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THE WEEKLY MISSIVE
December 5, 2025
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Come, To Set Us Free
Dear Friends,
Next weekend, our community will gather for our annual Festival of Readings and Carols. The readings, carols, and prayers in this year’s program invite us into the Advent landscape of hope, waiting, and patient endurance. They remind us that the story of Advent is, at its heart, the story of God’s promise of freedom, hope, and peace—made visible in the Word made Flesh. Through Christ, our God walks in deep solidarity with humanity, sharing not only in our suffering but also in our moments of joy. In the midst of life’s challenges, we are assured once again that ours is a God who comes to free us from fear and despair, bringing light and peace to all.
Yet this divine promise takes root only when we open our hearts to the gift of that freedom—when we receive the Word made Flesh and allow it to transform us. Only then can we become bearers of light, carrying the truth, love, and grace of God into a world so deeply wearied and so profoundly longing for healing, dignity, compassion, and peace.
Since early October, more than 30 musicians have been rehearsing for this beloved tradition. The festival offers us a chance to journey together on our Advent pilgrimage, culminating in the joyful celebration of the Feast of the Incarnation.
The programs will take place on Saturday, December 13 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday’s program will begin with A Christmas Story, presented by the youth of the Paulist Center.
We warmly invite you to join us at either performance. Donations may be made online in advance or at the door.
Please also take a moment to review the information below and in this week’s Bulletin, which includes details about Sunday’s FREP Advent Program and Christmas pageant rehearsal, upcoming Advent prayer opportunities, and our full schedule of Christmas liturgies.
As always, there is much grace, beauty, and good work unfolding here at the Paulist Center. We look forward to celebrating this holy season with you.
Norm, 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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- FREP
- Christmas Pageant rehearsal
- Community Coffee/MCAN postcard writing
- Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception - 12/8
- Come To Set Us Free - 12/13, 12/14
- Worship Matters
- Christmas Flower donations
- Advent devotionals
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- Jesse Tree
- LGBTQ+ virtual Advent Prayer
- Service of Reconciliation and Reflection - 12/18
- IRA/Year end gifts to the PC
- Hecker Award - nominations deadline - 12/7
- Thank You for Food Pantry donations
- Wed Night Supper Club Holiday Gift Drive
- Stewardship/Community Gift
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Family Religious Education Program (FREP)
Sun, Dec 7:
Christmas Pageant rehearsal during FREP hour,
11:15am - 12:15pm in the Chapel.
Jr. & Sr. High meeting at Mosaic Interfaith, 2 - 5pm
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Community Coffee / MCAN Postcard Writing -
Sun, Dec 7
Join us during community coffee to write postcards to Governor Healey to take Bold Executive Action to protect the civil rights of all MA residents from ICE. Our Immigration Advocacy Group, together with the Mass Community Action Network (MCAN), is supporting the Protecting the People and Sovereignty of Massachusetts campaign.
Postcards will also be available in the chapel for those who cannot come to coffee hour.
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Come to Set Us Free:
A Festival of Readings and Carols
Advent and Christmas at the Paulist Center
· Sat, Dec 13 at 8 pm
· Sun, Dec 14 at 2 pm
Join us as we gather for our annual Advent-Christmas Program.
The Sunday program begins with a Christmas Pageant presented by the youth of the Paulist Center.
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On Sunday, December 14,
the program begins with a
Christmas Pageant
presented by the youth of the Paulist Center.
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Donations and Sponsorships
We are not “selling” actual tickets, but donations and sponsorship level contributions are most welcome.
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Click here to donate online: select Advent/Christmas Concert and write how many people, and which concert you plan to attend.
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For mail-in donations, please make checks payable to “The Paulist Center” with "Come To Set Us Free" in the memo.
Sponsorship Levels
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Angelic: $100 - $149
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Celestial: $150 - $199
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Archangel: $200 and above
You do not need to donate in order to attend!
Consider inviting family and friends to sponsor the concert!
Both performances will be live-streamed:
Dec 13 Link
Dec 14 Link
A reception will follow each concert.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
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Solemnity of the
Immaculate Conception
Please join us this Monday, December 8
for the
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Masses will be celebrated at:
8:00 am
12:00 pm
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Pick up your copy in the
vestibule of the Chapel.
Suggested donation
per booklet
is $3.
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Jesse Tree/Giving Tree
The Jesse Tree, the Paulist Center’s Advent Giving Tree, is now up in the Mary Alcove.
This is an opportunity for community members to support the families our Immigration group has resettled from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Haiti. We also support families living at Crossroads Family Shelter, the Catholic Worker House in Worcester, and the Agape Community, as well as some of the families who come to our food pantry and supper club.
If you feel so moved, please take a tag and bring the unwrapped gift/gift card back to the Center
by Sunday, December 14.
Please see bulletin for further details.
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LGBTQ+ Ministry Advent Virtual Prayer -
Monday Evenings
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The Paulist Center's LGBTQ+ Ministry will be leading virtual prayer sessions via Zoom
during the Advent Season.
The sessions are 30 minutes each on
Mondays, December 15, and 22
from 7:00 - 7:30pm.
The access link is
https://tinyurl.com/ysccxudn
All are welcome!
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Christmas Flowers
To Honor Your Loved Ones
Honor your loved ones, living or deceased, by making a donation towards the Christmas decorations with which we'll adorn the Chapel.
The suggested donation is $10.
Contributions can be made:
- at the front desk Mon - Fri from 10:30am - 4:30pm
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by going to Donate Online, and choose “Flower Donation” and note who it is “in honor of" or, "in memory of”
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by using the envelopes in the pews
Please write legibly when notating your name and your loved ones’ names.
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WORSHIP MATTERS
Weekend of December 6-7, 2025
For recent columns on the Advent season please visit
www.paulistcenter.org/worshipmatters
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Nominate Your Favorite Catholic for the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice!
Since 1974, the Paulist Center Community has presented the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice to an outstanding North American Catholic.
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Advent Service of
Reconciliation and Reflection
Our God Will Come to Save Us
Please join us for this annual lay-led service of prayer, song, and reflection.
Opportunities for individual confession will be available.
Thursday, December 18 @ 7pm
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Thank you SO much for your generous donations
to our Food Pantry
this past month during the
SNAP crisis!
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CALENDAR YEAR-END GIFTS TO THE CENTER
WARMLY WELCOMED
Are you required to take minimum distributions from your IRA?
Consider making a year end,
tax advantaged donation through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to the Paulist Center.
We are a qualified 501c(3) organization, tax ID 04-2012978.
Check is payable to the “Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle in MA”
at 5 Park St, Boston, MA 02108.
Contact Deborah Heimel at deborah@paulistcenter.org with any questions or consult your tax professional.
Thank you for ALL you give in so many ways to the Center!
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The Wednesday Night Supper Club
Holiday Gift Drive
We are collecting new hats, gloves, scarves, and socks of all sizes to prepare small gifts for our guests this holiday season.
Items can be dropped off by Sun, Dec 21
at the Paulist Center.
Contact supperclubfood@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.
Thank you!
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Come Celebrate
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. | |
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Holiday Bulletin Schedule -
Early Submissions
We'll publish a single issue that will cover the weekends of
Dec 20-21 & Dec 27-28.
Please email all announcements to your staff liaison,
and copy Dorothy at info@paulistcenter.org
by 5pm Thurs, Dec 11.
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The bulletin for the Solemnity of the Epiphany,
Jan 3 - 4,
will also have an early submission deadline.
Please email all announcements to your staff liaison,
and copy Dorothy at info@paulistcenter.org
by 5pm Fri, Dec 26.
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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.
| - The Community Gift the weekend of Dec 6 and 7 is Urban Edge - a national leader in the community development field, dedicated to strengthening communities and families. Together, they build affordable housing and vibrant, prosperous neighborhoods.
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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! | | | | |
