Sorry for missing last week’s newsletter. I ended up getting sick toward the end of the week, and it lingered through the weekend, so I wasn’t really back to normal until earlier this week. When a newsletter doesn’t go out, I know it can leave people wondering if they didn’t receive it, so I’ll try to at least send a quick note in the future if there won’t be one.
SFX Spring Fling Dinner Dance - Fri. May 15
I’d like to invite everyone to our upcoming Spring Fling Dinner Dance on Friday, May 15 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Mattapoisett. It should be a really enjoyable night and a great chance for us to spend some time together as a parish outside of Mass.
The evening will run from 6:30–10:00pm and will include dinner, music, and dancing, with entertainment provided by Noah DesRoches, DJ. There will also be a cash bar available.
Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple. There are several ways to sign up. You can register using the Google Form at the link below, sign up after Mass on the weekends of May 2/3 or May 9/10, add your name to the clipboard in the church entryway (available May 2 through May 10), or call the parish office to be added to the list.
Payment can be made at the weekend Masses, at the parish office, or now electronically via Venmo (@sfxparish). A QR code will be available in the church entryway for easy access.
The deadline to register is Monday, May 11, so that we can have an accurate count for food.
I hope many of you will be able to come. It’s always good for us to have opportunities like this to enjoy each other’s company and build up our parish community.
The evening will run from 6:30–10:00pm and will include dinner, music, and dancing, with entertainment provided by Noah DesRoches, DJ. There will also be a cash bar available.
Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple. There are several ways to sign up. You can register using the Google Form at the link below, sign up after Mass on the weekends of May 2/3 or May 9/10, add your name to the clipboard in the church entryway (available May 2 through May 10), or call the parish office to be added to the list.
Payment can be made at the weekend Masses, at the parish office, or now electronically via Venmo (@sfxparish). A QR code will be available in the church entryway for easy access.
The deadline to register is Monday, May 11, so that we can have an accurate count for food.
I hope many of you will be able to come. It’s always good for us to have opportunities like this to enjoy each other’s company and build up our parish community.
Pray for Vocations This Weekend
This weekend is Good Shepherd Sunday, when we give thanks for the gift of the shepherds and priests in our lives. It is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, when we pray in a special way for a generous response to the Lord’s call to the priesthood and religious life.
Thank you to Bethany Pollard-Kowzic for coordinating our parish participation in the Elijah Cup ministry, and to those parishioners who faithfully pray each week for an increase in vocations. If you would like to take part, you can sign up in the hallway to the right of the sanctuary (near the confessional). There is a table with a sign up sheet just through that door.
I am also grateful to everyone for your generous response to our Lenten donation drive for the parish seminary fund, which supports our own seminarians.
I encourage you to read the message from Pope Leo below, especially any young people who may be discerning their path ahead. I am also including a short video offering the perspective of a religious sister on the call to a vocation.
Thank you to Bethany Pollard-Kowzic for coordinating our parish participation in the Elijah Cup ministry, and to those parishioners who faithfully pray each week for an increase in vocations. If you would like to take part, you can sign up in the hallway to the right of the sanctuary (near the confessional). There is a table with a sign up sheet just through that door.
I am also grateful to everyone for your generous response to our Lenten donation drive for the parish seminary fund, which supports our own seminarians.
I encourage you to read the message from Pope Leo below, especially any young people who may be discerning their path ahead. I am also including a short video offering the perspective of a religious sister on the call to a vocation.
SFX School 5k Brew Run Recap
The first ever SFX School 5K Brew Run on Saturday, April 11 was a tremendous success. I am very grateful to Mrs. Rogers and Mr. Nadeau for all the work they put into organizing such a great event, and to all the volunteers who helped to run it.
It was wonderful to see so many people on campus, including many who were visiting for the first time. Events like this are a great way to introduce our school to a wider community and showcase all that is happening here.
On a lighter note, I did get a few surprised looks during the after party while enjoying one of the beers from Moby Dick. I had to reassure a few people that yes, I do enjoy a good brew now and then. Looking at the photo below, I have a feeling our former Holy Father might have enjoyed the SFX Brew Run as well.
It was wonderful to see so many people on campus, including many who were visiting for the first time. Events like this are a great way to introduce our school to a wider community and showcase all that is happening here.
On a lighter note, I did get a few surprised looks during the after party while enjoying one of the beers from Moby Dick. I had to reassure a few people that yes, I do enjoy a good brew now and then. Looking at the photo below, I have a feeling our former Holy Father might have enjoyed the SFX Brew Run as well.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make it such a great day for our school.
Sacrament of Confirmation
We had a blessed celebration as 29 young men and women from St. Francis Xavier, St. Lawrence, and Holy Name of the Sacred Heart received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Thursday, April 16 from Fr. David Frederici. It was a beautiful and prayerful Mass.
Congratulations to all of our newly confirmed, and thank you to Phil Martin, Louise Hebert, and Bob Mullin for their hard work and dedication throughout the year in preparing them.
Please continue to pray for these young men and women, that they may always say yes to the Lord’s call in their lives and grow as his faithful witnesses and disciples.
Congratulations to all of our newly confirmed, and thank you to Phil Martin, Louise Hebert, and Bob Mullin for their hard work and dedication throughout the year in preparing them.
Please continue to pray for these young men and women, that they may always say yes to the Lord’s call in their lives and grow as his faithful witnesses and disciples.
A Homily for this Sunday from Fr. Mike Schmitz (Gospel starts at 7:40)
Tomorrow: St. Vincent de Paul Pop-Up Fundraiser (Sat. 4/25)
Tomorrow, Saturday, April 25, members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be holding a pop-up fundraiser in the church parking lot. Parishioners will have the opportunity that morning to support their work by donating cash, checks, or gift cards, which will go directly toward helping those in need in our local community.
Thank you for your continued generosity in supporting the important work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Thank you for your continued generosity in supporting the important work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
3rd Annual Diocesan Walk for Life
This Friday May 1st
Holy One of the Week
Venerable Maria Kaupas, SSC
(January 6, 1880 – April 17, 1940)
A Lithuanian born American religious sister who founded the Sisters of St. Casimir in 1907, dedicating her life to educating and serving immigrant communities in the United States and fostering their Catholic faith.
Save the Date: National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in New Bedford on Monday June 29th
Please save the date of Monday, June 29. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be coming to New Bedford that evening as part of a historic journey across our country.
This pilgrimage is taking place in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, under the theme “One Nation Under God.” It began over Memorial Day weekend in St. Augustine, near the site where the first Mass was celebrated in what is now the United States, and will travel up the East Coast through many of the original thirteen colonies before concluding in Philadelphia around the Fourth of July. Along the way, a group of young adult pilgrims will carry the Blessed Sacrament from place to place, with opportunities for Mass, Eucharistic adoration, processions, and prayer in each location.
The pilgrimage will be in our own Diocese of Fall River on June 29 and 30, with events taking place in Easton, New Bedford, and Fall River. In New Bedford, there will be a Eucharistic procession through the city, beginning at Our Lady of the Assumption Church and concluding at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. This will be a powerful public witness of our faith and a chance to walk together with Our Lord present in the Eucharist. It is also fitting as it will be the Feast of St. Peter, the fisherman, and the pilgrimage will be in "the Whaling City"!
I am hoping to organize buses from St. Francis so that our parish can take part together. This pilgrimage is also connected to the bishops’ intention to consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during this anniversary year, making it a particularly meaningful moment for our country and for the Church.
More details will follow as the schedule is finalized, but it promises to be a grace filled evening and a beautiful opportunity for our parish to be part of something much bigger than ourselves.
This pilgrimage is taking place in honor of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, under the theme “One Nation Under God.” It began over Memorial Day weekend in St. Augustine, near the site where the first Mass was celebrated in what is now the United States, and will travel up the East Coast through many of the original thirteen colonies before concluding in Philadelphia around the Fourth of July. Along the way, a group of young adult pilgrims will carry the Blessed Sacrament from place to place, with opportunities for Mass, Eucharistic adoration, processions, and prayer in each location.
The pilgrimage will be in our own Diocese of Fall River on June 29 and 30, with events taking place in Easton, New Bedford, and Fall River. In New Bedford, there will be a Eucharistic procession through the city, beginning at Our Lady of the Assumption Church and concluding at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. This will be a powerful public witness of our faith and a chance to walk together with Our Lord present in the Eucharist. It is also fitting as it will be the Feast of St. Peter, the fisherman, and the pilgrimage will be in "the Whaling City"!
I am hoping to organize buses from St. Francis so that our parish can take part together. This pilgrimage is also connected to the bishops’ intention to consecrate the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during this anniversary year, making it a particularly meaningful moment for our country and for the Church.
More details will follow as the schedule is finalized, but it promises to be a grace filled evening and a beautiful opportunity for our parish to be part of something much bigger than ourselves.
First Holy Communion - May 3rd
Please keep our First Communion class in your prayers as they prepare to receive their First Holy Communion on Sunday, May 3 at a special 2:00pm Mass. This is a beautiful and important moment in their lives, as they receive Our Lord in the Eucharist for the very first time. All are welcome to attend and share in this joyful occasion for our parish.
Please note that we will not be holding our usual May Crowning on Mother’s Day weekend this year. Instead, the crowning of the Blessed Mother will take place at the First Holy Communion Mass that Sunday.
Please note that we will not be holding our usual May Crowning on Mother’s Day weekend this year. Instead, the crowning of the Blessed Mother will take place at the First Holy Communion Mass that Sunday.
Diocesan Catholic Appeal May 1 - June 30
The Diocesan Catholic Appeal will begin on May 1. You may have already received a letter in the mail, or should be receiving one shortly, with information about making a donation.
I ask you to please support this important appeal, which helps fund the essential ministries of our diocese and supports the work of the Gospel in so many ways across our local Church.
Next weekend at Mass, we will watch the brief promotional video highlighting some of the needs within our own diocese.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
I ask you to please support this important appeal, which helps fund the essential ministries of our diocese and supports the work of the Gospel in so many ways across our local Church.
Next weekend at Mass, we will watch the brief promotional video highlighting some of the needs within our own diocese.
Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Second Collection for SFX School - May 9/10
Please note that the St. Francis Xavier School Benefit Banquet will take place on Friday, May 8. We are grateful that tickets sold out several weeks ago, which is a wonderful sign of support for our school.
This year, I have scheduled a special collection for the school on the weekend of May 9/10. My hope is that those who may not be attending the banquet might still consider supporting the school and its mission. If you are able, you might consider making a donation that weekend, perhaps even in the amount of a ticket ($75).
Thank you in advance for your generosity and for your continued support of our parish school.
This year, I have scheduled a special collection for the school on the weekend of May 9/10. My hope is that those who may not be attending the banquet might still consider supporting the school and its mission. If you are able, you might consider making a donation that weekend, perhaps even in the amount of a ticket ($75).
Thank you in advance for your generosity and for your continued support of our parish school.
Spring Cleanup
You may notice that the parish property is currently in the midst of our spring cleanup, as we work to get everything in good shape for the season.
A special word of thanks to The Castelo Group for coordinating the recent mulch donation, and to Oliveira Brothers Materials Inc. of East Freetown who generously provided the mulch. Their support has made a big difference in beautifying the grounds.
A special word of thanks to The Castelo Group for coordinating the recent mulch donation, and to Oliveira Brothers Materials Inc. of East Freetown who generously provided the mulch. Their support has made a big difference in beautifying the grounds.
Baptism Congratulations to baby Tayla!
Please note that this coming Friday and Saturday are First Friday and First Saturday. On Friday, we will have the usual 6:00pm Mass, followed by a Holy Hour with devotions to the Sacred Heart, with Confession available.
On Saturday morning, after the 9:00am Mass, we will have the special praying of the Rosary, with Confession available as usual.
On Saturday morning, after the 9:00am Mass, we will have the special praying of the Rosary, with Confession available as usual.
Eucharist Book Study Coming up at St. Anthony's, NB
St. Anthony of Padua Parish in NB will be hosting a parish reading of 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory beginning May 6 and concluding with a consecration on Corpus Christi, June 7. Anyone who has not yet made the consecration, or who would like to make it again in a group setting, is welcome to participate.
For more information or to sign up, please call the parish using the number on the flyer or contact Deb from SFX at arlenj@comcast.net
For more information or to sign up, please call the parish using the number on the flyer or contact Deb from SFX at arlenj@comcast.net
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-7:30pm
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-7:30pm
Wednesday
6:30am-7:30pm
Saturday
6:30am-8:45am, 9:30am-2:45pm
6:30am-7:30pm
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.