St. Francis Xavier Parish 25 th Sunday In Ordinary Time 23 September 2018
Sept 26 Ss. Cosmas & Damian; Sept 27 St. Vincent de Paul; Priest St. Wenceslaus; Martyr hospital, and nursing facilities; and for all the souls in CONFESSIONS Monday: 5:30 to 6:30pm Saturday: 9:30 to 10:00am Saturday: 3:00 to 3:45pm F F. W THE FACE OF CHRIST THE FACE OF GOD As we begin our new year with the theme I Seek Your Face, O Lord (Ps. 27:8) we will have before us the face of Christ as depicted in a beautiful mosaic about which I would now like to share some details. This mosaic can be found in the Hagia Sophia, the former cathedral of Constantinople (now Istanbul). Dedicated in 537, it became a mosque when the city was conquered by the Turks in 1453. At that time, all of the beautiful mosaics in the church were either destroyed or covered with plaster, as Islam forbids any art of living creatures. There is actually a story that, in the late 1800s, long after all memory of the mosaics had faded, the plaster started to fall off the wall, revealing the underlying images. The sultan quickly ordered them to be covered up again not because he failed to appreciate them, but because he was afraid that zealots would destroy them. Thankfully they were preserved under a fresh coat of plaster and only uncovered in 1935 when the Hagia Sophia became a museum, as it remains today. This particular image is of a kind called the Deësis, meaning prayer or supplication. It depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary & St. John the Baptist praying to Christ on our behalf. The letters around the figures give their names in Greek: above Christ s head is IC XC (from the first and last letters of His name in Greek, ), and above our Lady s head the letter MP OU (for Mother of God, ). In the center, Jesus Christ sits as judge. With one hand He blesses; in His other hand He holds the Book of the Gospels. Even though to our eyes He might appear rather solemn, in the understanding of the day this is simply to reflect His majesty as God, creator and judge of the world. His seriousness is balanced by the signs of His mercy: the blessing He bestows and the book containing the account of how He saved the world. The threebarred halo surrounding His head symbolizes the Trinity of which He is part. In His face, therefore, we behold the face of God.
PARISH INFORMATION HELPFUL CONTACTS PARISH OFFICE HOURS Mon-Fri: 9:30am 4:00pm Please make an appointment to meet with Religious Education: 508-998-7445 School: 508-995-4313 School Fax: 508-995-0456 ACCESSIBILITY Open for Prayer Every Day Wheelchair Lift Cry-room Fr. Riley J. Williams, Administrator [rjw@sfxparish.com] Deacon David Pepin [dbp@sfxparish.com] Mr. Steven Guillotte, Director of Pastoral Services [sng@sfxparish.com] Mrs. Michelle Russo, Principal [mrusso@sfxacushnet.com] Mrs. Anabela Shaughnessy, Asst. Principal [ashaughnessy@sfxacushnet.com] Mrs. Janine Hammarquist, Rel. Ed. Coordinator [jlh@sfxparish.com] HOLY MASS Monday-Sat 9:00am Third Thursday (Latin/Extraordinary Form) 5:30pm First Friday 9:00am & 6:00pm Saturday Vigil 4:00pm Sunday 8:00am & 10:30am CONFESSIONS Monday 5:30-6:30pm Saturday 9:30-10:00am Saturday 3:00-3:45pm First Fridays 6:45-7:15pm Any Time by Appointment ADORATION Mon - Friday 9:30am-9:00pm Saturday 9:30am-2:45pm VESPERS Monday: Vespers with Benediction Tuesday: Vespers Wednesday: Vespers with Benediction (Vespers begins at 6:30 pm) O C is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our do- Hamlet to Polonius: Polonius: Hamlet: presence pressed our conscience; we wanted to be left alone to pursue our doings ; and the thought of His teach- ; beset at the time of His arrival ; beset at the outset of His earthly mission
6 @ 9:15am; Levels 7 Suffer the Children Carl Bloch (19 th Century) H P: U S S C "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all." Taking a child, he placed it in the their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me." (Mk 9:35b-37a) SFX P C R W S 23, 2018
SFX P L BELOVED: Opening Your Heart God; with scripture readings, reflections, intentional prayer time, Please Sign Up in the Church Entrance Sunday 27 Oct 7:30 am To 12:15 pm A W A C: R R R: Parish Annual Appeal Please Give O F A E S: SFX Parish, Acushnet Pick up Your Baby Bottles Next weekend!
IDEAS FOR PRAYER BY DOM HUBERT VAN ZELLER CORI & SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING FOR ALL MINISTRIES: In the letter the Bishop wrote in August he informed everyone of a newly established Office of Safe Environment and changes to our abuse prevention training program and CORI procedures. In light of these changes this year every person volunteering in a ministry has to complete online Safe Environment Training. This training is done on a one-on-one basis, via the computer at https:// fallriver.cmgconnect.org/ and takes about an hour. If you do not have access to a computer or can not navigate the training on your own please call Janine Hammarquist in the parish office to make arrangements for us to provide you with an opportunity to complete this training using our computers at the parish. At the end of the training you will be prompted to print or download a certificate of completion which is good for 6 years. Once you have printed or emailed me the certificate, it will be sent to the diocese along with a completed CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) Acknowledgement Form, Code of Conduct Form and a copy of a valid driver s license which you will need to come into the parish office to complete yearly. If you volunteer at more than one entity within the Diocese of Fall River only one training and CORI request is needed. All Safe Environment Training Sessions and CORI forms need to be completed by September 30 th to be able to continue in a ministry within the parish. Please contact Mrs. Hammarquist if you have any questions. O F F: will be offering Adult Confirmation Classes beginning on September 19 & 20 (for 6 consecutive weeks) from 7-9 pm at Bishop Stang on Wednesday evenings and at Holy Cross Parish in Easton on Thursday evenings respectively. Both sessions conclude with a retreat on November 3, 2018. For more information or to register for the classes, please call the rectory. You can also visit the Office of Faith Formation website at www.fallriverfaithformation.org or contact Deacon Bruce Bonneau at 508 678-2828, extension 13. T M C L: Upcoming Events BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN: On Sunday, 30 September we will have available in the church a bunch of baby bottles for parishioners to take home with them to place dollars and spare change in order to support A Woman s Concern, a pregnancy resource center in Fall River MA, which serves young woman from our region who seek counseling and assistance in bringing their children to term. THE PRICE IS RIGHT: SAVE THE DATE for our next annual fall fundraiser on Saturday, 17 November from 5 to 8 pm. All proceeds go to assist our fund for parish seminarians and other vocations. PARISH BLOOD DRIVE: Because of a scheduling issue with the blood clinic we were asked to move our blood drive one week ahead. Our parish blood drive will now be held on Sunday, 28 October. See you there! 40 DAYS FOR LIFE: On Saturday, 27 October we will join the fall campaign of 40 Days for Life as we travel to the last abortion clinic in our diocesan territory. This is a non-confrontational prayer vigil in Attleboro: we go there to pray for the women who enter, for the staff that perform this tragic activity, and for all those who walk or drive by us so that they will not fall prey to the culture-of-death. We will sponsor the day by keeping watch with prayer from 6 am until 2 pm. There will soon be a sign-up sheet at the entrance of the church (in the narthex). The clinic is just about one mile past La Salette Shrine which is open for visitors during the day. There are also some good breakfast and lunch places nearby!
SINCE 1964 DRIVEWAYS, PARKING LOTS, LANEWAYS Italian Restaurant (508) 995-7711 JOANNE RAFFA 2857 Acushnet Ave. New Bedford LET US PLACE YOUR AD HERE. (508) 996-0735 FAMILY RUN SINCE 1986 LET US PLACE YOUR AD HERE. We specialize in Baked, Roasted & Grilled Dishes! Try Our daily specials! Especializamo-nos em Pratos, Assados, Cozidos e Grelhados Prove os nossos especials diarios! (508) 998-5886 162 S. Main St., Acushnet, MA 02743 (508) 995-8888 For The Best Muffins, Pastry & Breakfasts 156 S. Main Street Acushnet, MA 02743 Props. JOSE MARMELO FATIMA MARMELO THIS SPACE IS Ad info. 1-800-477-4574 Publication Support 1-800-888-4574 www.4lpi.com St. Francis, Acushnet, MA 04-0959
Open: Mon-Thurs 6am Fri 6amthru Dinner Sat 6am-12pm Sun 7am-1pm Jose S. Castelo President The Castelo Group era castelo real estate, inc castelo insurance agency, inc castle mortgage brokerage, inc. 1815 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford 508-995-6291 www.eracastelo.com Joseph J. Castelo Mortgage Originator NMLS #19243 ROCK FUNERAL HOME Celebrating Lives With Dignity 508-995-5772 1285 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford, MA www.rock-funeralhome.com falamos portugues A Service Family Affiliate of AFFS/Service Corp. Int l 206 Winter Street, Fall River, MA 02720 (508) 676-2454 Auto, Home, Commercial Ins. 811 ASHLEY BOULEVARD NEW BEDFORD, MA 02745 PHONE: 508-995-6492 COSTAINSURANCEAGENCY.COM MICROBLADING & PERMANENT MAKEUP Patricia Ann Workman, RN Sonia Nyren Permanent Makeup Artists 508.817.7026 www.socodermalgraphics.com 192B South Main Street, Acushnet, MA ARRUDA REALTY DAVID ARRUDA Bringing You Home! (508) 542-5400 Licensed in MA and RI For Weddings, Banquets, Post-Funeral Gatherings Private Functions 107 S Main St. Acushnet (508) 995-3221 www.centuryhouse.biz Blue Point Restaurant Family Dining Specializing in: Seafood, Steaks & Italilan Dishes Beer Wine Cocktails Take-Out Service on Complete Menu Full Service Bar 6 Dayton St., Acushnet, MA 02743 Tel: (508) 995-9600 David & Lysa Riccardi, Owners Since 1987 All types of Electric Wiring Andre L. Lemieux Master Lic. A11876 Tel. (508) 995-6390 (508) 998-7091 GARY S BEST 958 ASHLEY BLVD. NEW BEDFORD, MA HOT DOGS CRAB MEAT LINGUICA PORK BUTT TUNA OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 8:30AM - 9:00PM Joyce D. Lopes Realty 10 Margaret Street Acushnet, MA 02743 Patricia Correia REALTOR Cell: 508-971-9500 Office: 508-998-3261 Fax: 508-995-3651 pccorreia9171@gmail.com Porcelain Tile Vinyl Carpeting Hardwood Marble Glass Stone Tracey Buzniak Chris Buzniak, Owner 21 Arsene Way Fairhaven (508) 999-0988 www.tilecraftpro.com Breakfast Tile Craft & Carpet Do It Right The First Time Contact Robert Brooks to place an ad today! rbrooks@4lpi.com or (800) 477-4574 x6344 Direct: (508) 415-7132 Email: mduperre12@gmail.com www.successrealestate.com Home Office: Mattapoisett Road, Acushnet MA Corporate Office: 285 Washington Street, Braintree MA Office: (781) 848-9064 Family Friendly Breakfast Daily Specials 586 Main St. Acushnet, MA 02743 508-985-3055 & Lunch (Dinner-Fridays Only) www.jeffreysfhop.com 508-994-0000 Mary L. Duperre REALTOR info@acushnetfcu.com Tel 508.995.9100 112 MAIN STREET, ACUSHNET MA acushnetfcu.com Ad info. 1-800-477-4574 Publication Support 1-800-888-4574 www.4lpi.com St. Francis, Acushnet, MA 04-0959