Flocknote

Renovation Updates – Week Thirteen

No photos this week! With only one week left, I thought it best to build some suspense. 😅 Think of it like fasting before Easter - you’ll just have to wait for the big day to see everything in person.

A lot of progress has been made this week. As I mentioned, the nave floors were finished last weekend. This week, the original wainscot, carefully repaired and sanded by generous parishioners over the past several weeks, was painted, and it looks beautiful. The new marble-look sanctuary floor is also wrapping up early next week, and it’s truly spectacular.

Some exciting work has been done with the lighting, including a big surprise that our volunteer crew can’t wait for you to see. The new narthex bathroom is coming along wonderfully, with floor and wall tiling completed this week. The audio company began installing the upgraded system we fundraised for earlier this summer, including a new speaker in the entryway so that the sound carries once the glass partition is in place. Thank you again to our generous anonymous donor for making the ListenWifi system possible.

A rescued pulpit from a closed church has been beautifully refreshed by a volunteer this week and is almost ready for installation in the sanctuary.

All that remains now are the finishing touches. As I said, there will still be a number of smaller decorative details and final touches to complete in the weeks ahead, and the crews will continue working on those. I’ll keep you updated here in the weekly Flocknote and will also point out the progress during weekend Masses as the final pieces come together.

Next Saturday, September 13th, we’ll be ready to welcome the Bishop for our 100th Anniversary Mass at 4:00pm. I hope you’ll be there to celebrate this historic moment with us! For those unable to attend, we plan to record the 100th Anniversary Mass with the Bishop so you can watch it later online. More details next week on where to find it.

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

Anniversary of the Dedication of Our Church

Next weekend is the 100th Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Francis Xavier Church. I asked the Bishop if, just for this year, we could transfer the celebration from Saturday, September 13th, to also be celebrated liturgically on Sunday, September 14th. He kindly granted permission.

The bishop has the authority to transfer a feast like this for pastoral reasons, and I requested it so that our whole parish could share in the celebration together.

That means the Sunday Masses that weekend will celebrate the anniversary of the dedication, rather than the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The prayers and readings will be for the dedication - an annual solemn feast in the life of every parish church. Please note that the missalettes and Magnificats will not match the readings that day.

I wanted to make this change so that the entire parish family could take part in this historic moment - not only at the Saturday 4:00pm Mass with the Bishop, but also at the Sunday Masses. The dedication of a parish church is considered one of the highest feast days for a parish - it’s a day to celebrate not only in church, but also in our homes and lives in a special way.

For the Glory of God

Next weekend, we will walk back into our beautifully restored church. This project has taken time, effort, and sacrifice, and you may have wondered: why put so much into making the church beautiful when there are so many other needs around us?

That same question once arose in the Gospel. When Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with costly oil, Judas objected, saying the money could have been given to the poor. But the Gospel shows us that it’s not a competition between honoring God and serving our neighbor.

The more we love God, the more we realize how great God is; the more we realize that everything comes from Him. To that extent, the more we love God, the more we see His transcendence, the more we actually care for our neighbor, because we realize that our neighbor is a reflection of this great God. The more we care for the poor, because we see their dignity, that they deserve personal care and attention.

That is why it is important to make the house of God beautiful. A church that lifts our hearts to God helps us recognize His greatness, and in turn helps us recognize the dignity of every person made in His image. Beauty in worship does not take away from charity, it strengthens it.

Next weekend, when our doors reopen, may we rejoice in this offering of love given to God, and may our renewed church inspire us to love Him more deeply and serve our neighbor more generously.

Upcoming Mass Locations

With school having restarted, our weekday Mass locations have shift a bit. Here is the schedule:

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 Note About Adoration in the Coming Weeks

Adoration will remain in the elevator room for a few weeks after the reopening. Our Adoration Chapel is currently being used for storage during the renovation, and it also needs paint and some additional work before it is ready. Once the space is cleared after September 13th, we will begin that work.

In the meantime, Adoration continues on the same schedule as usual. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this final stretch. I’ll keep you posted as we move closer to returning to the chapel.

Week Two at SFX School

It’s been a great second week at school as we welcomed our preschool students.

Yesterday morning we gathered for our First Friday School Mass, where I spoke with the students about the life of Mother Teresa since it was her Feast Day. I shared how she heard the Lord say to her, “Come, be my light. Bring me into the darkest places of the world. Serve the poorest of the poor.” Mother Teresa would often remind us to “find our own Calcutta,” and I encouraged the students to do the same - whether in their schools, their families, their neighborhoods, or even on their sports teams - by showing care and love for others.

This afternoon we also celebrated our annual classroom blessings, and we ended the day with the blessing of backpacks. You can check out the video in the link below to see more on our school’s social media page!

Backpack Blessing Video

Joe's Website

Update – Maximilian Kolbe Film

I’m working on hosting a showing of the new film about St. Maximilian Kolbe. It’s the first attempt at a Catholic “blockbuster” using a brand-new strategy to get into theaters nationwide. Because this approach is so new, the organizers are running into real challenges securing theater slots across the country. This is not just an issue with our local showing - many screenings nationwide are still waiting for confirmation.

Our Dartmouth AMC showing was originally planned for Sunday, September 14 at 4:00pm, but at this point it may need to be pushed back by a week or two. I expect to know more on Monday.

If you already bought a ticket through the crowdfund or here at the parish office, please fill out the short Google form below with your email address so I can keep you directly updated. There may also be additional tickets available at the theater itself once the date is finalized, so if you specifically want updates, please add your email as well.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility. I’ll keep you posted here in the newsletter and by email.

Google Form

Update: The Tiles Have Arrived!

The commemorative tiles for our parish’s 100th anniversary are here. They will be available for pickup the weekend of September 13–14 at Mass in the entryway.

The cost is $50. If you did not reserve one, we have extra. You can pay this weekend if you’d like, or simply pay when you pick up your tile next weekend (cash or check preferred). A sheet will be in the school entryway this weekend to mark off payment and to note how many tiles you are purchasing.

Thank you for supporting our renovation campaign through this special keepsake!

God Bless Our Seminarians

Our two parish seminarians, Lucas DaCosta and Noah Pollard, are back at school. After completing their opening retreats, they have returned to the rhythm of classes and community life.

Noah is studying at Our Lady of Providence Undergraduate Seminary, and Lucas is at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton. Above are photos of their seminary communities.

Please continue to keep both of them in your prayers as they discern and prepare for the priesthood.

In your kindness, please pray for the repose of the souls of the following individuals:

Diane E. (Salt) Lafond, 84, of Acushnet passed away unexpectedly Thursday, September 4, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Donald R. Lafond. Born in New Bedford, a daughter of the late Frank and Grace (Chase) Salt, she was a lifelong area resident and a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Parish.

Due to the renovations, I will celebrate her Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, September 11th at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Main St., Fairhaven. Burial will follow in Acushnet Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 4-7 p.m.

Diane's Obituary

Grandparents Day September 7th 2025

This Sunday, September 7th, is National Grandparents Day. At all Masses this weekend, I will offer a special prayer of blessing for all grandparents and elders in our community.

I also encourage you to read Pope Leo’s message for Grandparents Day, given at the Vatican in July. You can find the link below.

Pope Leo's Message

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 Maria Eurythimia Üffing (8 April 1914 – 9 September 1955)

Feast Day: September 9th

Beatified in 2001

A Sister of Charity in Germany whose tireless care for prisoners of war and the sick during World War II, marked by kindness, prayer, and quiet sacrifice despite her own frail health, made her life a radiant witness of hope and charity.

"I found Him who my heart loves; I want to hold Him and never let Him go."

Learn more

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

Women of Grace

Sept 20th

Buy Tickets

A Big Weekend in the Church

This weekend is a historic moment in the life of the Church as two young men of our time are elevated to the honor of canonized saints: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Blessed Carlo Acutis.

Both lived ordinary lives with extraordinary faith, showing that holiness is not far from us, but can be found in our daily choices. Their canonization is a gift to the whole Church, and especially to young people today.

Read the article linked below for details on how to follow the coverage.

How to watch