Weekly Bulletin July 18/19 & 25/26

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

Pastoral Council 2026

The votes have been counted and the results are in from our 2026 Pastoral Council elections.
CONGRATULATIONS to:
Mares Beauvais
Barbara Lapinskas
Tara Mullan Rousseau 

They will be serving on the Council for the next two years starting on September 1, 2026.
And, a big THANK YOU to Valerie Fletcher for running and to all those who assisted in administering the elections.

The Worship Committee

The Worship Committee welcomes our newly appointed members:
Amy Logan,
Pat Rutherford,
Julie Sloan, and
Mary Sullivan.

Other members include Pat Whalen, Christine Tardiff, Susan Santos, John Daniel, Norm Gouin, and Fr. Rick Walsh, CSP.   The committee advises and assists the Pastoral Minister of Liturgy and Music in preparing and providing for the spiritual development of the Paulist Center through liturgical celebrations and other significant prayer experiences.
Please email us at worship@paulistcenter.org to share any suggestions, questions, or concerns with the committee.

Live-Streaming

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

  • Sunday, July 19, 10am, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time  – YouTube Link
  • Sunday, July 26, 10am, 17th 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.

Let’s Become an Neurodivergent-Friendly Community!

Our community is blessed to have among us individuals with Autism, ADHD, and/or severe anxiety, which can affect communication and social interaction.  A great book for kids is

“The Brain God Gave Me: Neurodivergence for Catholic Kids” by Ginny Kochis.

These individuals may communicate or behave differently.

  • Some are non-verbal.
  • Some “stim,” or engage in repetitive movements or sounds to help them self-regulate when they are overwhelmed by changes in routine, sensory inputs, emotions, or stress.

As a community, we are called to recognize, understand, and affirm the challenges and strengths with which neurodivergent individuals present.  There may be times when these members of our community have behavioral outbursts at unexpected times. It is important to know that the individual may be aware of their behavior, yet, is unable to control it, and often experiences shame as a result.

The best way to provide support during these times is to:

  • Continue activity as best as possible and not draw attention to the individual.
  • Trust that parents are the experts regarding their child. They navigate these issues on a daily basis and know what works and what does not.  It is ok to ask if they need assistance.
  • If safety of the individual and/or others is a concern, efforts will be made to encourage the individual to move to a quiet area. The police should not be called.
  • Provide emotional support and encouragement to the individual and family following an incident.

The Body of Christ is glorious, beautiful, and neurodiverse!  All are welcome!

We encourage members of our community to learn more;  here are some resources:

Autism Self Advocacy Network (video): https://youtu.be/XnuGPJ7UdpU?si=aS9RkLu0eSQvuh6Ek

Anna Freud Foundation (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5hg5XwcPcI

Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (article):  https://autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/about-autism/

Children’s Book: “Why Johnny Doesn’t Flap: NT is Ok!”

Marriage Preparation Classes at the Paulist Center

Did you know we offer marriage preparation classes for engaged couples who are looking to get married in the Catholic Church? The class includes several hours on a Friday night and all day Saturday.  This fall we will be offering these classes in person at the Paulist Center on the weekends of Sept 18, Oct 16, and Nov 13.  We offer the classes on Zoom in the winter months and those dates will be determined later this year.  For more information, see our website at:

https://www.paulistcenter.org/sacraments/adult-sacraments/marriage-adult/

Infant Baptism Preparation Class – Saturday, July 25

This class will be held Saturday, July 25 from 10am – 12pm at the Paulist Center.

We will explore the historical and theological roots of Baptism and initiation rites and have a hands-on experience of Baptism in our chapel. This class and practicum is for all parents and godparents. Your infants are most welcome to join us!  You do not need to be a member of the Paulist Center Community to attend. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided to all attendees. To register for the class, please email Fr. Rick Walsh at rick@paulistcenter.org. We suggest a $25 donation (per individual or family) to the Paulist Center for this class.

Summer Adult Confirmation Classes at the Paulist Center

Four Consecutive Thursday Evenings  –  6:30pm to 8:30pm

August 13:   Introduce self…why are you here?

  • Faith journey that got you to this point?
  • What does it mean to be Catholic?
  • Where is God in your life?
  • How do you pray?

August 20: Baptism, Eucharist, Mass, Scriptures

August 27:  Confirmation and Holy Spirit

September 3: Healing Sacraments:  Anointing of the Sick, Reconciliation
Vocation/Service Sacraments: Marriage, Ordination

Paulist Center Young Adult Ministry (YAM) Needs Your Feedback!

If you’ve ever felt the desire to be involved in, have had a gripe with, or, have enjoyed being a part of YAM, we NEED to hear about it. In a moment of transition for the Young Adult Group, we have put together an anonymous survey to assist in discerning the future of the ministry. Please go here to access the survey.  We appreciate your honesty and sincere suggestions as we aim to cultivate a community of friendship, spiritual care, and commitment to service.

Summer Young Adult Faith-Sharing Group Schedule

This summer all young adults (ages 18-39) are invited to join Young Adult Ministry’s weekly faith-sharing group, (almost) every Sunday immediately following the 6:00pm Mass in the 3rd Fl Library.

Gatherings will always include an invitation to check-in with the group, and a reflection on a brief text to be provided. These gatherings are a great way to get to know other Paulist Center young adults, and ‘center’ yourself as the week begins. We hope to see you there!

Faith sharing group sessions will occur:

  • July: 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26
  • August: 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, and 8/23

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.

Two (2) Religious Education Teachers Needed – Grades 4-6

Our energetic and inquisitive 4th through 6th graders have big questions about faith, science, and why don’t we have better snacks!    Help them navigate the answers this fall.  Preference will be given to applicants who speak fluent pre-teen.  Curriculum, training and snacks all provided!  Join our friendly and supportive group of teachers here at the Center.  Please contact Susan Rutkowski at susan@paulistcenter.org or 617-948-2426 to inquire.

Introducing Realm Connect

In early August, we will begin to launch a new member directory that will allow members to update their profile information, make online giving easier, and eventually create better internal communication systems.  We will send various emails with additional information so please look for communication from us related to Realm Connect.

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  July 18 – 19 we raise up EVkids. Through Tutoring Programs, Summer Camp, and a College Success Project, they empower underserved Boston youth with the skills and confidence needed to realize their potential.

The weekend of  July 25 – 26 we raise up Capuchin Mobile Ministries, a ministry of spiritual caregiving to our homeless sisters and brothers. The Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Order presents this ministry.

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.