THE WEEKLY MISSIVE

JULY 26, 2024

John August Swanson

“Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.”

Dear Friends,

Confronted with our very, often violently, divided world that highlights our desperate need for racial equality, peace, and justice, this weekend's scripture invites us—indeed, challenges us—to operate from the same place of generous response that Christ did. Our roles as disciples demand a response to today's human issues as Jesus responded to the human issues in front of him. Jesus reminds us that the work of the Spirit requires radical compassion AND human cooperation ("Give them some food yourselves!"). Jesus models for us that God is in control and that God is about multiplication. 

We know God needs humans to participate in bringing the reign of God to bear within our various spheres of life and culture. In our Paulist Center family, each member contributes to the success of the whole. WE NEED YOU! The health and life of the community depend on the resources of church community members put forth for God to use for multiplying and many times this starts with an act of trust and sacrifice. If you feel you have little, look to the boy with two fish and five loaves. Trust God with your resources, and let God multiply those resources in ways you could have never imagined. Let us act on our faith and place ourselves in a vulnerable position before God trusting that God will multiply our efforts times ten!

As you prayerfully consider participating either for the first time or in a new way, please see our request in this week's bulletin about Religious Education teachers and leaders. We are also seeking help with graphic design (Canva or Canva-similar skills) to help us occasionally with event posters and flyers.  

Please check out the bulletin and see below for the latest news and updates, including a reminder that next week is the last week to submit a nomination for our 50th Anniversary Hecker Award celebration (by 7/31, please!).

As always, thank you journeying with us!

Susan, on behalf of the Paulist Center Staff

Rick, Patty, Susan, Norm, Gus, Alvaro, Dorothy, Sal, Barbara, Timmy and Rob

In This Week's Bulletin

• Seeking FREP teachers
• Community Potluck July 28
• Red Line impacts Park St
• FREP 2024-25 Registration
• RJAG meeting July 30
• Canva volunteers needed
• Young Adult Ministry events

• Supper Club needs Summer volunteers
• 2023 Hecker Award recipient
• Last call for 2024 Hecker Award nominations
• Community Meeting Sept 8
• Stewardship/Community Gift
• Results of a Greener Lent

Occasional Canva or Canva-similar Poster Creating Skills Help Needed

Do you create in Canva or a similar program? Are you willing to occasionally volunteer to help make posters for our events?



If you have this skill and the willingness to help a few times a year please contact Patty Simpson at patty@paulistcenter.org. 

Red Line Impacts to Park St Continue Thru July 28

The Red Line continues to be closed from Alewife to Park St Station thru the weekend of July 27/28.

Park Street will still be open to traffic, but no parking (except ADA spots.)

Seeking Religious Education Teachers

Our Family Ministry seeks faith-filled individuals to teach and lead our children in classes and groups.

Our K-6 grade classes meet on Sundays from 11:15am- 12:15pm for 20 sessions, 5 of which are group settings in which others lead the curriculum. 

Co-leaders for our Jr. High Group also needed.

Community Potluck

Sun, July 28, our Young Adult Ministry will host the Community-Wide monthly potluck (open to all who bring a dish, of any age!)

Please join us on the 3rd Floor after 6pm Mass!

2023 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice is Fran Ludwig!



Please join us on Saturday, September 28 to celebrate Fran Ludwig, Founder and Director of the Boston Catholic Climate Movement, now a chapter of the Global Catholic Climate Movement.

Fran will receive the 2023 Hecker award at our 5pm Mass on 9/28.

A reception will follow in our auditorium.

RJAG

The Racial Justice Advocacy Group (RJAG) will meet on Tuesday, July 30, at 7pm via Zoom.

Email Tom Sharkey at sharkey.te@verizon.net for the Zoom link.

All are welcome!

More details on all of the above are in the bulletin.

Come Celebrate

the 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time 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:

17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10 am Sun, July 28

18^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

10 am Sun, August 4

Remember: all of our live streams are available in real time on our YouTube channel & available there afterwards as recordings.

Upcoming Events & Notes

The most comprehensive listing of what's going on at the Paulist Center is in the bulletin. Check it out!

• 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.

• Info on this weekend's Community Gift recipient, EVKids.

• Young adults (ages 18-39), whether or not they are 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?

• 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!

• Our Rosary Circle meets 7:30 pm via Zoom on Mondays. ID: 487 503 158; passcode: 021078. Submit a prayer request.

• Summer Bulletin Schedule

Aug 11/18: text due 8/6

Aug 25/Sept 1: text due 8/20

Back to a weekly schedule starting Sept 7/8 bulletin

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.