AUGUST 22, 2010 21 ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SATURDAY, August 21 4:00 PM Paul Boulay by M/M James Daugherty & family SUNDAY, August 22 8:00 AM Alice Turcotte 9:30 AM Donald Martin by Manny & Lorraine 11:00 AM Edalina & Jacintho Furtado by their family MONDAY, August 23 9:00 AM Joseph S. Korkosz by his wife Alice & children (33 rd anniversary) TUESDAY, August 24 9:00 AM Jean and Joseph Ciryak WEDNESDAY, August 25 9:00 AM Arthur Silvia by his wife Terry & family (birthday remembrance) THURSDAY, August 26 9:00 AM Joseph Flanagan & Florence Steel by their family SATURDAY, August 28 4:00 PM Richard Petit by his wife Natalie SUNDAY, August 29 8:00 AM Karen L. Mottas by the St. Laurent Family 9:30 AM John Carvalho by his wife and children 11:00 AM Francis J. Griffin by his family August Memorial Candles Sanctuary Lamp in memory of George & Irene Fairhurst by their family Altar Candles in memory of Leontina Couto & Manuel Correira by their daughter Tabernacle Candles in memory of Elizabeth & Arthur Kern by Mr. & Mrs. Don Roussel Faith Formation Corner IF YOU HAVE NOT YET SENT IN YOUR CHILD S REGISTRATION FORM, PLEASE DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The registration form(s) and check /cash for the appropriate registration fee, can be mailed to the parish office at 270 Ocean Grove Ave., or placed in the collection basket in an envelope marked Religious Education. A registration form is required for each child. The registration fee is $40.00 for each child and $65.00 for 2 or more children. Registration forms can be obtained at the parish office and on our website: www.stfrancisswansea.com Sacramental preparation programs for First Holy Communion, Grades 1 and 2, and Confirmation, Grades 8 and 9, are two year preparation programs. Remember to attend Mass while enjoying the summer: We rely on the parents support in continuing the commitment made in your child s baptism by attending weekly Mass and celebrating in the Eucharist. Attending Mass While Traveling - Please remember that traveling is not an excuse to miss Mass, but Catholics need to plan ahead to make sure that they are able to attend Sunday Mass when they are away. An invaluable resource is the Mass Times organization, which has a toll-free number (800-MASSTIMES), website (masstimes.org) iphone application and more to help you locate a Mass where you re going to be. Gift Bearers - If you are a family member or friend who would like to bring the gifts to the altar at a loved one s Mass, we would be happy to have you do so. Just stop by the Sacristy before Mass and tell Father Michael you will be the gift bearer that day. Thank you. 50 Week Club Weekly Drawing Congratulations to the August 22 nd winner Maureen Bushell August 15, 2010 Collection Budget.......$ 3,827.20 2 nd Collection (St. Vincent de Paul Society) $ 1,246.11 Thank You to all who continue to generously support our parish. HAVE YOU EVER MADE A WILL? ARE YOU THINKING OF MAKING ONE? Would you consider leaving something to your parish? Many people (even recently) have done so here and in other parishes, and their generosity has a lasting effect on many people. Just a little food for thought. Peanut on the Spoon Trying to keep the peanut from falling off the spoon while running to the finish line.
St. Vincent de Paul Corner In Need of Assistance? Are you facing utility shutoffs and or high food bills? If you are a family in need of assistance, please contact the St. Francis Vincent de Paul Society at 508-673-2808 A container for used clothing has been installed in the parking area behind the church. We encourage you to support the Saint Vincent de Paul Society by using this container to deposit used clothing, both reusable and not reusable. Career Opportunity: The Knight s of Columbus is seeking a Field Agent for a career opportunity representing their insurance program. We offer a complete benefits package with this full-time position. In order to qualify, one must be eligible for membership in the Knights of Columbus. For more information, please contact Michael Lehman, General Agent, at 401-921-4834 or email Michael.lehman@kofc.org Pocasset The Discalced Carmelite Secular Order, meeting at St. John s Catholic Church, is welcoming inquires from lay men and women, married or single, who are devoted to the search for union with God, following the teachings of Sts. Teresa of Jesus, and John of the Cross. To learn more about our way of life, or join us as guests, please contact Phyllis Sanders at 781-848-8311 or Rachel Cote at 508-540- 9767. Grief Support Group: If you have lost a family member or friend, we invite you to participate in one or more of the programs that will to be held at the rectory of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. 233 County Street, New Bedford. (Please use back entrance to the rectory). You may attend any session, without having attended earlier sessions. All meetings will be held on Saturdays, 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.; Sept. 25: Grief & Faith Questions; Oct. 23: We Grieve Because we Love; Nov. 20: Family Occasions How to Cope; Dec. 18: Grief & the Holidays. Programs are free and no registration is required. For information, call 508-345-2660 or 508-992-9408. Sr. Judith Costa leads the group. Just hanging around and enjoying the day at the parish picnic The next meeting will be held in the church hall Sunday, September 12 th at 6:00 p.m. Please contact Monica Valenti if you have any questions. All Grades 8 12 students are welcome. Bring a friend. Children and parents playing the water balloon toss. Family Life Corner The Family Life Committee is looking for faith-filled, generous people who are willing to share ideas, talents and faith to enrich St. Francis of Assisi parish. Our goal is to transform our parish welcoming home, where we all feel treasured and loved. To do this, we need you! Our membership is growing, but we still need more people to continue to do things which make our parish awesome. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the church hall. Please join us for some fun and fellowship. For more information please call Christine Patota at 508-677-0804 ADOPTION INFORMATION SESSION Adoption by Choice, a program of Catholic Social Services, will sponsor an adoption information session on Tuesday evening, September 21, 2010 from 6:30 8:30PM at the Catholic Social Services central office, 1600 Bay Street, Fall River. This session will be for individuals interested in adopting a domestic newborn or a child born in a foreign country. Handouts and refreshments will be available. There is no charge for this session. Please call CSS office at 508-674-4681 for information, to resister, and to receive directions. Registration is also available online at www.cssdioc.org. Congratulations to Christine McAniff and Jeremy Frissell who were married on August 14 th at St. Francis of Assisi.
PRO-LIFE LICENSE PLATES Pro-life license plates are now available in Massachusetts! They have a beautiful image of a mother and a child and the message choose life. The plates cost $40 every two years, part of which goes to the plates, part of which will go to fund pregnancy help centers throughout Massachusetts. This is a very effective way to advertise the pro-life message. It would be great if we could have dozens of people in Swansea and Somerset spreading the message wherever they drive. If you can afford it, please consider obtaining one of these plates, which can be ordered at the Fall River registry. For more information about the plates, please visit www.machooselife.org. Christine Patota waiting to catch the water balloon thrown by her husband, Jeff, while Diane Partridge and Giselle Rodrigues hold the balloons they have caught. Attention Young Adults! Theology on Tap kinks off its 2010-2011 season in TWO new locations!!! TOT will be held on the 2 nd Monday of the month at Sam Diego s on Rte. 132 in Hyannis and on the 2 nd Tuesday of the month at Olive Garden on Rte. 140 in Taunton. Our first session, Why Bad Things Happen to Good People, will be held on Sept. 13 th and 14 th with Dr. Ernest Collamatti as our guest speaker. Theology on Tap is a discussion series to help single and married young couples in the 20s and 30s learn about and grow in the Catholic faith. Admission is FREE and attendees are welcome to order from the restaurant menu. Good will donations will be accepted. For more information, contact Chrystal Medeiros at 508-678-2828 or via email at cmederios@dfrcec.com or visit the Office of Faith Formation website at www.fallriverfairthformation.org. HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 22, 2010 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, Lord, will only a few people be saved? He answered them, Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory, and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. The great Teacher used countless examples of convey His message. How often he used the example of a gate or door. It is part of the Good Shepherd motif. He used it describing the challenge for the rich to gain heaven, using the example of a camel. The gift of salvation is a challenge, not something we can take for granted. We are called to seek salvation asking, seeking, knocking as an ongoing goal. We direct our lives as disciples toward that goal. How sad if I do not make it a priority. Remember the words about the door Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will enter his house and dine with him and he with me. I look for the narrow gate, I open the door of my life and my heart. How many doors will I pass through this week. Many I will open and close, lock and unlock my house, my car. Others will open before me at the supermarket, the elevator. May I see them as gentle reminders of the gate or door of salvation which Jesus tells me to strive to enter. He comes to gather, He knocks, He asks me to unlock the door of my heart. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR BULLETIN SPONSORS Getting ready for the "Sack Race"
PARISH STAFF: Rev. Michael Ciryak, Pastor Nancy Storey, Faith Formation Coordinator Matthew Talbot, Confirmation Coordinator Nancy Storey, Office Manager Tony Roderigues, Building & Grounds Robert Horne, Finance Officer/Bookkeeper Wayne Gray, Parish Council President Monica Valenti, Cantor Richard Vincent, Organist Steven Raposo, Organist Lou Raposa, Music Leader at 9:30 Mass TELEPHONE NUMBERS/EMAIL/WEB SITE: Rectory: 508-673-2808 Fax:: 508-672-6241 Religious Education:508-674-0024/508-673-2808 Youth Ministry: 508-673-2808 St. Vincent de Paul: 508-673-2808 Jim & Alice Lanczycki, 50 Week Club, 508-674-5202 E-Mail: nancy_storey@comcast.net E-Mail: stfrancisswansea@comcast.net Web Site: stfrancisswansea.com ADMINISTRATIVE: Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 AM 5 PM Rectory Address: St. Francis of Assisi Rectory 270 Ocean Grove Ave., Swansea, MA 02777-1708 REGISTRATION: Welcome to New Parishioners - If you are new in the parish, please introduce yourself after Mass. Please speak to our priest after Mass and fill out a form to register. Those moving from the Parish are asked to contact the rectory so that we may update our records. LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS: Weekends: Saturday Vigil: 4 PM Sunday: 8 AM, 9:30 AM, 11 AM Weekdays: Monday-Thursday: 9 AM Civic Holidays: 9 AM Only Eucharistic Adoration: As announced - 7 PM CHURCH IS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE SACRAMENTS Baptismal arrangements must be made in advance. Please call the Parish Office Manager to arrange a date and to supply pertinent information. Baptismal preparation class is required if this is your FIRST child or FIRST child being baptized at St. Francis of Assisi. RECONCILIATION: Saturday 3-3:40 or please call the Rectory for an appointment. FIRST EUCHARIST and CONFIRMATION: Two year preparation necessary. Please call the religious education office. MATRIMONY: Couples are asked to consult with our priest at least six months in advance of the intended date to allow adequate time for marriage preparation, including the Diocesan Preparation Program. HOLY ORDERS: If you (or someone you know) are thinking about life as a priest, deacon, or religious (man or woman) and would like to learn more, please contact a priest or call the Diocesan Vocations Office at 508-675-1311 or email vocations@dioc-fr.org, www.fallrivervocations.org. MINISTRY TO THE SICK: Please notify us if someone you know would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, or if someone is unable to come to Mass due to illness, handicap or age - we are anxious to make sure they receive Communion regularly. Charlton and St. Anne Hospitals are visited regularly. 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. BAPTISM: First Sunday at 12:00 PM (Please call the rectory).