St. Parish

1st Sunday of Lent 21 February 2021

St. Francis Xavier, Acushnet – Diocese of Fall River

Mass Schedule Fr om the Past or’s Desk EW EAST AYS OF AINTS th th N F D S (February 20 - February 28 )

Sat. Feb 20 1st Sunday of Lent (Vigil) (Vi) Francis recently added the feast days of four (well, 4:00 p.m. Louise Tetreault five, but I’ll explain) to the calendar. While every Sun. Feb 21 1st Sunday of Lent (Vi) has a feast day, not all of these are on the liturgical 7:00 a.m. Flora Booth calendar that guides the celebration of Mass. In making 9:00 a.m. Pro Populo these additions is hoping to give us a better 11:00 a.m. Nicholas Urbanek sense of the diversity found within the church. The new Mon. Feb 22 The Chair of St. Peter (Wh) 9:00 a.m. Maria C. Cunha feasts are St. Gregory of Narek (27 February), St. John Tues. Feb 23 St. ; Bishop & Martyr (Vi) of Avila (10 May), and St. (17 9:00 a.m. Anibal V. Tavares Sept.). He has also added the commemoration of Ss. Wed. Feb 24 Lenten Weekday (Vi) Mary and Lazarus to the existing feast of their sister St. 9:00 a.m. Rose Engel Martha on 29 July. As the new feast days draw near I Thurs. Feb 25 Lenten Weekday (Vi) will share a little about the saint as well as the new prayer 9:00 a.m. Brian O’Malley Fri. Feb 26 Lenten Weekday (Vi) for Mass on their feasts. 9:00 a.m. Antonio Barroso Sat. Feb 27 St. Gregory of Narek (Vi) The first of these new feasts arrives this Saturday: that of 9:00 a.m. Arthur E. Carreau St. Gregory of Narek. Born in what is now eastern nd Sat. Feb 27 2 Sunday of Lent (Vigil) (Vi) Turkey in about 950, he became one of the great 4:00 p.m. Almeida spiritual writers of the Armenian Church. He is Sun. Feb 28 2nd Sunday of Lent (Vi) 7:00 a.m. Pro Populo particularly noted for his writings on faith and grace. 9:00 a.m. Eliseu Correia 11:00 a.m. Joao & Edite Gomes Prayers Please

… for all the sick of our parish: those homebound, in the hospital, and nursing facilities; and for all the souls in purgatory. Also, please pray for Walter and Angie Duchaine whose marriage was just convalidated in the Church on February 14th. Sanctuary Lamp

During Eucharistic Adoration please pray for the In one of his works, he wrote, following person/s for whose intention the Sanctuary Candle burns this week: Anibal V. Tavares Faith, that happy and favored word, which lasts forever untarnished and unbounded, SFX Prayer Line honored together with charity and hope Please call 508-850-6649 between 8am & 8pm brings the rewards of truly clear vision, perfect wisdom, Or email your prayer request to: acquaintance with God and familiarity with the Exalted. [email protected] The prayer that will be used on St. Gregory’s feast is not

Financial Report yet translated into English; below is my own translation

for your personal use. Income: All powerful and ever living God, Who did fill St. Gregory, 1st Sunday of Lent…………...... $2,920.00 Building Fund……………………………$8,853.00 teacher and glory of the Armenian Nation, with mystical doctrine: Ash Wednesday………………………….Due to early grant us, that, taught by him, to grasp the art of speaking with submission for printing, the Ash Wed. collection will You, and to constantly support our life with the sacraments of the be in next weeks bulletin. Church.

PARISH INFORMATION

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Mon-Fri: 9:30am – 4:00pm Please make an appointment to meet with Father Williams to schedule a Baptism or Wedding.

HELPFUL CONTACTS ACCESSIBILITY

Religious Education: 508-998-7445 ▪ Open for Prayer Great News - Worldwide Marriage Encounter has School: 508-995-4313 Every Day gone "Virtual"! School Fax: 508-995-0456 ▪ Wheelchair Lift To support married couples during this time of social dis- ▪ Cry-room tancing, Worldwide Marriage Encounter is sponsoring virtual marriage experiences. Some are on weekends and St. Francis Xavier Parish some span multiple weeks on a given weekday. Couples will explore their individual personality styles, improve 125 Main Street listening and communication skills, understand God’s plan Acushnet, MA 02743 for their marriage, and learn how to keep their relationship tel: (508) 995-7600 fax: (508) 995-1794 a priority. Registration is limited and a $100 application email: [email protected] fee is required. For more information or to apply, call at or visit them at https://wwmema.org/.

Fr. Riley J. Williams, Pastor As we journey during this Lenten Season, let us take time to reflect on our marriage. What can we do to make our [[email protected]] marriage even better? Learn how on an upcoming virtual Deacon Pepin Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on Apr 8-29, [[email protected]] 2021 in VIRTUAL, MA and Jun 3-24, 2021 in VIRTUAL, Mrs. Janine Hammarquist, Rel. Ed. Coordinator MA [[email protected]]

[[email protected]] Readings for Week Februa ry 21, 20 21 Mrs. Michelle Russo, Parish School Principal [[email protected]] Sunday: Gn 9:8-15/Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [cf. 10]/1 Mrs. Anabela Shaughnessy, Asst. Principal Pt 3:18-22/Mk 1:12-15 [[email protected]] Monday: 1 Pt 5:1-4/Ps 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6 [1]/Mt 16:13-19 HOLY MASS Tuesday: Is 55:10-11/Ps 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18- 19 [18b]/Mt 6:7-15 Sunday 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., & 11:00 a.m. Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10/Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19 Saturday Vigil 4:00 p.m. [19b]/Lk 11:29-32 Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25/Ps 138:1-2ab, First Friday 9:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 2cde-3, 7c-8 [3a]/Mt 7:7-12 Friday: Ez 18:21-28/Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-7a, 7bc-

Monday 5:30-6:30 p.m. 8 [3]/Mt 5:20-26 (9:30-10:00 a.m. Monday Holidays) Saturday: Dt 26:16-19/Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8 [1b]/ Saturday 9:30-10:00 a.m. Mt 5:43-48 Saturday 3:00-3:45 p.m. First Fridays 6:45-7:15 p.m. CONFESSION Any Time by Appointment Monday: 5:30 to 6:30 pm ADORATION (Monday Holidays 9:30-10:00am) Monday 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday: 9:30 to 10:00 am Tuesday 6:30 a.m.-8:45 a.m. Saturday: 3:00 to 3:45pm Wednesday 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Thursday 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday 6:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. On The Cover Saturday 6:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m. VESPERS & BENEDICTION The Temptation of Christ

Monday & Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Harold Copping (1907)

1st Sunday of Lent - February 21, 2021 In-Person Classes Resume today Feb. 21st

First Communion Parent Meeting via Zoom on Sunday February 21st@ 1pm. Please check your email for the link.

2nd Graders from SFX School receiving the Sacraments here at St. Francis will attend classes in-person with us in the Parish Center on Sun Feb. 28 & March 7, 14, 21 & 28. Please wear a mask.

Stations of the Cross/Eucharistic Adoration: Sundays in church during our regularly scheduled class times led by Fr. Williams. Every student should have an adult accompany them. This will take the place of the Family Faith Formation Events that we had in prior years. Every grade level will have two scheduled hours of Adoration/Stations of the Cross during our class year from October-May. This will include all Sacramental Students also. Sunday Feb. 21st will be all Levels 1, 3, 4 & 5 Students accompanied by a parent in church @ 8:00am. Please be on time, you will be escorted to a pew by your teacher before we start. Please remember your mask.

CONFIRMATION MASS Temptation on the Mount The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Thursday May 6, 2021 @ 7pm at St. Francis Xavier Parish. Duccio di Buoninsegna (1308–1311) Rehearsal will be Tuesday May 4, 2021 @ 6pm. Candidates, “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained please inform your sponsors of these dates and times. If in the desert for 40 days, tempted by Satan.” your sponsor can not be at rehearsal please make sure a -Mk 1:12-13 parent is with you to fill in. Stay Safe, Healthy and Holy The Rice Bowls are here… God Bless, Mrs. Hammarquist please take yours from the church entrance!

It was a very quiet week at the school, as our students and faculty enjoyed a well deserved February break. This school year has been at times rather bumpy, yet always very blessed and the vacation time is some- thing that we all very much look forward to! Our facul- ty has had the time to REST, RELAX, REJUVENATE, We continue to collect - All NEW & READY themselves for the upcoming weeks and our socks, thermals, coats (xxl for layer- students hopefully took the time to "unplug" to enjoy ing) and TRIAL size personal hygiene some quality time with their families. Our doors will items including women’s personal reopen on Monday, marking our 103rd day in the hygiene items, body wash, shampoo/ school, which is quite impressive! Due to unfore- conditioner, chapstick, antibiotic ointment, band- seen circumstances, our Catholic Schools Week festivi- ties planned for the first week of February had to be aids, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, etc.. The need postponed. Creative collaboration is taking place to exe- is great and we've been delivering items to those cute and celebrate an SFX CSW during the Lenten feast in need every weekend. Please drop off your do- days... details will be shared in the upcoming nations at the entrance of the church in the weeks! The enrollment/admissions process is well un- marked SVDP basket. derway, as our current families have secured their seats for the 2021-2022 school year and new interested fami- Don't miss our upcoming Pop-Up Lenten lies have communicated their desire to join the SFX Fundraiser on March 20th from 9:30 - 11:30 fold. Thank you, as always, for your continued support am. Thank you all for your support and gener- and prayers for our parish school. ...God Bless Michelle Russo/Principal osity.

SFX Women of Grace Stations of the Cross As we approach Lent, it is a time to pause and reflect. Along with the Consecration to St Joseph and wom- Lenten Fridays 7:00pm enofgrace.org, below are a few other inspiring resources.

 The Pray More Lenten Retreat. (Free) praymorere- treat.com.

 Ascension Press, No Greater Love; A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion Study Set (Varied in price) ascensionpress.com

 Virtual Catholic Conference (Free-registration re- quired) go.virtualcatholicconference.com Women’s, March 12-14 “My Peace I Give You”

 The Search; Video series, ($35) coach- ing.reallifecatholic.com

 Podcasts: “The Bible In A Year,” “Abiding Together,” “Blessed is She” Blessings, Carol Eccleston [email protected]

If you wish to participate in Stations of The Cross vir- tually please visit the parish website at Virtual Lenten Taize: You are invited to join St. John www.sfxparish.com for more info. Neumann Church for a livestreamed Lenten Taizé on 21 February at 7:00p.m. “Repent and believe in the Gospel”. http://www.facebook.com/StJohnNeumannCatholicChurch

{Taizé is the style of Christian worship practiced by the ecumeni- cal Taizé community in France, characterized by the repetitive singing of Psalms, interspersed with scripture readings, prayers, and periods of silence.}

A Day wit h Mary : is being held on Saturday 6 March at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church of 235 North Front Street, New Bedford. The event begins with a procession at 8 am and Holy Mass at 9 am. At 10:30 am there will be Upcoming Second &Special Co ll ect ions a on Our Lady. Please bring a bag lunch if you

are coming for the day. Lunch is at Noon. There will also February 21st - Catholic Education be Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction and investment February 28th - Diocesan Assessment in the Brown Scapular in the afternoon. The event con- cludes with a procession at 2:50 pm.

1st Sunday of Lent - February 21, 2021

The Sacred Liturgy For the 1st Sunday of Lent 21 February 2021 Processional : Forty Days and Forty 2nd Reading: 1 Peter 3: 18-22 Nights Beloved: Christ suffered for sins once, the right- Forty days and forty nights thou wast fasting eous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he in the wild; Forty days and forty nights tempt- might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, ed, and yet undefiled. Shall not we thy sorrow he was brought to life in the Spirit. In it he also share, and from earthly joys abstain, fasting went to preach to the spirits in prison, who had with unceasing prayer, glad with thee to suffer once been disobedient while God patiently wait- pain? Then if Satan, on us press, flesh or spirit ed in the days of during the building of the to assail, victor in the wilderness, grant we ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were may not faint nor fail. saved through water. This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear 1st Reading: Gen. 9: 8-15 (23B) conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the

right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and God said to Noah and to his sons with him: powers subject to him. “See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and Gospel Reading: Mk. 1: 12-15 with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and wild The spirit drove Jesus out unto the desert, and animals that were with you and came out of he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted the ark. I will establish my covenant with by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the you, that never again shall all bodily crea- angels ministered to him. After John had been tures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the there shall not be another flood to devastate gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. the earth.” God added: “This is the sign that The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and be- I am giving for all ages to come, of the cov- lieve in the gospel.” enant between me and you and every living creature with you: I set my bow in the Offertory Hymn: Attende Domine clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant be- tween me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a Communion Hymn: There’s a Wideness in flood to destroy all mortal beings.” God’s Mercy

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the Responsorial Psalm: Your ways, O Lord, wideness of the sea; there’s a kindness in his are love and truth to those who keep your justice which is more than liberty. There is plen- covenant. tiful redemption in the blood that has been shed; there is joy for all the members in the sorrows of the head. For the love of God is broader than the measures of our mind, and the heart of the eternal is most wonderfully kind. If our love were but more simple we should take him at his word, and our lives would be thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord.