Daughters of St. Paul #OnTheMove

How did the Daughters of St. Paul determine that they needed to reconfigure their presence?

For the past several years, our international Congregation has been reexamining our worldwide presence. After prayer, meetings, and outside consultation, we concluded that reconfiguration is necessary for our sisters in North America to be more faithful ministers of the Gospel to the people of today.

Why are the Daughters of St. Paul closing locations?

As missionary sisters sent forth in the spirit of Saint Paul, we are always on the move to proclaim the Gospel. After taking stock of the many opportunities we have to evangelize with the communications media today, as well as the reality of the gifts and talents of our sisters and the young women entering our community, we are reconfiguring our presence across the United States. This move will help us respond more faithfully and effectively to new opportunities for evangelization.

How are the Daughters of St. Paul going to serve people today?

We are committing to excellence in publishing and content creation; transforming our Pauline Books & Media centers to become more vibrant and dynamic centers of mission; developing our digital outreach with visionary, relevant and pastoral content; and promoting a Catholic media culture that inspires and equips people to live their baptismal call to share Christ with others.

Which locations are closing?

We are closing our convents and book centers in New York City and Menlo Park, California. In 2022 we closed Honolulu, Hawaii; Chicago, Illinois; Charleston, South Carolina; and our convent in San Antonio, Texas.

How many sisters will be moving to new locations?

Six sisters are involved in this move. The two sisters in New York and four in Menlo Park will be relocating to other existing Daughters of St. Paul communities in the U.S. and Canada.

Where will the Daughters of St. Paul remain within the U.S. and Toronto?

Boston, Massachusetts; Alexandria (VA), Los Angeles (CA), Miami (FL), New Orleans (LA), St. Louis (MO), and Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

When is this going to happen?

Our Pauline Books & Media center in Manhattan will close in December 2023, and our convent in Staten Island, New York, will close soon after in early 2024. Our book center and convent in Menlo Park will close in early 2024.

What will happen before each location closes?

The sisters in New York and Menlo Park will be offering sales in our Pauline Books & Media centers and organizing a Mass of Thanksgiving in each city. We want to personally connect with everyone who knows us in New York and Northern California to thank you for your support and collaboration in mission, and to talk about how our Pauline mission will continue in your areas. We invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and select your nearest Pauline Books & Media location, so that we can notify you directly about events in your area as we concretize the dates, times, and locations of these events.

How will the Pauline mission continue in the areas you are leaving?

Throughout the decades that we've conducted our ministry, Pauline communities have formed that include promised Pauline Cooperators: men and women who personally commit to live the Pauline spirituality and mission. The Daughters of St. Paul will continue to collaborate with and support these Cooperators as they carry out their discipleship. We also intend to keep lines of communication open with the communities we are leaving and engage the local Church through our digital presence, traveling in-person ministry, publications, and creative outreach. We invite you to stay in touch by signing up for our weekly newsletter, following us on social media (@DaughterStPaul), and tuning in to our podcast, Dare to Dwell.

Where can we get Pauline Books & Media content once our local book center closes?

Pauline Books & Media publications are available on our webstore (paulinestore.com). You can also find our publications at many local Catholic bookstores and some parish gift shops. For digital content, we invite you to sign up for our weekly newsletter, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our podcast Dare to Dwell.

Are you reconfiguring because you do not have enough vocations?

While we never have enough sisters to meet the vast and growing needs of our mission to proclaim Christ using the media today, the Lord has been blessing us with many young women who discern with us through our online and in-person vocation retreats. Some of these women have entered our community. We are grateful to God! It is true that our membership is a factor in this redesign. While we acknowledge this fact, we are driven by something greater. The fruitfulness of our religious vocation and mission as Daughters of St. Paul thrives in an active community life steeped in praying and working together. By reconfiguring our communities and apostolic initiatives, we will focus our mission more effectively while continuing to invite others into our community. Through our redesign process so far, we have been able to strengthen our outreach to media professionals, young women in discernment, and people who have stopped practicing their faith. Please join us in asking the Lord to send more laborers for his harvest!

Are you reconfiguring because you do not have enough funding?

We had to discern many factors in this reconfiguration, including the health and well-being of our sisters and our financial capabilities. We are constantly evaluating our choices so that we wisely use the resources that we have received and continue to receive through our apostolic activity and the generosity of donors. We decided to close these locations to ensure that we are able to strengthen and support our sisters in their consecrated life and in community; focus our media apostolate in ways best suited to meet the needs of people today; and direct our resources in a way that sustains and grows our mission both now and in the future.

You mentioned "Pauline Cooperators." What are they?

Pauline Cooperators are lay men and women who personally commit to live the Pauline spirituality and mission. They have been part of our Pauline Family from the very beginning and, along with our dedicated friends and volunteers, are missionaries on the ground. For more information about Pauline Cooperators, please visit daughtersofstpaul.com/cooperators.

I've been donating to one of the communities that is closing. How can I continue to support the Daughters of St. Paul?

The easiest way is to give online: donate.pauline.org/give. Your donation will be directed to our general fund and help us address the areas of greatest need as we restructure ourselves for mission. You may also mail your donation to Sr. Tracey Dugas, FSP, Mission Advancement Office, Daughters of St Paul, 50 Saint Paul's Ave, Boston, MA, 02130. Thank you for your continued support of our sisters and mission for the proclamation of the Gospel.

How can I support the sisters I know?

Friends, volunteers, and benefactors are welcome to stay in touch with the sisters with whom they have been in contact already. Your continued financial support will help these sisters you know, as well as those you may not know personally, to go forth and bring the Gospel to those who still need to hear it. We are so grateful for your friendship and participation in our Pauline mission through the gift of your prayer, service, and financial support. You can give here: donate.pauline.org/give

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