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THE WEEKLY MISSIVE
April 17, 2026
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Remember – YOU are a child of God
Dear Friends,
The daily Gospel reading for the day that I am writing this, April 15th, just so happens to contain arguably the most famous biblical passage of them all. It is certainly the most quoted, appearing anywhere and everywhere – on signs at protests, rallies, and sporting events, bumper stickers, coffee mugs, tattoos, tote bags, billboards, and all manner of other chotchkes and knick-knacks. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
I’m sure you’re well aware of this verse. You probably have memorized it through osmosis by way of immense exposure if not on purpose. It is so significant to our belief system that its language appears in the Nicene Creed, “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God…” and thus underpins our faith’s theology of salvation, sacrifice, and the hereafter. So, one might ask, what’s the point of reading into this verse if it’s so played out?
In the context of the Easter season which we are currently in, it’s important to recognize the specific language within this passage that refers to Jesus as God’s only Begotten son. Caught up in the fervor of the Season and this seemingly exclusive language about the relationship between Jesus and God (the Creator), I would urge all of us to remember that we are all children of God. Thus, we are all worthy of a relationship with the Divine Creator.
Language, such as that in this passage, might lead one to believe that humans cannot possibly also be God’s children if Jesus is God’s only son; the presence of the term begotten, however, qualifies this relationship, emphasizing that Jesus is God’s only divine son – sharing God’s substance directly. Thus, it is implicitly clear that, though we are not divine, we are still God’s children.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for indulging my theological urge! I hope you all are having a blessed Easter, and I hope to see you around the Center in the coming weeks for any of our wonderful events (especially the auction – don’t forget to buy your tickets!).
See you around,
Gus, on behalf of the Paulist Center Staff
Alvaro, Barbara, Deb, Dorothy, Gus, Liz, Norm, Fr. Rick, Rob, Sal, Susan, and Timmy
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- Blessing for Marathon Runners!
- PC, Patriots' Day schedule
- Thank you for Easter Flower donations
- One Earth, One Sun One People - Sacred Celebration - 4/19
- AC turns on at PC - 4/23
- Worship Matters
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- FREP - remaining activities
- Paulist Center Auction! - 5/2
- Celebration IMO Jane O'Connor - 5/3
- Walk for Hunger - 5/3
- Scam alert - Phishing emails
- Families Planting Trees - 5/30
- Stewardship/Community Gift
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Blessing for
Marathon Runners!
Whether this is your first time or your fiftieth time worshipping with us on Marathon Weekend, we are so glad you are here!
At the end of each Mass, we will offer a special blessing for all runners. Know of our prayers and support as you prepare for the race.
Good luck, and blessings for a safe and enjoyable run!
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Patriots’ Day Schedule
In observance of Patriots’ Day, there are no Family Religious Education classes this Sunday, April 19.
The office will be closed for Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 20.
There will be no 12noon Mass that day.
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Interfaith Action Opportunity -
this Sunday, April 19
The Creation Care Ministry invites you to a sacred celebration of
One Sun, One Earth, One People,
sponsored by Boston Interfaith Climate Allies (BICA).
Climate activist Bill McKibben invites us to a non-violent Solar Revolution.
Sunday, April 19:
¨ 1:30pm - Gathering at the Embrace Memorial on Boston Common. Short joyful procession, led by BABAM Activist Brass Band and BVOCAL Activist Choir, with banners and signs.
¨ 2:00pm - Sacred Celebration at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Tremont Street, with guest speaker Bill McKibben and interfaith voices.
¨ 3:00 - Prayerful Activism and Sending Forth on the steps of the Cathedral, with music and song.
Join with faithful members of other Boston communities to peacefully pray and act together.
Questions? email paulistcentercreationcare@gmail.com
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Family Religious Education Program (FREP)
In observance of Patriots’ Day, there are no Family Religious Education classes this Sunday, April 19.
Please see the bulletin for the remaining FREP activities for
the 2025-2026 year.
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Thank You
for the Easter Flower Donations!
Thank you for helping to beautify our Chapel this Easter season!
Please see the insert, which lists the donations in honor of / in memory of, a loved one.
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43rd Annual Paulist Center Auction
Set Sail Together:
A Mediterranean Journey
Saturday, May 2 - 6:15pm
We are just two weeks away from the Auction!
We have a delicious menu and a specialty cocktail being planned; and, great opportunities for bidding.
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Sponsor: We’ll gladly accept sponsors at any time; we just won’t be able to list in the program those that are received after Sat, April 25. Go to
http://tinyurl.com/DonatePaulistCenter notate $ amount on the “Auction Sponsorship” line.
Purchase Tickets/Register: Go to https://tinyurl.com/Auction26Tickets.
You can also buy tickets after all Masses the weekends of April 18/19 and April 25/26.
Raffle tickets will also be sold after these Masses.
Donate an Item or Dessert: Go to: tinyurl.com/donatepaulistauction26
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We have some amazing items; here’s a sneak peek ...
- Red Sox v. Yankees on June 27 – 2 seats behind home plate!
- February 2027 vacation week at Mont-Tremblant in Québec!
Please contact Auction Co-chairs Maggie Keefe or Jordan Johnson with any questions at Auction@PaulistCenter.org.
Get ready for a fabulous time!
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Come Celebrate the Third 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:
| Remember: all of our live streams are available in real time on our YouTube channel & available there afterwards as recordings. | |
3rd Sunday of Easter
10am, Sunday, April 19
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WORSHIP MATTERS
April 19, 2026, Issue #23
SACRED SPACE: Christ our Light: The Paschal Candle
Every year, our Easter Vigil begins with the blessing of fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle. Even before the presider greets the assembly, our attention is drawn to the new fire and to the promise this light proclaims.
This large and noble candle, which leads the opening procession of the Easter Vigil, is the preeminent symbol of the entire Easter Season. As Paul Turner explains:
“The Paschal Candle first announces the news of the Resurrection, followed by the Glory to God, the Alleluia, the Gospel, the homily, and, of course, the Eucharist. All join to make the same proclamation: Christ is risen! So great is this message that it takes fifty days to celebrate. That Paschal Candle burns in our churches throughout the seven weeks, proclaiming: Christ is risen, and we too may rise!”1
Beyond the Easter Season, the Paschal Candle is lit on two other sacred occasions: Baptism and funerals. At Baptism, its flame reminds us that we have become members of the Body of Christ, called to carry the light of faith, hope, and love into the world through our participation in the Paschal Mystery.
The candle is lit again at the time of death to recall the promise first given in Baptism. In our grief, we turn to the symbols of our faith: the sprinkling of holy water, the placing of the white garment—the pall—over the coffin, and the lighting of the Paschal Candle. Through these sacred signs, we proclaim once more that those who die in Christ will pass from death to life.
As we gaze upon the Paschal Candle throughout these fifty days of Easter, may it remain for us a constant reminder that death is not the end, but the passage from darkness into eternal light—the unfading Light of Christ.
1Bulletin Inserts for the Liturgical Life of the Parish: Liturgical Funrnishings © 2020
Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All rights reserved. Written by Paul Turner.
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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.
On Thurs, April 23, the air conditioning is scheduled to be turned on.
So 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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Celebration In Memory of Jane O’Connor
The 6:00pm Mass on Sunday, May 3 will be celebrated in memory of The Fabulous
Jane 0’Connor… on the occasion of her 80th Birthday.
There will be birthday cake after Mass in the 3rd Floor Library.
We hope you will be able to join as we celebrate a wonderful woman …
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Walk for Hunger
Sunday, May 3
Please join the Wednesday Night Supper Club at the 58th annual Walk for Hunger - it started at the Paulist Center in 1969, and is now a collaboration with Project Bread. 60% of what we raise is a major funding source for Supper Club and 40% goes towards advocacy.
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Families Planting Trees!
Save the Date - Saturday, May 30
Our very last Family Religious Education activity is planned as an intergenerational session with our Creation Care Ministry team on Saturday, May 30 from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Together, with Catholic Climate Covenant, the Catholic Cemetery Association, and along with Speak for the Trees, Boston, we will help plant 10 trees in Roslindale and Mattapan. This is an activity for all ages!
We need strong teens and adults to dig and plant and we need smaller children to fill holes and help spread mulch. Speak for the Trees, Boston is designing specific child friendly activities for the day.
We hope you’ll join us by planting, preserving and advocating for trees in under canopied, underserved neighborhoods to combat climate change and address environmental justice.
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SCAM ALERT: PHISHING EMAILS
Please be cautious of emails appearing to be from Paulist priests requesting money or gift cards.
This is a fraudulent "phishing" scam.
Our staff and priests will never ask for financial help or gift cards via email. If you receive a suspicious message, do not respond or click any links.
Please contact the front desk at 617-742-4460 if you have questions or to report a suspicious email.
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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 the Community Gift the weekend of April 18 - 19 we raise up Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston, an organization dedicated to building simple low-cost homes by forming partnerships with low-income families in need of decent and affordable housing.
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How can the Paulist Center Community accompany you on your faith journey?
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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! | | | | |
