Dear Friends,

Most of us have spent at least a portion of the past few days dabbing at our eyes, listening to “Jolene”, or watching clips of “9 to 5”. All the while, we have marveled at the overwhelming outpouring of love, and the collective grief we have felt, for Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday. Dolly was a global superstar. Indeed, she was an extraordinary songwriter, singer and entertainer, but her stardom was also due to her kindness, generosity and authenticity.

Dolly was born into humble beginnings in rural east Tennessee, and while she traveled the world, she never really left home. Dolly used her celebrity to uplift people and communities on the margins. Her Imagination Library has provided hundreds of millions of free books to children; her philanthropy has supported disaster relief, especially in Appalachia; and Dollywood has employed tens of thousands of workers at fair wages.

Dolly Parton’s life illustrated the Gospel message that faith is made visible through love in action. She reminded us that kindness can bridge differences, and generosity can transform lives. In a world that often feels divided by fear and self-interest and just plain greed, Dolly Parton showed us how to live a life of inclusivity, dignity for all, compassion, and most of all love. 

In the words of our beloved Dolly:

“And I hope life, will treat you kind

And I hope that you have all

That you ever dreamed of

Oh I do wish you joy

And I wish you happiness

But above all this

I wish you love”.

Amen

Colleen, on behalf of the Paulist Center Staff

Alvaro, Colleen, Deb, Dorothy, Norm, Fr. Rick, Rob, Sal, Susan, and Timmy

The 2025 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice will go to

Colleen Sharka!

Please join us on Saturday, September 26 to celebrate Colleen Sharka, LMHC, co-founder of "CAN WE TALK" (CWT), a community sharing program on trauma and healing based at the Social Impact Center of Roxbury Presbyterian Church. Colleen will receive the Hecker Award in our chapel at our 5 PM Mass on September 26.

Colleen's commitment to healing and reconciliation took root before her professional career began, when she co-founded a grassroots racial dialogue group connecting a Black Catholic church and a white Catholic church, building understanding through shared stories. That conviction — that healing happens in community, across lines has shaped her work ever since.

In 2014, Colleen partnered with Rev. Liz Walker to co-found CAN WE TALK, a spiritually grounded, peer-led program for trauma survivors. Colleen developed the program's curriculum and built its network of sites nationwide; as of May 2025, CWT operates in 20 locations across six states and Washington, D.C. Since 2014, CWT has offered urban neighborhoods a peer-centered path through trauma, helping individuals move from surviving to actively helping others heal.



Colleen's dedication to justice also spans her work at Still Harbor: Center for Discernment & Action, where she developed retreats on purpose and social action, and Trinity Boston Counseling Center, where she provided therapy to multi-ethnic populations in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan.

At a moment of deep polarization and daily violence in our communities, Colleen's work offers a model for healing that is spiritually rooted, clinically sound, and empowering. Isaac Hecker was committed to faith in action — Colleen Sharka lives that same commitment today.

Please join us on September 26 at the 5pm Mass to celebrate Colleen Sharka! A reception will follow.

Seeking a Dynamic Leader for our Jr High Youth Group (Grades 7 & 8)

Do you love God, youth ministry, and the distinct daily thrill of communicating with beings whose primary emotional vocabulary is a heavy sigh? 

We need a brave soul to guide our Jr. High Youth Group (comprised of 7th and 8th graders) through bi-monthly Sunday morning meetings (11:15 am-12:15 pm).



Why You’ll Love It

• The Challenge: Translate ancient scripture to humans who treat a

two-minute car ride as a human rights violation.

• The Energy: Channel the intense, caffeinated mood swings of middle school into actual community.
• The Vibe: An open, progressive faith community that values questions over quietness.

What You Will Do

• Lead Sunday sessions for our Jr. High Youth Group during the FREP* year.
• Decode awkward silences and sudden outbursts of extreme laughter.
• Share snacks and snacks-based bribery.
• Help kids explore a loving, inclusive God.
• 

For more information, contact Susan Rutkowski, Susan@Paulistcenter.org or 617-948-2426.

* Family Religious Education Program

Living Water

Season Of Creation 2026

September 1 - October 4

The Creation Care ministry invites you to celebrate Creation and

commit to prayer, action and advocacy:

Sunday Aug 30 - Interfaith Prayer & Fellowship on the banks of the Charles River. Bring a picnic blanket & snacks to the Arthur Fiedler Dock on the Esplanade at 12:45pm. Organized by the Cathedral Church of St. Paul and

BICA (Boston Interfaith Climate Allies).

Sunday, Sept 6 - A short pilgrimage to be with the elephants visiting Boston. Come experience the art installation through the lens of Creation Care and Laudato Si' including brief commentary by community member Sonia Caus Gleason, reflection questions to consider, & a walk through the elephant exhibit (45 minutes total).

Meet us at the back of the chapel after the 10 am Mass, or

join us at the corner of Dartmouth and Commonwealth Avenue at 11:30. 

Sunday, Oct 4 -  “The Crisis in Plastic”

after the 10am Mass, presented by Phil Landrigan, M.D., of Boston College, renowned pediatrician and public health expert. 

Phil’s lifelong work has focused on protecting children and communities from toxic environmental exposures and advancing healthier public policy.  



Sept 1 to Oct 4 - Daily Reflections -  each reflection offers a 2-minute “pause–reflect–act” opportunity.

These are the same reflections as last year; if you received them before, you’ll receive them again (unsubscribing is easy).

To subscribe (free), email: seasonofcreationdaily@gmail.com