ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH

530 GARDNERS NECK ROAD SWANSEA, MASSACHUSETTS 02777 TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME + OCTOBER 1, 2017

Liturgical Celebrations Parish Staff Saturday Vigil: 4 p.m. Pastor: Rev. Michael A. Ciryak Sundays: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Maintenance: Tony Roderigues Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. Faith Formation/Office: Christine Patota (Grades 1-9) Civic Holidays: 9 a.m. only Finance/Office/Notary: Fran Kelley Contact: Music Director: Ada Simpson Parish Office: 508-673-2808 Cantors: Allison Messier, Mike Moniz Parish fax: 508-672-6241 and Christine Patota Email: [email protected] Youth Ministry: Justin & Amanda La Croix Website: www.stfrancisswansea.com Parish Council President: Wayne Gray Religious Education: 508-673-2808 or 508-674-0024 Parish Address: Email: [email protected] Church: 530 Gardner’s Neck Road St. Vincent de Paul: 508-673-2808 Office/Rectory 270 Ocean Grove Avenue Youth Ministry: 508-673-2808 Swansea, MA 02777 50 Week Club: Bill & Kathy Sullivan Office hours: 9:30 a.m. — 4 p.m. 508-493-9064/508-674-8511 or by appointment St. Francis of Assisi Parish Swansea, MA Parish Mission Statement: In the spirit of our patron, St. Francis of Assisi, we dedicate ourselves as liv- ing 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. Sat., Sept. 30 - Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sponsors: must receive from their respective Catholic pas- 4:00 p.m. Desiree Choquette by family tors a “sponsor certificate,” which is the signed word of one (5th Anniversary) priest to another that the proposed godparent is a Confirmed, Geraldine Kadlec by Christopher and Helen Kadlec fully-practicing Catholic who is qualified to be a godparent by living in harmony with our faith. Sun., Oct. 1 - Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Reconciliation: Saturday from 3:15PM to 3:40PM or call 8:00 a.m. Frances Mazurak the rectory for an appointment. First Eucharist & Confirmation: Preparation – two years 9:30 a.m. M/M Manuel Silva & daughter Mary Ferreira by Angelina prior to receiving each Sacrament is mandatory as a regis- tered student in the Faith Formation Program. 11:00 Wallace LaCroix by Kathy & Bill Sullivan Matrimony: Couples are asked to consult with our priest at least six months in advance of the intended date to allow Mon., Oct. 2 - The Holy Guardian Angels 9:00 a.m. Karen Ryan time for marriage preparation, including the Diocesan Pro- gram. Tues., Oct. 3 Ministry to the Sick: Please notify us if someone you 9:00 a.m. Robert J. Peloquin by wife know is homebound and would like to be added to our Com- (11th Anniversary) munion call list, or would like to receive the Sacrament of Wed., Oct. 4 - Feast of St. Francis of Assisi the Sick. 9:00 a.m. Deceased Parishioners of St. Francis Parish Low gluten hosts available: Please let us know before 4:30 p.m. “ “

Mass if you have a need to receive this type of host. 7:00 p.m. “ “ Church is handicapped accessible. Thurs., Oct. 5 - Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Priest 9:00 a.m. Rev. James W. Fahey Saint Francis of Assisi Memorial Fund In making funeral arrangements, you may wish to consid- Sat., Oct. 7 - Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 p.m. Brenda Rogers by mom and dad er enrolling the deceased in the Saint Francis of Assisi Memorial Fund. Relatives and friends who donate to the fund in memory of the deceased receive a thank you card Sun., Oct. 8 - Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time from the parish, and another card is sent notifying the be- 8:00 a.m. Caroline Roderigues reaved of the gift. The gifts are charitable contributions and may be a supplement or a substitute for flowers. Those 9:30 a.m. Alice Kret by family whose names are enrolled in the Saint Francis of Assisi Me- morial Fund are remembered in the Masses and prayers of 11:00 a.m. Frank & Rita Crook (Wedding Anniversary) the parish. A special Mass is celebrated once a year for all by Kathy & Bill Sullivan the souls enrolled. All the monies of this Fund are used to purchase materials needed to make our church more inspir- ing and beautiful for community prayer and celebrations of the sacraments. THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE One person says “yes” and does nothing; the other says COVER PHOTOS: “no,” yet does what is asked. Who does God’s will? The one who talked or the one who acted? Our Lord Jesus act- Pictured on the cover of our bulletin are scenes from our ed out God’s will and emptied himself out to be like a first days of faith formation for grades one through five. slave. His work on the cross saved us from death and gained us God’s life. You must be the same as Christ Je- Fr. Michael began each session with a blessing for the sus. Acting out the Trinity’s call in our lives makes life in students, the catechists and the parents/guardians. Christ possible! Keep them all in your prayers. Text, Philip J. Sandstrom, S.T.D. © 2002, OCP. All rights re- served. Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Youth Convention & Rallies March 18, 2018 and March Support Groups 19 & 20, 2018 Featuring: Vince Nims… Family man, mu- Separated and Divorced Support Group The La Salette sician, retreat leader, youth minster, presenter, recording Retreat Center in Attleboro is the location for a new bi- artist. Known as the Roamin' Catholic Banana Guy! weekly support group for separated and divorced per- Men & Women’s Conference - March 10, 2018, location sons. The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 3rd from TBD. If you did not attend the conference last year, you 7pm-8:30pm and subsequent meetings will be held every missed an extraordinary day of prayer, education and fel- other Tuesday evening. For more information or for direc- lowship with folks from all over the Fall River Diocese. tions, please contact Dottie at 508-642-1928 or You don’t want to miss this event. If there is enough inter- [email protected]. est we can see about renting a bus from our parish.

Fall River Area Bereavement Group All are welcome. Beginning September 26th, this group meets every Tues- Our Neighbors day from 7-9 pm for 7 weeks at the Catholic Education A Day With Fátima: On Oct. 4 St. Dominic’s Parish will Center, 423 Highland Avenue, Fall River. For more infor- host the United Nations Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fat- mation contact: Rose Mary Saraiva at the Office of Faith ima. This is one of the official statues of OLOF that visit- Formation at 508-678-2828 Ext. 27 or via email at ed the UN building. The day will begin with morning Mass [email protected] or [email protected] at 8am followed by with adoration all day. Recitation of the Rosary at 12 noon. Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3pm. Diocesan Events

Holy hour with recitation of the Rosary, 6:30 to 7:30pm. Annual Procession and Mass for Peace: Procession par- Refreshments will be served in the Parish Hall at the con- ticipants gather at St. Anne’s at 5:30 pm on Mon. Oct. 9th clusion. for a 6:00 pm departure to the Cathedral. The Mass for Marian Candlelight Procession: The Blessed Virgin peace is at 7:00 pm. Participants are asked to bring their Mary Candlelight Procession for Peace at St. John of God own candles. Church will be held on Mon., Oct. 16th, starting with the 100th Anniversary of Final Apparition of Fatima: Novena at 6pm, Mass right after the Novena, followed by October 13th at Bishop Connolly High School. All are wel- the procession. We will recite the Rosary during the pro- come, rain or shine. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in cession. All are invited for refreshments at the conclusion. the auditorium at 1:00 PM. Throughout the afternoon there will be Confessions available in the gym. Rosary at the Centennial Anniversary of Fatima: Please join the Holy newly dedicated statue of Our Lady of Fatima and a docu- Rosary Sodality at St. Dominic’s Church, in praying the mentary on Loop in the Bay Coast Atrium. Closing Bene- Rosary on Fri., Oct. 13th, after the 8am Mass. This is the diction by Bishop da Cunha at 4:00 PM in the auditorium. 100th anniversary of the final apparition of Our Lady of

FACE 23rd Annual Fall Scholarship Dinner: The Foun- Fatima. dation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE) is hosting Retreats th this dinner at White’s of Westport on October 26 , and is The Emmaus Retreat Program is a diocesan-approved featuring author Mark K. Shriver who will discuss his retreat weekend that takes place three times a year. It's book, Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis. open to all men and women ages 20 or older seeking to Don't Miss Out! For tickets & information, contact the grow in their relationship with Christ regardless of their Office of Development at 508-675-1311 or visit present level of faith and practice. The purpose of the www.FACE-DFR.ORG. weekend is to give adults the opportunity to reflect upon Faith Formation Ministry Convention, Sat. November themselves, their relationship with God and their commu- 2nd at the Holiday Inn in Taunton. This year’s theme is nity. Emmaus is a Catholic retreat program that is open to “Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples”. Flyers with people of all Christian faiths. It provides its participants the more information are on the bulletin boards. All catechists opportunity to reconnect with what matters and share their from St. Francis are encouraged to attend. Any parishioner faith journeys in a loving community. Time is set aside for who would like to come, please call the rectory for more personal reflection on one's life, one's world and one's information. God. The next retreat takes place the weekend of Novem- Ecumenical Worship Service Sunday, Nov. 5th at 3PM at ber 3-5 at Cathedral Camp. For more information, go the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fall River. Catholics and their website https://emmausretreats.com/ Protestants praying together, remembering the beginnings of our divisions, celebrating our progress on the path of Marriage Encounter reconciliation. Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, presiding and “Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your

Evangelical Lutheran Bishop James Hazelwood, preaching. paths.” Explore the paths with your spouse by attending a

Holy Hour for Vocations: Wednesday, November 8th at Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Week- ends are Oct 21-22, 2017 in Contoocook, NH and Dec 2-3, 7:00 PM at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. 2017 in BREWSTER, MA. For more information, call Ste- Marian Medal Awards Ceremony: Sunday, November phen & Michelle O'Leary at 800-710-9963 or visit them at th 19 at 3:00 PM at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River. https://wwmema.org/. Sunday, October 1, 2017

50 Week Club Offertory Collections th th Call Kathy and Bill Sullivan if you have any Weekend of September 23 and 24

questions: 508-493-9064/508-674-8511 Budget donations: $3,449.00

Cardinal Medeiros Residence: $1,461.00

Congratulations to: Next weekend, October 7th & 8th the second collection is for Tony Roderigues the Diocesan Assessment

Winner for October 1, 2017

Your continued support of our parish is greatly appreciated. Spread the Word to Family & Friends about:

Adult Baptism and Confirmation NYC BUS TRIP Have you ever wanted to become a Catholic? Never been Baptized? Never made your first communion or been Saturday, November 18, 2017 MDT Bus Company ~ $35 per person. Confirmed? This might be the opportunity for you! Fr. Michael will be leading some adults in exploring our It is time to pay, if you haven’t already. faith through prayer and study. This is not a pass or fail Please write check to St. Francis of Assisi Parish. class; but, a shared learning of our faith in preparation to be received into our church. Also, those adults who have ALL THE SEATS ARE FILLED! never received the Sacrament of Confirmation and would like to be sponsors (Godparents) for Baptism or Confirma- The St. Vincent de Paul Society of our tion . . . this is your opportunity! Meetings will begin in parish is comprised of a dozen exem- October. Call the rectory at 508-673-2808 if this interests plary individuals, both men and wom- you! en, who aim to live out their faith in

Jesus Christ through loving service No More Death and prayer for those in need in our HERE TO community. “Dear friends, by seeking holiness and using the gifts God HELP has given us to accomplish his will in our lives, we are CALL TODAY If you need help with bills, groceries contributing mightily to that kingdom we all long for, or rent...call the rectory today. where there will be no more crying or pain or death. Cer- tainly no abortion. No euthanasia. No assisted suicide. No deep freezing of embryos as though they were merchan- dise. And no destruction of human life in the name of sci- ence.” --Cardinal Justin Rigali, National Prayer Vigil for Life Open- Call them first when looking for a service or business to ing Mass January 21, 2008 patronize. Also, check out our website for the latest information, and to see the bulletin in vivid color!

Prayer Shawl Ministry

rd Next meeting is on Tuesday, October 3 at 1p.m. in the church hall. All are welcome no matter your skill October Candles Burn for: level. Call the rectory if you know anyone in need of a Sanctuary Lamp: prayer and a homemade item. Robert J. Peloquin, by family Family Life Committee Meeting Altar Candles: Bryan Kelley, by parents The next meeting of our parish Family Life Committee meeting will take place on Monday, October 2nd at 7:00 Tabernacle Candle: PM. All those helping with the St. Francis Feast celebra- Diane M. Roussel, by family tions are asked to attend. Anyone wishing to donate a raf- Crucifix Candles: fle prize, such as a gift basket or gift certificate, please call the rectory or drop off your item in the church hall. All Herman Costa, by granddaughter Mary Anne donations are appreciated. Sunday, October 1, 2017 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Attention all vendors and crafters! October Faith Formation Calendar Advent Fair and Chili Contest Sun., Oct. 1st - Classes cancelled for gr. 6 & 7 Wed., Oct. 4th - St. Francis Feast Day Mass at 4:30 PM, December 2nd and 3rd. please go right upstairs, check in with your teacher and Please call the rectory if you are inter- sit with your family. ested in renting a table at the this event. Sun., Oct. 8th - No class/Columbus Day Weekend th Preview day will be Saturday, Dec. 2nd Tues., Oct. 10 - Class for gr. 3, 4 & 5 at 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Food will be available. Thurs., Oct. 12th - Class for gr. 1 & 2 Sun., Oct. 15th - Class for gr. 6 & 7, Class Mass for gr. 1 On Sunday, December 3rd the event will kick off after the & 2 at 9:30 AM/Coffee & donuts following. 8:00 AM Mass and last until approximately 3:00 PM. Tues., Oct. 17th - Class for gr. 3, 4 & 5 Chili cook off will be at noon. Thurs., Oct. 19th - Class for gr. 1 & 2 Prize awarded for the most popular chili. Sun., Oct. 22nd - 9:30 AM Mass for Confirmation I & II students and parents, and gr. 6 & 7. Confirmation I & II Start your Christmas shopping! parent meeting following Mass. Class for gr. 6 & 7. Support our Youth Group! Tues., Oct. 24th - Class gr. 3, 4 & 5 Thurs., Oct. 26th - Class gr. 1 & 2 Sat., Oct. 28th - All Saint’s Party at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM Family Mass. Sun., Oct. 29th - Class for Confirmation I & II at 9:30 AM followed by 11:00 AM Mass. Gr. 6 & 7 attend 9:30 AM Mass followed by class until 11:30 AM.

St. Francis of Assisi Feast Celebrations

Wednesday, October 4th

Mass at - 9:00 a.m.

4:30 p.m. For all parishioners and our faith formation students and their families.

7:00 p.m. Refreshments & apple pie contest afterwards.

Saturday, October 7th

Italian Dinner after the 4:00 p.m. Mass.

Menu: Fr. Michael’s homemade sauce & meatballs,

Graziano sausage, garlic bread, salad and homemade desserts.

Buy your tickets this weekend...last chance! Saturday, October 7th $10 per adult, $5 for children, 3 & under free. Time TBA