Video Message from
Archbishop Aymond re
Priest Abuse & Misconduct

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 (limit of 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 225 PEOPLE AS OF JULY - 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.

********************************    
 Nov 24 Tuesday Update
 Happy Thanksgiving – and lots more!
Next Update:  Tuesday, Dec 1
Masses are videotaped daily and accessible at church.stfrancisxavier.com
Upcoming Video Masses:  Tuesday - Fr. Thien; Wednesday through Saturday - Fr. Joe; Sunday and Monday – Fr. Thien

Happy Thanksgiving:  Thanksgiving is a secular holiday with a religious origin in the prayers of thanks to God by the pilgrims who came to the U.S. from England to escape religious persecution.  Each Thanksgiving, we thank God for our many national blessings and freedoms – and we say thanks to God for our many personal blessings as well.  Even in this challenging Covid-impacted year, there is still so much for which to be grateful.  We will have Masses on Thanksgiving Day at 6:30 am and 8:00 am.  Feel free to bring bread and wine to be blessed for your Thanksgiving meal.  And Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones from me, Fr. Thien and our Staff.

Weekend Thank-Yous:  Thanks to Fr. Thien and our parishioners who traveled to Lake Charles for hurricane remediation work this past Saturday.  Thanks also to supporters of our Thanksgiving Food Drive.  May God bless all who helped feed the hungry and shelter the homeless this past weekend.

Hurricane Collection Report:  In addition to the $35,000 our parish collected for Hurricane Laura Relief, we collected $10,078 for Hurricane Delta Relief.  We have split that money evenly between Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lake Charles and Immaculate Conception Parish in Sulphur, LA.  Thanks for your generosity in these disaster relief efforts.  NOTE:  The Hispanic Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New Orleans is collecting funds for the people of Central America devastated by Hurricane Eta.  We won’t have a special collection for this cause, but if you wish to make a donation, bring it to the Parish Office or put it in the collection basket at Mass (properly marked). 

We Need Your Help:  The iGiveCatholic Fundraising Campaign is underway:  It’s no secret that Churches and charities are hurting financially in this year of Covid.  The iGiveCatholic Campaign is an on-line fundraiser for Catholic Churches, Schools and ministries.  The campaign is officially set for Tuesday, December 1, but donations are being accepted now.  Donations to SFX Church will go toward funding a new sound system for Church, new gates around our property and a keyless security system for our buildings.  Donations to SFX will go toward new windows, a new gym and an Early Childhood Center.  Please go to the Church or School website to donate.  Thank you.

Advent Books and Calendars this weekend:  We will distribute complimentary Advent Reflection Books and Children’s Advent Calendars at all Masses this weekend as we begin the Season of Advent.

Christmas Yard Signs and Magnets this weekend:  The KCs will sell Christmas Yard Signs for $40 and Christmas Car Magnets for $5 after all Masses this weekend.

Fr. Joe’s Pick of the Week, Part 1:  Advent Evening of Reflection Wed Dec 2:  Dr. Tom Neal, a Professor at Notre Dame Seminary, will present an Advent Evening of Reflection in our Church on Wednesday, December 2, at 7:00 pm.  Dr. Neal is a fantastic and passionate speaker.  He will talk about Advent hope and joy.  Check out Dr. Neal’s invitation at https://youtu.be/XTLjvUcnPQs.  Also check out the comments about Dr. Neal by parishioners who have heard him speak.

Fr. Joe’s Pick of the Week, Part 2:  Daughters of St. Paul Virtual Christmas Concert Thur Dec 3:  Treat yourself to a terrific evening of Christmas cheer as the Daughters of St. Paul bring their acclaimed Christmas Concert to the Internet.  The free online event is scheduled for Thur, Dec 3, at 7 pm.  Enjoy the talent, faith and humor of the Sisters at www.pauline.org/vitualconcert.

Fr. Joe’s Pick of the Week, Part 3:  Blood Drive Sat Dec 5:  Our SFX Girl Scout Troop is sponsoring a blood drive in St. Joseph Hall on Sat, Dec 5, from 9 am to 2 pm.  There is a shortage of blood in our area due to Covid.  Consider giving the gift of life.  The Blood Drive will comply with all Covid requirements.  Contact the Parish Office to sign up (rgriffin@stfrancisxavier.com or 834-0340).

Book Fair Nov 30-Dec 13:  Our School will host an on-line Book Fair from Nov 30-Dec 13. Support our school and help a child discover the blessing of reading, including through interactive books.  Free shipping on book purchases over $25.  Go to  www.scholastic.com/bf/stfrancisxavierschool1. 

Adoration Chapel, Parish Office, Confessions and Bulletin: The Adoration Chapel will close for the Thanksgiving holidays at 6 pm this Wednesday and reopen next Monday morning.  The Parish Office will close at 4 pm today and reopen next Monday morning.  Confessions are on Wednesday at 7:30 am, Saturday at 7:30 am and 8:30 am (Fr. Joe this week), and Saturday at 3:00 pm (Fr. Thien this week).  The Bulletin is available on the parish website and in church.

Financial Support:   Thanks for your financial support of our parish.  As the year ends, please consider donating regularly to the Church through Faith Direct, our online giving provider.  There is a signup link on our parish website.

The next scheduled Email Update will be on Tuesday, Dec 1.

Reflections about Dr. Neal from SFX Parishioners:

“Dr. Neal is extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the Catholic Faith.  You find yourself wanting to know more about God and wanting to grow closer to God when you hear him speak.”  (Caroline Butterworth)

“Dr. Tom knows his stuff, and his stuff is Catholicism. We are lucky to have him speak to us during Advent. His talks stay with you. The more you think about his insights, the better you feel in the days afterward.” (Rick and Jeannie Redmann)

“Attending talks by Dr. Tom Neal has been truly enlightening.  He is relatable and extremely knowledgeable.  His talks are engaging, filled with both humor and excitement.  Dr. Tom has inspired me to grow in both my faith and my actions.”  (Jennifer Heath)

“If there is anyone to help start off a joyous season, it is Dr. Neal.  He exudes hope and faith and does it with an infusion of hilarity. I’m sure all will leave his talk with a spirit of the real ‘reason for the season’”!  (Dr. Kristi Soileau)

Statement of Fr. Joe on August 4, 2020 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 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.  He was not a deacon when this abuse was alledged to have occurred.  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.