Renovation Update & Media Spotlight
As many of you saw when you came last weekend, the “surprise” I mentioned in last week’s Flocknote, our new glass partition was finally installed! We are so grateful to Abbey Glass of Wareham for the beautiful craftsmanship. This partition delineates the entryway from the rest of the church, improving both temperature and sound control. I am thrilled with how it turned out.
The two doors feature the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, highlighting our parish’s long tradition of devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary from our founders, the Sacred Heart Fathers. On the left panel are the papal crests of the current Roman Pontiff and pope from 100 years ago: Pope Leo XIV on the top and Pope Pius XI on the bottom. On the right panel are the episcopal crests of today and 100 years ago: Bishop Edgar da Cunha on the top and Bishop Daniel Feehan on the bottom.
The two doors feature the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, highlighting our parish’s long tradition of devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary from our founders, the Sacred Heart Fathers. On the left panel are the papal crests of the current Roman Pontiff and pope from 100 years ago: Pope Leo XIV on the top and Pope Pius XI on the bottom. On the right panel are the episcopal crests of today and 100 years ago: Bishop Edgar da Cunha on the top and Bishop Daniel Feehan on the bottom.
A couple of the contractors were back this week working on a special project that I’m excited to show you once it’s complete in the next couple of weeks. They’re planning to return next week as well, as some materials for the next steps needed to arrive.
I’ll be sharing updates next week about any changes to our Mass locations, since we may need to move some weekday Masses downstairs to the church hospitality room during this phase.
We were also recently spotlighted in a couple of places!
I’ll be sharing updates next week about any changes to our Mass locations, since we may need to move some weekday Masses downstairs to the church hospitality room during this phase.
We were also recently spotlighted in a couple of places!
Bishop da Cunha wrote about his visit to our parish on his blog.
Fun107 published an article yesterday about our beautiful church renovation. Be sure to check them out!
You can now watch the recording of our 100th Anniversary Mass with Bishop da Cunha! The link is provided below. A heartfelt thank you to parishioner Jay Hamel for filming and making this recording available to our parish.
I will share next week some photos and clips from the vespers on Sunday September 14th.
A Note of Gratitude & Our Annual Appeal
I am deeply grateful for the generosity that so many of you showed during our parish’s capital campaign. Because of your commitment, St. Francis Xavier has been beautifully restored in time for our 100th anniversary. Thank you for believing in this vision and for making it a reality.
With the renovation complete, we are now ready to restart our parish’s Annual Appeal. We have not held the Annual Appeal since 2023 so that we could focus our efforts on the capital campaign. This year we are inviting parishioners to make their pledge and commitment during October or November, with the option to continue giving through the spring. In the coming days you will receive a letter from the parish office explaining how you can participate. Included with that letter will be a pledge card with details on how to make your commitment.
The Annual Appeal directly supports the day-to-day operations and ministries of St. Francis Xavier Parish. Your gifts make it possible for us to maintain our programs, care for our facilities, and serve our parish family throughout the year. We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership in our mission.
On the back of the letter you’ll also find a copy of the parish financial statement for the 2024–2025 fiscal year. It shows the strength and stability of our parish thanks to your generosity over the past year. I am humbled by your ongoing support and the way you invest in the life of this parish.
With the renovation complete, we are now ready to restart our parish’s Annual Appeal. We have not held the Annual Appeal since 2023 so that we could focus our efforts on the capital campaign. This year we are inviting parishioners to make their pledge and commitment during October or November, with the option to continue giving through the spring. In the coming days you will receive a letter from the parish office explaining how you can participate. Included with that letter will be a pledge card with details on how to make your commitment.
The Annual Appeal directly supports the day-to-day operations and ministries of St. Francis Xavier Parish. Your gifts make it possible for us to maintain our programs, care for our facilities, and serve our parish family throughout the year. We are deeply grateful for your continued partnership in our mission.
On the back of the letter you’ll also find a copy of the parish financial statement for the 2024–2025 fiscal year. It shows the strength and stability of our parish thanks to your generosity over the past year. I am humbled by your ongoing support and the way you invest in the life of this parish.
Our 100th Anniversary Celebration is this coming Sunday, September 28th!
For everyone who RSVP’d, please remember to join us from 12:00–4:00pm at the back of St. Francis Xavier School for food, fun, and fellowship as a parish family.
The afternoon will include races for all ages, a photo area, and a DJ with karaoke. We’re looking forward to celebrating together this Sunday at noon!
For everyone who RSVP’d, please remember to join us from 12:00–4:00pm at the back of St. Francis Xavier School for food, fun, and fellowship as a parish family.
The afternoon will include races for all ages, a photo area, and a DJ with karaoke. We’re looking forward to celebrating together this Sunday at noon!
100th Anniversary T-Shirts & Sweatshirts: Deadline Oct 31st
Thank you to everyone who has already purchased our special 100th anniversary T-shirts and sweatshirts! We still have T-shirts left in various sizes, and we’re currently placing the orders that we have received, so there’s still time to get yours. The deadline to order is the end of October.
Please see Deacon Dave after Mass or call the parish office to place your order. T-shirts are $15 and sweatshirts are $35. We’re hoping to see many parishioners wearing them at the 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday afternoon. Youth altar servers and sacristans will receive a special discount.
Please see Deacon Dave after Mass or call the parish office to place your order. T-shirts are $15 and sweatshirts are $35. We’re hoping to see many parishioners wearing them at the 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday afternoon. Youth altar servers and sacristans will receive a special discount.
A Small Request from Our Church Cleaning Crew
Our amazing volunteer cleaning crew has a simple request to help keep our church neat and ready for the next Mass. After Mass, please:
- Leave kneelers in the upright position (this makes it easier to mop).
- Place the white pew cards inside the Missalette.
- Place one Missalette in each holder and one on each end of the pew.
Your cooperation saves our volunteers valuable time and keeps the pews and books looking neat for everyone. Thank you for your help!
Supporting Abundant Hope
Last night I joined a few parishioners at the Abundant Hope fundraising dinner in Mansfield to benefit the Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Attleboro. It was a truly inspiring evening for the pro-life cause, and the keynote speaker, Pam Stenzel, was phenomenal.
Pam shared a powerful testimony. She has been active in the pro-life movement for decades, first in Minneapolis and now in Florida. She herself was conceived in rape, and her 15-year-old mother chose life and placed her for adoption. Pam’s witness was deeply moving and a reminder of the dignity of every human life. I encourage you to watch the video link below, which features a short interview with Pam from EWTN a few years ago and highlights the work she is doing at the University of Florida.
I'm excited to announce that SFX will be partnering with Abundant Hope this October with our Baby Bottle Drive. Parishioners will be invited to take home a plastic baby bottle, fill it with change or donations, and return it to the parish as a fundraiser for Abundant Hope.
Below is a link to their website if you’d like to learn more about them or support their work.
Below is a link to their website if you’d like to learn more about them or support their work.
Adoration Update
Adoration will continue to be held in the elevator room for the next few weeks. We’ve begun the work needed to repair and refresh the upstairs Adoration Chapel, and I’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready to reopen.
In the meantime, Adoration continues on the same schedule as usual. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this final stretch. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back into the chapel soon!
In the meantime, Adoration continues on the same schedule as usual. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this final stretch. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back into the chapel soon!
Are you or someone you know interested in becoming Catholic or completing your Sacraments of Initiation (First Communion or Confirmation)? We will soon begin an OCIA class here at the parish for those preparing to receive the Sacraments or to be received into the Church. If you would like more information, please email me or speak with me after Mass.
Looking for deeper insight into this weekend’s readings? Check out this reflection from my favorite biblical scholar, Dr. John Bergsma
Image: Lazarus at the Rich Man's Gate. Bronnikov.
On the Bulletin Cover this Weekend...
Venerable Alphonse Gallegos (February 20, 1931 – October 6, 1991)
Birth into heaven: October 6, 1991
Declared Venerable in 2016
Born in New Mexico but long a pastor and advocate in Los Angeles, became known as the “Bishop of the Barrio” for his bold outreach to low-income neighborhoods, Hispanic communities, gang-involved youth, and immigrants.
Declared Venerable in 2016
Born in New Mexico but long a pastor and advocate in Los Angeles, became known as the “Bishop of the Barrio” for his bold outreach to low-income neighborhoods, Hispanic communities, gang-involved youth, and immigrants.
“I would like to be remembered as having helped the young people to appreciate who they are and to value the life God has given them. I would also like to be remembered as having appreciated people and all that they have to offer in making the world a better place to live in.”
Commemorative Tiles – Available In Office
Thank you to everyone who has already purchased a commemorative tile for our church’s 100th anniversary!
Tiles are now available for pick-up at the parish office during the week. If you haven’t yet purchased one, there are still plenty of extras available. Each tile is $50 (cash or check preferred).
Stop by the parish office to pick up yours and take home this special keepsake of our parish’s 100th anniversary. Thank you for supporting our renovation campaign through this meaningful gift!
Tiles are now available for pick-up at the parish office during the week. If you haven’t yet purchased one, there are still plenty of extras available. Each tile is $50 (cash or check preferred).
Stop by the parish office to pick up yours and take home this special keepsake of our parish’s 100th anniversary. Thank you for supporting our renovation campaign through this meaningful gift!
Update on the Audio System
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback about the audio sounding muffled in the back of the church. We’ve been actively working on it and were able to access the system settings for the first time last weekend, making some adjustments that many of you may have noticed.
The speakers themselves are the same as before, but we installed a new amplifier. We’ve begun fine-tuning its settings and recalibrating the speakers for a wider, clearer sound. This coming week I’ll be meeting with the audio technicians to continue reviewing and refining the system so we can get it just right.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we finish this last stage of fine-tuning. Your feedback has been a big help in improving the experience for everyone at Mass.
The speakers themselves are the same as before, but we installed a new amplifier. We’ve begun fine-tuning its settings and recalibrating the speakers for a wider, clearer sound. This coming week I’ll be meeting with the audio technicians to continue reviewing and refining the system so we can get it just right.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we finish this last stage of fine-tuning. Your feedback has been a big help in improving the experience for everyone at Mass.
Do You Use Our Parish Calendar?
We’re evaluating whether our parish calendar on the website is still useful to parishioners. If you currently use it as your main source of information for parish events, please let us know by filling out this very short form. This will help us decide how best to keep everyone informed.
Learn How to Use Our Church Defibrillator
A parishioner recently encouraged me to reach out to our community about the defibrillator located in the back of the church. In case of emergency, it’s important that a few parishioners know how to use it confidently.
We’re planning a short training session in the next few weeks for anyone who would like to familiarize themselves with the defibrillator. If you’re interested in learning how to use it, or if you already have experience and could be called on in an emergency, please fill out the Google Form link below.
We’re planning a short training session in the next few weeks for anyone who would like to familiarize themselves with the defibrillator. If you’re interested in learning how to use it, or if you already have experience and could be called on in an emergency, please fill out the Google Form link below.
Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Howe! Married in Christ September 20, 2025
Novena for the Nations Concluding Event Oct 12th
The Young Adult Group from Our Lady’s Chapel has been organizing a Novena for the Nation since August, and our parish will host the concluding event on Sunday, October 12th at 2:00pm. We will begin with a procession from the church down to the school grotto, where we will pray the Rosary. Refreshments will follow. Last year several parishes participated, and it was a beautiful event. I hope you’ll be able to join us. Please save the date!
Elijah Cup
Over the past year I’ve been so grateful for everyone who has participated in our Elijah Cup Vocations Prayer Ministry. This simple but powerful practice of taking the Elijah Cup home for a week to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life is already making a spiritual impact on our parish. Thank you for your prayers and dedication.
If you’d like to be part of this ministry, you can sign up to take the Elijah Cup home for one week. The cup is picked up at a weekend Mass and returned before the Saturday 4:00pm Mass. To learn more or to sign up, please reach out to Bethany Pollard-Kowzic at pollardslg@aol.com.
Daily Mass Watch
This upcoming Thursday is the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels. We remember with gratitude that God has given each of us a guardian angel from the moment of our conception.
I encourage you to watch this excellent EWTN video by Fr. Chris Alar about the awesome protection and guidance we receive from our guardian angels.
I encourage you to watch this excellent EWTN video by Fr. Chris Alar about the awesome protection and guidance we receive from our guardian angels.
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
To add someone to this weekly newsletter, they can either text the word ACUSHNET to 84576 or sign up at sfxparish.flocknote.com.