Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I’m pleased to share that we’ve restarted the Parish Pastoral Council last week. This council will provide an important opportunity for collaboration and input from parishioners as we work together to enrich the life of our parish.
The council is made up of:
Ex Officio Members
Fr. Ryan Healy, Pastor
Deacon David Pepin
Haley Rogers, Principal of St. Francis Xavier School
Phil Martin, Director of Religious Education
Ministry Representatives
Robin Bachstein (St. Vincent de Paul)
Mary Cardoza (Adoration Coordinator)
Jay Hamel (Men of St. Joseph and Youth Ministry)
Marisa Hamel (Young Families and Mothers Ministry)
Mary Hadley (Events Committee Chair)
Amy Plante (Women of Grace)
Robin Bachstein (St. Vincent de Paul)
Mary Cardoza (Adoration Coordinator)
Jay Hamel (Men of St. Joseph and Youth Ministry)
Marisa Hamel (Young Families and Mothers Ministry)
Mary Hadley (Events Committee Chair)
Amy Plante (Women of Grace)
Parishioner Representatives
Holly Clavell (Chairperson)
Kevin Kowzic
Bethany Pollard-Kowzic
Ann Wynne
Holly Clavell (Chairperson)
Kevin Kowzic
Bethany Pollard-Kowzic
Ann Wynne
If you have any ideas or suggestions for enriching our parish life, I encourage you to share them with me or one of the council members. We’re here to listen and bring those ideas to the table for discussion.
Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers for our parish. I look forward to seeing the fruits of this collaboration as we move forward together.
In Christ,
Fr. Ryan
This Weekend!!!
The SFX School Play is this weekend!
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Click here to buy tickets online now.
Click here to buy tickets online now.
PARISH BUS TRIP TO LANCASTER, PA
MAY 14 - 16
Final Call for sign-ups this weekend!!
Join Fr. Ryan for an Unforgettable Trip to Lancaster, PA!
The bus is almost full!
Experience the 30th-anniversary production of "Noah" at the renowned Sight & Sound Theater, featuring stunning live animals, breathtaking sets, and powerful storytelling that brings the Bible to life.
Experience the 30th-anniversary production of "Noah" at the renowned Sight & Sound Theater, featuring stunning live animals, breathtaking sets, and powerful storytelling that brings the Bible to life.
Watch a trailer video here
📅 Trip Details:
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Cost: $559 per person (double occupancy)
📅 Trip Details:
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Cost: $559 per person (double occupancy)
📌 Sign-Up Deadline: January 19th (Contact Mary Cardoza)
💵 Full Payment Due: February 22nd
💵 Full Payment Due: February 22nd
Care Package for Fr. Steve Booth
Fr. Steve Booth’s birthday was a couple weeks ago, and we’d like to celebrate him in a special way. Many of you know that Fr. Booth grew up here at SFX, serving as an altar boy and MC during his high school years before entering seminary in 2012 at age 18.
After ordination in 2020, Fr. Booth served as parochial vicar at St. Julie’s in Dartmouth and then as administrator of St. Joan of Arc in Orleans. After years of preparation, he was deployed in September 2024 as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. He now serves as the Catholic chaplain for the community at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily—known as “The Hub of the Med.” This base is the Navy’s second-largest security command, and Fr. Booth ministers to American Catholic families there, much like a parish pastor. He also provides spiritual care at a nearby Navy hospital.
We are so proud of his service to our country and would like to send him a care package from the parish. If you would like to contribute a card, note, or spiritual bouquet or a gift, please bring it to me at Mass or drop it off at the parish office by next Friday, January 24th.
After ordination in 2020, Fr. Booth served as parochial vicar at St. Julie’s in Dartmouth and then as administrator of St. Joan of Arc in Orleans. After years of preparation, he was deployed in September 2024 as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. He now serves as the Catholic chaplain for the community at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily—known as “The Hub of the Med.” This base is the Navy’s second-largest security command, and Fr. Booth ministers to American Catholic families there, much like a parish pastor. He also provides spiritual care at a nearby Navy hospital.
We are so proud of his service to our country and would like to send him a care package from the parish. If you would like to contribute a card, note, or spiritual bouquet or a gift, please bring it to me at Mass or drop it off at the parish office by next Friday, January 24th.
Calzone and Trivia Night – Join Us for a Fun Evening!
Mark your calendars! SFX Events Committee is hosting a Trivia Night on Friday, February 28th, from 6–10 PM at the VFW in Freetown.
Highlights of the evening include:
🍽️ Delicious homemade calzones and Italian meatballs prepared by Donna Coray, along with salad. Desserts are welcome!
🎤 Team Trivia hosted by Andrew Hamel, sure to entertain and challenge!
🍹 A cash bar available through the VFW and music.
Tickets are $20 per person and will be sold after all Masses on the weekends of January 25/26 and February 1/2.
I hope you’ll join us!
Mark your calendars! SFX Events Committee is hosting a Trivia Night on Friday, February 28th, from 6–10 PM at the VFW in Freetown.
Highlights of the evening include:
🍽️ Delicious homemade calzones and Italian meatballs prepared by Donna Coray, along with salad. Desserts are welcome!
🎤 Team Trivia hosted by Andrew Hamel, sure to entertain and challenge!
🍹 A cash bar available through the VFW and music.
Tickets are $20 per person and will be sold after all Masses on the weekends of January 25/26 and February 1/2.
I hope you’ll join us!
This year, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas) falls on Sunday, February 2nd, taking the place of the usual Sunday in Ordinary Time. This feast celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the temple 40 days after His Birth and has traditionally been associated with light and candles, symbolizing Christ, the Light of the World, coming to the temple that day.
To mark this special feast, I am planning a candlelight Mass at 6:00 PM on Sunday evening. During the Mass, beeswax candles will be blessed and made available for you to take home to burn as a reminder of Christ’s light in your life. You may also bring candles to the Mass to be blessed.
To mark this special feast, I am planning a candlelight Mass at 6:00 PM on Sunday evening. During the Mass, beeswax candles will be blessed and made available for you to take home to burn as a reminder of Christ’s light in your life. You may also bring candles to the Mass to be blessed.
Please note: This Mass will take the place of the previously scheduled Rosary Party for that evening.
Additionally, I am in need of volunteers to help me prepare the candles by cutting out tags and string. If you are available to assist, please call the parish office.
Additionally, I am in need of volunteers to help me prepare the candles by cutting out tags and string. If you are available to assist, please call the parish office.
A Call to Help a Parish Family in Need
A family in our parish is facing significant challenges and could use our prayers and support. Kendra and Sergio's son, Joshua, has been hospitalized for nearly two weeks, battling RSV pneumonia and a new diagnosis of Restrictive Lung Disease. Joshua requires around-the-clock care for multiple medical conditions, and this recent hospitalization has placed an even greater strain on the family.
In addition to medical expenses and the need for specialized equipment, the family’s car—essential for transporting Joshua to his many appointments—unexpectedly broke down and needs to be replaced.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with medical expenses, essential home equipment, and the purchase of a reliable vehicle. If you feel called to assist in any way, please visit the link to learn more:
In addition to medical expenses and the need for specialized equipment, the family’s car—essential for transporting Joshua to his many appointments—unexpectedly broke down and needs to be replaced.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with medical expenses, essential home equipment, and the purchase of a reliable vehicle. If you feel called to assist in any way, please visit the link to learn more:
Click here for the GoFundMe for Joshua's Family
Thank you!
Supporting Those Affected by the California Wildfires
I’m sure many of you have been deeply concerned by the devastating wildfires in LA County over the past few days. The destruction has been heartbreaking, but the Church is actively responding to bring hope and aid to those in need.
I want to share this CNA article, which highlights the Church’s efforts and provides ways you can contribute to Catholic organizations working on the ground: Hope Rises from the Ashes: Catholic Aid Mobilizes in California Wildfires.
Please keep those impacted by the wildfires in your prayers.
I want to share this CNA article, which highlights the Church’s efforts and provides ways you can contribute to Catholic organizations working on the ground: Hope Rises from the Ashes: Catholic Aid Mobilizes in California Wildfires.
Please keep those impacted by the wildfires in your prayers.
On the Bulletin Cover this weekend...
Blessed Ladislaus Batthyány-Strattmann (28 October 1870 – 22 January 1931)
Feast Day: January 22nd
Beatified in 2003
Born into Hungarian nobility, Ladislaus became a renowned physician who dedicated his life to treating the poor without charge, earning him the title "Doctor of the Poor."
Remembering Pedro Ballester at School Mass
This past Monday, January 13th, marked the 7th anniversary of the passing of Pedro Ballester, a young man whose cause for canonization is being considered. Born in Spain and raised in England, Pedro passed away in 2018 at the age of 21 from a rare form of bone cancer. At his funeral, attended by over 500 people, Archbishop Arthur Roche, noted how Pedro touched countless lives with his patient, joyful witness. Pedro’s faith was extraordinary; he embraced suffering as part of his vocation and trusted that his life, even his death, was in God’s hands.
At our school Mass that morning, I shared Pedro’s story with the students, highlighting how he lived a life of deep faith in our modern world—a life not so different from their own. At SFX School, we strive to inspire our students to pursue holiness, and it’s important to me that they see relevant and credible witnesses to the faith.
At our school Mass that morning, I shared Pedro’s story with the students, highlighting how he lived a life of deep faith in our modern world—a life not so different from their own. At SFX School, we strive to inspire our students to pursue holiness, and it’s important to me that they see relevant and credible witnesses to the faith.
If you would like to learn more about Pedro, I encourage you to read this article: A Lasting Trail of Light: The Witness of Pedro Ballester or watch this moving documentary about his life on YouTube: Pedro Ballester: I have never been happier.
Please join me in praying for Pedro’s cause and for all young people striving to live lives of holiness.
High School Youth Group Last Weekend
Last Sunday, our HSYG had our monthly meeting. We welcomed 15 teens from SFX and neighboring parishes. Jay gave an inspiring talk about Nick Vujicic, a man who overcame incredible challenges to share God’s love.
Since it was our Christmas gathering, we celebrated with our annual gag Yankee Swap (White Elephant). I went home with Holy Spirit socks and some chocolate—not as legendary as the custom socks with my face on them that Jay brought a few years ago, but still a win!
Looking ahead: We’re already making plans for our June youth pilgrimage to the incredible Steubenville Youth Conference in Ohio. Jay Hamel and I had the privilege of helping lead this trip with the diocese last year, and it was a life-changing experience for the teens. This year, we’re hoping to again bring a group from SFX and will be organizing fundraisers to help offset the cost for the kids.
If you know any rising 9th graders through college freshmen who might be interested in joining us, please reach out. Below is the flyer from the diocese with more details. Click here for the YouTube trailer.
Since it was our Christmas gathering, we celebrated with our annual gag Yankee Swap (White Elephant). I went home with Holy Spirit socks and some chocolate—not as legendary as the custom socks with my face on them that Jay brought a few years ago, but still a win!
Looking ahead: We’re already making plans for our June youth pilgrimage to the incredible Steubenville Youth Conference in Ohio. Jay Hamel and I had the privilege of helping lead this trip with the diocese last year, and it was a life-changing experience for the teens. This year, we’re hoping to again bring a group from SFX and will be organizing fundraisers to help offset the cost for the kids.
If you know any rising 9th graders through college freshmen who might be interested in joining us, please reach out. Below is the flyer from the diocese with more details. Click here for the YouTube trailer.
Women's Morning Retreat Last Weekend
The Women's morning retreat was a great success last Saturday! Thank you to all who came and to Amy Plante and the WOG for organizing. They are looking forward to their upcoming Lenten program which will soon be announced!
Here is what Saturday's speaker, Liz Montigny, shared on Facebook about the retreat:
"Can you send me your notes so I can read them over about 100x?"
"Thank you. That was so grounding. So many women need to hear this."
"You touched many hearts."
Glory to God!
I was blessed to speak at a Women of Grace morning of reflection on Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Church in Acushnet, MA. We talked about living under Mary's mantle to breakthrough busyness and live with purpose, clarity, and confidence.
As usual, I missed designating a photographer. I was having a good hair day, too. But, I got the most important picture of all. A roomful of women of all ages resting with the Lord.
I'm putting together an "abridged" version of my talk, which you'll be able to download for free. Sign-up for my twice-a-month newsletter to make sure you get your copy.
💌 Link is here⤵️
http://linktr.ee/LizMCoaching
"Can you send me your notes so I can read them over about 100x?"
"Thank you. That was so grounding. So many women need to hear this."
"You touched many hearts."
Glory to God!
I was blessed to speak at a Women of Grace morning of reflection on Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Church in Acushnet, MA. We talked about living under Mary's mantle to breakthrough busyness and live with purpose, clarity, and confidence.
As usual, I missed designating a photographer. I was having a good hair day, too. But, I got the most important picture of all. A roomful of women of all ages resting with the Lord.
I'm putting together an "abridged" version of my talk, which you'll be able to download for free. Sign-up for my twice-a-month newsletter to make sure you get your copy.
💌 Link is here⤵️
http://linktr.ee/LizMCoaching
Mark your Calendars!
Vocations Office Event
From the Diocese...
DIOCESAN ADULT CONFIRMATION PROGRAM
The Diocese’s Adult Confirmation Program is now open year-round, with opportunities for Catholics who have been baptized but not confirmed to receive the sacrament in the fall, winter, and spring. Sign-ups are taking place now to receive Confirmation in April.
This program is an excellent opportunity for anyone seeking to complete their initiation into the Church. Remember, the sacrament of confirmation is required to serve as a sponsor for baptism or confirmation.
If you or someone you know may be interested, you can find more details here.