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Renovation Updates

There’s one update to share this week: on Monday, the flooring subcontractor installed new carpeting in the side hallways and in the cry room. The final touch in those areas will be the new baseboard, which the contractors plan to complete in the coming week.

New Candles for the High Altar

A couple weeks ago we finally got in the new oil refillable candles for the candlesticks on the high altar. They are taller than the ones that were originally there when the church reopened, and I think they give a great appearance. Thank you to the donor who made them possible!

All Saints & All Souls – This Weekend

This weekend brings two beautiful days in the Church’s calendar. All Saints Day (November 1) falls on a Saturday this year, so the usual holy day obligation is lifted. However, we will still celebrate Mass at 9:00am on Saturday for those who would like to honor the feast. All Saints Day is when we rejoice in the countless men and women, known and unknown, who live forever in the presence of God, and who pray for us.

All Souls Day (November 2) falls on Sunday this year, which means this Sunday’s Masses will be the Masses of All Souls rather than the usual Sunday in Ordinary Time. On this day, the Church prays intentionally for all the faithful departed: our family members, friends, and parishioners who have died, and who are being prepared by God to share in the joy of heaven. We commend them to God’s mercy with love and hope.

Candlelight Procession to Acushnet Cemetery

Note Time Change

Image: Cemetery in Poland on All Souls Day

At 6:00 PM tomorrow (Saturday), beginning from the church, we will hold our annual candlelight procession to Acushnet Cemetery. We will walk together with candles and pray for the souls of the departed. Once we arrive at the cemetery, we will especially remember and pray for parishioners who have died in the past year. All are welcome to join us.

Memorial Board for the Month of November

We will also continue the tradition of our Memorial Bulletin Board in the church throughout November. You are invited to bring a photo of your deceased loved ones this weekend and pin it to the board in the church. These will be placed near the altar for the month as a reminder for us to pray for your loved ones. Thumbtacks will be provided, and you may pick up your photos at the end of the month.

Annual Appeal Update

A sincere thank you to all who have already made their pledge to this year’s Annual Appeal. We are already close to $20,000 in pledges and donations! Your generosity makes it possible for our parish to continue its mission of worship, education, and service to those in need.

We are inviting all parishioners to make their pledge during October and November, so that we can move forward confidently in planning for the year ahead. Every gift, large or small, helps strengthen our parish and supports the good work we share in Christ’s name.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness and generosity to St. Francis Xavier Parish.

Donate Online

All Saints Day at St. Francis Xavier School

Today at school, we celebrated All Saints Day in anticipation of tomorrow’s feast, since we won’t be together for our usual traditions. Students in grades below middle school came dressed as their favorite saints, and we held our annual Trunk or Treat event with parents this morning.

Above you can see a photo of my costume this year: St. Damien of Molokai, the priest missionary to Hawaii who was a member of the Sacred Heart Fathers (the same order that founded and staffed St. Francis Xavier Parish). St. Damien ministered for years to those suffering with leprosy before eventually contracting the disease himself and giving his life in service to others.

We also gathered for school Mass this afternoon, where I reminded the students that we look forward to joining all the saints in heaven, and that our deepest desires for what is true, good, and beautiful will one day be fulfilled only in God Himself.

Raffle Calendars - Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who purchased school calendars! I was told that we raised over $10,000 for the school, so thank you to all who contributed, and best wishes with the drawings in November.

Also, below is a special poster that was finalized this past week for our school theme of the year: Blessings. We took this photo at our first school Mass last week in the newly remodeled church, recreating a similar photo that had been taken years ago. I think it turned out really nice.

High School Youth Group Recap

Last Sunday’s high school youth group was one of our biggest gatherings yet, with more than 25 teens from multiple parishes in attendance! The evening kicked off with a life size game of Angry Birds.

Jay then gave an inspiring talk on the power of the rosary. He shared the story of St. Dominic receiving the Rosary from the Blessed Mother and spoke about several remarkable miracles connected to this devotion, including the saving of a victim of serial killer Ted Bundy, the protection of African schoolgirls from the terrorist group Boko Haram, and even the prevention of nuclear war with Russia. He concluded by leading the teens in a guided meditation to help them learn how to pray and meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary.

We finished the night with pumpkin launching behind the school using Jay’s homemade slingshot! The students had an awesome time.

SVDP Thanksgiving Drive

The SVDP Thanksgiving food drive has started. We are asking for nonperishable food donations of stuffing, cranberry sauce, olives, pickles, salad dressing, gravy, canned vegetables, boxed & canned potatoes, cake/brownie/cookie/cornbread mixes, jello/pudding mixes and coffee & tea. Grocery gift cards are also needed and can be purchased at the parish office. If you or anyone you know needs a little help through the holidays please let us know by calling Gayle at 508-971-3791.

Support for Those in Need

If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, please know that you are not alone. I encourage you to reach out to me personally or to our St. Vincent de Paul Society at the number below.

Our parish family is here to support our brothers and sisters in need with compassion and confidentiality.

SFX St. Vincent de Paul Society: 508-971-3791

List of Local Food Pantries and Meals

Called By Name Sunday Nov 8-9

Next weekend is the second annual Called By Name Sunday here in the Diocese of Fall River. Bishop da Cunha is inviting every parish to take part in this diocesan initiative, which encourages us to prayerfully identify young men who may be open to a vocation to the priesthood.

Last year, many outstanding candidates were connected with the Vocation Office through this program, and we’re excited to participate again. Please take some time this week to prayerfully consider any young men you feel may be called. Those nominated will be invited to a special dinner with the bishop in December and will receive ongoing support from the Vocation Office.

You can read Bishop da Cunha’s letter here:

Read Bishop's Letter

Video: How Should Catholics Celebrate Halloween?

Check out this great video today on the Catholic origins of Halloween from Ascension Presents

Video Link

Reminder: Daylight Savings this weekend

Weekly Adorer Needed

We are currently in need of a regular weekly adorer for the following hour:

Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 PM

If you are interested in taking on this hour, please contact coordinator Mary Cardoza at (774)-526-1444.

Sacred Music Updates

Entrance and Communion Antiphons

You may have noticed a small addition to our Sunday liturgy in recent weeks: after the Opening Hymn, at the 4pm and 10:30am, we now sing the Entrance Antiphon. Each Mass of the Church throughout the year has its own short antiphon, usually drawn from the Psalms or another part of Scripture, that expresses the theme or prayer of that day’s liturgy. In the earliest centuries of the Church, these antiphons were sung as the priest and ministers entered the church, setting the tone and intention for the celebration that followed.

You can find the Entrance Antiphon printed in the Missalette, alongside the readings for each Sunday. As we begin singing these texts, it’s an opportunity to let the Church’s own words shape our hearts for prayer from the very start of Mass.

You’ll also notice that during Communion, we have been singing the Communion Antiphon. Like the Entrance Antiphon, this short verse is chosen by the Church for each particular Sunday or feast. Its purpose is to help us meditate on the mystery we receive in the Eucharist and unite our hearts in thanksgiving. These texts change every week, and you can find them in the same section of the Missalette during Communion.

The Salve Regina At the End of Mass

During the month of October (traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary) we have been ending Mass with the Salve Regina, or Hail, Holy Queen in Latin. This ancient hymn has been prayed by Catholics for nearly a thousand years. Monks and priests have long sung it at the close of night prayer, and in many places it became customary to end Mass with a hymn to Our Lady as an expression of love and trust in her intercession.

The Salve Regina reminds us that Mary is our “life, our sweetness, and our hope.” It’s a simple yet profound way to entrust ourselves and our parish to her maternal care as we go forth from the altar. By ending with this ancient prayer, we join generations of Christians who have turned to the Mother of God at the conclusion of worship, confident that she always leads us closer to her Son.

Video with literal translation

Can You Help?

I am hoping to have several of these green chairs reupholstered. Would any of you have the skills to do this? If not, could you recommend someone or a local business?

Please send me an email at rjh@sfxparish.com if you can help or have a suggestion.

Bishop Stang High School Info Night

Bishop Stang, a Catholic, college preparatory high school in Dartmouth, MA, welcomes parents and students of all middle school grades to attend an Info Night Event on Wednesday, November 5, at 6:30pm.

Faculty and students are excited to highlight all that makes Bishop Stang an outstanding faith-based, college preparatory program.

Learn More

Diocesan Advent Women's Retreat - Dec 6th

Register Here

St. Paul Center's Advent Online Bible Study – Begins November 5

This Advent, you’re invited to join Catholics from around the country for a virtual Bible Study as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. Each week, they will gather to pray with Scripture, reflect together, and encourage one another in discipleship.

The study begins on Tuesday, November 5 at 7:30pm (EST) and will run for seven weekly sessions, carrying us through Advent and up to Christmas.

Sign up here

Rosary Rally – November 8th

A local Marian group will be praying the Rosary at the outdoor Our Lady of Fatima statue at SFX School on Saturday, November 8th at 12:00 noon. All are welcome!

Supporting a Parish Family’s Brother in His Battle with Leukemia

🔗Helpful Links

📌Parish Website (including previous Newsletters)
📌School Website

📰Weekly Bulletin

📖Daily Scripture Readings
💰Online Giving

🙏Email a Prayer Request to the SFX Prayer Line
📖Parish Facebook
🎒School Facebook
📸School Instagram

🛠️Parish Men of St. Joseph Website
🕊️We Adore Him Adoration Scheduler

Mass Times
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

Wednesday
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

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.