Taize Prayer - December 19

The gentle chants of the community of Taize in the midst of candles and icons - what a wonderful way to celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Join us at St. Paul's on SUnday, December 19, 5:00 pm, for our monthly celebration of Taize prayer. A simple reception will follow.

Do we really sound like this?

It may be a little unfair, but the video below made me wonder about the church. It seems that we often struggle to understand who we are and why we are here: a community of like minded people, a social action group, a "family" that enjoys reuniting each Sunday...? Clergy in their turn have veered over the years from being educators to counselors to community organizers to social workers to...

What happened to being the Body of Christ, gathered by the Holy Spirit, to worship God in holiness, proclaim the Good News, and serve the world in the name of Christ? Where are the clergy being stewards of the mysteries, people of prayer and sacrament, fathers and mothers in Christ to their people - not in arrogance or domination, but love and humility...?

With all that - enjoy the video! It's funny.
(h/t to Women's Guild)

Advent Lessons & Carols

One of the many joys of the season of Advent is the service of Lessons & Carols. St. Paul's will offer its annual Lessons & Carols service on Sunday, December 5, at 5:00 pm. Come and hear the great stories of Scripture that lead us to the brink of Christmas, interspersed with the wonderful music of Advent. One of St. Paul's renowned receptions will follow.

Taizé Prayer this Sunday

The Taizé religious community in France has given the Christian world the gift of their gentle chants and a service of prayer that is peaceful, engaging and moving. Our next service in the style of Taizé at St. Paul's is this Sunday (November 21) at 5:00 pm. All are welcome; a simple reception follows.

From Bishop Robinson: It gets better

Recent media reports suggest that there is a sudden rash of suicides of gay teenagers. In fact this is an ongoing struggle for young people seeking support and affirmation in the face of condemnation from family, politicians, and, tragically, from some religious leaders.

Others are speaking out, including this video. Bishop Gene Robinson of the Diocese of New Hampshire speaks to young gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender folk - and to us all - about hope in God's love.

St. Paul's Church comes to Facebook

Thanks to the good work of one of our parishioners, St. Paul's, Pawtucket is now on Facebook. You can find the page here.

We invite you to add this page to your "likes", share it with others, and check in frequently.

Society of Catholic Priests

On Holy Cross Day, fourteen clergy and religious from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut gathered to inaugurate the New England Chapter of the Society of Catholic Priests. National Convenor Fr. David Cobb,(right in the middle of the photo),a chapter member as well since he is Rector of Christ Church, New Haven, CT, was with us as Presider for the Mass. New members were admitted, continuing members renewed their promises, and the chapter was formed. The Society of Catholic Priests exists to provide a place for catholic minded clergy and religious to meet in mutual support, to encourage a deepening spiritual life and growing ministry, and to celebrate the Church's openness to all who may be called by God to ordained ministry.

If you are interested in the SCP, click here. Potential New England members can contact our chapter convenor, the Rev'd Jo-Ann Drake, at jjdrake_redeemer@cox.net.