Renovation Update
The contractors were back in the church this week, and I’m happy to share some exciting progress!
Stations of the Cross Frames
One of the surprises I’ve been eager to see completed was the new frames for our Stations of the Cross. They were finally finished this week! The beautiful gilded moldings really make the Stations stand out and give them a dignified, finished look. Before, the images were simply mounted on the blank walls; now, with the new spotlights above them, each Station truly “pops” and draws the eye in prayer. I couldn’t be happier with how they turned out.
Baptismal Area Flooring
The tilers were also back this week to install a small section of tile that now designates the baptismal area near the organ. This space has been set apart as a sacred and beautiful place for the celebration of Baptism. There are some plans in the works for that blank space behind the baptismal font. More details to follow.
Some decorative tile inlays were also added in the sanctuary. Diamond-shaped accents in front of the main altar and the two side altars which add a subtle but elegant detail to the floor design.
Painting Progress
Painting also continued this week in the hallway near the old bathroom and the cry room. Work still remains on the opposite hallway, which will lead into the Adoration Chapel. That area is still under construction, but it’s steadily moving along.
Respect Life Month – Baby Bottle Fundraiser
In honor of Respect Life Month, we’re once again holding our annual Baby Bottle Fundraiser to support mothers and babies in need. Please take home one of the baby bottle change containers after Mass, fill it with coins, cash, or a check, and return it by the end of the month.
This year marks our first partnership with Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Attleboro, a truly exceptional local organization serving mothers and families in crisis. I personally know several of the wonderful women who work there, and they are deeply devoted to the pro-life cause and the Gospel of life.
Your generosity makes a real difference in supporting mothers right here in our own diocese. Please take a bottle home and give as you are abl. Thank you for helping us stand for life in such a tangible way.
Your generosity makes a real difference in supporting mothers right here in our own diocese. Please take a bottle home and give as you are abl. Thank you for helping us stand for life in such a tangible way.
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.
This Week at St. Francis Xavier School
Thank you for your prayers for a successful visit from our NEASC accreditation team this past week. The team of evaluators spent Tuesday on campus, meeting with dozens of members of our school community, and their feedback was overwhelmingly positive. They were especially impressed by the strong sense of organization, faith, and community at St. Francis.
Much of that success is due to the exceptional leadership of our administrators. From the longstanding partnership of Mrs. Russo and Mrs. Shaughnessy to the outstanding team we have today with Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Shaughnessy. Their dedication, professionalism, and shared faith continue to guide our school so well.
Today, we gathered as a community to pray the Rosary together. In keeping with Pope Leo’s intention for the month of October, we prayed especially for peace, in our families, in our homes, in our school, and within our own hearts. Students read aloud reflections for each mystery, helping all of us to enter prayerfully into this devotion.
After a full week, our students are now off to enjoy a well-deserved three-day weekend!
Much of that success is due to the exceptional leadership of our administrators. From the longstanding partnership of Mrs. Russo and Mrs. Shaughnessy to the outstanding team we have today with Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Shaughnessy. Their dedication, professionalism, and shared faith continue to guide our school so well.
Today, we gathered as a community to pray the Rosary together. In keeping with Pope Leo’s intention for the month of October, we prayed especially for peace, in our families, in our homes, in our school, and within our own hearts. Students read aloud reflections for each mystery, helping all of us to enter prayerfully into this devotion.
After a full week, our students are now off to enjoy a well-deserved three-day weekend!
Raffle Calendars on Sale This Weekend
Raffle calendars will be on sale after all Masses this weekend! I’ll be at the doors selling them for $10 each, and 100% of the proceeds directly support our parish school.
Each calendar purchase includes an entry stub. Just fill it out and return it and you’ll be entered to win over $1,000 in gift cards and prizes throughout the month of November.
It’s an easy and fun way to support SFX School while having a chance to win some great prizes!
Each calendar purchase includes an entry stub. Just fill it out and return it and you’ll be entered to win over $1,000 in gift cards and prizes throughout the month of November.
It’s an easy and fun way to support SFX School while having a chance to win some great prizes!
Olivewood Items from the Holy Land – On Sale October 18th & 19th
Next weekend, October 18th and 19th, Maysoon, the woman who has visited us in past years representing Christian families from Bethlehem will once again be in the church entryway selling beautiful, handmade olivewood items from the Holy Land.
These carvings are crafted by Christian artisans whose families have lived and worked in Bethlehem for generations. Your purchase directly supports them and helps sustain the Christian presence in the land of Jesus’ birth.
Be sure to stop by after Mass to browse these beautiful devotional items and gifts!
These carvings are crafted by Christian artisans whose families have lived and worked in Bethlehem for generations. Your purchase directly supports them and helps sustain the Christian presence in the land of Jesus’ birth.
Be sure to stop by after Mass to browse these beautiful devotional items and gifts!
High School Youth Group – Pumpkin Launch Night!
All high school students are invited to join us for our next High School Youth Group meeting on Sunday, October 26th, from 6:30–8:30pm in the school gym.
We’ll be launching pumpkins with a giant slingshot and (if all goes according to plan) a homemade catapult for a giant game of “Angry Birds.”
Bring a pumpkin and a friend and come ready for some fun!
We’ll be launching pumpkins with a giant slingshot and (if all goes according to plan) a homemade catapult for a giant game of “Angry Birds.”
Bring a pumpkin and a friend and come ready for some fun!
RSVP to Mr. Hamel: jayhamel8@yahoo.com
Sound System Update
I met with our audio technician on Tuesday, and we made several adjustments to the sound system. We changed some of the equalizer settings on the amplifiers, which he believes now give a more even sound throughout the church.
I think you’ll agree that the new, longer microphone (installed last Saturday) at the ambo has made a real difference in helping us hear the readers more clearly. It’s important for anyone speaking at the microphones to speak slowly and clearly, since the church now has such lively acoustics.
A few of you have mentioned difficulty hearing me at the altar. I’ve realized the microphone on the main altar doesn’t pick up my voice well. I’ll be making a point to always wear a lapel mic on weekends, which should help a great deal.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to fine tune the system.
I think you’ll agree that the new, longer microphone (installed last Saturday) at the ambo has made a real difference in helping us hear the readers more clearly. It’s important for anyone speaking at the microphones to speak slowly and clearly, since the church now has such lively acoustics.
A few of you have mentioned difficulty hearing me at the altar. I’ve realized the microphone on the main altar doesn’t pick up my voice well. I’ll be making a point to always wear a lapel mic on weekends, which should help a great deal.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to fine tune the system.
ListenWiFi Tutorials This Weekend
Our new ListenWiFi hearing assistance system is now fully up and running! After Mass this weekend, I’ll be happy to give a brief introduction and show anyone who’s interested how to use it.
We have four portable receivers with headsets available to borrow during Mass, or you can use your own smartphone to listen directly through your hearing aids, earbuds, or headphones. Simply connect to the SFX WiFi network, open the ListenWiFi app, and choose the church channel.
If you’d like to learn how it works, stay after Mass this weekend, and I’ll be glad to walk you through it.
We have four portable receivers with headsets available to borrow during Mass, or you can use your own smartphone to listen directly through your hearing aids, earbuds, or headphones. Simply connect to the SFX WiFi network, open the ListenWiFi app, and choose the church channel.
If you’d like to learn how it works, stay after Mass this weekend, and I’ll be glad to walk you through it.
Parish Safety Committee Update
Several knowledgeable and experienced parishioners have kindly come forward to assist me in assessing the security of our church. I’m very grateful for their willingness to share their expertise and insight as we take a thoughtful look at how best to keep our parish community safe.
This is something I take very seriously, and I look forward to sharing updates as our committee continues its work in the weeks ahead.
This is something I take very seriously, and I look forward to sharing updates as our committee continues its work in the weeks ahead.
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 Benigna Victim of Jesus (16 August 1907 — 16 October 1981)
Declared Venerable in 2022
Born in Brazil in 1907, she endured wrongful accusations, severe isolation, and racial prejudice within her religious community, yet quietly persevered in humble service and charitable care until her death in 1981.
Declared Venerable in 2022
Born in Brazil in 1907, she endured wrongful accusations, severe isolation, and racial prejudice within her religious community, yet quietly persevered in humble service and charitable care until her death in 1981.
Monday Holiday Reminder
A quick reminder that the parish office will be closed this Monday for Columbus Day. There will be no 5:30pm confessions that evening. Instead, confession will be available after the 9:00am Mass.
The Millions of Monicas group will still meet at their usual time, 7:00pm in the church.
The Millions of Monicas group will still meet at their usual time, 7:00pm in the church.
In your kindness, please pray for the repose of the souls of the following:
Jeannette Marie (Jovin) Taylor, 81, of Acushnet, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025, after a prolonged and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Her visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from 8:30 am to 9:30 am in the Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Francis Xavier Church. Burial will take place at Massachusetts National Cemetery at 12:30 pm.
Bishop Stang Open House - Oct 19th
Bishop Stang, our local Catholic high school in Dartmouth, will be hosting its Open House on Sunday, October 19th, from 12:00–2:00pm. Parents and students of all middle school grades are warmly invited to attend. Many of our parish families have students at Stang, and several of our own parishioners serve on the faculty. It’s a wonderful school that continues to form young people in faith and excellence. I encourage you to check it out and to support this great Catholic institution in our community.
Novena for the Nations Concluding Event
Sunday Oct 12th
The Young Adult Group from Our Lady’s Chapel began a 54-day Novena for the Nation in August, and our parish will host the concluding event this Sunday, October 12th at 2:00pm.
Due to the forecasted rain, we will pray the Rosary inside the church, followed by a reception downstairs. We will not be processing to the school this year. I hope you’ll be able to join us!
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.
Adoration Chapel Work Reminder
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 several weeks 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 soon.
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.
Please Use the New Restroom During Mass
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!
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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