March 8/9, 2008

Readings  | Calendar  |  Stewardship 

2006 Hecker Award Winner, Martin Sheen Mass and Reception
We have some exciting news! Just this week we received news that our 2006 Hecker Award winner, Martin Sheen, will be at the Paulist Center on Saturday, March 15 th to collect his long overdue award. Mr. Sheen was given the award for a lifetime of working as a humanitarian and social activist. Due to Mr. Sheen’s schedule, the Saturday 6 PM liturgy is the only mass he will be at that weekend. As is tradition, we will be hosting a reception after the liturgy. Hors d’oeuvres and finger foods are needed. Contributions should be dropped off in the auditorium before liturgy begins.

Prayer Service of Healing and Reconciliation for the Church
Please note that this special service on Tuesday evening in Holy Week is one of many special liturgies for the Paulist 150 th Anniversary year celebrations, and is a special opportunity in which all are encouraged to gather and pray for healing within the Church (both locally and globally). This is not a penitential service in which confessions or absolution will be offered.

Holy Week 2008
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
March 15 6:00 pm
March 16 10:00 am 12 noon 6:00 pm

Holy Tuesday
March 18
Service of Reconciliation and Healing for the Church 7:00 pm

Holy Thursday
March 20
Mass of the Lord’s Supper Followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 7:00 pm

Good Friday of the Lord 's Passion
March 21
The Seven Last Words of Christ Ecumenical Service 12:05 pm
Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion With Veneration of the Wood of the Cross and Distribution of Holy Communion 3:00 pm
Tenebrae Prayer Service 7:00 pm

Holy Saturday
March 22 Celebration of the Easter Vigil (includes the Service of Light, Liturgy of the Word, Rites of Christian Initiation and Liturgy of the Eucharist) 8:00 pm

Easter Sunday
March 23 Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection 10:00 am 12 noon
Solemn Paschal Vespers 7:00 pm

Food Pantry: demand is High, Food Supplies are Low
We are in need of hearty soups, stew, jarred spaghetti sauce, mac&cheese, an canned veggies/fruit..
The pantry is open each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 2-3:30. Thanks for your continued generosity in helping us feed the homeless.

First Communion Meeting - March 15th
Will take place from 10am -12:30pm to create our invitations, our altar cloth and write our prayers of the faithful.

The Sister Community will be selling Fair trade coffee and crafts after the 10am Mass this Sunday.
Aside from their coffee , tea ,nuts and chocolate bars, we have two new sipping chocolates this week. Your purchase supports these farmers and the profit benefits our projects in El Salvador.

Youth Choir for Easter Sunday
Any children and youth age 7 and over who are interested in participating in a Youth Choir for the 10am Easter Sunday Mass are asked to contact Michael Kurley after Mass or at the office at 617 -948-2425 or litmuspcc@rcn.com . Provided we have enough singers, there will be a short practice AFTER the 10am Mass THIS Sunday and next Sunday.

Economic Inequality: Personal and Public Responses
Back by Popular Demand! In November, Chuck Collins spoke about a Gospel response to the growing gap between rich and poor. Next Sunday, Mar. 9 after the 10am Mass, the Adult Education class will continue this discussion and reflect on personal actions and public witnesses that can address the polarization of wealth and opportunity. It is not necessary to have attended the first session. Chuck Collins is director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good, based at the Institute for Policy Studies.

And They're Off....
The Paulist Center's 28th Annual Goods and Services Auction will bring us our very own Kentucky Derby! The April 26th evening will include wonderful derby food, mint juleps, a bonnet contest, a raffle that will incorporate the 2008 Kentucky Derby contender horses and more. Our very own Bluegrass State native, Fr. Paul Huesing, is coming up with all sorts of entertaining possibilities, i.e. Do you know how many famous Kentuckians you could come dressed as? Diane Sawyer, Muhammad Ali and Rosemary Clooney, just to name a few! We have a great crew in place, but can always use more hands for food preparation, decorating, set -up, raffle and ticket sales the four weeks prior and miscellaneous tasks that are needed. We also need your Goods and Services and your fabulous Desserts for our Dessert Auction. Please see the flier inserted in this week's bulletin, available in the racks and on our website to donate or volunteer. Please, please, please return them no later than April 5th , so we are able to get the Auction Booklet ready in a timely manner and know who we have on board to make our major operating budget fundraiser of the year a success. Any questions or to let us know you are willing to volunteer, please contact chairperson Rachel Rumely at paulistcenterauction@gmail.com or 617-317-902-4725 or Patty Simpson at pattypcc@ aol.com or 617-948-2428.

The Paulist Center 's LGBT and Friends
group will sponsor a March Pot Luck Social this Sunday, March 9 th in the 3 rd floor Library following the 6:00PM Liturgy. Please join us with your favorite dish and bring a friend! The group meets on the 2 nd Sunday of each month after the 6PM Liturgy. If you would like more information about the group, feel free to email the coordinators at paulistlgbt@gmail.com.

Salvadoran Stations of the Cross
This is Lenten journey with Christ and the people of Latin America, sponsored by the Sister Community Group. Come join in solidarity and reflective meditation on Friday, March 14 at 7pm in the chapel.

Operation Rice Bowl
As part of our faith community’s Lenten observance, we will participate in Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl. For thirty one years, Operation Rice Bowl has inspired Catholics in the United States to pray, fast, learn and give as we increase our understanding of our global community and connect that with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching throughout our Lenten journey. Unlike other Sundays when we are invited to bring gifts for the Church and the poor, on Holy Thursday we are invited to offer gifts solely for the poor. And so we welcome you to bring your Rice Bowl to our Holy Thursday liturgy. You can pick up rice bowls and corresponding home calendars in the racks in the back of the chapel.

Upcoming Retreat Opportunities
Days of prayer and weekend retreats that emphasize art and Ignatian prayer exercises will be offered by Bob Gilroy, SJ, a spiritual director for the Jesuit Collaborative. Contact retreat centers directly for registration.

The Paulist Center Blood Drive
Sunday, April 6 th 2008 9:00am - 2:00pm The Paulist Center 5 Park Street, Boston Sign up for a donation time at: www.bloodpartners.org/paulist

Welcome!
Please warmly welcome these new members to our Paulist community!
Frank J. and Danielle C. Queiroz DeVito from Lynn, MA
Arlene Olivero from Cambridge, MA

Prayer Requests
Please pray for Helen R. Cotter, aunt of PCC member Susan White who passed away this week.

A Call to Join the Blessed Franz Jagerstatter 2008 Lenten Fast and Prayer Campaign
Community Members are invited to participate in a Prayer and Fast commitment during Lent. This thoughtful endeavor, initiated by “Franz Jagerstatter People to Break the Silence” has as its Lenten goal to purify our own hearts; to ask for forgiveness for participating in the violence of the Iraq war by our silence; to educate Catholics on the nonviolent teachings and life of Jesus; and to encourage the faithful in the United States to fast and pray throughout the Lenten season. The nature and extent of fasting and prayer is to be set by each individual. Signatures will be collected throughout Lent and be sent to the Cardinal on Easter Sunday. Flyers with blank statements can be found in the racks in the back of the chapel.

If You Recently Signed Up On-line
Due to an unanticipated glitch in our on -line membership sign -up, we were not aware that we were not receiving any sign -up information from sometime in late -December or early -January until the end of January. We try to call or email everyone who fills out a membership card to welcome them. If you signed up on -line during this period and have not received a call or an email from a staff member welcoming you, please accept our deepest apologies and assume that we do not know that you signed up as a member. The system is working again and we do want to welcome you to the Center! Please sign -up again! We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.

150 Thank you 's...
to all those who helped make the spaghetti dinner fundraiser a success! The funds helped us raise money for the 150th Paulist Fathers’ Anniversary Celebration on the Common on May 18.

Art and Spiritual Direction :
Fri-Sat, 2/29-3/1 Lesley University, Cambridge, MA. www.lesley.edu The Ignatian Way with Art : Sat, 3/8; Jesuit Collaborative, Watertown, MA. www.jesuit -collaborative.org The Ignatian Way with Art : Sat, 4/5; Campion Renewal Center, Weston, MA. www.campioncenter.org

Journey with Isaac Hecker and Christ ! Let's mark 15,000 footprints of service as a community!
In honor of Isaac Hecker and in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Paulists, we challenge the community to log 15,000 hours (or footsteps) of service work by Paulist Center community members by next January. Please pick up a sheet in the racks in the back of the chapel that highlights different ideas, or organize an event that the community can participate in together. Then fill in the form to let us know what service you performed. Journey with us to become a stronger community in Christ!

Tax Letters
If you wish to have a letter from the Center for weekend and appeal contributions you made by check or credit card for 2007, please call the Center and leave a message with your request for Patty Simpson at (617)948-2428 or email her at pattypcc@aol.com. The IRS requires letters for single donations of $250 or more (i.e. several smaller donations totalling $250 do not require letters), and the letter is for your records only - it is not submitted to the IRS with your tax returns. Anyone who made a donation of stock will automatically receive a letter by Feb. 1.We sincerely thank all who gave to the Center in any way. Your generosity is essential and appreciated.

Connecting at the Center
In an effort to improve connections and foster inclusion, the Pastoral Council is encouraging folks to wear a name tag during the Community Coffee in the Auditorium after the 10am and Noon mass. Stop at the table in the Auditorium and put on a name tag so we can learn to call each other by name.

Another Parking Option
In addition to the validated parking option at the One Beacon Street Garage, please also be aware that the Boston Common Garage sells books of parking t ickets at a reduced rate. Through the end of February, anyone may buy a book of 20 tickets for $100. The tickets are good for after 4pm on weekdays and all day on weekends (i.e. $5/ticket). As of March 1, the book of 20 tickets will be $110 ($5.50/ticket). Tickets purchased before March 1 will still be honored after March 1. Tickets may only be purchased in person at the office in the Boston Common Garage. The office is open 7am- 7pm on weeknights and 7am -3pm on weekends. Call (617) 954-2098 or email bcg@mccahome.com for more information.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

New Pathways Volunteers Needed!
New Pathways Emergency Shelter is looking for volunteers willing to provide short-termshelter (1-15) days in their homes for teens in crisis. New Pathways serves youth throughout Boston, ages 12-17,who have either run away fromhome or who are homeless. If you are interested in finding outmore about the programand possibly serving as a host home, contactMelissaGlynn- Hyman or SarahHoxie at 617-277-8107.

Senior Tutors and Mentors for BPS Kids
Seeking older adults to serve as tutors and mentors in local elementary and after -school programs with Generations Incorporated . Your experience is valuable - make a difference in a child’s life and yours. All training and materials are provided. Contact PCC member Mary Ondrusek at 617 -778-0554.

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Community Gift
Any community member interested in nominating an organization to be the recipient of one of our Community Gifts (5% of weekend collections), please send a note to Patrick Letourneau, our Administrative Assistant, with the name and address of the organization, its purpose, and the reason you would like to have them receive one of our gifts. If there is a particular time of year that would be especially appropriate for the awarding of the gift, please also include that information in the request. Contact rae at 617.498.2427 or email at fiveparkst@aol.com

Credit Card Giving!
Our bank, Wainwright Bank & Trust, has made it possible to contribute to the Paulist Center with your credit card. Use this link to connect to the Paulist Center www.communityroom.net, and follow the prompts for donating. Please indicate in the memo field provided the intent of your donation (weekend, Easter, campaign, etc.), and be sure you get all the way to the receipt screen. If you do not get to this screen, your donation has not been processed and we will not receive your intended contribution. Thank you!

Set-Up Your Own On-Line Giving!
Vanco Services, who has handled our recurring credit card and bank account giving for several years, has made available to us the ability for you to set up your own on-line giving without having to route your form through the Center. Please go to www.paulist.org/boston & click on “Give to the Paulist Center.” You may also, of course, still fill out a paper form and send it to Patty Simpson if you prefer. Please call Patty at 617-948-2428 or email her at pattypcc@aol.com with any questions. Automatic recurring donations to the Center are a huge help to us in our ministry. Thank you for your generosity to the Paulist Center.

E-Service Direct Deposit
The forms to arrange to have direct deposit contributions to the Center are available in the racks, and  here on this website.

Matching Gifts
In the past few years, due to some changes in the wording of the law, many companies have been able to include churches in their matching gift programs as long as they are qualified 501(c)3 organizations, which the Paulist Center is. If your company offers a matching gift program, please check to see if you can have your donations to the Center matched. If you have any questions, please call Patty Simpson at 617-948-2428. We appreciate all donations. Thanks!

Mass Cards
Please stop by the reception area during the week or call Vusie at 617-742-4460 if you would like to arrange to 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.