Corpus Christi
Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ
This Weekend
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Instituted in the 13th century to deepen devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, this feast reminds us that Christ remains truly with us in the Blessed Sacrament.
It also marks the conclusion of our parish-wide reading of 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory. I hope you’ve enjoyed it! I’ve heard from many of you who found it powerful. One mom told me her family read it together each night, and now her son has memorized the Spiritual Communion prayer by heart! Thank you to all who followed along and watched Fr. Meyer's videos.
After each Mass this weekend (4:00pm, 8:00am, and 10:30am), I invite you to remain for a brief time of Adoration. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the main altar, and together we’ll pray the Consecration to the Eucharist before concluding with Benediction. Copies of the prayer will be provided or bring your book from home.
We are so blessed to have Eucharistic Adoration here at St. Francis Xavier. This year marks 19 years since it began in our parish. Next year will be our 20th anniversary! I encourage you to read this short article from 2011 about how Adoration began here, thanks to Mary Cardoza and a remarkable chain of events.
Photo: Parishioners Mary & Corey Cardoza
Former pastor of St. Francis Xavier, Monsignor Gerard O’Connor, who worked closely with Mary Cardoza to help establish and grow our Adoration program, gave a talk at the 2020 Sacred Liturgy Conference where he spoke about the transformative impact Eucharistic Adoration had on our parish. I encourage you to listen to his reflection, beginning at the 41:00 mark and concluding around 50:00 in the video below.
If you’ve completed the 33 Days book or are simply feeling drawn to deepen your faith, I invite you to consider signing up as a substitute adorer. You’ll be notified when a sub is needed and can choose times that work for you.
Mary will be at each Mass to answer questions, and handouts will be available at the doors with info on how to sign up, along with this article on why you should spend an hour with the Lord in Adoration.
Thank you to Mary and our team of captains and short notice fill-ins, and to all 160+ adorers from SFX and surrounding parishes who participate in our adoration program, whether with a regular hour or as substitutes. Together, you help maintain 120 hours of Adoration each week (5 overnights)... over 6,000 hours a year with Jesus. What a gift!
Renovation Updates – Week Two
It’s been another busy and exciting week here at St. Francis as our construction project continues to take shape.
The framing of the new sanctuary platform is nearly complete. Previously, the center section of the sanctuary was four steps up; going forward, the entire sanctuary, including the side alcoves, will be just two steps up, with an additional central platform for the main altar flanked by the restored high altar. The two side altars from Our Lady of Perpetual Help will be installed in the alcoves, each paired with our statues of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart, which were previously together on the left.
Access to the adoration chapel will now be through the right side hallway, which mirrors the bathroom hallway on the opposite side.
Access to the adoration chapel will now be through the right side hallway, which mirrors the bathroom hallway on the opposite side.
Scaffolding has gone up to allow for ceiling work. The ceiling will be painted in the traditional “night sky” style found in many Catholic churches and will include new uplighting to beautifully highlight the painted details.
The wood paneling at the base of the columns, which was originally dark wood but had been painted over in a faux tan wood color, has been removed. As you can see here, the columns will now be finished with a smooth, fully painted surface, creating a cleaner and more unified look throughout the church.
The crew also began plaster repair in several areas of the lower ceilings near the sanctuary, opening old cracks and resealing them to ensure long lasting strength and durability.
This morning, new wiring was installed under the sanctuary platform, and plumbing work began this week in the narthex for the new bathroom. We are so blessed to have skilled and generous parishioners offering their time and talents to make this project possible. Thank you!
Thank you for your continued support, and if you'd like to contribute to the renovation, you can donate here (Select 100th Anniversary):
This morning, new wiring was installed under the sanctuary platform, and plumbing work began this week in the narthex for the new bathroom. We are so blessed to have skilled and generous parishioners offering their time and talents to make this project possible. Thank you!
Thank you for your continued support, and if you'd like to contribute to the renovation, you can donate here (Select 100th Anniversary):
School’s Out for Summer!
St. Francis Xavier School wrapped up the year on Tuesday, and of course, we ended with Holy Mass, giving thanks to God for all the blessings and growth of this past year. In my homily, I spoke about our school year theme, Together, and our scripture verse: “Be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8).
I also shared about Pope Leo’s video message to young people from last weekend’s youth gathering at White Sox Stadium in Chicago. He called on young people to live in peace and harmony saying, “You are the promise of hope for so many of us. The world looks to you… and says: we need you. We want you to come together to share in this mission, of announcing a message of hope and promoting peace and harmony.” If you haven’t seen it yet, I encourage you to watch it and share it with your family, especially children and grandchildren.
I also shared about Pope Leo’s video message to young people from last weekend’s youth gathering at White Sox Stadium in Chicago. He called on young people to live in peace and harmony saying, “You are the promise of hope for so many of us. The world looks to you… and says: we need you. We want you to come together to share in this mission, of announcing a message of hope and promoting peace and harmony.” If you haven’t seen it yet, I encourage you to watch it and share it with your family, especially children and grandchildren.
After dismissal, we continued our annual tradition of hosting a thank you luncheon at the rectory for our faculty and staff. It was a joyful afternoon, and I’m deeply grateful for the hard work and heart our team pours into this mission.
A special thank you to Mrs. Rogers (our principal) and Mrs. Shaughnessy (our assistant principal) for your leadership and dedication in helping St. Francis Xavier School thrive.
A special thank you to Mrs. Rogers (our principal) and Mrs. Shaughnessy (our assistant principal) for your leadership and dedication in helping St. Francis Xavier School thrive.
Away Next Weekend for the Steubenville Youth Conference
Next weekend, I’ll be accompanying the group of 10 teens from the parish to the Steubenville Youth Conference (Main Campus 1) at Franciscan University in Ohio, along with others from our diocese. We leave very early Thursday morning and return late Sunday night. Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels and a spiritually fruitful trip.
In my absence, I’m grateful to the priests who will be covering the liturgies here at the parish:
Thurs, June 26 – 9:00am: Fr. Leonard Kayondo
Fri, June 27 – 9:00am: Fr. Jon Paul Gallant
Sat, June 28 – 9:00am: Fr. Dan Nunes
(Final weekend of the month Deacon Dave usually preaches)
Sat, June 28 – 4:00pm: Fr. Jon Paul Gallant
Sun, June 29 – 8:00am: Fr. Michael Cyriak
Sun, June 29 – 10:30am: Fr. Jon Paul Gallant
I look forward to sharing about the trip with you!
This past Wednesday evening, we held an introductory meeting for the Steubenville trip at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown. Our diocesan youth leader, Oscar Rivera, helped us prepare well. We concluded the evening with a time of Eucharistic Adoration, which I led, accompanied by music from Liz Cotrupi-Pfunder. It was a great way to begin our spiritual preparation for the trip.
8am Mass Music Note
As I announced last weekend, there will be no music at the 8:00am Mass this summer. Our temporary musician is no longer available, and many parishes offer a quiet early Mass that some find more peaceful and prayerful. Music continues at our other Sunday Masses for those who prefer a sung liturgy. Plans have been made for music to return to the 8am Mass in September. Thanks for your understanding!
Thank You for a Smooth First Weekend in the Gym!
Thank you to everyone for your patience as we began using the gym for Mass last weekend. Many parishioners shared that it went very smoothly and complimented the setup--thank you!
At the 4:00pm Mass, I know it started off a bit chilly with the A/C and ceiling fans running. I left the A/C off for the Sunday morning Masses, but it turns out the unit works very well (maybe too well) which is a good problem to have. With warmer weather ahead, we’ll definitely need it this weekend.
One helpful suggestion was to widen the center aisle to make Communion less cramped. I’ve made that change, and I hope it feels more comfortable this weekend.
And thank you to everyone who stayed for coffee and donuts outside. It was great to see parishioners and families spending time together and making good use of the outdoor space and blacktop, just as I’d hoped!
At the 4:00pm Mass, I know it started off a bit chilly with the A/C and ceiling fans running. I left the A/C off for the Sunday morning Masses, but it turns out the unit works very well (maybe too well) which is a good problem to have. With warmer weather ahead, we’ll definitely need it this weekend.
One helpful suggestion was to widen the center aisle to make Communion less cramped. I’ve made that change, and I hope it feels more comfortable this weekend.
And thank you to everyone who stayed for coffee and donuts outside. It was great to see parishioners and families spending time together and making good use of the outdoor space and blacktop, just as I’d hoped!
Reminders
- Missalettes and pew cards will be available on a table as you enter. Please feel free to pick one up for Mass and return it to the table afterward so they stay organized and clean for the next Mass.
- Restrooms are located off the gym kitchen. When you enter the kitchen, they’ll be on your right. Please do not enter the school building itself to use the other restrooms.
- The gym is air-conditioned, so we ask that you keep the exit doors closed as much as possible to help maintain a comfortable temperature.
- During the Eucharistic Prayer, due to the lack of kneelers, I ask that everyone remain standing. This is still a respectful and reverent posture. Standing ensures both reverence and uniformity, while also sparing anyone who might find kneeling on the hard floor burdensome.
- Coffee and donuts will be available after the 8:00am and 10:30am Masses on the blacktop next to the jungle gym. Please go through the kitchen to grab your snack and then head right outside, so those who wish to stay and pray can do so in peace.
Women of Grace Recap
Last Wednesday, the Women of Grace hosted a wonderful evening featuring a talk by Pam Rivera. Pam, a Catholic mother and counselor currently residing in Fall River, gave a powerful presentation titled “Understanding the Spiritual and Mental Battlefield of Womanhood.”
One attendee shared, “We could have listened to her all day,” while another remarked, “I’m pretty familiar with spiritual warfare, but she gave me a whole new perspective.”
Many thanks to coordinator Amy Plante and her team for organizing the evening. If you weren’t able to attend, I encourage you to check it out. Here is the link:
One attendee shared, “We could have listened to her all day,” while another remarked, “I’m pretty familiar with spiritual warfare, but she gave me a whole new perspective.”
Many thanks to coordinator Amy Plante and her team for organizing the evening. If you weren’t able to attend, I encourage you to check it out. Here is the link:
Corpus Christi Procession in NB this Sunday afternoon
Thank You, Fr. Nunes & a Note About Wednesday Morning Mass
I want to thank Fr. Dan Nunes, who has generously been covering our 9:00am Mass on Wednesdays, my usual day away from the parish, since Fr. Bob Powell’s passing in December. Fr. Nunes has been serving as chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital and is now being reassigned to Fall River, where he will serve as chaplain at Charlton Memorial Hospital. His final Mass at St. Francis was Wednesday, June 18th.
After prayerful consideration and in consultation with the parish council, I have made the difficult decision to discontinue the Wednesday 9:00am Mass, effective after July 2nd. The final Wednesday Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 2nd.
This decision comes as the number of available retired priests in our area continues to diminish. Thankfully, there are still over a dozen weekday Masses offered each Wednesday in the New Bedford area, including morning Masses at St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Gabriel’s, and St. John Neumann.
Adoration will continue uninterrupted in our chapel on Wednesday mornings. Thank you for your understanding.
After prayerful consideration and in consultation with the parish council, I have made the difficult decision to discontinue the Wednesday 9:00am Mass, effective after July 2nd. The final Wednesday Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 2nd.
This decision comes as the number of available retired priests in our area continues to diminish. Thankfully, there are still over a dozen weekday Masses offered each Wednesday in the New Bedford area, including morning Masses at St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Gabriel’s, and St. John Neumann.
Adoration will continue uninterrupted in our chapel on Wednesday mornings. Thank you for your understanding.
Note about First Friday in July
Since this year’s July First Friday falls on the Fourth of July holiday, there will be no 6:00pm Mass that evening. Instead, the First Friday Holy Hour, led by the Men of the Sacred Heart, will take place immediately following the 9:00am Mass in the school gym, with Eucharistic Adoration and confessions available at that time. Thank you for your understanding as we adjust the schedule for the holiday.
Happy Anniversary to Fr. Steve Booth!
Son of our parish, Fr. Steve Booth, celebrated the 5th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood last Friday, June 13th. He is currently serving as a Navy chaplain, stationed in Sicily. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues his ministry. Ad multos annos, Fr. Booth! If you’d like to send him a note of congratulations, you may contact him at frsbooth@diocese-fr.org.
Happy Baptism Day!
Today marks the 32nd anniversary of my baptism! A number of years ago, I heard a priest say that we should know and celebrate the day of our baptism with equal, or even greater, joy than our birthday, since it is the day we were born into the life of grace and became sons and daughters of God.
I took that to heart, sought out the date, and now try to celebrate it each year. I encourage you to do the same! If you don’t know your baptism date, you can call or email the church where you were baptized and ask for the date or request a full copy of the baptismal record. Parish offices receive and fulfill these requests all the time.
I was baptized by Fr. Craig Pregana, a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, at my home parish of St. John the Evangelist in Attleboro. At the time, he was the parochial vicar. Providentially, just a few years ago he returned to SJE as pastor, where he now works alongside my mother, who serves on staff.
Fr. Craig has served in many places, including several years at our diocesan mission parish in Honduras, and later as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in New Bedford. I didn’t know him well growing up, but we reconnected after my ordination six years ago. As a thank you for his ministry, and for baptizing me, I gifted him with the photo below: on the left, the two of us at my baptism, and on the right, Fr. Craig laying hands on me during my ordination Mass at the Cathedral.
Praise God for the Good Shepherds he has placed in our lives, may he raise up many more in our diocese!
I took that to heart, sought out the date, and now try to celebrate it each year. I encourage you to do the same! If you don’t know your baptism date, you can call or email the church where you were baptized and ask for the date or request a full copy of the baptismal record. Parish offices receive and fulfill these requests all the time.
I was baptized by Fr. Craig Pregana, a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, at my home parish of St. John the Evangelist in Attleboro. At the time, he was the parochial vicar. Providentially, just a few years ago he returned to SJE as pastor, where he now works alongside my mother, who serves on staff.
Fr. Craig has served in many places, including several years at our diocesan mission parish in Honduras, and later as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in New Bedford. I didn’t know him well growing up, but we reconnected after my ordination six years ago. As a thank you for his ministry, and for baptizing me, I gifted him with the photo below: on the left, the two of us at my baptism, and on the right, Fr. Craig laying hands on me during my ordination Mass at the Cathedral.
Praise God for the Good Shepherds he has placed in our lives, may he raise up many more in our diocese!
Looking for deeper insight into this weekend’s readings? Check out this reflection from my favorite biblical scholar, Dr. John Bergsma
On the Bulletin Cover this weekend...
Saint María Guadalupe García Zavala (27 April 1878 – 24 June 1963)
Feast day: June 24th
Canonized in 2013
She surprised everyone by breaking off her engagement to dedicate herself entirely to Christ, founding a congregation to care for the sick and the poorest, even going door to door begging to ensure no one went without care.
Feast day: June 24th
Canonized in 2013
She surprised everyone by breaking off her engagement to dedicate herself entirely to Christ, founding a congregation to care for the sick and the poorest, even going door to door begging to ensure no one went without care.
PreK-4 Openings at St. Francis Xavier School
We still have a few spots available in our PreK-4 program for the fall! At St. Francis Xavier, children receive a strong foundation in a loving, faith-filled environment where Catholic values are instilled from the start. And our tuition is significantly more affordable than daycare!
If you know a family looking for a great preschool program, please send them our way. I’m also happy to speak personally with anyone about enrolling grandchildren, nieces, or nephews.
Baptism Congratulations to Renat Romero Jr.! June 15, 2025
**Only 1 Week Left!**
2025 Catholic Appeal
Thank you to all who have contributed to this year’s Catholic Appeal. As of this week, parishioners from SFX have pledged $13,920.00 to support the pastoral ministries of our diocese.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to give, there’s still time. You can donate online or pick up an envelope at Mass.
If you haven’t yet had a chance to give, there’s still time. You can donate online or pick up an envelope at Mass.
Thank You, Mrs. Sleight!
A big thank you to Diane Sleight for all she does as a volunteer caring for the flowers around our church and school grounds. Just today, she spent hours tending to the beautiful roses in front of the school. Her quiet dedication helps make our campus beautiful. We’re so grateful!
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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