A Word of Thanks
Thank you for your patience during my time away over the past couple weeks. It was a refreshing and rejuvenating break, and I have returned grateful for the opportunity to recharge and ready to jump back into parish life. I would like to thank the priests who generously covered Masses and other responsibilities during my absence. Their willingness to assist made it possible for me to step away knowing that the parish was in good hands. Most of all, thank you for your prayers and support. It is good to be back with all of you.
Today: Join Pope Leo XIV in Praying the Rosary for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has invited Catholics throughout the world to join him in praying the Holy Rosary for peace today at 7:00pm Rome time (1:00pm here in Massachusetts). The Holy Father will lead the Rosary from the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens, with Marian shrines and faithful around the world united in prayer for an end to war and violence.
I encourage you to join the Holy Father in praying the Rosary from your home at 1:00pm today as we ask Our Lady's intercession for peace, especially in the Middle East and in all places suffering from conflict and war.
A livestream from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., which is participating in this worldwide initiative, can be accessed at the link below.
I encourage you to join the Holy Father in praying the Rosary from your home at 1:00pm today as we ask Our Lady's intercession for peace, especially in the Middle East and in all places suffering from conflict and war.
A livestream from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., which is participating in this worldwide initiative, can be accessed at the link below.
This Weekend: Supporting Our Youth at the Steubenville Conference
At the end of June, some of the youth of our parish will once again be traveling with the diocesan group to the Steubenville Youth Conference in Ohio. This will be our third annual trip to the conference, held on the main campus of Franciscan University of Steubenville, and it has truly been a life changing experience for many of our young people.
This weekend, one of the teens who attended in previous years will briefly speak at the end of Masses about the impact the conference has had on their life and faith. Some of the youth who will be attending this year will also be at the church doors that weekend to accept donations toward the trip. Last year, the generosity of our parishioners significantly reduced the cost for many of the participants, and I am deeply grateful for that support.
If you would like to help support our young people, donations may also be placed in the collection basket over the next few weeks in an envelope marked “Steubenville Donation.”
Jay Hamel, Ellie Hamel, and I will again be accompanying the group this year, and we are very grateful for your prayers and encouragement for our parish youth.
This weekend, one of the teens who attended in previous years will briefly speak at the end of Masses about the impact the conference has had on their life and faith. Some of the youth who will be attending this year will also be at the church doors that weekend to accept donations toward the trip. Last year, the generosity of our parishioners significantly reduced the cost for many of the participants, and I am deeply grateful for that support.
If you would like to help support our young people, donations may also be placed in the collection basket over the next few weeks in an envelope marked “Steubenville Donation.”
Jay Hamel, Ellie Hamel, and I will again be accompanying the group this year, and we are very grateful for your prayers and encouragement for our parish youth.
Next Weekend: Diaconate Ordination of Lucas da Costa
Please save the date for the diaconate ordination of our parishioner and seminarian, Lucas da Costa, which will take place on Saturday, June 6 at 11:00am at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in Fall River. Lucas will be ordained to the transitional diaconate alongside Kaique Duarte Santos, who will be ordained to the priesthood for our diocese.
Ordination to the diaconate is the final major step before priesthood. Following his ordination, Lucas will receive a parish assignment somewhere within the Diocese of Fall River, where he will serve as a deacon beginning this summer. Please God, he will then be ordained to the priesthood in December of 2026.
Lucas will return to St. Francis Xavier the weekend of his ordination and will serve at the 4:00pm, 8:00am, and 10:30am Masses, preaching his first homily as a deacon at each Mass. We hope to have a light reception following the Masses that weekend so that parishioners may congratulate him personally.
It is also customary for parishioners and friends to offer a card, spiritual bouquet, or gift to someone being ordained, and I know Lucas would be deeply grateful for your prayers and encouragement during this important moment in his life.
Included below is the invitation graphic with additional details for the ordination weekend. Please continue to pray for Lucas in these coming days as he prepares for ordination and for all those discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
Ordination to the diaconate is the final major step before priesthood. Following his ordination, Lucas will receive a parish assignment somewhere within the Diocese of Fall River, where he will serve as a deacon beginning this summer. Please God, he will then be ordained to the priesthood in December of 2026.
Lucas will return to St. Francis Xavier the weekend of his ordination and will serve at the 4:00pm, 8:00am, and 10:30am Masses, preaching his first homily as a deacon at each Mass. We hope to have a light reception following the Masses that weekend so that parishioners may congratulate him personally.
It is also customary for parishioners and friends to offer a card, spiritual bouquet, or gift to someone being ordained, and I know Lucas would be deeply grateful for your prayers and encouragement during this important moment in his life.
Included below is the invitation graphic with additional details for the ordination weekend. Please continue to pray for Lucas in these coming days as he prepares for ordination and for all those discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
New Bedford Corpus Christi Procession - June 7
Next weekend, the Church celebrates Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Traditionally, this feast is marked by Eucharistic processions that bring Our Lord into the streets as a public witness of faith and devotion.
Because our school Baccalaureate Mass will be taking place that Sunday afternoon, we will not be holding a Eucharistic procession here at St. Francis Xavier this year. However, I encourage you to participate in the New Bedford Corpus Christi Procession sponsored by Our Lady's Chapel in collaboration with St. Lawrencem Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishes. Please see the advertisement above for details.
Because our school Baccalaureate Mass will be taking place that Sunday afternoon, we will not be holding a Eucharistic procession here at St. Francis Xavier this year. However, I encourage you to participate in the New Bedford Corpus Christi Procession sponsored by Our Lady's Chapel in collaboration with St. Lawrencem Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishes. Please see the advertisement above for details.
This Week at St. Francis Xavier School
It was wonderful to be back at the school this week and to spend time with our students as the excitement of the end of the school year begins to build. These final weeks are always filled with special events, field trips, and celebrations as we bring another successful year to a close.
On Thursday evening, we enjoyed our Spring Concert, featuring musical performances by our students in grades one through five under the direction of Mrs. Girouard. Thank you, Mrs. Girouard, for all of your hard work in preparing the students and sharing their talents with our school community. The evening also included several performances by our Drama Club. Thank you to Jono and Allison for the time and energy you devote to helping our students grow in confidence and creativity.
On Thursday evening, we enjoyed our Spring Concert, featuring musical performances by our students in grades one through five under the direction of Mrs. Girouard. Thank you, Mrs. Girouard, for all of your hard work in preparing the students and sharing their talents with our school community. The evening also included several performances by our Drama Club. Thank you to Jono and Allison for the time and energy you devote to helping our students grow in confidence and creativity.
On Friday, we gathered as an entire school community to pray the Rosary together as we concluded the month of May, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. During our prayers, we joined our intentions to those of Pope Leo XIV, who invited Catholics around the world to pray for peace.
We're Hiring for the 2026-2027 School Year
St. Francis Xavier School is currently seeking qualified candidates for several positions for the upcoming school year. Please see the graphic and links below for more information and detailed job descriptions.
If you know someone who may be interested in joining our outstanding school community, please share these opportunities with them. Recommendations from parishioners are often one of the best ways we find talented and mission driven educators and staff members.
If you have any questions or possible leads, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Thank you for helping us spread the word.
If you know someone who may be interested in joining our outstanding school community, please share these opportunities with them. Recommendations from parishioners are often one of the best ways we find talented and mission driven educators and staff members.
If you have any questions or possible leads, please feel free to reach out to me directly. Thank you for helping us spread the word.
Thank You for Supporting Call of the Heart
Thank you to everyone who supported this year's Call of the Heart collection, which was taken up the weekend of May 9 and 10. Together with the generosity shown at our annual Benefit Banquet, our parish and school community raised more than $25,000 for our school Fields and Fences Project!
These funds will help us continue improving our campus and providing safe, attractive, and welcoming outdoor spaces for our students and families. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of so many donors, sponsors, and supporters who made this success possible.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the mission of St. Francis Xavier School and for investing in the future of our children.
These funds will help us continue improving our campus and providing safe, attractive, and welcoming outdoor spaces for our students and families. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of so many donors, sponsors, and supporters who made this success possible.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the mission of St. Francis Xavier School and for investing in the future of our children.
Spring Fling Recap
Thank you to our Events Committee and all of the volunteers who helped organize this year's Spring Fling Dinner Dance. Although I was away and unable to attend in person, I am told that I was present both in spirit and in cardboard! My cardboard cutout apparently made its way around the room and even onto the dance floor, which gave me quite a laugh when I saw the photos. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.
This Week: Women of Grace Event - June 3rd
High School Youth Group this Sunday
*Please note the date was moved from May 17 to May 31.
Congratulations, Maggie Martin!
Congratulations to Maggie Martin, who was honored with the St. Pius X Youth Award by the Diocese of Fall River at a ceremony with Bishop da Cunha at the Cathedral on May 21st. The award recognizes young men and women from throughout the diocese for their exemplary dedication and service to their parish.
Maggie is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier School. For many years she has been a faithful member of our youth sacristan program and more recently has served as a lector at Mass. She has also been active in our high school youth group and has distinguished herself as a student leader at Bishop Stang through her involvement in campus ministry, leadership, and volleyball.
This fall, Maggie will begin her studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville. We are grateful for her witness of faith and service, and we wish her every blessing as she begins this exciting new chapter. Congratulations, Maggie, and thank you for all you have given to our parish community!
Maggie is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier School. For many years she has been a faithful member of our youth sacristan program and more recently has served as a lector at Mass. She has also been active in our high school youth group and has distinguished herself as a student leader at Bishop Stang through her involvement in campus ministry, leadership, and volleyball.
This fall, Maggie will begin her studies at Franciscan University of Steubenville. We are grateful for her witness of faith and service, and we wish her every blessing as she begins this exciting new chapter. Congratulations, Maggie, and thank you for all you have given to our parish community!
Thank You for Supporting the Diaper Drive
Thank you to everyone who has already participated in the May Diaper Drive sponsored by our St. Vincent de Paul Society. Your generosity will help support the important work of Birthright here in New Bedford as they assist mothers and families in need.
If you have not yet had a chance to participate, there is still time. Donations of diapers may be placed in the collection area in the church entryway. We would be grateful if you could drop them off as soon as possible.
Thank you for helping us support mothers, babies, and families in our community.
If you have not yet had a chance to participate, there is still time. Donations of diapers may be placed in the collection area in the church entryway. We would be grateful if you could drop them off as soon as possible.
Thank you for helping us support mothers, babies, and families in our community.
Celebrating the 100th Graduating Class of St. Francis Xavier School
Next Sunday afternoon at 2:00pm, our parish will gather for the Baccalaureate Mass for the graduating Class of 2026 of St. Francis Xavier School. All parishioners are invited to join us as we celebrate these young men and women and pray for them as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives.
This year's class holds a special place in the history of our parish and school, as they are the 100th graduating class of St. Francis Xavier School. For a century, generations of students have been formed here in faith, knowledge, and service. We thank God for the countless lives that have been touched by our school over the past 100 years, and we look forward with gratitude and hope to the next century of Catholic education.
This year's class holds a special place in the history of our parish and school, as they are the 100th graduating class of St. Francis Xavier School. For a century, generations of students have been formed here in faith, knowledge, and service. We thank God for the countless lives that have been touched by our school over the past 100 years, and we look forward with gratitude and hope to the next century of Catholic education.
Diocesan Catholic Appeal May 1 - June 30
The Diocesan Catholic Appeal continues through the end of June. 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. Thank you again for your generosity.
Thank You, Catechists!
While I was away last weekend, our religious education program concluded another successful year. I would like to offer a special word of thanks to all of our catechists for their dedication and generosity throughout the year.
Through our Family of Faith religious education program, our catechists help our young people grow in their knowledge and love of the Catholic faith while supporting the important role of parents as the primary teachers of their children in the ways of faith. Their willingness to share their time, talents, and witness of faith is a tremendous gift to our parish community.
Thank you to each of our catechists for all that you have done this year. Your efforts have made a difference in the lives of our young people and their families, and we are deeply grateful.
Through our Family of Faith religious education program, our catechists help our young people grow in their knowledge and love of the Catholic faith while supporting the important role of parents as the primary teachers of their children in the ways of faith. Their willingness to share their time, talents, and witness of faith is a tremendous gift to our parish community.
Thank you to each of our catechists for all that you have done this year. Your efforts have made a difference in the lives of our young people and their families, and we are deeply grateful.
A Homily for this Sunday from Fr. Mike Schmitz (Gospel starts at 6:50)
Holy One of the Week
Venerable Patrick Peyton
(9 January 1909 – 3 June 1992)
Anniversary of Death: June 3rd
An Irish-born Holy Cross priest who spent his life convincing families to pray together, drawing crowds of millions around the world and giving the Church one of its most famous sayings: "The family that prays together stays together."
Adorers Needed
We are currently in need of committed adorers for the following hours:
Tuesdays 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Thursdays 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Fridays 1:00 - 2:00 PM
If you are able to take one of these hours and spend time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, please contact Mary Cardoza at 774-526-1444.
Tuesdays 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Thursdays 2:30 - 3:30 PM
Fridays 1:00 - 2:00 PM
If you are able to take one of these hours and spend time with Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, please contact Mary Cardoza at 774-526-1444.
Prayers for Frank Joseph
Please keep our parishioner and daily communicant Frank Joseph in your prayers. While I was away, Frank was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that left him gravely injured. After spending time in critical condition, we are grateful that he has stabilized and is now beginning what will be a long road to recovery.
Many of you know Frank through his faithful presence at daily Mass and his involvement in our men's group. As he and his family face the challenges ahead, they have established a GoFundMe page to help with expenses related to this unexpected medical setback.
Please continue to pray for Frank's healing, strength, and recovery, and for his family as they support him through the months ahead. If you would like to assist them financially, you can find the GoFundMe link below.
Frank, know that your parish family is praying for you.
Many of you know Frank through his faithful presence at daily Mass and his involvement in our men's group. As he and his family face the challenges ahead, they have established a GoFundMe page to help with expenses related to this unexpected medical setback.
Please continue to pray for Frank's healing, strength, and recovery, and for his family as they support him through the months ahead. If you would like to assist them financially, you can find the GoFundMe link below.
Frank, know that your parish family is praying for you.
Save the Date: National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in New Bedford on Monday June 29th
Acutis Days for Kids Coming up in July
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
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