Dear Friends,

We have a special few weeks ahead! The Paulist Center Community will celebrate two recipients of the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice, an honor given to those who live out the Gospel call to justice and the dignity of every person, in the spirit of Fr. Isaac Hecker, who was committed to faith in action.

This Saturday, October 24, at the 5:00 PM Mass, we will finally (this event was postponed due to last month's nor'easter) honor Colleen Sharka, LMHC, with the 2025 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice. Colleen is co-founder of "CAN WE TALK," a spiritually grounded, peer-led community program on trauma and healing based at the Social Impact Center of Roxbury Presbyterian Church. 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. In the Gospel this weekend, Jesus names love of God and love of neighbor as the greatest commandments. Colleen's work lives out that call.

Two weeks later, on Saturday, November 7, at our 5:00 PM Mass, we will present U.S. Representative Jim McGovern with the 2026 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice, in recognition of more than 30 years of work to end hunger and defend human rights at home and around the world. Read more about Congressman McGovern's work further down.

These two celebrations come at a meaningful moment in the life of the Paulist Center. As we begin to live into our new pastoral plan, we are reminded of the mission the Paulist Fathers have carried since Fr. Isaac Hecker's time: to welcome all, to meet people where they are, and to bring the Gospel to life in the world around us. As we hear this weekend that love of neighbor is at the heart of the Law, we are invited to see these two celebrations as one witness: a community called to love God by serving those in need, from healing the wounded in Roxbury to feeding the hungry around the world. Colleen Sharka and Congressman McGovern show us what faith in action looks like, and their witness invites each of us to go forth as missionaries of hope. Please join us as we give thanks for these two witnesses to justice!

Susan, on behalf of the Paulist Center Staff

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

The 2025 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice will go to

COLLEEN SHARKA!

THIS SATURDAY, October 24 @ 5 PM Mass

Please join us at the 5 PM Mass THIS SATURDAY, October 24 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.

In 2014, Colleen partnered with Rev. Liz Walker to co-found CAN WE TALK, and developed the program's curriculum and built its network of sites nationwide; as of May 2025, CWT operates in 21 sites in seven 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.

Thank you, Colleen, and Congratulations!

Please join us on October 24 at the 5 PM Mass to celebrate Colleen Sharka!

A reception will follow.

Paulist Center to Honor

CONGRESSMAN JIM MCGOVERN

with the 2026 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice

The Paulist Center Catholic Community will present U.S. Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) with the 2026 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice at our 5:00 PM Mass on Saturday, November 7. All are welcome to join us as we celebrate his work.

For more than 30 years, Congressman McGovern has devoted himself to humanitarian and human-rights causes. He sees food, education, health, justice, and human rights as deeply connected, and he has worked to build policy that honors the dignity of every person, at home and around the world.

A leader in the fight against hunger, Congressman McGovern co-chairs the House Hunger Caucus and was a driving force behind the first White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in decades, which helped shape a national strategy to dramatically reduce hunger in the United States by 2030. He has defended SNAP and other nutrition programs and championed school meal programs for children in some of the world’s poorest countries.

As co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, he is also one of Congress’s strongest voices for human rights. He co-authored the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which allows the United States to sanction those responsible for gross human rights abuses, and he authored the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act. He has also supported the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act to stand with those who risk their safety to speak for others.

His example reflects the Gospel call to feed the hungry and to defend the dignity of every human being, the spirit in which Fr. Isaac Hecker founded the Paulist Fathers.

Please join us Saturday, November 7, at 5:00 PM at the Paulist Center,

5 Park Street, Beacon Hill, Boston.

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!

FREP (Family Religious Education Program)

THIS Sunday, October 25:  There are NO FREP classes.

Instead, there is a Youth Lector meeting in the 3rd-floor Library and Chapel if your child is interested in participating in that ministry. (please see below “Youth Lector Gathering”)

Sunday, November 1: FAMILY PODS begin! All families (even families of one) will meet in the auditorium to kick off the festivities. All families will be assigned to a group (pod) before the start of the FREP year. This group will include children, parents and grandparents (if you wish to invite them) and will meet four times over the course of the year.  Please look for an email for an introduction to your podmates!

YOUTH LECTOR GATHERING

THIS Sunday, October 25!

All current Youth Lectors and those interested in serving as lectors are invited to a special gathering this Sunday, October 25, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, in the 3rd-floor Library and Chapel.

With no FREP classes this Sunday, this is a wonderful opportunity for our young readers to come together for fellowship, fun, and formation! The gathering will include refreshments, interactive Bible games and Scripture activities, and an opportunity to practice proclaiming God's Word at the ambo.

We hope you can join us!

WELCOME TO THE PAULIST CENTER!

The Paulist Center warmly welcomes recently registered members:

• Christian Johnson
• Kathleen Elizabeth Trost Merrill, Clare (11 yrs), and Elisabeth (9 yrs)
• Patricia Montano
• Charlie Martin Taylor

WALK WITH A SEEKER:

BECOME AN OCIA SPONSOR

Are you looking for a powerful way to renew your own faith while changing someone else’s life? Our Center’s OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) program is looking for members to serve as spiritual sponsors for adults who are preparing to enter the Catholic Church this Easter.

An OCIA sponsor is not a teacher or a theologian. A sponsor is simply a companion on the journey: one who attends a couple of sessions on topics that might be of personal interest; who has the occasional conversation over a cup of coffee and who is willing to be a friendly face at Mass to one seeking to belong. If you are a Catholic over the age of 16, have received your Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist), and are willing to simply show up and be yourself, then you are fully qualified to serve.

Please respond generously if Fr. Rick or someone in the community asks you to consider this rather undemanding yet important role.

Please contact Fr. Rick @ rick@paulistcenter.org if you have any questions or concerns.

WORSHIP MATTERS:

The Penitential Act

We continue our journey through the parts of the Mass this week with an examination of the Penitential Act. Having gathered and joined our voices in the Entrance Song, and having responded to the presider’s greeting and made the Sign of the Cross, the bodily symbol of our shared faith in the Mystery of Christ, we pause to acknowledge our need for God’s abundant mercy and grace.

CALLED TO SERVE AT THE LORD'S TABLE?

Have you ever considered serving as a Eucharistic Minister at the Paulist Center?

Join us for a Eucharistic Minister Information Session on Tuesday, October 27 or Tuesday, November 3 at 7:30 PM on Zoom. Come learn more about the ministry, formation, and what it means to serve as a minister of Communion. There is no commitment required to attend one of the sessions—just an invitation to listen, learn, and discern!

CATHOLIC WOMEN: TENDING TO THE CALL

Sat, Nov 21, 9am - 2pm AND 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

SINGING RESISTANCE COMMUNITY SING

BVOCAL at the Paulist Center

Sat, Nov 21, 1-3pm

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!

UPDATE ON ONE BEACON ST. GARAGE

We've recently discovered that One Beacon St. Garage has reduced rates if you reserve a spot through one of the below parking apps:

Online Reservation Rate: You can secure a spot ahead of time for roughly $15 to $21 on parking reservation apps like SpotHero or ParkMobile or ParkWhiz for the entire day on Sundays.

Come Celebrate the

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time with Us!

Sunday, October 25 , 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.