St. Francis Xavier Parish

May 27, 2022 Friday Email – School’s Out for Summer!
Pentecost Novena; Memorial Day Weekend Remembrance

Masses are videotaped daily and accessible at church.stfrancisxavier.com.

Thank Yous:  Thanks to our Principal, Faculty, School Staff and Maintenance Staff for all the promotion exercises, awards ceremonies, and socials in this final week of school.  We wish the entire school community a safe, blessed and happy summer.  Thanks also to Claudia Todaro, Philip Giroir and all who packed St. Joseph Hall Wednesday night for the awesome video, “Jesus Live on Stage.”  And thanks to David McDonald and the Men’s Club for hosting the School’s Athletic Banquet last night, to all the young people who participated in the SFX sports program during the year, and to all who were honored for athletic excellence and sportsmanship.

Pentecost Novena begins Today:  At his Ascension into heaven, Jesus commanded his disciples to go to Jerusalem, pray there and await the Holy Spirit.  We remember that time of prayer (between Ascension and Pentecost) with the “Pentecost Novena,” 9 days of prayer for a deeper indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The Novena begins today and ends on Saturday, June 4.  We prayed Day 1 of the Novena after morning Masses today and will pray it after morning Masses the next 8 days.  If you wish to pray the Novena at home, go to https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/novena-to-the-holy-spirit-for-the-seven-gifts-309

Memorial Day Remembrance at Weekend Masses:  Memorial Day Monday (May 30) is the official start to the “Summer Season.”  On Memorial Day, we remember those who died while serving in the U.S. Military and defending the freedom of our country.  We will have a table in church at Weekend Masses for pictures or other memorabilia of deceased servicemen and servicewomen.  Feel free to bring any pictures or memorabilia you wish to display.

Collecting Old American Flags:  Our KCs will be collecting old American Flags this weekend in conjunction with our Memorial Day remembrance.  Place your old or worn-out American flag in the bin in back of Church.  There will be a ceremonial burning of old flags later this summer.

Food Bank Report:  Yesterday, the Food Bank distributed groceries – including hot dogs, chili and all the fixings for a Memorial Day lunch – to 23 families/individuals, plus 19 grocery store gift cards.  Thanks to all who support this ministry.

Sminarian Will Sigl begins at SFX June 1:  Notre Dame Seminarian Will Sigl will begin a summer assignment with us next Wednesday, which will conclude on July 31.   Please extend a warm SFX welcome to Will when you meet him.

Cajun Bus Tour Informational Meeting June 2 in Church:  Join us on Thursday June 2 at 6 pm in Church for an Informational Meeting on our “Cajun Bus Tour” on July 13-14.  The tour includes a visit to the Tabasco Plant and Jungle Gardens in Avery Island, the tomb and Church of the little Cajun ‘saint,’ Charlene Richard in Richard, LA, and a visit to St. John Cathedral in Lafayette to see the touring relics of St. Bernadette and attend the 12 noon Mass.   Cost of bus, meals, tours and tips is $160.  Hotel is $119 plus tax.  June 2 meeting will cover details, paperwork and instructions on reserving a hotel room.  Payment deadline:  June 12.  50 people maximum.  Seminarian Will and I will accompany the tour.  Come pass a good, holy time in Cajun Land.  (JUNE 2 MEETING MOVED TO CHURCH DUE TO ROOF REPAIRS AT SJH).        

SFX Parishioner Jodi DiMaggio to be ordained a priest on June 4:  Parishioner Deacon Jodi DiMaggio will be ordained a priest at St. Louis Cathedral on June 4 at 10 am.  He will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving with us on June 19 (not June 18, as earlier reported).  Blessings to our new priest and his family. 

CYO Planning Meeting for Rose Rally for Life June 4:  Our CYO (incoming grades 8-12) will meet at 2 pm on June 4 to plan for the Rose Rally for Life in July.  Contact Fr. Andrew for information.

International Food Fest June 4:  The 4^th Annual Int’l Food Fest is Sat June 4 from 5-8:30 pm in the Auditorium.  Enjoy foods from many countries.  Fr. Andrew and I will serve homemade N.O. style roast beef po-boys.  Proceeds fund scholarships for high school girls.  Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door; $12 for children under 10.  Dine in or takeout.  Cash bar.  Tickets on sale after Masses this weekend, or contact 504-214-5548 or  joanofarc1405@gmail.com.

SFX Cemetery Fun Run June 5:  Our 1-mile Cemetery Fun Run is Sunday June 5.  Runners and family members are invited to attend the 8am Mass at SFX Church, followed by the race which starts at 10 am at Metairie Cemetery. Pre-race and post-race refreshments. Trophies awarded by age group.  $5 registration fee. Register at the Church Office or online at: church.stfrancisxavier.com/fun-run 

Summer Cabbage Ball begins June 6; register now; coaches, sponsors and volunteers needed:  Our SFX Summer Cabbage Ball League begins soon. Coaches, volunteers and SPONSORS are needed! Registration forms in church, or contact brigette.b.starr@gmail.com.

Organizational Meeting for 100^th Anniversary of SFX Parish June 7:  Join us for a Meeting on Tuesday June 7 at 7 pm in St. Joseph Hall to plan for the 100^th Anniversary of SFX Parish in 2024. 

Other Upcoming Events at SFX:  Summer Camp begins June 6; Faith Formation Nights, June 15 (Movie, “A Man for All Seasons”) and June 29 (presentation by seminarian Will Sigl); Summer Concert & Fourth of July Celebration, 3 pm, Sun July 3; Young Adult Prayer & Socials, June 15 and July 20; Faith Formation Nights, July 27 (presentation by Fr. Andrew) and August 10 (Movie, “Sister Act”); CYO Rose Rally for Life, July 29-30.

Mass, Rosary & Chaplet:  Weekend Masses are Saturday at 4 pm and Sunday at 8 am, 10 am, 12 noon and 6 pm.  Weekday Masses are at 6:30 am and 8:00 am Monday through Friday and 8:00 am on Saturday.  The Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet are prayed daily after the 8:00 am Mass. 

Adoration Hours & Office Hours (Memorial Day Schedule); Confessions & Bulletin:  The Adoration Chapel will close for the Memorial Day Holiday this Friday May 27 at 6 pm and reopen on Tuesday May 31 at 7 am.  Except for holidays, the Chapel is open 7 am – 6 pm Mon through Thu and continuously from 7 am Fri to 6 pm Sun.  The Parish Office will be closed on Memorial Day; otherwise, it is open 8:30 am – 4 pm Mon through Thu and 8:30 am – 2 pm Fri.  Confessions are heard at 7:30 am on Wed, on Sat at 7:30 am, 8:30 am and 3:00 pm.  The Parish Bulletin is available in church and on line: https://www.jspaluch.com/BulletinSubscribe.aspx

Thanks to all who financially support our parish through regular donations, weekly envelopes or Faith Direct.  Click here to enroll in Faith Direct for summer of year-round: https://membership.faithdirect.net/LA422.

The Next Email Update is Tuesday, May 31.  Have a blessed Memorial Day Weekend, Fr. Joe   

        We have an immediate Job Opening for a Maintenance-Janitorial Worker at our Church and School. The job entails a wide range of maintenance and janitorial work, manual labor and whatever are the needs of the campus. Job entails the ability to take direction from our Facilities Manager, C.J. Rowden, and basic knowledge of HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing. Hours are 8 am to 4 pm on weekdays. Some experience required, three references. Salary based on qualifications and experience. 
         Contact C.J. Rowden at crowden@stfrancisxavier.com or call 504-834-0340.