HOLY SATURDAY
Image: "The Harrowing of Hell" (1900) by Nikolay Koshelev
Today is Holy Saturday, a quiet and solemn day as we spiritually and prayerfully wait by the tomb. It is the day we recall Christ's descent into hell, or Sheol, where He went to rescue the souls of all who had died before Redemption was won on the cross.
If you're looking to reflect more, I highly recommend reading this ancient homily often read on Holy Saturday. Click here to read "Homily on Christ’s Descent to the Dead"
You might also enjoy this article from the National Catholic Register: Christ’s Descent Into Hell is the Strangest Truth of All
If you're looking to reflect more, I highly recommend reading this ancient homily often read on Holy Saturday. Click here to read "Homily on Christ’s Descent to the Dead"
You might also enjoy this article from the National Catholic Register: Christ’s Descent Into Hell is the Strangest Truth of All
Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday
Schedule
The Empty Tomb, 1889, Mikhail Nesterov
April 19 Holy Saturday
7:30pm Solemn Easter Vigil
April 20 Easter Sunday
8:00am Mass
10:30am Mass
Holy Thursday at SFX
Holy Thursday marked a beautiful beginning to the Easter Triduum. Above is a photo of our Altar of Repose, where a steady stream of visitors came throughout the evening to take part in the tradition of the Seven Churches devotion. The church remained open until 11:00pm, and it was moving to see so many stop and pray with the Lord.
At the Mass, I preached about the incredible gift we have in our parish’s Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. Week after week, for 125 hours each week, parishioners from SFX and surrounding parishes come to adore our Lord in the Sacred Hearts Adoration Chapel. Thank you to all who sacrifice to make this possible! We look forward to celebrating 20 years of Eucharistic Adoration at SFX next year in 2026.
During the homily, I also shared a poem I discovered some time ago, written by a Carmelite priest and originally published in Spanish. It reflects beautifully on visiting Jesus in the Tabernacle. Several people asked for a copy, here is the link if you’d like to read it:
At the Mass, I preached about the incredible gift we have in our parish’s Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. Week after week, for 125 hours each week, parishioners from SFX and surrounding parishes come to adore our Lord in the Sacred Hearts Adoration Chapel. Thank you to all who sacrifice to make this possible! We look forward to celebrating 20 years of Eucharistic Adoration at SFX next year in 2026.
During the homily, I also shared a poem I discovered some time ago, written by a Carmelite priest and originally published in Spanish. It reflects beautifully on visiting Jesus in the Tabernacle. Several people asked for a copy, here is the link if you’d like to read it:
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who has helped to make the Easter Triduum so beautiful and reverent. I’m especially grateful to our lectors, altar boys, ushers, and sacristans for their service during these most sacred days.
A special word of thanks to our Easter decorating crew: Louise Hebert, Louise Desroches, Maria DaCosta, and Elaine McCarthy, who are spending many hours today preparing the church so beautifully for Easter. Your work is a true gift to our parish.
A special word of thanks to our Easter decorating crew: Louise Hebert, Louise Desroches, Maria DaCosta, and Elaine McCarthy, who are spending many hours today preparing the church so beautifully for Easter. Your work is a true gift to our parish.
Easter Gift to the Parish
Thanks to the generosity of a parishioner who was deeply moved by the book we handed out at Christmas, 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory by Matthew Kelly, we are able to offer additional copies this Easter as a gift to the whole parish. Copies will be available at the doors of the church this weekend.
Our hope is that as many parishioners as possible will read this powerful book and come to a deeper understanding of the life-changing reality of the Eucharist. As the author writes, “Those who believe, don’t leave.”
To get a sense of what this book is all about, and why it matters so much for your spiritual life and the lives of your loved ones, you can listen to the introduction here:
Our hope is that as many parishioners as possible will read this powerful book and come to a deeper understanding of the life-changing reality of the Eucharist. As the author writes, “Those who believe, don’t leave.”
To get a sense of what this book is all about, and why it matters so much for your spiritual life and the lives of your loved ones, you can listen to the introduction here:
Audio Intro to 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory
After Easter, I’ll be announcing a parish-wide reading of the book, inviting everyone to make the consecration to the Eucharist, as Matthew Kelly outlines. More details to come!
After Easter, I’ll be announcing a parish-wide reading of the book, inviting everyone to make the consecration to the Eucharist, as Matthew Kelly outlines. More details to come!
Next Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday
Next Sunday, April 27, the Church celebrates Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast established by Pope St. John Paul II to highlight the boundless mercy of Jesus, as revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska. It is a day to place our trust in God's mercy, to receive the grace of forgiveness, and to pray for the conversion of the whole world.
At SFX, we will observe Divine Mercy Sunday with:
- Confessions from 2:00–2:45pm
- Holy Hour beginning at 3:00pm, the Hour of Mercy, including the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
All are welcome!
At SFX, we will observe Divine Mercy Sunday with:
- Confessions from 2:00–2:45pm
- Holy Hour beginning at 3:00pm, the Hour of Mercy, including the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
All are welcome!
Welcoming New Catholics at the Easter Vigil
Tonight at the Easter Vigil, we have the great joy of welcoming four men into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of initiation. Each of them has a unique and powerful story of how the Lord has drawn them to Himself and to the beauty of the Catholic faith.
One of these men, with a deep interest in history, was raised with no religious background but began exploring questions of faith on his own. Through personal research and reading, he discovered the truth of Catholicism and, despite not knowing any Catholics personally, reached out last year to ask how he could join the Church.
Another is becoming Catholic following the baptism of his newborn child. He and his wife desired to practice their faith together as a family, and he wants to lead and support his children in knowing and loving God.
A third has been attending Mass here at SFX with his significant other. Though he had no religious upbringing, he found deep meaning in the Catholic faith and gradually came to the conviction that he wanted to become Catholic.
Finally, one man began attending Mass through the witness of a close friend who prayed with him and walked with him. Through homilies at Our Lady’s Chapel and St. Anthony’s, he came to believe fully in the truth of the Church.
Please keep these men in your prayers as they begin their new life in Christ and in the Catholic Church. May their witness inspire all of us to rediscover the gift of our own faith. Special thanks to Greg Hurst, their catechist, for bringing them to this point today!
One of these men, with a deep interest in history, was raised with no religious background but began exploring questions of faith on his own. Through personal research and reading, he discovered the truth of Catholicism and, despite not knowing any Catholics personally, reached out last year to ask how he could join the Church.
Another is becoming Catholic following the baptism of his newborn child. He and his wife desired to practice their faith together as a family, and he wants to lead and support his children in knowing and loving God.
A third has been attending Mass here at SFX with his significant other. Though he had no religious upbringing, he found deep meaning in the Catholic faith and gradually came to the conviction that he wanted to become Catholic.
Finally, one man began attending Mass through the witness of a close friend who prayed with him and walked with him. Through homilies at Our Lady’s Chapel and St. Anthony’s, he came to believe fully in the truth of the Church.
Please keep these men in your prayers as they begin their new life in Christ and in the Catholic Church. May their witness inspire all of us to rediscover the gift of our own faith. Special thanks to Greg Hurst, their catechist, for bringing them to this point today!
In your kindness, please pray for the repose of the souls of the following individuals:
Ronald "Ronnie" H. Nolin, passed away on April 14, 2025, at the age of 83. He was a devoted longtime parishioner of SFX parish, daily communicant, Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to the homebound, lector, and choir member. Visiting hours will be held tomorrow, Sunday, April 20, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. His Funeral will be held on Easter Monday, April 21, at 9:00 am from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am here at St. Francis Xavier Church. Burial is private. Click here for his obituary.
Jacqueline T. “Jackie” (Ledoux) Lamontagne, 82, of Mattapoisett passed away at home surrounded by her family on April 16, 2025 after a 5 year journey with Alzheimers Disease. She was the loving wife of 62 years to Jerry Lamontagne, Sr. Born and raised in Acushnet, daughter of the late Conrad and Therese (Ethier) Ledoux. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated this Tuesday, April 22nd at 3:00pm at St Joseph’s Church, 74 Spring Street in Fairhaven. Click here for her obituary.
Men of St. Joseph - Men's Night This Thursday & Meat N Greet May 3rd
From Jay Hamel: Men, we have a lot offered in the next couple weeks! This week on Thursday April 24 we have our MOSJ at SFX meeting, and have an exciting speaker named Brett St. Gelais. He’s a really dynamic guy.
2 weeks from now we have Meat n Greet, Saturday May 3. This is my favorite thing we do. I’m working hard to bring more events for men to do, new challenges, and trying to reach more men. I will need to reach out to more guys for help this year, especially guys with pick up trucks. Please let me know if you can help, and if you haven’t signed up yet, please register now!
Click here to register.
2 weeks from now we have Meat n Greet, Saturday May 3. This is my favorite thing we do. I’m working hard to bring more events for men to do, new challenges, and trying to reach more men. I will need to reach out to more guys for help this year, especially guys with pick up trucks. Please let me know if you can help, and if you haven’t signed up yet, please register now!
Click here to register.
Chrism Mass Last Tuesday
This past Tuesday was the annual Chrism Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. It was a joyful and well-attended celebration, with faithful from across the diocese, including a few from SFX, and, according to Bishop da Cunha, the largest gathering of priests for the Chrism Mass in several years.
At this Mass, the bishop blesses the holy oils used throughout the year for the sacraments in every parish. The priests of the diocese also renew their priestly promises to Christ and His Church, much like all the faithful do when we renew our baptismal promises at Easter.
In his homily, Bishop da Cunha reflected on the witness of Jane Marczewski (also known as Nightbirde) a young Christian woman whose America’s Got Talent audition went viral in 2021.
At this Mass, the bishop blesses the holy oils used throughout the year for the sacraments in every parish. The priests of the diocese also renew their priestly promises to Christ and His Church, much like all the faithful do when we renew our baptismal promises at Easter.
In his homily, Bishop da Cunha reflected on the witness of Jane Marczewski (also known as Nightbirde) a young Christian woman whose America’s Got Talent audition went viral in 2021.
In the audition, Jane shared that she was battling cancer and only had a 2% chance of survival, yet she says, “2% is not zero percent.” The bishop primarily highlighted one of her quotes, obviously spoken from a place of deep faith: “You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.” He connected this to the hope we find in Christ, a hope that allows us to choose joy even in suffering.
If you’ve never seen Jane’s audition, it’s well worth watching: Click here to watch the Audition video.
After seeing the video back in 2021, I looked her up and came across a moving reflection she wrote called “God is on the Bathroom Floor” where she speaks about finding God while battling cancer. I've shared the article several times over the years with those carrying heavy crosses. Here is a brief excerpt:
"I have had cancer three times now, and I have barely passed thirty. There are times when I wonder what I must have done to deserve such a story. I fear sometimes that when I die and meet with God, that He will say I disappointed Him, or offended Him, or failed Him. Maybe He’ll say I just never learned the lesson, or that I wasn’t grateful enough. But one thing I know for sure is this: He can never say that He did not know me.
I am God’s downstairs neighbor, banging on the ceiling with a broomstick. I show up at His door every day. Sometimes with songs, sometimes with curses. Sometimes apologies, gifts, questions, demands. Sometimes I use my key under the mat to let myself in. Other times, I sulk outside until He opens the door to me Himself.
I have called Him a cheat and a liar, and I meant it. I have told Him I wanted to die, and I meant it. Tears have become the only prayer I know. Prayers roll over my nostrils and drip down my forearms. They fall to the ground as I reach for Him. These are the prayers I repeat night and day; sunrise, sunset.
Call me bitter if you want to—that’s fair. Count me among the angry, the cynical, the offended, the hardened. But count me also among the friends of God. For I have seen Him in rare form. I have felt His exhale, laid in His shadow, squinted to read the message He wrote for me in the grout: “I’m sad too.” "
You can read the rest of her reflection here.
Jane passed away from cancer on February 19, 2022, at the age of 31.
After seeing the video back in 2021, I looked her up and came across a moving reflection she wrote called “God is on the Bathroom Floor” where she speaks about finding God while battling cancer. I've shared the article several times over the years with those carrying heavy crosses. Here is a brief excerpt:
"I have had cancer three times now, and I have barely passed thirty. There are times when I wonder what I must have done to deserve such a story. I fear sometimes that when I die and meet with God, that He will say I disappointed Him, or offended Him, or failed Him. Maybe He’ll say I just never learned the lesson, or that I wasn’t grateful enough. But one thing I know for sure is this: He can never say that He did not know me.
I am God’s downstairs neighbor, banging on the ceiling with a broomstick. I show up at His door every day. Sometimes with songs, sometimes with curses. Sometimes apologies, gifts, questions, demands. Sometimes I use my key under the mat to let myself in. Other times, I sulk outside until He opens the door to me Himself.
I have called Him a cheat and a liar, and I meant it. I have told Him I wanted to die, and I meant it. Tears have become the only prayer I know. Prayers roll over my nostrils and drip down my forearms. They fall to the ground as I reach for Him. These are the prayers I repeat night and day; sunrise, sunset.
Call me bitter if you want to—that’s fair. Count me among the angry, the cynical, the offended, the hardened. But count me also among the friends of God. For I have seen Him in rare form. I have felt His exhale, laid in His shadow, squinted to read the message He wrote for me in the grout: “I’m sad too.” "
You can read the rest of her reflection here.
Jane passed away from cancer on February 19, 2022, at the age of 31.
Holy Week at the School
We began this holiest week of the year with a beautiful school Mass on Monday of Holy Week. On Thursday, before heading off for Easter and April vacation, our students also gathered to pray the Stations of the Cross together.
Throughout Lent, our middle schoolers in the National Junior Honor Society have been working on a variety of service projects. One special project completed this week was the preparation of small care packages for the homebound members of our parish. These will be delivered in the coming days as a sign of their love and prayers. Thank you to Mrs. Shaughnessy and all the NJHS members!
40 Days for Life Last Saturday
Thank you to all who joined us last Saturday, April 12, for 40 Days for Life. Despite the rain, a number of parishioners from SFX and St. Julie’s came out to stand and pray across from the abortion clinic on Emory Street in Attleboro (the only one in the Diocese of Fall River) as part of the 40 Days for Life campaign. A special thank you to Mary Hadley, who generously oversees the entire 6am to 2pm shift every year.
This year, for the first time in our 15+ years of participation, there were several counter-protesters present, some of whom were quite aggressive. While nothing serious occurred, we are evaluating how best to ensure a safe and prayerful environment for everyone in the future.
This year, for the first time in our 15+ years of participation, there were several counter-protesters present, some of whom were quite aggressive. While nothing serious occurred, we are evaluating how best to ensure a safe and prayerful environment for everyone in the future.
Blessing Your Easter Meal at Home
As you gather with family and loved ones to celebrate the joy of Easter, consider using this Easter Meal Blessing from the Church's Book of Blessings to begin your celebration in prayer. It includes a short Scripture reading, intercessions, and a prayer of blessing that can be led by anyone in the home.
Click below for the full text of the blessing.
May your Easter be filled with joy, peace, and the radiant hope of the Risen Christ.
Click below for the full text of the blessing.
May your Easter be filled with joy, peace, and the radiant hope of the Risen Christ.
On the Bulletin Cover this weekend...
Blessed Maria Gabriella Sagheddu (17 March 1914 – 23 April 1939)
Feast day: April 23rd
Beatified in 1983
Born in Sardinia in 1914, Bl. Maria transformed from a spirited youth into a devoted Trappist nun who, moved by a profound desire for Christian unity, offered her life in prayer and sacrifice, passing away at 25 from tuberculosis.
Looking for deeper insight into this weekend’s readings? Check out this reflection from my favorite biblical scholar, Dr. John Bergsma
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
Adoration Times
Monday-Friday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
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
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