Pastoral Council Elections

Voting Begins June 8!

As summer begins, it is time for our annual elections to the Pastoral Council.  In this year of transition, the work of the Pastoral Council will be especially vital in supporting our new Director, Father Rick Walsh, CSP and the Pastoral Staff in setting the direction for the Paulist Center’s ministries this coming year.

Thank you to the three members of our community who have stepped forward as candidates: Mares Beauvais, Bob Bordone, and Deb Heimel.  You can get to know them by reviewing their statements in the vestibule by the elevator or further down this page.

Registered members of the Paulist Center Community may vote for three candidates to serve two-year terms on the Council.  Go to The Pastoral Council Election 2024 page to vote online or scan the QR code to the right – between June 8-16.  You are, also, most welcome to vote in-person after any of the weekend masses June 8 and 9.

What?  You’re not a registered member?  Look at the bottom of this page (or bottom of the front page of this bulletin) to start the process.

Pastoral Council Election 2024 – Candidate Statements

Bob Bordone

HI!  Since I joined the Paulist Center Community, I’ve been involved in many ministries, including serving on the Pastoral Council, as a Lector, and as a leader in LGBTQ+ ministry.

In my nearly 20 years here, I can’t think of a more consequential moment for our faith community. We find ourselves at an inflection point as a community.

Thanks to the prayers and hard work of so many, our Center survived the latest round of Paulist Fathers consolidations. But if we don’t act boldly to increase our numbers, our reprieve will likely end with the next round of inevitable closings due to declining numbers of Paulists.

Fortunately, we are blessed to have a new Director who knows and loves our community and who wants to dream in big, open, innovative, and collaborative ways.

That is why I am running for re-election and asking for your support.

If elected to serve, I will work in collaboration with you, our Director, and the Staff, to re-imagine the Paulist Center of the future.  We have a unique opportunity to be a vital part of the synodal Church that Pope Francis envisions. But we can only do that if we step out of our comfort zones with new approaches to outreach, ministry, service, and worship.

If we are bold – embracing the aspects of Catholic tradition and Paulist mission that offer a radical welcome of true belonging and joy, we can be at the heart of a renewal of our community. I will reach across “Masses” and across generations to do this. All of us will be challenged to listen and discern the Spirit’s promptings as best as we can. I’m energized about partnering with those who share a similar passion.

I hope you’ll support me in the upcoming election.

Deb Heimel

I have been honored to serve on the Pastoral Council for the last two years and am seeking re-election for another term. I first attended Mass at the Paulist Center in 2007 after hearing about the welcoming ministry to LGBTQ+ Catholics. I have stayed because I find the community here has a genuine desire to be connected to God and each other.

I have been involved in several ministries during this time. I am currently on the leadership team for the LGBTQ+ ministry, serve on the finance committee, and previously co-chaired the auction for several years.

I grew up in central Pennsylvania but have now lived in the greater Boston area for over 20 years. I work in nonprofit operations and finance as the Associate Executive Director for REACH Beyond Domestic Violence in Waltham. I have worked there for over fifteen years, after several years in direct service work with individuals experiencing homelessness, including a year as a Jesuit Volunteer in Hartford. I know that my spiritual life is nourished and enriched at the Paulist Center and praying with you helps me to show up for colleagues and friends with more openness and love.

I am blessed to have found this community and to be able to worship with you. I believe we can do great things in the coming years and hope I can continue to serve the community on the pastoral council.

Mares Beauvais 

I am so grateful to have joined the Paulist Center Community. When I found the chapel while working downtown in 2006. I began volunteering for the Wednesday Night Supper Club, and now am a part of its leadership team and a proud Heart and Sole fundraiser for the Walk for Hunger. Most people here  know me from my volunteering.

Over the years, I have been involved in other ministries including Eucharistic ministry, small faith sharing groups,co-chairing the decorating committee for the auction, and serving on the Young Adult Ministry Team. These groups helped me in my faith as well as my professional networking/career. The skills I learned and the friends I have made in the young adult community and serving on its leadership team stay with me even as I have aged out of the group.

If you were to ask why I continue to choose the PC, it would be the people. There are not many spaces where passionate people from all walks of life, age groups, and diverse backgrounds are welcomed. I am eager to apply my many years of experience supporting nonprofit operations and managing events, committees, and volunteers to stewarding my faith community. I am excited at the opportunity to step up at this crucial time and learn more about ministries and passionate people who make the Center a great place for all to help ensure the community’s sustainable future.