November 13, 2026

Called to be Servant Leaders

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Spotlight series, we highlighted the Leadership pillar of our Pastoral Plan. In particular, we elevated the importance of lay community leadership. The Paulist Center has been a trailblazer in many respects, not the least of which is the early recognition that we are all called to be servant leaders as we build God’s Kingdom. Together we are church. It has been such a gift to me, to be embraced by the community as the Center's first lay executive director, and to have so many role models within the community, who are lay leaders. The Paulist Center’s culture informs us that our Christian baptism gives each of us not only the right to active participation in ecclesial life, but the responsibility to use our gifts and talents to serve God and one another.



Last month, I participated in the Paulist Fathers Meeting of Pastors, Directors and Superiors, in Houston, Texas. I was welcomed with warmth and respect; I was included in discussions, together with priests and lay directors. In addition, I was invited to give the reflection during morning prayer, on the first day. I chose to speak about Radical Hospitality. You can access my reflection by clicking the button below.



With gratitude for all the leaders among us,

Colleen, on behalf of the Paulist Center Staff

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

FINANCE COMMITTEE UPDATE TO THE COMMUNITY

November 21 and 22 at all three Masses

The Finance Committee will present to the community on the Center's

FY 2026 outcomes, as well as the FY 2027 budget. A member of the Finance Committee will be available after each of the three Masses to answer any questions.   

FREP

(Family Religious Education Program)

this Sunday, November 15

Classes: Religious education classes

K through 6, and our Teen Confirmation class, will take place this Sunday immediately following the 10 AM Mass.

next Sunday, November 22

Second Family Pod

The second FAMILY POD gathering will take place on Sunday, November 22 immediately following the 10 AM Mass. 

CATHOLIC WOMEN: TENDING TO THE CALL

SAT, NOV 21 | 9 AM - 2 PM | Paulist Center - 3rd Fl Library
SAT, JAN 23 (Time TBD) | Paulist Center - 3rd Fl Library



At this fraught and fragile time, how does being a Catholic woman inform your spirit, your thinking, your action? What aspects of our tradition enliven you? 

We welcome a time of shared prayer, reflection and conversation for women across generations, stations in life, and political views. Whether you navigate these days with a sense of certitude or are in the midst of discernment, or somewhere in between, we welcome you into a day of community and spiritual care.

Let’s turn to one another and consider the many ways being Catholic women speak to us as we navigate relationships, work dynamics, triumphs, heartache, and simple spaces in between. And let’s imagine the possibilities for how our faith might find new ways of being revealed to us, both personally and communally, through prayer and thought, action and ministry. 

• $20 donation - if you are able - to cover lunch
• Please bring a morning treat to share (coffee & tea available)
• Emily Hankle and Sonia Caus Gleason will facilitate
• Contact sonia@soniacausgleason.org with questions

FORMATION SESSION FOR EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

Sunday, November 22 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Chapel



All those interested in serving as Eucharistic Ministers, including teens who have been confirmed, are invited to attend this formation session in the Chapel. Current Eucharistic Ministers seeking additional formation are also invited to participate. Please use the link below to register.

For more information about Eucharistic Ministry, please contact Julie Sloan at julieasloan96@gmail.com.

THANKSGIVING EVE MASS

Join us for our annual Thanksgiving Eve Mass at 7pm on Wed, Nov 25.

The Mass will be live streamed but we warmly invite you to attend in person and bring the bread you plan to use at your Thanksgiving meal for a special blessing.

BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

November is traditionally a time when Christians remember those who have died.

We invite community members to inscribe the names of loved ones who have passed away during the past year (November 2, 2025, to the present) in our Book of Remembrance.

The Book will be displayed in the Mary Alcove throughout November.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ...

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Stephen Rutkowski, 65, Susan’s brother, who was born to eternal life on Wednesday morning after a year’s long battle with bile duct cancer. Stephen had a successful career in the sports world, writing for AP, various newspapers, and winning two Emmys as a producer during his career at ESPN. He was happiest on the golf course playing 18 holes. His greatest joy was his year-old grandson, Forrest. 

Rest in peace, Stephen.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS

TO HONOR YOUR LOVED ONES

Honor your loved ones, living or deceased, by making a donation toward the Christmas flowers and decorations that will adorn our Chapel during the Christmas season.

Suggested donation: $20.

Contributions can be made in the following ways:

In person: At the front desk, Mon–Fri,

10:30 AM–4:30 PM

Online:

• Please click the DONATE FLOWERS button below
• select "Flowers"
• select In Memory Of or In Honor Of
• write in loved one's name as you would like them to appear in the listing of Christmas Flower Donors and Loved Ones

Pew envelopes: Christmas Flower Offering envelopes will be available in the pews beginning this weekend, November 14–15.

SEEKING HELP WITH OUR MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM

We are looking for married couples to take part in our marriage preparation ministry. A number of times each year, we offer a marriage prep program for engaged couples across the archdiocese and beyond. This is staffed by Fr. Rick and two married (presenting) couples from our community. We use a program from the archdiocese, Transformed in Love, supplemented with materials we’ve developed, and as a presenting couple you would get materials, training and support before you present. We are looking for married couples who can present over a 3 hour period, on a Saturday morning or afternoon, ideally twice/year (we offer marriage prep sessions 10x/year). Questions or interest, please contact our program coordinator Eryn Underwood (eryn@paulistcenter.org). 

DATE CHANGE!

JIMMY TINGLE Live!

Humor and Hope for Humanity

Saturday, January 9 | 3 PM-5 PM

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

*100% of ticket sales will go to support the vital ministries at the Paulist Center!

Jimmy Tingle uses comedy as a force for good and a catalyst for social change, proving that personal resilience can inspire collective hope. Tingle exercises the fundamental right to free speech and artistic expression to critique society and address systemic issues. In addition, he demonstrates that privilege and talent come with a responsibility to give back. Through his organization Humor for Humanity, he uses his platform to fulfill a civic duty—raising funds and awareness for non-profits and mobilizing audiences to "turn toward" social causes and work for a better world. Jimmy is generously donating his performance to benefit the Paulist Center. 

Tickets are $40 and are NOW on sale!

*Give the gift of laughter for the holidays while supporting the Paulist Center ministries!

WORSHIP MATTERS -

The Gloria-

An Ancient Hymn of Praise



As we continue our journey through the parts of the Mass, we turn our attention to the Gloria, one of the Church’s most ancient and cherished hymns of praise. Its origins reach back to the fourth century, when it was sung as a morning hymn, giving voice to the Church’s gratitude for the dawning of a new day. By the fifth century, it had found a place in the celebration of Christmas, echoing the joyful song of the angels who proclaimed Christ’s birth: “Glory to God in the highest!”

SINGING RESISTANCE!

A COMMUNITY SING

BVOCAL

Sat, Nov 21 | 1-3 PM |CHAPEL



BVOCAL is a protest chorus committed to uplifting our rallies, marches, picket lines, and civil disobedience with singing ‐ wherever people gather for justice.

Social justice movements are stronger ‐ more joyful, more resilient, and more powerful ‐ when they sing!

Whether we’re celebrating victory in the midterm elections or responding to a crisis, this will be a time to learn songs of struggle and hope and to build community for the challenges ahead. All voices welcome!

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

Event at St Ignatius Thurs, Nov 19

Biblical commitments and principles from Catholic Social Teaching inform a longstanding Catholic migration ethic of justice and hospitality. How can these teachings inform a response to new threats facing migrants today? Presentation by prominent Boston College theologian Kristin Heyer, PhD

Thur, Nov. 19, 5:30–7:00 PM,

St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, 28 Commonwealth Ave

Come Celebrate the

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time with Us!

Sunday, November 15, 10:00 AM

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:

All of our live streams are available in real time on our YouTube channel

& available there afterwards as recordings.