St. Francis of Assisi Parish

St. Francis of Assisi Parish February 11, 2018 Lent Begins This Week Ash Wednesday is February 14th Masses and distribution of ashes at: 9:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Parish Staff Pastor: Rev. Michael A. Ciryak Maintenance: Tony Roderigues Faith Formation/Office: Christine Patota Finance/Office/Notary: Fran Kelley Music Director: Ada Simpson Cantors: Allison Messier, Mike Moniz and Christine Patota Youth Ministry: Justin & Amanda La Croix Parish Council President: Wayne Gray Parish Address: Church: 530 Gardners Neck Road Office/Rectory: 270 Ocean Grove Avenue Swansea, MA 02777 Office hours: 9:30 a.m. 4 p.m. or by appointment Liturgical Celebrations Saturday Vigil: 4 p.m. Sundays: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Monday Thursday: 9 a.m. Civic Holidays: 9 a.m. only Contact: Parish Office: 508-673-2808 Parish fax: 508-672-6241 Email: stfrancisswansea@comcast.net Website: www.stfrancisswansea.com Religious Education: 508-673-2808/508-674-0024 Email: religiouseducation@stfrancisswansea.com St. Vincent de Paul: 508-673-2808 Youth Ministry: 508-673-2808 50 Week Club: Bill & Kathy Sullivan 508-493-9064/508-674-8511

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Swansea, MA Parish Mission Statement: In the spirit of our patron, St. Francis of Assisi, we dedicate ourselves as living stones to building our parish family with Christ as our foundation. Enlivened by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves by sharing God s transforming love with our families, our community and our world. Sacraments: Baptism: Arrangements must be made in advance. Please call the Parish Office to arrange a date and supply pertinent information. Individual Baptismal preparation is required. Sponsors: must receive from their respective Catholic pastors a sponsor certificate, which is the signed word of one priest to another that the proposed godparent is a Confirmed, fully-practicing Catholic who is qualified to be a godparent by living in harmony with our faith. Reconciliation: Saturday from 3:15PM to 3:40PM or call the rectory for an appointment. First Eucharist & Confirmation: Preparation two years prior to receiving each Sacrament is mandatory as a registered student in the Faith Formation Program. Matrimony: Couples are asked to consult with our priest at least six months in advance of the intended date to allow time for marriage preparation, including the Diocesan Program. Ministry to the Sick: Please notify us if someone you know is homebound and would like to be added to our Communion call list, or would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick. Low gluten hosts available: Please let us know before Mass if you have a need to receive this type of host. Church is handicapped accessible. Join our Parish Family Please introduce yourself to our clergy after Mass. Call the Parish Office to register. Saint Francis of Assisi Memorial Fund *Since placing this announcement in the bulletin three years ago, we have only received one offering! In making funeral arrangements, you may wish to consider enrolling the deceased in the Saint Francis of Fund. Relatives and friends who Assisi Memorial donate to the fund in memory of the deceased receive a thank you card from the parish, and another card is sent notifying the bereaved of the gift. The gifts are charitable contributions and may be a supplement or a substitute for flowers. Those whose names are enrolled in the Saint Francis of Assisi Memorial Fund are remembered in the Masses and prayers of the parish. A special Mass is celebrated once a year for all the souls enrolled. All the monies of this Fund are used to purchase materials needed to make our church more inspiring and beautiful for community prayer and celebrations of the sacraments. Sat., Feb. 10 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 p.m. Robert J. Peloquin by daughters Manuel Blue Miranda Sr., by Mary Anne Sun., Feb. 11 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Thomas E. Smith (8 th Anniv.) by wife 9:30 a.m. Manuel O. Amaral and Gildert & Marcelina Mello by family 11:00 a.m. Richard Dantino by wife Cindy and family Mon., Feb. 12 9:00 a.m. Gayle Moniz Pattison by family (Birthday Remembrance) Tues., Feb. 13 9:00 a.m. Searphim & Joseph Pontes by niece Ruth Ann Wed., Feb. 14 - Ash Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Rev. David Andrade 4:30 p.m. Rev. David Andrade 7:00 p.m. Rev. David Andrade Thurs., Feb. 15 9:00 a.m. Edmond & Delia Cote by family Sat., Feb. 17 - First Sunday of Lent 4:00 p.m. Manuel Blue Miranda by friends Sun., Feb. 18 - First Sunday of Lent 8:00 a.m. Frank Siciliano & Sr. Claire Andre, O.S.C. 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Margaret & John Comer and Pat by Ellie and family DISEASE AND SIN The begging leper and the paralytic dropped in, and both wanted to be cured of their ailments, including their sin. Overcoming religious fears and social customs, they made their requests. Jesus replied, Yes, of course, and then made the point that healing from sin and healing from disease are two sides of the same coin. Do we have courage enough to overcome worries and beg healing from the Lord in the church? If we seek sacramental reconciliation, Jesus will surely reply, Yes, of course. Text, Philip J. Sandstrom, STD 2000, OCP. All rights reserved.

Sunday February 11, 2018 In the month of February our candles burn in memory of the following people: Sanctuary Lamp: Katie L. Fleet by grandmother Altar Candle: Henry Guay by family Tabernacle Candle: Personal Intention by Luisa Carreiro Crucifix Candle: Deceased members of the Ripanti Family by Mr. & Mrs. Joe Ripanti 2018 Masses & Candles Available Call the rectory during our business hours to schedule dates for the entire 2018 year. The suggested stipend for a Mass is $10.00 and candles are $50.00. Dates fill up fast so don t delay. 2017 Tax Statements Call the rectory or email us and we would be happy to mail your church contribution tax statement to you. 50 Week Club To current members: expect a phone call in the coming weeks and be prepared to answer the following questions, what would you like to eat at the banquet? and are you planning on remaining a member of the club? To non-members: would you like a chance to attend the banquet and check out what all the hoopla is about? Cut out the form to the right, include payment and drop it in the collection basket or mail it to the rectory. To all parishioners: please consider donating new items or gift cards to our giant raffle. Drop off donations in the sacristy before or after Mass. Collected the Weekend of February 3rd & 4th Budget: $3,551.00 Home Missions: $1,270.00 The second collection next weekend, 2/17 & 2/18 is for Catholic University. Thank you for your generous contributions! We All Need Help Now and Then If you need help this winter, or anytime, with paying rent, utilities or groceries, just call the rectory and we ll arrange for a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society to contact you. Our members are eager to serve the community with any of these needs and so much more. If they can t help, chances are they know how to get the help you need. Call the rectory and give us your first name only and we ll have a friendly, helpful member of the St. Vincent s call you and see how they can assist you. 50 Week Club Banquet Guest Ticket Request Form Thank you for your interest in attending the 50 Week Club Annual Banquet at Venus de Milo on Sat., April 28th at 6:30 p.m. Guest tickets are $35.00 each. Make checks out to: St. Francis of Assisi 50 Week Club. Name(s) : Phone: # of Prime Rib Tickets: Congratulations to: Dianne Doyle Winner for February 11, 2018 # of Baked Stuffed Shrimp Tickets: Please put this form with payment in the collection basket or mail it to the rectory as soon as possible.

The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time How can you Be on Fire and Set the World on Fire? Simple, plan on attending the Diocesan Women and Men s Conference. This event took place last year for the first time, and it was simply amazing. Our Bishop would like a delegation from each parish to attend this year. Let it be you. Diocesan Women and Men s Conference will take place at Stonehill College on March 10, 2018. The theme for the conference is: Be on Fire - Set the World on Fire. Conference speakers include Father Dave Dwyer, CSO, ValLimar Jansen, Sr. Marie Paul Curley, FSP and Father Anthony Ciorra. The day also includes the opportunity to shop from many vendors, receive the sacrament of reconciliation and attend Mass with Bishop Edgar da Cunha as the main celebrant. The cost is $50 per person. There will also be a young adult track this year which will run simultaneously at the Martin Institute. The cost is $35 per person (ages 18-30). Register online at www.fallriverdioces.org or find registration forms at the entrances to church. Emmaus is a retreat for men and women (ages 20+) who seek to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, regardless of their present level of faith or practice. We want to invite you to join us on our next Emmaus weekend. You will be welcomed by a loving community, spend time in personal and communal prayer, and celebrate the sacraments. The next Emmaus is March 9-11 at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown, MA. For more information or to apply online, email us at emmausretreats@gmail.com or visit our website: www.emmausretreats.com. Worldwide Marriage Encounter : He shall dwell apart, making his abode outside the camp." As Jesus cured the leper, let the love of God heal and strengthen our marital bonds so we can live within our camp with joy by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are Mar 9-11, 2018 in Duxbury, MA and Apr 21-22, 2018 in Brewster, MA. For more information, call Stephen & Michelle O'Leary at 800-710-9963 or visit them at https://wwmema.org/. All parish youth, are invited to attend our youth group Youth Truth meetings. They are fun, uplifting and prayerful gatherings of friends. Confirmation students St. Francis of Assisi Youth Truth Meeting Schedule Next meetings are: Sun., Feb. 11 th 3:30-5 p.m. Sun., Feb. 25 th 5-6:30 p.m. Sun., Mar. 11 th 5-6:30 p.m Sun., Mar. 25 th 5-6:30 p.m. are reminded that attendance at your first meeting will count as community service. There s no easier, or more fun, way to earn your hour! Sun., Feb. 11 - Grades 6 & 7 class after the 9:30 a.m. Mass Sun., Feb. 18 through Sun., Feb. 25 - No Classes/Vacation Tues., Feb. 27 - Grades 3, 4 & 5 from 4:30 5:30 p.m. Thurs., Mar. 1 - Grades 1 & 2 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sat., Mar. 3 - Confirmation I & II Work, Play and Pray from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sun., Mar. 4 - Grades 6 & 7 class after the 9:30 a.m. Mass Confirmation I & II optional community service. Details have been sent home and explained. Tues., Mar. 6 - Grades 3, 4 & 5 from 4:30 5:30 p.m. Thurs., Mar. 8 - Grades 1 & 2 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sun., Mar. 11 - Grades 6 & 7 class after the 9:30 a.m. Mass Tues., Mar. 13 - Grades 3, 4 & 5 from 4:30 5:30 p.m. Thurs., Mar. 15 - Grades 1 & 2 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sun., Mar. 18 - Grades 6 & 7 class after the 9:30 a.m. Mass until 11:30. Confirmation II students to attend the High School Convention at Bishop Connolly High School. Class Mass for grades 3, 4 & 5. Coffee & donuts to follow. Tues., Mar. 20 - Grades 3, 4 & 5 from 4:30 5:30 p.m. and Middle School Rally at Bishop Stang H.S. 6-8:00 p.m. Thurs., Mar. 22 - Grades 1 & 2 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sun., Mar. 25 - Grades 6 & 7 class after the 9:30 a.m. Mass Tues., Mar. 27 - Grades 3, 4 & 5 from 4:30 5:30 p.m. Thurs., Mar. 29 - Grades 1 & 2 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Attention Confirmation I & II students and families and Middle School Families: Please read about the youth convention and rally and return your permission forms as soon as possible. The High School Convention is mandatory for the Confirmation II students. The Middle School Rally is optional for our students, but they are highly encouraged to attend. High School Youth Convention : March 18, 2018 from 10am to 5pm at Bishop Connolly High School. Confirmation II students from our parish are attending as a group. Permission slips and more information will be sent home. Middle School Rally: March 20th 9-11am 6-8pm @ Bishop Stang HS for Parish Programs. Any middle school student from St. Francis who would like to attend is asked to contact Mrs. Patota. If there is enough interest we will rent a bus, as we did last year. Both the convention and the rally feature the witness and entertainment of Vince Nims the Roamin Catholic Banana Guy. Find out more about him here: http://www.vincenims.com/

Sunday February 11, 2018 The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 14 th, which is also a day of fast and abstinence. Mass and distribution of ashes takes at: 9:00 a.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. There are no Faith Formation classes on Tuesday, February 13 th or Thursday, February 16 th. Students and their families should attend one of the Masses on Ash Wednesday in place of class for the week. They are encouraged to attend the family Mass at 4:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Each Friday during Lent there will be a Simple Supper served at 6:30 p.m., prior to the Stations of the Cross devotion at 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 16th we invite our catechists and Faith Formation students to lead the Stations of the Cross. The menu for our meatless Simple Supper is Pasta Fagioli and Pasta Pisseli, lovingly prepared by Fr. Michael. We will also have Continent Bakery pizza.