Re-entry is this week
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August 7, 2020
Dear Friends on the Journey,
We continue our “slow roll” reentry into the Paulist Center Chapel for 5pm Saturday, August 8th, and 10am Sunday, August 9th. (These times will be replicated next weekend, August 15-16). See important links below about Procedures we will be following.
For the Masses on August 15 and 16, you must reserve a place for either the 5pm Mass on Saturday or the 10am on Sunday. How to reserve a place? Either:
· Between Wednesday, 12n and Friday, 12n, Electronically through Eventbrite (here’s the link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/116122909749, or
· call the Center (617.742.4460) during business hours Wednesday through noontime Friday. Sal, our receptionist, will take your name and contact information (either email or phone number). We need this information is so that we can contact you should we become aware, after the liturgy, of a person with Covid who attended your mass. Again, please read carefully the Procedures and watch the video (both links below).
Remember that the Livestreamed Mass on August 9th is 10am. However, it will be available as a recording after 11:15am. (The recorded version and live-streamed version use the same link.)
“Racism is the reversal of the revelation of God. Racism is not perfect love casting out fear, it is perfect fear casting out love.” (…Steve Wells, pastor at South Main Baptist Church in Houston, speaking at George Floyd’s funeral).
At some length, the Pastoral Council discussed their own responses to our last community conversation about being anti-racist. They brainstormed, with the background of the Small Group Reports from our community conversation, about how we might continue our corporate examination of conscience, our needed soul work, and our plans of action. I invite you to take about a half hour to read the summary of more than ten groups’ response to the question
“What kind of spiritual work do you need to do to expand your imagination to move toward antiracism action that dismantles racist systems & structures in our society and Church?”
Many of the Paulist Center Community, in its questioning and collective wisdom, responded to that question. I think that this is a very thought-provoking document for your reflection. There will be more to come. Here’s the document: Summary
Next Week: I will share, at greater length, the results of the Pastoral Council’s Survey of the Paulist Center Community about reentry. Two members of the Council are preparing a summary of the survey. Thank you so much for all who contributed!
Two very important items…
We have scheduled reentry into the Chapel for Saturday, August 8th, 5pm, and Sunday, August 9th, 10am. (Please note that live-streamed Masses will continue for the foreseeable future.)
This is very important:
We are in pretty good shape for the first three weekends of reentry…until Labor Day weekend. So if you can assist with welcoming, seating, and directing people into and out of the Chapel, we would love to hear from you! If you are not in a vulnerable group with regard to COVID-19 and are willing and able to assist in this very important ministry, please contact Peter Ghiloni at peter@paulistcenter.org.
Procedures:
1) Here are the expectations and requirements: Procedures
2) A wonderful YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5A6uzhJH-Y&feature=youtu.be
1) 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 2nd, Live Streamed Liturgy/Mass from the Chapel, at 10am:
Here’s the link: https://youtu.be/4LD7cpzv9f8
2) Paulist Center Families Prayer Service, 10 am, Sunday
Please click here to join us: https://zoom.us/j/97252474747?pwd=YktPNzE3ZVNJVEltS3FENHFRSnI4QT09
Meeting ID: 972 5247 4747, Password: 037026, One tap mobile
+16465588656,,97252474747#,,1#,037026# US (New York)
3). Connect for a Chat. Patty Simpson <patty@paulistcenter.org> will be offering an hour a week for any Paulist Center members who might want to connect. Patty has in mind especially those who aren’t connected into any other small groups. This August 13th, 7-8pm. Also if anyone wishes to connect with Patty either on phone or video session, use this link. Alternatively. just email her or leave a message on her phone (617.948.2428) and she will get back to you ASAP.
Ways of Giving:
Our “Community Gift” is our tradition of giving away 5% of our weekend offerings, averaged out over the whole year, to a group outside of ourselves.This week, we lift up “My Life, My Choice.” Paying close attention to the collective voices of survivors, “My Life My Choice” empowers vulnerable youth to be agents of change in their own lives and in the movement to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
(In addition, perhaps some would like to give directly to help our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. I recommend Catholic Near East Welfare Association. Go to their website to donate.)
We are so very grateful for your support during this time of uncertainly and financial peril. Here are two ways to give:
- To make a one-time or recurring donation using your bank account or credit card, click on the following link: https://tinyurl.com/DonatePaulistCenter
Giving by text: Text 844-899-7511 with the amount you would like to donate (whole dollars only). Donations collected this way will be designated as part of the “Weekend Offering.” - Giving by text: Text a whole dollar donation amount to 844-899-7511; this will be designated as your “Weekend Offering.”
An idea: Recently a few folks have made special contributions to help cover expenses for our live-streaming equipment. How thoughtful, how generous. What a great idea!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I conclude with the wise words of St. Teresa of Avila:
Nothing can trouble,
nothing can frighten.
Those who seek God shall
never go wanting.
Nothing can trouble,
nothing can frighten.
God alone fills us.
And let us pray for/with one another.
Michael
Michael McGarry, C.S.P.
Director, the Paulist Center
Along with Patty, Chuck, Susan, Peter, Dorothy, Barbara, Rob, Alvaro, and Sal. Please feel free to call upon your Pastoral Ministers if you wish.
I will be sending out something every Thursday or Friday as the “shut down” continues.