Flocknote

Renovation Updates – Week Twelve

It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the three month mark of our renovation! The summer has flown by, and we are now truly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I’m especially excited to share that the brand new uplighting in the church has been completed thanks to the dedication of several parish volunteers who have been hard at work for weeks. This new system includes lighting that illuminates the central nave ceiling, spotlights highlighting the lower arches and architectural details, and fixtures that will soon shine on our Stations of the Cross, statues, and shrines. The effect is absolutely stunning. Proper lighting can transform a church, and I believe this will make ours one of the most beautifully lit in the diocese. Many parishioners had noted in the past that the church sometimes felt dim. I’m confident you’ll notice the difference the moment you walk in.

Work has also progressed with the nave wainscot. After some consideration, we made the decision to restore and refinish the church’s original 100 year old wainscot, which had been hidden under paneling for decades. With the expert help of a parishioner skilled in carpentry, and several of the Men of St. Joseph who pitched in with sanding this past week, the wood is already looking beautiful. Once varnished, it will bring back the original character of our church.

Finally, this week saw the long awaited refinishing of the nave floors! A professional crew began on Tuesday, tackling the thick layer of glue and adhesive left behind after the carpeting was removed, as well as from old linoleum flooring. They remarked that it was among the toughest they had ever encountered, but their persistence paid off. They worked in stages, first completing one half of the church, then moving the pews and tackling the other side. The end result is a smooth, clean surface ready to shine for years to come. (The floor will be finished up tomorrow but see the photos above for a glimpse of the process in action!)

Thank you for your continued support, and if you'd like to contribute to the renovation, you can donate here (Select 100th Anniversary):

Donate to the Renovation

Two Weeks to Go!

With just two weeks until our church’s 100th anniversary, I am happy to share that the contractors have assured me we are on track to celebrate our first Mass back in the renovated church on Saturday, September 13th at 4:00pm. This is the exact date of the original dedication in 1925, and it has been very important to me that we return to the church on this historic day. A reminder that Bishop da Cunha will be here to celebrate that 4:00pm Mass along with some priest friends of the parish.

By that weekend, all major elements of the renovation will be complete and the church will be ready for Mass. There will still be a number of smaller decorative details and finishing touches to complete, and the crews will continue working on those in the weeks that follow. I will keep you updated here in the weekly Flocknote and will be pointing out the progress during weekend Masses as the final pieces come together.

I will be away that following weekend, September 20th–21st, for an out of state wedding, but I look forward to giving a fuller update at the Masses on the weekend of September 27th–28th.

So, please note that our last weekend in the gym will be September 6th–7th. After that, we will return to the church.

Upcoming Mass Locations

With school restarting, our weekday Mass locations will shift a bit. Here is the tentative schedule:

Sat, Aug 30 – All Masses (Gym)
Sun, Aug 31 – All Masses (Gym)
Mon, Sept 1 – 9:00am Mass followed by Confessions (Gym)
7:00pm MOM (Gym)
Tue, Sept 2 – 9:00am Mass (Hospitality Room)
Thu, Sept 4 – 9:00am Mass (Hospitality Room)
Fri, Sept 5 – 9:00am Mass (Hospitality Room) 6:00pm Mass (Gym)
Sat, Sept 6 – All Masses (Gym)
Sun, Sept 7 – All Masses (Gym)
Mon, Sept 8 – 9:00am Mass (Hospitality Room)
Confessions & MOM (Hospitality Room)
Tue, Sept 9 – 9:00am Mass (Hospitality Room)
Thu, Sept 11 – 9:00am Mass (Hospitality Room)
Fri, Sept 12 – 9:00am Mass (Hospitality Room)
Sat, Sept 13 – 9:00am Mass (Hospitality Room)
4:00pm Mass in the Church 🎉

A Blessed Start to the School Year

We have had a wonderful beginning to the new school year this week at St. Francis. On Monday, our faculty and staff gathered for a retreat day led by Pam Rivera. She helped us reflect on our theme for the year - Blessings - reminding us of the importance of noticing the blessings in our own lives and of being a blessing for others. We celebrated Mass together and spent time in adoration, with the opportunity for confession. I am grateful for such a dedicated and faith-filled staff.

On Tuesday, we welcomed our students back with joy. Wednesday brought something new - our first-ever “Teach Day,” organized by Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Shaughnessy. The 8th grade students led mini-lessons around the school for each class on good behavior and school procedures. I assisted in the gym church, where students were reminded about reverence and participation at school Masses. It was a creative and successful new initiative.

This morning, on Friday, we came together for our first school Mass of the year, a traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit. We asked for the Spirit’s wisdom and strength to guide us throughout the year. In my homily, I reflected on our theme of blessings, reminding the students that while school may not always feel like a blessing right after summer vacation, it is a place where they can grow - and also be a blessing to one another. I shared the story of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who struggled when she first started school, but was helped through by the kindness of her classmates. May this year be filled with the same spirit of kindness and blessing for all of us.

Support SFX School at Joe’s Original!

Looking for an easy way to support our parish school? Every Wednesday in September, Joe’s Original in Dartmouth will donate a portion of your bill to St. Francis Xavier School. Simply let your server know you’re there to support SFX School when you come for lunch or dinner. Thank you in advance for your support!

Joe's Website

A Word on the Tragedy in Minneapolis

Many of you have seen the heartbreaking news from Minneapolis this past week. During school Mass at Annunciation Catholic School, a tragic shooting took the lives of two young students, Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel, and left others still fighting in the hospital. As the pastor of a Catholic school, this has shaken me deeply.

On Wednesday, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Shaughnessy, and I sent out a letter to our school families expressing our deep sorrow at this tragedy and reaffirming our commitment to the safety of our students here at St. Francis Xavier. We have been in close contact with the Acushnet Police Department, who reassured us of their support and were present to assist at drop-off and pick-up through the end of the week. We are grateful for their partnership and vigilance. At the same time, we are carefully reviewing our routines, especially around school Masses, to ensure the continued safety and peace of mind of our community.

Please join me in praying for the Annunciation community, for the victims and their families, and for healing for the wounded. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

For those who wish to reflect more deeply on how we, as people of faith, confront the mystery of suffering and evil, I recommend this short video by Fr. Mike Schmitz:

Fr. Mike Schmitz on Evil

Monday Holiday Reminders

Labor Day Reminder:

9:00 Mass will take place at the school gym.
There will be no 5:30-6:30 Confessions. Instead, Confessions will be available following the 9:00am Mass.
Adoration will take place as scheduled.
The Parish Office will be closed.
Millions of Monica's will meet as usual at 7:00pm in the Gym.

Special Screening Opportunity – Maximilian Kolbe Film

It’s looking like we are going to be holding a local screening of the brand new film about St. Maximilian Kolbe (debuting September 12th). The time is still to be determined, but the showing will be at the AMC in Dartmouth.

It also looks like we will have some extra tickets available through the parish office. If you are interested, please reach out soon.

SFX Crowdfund for Movie

Religious Ed Registration Now Open

We are excited to begin our 4th year using the Family of Faith curriculum from Sophia Press for students in grades 1–8 who attend public school. This program equips parents to embrace their role as the primary educators of their children in the faith.

There is a mandatory Parent Orientation on Sunday, September 21.

Classes begin Sunday, October 5th.

All young people in grades 1–8 in public school, 2nd graders in Catholic school, and all 9th graders in the parish are expected to register.

Register Here

Save the Date - 100th Celebration Sept 28th

As you may have noticed, we did not hold our annual parish picnic this August. That’s because the Events Committee is planning a special celebration for the 100th anniversary of the dedication of our church when it reopens next month.

Please mark your calendar for Sunday, September 28th, from 12:00–4:00pm at St. Francis Xavier School. We’ll gather for food, fun, and fellowship as a parish family. The afternoon will include races for all ages, a photo booth, and a DJ with karaoke.

More details will be shared soon, but for now, be sure to save the date!

Looking for deeper insight into this weekend’s readings? Check out this reflection from my favorite biblical scholar, Dr. John Bergsma

Bergsma's Reflection

On the Bulletin Cover this weekend...

Blessed Pere Tarrés i Claret (30 May 1905 – 31 August 1950)

Feast Day: August 31st

Beatified in 2004

A Spanish doctor turned priest whose deep Eucharistic devotion, charity for the poor, and heroic acceptance of suffering made his life a witness to both healing bodies and shepherding souls.

Learn more

All are welcome to join us for First Friday Mass on September 5 at 9:00am or 6:00pm (evening Mass will be in the gym). The 6:00pm Mass will be followed by Adoration, devotions to the Sacred Heart, and confessions.

On First Saturday, September 6, we will celebrate 9:00am Mass, followed by Adoration, the Rosary, and confessions at the school.

We're excited to share that our first youth group night of the school year will be Sunday, September 14th from 6:30–8:30pm in the SFX gym. We’ll kick things off with a spiritual talk, a Color Powder War and plenty of pizza. Mark your calendars!

RSVP to Jay Hamel: jayhamel8@yahoo.com

Renovation Tile Fundraiser

As part of our church’s 100th anniversary, we are offering a specially designed memento: a tile in the Portuguese azulejo style, pictured above.

This tile is meant to be kept in your home as a reminder of the blessings of the past 100 years of St. Francis Xavier Church at the heart of Acushnet. The cost is $50, covering the manufacturing, with the remainder going directly toward our renovation campaign.

Payment will be due at pickup (cash or check preferred). I hope to have the tiles ready sometime in September. I'll keep you posted.

If you would like to purchase one or more, you can sign up through the Google Form link below. I do plan to order some extras, but I want to be sure we have enough for everyone, so please reserve yours ahead of time.

Order Here