This Thursday, September 24, the Church will celebrate the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, one of the most influential American Catholic voices of the twentieth century. Many remember him from his television program, Life Is Worth Living, through which he introduced millions of people to the Catholic faith with his remarkable preaching. His books, retreats, and love for Jesus Christ have also inspired generations of priests and lay faithful.
If you've never listened to Archbishop Sheen, I encourage you to do so. His talks are just as engaging and relevant today as when they were first delivered. EWTN will provide live coverage of the beatification throughout the day, including the Beatification Mass from St. Louis, MO beginning at 2:00 p.m., along with interviews, documentaries, and special programming on his life and legacy.
I've included a link below to EWTN's coverage anda short video that has been shared widely over the past couple weeks. In just a few minutes, it provides an excellent introduction to Archbishop Sheen's life and his extraordinary impact on the Church. I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch it and become better acquainted with this remarkable new Blessed.
For more than twenty years, many parishioners have faithfully supported St. Francis Xavier by participating in our grocery scrip program. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has purchased grocery cards over the years as a way of supporting our parish.
After carefully reviewing the program, we have decided that it is time to bring our parish grocery card sales to a close. While the program has served us well for many years, the amount of time required to order, account for, and distribute the cards has become difficult to justify given the relatively modest financial return. We will continue selling our remaining inventory while supplies last, but we will not be replenishing our stock.
If you have been purchasing grocery cards to support our St. Vincent de Paul Society, please know that you can continue to do so by placing your donation directly in the SVdP collection box in the narthex. The Society will continue purchasing grocery cards as needed for the families they assist, allowing your generosity to have the same impact without the parish office serving as the middleman.
Finally, I want to express my sincere thanks to Cheryl Fredette and Lisa Soares for their many years of faithfully selling grocery cards after our Sunday Masses, as well as to everyone who helped behind the scenes and all who participated in the program. Thank you for the many ways you have supported our parish and our neighbors in need over the years.
School Advisory Board Member Needed
St. Francis Xavier School is currently seeking one new member to join our School Advisory Board. The Board works closely with Mrs. Rogers and I by offering guidance, expertise, and support as we continue to strengthen and grow our parish school. We especially appreciate members who can bring professional experience in areas where it can benefit our administration.
At this time, we are particularly looking for someone with a background or interest in marketing, graphic design, photography, communications, or branding. The Board meets several times throughout the year, and members also serve as a resource to our school leadership as opportunities arise.
If you have experience in one of these areas (or know someone who might enjoy giving back to Catholic education in this way) please contact Mrs. Rogers or I. We'd love to hear from you.
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 thisSunday, 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.
After a wonderful and rewarding experience as the CYO Basketball Coordinator for St. Francis Xavier, I will be stepping down at the end of the upcoming season. We are looking for a volunteer to take over this role beginning next season.
Our CYO basketball program relies on dedicated volunteers to provide a positive, faith-filled environment where our young people can learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and the fundamentals of basketball. The coordinator oversees league administrative tasks, gym scheduling, and supports our volunteer coaches.
To ensure a smooth transition, I will personally provide complete onboarding and training throughout this season so that you'll be well prepared to step into the role next year.
If you are interested in learning more or would like to volunteer, please contact me at 508-441-8848 or sfxcyobasketball@gmail.com.
Thank you, Jose Melendez
Contact the parish office for more information.
Around the Parish
A Fresh Look for the Rectory A couple of weeks ago, we had the exterior of the rectory professionally power washed, and what a difference it made! It's amazing how much brighter and cleaner the building looks after a little TLC.
Cleaning Out the Clutter One project that's been on my to do list for several years was tackling some of the storage areas beneath the church. This past week, we finally made some real progress, clearing out years of accumulated clutter and reclaiming some much needed storage space. A special thank you to Top Notch Junk Removal for their excellent work and for extending a generous discount to our parish. They were a pleasure to work with!