Sorry for the delay getting this newsletter out! (Or as one parishioner recently called it, the Lambagram 😄) I returned Thursday night from the conference I mentioned I'd be attending. On Friday, I was tied up most of the day with our Sacristan Appreciation Day, a special celebration for the wonderful sacristan girls who serve our parish. Then yesterday, after the 9:00am Mass and confessions, I assisted with a Steubenville Reunion at St. John Neumann for the teens who went on the diocesan trip back in June. One of the conference speakers, Dr. Alex Gotay, came all the way from Texas to join Oscar Rivera in encouraging the teens to keep their spiritual fire alive. That brought me right into 3:00pm confessions and the 4:00pm Vigil Mass.
Happy to finally be able to send out some updates this morning!
Happy to finally be able to send out some updates this morning!
St. John Bosco Conference: A Few Highlights
I was away Monday through Thursday at the St. John Bosco Conference at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. The conference focuses on evangelization and catechesis. It was my first time attending, and I found it very fruitful and thought provoking. There were tracks on youth ministry, Catholic schools, OCIA formation, and many more.
I attended a few talks by Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP who was one of my favorite speakers. In one of her talks, she spoke about living in freedom and regaining hope in our struggles with sin, addiction, and the habits that keep us stuck. She also shared candidly about her own struggles, like her tendency to try to control and manipulate situations, and how grace works in that battle. She mentioned a talk she gave a couple of years ago at the conference that is available on YouTube. I listened to parts of it. Much of the wisdom she shared this week is in that talk. The title (A Smoldering Wick, He Will Not Squelch) is providentially drawn from the Gospel from yesterday’s morning Mass! I encourage you to give it a listen.
I attended a few talks by Sr. Mary Michael Fox, OP who was one of my favorite speakers. In one of her talks, she spoke about living in freedom and regaining hope in our struggles with sin, addiction, and the habits that keep us stuck. She also shared candidly about her own struggles, like her tendency to try to control and manipulate situations, and how grace works in that battle. She mentioned a talk she gave a couple of years ago at the conference that is available on YouTube. I listened to parts of it. Much of the wisdom she shared this week is in that talk. The title (A Smoldering Wick, He Will Not Squelch) is providentially drawn from the Gospel from yesterday’s morning Mass! I encourage you to give it a listen.
It was good to be back in Steubenville, even though I was just there a couple weeks ago with our teens for the youth conference. The campus is an inspiring place and has had a huge impact on American Catholicism. I attended Franciscan for a few years of undergrad before entering college seminary, and it remains one of the best decisions of my life.
Image: Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR
If you are not familiar with the story of how Franciscan became the vibrant Catholic university it is today, take a moment to learn about Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR (1931-2017), who served as president from 1974 to 2000. I still remember in college opening one of my favorite books on the faith, Catholic Christianity (2001) by Dr. Peter Kreeft, and seeing the famous Kreeft's dedication:
“For Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR, President of Franciscan University of Steubenville, my candidate for American Catholic of the century. If there are thank you lines in heaven, his will be one of the longest.”
A few years later I read Fr. Scanlan’s (now out of print) autobiography, Let the Fire Fall. It tells of his time as an Air Force JAG officer, how the Holy Spirit then transformed his life, and how he took charge of a struggling Catholic college in the Ohio Valley and committed it completely to a strong Catholic identity. It is a great read about a very holy and courageous priest.
A few years later I read Fr. Scanlan’s (now out of print) autobiography, Let the Fire Fall. It tells of his time as an Air Force JAG officer, how the Holy Spirit then transformed his life, and how he took charge of a struggling Catholic college in the Ohio Valley and committed it completely to a strong Catholic identity. It is a great read about a very holy and courageous priest.
If you want a shorter introduction, here’s an NCR article written at the time of his death in 2017:
Renovation Updates – Week Six
Here are a few photos I took after getting back from Steubenville to show some of the latest progress inside the church.
The side walls and side ceilings have now been completely painted in the new colors I showed you last week, and they look fantastic!
The right-side altar alcove wall has also been fully repaired and painted to match how it looked when the church was originally built. It looks beautiful. One of the restored side altars will go here, along with devotional candles for parishioners to pray before the statues that will be placed in this space.
The ceiling is now halfway painted in the dark blue tone, and the team is finalizing the star stencil design that will be applied next. (It's a little hard to see the ceiling color in the photo, since the scaffolding blocks some of the light, but it's coming along beautifully.)
Meanwhile, work continues steadily on the wiring for the new lighting throughout the church.
Thank you for your continued support, and if you'd like to contribute to the renovation, you can donate here (Select 100th Anniversary):
Thank you for your continued support, and if you'd like to contribute to the renovation, you can donate here (Select 100th Anniversary):
Sacristan Day Recap
We had a wonderful time together on Friday, July 18th, for our annual Sacristan Appreciation Day! It was a joy to spend the day with the girls who serve so faithfully in the sacristy at our parish Masses.
We began the day with morning Mass, followed by a trip to the beautiful Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence. After touring the cathedral, we headed to Seekonk Grand Prix for go-karts and fun, and finished the afternoon with a stop at The Ice Cream Cottage. A huge thank you to parishioners Phil and Colleen Martin, owners of the Cottage, who generously treated all the girls to free ice cream!
I’m grateful to Andrea Oliver and Aimee LaFleur for their help throughout the day. We also welcomed a new member to our team, welcome to Blair!
We began the day with morning Mass, followed by a trip to the beautiful Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence. After touring the cathedral, we headed to Seekonk Grand Prix for go-karts and fun, and finished the afternoon with a stop at The Ice Cream Cottage. A huge thank you to parishioners Phil and Colleen Martin, owners of the Cottage, who generously treated all the girls to free ice cream!
I’m grateful to Andrea Oliver and Aimee LaFleur for their help throughout the day. We also welcomed a new member to our team, welcome to Blair!
National Ice Cream Day – Sunday July 20th
You might be wondering why I’m including National Ice Cream Day in the parish newsletter, but did you know that St. Francis Xavier Parish is basically an ice cream empire? Several of our parishioners own and operate local ice cream shops, and they are all incredibly generous supporters of our parish and school. So today, you can enjoy dessert guilt free knowing you’re supporting fellow parishioners!
Acushnet Creamery
Owned and operated for years right here in town by Donna and Doug Coray. Find them at 264 Main St, Acushnet. (They make ice cream which a number of other shops sell.)
Acushnet Creamery
Owned and operated for years right here in town by Donna and Doug Coray. Find them at 264 Main St, Acushnet. (They make ice cream which a number of other shops sell.)
Image: Parishioners Doug and Donna Coray
Captain Bonney’s Creamery
Currently owned by parishioner Amber (Viera) Romero and her family. Visit them at 258 New Bedford Rd, Rochester.
Currently owned by parishioner Amber (Viera) Romero and her family. Visit them at 258 New Bedford Rd, Rochester.
Image: Parishioners Amber (Viera) Romero and her husband Renat
The Ice Cream Cottage
Started just last year by parishioners Phil and Colleen Martin. Check them out at 12 Ferry St, Fairhaven.
Started just last year by parishioners Phil and Colleen Martin. Check them out at 12 Ferry St, Fairhaven.
Image: Parishioners Phil and Colleen Martin and their 7 children who help them run the shop.
Each one has its own personality, and all are well worth the trip. Be sure to stop by one of these spots today to support our parish families!
Wondering who the patron saint of ice cream is? There isn’t an official one, but here are a few strong contenders:
Wondering who the patron saint of ice cream is? There isn’t an official one, but here are a few strong contenders:
- St. Brigid of Ireland: patron saint of dairy (A beggar once asked her for a drink of water and, miraculously, the water she poured for him turned to milk.)
- St. Honore of France: patron of bakers and sweets
- St. Martha and St. Lawrence: patrons of cooks (Saint Martha is providentially featured in our gospel this weekend!)
- St. Nicholas: the cold weather saint who loves children and treats
Happy National Ice Cream Day!
Looking for deeper insight into this weekend’s readings? Check out this reflection from my favorite biblical scholar, Dr. John Bergsma
Image: Christ in the House of Martha and Mary by Henryk Siemiradzki (1886)
On the Bulletin Cover this weekend...
Blessed María Inés Teresa of the Blessed Sacrament (7 July 1904 – 22 July 1981)
Feast day: July 22nd
Beatified in 2012
Clandestinely joined the Poor Clares in exile, endured political persecution, and ultimately founded two missionary congregations devoted to spreading Eucharistic devotion worldwide, leaving behind thousands of spiritual writings and a legacy of global missionary zeal.
Feast day: July 22nd
Beatified in 2012
Clandestinely joined the Poor Clares in exile, endured political persecution, and ultimately founded two missionary congregations devoted to spreading Eucharistic devotion worldwide, leaving behind thousands of spiritual writings and a legacy of global missionary zeal.
“To our actions we ought to add prayer always, Martha cannot be without Mary. And if we wish to be souls of all apostolate, we ought to be souls of prayer. We can do all through prayer.” Bl. Maria Ines
"We must teach others about Christ … We missionaries should not, therefore, let a day go by without our talking of Christ to others. To know that only a small number of people know the true God (Love) should be a source of torment for us. It should urge us not to spare any suffering, any inconvenience. It should spur us to do everything, anything to make God known and loved by all the inhabitants of the world." Bl. Maria Ines to her community
Tragedy in Fall River This Week
As many of you have likely seen on the news, a devastating fire occurred earlier this week at the St. Gabriel House assisted living facility in Fall River, near St. Anne’s Hospital. Let us keep the victims, their families, and all those affected in our prayers during this difficult time.
Catholic Charities is coordinating relief efforts, and you can support them here.
National Natural Family Planning (NFP) Awareness Week - July 20-26, 2025
A Miracle Next Door!
Big news for our neighbors in the Diocese of Providence this week: Pope Leo XIV has officially recognized a miracle that took place in Rhode Island, attributed to Venerable Salvador Valera Parra. In 2007, a baby born without a pulse at Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket was completely healed after his family prayed through Fr. Valera’s intercession.
This miracle clears the way for his canonization. Most of the holy men and women who I feature on our bulletin covers are Blesseds (awaiting a second miracle before being declared saints) just like him. It’s an inspiring reminder that we have modern day intercessors to whom we can confidently turn.
Read the full story here:
This miracle clears the way for his canonization. Most of the holy men and women who I feature on our bulletin covers are Blesseds (awaiting a second miracle before being declared saints) just like him. It’s an inspiring reminder that we have modern day intercessors to whom we can confidently turn.
Read the full story here:
Reminder: Join us for Coffee and Donuts on Sundays after Masses!
FYI: SVDP Poor Box, Food Drop off, Intention Book located in School Foyer
Happy Birthday to Seminarian Evan Mello! - Sunday July 20th
Daily Mass Watch
Tuesday, July 22nd - Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
Image: Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene. Edelfelt. (1890)
Image: Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene. Edelfelt. (1890)
Friday, July 25th - Feast of St. James the Greater, Apostle
Image: Saint James. Reni. (1636)
Mass Times
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
M, T, Th, F, S: 9:00 AM
Sunday: 8:00 AM | 10:30 AM
Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
M, T, Th, F, S: 9:00 AM
First Friday: 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM
Adoration Times
Monday-Friday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-8:30pm
Wednesday
6:30am-8:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
6:30am-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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