Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!
Today we celebrate Our Lady's appearance to St. Juan Diego in 1531 and the miraculous image of her that remains on the tilma to this day. Below are a couple short videos that explains the apparition and the significance of the tilma.
Tonight (7pm): Women of Grace Mass
Women of Grace invites all women to a special Mass tonight at 7:00pm at St. Francis Xavier (Acushnet) in honor of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Religious sisters, The Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara, will share a brief talk about their ministry in our community, and there will be an opportunity to support their work. Fellowship and refreshments will follow in the hospitality room.
From SFX School
On Monday, our students gathered for School Mass to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. During the homily, I shared the story of Our Lady’s apparition at Lourdes and how Mary revealed herself to St. Bernadette as the Immaculate Conception.
Thank you to everyone who supported SFX School by dining out at Soco Tavern on Tuesday night. Your generosity and support mean a great deal to our school community.
Looking ahead, our annual Drama Club production will take place January 16-18. You can buy tickets at the link below. I encourage families to save the date and plan to join us for this always enjoyable event.
Thank you to everyone who supported SFX School by dining out at Soco Tavern on Tuesday night. Your generosity and support mean a great deal to our school community.
Looking ahead, our annual Drama Club production will take place January 16-18. You can buy tickets at the link below. I encourage families to save the date and plan to join us for this always enjoyable event.
Please save the date for a very exciting new fundraiser we’re launching this year: our first annual St. Francis Xavier School 5K, the SFX Rebel Brew Run. Mrs. Rogers and the SEC have been hard at work reaching out to local breweries and wineries to partner with us. If you know of a local ones that may be interested, please feel free to reach out to me. More details will be coming soon.
November Mass Attendance
Each November, the diocese asks every parish to count Mass attendance. The chart above shows this year’s November numbers, along with recent years for context.
For a longer view, average weekend attendance tells the clearest story. This November, average weekend attendance was about 562 people. About a decade ago, our parish typically averaged attendance in the 700s. In recent years, that average has settled into the mid-500s. This reflects broader cultural shifts and the lasting effects of the pandemic, even as attendance has remained relatively steady over the past few years.
If you know someone who hasn’t been to Mass in a while, or someone who may be looking for a parish community, please consider inviting them to join you.
For a longer view, average weekend attendance tells the clearest story. This November, average weekend attendance was about 562 people. About a decade ago, our parish typically averaged attendance in the 700s. In recent years, that average has settled into the mid-500s. This reflects broader cultural shifts and the lasting effects of the pandemic, even as attendance has remained relatively steady over the past few years.
If you know someone who hasn’t been to Mass in a while, or someone who may be looking for a parish community, please consider inviting them to join you.
Christmas Mass Schedule
Wednesday Dec 24th
4:00 PM
Thursday Dec 25th
12:00 Midnight
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
New Year's Schedule
Wed Dec 31st 4:00 PM
Thurs Jan 1st 9:00 AM
Christmas Mailer
In the coming days we’ll be sending Christmas postcards to everyone on our parish mailing list with the schedule of our Christmas Masses. I will also place extra postcards in the church entryway. If someone comes to mind such as a neighbor, a coworker, a family member, please feel free to take a card and hand deliver an invitation.
As we draw closer to Christmas, let’s all be intentional about creating a welcoming atmosphere here at SFX. Many people return to church during these holy days, and our kindness and hospitality might be the encouragement someone needs to take a step back into the life of faith.
Advent Shoe Fundraiser - Helping Children in Rwanda
As we do every Advent, our parish is once again collecting donations to provide shoes for school children in Rwanda. For many years now, your generosity has helped give children something as simple and as life changing as a pair of shoes that allows them to attend school.
We are asking for $20 donations, which will be collected this weekend and next weekend (December 13/14 and December 20/21). A volunteer will be in the entryway after each Mass.
If you’d like to make a donation in someone’s honor or memory, you can write their name down and Fr. Leonard, our coordinates the donation, will pray for the intentions.
We are asking for $20 donations, which will be collected this weekend and next weekend (December 13/14 and December 20/21). A volunteer will be in the entryway after each Mass.
If you’d like to make a donation in someone’s honor or memory, you can write their name down and Fr. Leonard, our coordinates the donation, will pray for the intentions.
Thank you, as always, for your generosity.
I ask your prayers for the repose of the following souls:
Patricia A. Krouzek, 84, died Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Robert H. Krouzek. Visiting hours are Tuesday, December 16, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Machnowski Funeral Home, 472 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, Acushnet. Burial will follow in Acushnet Cemetery.
On the bulletin cover this weekend...
Servant of God Michelle Duppong (January 25, 1984 – December 25, 2015)
Anniversary of Death: December 25
A joyful young Catholic missionary whose ordinary life on a North Dakota farm and extraordinary witness of faith, even through a year long battle with cancer, have inspired many and led to the opening of a cause for her possible canonization.
Men’s Night Recap
Last night we had our Christmas gathering for the men’s group, and it was a great night all around, with over 40 men in attendance. Many thanks to Jay Hamel for putting together such a fantastic evening and for the excellent BBQ pork and ribs, and to Andrew Hamel for running the trivia.
I’m also happy to report that the trivia victory was brought home by my table, “The Three Wise Men,” made up of Jonathan Hamel, Luke Douglass, CJ Pimental and I. (Yes, there were four of us...)
I’m also happy to report that the trivia victory was brought home by my table, “The Three Wise Men,” made up of Jonathan Hamel, Luke Douglass, CJ Pimental and I. (Yes, there were four of us...)
I’m very grateful as well to the men who surprised me with a generous Christmas gift last night as a way of saying thank you. I truly appreciate the kindness and support, and I’m grateful for such a good group of men here at SFX.
Supporting Abundant Hope Through Our Youth Group
Jay Hamel and the Youth Group will be collecting baby items for Abundant Hope Pregnancy Resource Center throughout the entire month of December.
A pack-and-play has been set up in the back of the church to receive donations. Abundant Hope serves more than 70 babies every month, and they are especially grateful for new diapers of all sizes (newborn through size 7) and new warm clothing for infants and toddlers. Items will be delivered to Abundant Hope at the beginning of January.
Thank you for supporting this important work for mothers and babies in our community.
Thank you for supporting this important work for mothers and babies in our community.
Christmas Flower Donations
Envelopes are available in the entryway for anyone who would like to make a donation toward our Christmas flowers in memory of a loved one.
Please feel free to take an envelope and place your offering in the collection basket. Thank you for your generosity.
Please feel free to take an envelope and place your offering in the collection basket. Thank you for your generosity.
Bambinelli Sunday - December 20th & 21st
All are invited to bring the Jesus figure from your home Nativity set to Mass on the fourth Sunday of Advent (December 20–21) for a special blessing, following the longtime tradition of Bambinelli Sunday.
This blessing is usually done on the third Sunday of Advent, but this year we will celebrate it on the fourth.
A beautiful way to prepare your home and heart for Christmas!
This blessing is usually done on the third Sunday of Advent, but this year we will celebrate it on the fourth.
A beautiful way to prepare your home and heart for Christmas!
2026 Catholic Calendars
The 2026 Catholic calendars are available at the church doors this weekend. Please feel free to pick one up. Special thanks to Acushnet Creamery for once again sponsoring the calendars this year.
Save the Date: SFX Women’s Retreat Morning Jan 3rd
Please mark your calendar for a St. Francis Xavier Parish Women’s Retreat Morning on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 9:00am to Noon.
The retreat, titled “Can We Forgive Without Forgetting?”, will be led by Denise Gannon, who will reflect on forgiveness through her own faith journey and lived experience. The morning will include Mass, a light breakfast, a guest talk, Adoration, and Confession.
More details will be shared in the coming weeks, but we encourage women of the parish to save the date and plan to join us for this morning of prayer and reflection.
The retreat, titled “Can We Forgive Without Forgetting?”, will be led by Denise Gannon, who will reflect on forgiveness through her own faith journey and lived experience. The morning will include Mass, a light breakfast, a guest talk, Adoration, and Confession.
More details will be shared in the coming weeks, but we encourage women of the parish to save the date and plan to join us for this morning of prayer and reflection.
Vocations Update
The new diocesan vocations poster was released a couple of weeks ago, and you’ll notice some familiar faces. Two of the eight seminarians featured (Lucas DaCosta and Noah Pollard) are from St. Francis Xavier Parish, and you’ll also see Evan Mello, who spent the summer with us here at SFX.
Lucas and Noah should be around the parish during their winter break. If you’d like to drop off a Christmas card or a note of encouragement, I know it would mean a great deal to them. Seminary life is demanding, and seminarians live very simply, without a regular income. As a seminarian myself, I always deeply appreciated the kindness and generosity of parishioners who remembered us with a card or small gift.
Please continue to keep all of our seminarians in your prayers.
Lucas and Noah should be around the parish during their winter break. If you’d like to drop off a Christmas card or a note of encouragement, I know it would mean a great deal to them. Seminary life is demanding, and seminarians live very simply, without a regular income. As a seminarian myself, I always deeply appreciated the kindness and generosity of parishioners who remembered us with a card or small gift.
Please continue to keep all of our seminarians in your prayers.
Stronger Priests Initiative - Year One Update
Last Wednesday, the priests of the diocese met with Bishop da Cunha to receive an update on the Stronger Priests, Stronger Parishes, Stronger Church Initiative, a three year effort focused on renewing priestly life and strengthening our parishes.
Year One has centered on the priest himself: supporting priests in prayer, health, fraternity, and the foundations needed to serve well. The summary below highlights what has been accomplished so far and outlines the vision for the years ahead. I encourage you to take a moment to read it and learn more about this important work taking place in our diocese.
Year One has centered on the priest himself: supporting priests in prayer, health, fraternity, and the foundations needed to serve well. The summary below highlights what has been accomplished so far and outlines the vision for the years ahead. I encourage you to take a moment to read it and learn more about this important work taking place in our diocese.
New Christmas Trees for the Altar
New Christmas trees were put up this week near the altar, and you’ll be able to see them this weekend at Mass.
One Year of Our Weekly Newsletter
Tomorrow marks one year since I began sending this weekly newsletter. It has been a nice way to stay connected, to help everyone feel in the know about what’s happening in the parish, and to share things that don’t fit in the printed bulletin. I’m especially grateful that it has allowed us to stay in touch with our homebound parishioners and to share photos and moments from parish life along the way. Thank you to those who have taken the time to tell me that you find it helpful. I’m glad we’re able to connect in this way.
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.