Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I hope this message finds you well. I was a bit under the weather last week but am feeling much better now—thank you for your prayers!
It looks like we have another round of winter weather coming this weekend, just like last. Last Saturday’s 4:00 PM Mass was packed with standing room only—many people said it felt like Christmas Eve! Looking ahead, Sunday morning is expected to be very icy, so please be careful and plan ahead. Our parking lot should be plowed before the Masses, but I encourage everyone to use caution.
This coming week is school vacation, which I know is a welcome break for many families—and for me as well! While parish life continues, it’s a bit of a change of pace and a brief reprieve from my usual duties at the school.
I hope this message finds you well. I was a bit under the weather last week but am feeling much better now—thank you for your prayers!
It looks like we have another round of winter weather coming this weekend, just like last. Last Saturday’s 4:00 PM Mass was packed with standing room only—many people said it felt like Christmas Eve! Looking ahead, Sunday morning is expected to be very icy, so please be careful and plan ahead. Our parking lot should be plowed before the Masses, but I encourage everyone to use caution.
This coming week is school vacation, which I know is a welcome break for many families—and for me as well! While parish life continues, it’s a bit of a change of pace and a brief reprieve from my usual duties at the school.
Our parish school students had a wonderful last day before break, joyfully celebrating St. Valentine’s Day. This morning, I visited the middle school, where our theology teacher, Ms. Martin, has a great tradition—each class selects a saint’s feast day to celebrate in a special way. The 8th graders chose St. Valentine and were giving a presentation to the 6th grade on the life of this early Church martyr and priest. It was very informative!
If you’ll be traveling over the break, I pray for your safety on the road. And if you find yourself out of town for the weekend, I highly recommend the website Reverent Mass Finder, a great resource to help you locate a reverent parish for Mass wherever you may be.
Stay safe and warm!
In Christ,
Fr. Ryan
Stay safe and warm!
In Christ,
Fr. Ryan
Pro-Life Night & Baby Shower – Sunday, March 2nd
Mark your calendars! SFX is hosting a special Pro-Life Night on Sunday, March 2, at 6:30 PM in the church. This evening will include a pro-life talk, Eucharistic Adoration, and live prayer music by Justin Dery on acoustic guitar.
Most importantly, this night is an opportunity to support a young mother who courageously chose life but has almost nothing for her baby. To help, we’re turning this into a baby shower to provide her with the essentials she needs!
Here’s how you can help:
Most importantly, this night is an opportunity to support a young mother who courageously chose life but has almost nothing for her baby. To help, we’re turning this into a baby shower to provide her with the essentials she needs!
Here’s how you can help:
🍼 Shop the Amazon Baby Registry - Purchase items online and have them shipped directly: Click here to give.
🎁 Bring a baby item or gift card Donations can be brought to the event or dropped off ahead of time at the parish office during business hours or Acushnet Creamery (11:30 AM–8 PM daily). (Deadline: Friday, February 28.)
✔️ Most needed items: Diapers (all sizes) & wipes. Used baby clothes, cribs, and high chairs are welcome (must be in very good condition). New car seats & crib mattresses only for safety reasons.
🎁 Bring a baby item or gift card Donations can be brought to the event or dropped off ahead of time at the parish office during business hours or Acushnet Creamery (11:30 AM–8 PM daily). (Deadline: Friday, February 28.)
✔️ Most needed items: Diapers (all sizes) & wipes. Used baby clothes, cribs, and high chairs are welcome (must be in very good condition). New car seats & crib mattresses only for safety reasons.
Let’s fill the church and come together to support this mother and her baby. All extra donations will be given to the Diocesan Pro-Life Office to be distributed to mothers in need. Please spread the word and invite others to participate. Thank you for being a witness for life!
Women of Grace's New Program starting Feb 26th
To sign-up, email coordinator Amy Plante at amyplante122@gmail.com
Study Guides will be sold for $20 after all Masses the weekend of Feb 22/23.
MOSJ Men's Night - This Feb 20th
This men's night will be our first ever interactive distance speaker, with us in the gym, and our speaker on the big screen and able to see us and have live questions and answers.
Dr. Eugene Gan is a professor of technology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, worked on AI at Carnegie Mellon University, and teaches AI applications. He is a deeply holy man, was picked to be on an exorcism team (you only get picked to be in the room for those if you are deeply holy and humble), and has a lot of insight about AI and its benefits and dangers.
Mark your calendars and invite a friend, this is going to be great stuff!
Exciting Security Updates at SFX School!
Great news! SFX School has been awarded a $19,500 Commonwealth security grant to upgrade our security camera system—praise God! This grant was only possible thanks to many hours of work by Mrs. Rogers and members of our School Advisory Board, who worked diligently to secure these funds for our school’s safety.
The original cost of the project was $33,000, but thanks to several dads in our parish who are donating their time to install the wiring, we’ll be able to complete the entire project using grant funds—saving nearly $15,000 in labor costs. The new security cameras, both inside and outside the school, will be installed next week over February break.
In addition, Giving Tuesday and Grandparents Giving raised enough funds to fully cover the cost of a new PA system, which will allow emergency pages to be made from every room, with an outdoor speaker for the playground and parking lot. This system will also be installed over the break.
The original cost of the project was $33,000, but thanks to several dads in our parish who are donating their time to install the wiring, we’ll be able to complete the entire project using grant funds—saving nearly $15,000 in labor costs. The new security cameras, both inside and outside the school, will be installed next week over February break.
In addition, Giving Tuesday and Grandparents Giving raised enough funds to fully cover the cost of a new PA system, which will allow emergency pages to be made from every room, with an outdoor speaker for the playground and parking lot. This system will also be installed over the break.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making SFX School an even safer place for our children to learn and grow!
Maronite Sisters Visit & Adoration
On Tuesday, February 11, Sr. Therese from the Maronite Sisters made her monthly visit to SFX School. She led students in prayer and reflection during Adoration. Sr. Therese also spoke about the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. We are grateful for the continued presence of the Maronite Sisters in our school community!
Two Ways to Support St. Francis Xavier School
I want to make you aware of two great ways you can help SFX School continue to thrive.
Benefit Banquet – May at SJN Hall
Preparations for our annual Benefit Banquet are in full swing! Right now, we are looking for companies to sponsor this big night. This is a huge opportunity for businesses to support the premier Catholic PreK-8 school on the South Coast. If you know someone who might be interested in sponsoring, please let us know!
Benefit Banquet – May at SJN Hall
Preparations for our annual Benefit Banquet are in full swing! Right now, we are looking for companies to sponsor this big night. This is a huge opportunity for businesses to support the premier Catholic PreK-8 school on the South Coast. If you know someone who might be interested in sponsoring, please let us know!
We will also soon be collecting silent and live auction items. If you can contribute, please reach out to Mrs. Rogers. These could include gift baskets, experiences (like time at a rental property), or services from your business.
Ticket sale information will follow soon.
Housing for Teachers
As we look ahead to next school year, we are often in need of housing for teachers. Catholic school teachers make wonderful tenants, and offering them a place to rent is a huge service to the cause of Catholic education. If you know of any available rentals, please reach out to me or Mrs. Rogers.
Housing for Teachers
As we look ahead to next school year, we are often in need of housing for teachers. Catholic school teachers make wonderful tenants, and offering them a place to rent is a huge service to the cause of Catholic education. If you know of any available rentals, please reach out to me or Mrs. Rogers.
Prepare for Lent: Recommended Spiritual Reading
Lent is fast approaching, and now is the time to start thinking about Lenten reading so you can order any books in time for Ash Wednesday. If you haven’t already read it, I highly recommend He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ—a particularly fitting and powerful book for this season of prayer, sacrifice, and trust in God.
About the Book:
"He Leadeth Me" is the deeply moving personal story of one man's spiritual odyssey and the unflagging faith that enabled him to survive a horrendous ordeal that wrenched his body and spirit to near collapse.
Captured by the Russian army during World War II and convicted of being a Vatican spy, American Jesuit Fr. Walter J. Ciszek spent 23 agonizing years in Soviet prisons and the labor camps of Siberia. He recalls how an utter reliance on God's will gave him the strength to endure. Through prayer and trust, he found courage to face loneliness, pain, frustration, anguish, fear, and despair.
Even while toiling in the infamous Siberian salt mines, Fr. Ciszek offered his suffering to God, finding purpose in even the most inhumane conditions. His story is a testament to faith in the darkest of times, reminding us that God's grace is always at work.
He Leadeth Me is a book to inspire all Christians to greater faith and trust in God—even in their darkest hour.
If you're not a big reader, you can also listen to a free audiobook version on YouTube here.
Looking for more Lenten reading? Here’s a list of other recommended books to help guide your spiritual journey this Lent.
Now is the perfect time to choose your Lenten reading—order a book today and prepare your heart for this holy season!
About the Book:
"He Leadeth Me" is the deeply moving personal story of one man's spiritual odyssey and the unflagging faith that enabled him to survive a horrendous ordeal that wrenched his body and spirit to near collapse.
Captured by the Russian army during World War II and convicted of being a Vatican spy, American Jesuit Fr. Walter J. Ciszek spent 23 agonizing years in Soviet prisons and the labor camps of Siberia. He recalls how an utter reliance on God's will gave him the strength to endure. Through prayer and trust, he found courage to face loneliness, pain, frustration, anguish, fear, and despair.
Even while toiling in the infamous Siberian salt mines, Fr. Ciszek offered his suffering to God, finding purpose in even the most inhumane conditions. His story is a testament to faith in the darkest of times, reminding us that God's grace is always at work.
He Leadeth Me is a book to inspire all Christians to greater faith and trust in God—even in their darkest hour.
If you're not a big reader, you can also listen to a free audiobook version on YouTube here.
Looking for more Lenten reading? Here’s a list of other recommended books to help guide your spiritual journey this Lent.
Now is the perfect time to choose your Lenten reading—order a book today and prepare your heart for this holy season!
Ash Wednesday Schedule – March 5th
6:30 AM – Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Ashes
9:00 AM – Holy Mass
4:00 PM – Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Ashes
7:00 PM – Holy Mass
In your kindness, please pray for the repose of the souls of the following individuals:
Mary Marden, aged 94, SFX parishioner, and mother of Elaine Gonneville, who passed away February 7th, after a period of declining health. Her funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Francis Xavier this morning. Click here to read her obituary.
Mark A. Oliveira, Sr., aged 62, of Fall River, MA whose funeral Mass will be celebrated at SFX on Thursday, February 20th. Arrangements are in the care of Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home.
On the Bulletin Cover this weekend...
Blessed Edvige Carboni (2 May 1880 – 17 February 1952)
Feast Day: February 17th
Feast Day: February 17th
Beatified in 2019
A humble Italian mystic who bore the stigmata, experienced visions of Jesus and Mary, and dedicated her life to serving the poor, suffering, and persecuted—her extraordinary yet hidden holiness making her a powerful witness of faith in the modern world.
Upcoming Event at St. Anthony's - Feb 28th
A powerful testimony of redemption as we get ready for Lent coming to St. Anthony of Padua Church. You can’t imagine what Laurie went through from the early age of 4 and managed by the grace of God to survive.
Her past, her present life will fill you with emotions ending with the enormous blessing she still holds onto even today.
4:15pm - Eucharistic Adoration and Sacrament of Confession
5:15pm- Holy Mass
6:15pm - Talk with Laurie Nigro
Worcester Catholic Men's Conference - April 5th
The Worcester Men's Conference is coming up, and parishioner Kevin Kowzic has organized a free bus for men from our parish and the surrounding area to attend.
Inspiring words from Bishop Barron as we end National Marriage Week on St. Valentine's day - God Bless all our married couples!
Mass Times
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM
First Friday: 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM
Confession Times
Monday: 5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30–10:00 AM | 3:00–3:45 PM
Monday: 5:30–6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30–10:00 AM | 3:00–3:45 PM
First Friday: 6:45–7:15 PM
Anytime by Appointment