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THE WEEKLY MISSIVE
November 22, 2024
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Servant King
Dear Friends -
This weekend we celebrate The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, also known as Christ the King. It serves as a reminder that Christ's reign is eternal, even as governments change. After a painful election year in which women were viciously criticized, sexist/crude language became the norm, and misogyny loomed larger than we feared, this title can be triggering. More than ever, in the aftermath of the unfathomably painful political campaigns we just witnessed, we are reminded that language matters. Words like king can connote "enforcer of oppression" and "abuser of power"...whether we like it or not! It is more important than ever to remind ourselves that Jesus was a servant king or leader, a much different king than the title implies.
I found it particularly comforting to focus on one particular sentence of Jesus in this Sunday’s gospel: “Everyone who belongs to the truth, listens to my voice.” Jesus’ truth was not about power, but about transforming people and nations. That took a whole different kind of power. This is the king with the power of life, including eternal life, and every encounter is life-affirming. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, not political or military. It is the peaceable kindom ("g" intentionally omitted) coming into the world through radical love and justice for the poor, exploited, and outcast. In this week before Thanksgiving, I am grateful for this community, especially the strong women in it, who remind me that we share truths with Jesus, our servant leader, who models radical love.
As we look to Advent which begins next weekend, please take a moment to read through the three inserts in this week's bulletin: our year-end financial summary and an Advent insert highlighting the Advent and Christmas happenings during December. Finally, included is a letter from Norm Gouin detailing ways to support our event on December 14 & 15, A Festival of Readings and Carols. Our beloved Jesse tree goes up in the Mary Alcove next weekend.
As always, many things are happening here at the Paulist Center. Please see the information below and in the bulletin including this Sunday's community coffee and a Friendsgiving on Sunday evening as well as our Thanksgiving Eve Liturgy on Weds at 7 pm.
Thank you for being on the journey with us. We are grateful to be on it with you.
Susan, on behalf of of the Paulist Center Staff
Rick, Patty, Susan, Norm, Gus, Alvaro, Dorothy, Sal, Barbara, Timmy and Rob
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- FREP Classes
- Community Coffee
- 'Friendsgiving' Potluck
- Thanksgiving Eve Mass
- Festival of Readings and Carols
- A Special Thank You Note
- Advent Devotional
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Jesse Tree
- Creation Care Meeting
- Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
- Christmas Flower Donations
- Solar Energy
- Holiday Bulletin Schedule
- Stewardship/Community Gift
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Family Religious Education Program (FREP) - | Congratulations to the following six children who made their Sacrament of First Reconciliation on Sun, Nov 17! | |
Maeve Burke
Marie Boudreau
Phillip Boudreau
Leif Ladner
Matthew Ladner
Casey LeBlanc
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Sun, Nov 24 - All classes will meet in their usual locations.
Teen confirmation will meet in the 3rd Fl Library.
Sun, Dec 1 - Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there are no religious education classes.
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Join us for our Advent Social for families in our auditorium on Sun, Dec 8 at 11:15am.
We will gather for socializing and a fun Advent Craft. All are welcome!
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Community Coffee - Sun, Nov 24
Please join us in the auditorium after the 10am Mass for yummy refreshments and social
time to catch up with community members, and to welcome any new faces!
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God With Us:
A Festival of Readings and Carols
Advent and Christmas
at the Paulist Center
Sat, Dec 14 at 8pm
Sun, Dec 15 at 2pm
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This beloved annual program serves as a significant spiritual gathering and a major fundraiser for the Center.
Although tickets will not be sold, we welcome free-will offerings for attendance.
Donations and Sponsorships
- To donate online, please select the "Festival of Readings and Carols" category and specify the number of attendees, and preferred concert date.
- For mail-in donations, make checks payable to “The Paulist Center” with "God With Us" in the memo.
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Sponsorship Levels:
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Angelic: $100 - $149
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Celestial: $150 - $199
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Archangel: $200 and above
Consider inviting family and friends to sponsor the concert!
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Note: Sponsorships received by Dec 4 will be acknowledged in the program. Please indicate how you would like your name to appear.
For additional details, please refer to Norm’s letter.
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YAM Hosts Community Friendsgiving Potluck - THIS Sun, Nov 24
On Sun, Nov 24 the Young Adult Ministry (YAM) will host the Community-wide annual Thanksgiving celebration – ‘Friendsgiving Potluck’ - after the 6pm Mass in the auditorium.
Open to all who bring a dish, of any age!
Gus will be bringing the turkey, so please bring your favorite side dish, beverage, dessert, or holiday foodstuff!
Please RSVP by Fri, Nov 22 at http://tinyurl.com/YAMPotluck.
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Thanksgiving Eve Mass
Join us for our annual Thanksgiving Eve Mass at 7pm on Wed, Nov 27. The Mass will be livestreamed.
We warmly invite you to attend in person and bring the bread you plan to use at your Thanksgiving meal for a special blessing.
Please Note: The Center will be closed on Thurs and Fri, Nov 28 and 29. There will be no confessions or Mass on these days.
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A Special
Supper Club
Thank You Note
This week a generous donation
was dropped off by a
past (52 years ago!)
Supper Club guest.
Such amazing affirmation!
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Jesse Tree
Our Jesse Tree goes up on the 1st weekend of Advent, Nov 30 - Dec 1.
Please take a tag from the tree and bring in the requested gift in the next 3 weeks to help someone in need, either:
- a family in a homeless shelter,
- the Afghan and Ukrainian families we helped resettle,
- the Agape Community, or
- the Catholic Worker House out in Worcester.
Thank you!
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Paulist Center Invests in Community Solar Energy
The Creation Care Team is pleased to announce that the Paulist Center has taken a significant step in meeting the climate crisis by becoming an anchor investor in the establishment of two new solar energy farms in Massachusetts.
Please see bulletin for further details and information.
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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
· by going to Donate Online, and choose “Flower Donation” and note who it is “in honor of, or in memory of”
· by using the envelopes in the pews which will be available starting Nov 30/Dec 1.
Please write legibly when notating your loved ones’ names.
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Young Adult Ministry Event - Dec 5
Celebrate the start of the Christmas season with PC Young Adults!
Join us the evening of Thurs, Dec 5 from 6 - 8pm at the Paulist Center for a social gathering before the tree lighting on the Common.
The lighting will take place at 7:55pm, so join us beforehand for some refreshments and to hang out while we watch the lighting.
If you’re interested please RSVP to gus@paulistcenter.org for more details!
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Solemnity of the
Immaculate Conception
Please join us
on Mon, Dec 9
for the
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
Masses will celebrated at:
8 am and 12 pm
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Holiday Bulletin Schedule -
Early Submission
We'll publish a single issue that will
cover the weekends of Dec 21-22 & Dec 28-29.
Please email all announcements to your staff liaison, and copy Dorothy at info@paulistcenter.org — by noon Fri Dec 13.
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Come Celebrate
Solemnity of Christ the King 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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Remember: all of our live streams are available in real time on our YouTube channel & available there afterwards as recordings. | |
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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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Consider including the Paulist Center in your estate planning/will. For information on our legal name and tax ID, please contact our Administrator, Patty Simpson, at patty@paulistcenter.org. We and future Paulist Center members thank you!
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This weekend's named Community Gift recipient is the the Retired Religious Sisters, in recognition of the ministry they have provided to us in the Archdiocese of Boston, and for us to help provide for their healthcare needs.
100% of donations placed in specially-marked envelopes in the pews this weekend will be given directly to Retired Religious Sisters. Make checks out to the “Paulist Center” write "Retired Religious Sisters" in the memo line.
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- Young adults (ages 18-39), whether or not Catholic, are welcome to schedule a one-on-one conversation with our Young Adult Minister, Gus Kellerman. 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 reception area during the week, email Sal Whooley at sal@paulistcenter.org, or call
617-742-4460, if you would like
to arrange 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.
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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. | |
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