Parish Picnic Recap
What a day! We had an amazing turnout for our 100th Anniversary Parish Picnic last Sunday at the school, with well over 150 parishioners joining in the fun. It was a beautiful afternoon as we celebrated this milestone year in our parish’s life.
A big thank you goes to our Events Committee for organizing and preparing all the food, and to members of the Men of St. Joseph who helped with cooking. Deacon Dave and Mary Cardoza did a great job leading the relay races, and Noah DesRoches kept the energy high as our DJ. A big thank you also to Acushnet Creamery for generously donating the ice cream so everyone could enjoy sundaes, and to Carol Eccleston for helping run the photo area. We’re also grateful to Marisa Hamel for creating the wonderful balloon arch.
A big thank you goes to our Events Committee for organizing and preparing all the food, and to members of the Men of St. Joseph who helped with cooking. Deacon Dave and Mary Cardoza did a great job leading the relay races, and Noah DesRoches kept the energy high as our DJ. A big thank you also to Acushnet Creamery for generously donating the ice cream so everyone could enjoy sundaes, and to Carol Eccleston for helping run the photo area. We’re also grateful to Marisa Hamel for creating the wonderful balloon arch.
And then there was the unexpected star of the afternoon: a life size cardboard cutout of me! Parishioners lined up to take photos, and we held a contest for the silliest photo with “Father.” Congratulations to Logan, whose winning pose earned him bragging rights for the day!
It was a joy to see so many parishioners, school families, and friends come together to celebrate the past 100 years of our parish’s faith and community. Thank you to everyone who joined in. After seeing how well things went under the big tent on the school blacktop, we’re already thinking of hosting future outdoor gatherings right here at the school again!
Family Faith Formation Begins This Sunday
We’re excited to begin another year of Family Faith Formation this Sunday! This is our fourth year using the Family of Faith program from the Sophia Institute, which guides families through the four pillars of the Catechism. This year, we arrive at the fourth pillar: prayer.
In our program, students don’t meet every week in a traditional classroom format. Instead, they gather twice a month, with one of those sessions including a parent formation meeting led by Phil Martin, our Director of Religious Education. These sessions help parents grow in their own faith and equip them to be the primary educators of their children.
I’m deeply grateful to our team of catechists for their dedication and faithfulness in assisting families and reinforcing the lessons from our curriculum.
As we focus on prayer this year, I’m happy to share that during our second session each month (usually the third Sunday of the month), a group of students and parents will join me in the church for a time of Eucharistic Adoration from 9:15–10:15am. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar, and all are welcome to join us for this time of guided meditation and catechesis.
The full schedule for Family Faith Formation can be found in the Religious Education section of our parish website. Please keep our families in your prayers for a fruitful year of growth in faith and prayer.
In our program, students don’t meet every week in a traditional classroom format. Instead, they gather twice a month, with one of those sessions including a parent formation meeting led by Phil Martin, our Director of Religious Education. These sessions help parents grow in their own faith and equip them to be the primary educators of their children.
I’m deeply grateful to our team of catechists for their dedication and faithfulness in assisting families and reinforcing the lessons from our curriculum.
As we focus on prayer this year, I’m happy to share that during our second session each month (usually the third Sunday of the month), a group of students and parents will join me in the church for a time of Eucharistic Adoration from 9:15–10:15am. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar, and all are welcome to join us for this time of guided meditation and catechesis.
The full schedule for Family Faith Formation can be found in the Religious Education section of our parish website. Please keep our families in your prayers for a fruitful year of growth in faith and prayer.
WOG starting this week!
*Please Note Time Change*
To sign up, please contact Amy at: amyplante122@gmail.com
Men of St. Joseph - Thurs Oct 16th
The SFX Men’s Group will welcome its next guest speaker on Thursday, October 16. This month’s talk will feature John Kowalski, joining us via Zoom to speak about the gift of healing. John has been featured on The Exorcist Files podcast with Fr. Carlos Martins, where he shared his experiences of witnessing God’s power to bring physical and spiritual healing through prayer. He is also active in ministries that serve those struggling with addiction and in need of deliverance.
Church Safety
Over the past weeks, parishioners have quietly expressed to me their concern for the safety of our church community. I know this weighs on the hearts of many of you, especially in light of the recent tragic shooting at the Mormon church in Grand Blanc, Michigan, last weekend. Sadly, incidents like this remind us of the importance of being vigilant and prepared.
Our diocese has asked pastors to take a careful look at our safety and security plans, and to work with parishioners who can share their wisdom and expertise. To that end, I will be forming a parish Safety Committee. The goal of this group will be to evaluate our current safety practices, identify areas of improvement, and make thoughtful recommendations so that our church remains a place of prayer, welcome, and protection.
If you are interested in being considered for this committee, I invite you to send me an email (rjh@sfxparish.com) with a brief description of your background, experience, or skills that may be helpful in this work. I will prayerfully discern and select a small group of parishioners who can bring diverse perspectives and practical knowledge to the table.
I know this is a sensitive subject, but by working together, we can approach it with both prudence and faith, trusting that our efforts will help ensure the safety and peace of all who come here to worship.
Renovation Update
Our contractors were not on site this week, so there are no new progress updates to share just yet. They will be returning over the next two weeks to continue their work on the restoration project.
We should still be able to celebrate the 9:00am Mass in the church, but please note that the church will be closed for the rest of the day afterward to allow the workers to continue safely. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we move closer to completion.
We should still be able to celebrate the 9:00am Mass in the church, but please note that the church will be closed for the rest of the day afterward to allow the workers to continue safely. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we move closer to completion.
Adoration Chapel Update
Work has now begun in the Adoration Chapel, thanks to several dedicated volunteer parishioners who are helping with the repairs and improvements. It will likely take about a month before we can return to the chapel for Adoration, so thank you for your continued patience.
In the meantime, Adoration will remain in the elevator room on the usual schedule.
In the meantime, Adoration will remain in the elevator room on the usual schedule.
*Please do not enter the Adoration Chapel until it has been officially reopened, as it is currently unsafe to be back there while work is underway.*
I’m hoping that once the renovation work in the church is complete, we’ll be able to have Adoration in the main body of the church. More details on that in about two weeks.
St. Francis Xavier School Updates
It was a beautiful week at St. Francis Xavier School! On Monday, we celebrated Grandparents Day, welcoming over 250 of our beloved grandparents to campus. Mrs. Rogers gave a wonderful presentation, and it was a joy to see so many parishioners who have their grandchildren in our school. I shared with them the words of our Holy Father Pope Leo: "Let us look to grandparents... as witnesses of hope, capable of lighting the path for new generations. Let us not leave them alone, but join them in a covenant of love and prayer." Together, we prayed a Litany for Grandparents, thanking God for their love, wisdom, and example. Afterward, grandparents had the chance to visit classrooms and see where their grandchildren grow and learn each day here at St. Francis Xavier.
Yesterday we gathered for our First Friday School Mass, where I spoke with our students about that day's Gospel passage in which Jesus says, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” I reminded them that we, too, have been given a great gift: the gift of knowing Christ and of receiving a Catholic education. I encouraged our students not to remain unchanged by that gift, but to let it transform the way they treat their families, their classmates, and everyone they meet.
I often tell our students how blessed they are to attend a Catholic school, where they can encounter the Lord daily, learn about their faith, and experience the kind of formation and conversion of heart that isn’t found in a public school classroom.
This week’s Mass was also special because it was our School Advisory Board Day. Members of our board, made up of parishioners and community professionals who advise Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Shaughnessy, and I in the direction of the school, joined us for Mass and visited classrooms afterward. We are deeply grateful for their support and dedication.
I often tell our students how blessed they are to attend a Catholic school, where they can encounter the Lord daily, learn about their faith, and experience the kind of formation and conversion of heart that isn’t found in a public school classroom.
This week’s Mass was also special because it was our School Advisory Board Day. Members of our board, made up of parishioners and community professionals who advise Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Shaughnessy, and I in the direction of the school, joined us for Mass and visited classrooms afterward. We are deeply grateful for their support and dedication.
Two Ways to Support St. Francis School
1. Pray for our NEASC Visit
This week, we will welcome the visiting team from NEASC (the New England Association of Schools and Colleges) for their first re-accreditation visit as part of our ten-year cycle. Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Shaughnessy, and the staff have been preparing tirelessly for this visit over the past year, pouring in countless hours of work. While we’re not concerned about losing accreditation, it’s an important opportunity for reflection and growth. Please keep our school community in your prayers for a smooth and successful visit, and that our visitors may see the faith, excellence, and dedication that make SFX such a special place.
2. Purchase a Calendar Raffle Ticket this month
Our annual calendar raffle is underway! Calendars are $10 each and can be purchased throughout October in the parish office or at Mass next weekend. Your participation directly supports our school and its mission of providing a strong Catholic education for our students.
This week, we will welcome the visiting team from NEASC (the New England Association of Schools and Colleges) for their first re-accreditation visit as part of our ten-year cycle. Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Shaughnessy, and the staff have been preparing tirelessly for this visit over the past year, pouring in countless hours of work. While we’re not concerned about losing accreditation, it’s an important opportunity for reflection and growth. Please keep our school community in your prayers for a smooth and successful visit, and that our visitors may see the faith, excellence, and dedication that make SFX such a special place.
2. Purchase a Calendar Raffle Ticket this month
Our annual calendar raffle is underway! Calendars are $10 each and can be purchased throughout October in the parish office or at Mass next weekend. Your participation directly supports our school and its mission of providing a strong Catholic education for our students.
We’re beginning our OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) with an information session tomorrow evening, Sunday. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming Catholic or completing your Sacraments of Initiation (First Communion or Confirmation), please reach out to me for the details.
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...
Venerable Vincent Cimatti (15 July 1879 - 6 October 1965)
Declared Venerable in 1991
An Italian Salesian priest and missionary who, after a lifetime of teaching and composing music, led the founding of the Salesian mission in Japan, serving there over 40 years, establishing orphanages, schools, and even composing a radio sonata deemed "more Japanese than the Japanese."
Declared Venerable in 1991
An Italian Salesian priest and missionary who, after a lifetime of teaching and composing music, led the founding of the Salesian mission in Japan, serving there over 40 years, establishing orphanages, schools, and even composing a radio sonata deemed "more Japanese than the Japanese."
“Find me a place somewhere in the poorest, most difficult, most abandoned mission. I want nothing to do with comfort.” - Vincent to his superior
“Work hard for souls! Do it with prayer, sacrifice, example, words, with Him alone, for Him alone and in Him alone.”
In your kindness, please pray for the repose of the souls of the following:
Michael R. “Mike” Phaneuf, 72, of Acushnet passed away unexpectedly Thursday, October 2, 2025 in his home. He was the beloved husband of Pamela (Mello) Phaneuf. His Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, October 10, 2025 at 10 a.m. in St. Francis Xavier Church.
Baptism Congratulations to the Lopes Family! Sunday September 28th
Church Audio System Update
Due to scheduling, we weren’t able to meet with the audio technician this past week, but I have a meeting scheduled for this Tuesday to review everything together. Just to help you understand, there are a number of factors we need to look at in our newly restored church, and they all have to work together to achieve the best sound. These include:
- the acoustics of the church now that the carpet has been removed, and whether some sound dampening might be needed;
- the direction of the speakers, which was changed this summer to spread sound more evenly, and may need to be re-evaluated;
- the individual volume settings of each microphone in the sanctuary;
- and the new amplifiers, which are now connected to our older speakers and need to be fine-tuned for balance.
We are also considering whether it may be time to replace the older speakers throughout the church, which have served us for many years but may be limiting what the new system can do.
A small but important improvement arrived today: a new microphone with a longer neck for the ambo. This should help those speaking from the podium be heard more clearly, since the mic will now be closer to the speaker’s mouth. Give it a listen this weekend and see if you notice the difference!
Unfortunately, the ListenWiFi system (for hearing assistance) is temporarily offline because it’s not connecting to the internet for some reason. It was working on September 12 when the technician installed it, so I’ll have him check the connection during Tuesday’s visit. I hope to have it up and running again soon.
Once the ListenWiFi system is reconnected, I plan to hold a brief tutorial after the weekend Masses to demonstrate how it can be used with Bluetooth hearing aids or with the loaner listening devices we have available for anyone who needs them.
Thank you for your continued patience and feedback as we work through these last details. We’re getting close to having the system just right!
A small but important improvement arrived today: a new microphone with a longer neck for the ambo. This should help those speaking from the podium be heard more clearly, since the mic will now be closer to the speaker’s mouth. Give it a listen this weekend and see if you notice the difference!
Unfortunately, the ListenWiFi system (for hearing assistance) is temporarily offline because it’s not connecting to the internet for some reason. It was working on September 12 when the technician installed it, so I’ll have him check the connection during Tuesday’s visit. I hope to have it up and running again soon.
Once the ListenWiFi system is reconnected, I plan to hold a brief tutorial after the weekend Masses to demonstrate how it can be used with Bluetooth hearing aids or with the loaner listening devices we have available for anyone who needs them.
Thank you for your continued patience and feedback as we work through these last details. We’re getting close to having the system just right!
Adorer Needed
We are in need of adorers for the following hours:
- Saturdays 12:00 AM - 1:00 AM
If you are interested in spending an hour with the Lord, please call or text Mary Cardoza at 774-526-1444 or speak with Fr. Ryan.
100th Anniversary Commemorative Items
Thank you to everyone who has already purchased our 100th anniversary sweatshirts, T-shirts, and tiles! Sweatshirts and T-shirts can be ordered through the parish office, with a deadline of the end of October. Sweatshirts are $35 and T-shirts are $15.
Commemorative tiles are also available for purchase and pick-up in the parish office for $50 each. These keepsakes are a wonderful way to celebrate our parish’s 100th anniversary and support the renovation project.
Commemorative tiles are also available for purchase and pick-up in the parish office for $50 each. These keepsakes are a wonderful way to celebrate our parish’s 100th anniversary and support the renovation project.
Novena for the Nations Concluding Event
Sunday Oct 12th
The Young Adult Group from Our Lady’s Chapel started a 54-day Novena for the Nation in 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!
Weekend Mass Courtesy Reminder
As a small courtesy to help keep our liturgies prayerful, please use the new restroom in the church entryway as your primary restroom during weekend Masses, and try to avoid using the older restroom near the front of the church.
The new restroom was added to help reduce distractions during Mass, and it’s conveniently located just inside the main doors (first door on the left).
Thank you!
The new restroom was added to help reduce distractions during Mass, and it’s conveniently located just inside the main doors (first door on the left).
Thank you!
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!
Our Parish Seminarians
This past week we celebrated the birthdays of our two parish seminarians. Noah Pollard on Tuesday, September 30, and Lucas DaCosta on Thursday, October 2! It’s funny how their birthdays are just two days apart.
Please keep them in your prayers as they continue their studies. Noah at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Providence and Lucas at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.
Please keep them in your prayers as they continue their studies. Noah at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Providence and Lucas at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton.
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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