Rest in Peace Holy Father!
This week, together with the universal Church, we have been mourning the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Many of you have likely been following the events and tributes in the media. His funeral will be held tomorrow at St. Peter’s Basilica.
One of our parish families, who happens to be visiting Rome on vacation this week, emailed me that they had the opportunity to pay their respects and pray before Pope Francis's casket yesterday in St. Peter's. What an unforgettable moment!
I personally recall Pope Francis being elected in the spring of 2013, just a few months before I applied to be a seminarian for the Diocese of Fall River. I also remember his visit to the United States in 2015. I had the opportunity to travel with St. John’s Seminary to Washington, D.C., for the Mass where Pope Francis canonized St. Junipero Serra. We were in the National Basilica when he arrived, and because I was seated close to the aisle, I actually ended up in the video footage. A friend spotted me on national television! It was an exciting experience to be there for his visit.
Many have found inspiration in his humble and down-to-earth approach to the papacy, and we give thanks for his years of service to the Church.
Here at SFX, we will offer the Divine Mercy Sunday Holy Hour and Chaplet for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul this Sunday, April 27th at 3:00pm.
In addition, a Diocesan Memorial Mass for Pope Francis will be celebrated by Bishop da Cunha this Monday evening at 7:00pm in Fall River.
Here at SFX, we will offer the Divine Mercy Sunday Holy Hour and Chaplet for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul this Sunday, April 27th at 3:00pm.
In addition, a Diocesan Memorial Mass for Pope Francis will be celebrated by Bishop da Cunha this Monday evening at 7:00pm in Fall River.
The faithful are also encouraged to join in a Novena in Memory of Pope Francis, beginning tomorrow, Saturday. This novena, prepared for the "novendiales" (official mourning period) from April 26 to May 4, includes short daily readings from Scripture or ecclesiastical texts, along with brief prayers.
Click here to access the novena from the USCCB.
Let us continue to pray for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul, and for the Church as she prepares to welcome a new successor of St. Peter.
Click here to access the novena from the USCCB.
Let us continue to pray for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul, and for the Church as she prepares to welcome a new successor of St. Peter.
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday
This 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, offered for the repose of the soul of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
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, offered for the repose of the soul of our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
All are welcome!
The Joy of the Easter Season
We now enter the season of Easter, which continues for 50 days until Pentecost. This past week, from Easter Sunday through this coming Sunday, we have been celebrating the Easter Octave, eight days of rejoicing with the same solemnity as Easter Sunday itself. Every day of the octave is like Easter all over again!
One of the joys of this season is that we can now again sing Alleluia, a word we set aside during Lent. Alleluia is a Hebrew word meaning “Praise the Lord!” In the Church, it is especially associated with the Resurrection, and during Easter it takes center stage in our prayers and hymns.
A mother from the parish recently shared with me a funny moment that happened with her kids from SFX school. She said they had learned so well not to say "Alleluia" during Lent that one day, while listening to Christian music in the car, her son suddenly shouted, “They just said the A-word!!” She was so confused until he explained, “You know, the A-word we’re not supposed to say since it’s Lent!”
Blessing of Homes During Easter
The Easter season is also a traditional time for priests to bless homes. If you would like your home blessed, please feel free to reach out and we can schedule a time.
Here is the prayer a priest uses for the blessing:
Lord, we rejoice in the victory of your Son over death: by rising from the tomb to new life he gives us new hope and promise.
Bless all the members of this household and surround them with your protection, that they may find comfort and peace in Jesus Christ, the paschal lamb, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Praying the Regina Caeli
During the Easter season, it is also a pious tradition to pray the Regina Caeli, one of the Church’s Marian prayers. It is usually prayed at 6:00am, 12:00 noon, or 6:00pm. At SFX School, we pray it every day at 12:00 noon throughout the Easter season.
Click here to listen to it sung.
One of the joys of this season is that we can now again sing Alleluia, a word we set aside during Lent. Alleluia is a Hebrew word meaning “Praise the Lord!” In the Church, it is especially associated with the Resurrection, and during Easter it takes center stage in our prayers and hymns.
A mother from the parish recently shared with me a funny moment that happened with her kids from SFX school. She said they had learned so well not to say "Alleluia" during Lent that one day, while listening to Christian music in the car, her son suddenly shouted, “They just said the A-word!!” She was so confused until he explained, “You know, the A-word we’re not supposed to say since it’s Lent!”
Blessing of Homes During Easter
The Easter season is also a traditional time for priests to bless homes. If you would like your home blessed, please feel free to reach out and we can schedule a time.
Here is the prayer a priest uses for the blessing:
Lord, we rejoice in the victory of your Son over death: by rising from the tomb to new life he gives us new hope and promise.
Bless all the members of this household and surround them with your protection, that they may find comfort and peace in Jesus Christ, the paschal lamb, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
Praying the Regina Caeli
During the Easter season, it is also a pious tradition to pray the Regina Caeli, one of the Church’s Marian prayers. It is usually prayed at 6:00am, 12:00 noon, or 6:00pm. At SFX School, we pray it every day at 12:00 noon throughout the Easter season.
Click here to listen to it sung.
MOSJ - Meat N Greet Next Saturday
MOSJ Men's Night Recap
Last night, the Men of St. Joseph held their monthly men’s night, welcoming guest speaker Brett St. Gelais. Brett is a Catholic husband and father who grew up in our area and is the grandson of parishioners Donald and Germaine St. Gelais. He gave a spirited talk about living our faith with boldness in today’s world.
It was inspiring to see someone who first received the gift of faith here in our own area come back to share his witness.
This event was also a milestone for our group, as it was the first time we livestreamed the talk from SFX to a Catholic men’s group in the Fall River area. This allowed them to hear Brett’s message while gathering in fraternity.
It was inspiring to see someone who first received the gift of faith here in our own area come back to share his witness.
This event was also a milestone for our group, as it was the first time we livestreamed the talk from SFX to a Catholic men’s group in the Fall River area. This allowed them to hear Brett’s message while gathering in fraternity.
WOG: An Evening with Sr. Therese Maria Toume - May 7th
Date: Wednesday May 7th
Time 6:30pm
Location: SFX School Gym
Join the Women of Grace for an evening with Maronite Sister Therese Maria Toume as she speaks to us about Mary's gift of surrender and receptivity. A light meal will be served. A free will donation is appreciated.
To RSVP, text WOG Coordinator Amy Plante @ 508-951-8866
Sacred Music Updated
As you remember, our former organist, Mary Katherine Fletcher, left at the end of December to take on a new opportunity at a church near Boston. She returned to SFX last weekend to play for our Easter Vigil. It was great to catch up with her. She’s doing well and says she misses our parish community.
After Mary Katherine's departure at the end of December, I began a search for new musicians to support our parish liturgies. Many of you have already seen Jonathan “Jono” Babbitt at the organ since January, and I’m happy to now formally introduce him in this role.
After Mary Katherine's departure at the end of December, I began a search for new musicians to support our parish liturgies. Many of you have already seen Jonathan “Jono” Babbitt at the organ since January, and I’m happy to now formally introduce him in this role.
Jono, who has often filled in here in the past, stepped in at the beginning of the year and has been playing regularly at the 4:00pm Saturday Vigil and the 10:30am Sunday Mass. He splits his time between our parish and another local church, which means he is not available for the 8:00am Mass.
Jono brings with him an extensive background in sacred music. During the week, he is a professor of music at Mitchell College in New London, CT. I’m so grateful for his commitment to supporting our music ministry here at SFX!
Jono brings with him an extensive background in sacred music. During the week, he is a professor of music at Mitchell College in New London, CT. I’m so grateful for his commitment to supporting our music ministry here at SFX!
Jono’s wife, Allison Messier, is also a talented musician who shares her gifts across several local parishes. Many of you will recognize her voice from our Lenten Mission series. I first met Allison during my time in Falmouth, where she often served as cantor for weekend Masses, weddings, and funerals. She wasn't able to join Jono right away here due to covering another parish musician's vacation, but as of a few weeks ago, she will now be regularly singing with Jono at both the 4:00pm and 10:30am Masses.
In addition to their work in local parishes, Jono and Allison also run a private music studio, Sakonnet Music, located near Little Compton, RI. From their website:
“We work to help singers, instrumentalists, and conductors throughout the Farmcoast and SouthCoast regions find their voice and hone their talents. We bring our gifts of music to audiences throughout New England. Take a moment to browse through our website, and let us show you how we can do the same for you.”
If you know anyone in the area looking for music lessons, please let them know about Sakonnet Music!
Since Jono and Allison are not able to cover the 8:00am Mass, I’ve been working to find other musicians to support that liturgy. I’m very grateful to the Hamel ladies for stepping in so generously for several weeks earlier this year. For the past couple of months, we’ve been blessed to have a gentleman named Matthew de Matos playing at 8:00am. Matthew grew up in New Bedford at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and has done a great job. Unfortunately, due to his schedule, he is no longer able to continue in the role.
I’m pleased to share that Paul Cabral, who recently retired as music director at St. Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth, will now be covering the 8:00am Mass for the time being. Please join me in welcoming Paul to St. Francis Xavier!
I’m pleased to share that Paul Cabral, who recently retired as music director at St. Julie Billiart Parish in Dartmouth, will now be covering the 8:00am Mass for the time being. Please join me in welcoming Paul to St. Francis Xavier!
Exciting News About Our Organ
As you may remember, our Rodgers organ (I believe from the 90s) began having some malfunctions last year with the speakers. We had a repairman come out to assess it, but unfortunately, the prognosis was not good. Since Jono Babbitt joined us, he has been a tremendous help, not only as a musician but also as someone with alot of knowledge about organs, including experience in organ repair.
Together, Jono, Allison, and I began looking for a “new-to-us” organ, as our current model is one of the lower-end instruments from the year it was made, and it has several limitations. We are happy to share that we’ve found a much better digital Allen organ from a closed church in our diocese, and the diocese has offered it to us at no cost! This new organ has more features and will significantly enhance the sound quality of our music.
We’re planning to bring this new organ to SFX in the next couple of months. This past week, we met with an organ technician to assess how best to install it. One of the challenges with our current organ is that it only plays through internal speakers, while most churches use external speakers placed in the church itself. These external speakers allow the sound to blend more naturally with the acoustics of the space, creating a nicer musical experience.
To our surprise, during the technician’s visit yesterday, we discovered that SFX actually has organ speakers still installed in the old choir loft! They had been disconnected from the organ, likely years ago, but were still in working condition. The technician was able to reconnect them, and the difference in sound is remarkable. It’s as if we already have a brand-new instrument.
I look forward to you hearing this improved sound for the first time at Mass this weekend. And the best part is, rather than having to buy new speakers, we will still be able to use these loft speakers when we install the new Allen organ in the coming weeks. The new organ will offer even more features. Good things to look forward to!
Together, Jono, Allison, and I began looking for a “new-to-us” organ, as our current model is one of the lower-end instruments from the year it was made, and it has several limitations. We are happy to share that we’ve found a much better digital Allen organ from a closed church in our diocese, and the diocese has offered it to us at no cost! This new organ has more features and will significantly enhance the sound quality of our music.
We’re planning to bring this new organ to SFX in the next couple of months. This past week, we met with an organ technician to assess how best to install it. One of the challenges with our current organ is that it only plays through internal speakers, while most churches use external speakers placed in the church itself. These external speakers allow the sound to blend more naturally with the acoustics of the space, creating a nicer musical experience.
To our surprise, during the technician’s visit yesterday, we discovered that SFX actually has organ speakers still installed in the old choir loft! They had been disconnected from the organ, likely years ago, but were still in working condition. The technician was able to reconnect them, and the difference in sound is remarkable. It’s as if we already have a brand-new instrument.
I look forward to you hearing this improved sound for the first time at Mass this weekend. And the best part is, rather than having to buy new speakers, we will still be able to use these loft speakers when we install the new Allen organ in the coming weeks. The new organ will offer even more features. Good things to look forward to!
Signs of Hope!
It’s easy to focus on the challenges we face in the Church today, but there are also many signs of hope and renewal, especially among the younger generation.
First, I came across this New York Post article from April 17th, highlighting how more and more young people are discovering the beauty of Catholicism and choosing to enter the Church. I thought you might find it encouraging too.
Second, I came across another encouraging article that I wanted to share with you. This one about a record-setting number of adult baptisms in France at the Easter Vigil last weekend. Over 10,000 adults were baptized, which is a 45% increase from last year and the highest number ever recorded there.
What really stood out to me is that many of these new Catholics are young adults, most of whom didn’t grow up with faith but found it on their own, often through personal research or even social media. A survey of these catechumens found that 78% said social media played a role in the discovery or deepening of their faith, while 84% said they follow Christian content creators or “influencers.” Some also spoke about having a powerful spiritual experience that led them to Christ.
What really stood out to me is that many of these new Catholics are young adults, most of whom didn’t grow up with faith but found it on their own, often through personal research or even social media. A survey of these catechumens found that 78% said social media played a role in the discovery or deepening of their faith, while 84% said they follow Christian content creators or “influencers.” Some also spoke about having a powerful spiritual experience that led them to Christ.
"Over the English Channel in the United Kingdom, there is also evidence of a surge of interest in Christianity in young adults and suggestions that online content might be influencing them, too... many of these new entrants are young men, their interest sparked by social media such as content from U.S.-based Bishop Robert Barron and Father Mike Schmitz."
Don’t Miss This Bl. Carlo Acutis Film in Fall River April 27–May 1
A new film, Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality, will debut in theaters this Sunday, April 27, and run through May 1 in Fall River and nationwide.
Despite the Vatican’s decision to postpone the canonization of Bl. Carlo Acutis following the death of Pope Francis, the release of this film will proceed as planned.
As Bishop Andrew Cozzens shared in this video, “Although the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed, the film about his life has not… Pope Francis was inspired by Carlo Acutis and wanted to make him a saint. He will be a saint! My hope is that when you come to see this film, you’ll want to be a saint too.”
Despite the Vatican’s decision to postpone the canonization of Bl. Carlo Acutis following the death of Pope Francis, the release of this film will proceed as planned.
As Bishop Andrew Cozzens shared in this video, “Although the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis has been postponed, the film about his life has not… Pope Francis was inspired by Carlo Acutis and wanted to make him a saint. He will be a saint! My hope is that when you come to see this film, you’ll want to be a saint too.”
Looking for deeper insight into this weekend’s readings? Check out this reflection from my favorite biblical scholar, Dr. John Bergsma
A Great Gift Idea for Teens
I just saw that Life Teen is releasing a brand new Catholic Teen Bible this spring. It looks like a great gift idea to give a young person for Confirmation or graduation!
Here’s how they describe it:
"The NEW Life Teen Catholic Teen Bible contains the entirety of Sacred Scripture, undisrupted but bookended with original supplementary content designed to draw you into the beauty, richness, and power of God’s Word. Captivating artwork, relevant insights, practical tips, and words of encouragement will both inspire you to make a habit of reading Scripture and to allow the eternal voice of truth to guide you above all others."
You can order it here.
Here’s how they describe it:
"The NEW Life Teen Catholic Teen Bible contains the entirety of Sacred Scripture, undisrupted but bookended with original supplementary content designed to draw you into the beauty, richness, and power of God’s Word. Captivating artwork, relevant insights, practical tips, and words of encouragement will both inspire you to make a habit of reading Scripture and to allow the eternal voice of truth to guide you above all others."
You can order it here.
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 were able to offer additional copies last weekend as a gift to the whole parish for Easter. Copies are still available at the doors of the church.
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
Soon 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!
Soon 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!
Fundraiser for St. Anthony's Historic Organ
For anyone who grew up at St. Anthony's or holds a special place in their heart for that incredible church, there's an opportunity to give back. The 113-year-old pipe organ at St. Anthony's in New Bedford is in need of repairs, and a fundraiser has been initiated to restore it.
Did You Read He Leadeth Me This Lent?
At the start of Lent, I suggested reading He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek. A couple of parishioners have shared with me how much it inspired them. If you read it too, I’d love to hear what you thought! Feel free to reply and share how it spoke to you.
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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