Flocknote

Sorry I missed sending a newsletter last week! It's been a particularly busy couple of weeks around the parish, but I wanted to take a few minutes to catch everyone up on some of the exciting things that have been happening and a few important reminders for the weeks ahead.

I hope you enjoy these updates. Thank you, as always, for your prayers and support of our parish. If you're traveling this Labor Day weekend, have a safe trip, and I look forward to seeing everyone back at Mass soon. God bless!

A Wonderful Start to the School Year

We've had a wonderful beginning to the new school year at St. Francis Xavier School! Last week our faculty and staff gathered for a retreat at St. John Neumann Parish to prepare spiritually for the year ahead. Our guest speaker, Pam Rivera, helped us reflect on this year's school theme: "Joy," inspired by St. Paul's words, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). We celebrated Mass together, spent time in Eucharistic Adoration, and were grateful to have Fr. Mike Racine join us to help hear confessions.

The following day, the joyful energy returned as our students filled the hallways once again for the start of classes. There is a wonderful spirit in the building this year, and we're excited for all that lies ahead.

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to visit each classroom, bless the students and teachers, and pray with them as we entrusted the new school year to the Lord. Then on Friday, we celebrated our first all school Mass together. During my homily, I reminded the students that true joy comes from knowing that Jesus is always with us. Every day won't be perfect, but because the Lord walks with us, we always have reason to rejoice. I also encouraged them to make it their goal this year to be a source of joy for others and to leave our school a little brighter because they were here.

As we enjoy this Labor Day weekend, please continue to keep our students, families, teachers, and staff in your prayers. We're off to a great start, and we're looking forward to a wonderful year ahead!

Religious Ed Registration Now Open!

Registration for the 2026–2027 Religious Education Program is now available at the link below.

Please note: A Mandatory Parent Orientation will be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in the St. Francis Xavier School Gym.

6:00–6:30 p.m. – Parents of 2nd Grade students preparing for First Holy Communion
6:30–7:00 p.m. – Parents of students in Grades 1–8 who attend public school
7:00–7:30 p.m. – Parents of 9th Grade students (and older students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation)

We look forward to another wonderful year of growing together in the Catholic faith. If you have any questions, please contact Phil Martin, Director of Religious Education, at PJM@sfxparish.com.

Register Here

Rel. Ed. Volunteer Needed

We're looking for one volunteer to be present in the lower level of the church during Religious Education classes on the first and third Sundays of the month from 9:15–10:15 a.m. The role is very simple: greet late arriving students and families, answer the door as needed, and be a welcoming presence while classes are in session. You're welcome to bring a book, pray, or quietly work on something while you're there.

Labor Day Schedule

Please note that on Labor Day, Monday, Sept 7, Adoration will take place as usual. Because of the holiday, however, Confessions will be heard immediately following the 9:00 a.m. Mass rather than during the evening. Millions of Monica's will meet on Monday evening as usual. We wish everyone a blessed Labor Day!

Remembering Sept 11th

This Friday, September 11, marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. As a nation, we remember the innocent lives that were lost, pray for their families, and honor the courage and sacrifice of the first responders who served so selflessly that day. Our community is invited to gather for a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. at the Acushnet Fire Station, here we will come together in remembrance and prayer. I will be offering a prayer during the service, and I hope many of our parishioners will be able to join us as we ask God to grant eternal rest to those who died, comfort to all who continue to mourn, and peace for our nation.

Final Call: Men's Meat & Greet!- Sept. 13

This is your final reminder to purchase tickets for our Men's Meat & Greet next Sunday, September 13! Tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, so if you've been thinking about coming, now is the time to register. A great deal of work has gone into planning this event, and it's shaping up to be a fantastic afternoon. Please help us spread the word by inviting a friend to join you!

Our speaker, Fr. Chris Peschel, was in the news this past week after he was attacked while trying to prevent the theft of a monstrance from Mount Carmel Church in New Bedford. I spoke with Fr. Peschel this week, and thankfully he is doing well, though understandably a bit shaken by the experience. I'm sure he will share some reflections on that extraordinary event during his talk, making this an even more memorable afternoon.

The registration link is below. We hope to have a great showing from St. Francis Xavier!

Buy Tickets

Women of Grace Event - Sept. 15th

Purchase Michelle's new book online below:

Buy from Publisher

Buy on Amazon

Touch-a-Truck
Next Weekend at the School!

We're looking forward to our Second Annual Touch-A-Truck Family Fun-Raiser next Saturday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the grounds of SFX School. It promises to be a wonderful afternoon for families, with trucks and emergency vehicles to explore, food, music, activities for children, and much more. This event is an important fundraiser for our school, but it's also a wonderful opportunity to welcome the wider community onto our campus and introduce families to the mission of SFX School. If you have children or grandchildren, or know a family looking for something fun to do next Saturday, I encourage you to come and invite others to join you. Please help us spread the word!

Event FB Page

SFX Parish Annual Appeal

Our Annual Parish Appeal mailing will be arriving in parishioners' mailboxes soon. Please take a few moments to look through the materials, which include our Annual Financial Statement and your annual appeal pledge card. We are deeply grateful for the generosity that makes the mission of St. Francis Xavier Parish possible.

We invite you to prayerfully consider your level of support for the coming year and, if you are able, to return your completed pledge card by the end of October. While we ask that pledge cards be returned this fall to assist with planning, any pledge may be fulfilled over the coming months through June, whichever is most convenient for you.

If you do not receive an appeal packet in the mail, or if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the parish office. Thank you, as always, for your faithful support of our parish and its mission.

We had several funerals at St. Francis Xavier last week, which made for a particularly full week of funeral planning and ministry. I had hoped to send out a Flocknote announcement beforehand so that those who wished to attend would have the opportunity, but I wasn't able to do so. My apologies for that.

I've included below the photos and obituary links for each of our departed parishioners. Please keep them and their families in your prayers, asking the Lord to grant them eternal rest and to bring comfort and peace to all who mourn.

Donald J. St. Gelais, 94, of Acushnet passed away Monday, August 24, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital, twenty-one days after the death of his beloved wife, Germaine (Parent) St. Gelais. The couple had a loving and adventure filled marriage of 69 years. Born in New Bedford, a son of the late René and Ida (Laforest) St. Gelais, Donald was a lifelong area resident and a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Acushnet. His funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in St. Francis Xavier Church.

Donald's Obituary

John E. Rego, 72, of Acushnet, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Born in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal, he was the son of the late Abel Rego and the late Ernestina (DeSousa) Rego. He was a devoted husband to Ana M. (Gomes) Rego. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, August 28th at St. Francis Xavier Church.

John's Obituary

Jose Costa Fidalgo 88, died on Sunday, August 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, following a period of declining health. He was the husband of the late Maria Angelina Fidalgo with whom he shared 63 years of marriage and was the son of the late Antonio Costa Fidalgo and Maria Conceição Paiva. Mr. Fidalgo was born in Furnas, São Miguel, Açores and resided in Acushnet. He was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Church. His Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in St. Francis Xavier Church, Acushnet Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Jose's Obituary

A New Mass Setting Begins This Weekend

As I mentioned over the summer, we'll begin singing a new English Mass setting at St. Francis Xavier this weekend: the Mass of the Immaculate Conception. The music can be found in our parish missalette, and our musicians will help guide us through it as we learn it together over the coming months. Click the link below to listen.

Listen Here

Car Show Open House

Thank you to everyone who helped make our Car Show Open House a success last Thursday evening! We were happy to welcome a few dozen visitors into the church during the town's annual car show. Many took the opportunity to look around our newly renovated church, spend a few moments in prayer, or just admire the beauty of the space. A special thank you to Palmira, Deb and Arlen, and Filipa for being on hand to welcome our visitors and help make everyone feel at home. We hope this small effort helps introduce more people in our community to St. Francis Xavier Parish and encourages them to visit again soon.

Tree Removal Along Crompton Street

If you drove by the church yesterday, you probably noticed that the large tree between our parking lot and the gas station is now gone. Over the past several years, the tree had been declining in health, and we became increasingly concerned that some of its large limbs could come down during a future windstorm.

A special thank you to Fitzgerald Tree Service for taking care of the removal for us. They did an excellent job, and we greatly appreciate their professionalism. If you're looking for tree work in the area, I would certainly recommend giving them a call.

Fitzgerald Tree Service