebrate Colleen Sharka, recipient of the 2025 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice
Colleen Sharka, LMHC, co-founder of “CAN WE TALK” (CWT), a community sharing program on trauma and healing based at the Social Impact Center of Roxbury Presbyterian Church. Colleen will receive the Hecker Award in our chapel at our 5 PM Mass on September 26.
Colleen’s commitment to healing and reconciliation took root before her professional career began, when she co-founded a grassroots racial dialogue group connecting a Black Catholic church and a white Catholic church, building understanding through shared stories. That conviction — that healing happens in community, across lines has shaped her work ever since.
In 2014, Colleen partnered with Rev. Liz Walker to co-found CAN WE TALK, a spiritually grounded, peer-led program for trauma survivors. Colleen developed the program’s curriculum and built its network of sites nationwide; as of May 2025, CWT operates in 20 locations across six states and Washington, D.C. Since 2014, CWT has offered urban neighborhoods a peer-centered path through trauma, helping individuals move from surviving to actively helping others heal.
Colleen’s dedication to justice also spans her work at Still Harbor: Center for Discernment & Action, where she developed retreats on purpose and social action, and Trinity Boston Counseling Center, where she provided therapy to multi-ethnic populations in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan.
At a moment of deep polarization and daily violence in our communities, Colleen’s work offers a model for healing that is spiritually rooted, clinically sound, and empowering. Isaac Hecker was committed to faith in action — Colleen Sharka lives that same commitment today.
Please join us on September 26 at the 5pm Mass to celebrate Colleen Sharka! A reception will follow.
The Hecker Award for Social Justice Mass and Presentation will be livestreamed – Link
A.I. Ethics Through a Catholic Lens: Can A.I. Be Ethical?
This Sunday, Sept 27, 7pm at the Paulist Center.
In a world increasingly driven by algorithms, what does it truly mean to love our neighbor? As artificial intelligence reshapes our society, how do we ensure it serves the common good rather than leaving the most vulnerable behind?
Join us for an intriguing discussion at this first in a series of seminars on Catholicism and the ethics of Artificial Intelligence. We will look at tech through the framework of Catholic Social Teaching—exploring how ancient wisdom can help us guide tomorrow’s tools.
Dr. Raúl Zegarra will introduce the historic new papal encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, which directly addresses the protection of human dignity and labor in the age of automation.
Richard Geruson Author and lecturer at Harvard Divinity School, will dive deeper into our moral obligations to harness technology for human liberation and systemic fairness.
https://bulletin.hds.harvard.edu/ai-harms-are-not-ethically-inevitable/
Following these two dynamic presenters, the evening will open up to a robust Q&A session with YOU! —the public.
Doors Open: 6:45pm Refreshments: Will be served before the event. It will also be Livestreamed – Link.
To Register – click here. We hope to see you there as we explore how to build a more just and inclusive future!
Live-Streaming
Find all the livestreams and recordings on youtube.com/ThePaulistCenter
- Sunday, September 27, 10am, 26th 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.
Liturgy and Music
Called to Proclaim the Word?
Have you ever considered serving as a lector at the Paulist Center? Proclaiming Scripture at Mass is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your relationship with God’s Word, share your gifts in service to the community, and grow in faith alongside other ministers.
Join us for a Lector Ministry Information Session on Tuesday, September 22 or Tuesday, September 29 at 7:30 PM on Zoom. Come learn more about the ministry, formation, and what it means to serve as a proclaimer of the Word. There is no commitment—just an invitation to listen, learn, and discern!
Youth Liturgical Ministry Program
We are excited to once again invite the young people of our community to share their gifts through the Youth Liturgical Ministry (YLM) Program! Young people are invited to serve as lectors, liturgical dancers, musicians, and audio-visual ministers at designated YLM Masses throughout the year.
Participating in YLM is a wonderful way for our young people to become more actively involved in the life and worship of our community, deepen their faith, develop their gifts, and experience the joy of serving alongside others.
Interested? Please complete the YLM Interest Form using the link or QR code provided. New and returning participants are warmly welcome!
Festival of Readings and Carols — Call for Musicians
Come, share your voice and make music with us! Preparations are beginning for the Paulist Center’s annual Festival of Readings and Carols, and we invite singers from throughout our community to join the Festival Choir.
Rehearsals are Thursdays from 7:00–9:00 PM in the Chapel, beginning September 24, with performances on Saturday, December 12 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, December 13 at 2:00 PM.
Whether you are a longtime member of our Music Ministry or have been thinking about joining for the first time, we would love to have you! Come experience the joy of making music together and helping create this beautiful celebration of Scripture, prayer, and song.
Interested in participating? Please fill out the Musician Information Form using the link or QR code provided. For more information please contact Norm Gouin at norm@paulistcenter.org.
Living Water: Season Of Creation 2026 – September 1 – October 4
The Creation Care ministry invites you to celebrate Creation and commit to prayer, action and advocacy:
St. Francis Day at Agape Community – Saturday, October 3, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Every year the Agape Community https://agapecommunity.org, a non-violent, sustainable faith community founded in 1982, celebrates St. Francis Day with a gathering for individuals and communities committed to Peace and Justice. This year, on Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, long-time non-violence activist Shane Claiborne will lead the morning session. Marysol Castro, an immigrant attorney and Maritza Cruz, an anti-racism activist, will lead the afternoon session. (Click on the above link to learn more about AGAPE and the event.) Agape Community, founded by Hecker Award winners Suzanne and Brayton Shanley, has carried the faith torch of love and justice for many years. Consider traveling with others from the Paulist Center and come celebrate, connect and learn! Questions, email paulistcentercreationcare@gmail.com
Sunday, Oct 4
“The Crisis in Plastic” after the 10am Mass, presented by Phil Landrigan, M.D., of Boston College, renowned pediatrician and public health expert. Phil’s lifelong work has focused on protecting children and communities from toxic environmental exposures and advancing healthier public policy.
Sept 1 to Oct 4 –
Daily Reflections – each reflection offers a 2-minute “pause–reflect–act” opportunity.
These are the same reflections as last year; if you received them before, you’ll receive them again (unsubscribing is easy). To subscribe (free), email: seasonofcreationdaily@gmail.com
Last Call to Sign Up for Religious Education and Sacramental Prep Programs!
Families, if you have not yet signed up for either formal religious education or sacramental preparation classes (1st Reconciliation, 1st Communion, and/or Teen Confirmation), please do so asap! The first class for K-6 and our teen confirmation program is Sunday, 9/27! Parents, please bring your kiddos to class (locations posted), fill out some forms, meet your child’s teacher, and then join other parents down in the auditorium for coffee and snacks.
FREP calendar: https://www.paulistcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-2027-FREP-Calendar.pdf
Register: https://www.paulistcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/FREP-Registration-Form-2026-2027.pdf You can pay the registration fee online HERE or send check to Paulist Center, 5 Park St, Boston, MA 02108.
**The parent’s meeting for 1st Confession/1st Reconciliation happens on Sunday, October 18 at 11:30am with Fr. Rick. Please mark your calendars! Questions or concerns, contact Susan Rutkowski at susan@paulistcenter.org or 617-948-2426.
Traditional Religious Education Classes – Grade-based classes will meet approximately twice per month.
Family Pods – Families will be assigned to a group (pod) which will include children, parents and grandparents and will meet five times over the course of the year. The intention is to offer an opportunity to get to know one another better and create community learning in a smaller intergenerational group. Families in each pod will share family traditions, holiday ideas, best practices on how to raise children in the Catholic faith, etc.
Parent Faith Formation – Four times a year, parents will get together during their child’s class time to drink coffee, eat food, and discuss faith formation topics that interest them.
1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion (Grades 2-3)
Inclusive Confirmation Program – (Grades 8-11) Our community includes neurodiverse children and teens. We are creating a supportive environment built on inclusive language, flexible learning spaces, and multimodal options for exploring faith. Your teens can engage through art, discussion, or movement, and we will collaborate directly with you to meet their unique sensory and processing needs. The Body of Christ is glorious, beautiful, and neurodiverse!
“The Christmas Story” Casting Call
Rehearsals for “The Christmas Story” for this year will soon be underway! This reverent interpretation of the birth of Jesus will take place as a prelude to the Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 13 at 2:00pm. This is a casting call for angels! shepherds! barnyard animals! wise people! All Paulist Center children and teens are invited to participate in this very special performance. Please let Christine Tardiff know of your child or teen’s interest in participating by emailing her at cetardiff@gmail.com.
JIMMY TINGLE FUNDRAISER – HOPE IN HUMANITY, SUN, Nov 8@ 3 PM
Jimmy Tingle uses comedy as a force for good and a catalyst for social change, proving that personal resilience can inspire collective hope. Tingle exercises the fundamental right to free speech and artistic expression to critique society and address systemic issues. In addition, he demonstrates that privilege and talent come with a responsibility to give back. Through his organization Humor for Humanity, he uses his platform to fulfill a civic duty-raising funds and awareness for non-profits and mobilizing audiences to “turn toward” social causes and work for a better world.
THE PAULIST FATHERS COME & SEE DISCERNMENT RETREAT
November 6 – 8, Hecker House, Washington, DC.
Joyful, Hopeful. Spirit-Driven ~ Could God be calling you? For more information and to register, contact Vocation Director Fr. Ed Nowak, CSP at vocations@paulist.org or 917-763-7899
World Migrants Day – September Events
The Paulist Center Immigrant Advocacy Group (IAG) invites you to two local prayer events celebrating World Migrants Day (Sept 27), a feast of the global church honoring migrants and refugees.
Dying of Hope: 6pm, Fri, Sept 25
Emmanuel College Chapel, Eisner Administration Building
400 The Fenway, Boston
An annual prayer vigil sponsored by the Sant’Egidio Communities, honoring the thousands of men, women, and children who lose their lives seeking a better life. The evening offers space for reflection, affirming human dignity and fostering solidarity.
World Day of Migrants and Refugees Prayer Service: 6pm, Sat, Sept 26
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
1548 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan Square
Cosponsored by St. Katharine Drexel and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishes. Using the USCCB national prayer service as a guide, we bear witness and support our neighbors, inviting migrants and refugees — especially young people — to share their testimonies.
No registration necessary. Questions: paulistcenterimmigration@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ Ministry at the Paulist Center
The Paulist Center welcomes LGBTQ+ identified individuals. The LGBTQ+ Ministry hosts occasional events and social gatherings. To be added to a confidential email listserv with announcements and information, contact Bob Bordone at bobbordone@gmail.com.
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 Paulist Center gives 5% of our annual offertory to 52 charitable organizations with missions consonant with our own. These organizations receive an equal amount from our annual offertory
Sept 26 – 27 we honor the ministry of the 2025 Hecker Award for Social Justice recipient, Colleen Sharka. Envelopes will be in the pews if you wish to make an additional donation. Please make checks payable to “Roxbury Presbyterian Church Social Impact Center” (and notate “Hecker Award” in the check memo.)
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
LGBTQIA Catholic Collective
The Paulist Center is a member of the Greater Boston LGBTQIA Catholic Collective which offers monthly Zoom meetings for friends and family of LGBTQIA Catholics and could be a resource for Paulist Center members who are actively supporting their families in embracing transgender or nonbinary family members. Email greaterbostonlgbtqiacatholics@gmail.com for the meeting schedule and Zoom links. More info @ https:/www.bostonlgbtqiacatholics.org
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.