- St. Francis Daily Mass &                   Video Presentations -
             Click YouTube Link below

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCVQcRjkPFxEs_CvqH1nR7w/videos

       Parish Services Ongoing:

1) Daily Mass uploaded on YouTube around 9:30 am
2) Adoration chapel open for prayer: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily (limitation up to 4 people) ; Pavilion open  24 hours daily
3) Confessions: 3:00-3:45 pm Saturday; 7:30 - 7:50 am on Wednesday and Saturday mornings; after the 8 am Saturday Mass; and by appointment - contact Parish Office
4) Bulletin on website; paper copy in Church
5) Food Bank open at Metairie Rd Entrance to St. Joseph Hall, 9:00 - 11:00 am, Thursdays
6) ALL MASSES OPEN TO 205 PEOPLE AS OF JUNE 5 - SEE DETAILS BELOW
7) Parish Office open 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday and  8:30 am - 2:00 pm on Friday.  For spiritual, sacramental or other needs, call 504-834-0340 or email  rgriffin@stfrancisxavier.com.  Emergency Line:  504-837-4733.


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    Sept 22 Tuesday Update 
           We are Family
         Next Update: Friday Sept 25 
Masses are videotaped daily and accessible at church.stfrancisxavier.com;Upcoming Video Masses:  Fr. Thien (Tuesday); Fr. Joe (Wednesday and Thursday); Fr. Thien (Friday School Mass)

Weather Alert:  There continue to be predictions of bad weather and possible flooding for our area all week, so let’s keep praying for the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

Gospel Reflection – We are Family:  In today’s gospel, Jesus’ mother and “brothers” (most likely his cousins) stopped by to rescue Jesus from the crowd of people coming after him.  Someone announced to Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are here.”  Jesus’ curious response: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”  Contrary to some incorrect interpretations, Jesus wasn’t dissing his family.  Jesus loved his family.  Rather, he was speaking about another family – his spiritual family.  Everyone who is baptized, who listens to God’s word and commandments and whos tries to live them, is a vibrant part of that family.  How awesome to be part of Jesus’ family through the sacraments of the Church!  Let’s pray for the grace to live our life faithfully  to God’s word so we can experience all the blessings of being part of Jesus’ family.

First Reconciliation Meeting for Parents tonight:  There is a required meeting for Parents of First Reconciliation Students in Church tonight, at 7 pm.  Parents of 2^nd grade children in St. Francis School, public schools and private schools must attend.  Call the Parish Office for additional info at 834-0340. 

Registration Deadline for “The Search” this morning.   Our Parish Evangelization Program, “The Search,” begins tomorrow evening.  Food will be served at 6:20 pm in St. Joseph Hall followed by the Opening Program.  The deadline to register is this morning as the food order will be finalized with the caterer at noon today.

Food Bank Thursday:  Our Food Bank will be open Thursday from 9-11 am in St. Joseph Hall.

Parish Council Nominations this Weekend.  Nominations for 3 positions on our Parish Pastoral Council will be accepted at all this weekend’s Masses.  In case you missed the announcement about the Parish Council this past weekend, please see the Pastor’s Corner in the September 20 bulletin.

Boosterthon “Jaguar Fun Run,” October 1.  The “Jaguar Fun Run” is a School fundraiser and a very enjoyable day for the St. Francis school children.  Families and friends are invited to make a donation or pledge an amount for every lap a child runs.  Funds raised will go towards upgrading the school campus – the gates, the windows, the gym.  Please make a check payable to ‘St. Francis Xavier School’ if you wish to donate to the cause.

Old Metairie Golf Tournament, October 2:  The SFX Men’s Club will host the Annual Old Metairie Golf Tournament on Friday, October 2, at Stonebridge Country Club in Gretna.    It is a shotgun scramble format.  Tee time is at 12:30 pm.  Go to OldMetairieGolfClassic@gmail.com for additional info and to register.  We need players, teams, sponsors and gift donors.

Sign-up Weekend for 40 Days for Life, October 3-4.  Sign up after weekend masses to cover an hour of prayer against abortion at the Delta Women’s Clinic on October 11.

Drive-by Pet Blessing, October 4.  Sunday, October 4, is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a traditional day to bless pets.  Fr. Joe and Fr. Thien will bless your pets while you remain in your car on Betz Place (in front of the school) between 4 pm and 5:30 pm.

Parish Picnic moved from October 18, 2020 to May 2, 2021:   We have had amazing Parish Picnics the past two Octobers with about 400 people attending from the Parish and the School; there has been fantastic food, treats, games, contests and music.  This year’s Parish Picnic was set for Sunday, October 18, at Pontiff Park.  However, due to continuing issues with Covid, we have moved the picnic to the Spring – to Sunday, May 2, 2021, in the afternoon.  Mark your calendars and plan to be there.
 
Weekend and Weekday Mass Schedule, Confessions, Adoration Chapel, Office Hours and Bulletin: Weekend Masses are at 4 pm on Saturday, and on Sunday at 8 am, 10 am, 12 noon and 6 pm.  Weekday Masses are at 6:30 am and 8 am Monday through Friday, and at 8 am on Saturday.  For social distancing, Confessions are heard in the Cry Room from 7:30 – 7:50 am on Wednesday, 7:30 – 7:50 am and 8:30 am on Saturday (Fr. Joe), and from 3:00 – 3:45 pm on Saturday (Fr. Thien), or by appointment.  Adoration Chapel open daily from 7 am to 6 pm.  Parish Office open from 8:30 am – 4 pm Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm on Friday.  Weekly Bulletin accessible on the parish website and in Church.

Financial Support:   Thanks for your financial support of our parish.  We greatly appreciate all who support our Church and its ministries through weekend collections, weekly envelopes and Faith Direct. 

The next Email Update with be on Friday, September 25. 
 

Statement of Fr. Joe on August 4 about Deacon V.M. Wheeler:  Yesterday I sent an email to our community with the Archbishop’s statement removing Deacon V.M. from ministry.  I also spoke about this issue at both parish masses this morning.  To re-cap, yesterday afternoon, Archbishop Aymond removed Deacon V.M. from diaconal ministry because of an abuse allegation formally filed against him within the past week.  The claim alleges abuse 20 years ago.  Deacon V.M. was ordained a deacon two years ago, in June of 2018, and has served at St. Francis since his ordination.  There have been no allegations of abuse or misconduct against him during his time of service as a deacon.  The current allegation is against Deacon V.M. personally rather than against the Church.  We need to take all allegations of abuse seriously and pray for all the abused.  We also need to pray for everyone who is accused of abuse.  In that spirit, let us commit to praying for everyone affected by the present allegation.  May God bring grace, healing and truth for all.  I stand ready as your Pastor to speak with anyone who would like to talk about this situation.  You may contact me at the Parish Office.  God bless.  Fr. Joe 

                              + + + + +

Loving and faithful God, through the years the people of our Archdiocese have appreciated the prayers and love of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in times of war, disaster, epidemic and illness. We come to you, Father, with Mary our Mother, and ask you to help us in the battle of today against violence, murder and racism.
 
We implore you to give us your wisdom that we may build a community founded on the values of Jesus, which gives respect to the life and dignity of all people.
 
Bless parents that they may form their children in faith. Bless and protect our youth that they may be peacemakers of our time. Give consolation to those who have lost loved ones through violence.
 
Hear our prayer and give us the perseverance to be a voice for life and human dignity in our community.
 
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help us. Mother Henriette Delille, pray for us that we may be a holy family.

 

St. Francis’ Parish News

1. Brown Bags and KC Dinner Thank-You

   Thanks to all who responded to the SOS for brown bags with handles for our Food Bank. Thanks also to all who bought spaghetti dinners from the KCs this past weekend – we sold out! We greatly appreciate your support of our ministry outreaches.

2. PSR and RCIA Classes—Registration due August 25

      Our Parish School of Religion, for children in grades Pre K-11th who attend public or private school, as well as our RCIA program, for adults who wish to enter the Catholic faith, have a deadline to register of August 25. Contact Claudia Todaro, 834-0348 or see details on our website.
 

3. Traffic Flow at Dismissal from School

       We are dismissing children from school at 3 pm on both Betz Place and Metairie Road due to procedures required by Covid. Cars picking up on Metairie Road should not line up till 2:50 pm; they should hug the curb so JPSO Officers can allow through-traffic to pass down the middle of Metairie Road. Thanks for your cooperation and patience with these special procedures and the extra traffic they are creating
 

4. 54-Day Novena for Peace in approach to Elections

        Join SFX parishioners in praying a 54-day rosary for peace in approach to the Fall Elections. The rosary for the first 27 days of the novena is for peace; the second 27 days is in thanksgiving to God for peace. The Novena was intended to begin on August 15, the Solemnity of Mary’s Assumption, and to end on October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, but you can catch up if you are late starting the novena. Our morning rosary group will pray the rosary in church after the 8 am mass daily if you would like to join them.             For additional information, visit https://www.ncregister.com/blog/josephpronechen/54-days-to-lepanto-like-victory-for-ournation1; also https://queenofpeacemedia.com/fifty-fourday-novena/; also https://youtu.be/xltCwxo0D9Y
 

5. Vote YES for the Love Life Amendment

     This November, Louisianians will have the opportunity to vote for an Amendment to the Louisiana Constitution that protects unborn life and prohibits government funding of abortions – so that if the U.S. Supreme Court ever overturns Roe v Wade, our State will have constitutional protection for life in place. Abortion proponents will be fierce in their opposition to this amendment. Please begin praying for its passage and spread the word.
 

6. Chapel Seeks Adorers for Perpetual Adoration

       Please see the list of available hours on the table near the Adoration Chapel and text Dottie Watson at 339-4298 if you can commit to one of these hours.


St. Francis’ Office of Religious education 

1. Vacation Bible Study: 
         This year, our parish is offering online VBS on the theme, “The Mass comes Alive!” VBS is free and starts the day you sign up until August 28. The 5—day program offers printable faith and craft activities, snack and games ideas, music and action videos, a bible verse video to help kids learn about God and the Mass. Contact the Parish Office or Office of Religious Education (834-0348) by email and we will send you the sign –up link. 

2. Parish School of Religion Classes:
           Begin Our Parish School of Religion, for children in grades Pre K-11th who attend public or private school, will resume on Sunday, September 13. Due to Covid restrictions, we will alternate grade levels with a week of live instruction and a week of virtual instruction.  You must register your children by August 25 so we can figure out spacing, books and video needs. Contact Claudia Todaro, 834-0348 or see details on our website. 

3. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Class Begin:
          Our RCIA program, for adults who wish to enter the Catholic faith, will begin in mid-September. There will be live and virtual instruction. Interested persons must register by August 25 so we can finalize the format for this year’s program. Contact Claudia Todaro, 834-0348 or see details on our website.   

 

  St. Francis’ program and events 

1.  Talks on Faithful Citizenship rescheduled on September 9 and 16:  The talks on Faithful Citizenship, postponed because of the hurricane threat, are rescheduled for two Wednesdays, September 9 and 16, at 7 pm in Church. Please help us spread the word. 

2. Registration underway for “The Search”:  Our Parish will host a 7-part Catholic video series, “The Search,” on seven successive Wednesdays from September 23 to November 4.  Sessions will be from 6:30 – 7:45 pm in St. Joseph Hall.  Snacks and bottled water will be provided.  Due to Covid, there is a 60-person limit.   The Registration fee is $20.  You can register online or contact the Parish Office at 834-0340. Check out the video trailer:  https://watch.formed.org/packages/the-search-begins-full-series/videos/the-search-trailer

3. Dessert and Devotion, Saturday, September 19:  The Daughters of Isabella will host ‘Dessert and Devotion,’ an Evening of Song and Story with Lorraine Hess, on Saturday, September 19. Dessert will be served outside the front of Church at 7 pm followed by the talk and music in church.  Cost is $5 per person. Contact Cathy Lorio at 504-453-9612.

4. Old Metairie Golf Tournament, Friday, October 2:   The SFX Men’s Club will host the Annual Old Metairie Golf Tournament on Friday, October 2, at Stonebridge Country Club in Gretna.  The tournament will be co-hosted by Holy Name of Jesus Parish.  It is a shotgun scramble format.  Tee time is at 12:30 pm. Go to OldMetairieGolfClassic@gmail.com for additional info and to register. We need players, teams, sponsors and gift donors. 

 

       Prayer for protection and healing         from Coronavirus 

                  (Revised and dapted from prayer in America Magazine)

Lord Jesus, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” Come to our aid in the midst of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus; may they regain their strength and health.  Bring those who have died from the virus to eternal peace.  Protect doctors, nurses and health care professionals who are helping the sick.  Guide researchers to develop a vaccine.  Be with leaders of nations; give them wisdom to act with true concern for the people they serve.  Stay by our side in this time of uncertainty, anxiety and sorrow; grant us your peace. 
 
We pray this in your most holy name, Jesus, for You are our loving and healing Lord.  Our Lady of Prompt Succor, St. Joseph, St. Francis Xavier, St. Roch and St. Rosalie, pray for us.  Amen.


      Prayer for Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.