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THE WEEKLY MISSIVE
May 9, 2025
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Habemus Papam
Dear Friends,
As I write this week’s reflection, news of our newly elected pope is echoing around the world—Pope Leo XIV—the first American-born pontiff in the history of the Church. It is a poignant and powerful coincidence that as we welcome a new shepherd to lead us, we also prepare to celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, when we honor Christ, the One who tenderly, humbly, and lovingly cares for His flock.
I know you join me in lifting our hearts in prayer for our new Holy Father as he embraces the immense call and responsibility to continue the mission of Pope Francis—to guide the Church with wisdom, compassion, and courage. In his first words to the faithful, Pope Leo XIV shared a vision both challenging and hopeful:
“We must look together at how to be a missionary Church—one that builds bridges, fosters dialogue, and remains ever open. A Church with arms wide open to everyone, like this square—open to all—especially those who need our charity, our presence, our dialogue, our love.”
May he be filled with the fire and strength of the Holy Spirit. And may he carry forward the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, who boldly championed the cause of social justice and gave the Church its foundational teachings on human dignity and the common good—shifting our gaze from a mere fixation on the trappings of tradition to active love for those at the margins.
Along with our excitement around the news of our new pope, we also celebrate the amazing success of our annual auction. We are so grateful to everyone who supported the event in some way. Please see the bulletin for an extended thank you as well as detailed information about upcoming events.
With deepest gratitude and in the joy and hope of the Resurrection,
Norm, on behalf of the Paulist Center Staff
Alvaro, Barbara, Deb, Dorothy, Gus, Norm, Fr. Rick, Rob, Sal, Susan and Timmy
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- Auction Thank You's!
- Walk for Hunger Thank You's!
- FREP -1st Communion, Conf.
- Sewing Talent Needed
- Family Day at Walden Pond
- Paulist Frs Meet & Greet
- Worship Committee
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- Invitation from Fr Rick - 5/31
- Times of Trouble: Points of Hope- 5/31
- The Letter via Zoom - 5/30
- Fr. Ardis/Patty Simpson
- Stewardship/Community Gift
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Our 42nd Annual Paulist Center Auction was a Great Success!
How could it not be! This community and friends came together and sponsored, donated, baked, cooked, chopped, decorated, fashioned, attended, invited, bid and bid and bid!
Thank you so much for helping to raise funds for the Paulist Center and to do so in style and with laughter.
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We grossed over $70,000 and after final expenses are calculated, we are hoping for a net profit of just over $60,000.
We are so grateful for everyone who supported the event in some way, whether through time, talent, or treasure.
We are especially grateful to our amazing auction co-chairs, Maggie Keefe and Mairead Nolan, whose energy and organization made everything else run smoothly! Thank you, thank you!
This event could not happen without the boundless energy of our community - thank you so much for giving of yourselves!
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The 2025 Walk For Hunger
Thank You to everyone on our Wednesday Night Supper Club Team who worked so diligently to get us to our goal of $50,000 -- our captain, Sarah Branciforti, and the entire Supper Club Leadership Team who planned, publicized, and encouraged us all to participate.
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We are beyond grateful to all our community members who walked and generously donated to this event. Because of you, our ministry of serving a sit-down, hot, nutritious meal to anyone hungry continues.
We would welcome any last minute donations as we don’t know what the year will bring; you can donate here: https://give.projectbread.org/team/643790.
| Family Religious Education Program (FREP) | | |
First Holy Communion -
Will take place next Sun, May 18, at our 10am Mass.
A reception and our end of year FREP party will take place after Mass in the auditorium. All are welcome!
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Teen Confirmation -
The last formal class is May 18.
Rehearsal will happen on June 1 in the Chapel after the 10am Mass.
Bishop Reed will join us on Sat, June 14 at our 5 pm liturgy to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation.
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Sewing Talent Needed!
The liturgical dance ministry is in the midst of renewing its closet! Many of our garments are old and in need of replacement.
Do you have a sewing machine and know how to use it?
We need your help! Please contact Christine Tardiff at cetardiff@gmail.com for more information.
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Walden Pond Community Day
10 AM on Sat, June 7
As part of the 50th anniversary of the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice, the Paulist Center community is invited to an educational Family Day at Walden Pond to swim, learn, picnic and hike.
Come learn about transcendentalism and ponder how it affected the founder of the Paulist Father’s Spirituality.
Please see bulletin for further details.
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Meet & Greet - Sun, June 1
Also as part of the 50th anniversary of the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice, you are invited to come meet the two newest Paulist Fathers who moved into the Park Street residence last September:
Fr. John Duffy, CSP and Fr. Patrick Johnson, CSP!
Hear what attracted them to become a Paulist Priest.
Coffee and donuts will be provided!
Please join us in the auditorium on Sun, June 1 at 11:15am.
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An Invitation from Fr. Rick Walsh, CSP -
Sat, May 31 @ 11am
Join Paulist Fathers living in-residence Michael McGarry, John Duffy and Tom Ryan on Saturday, May 31 at 11am to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their ordination!
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A reception will follow immediately after the liturgy.
All members of the Paulist Center are invited to join the Paulists for this celebration.
To help us prepare the reception, please RSVP to Mr. Sal Whooley
at the main number (617) 742 - 4460 or by email - Sal@paulistcenter.org. (no gifts please)
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Times of Trouble:
Points of Hope
As Catholics, we are committed to social justice and active in ministries for racial justice, LGBTQ+ support, environment, hunger, and immigration, among other things. This year, we have collectively witnessed or experienced a direct assault on justice and mercy.
Let’s come together to pray, share our experiences, (our goals and plans) our hopes and fears, and plans of different PC ministries. Let’s come together to build each other up and to see how each of us, as we sometimes toil alone, are part of something larger working together to make real the kingdom of God. We will gather on
Sat, May 31 in the 3rd floor library from 9am - 12 noon.
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The Worship Committee
The Worship Committee, a permanent committee of the Paulist Center Community, is looking to fill 2 open positions.
The overall purpose of the Worship Committee is to advise and assist the Pastoral Minister of Liturgy and Music in preparing and providing for the spiritual development of the Paulist Center through liturgical celebrations and significant prayer experiences.
Members serve three-year terms.
The Pastoral Council invites self-nominations.
If interested in serving, please send a brief statement of interest and related experience to worship@paulistcenter.org by
Wed, May 14.
Please see the bulletin for further details.
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Date change:
The Letter - Friday, May 30, 7 PM via Zoom
The Boston Chapter of the Laudato Si’ Movement will host a showing of the award-winning film The Letter via Zoom.
Pope Francis invites five people from around the world to share their concerns about climate change as they seek hope for the future.
More at: https://theletterfilm.org
Register at: https://tinyurl.com/TheLetter-5-30
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Saturday, September 13, 5pm -
We Celebrate Patty Simpson
We have confirmed Saturday, September 13 at the 5pm Mass will be the time we celebrate Patty Simpson and her 32+ years of dedicated and loving ministry to our Paulist Center Community and offer her our blessing and thanks.
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Paulist Vice President, and former Paulist Center Director during
8 1/2 of Patty’s years on staff,
John Ardis, will preside.
We hope you will join us to celebrate!
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One Beacon Garage - Update
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.
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It’s That Time of Year!
Like the HVAC controls in many old buildings in downtown Boston, the controls at 5 Park Street are difficult to switch between heat and air conditioning.
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As the air conditioning has been turned on already, for the next several weeks, plan to dress in layers when you’re in the Paulist Center as the internal temperatures will vary from day to day, and from floor to floor, dependent on God's decisions regarding the outside temperature!
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Come Celebrate
the Fourth Sunday of Easter with Us!
We hope to see you at Mass in person, but if you can't make it through the big red doors,
we welcome you to join us online:
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Ongoing Opportunities/Needs & Notes
The most comprehensive listing of what's going on at the
Paulist Center is in the bulletin. Check it out!
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Encouragement to sustain our vibrant liturgies and our mission of healing, reconciliation, & justice through your financial investment in the Paulist Center. We prefer that you donate electronically through our website, but you can also use Apple Pay or Google Pay to donate via DonorBox if you do not require an annual tax donation statement. More info in the bulletin.
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For this weekend's Community Gift, we raise up St. Francis House, Boston, the largest day shelter in Massachusetts, offering guests comprehensive refuge, recovery, employment and housing services.
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How can the Paulist Center Community accompany you on your faith journey?
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- We really need your help with our Marriage Preparation program! It is a great spiritual gift to 400-600 couples throughout the Archdiocese of Boston each year. Paulist Center couples who volunteer for this ministry find it very rewarding. It's also a major source of new members and outside income for our community. We can only sustain this important ministry if 10-15 couples can each help for 3 hours on 3 weekends per year. Are you and your partner interested in learning more about what would be involved? If so, contact Fr. Rick. Thanks!
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Mass Cards - Please stop by the Front Office 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.
| | | | Attentive to the Holy Spirit and nourished by vibrant liturgy, we are a Catholic community that welcomes all, fosters healing and reconciliation, and acts for justice. | | Follow us on social media, and please share our posts with others! | | | | |
