St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

August 30 (Closing for Labor day weekend):
           - Adoration chapel: closed at 5:00pm
           - Parish office: closed at 2:00pm

September 3 (Re-opening after Labor day weekend):
           - Adoration chapel: re-opened at 7:00 am
           - Parish office: re-opened at 8:00am

September 4 (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm in church):
            - Please come to join our opening gathering if you would like to join our 10AM Sunday choir. Refreshments will be served and we'll informally sing through some of our choir music so you can get an idea of our repertoire and regular schedule.
             - For more info, please contact Bart Folse (choir director) at bfolse@stfrancisxavier.com or 504-613-7728.  

September 11 (10:00 am - 12:00 noon in St. Jospeh Hall):
          Sharing program 2019 Fall Kick off. This is a great opportunity to meet instructors, socialize with members and sign up for classes. Our seniors’ organization with nearly 300 members offers a comprehensive program to exercise mind, body and spirit. For our fall class schedule, download and print a copy below or contact Carol Pritchard at cpritchard@stfrancisxavier.com or 835-6809.

September 11 (5:00 pm - 6:30 pm in church): Confession is available at St. Francis Xavier church and all churches throughout the whole Archdiocese of New Orleans. 

September 15 (Due day to submit "Name the Walkway"):
          Please join “Name The Walkway” contest (open to parishioners and school families) with submitting your proposed name to Fr. Joe by Sept 15. The winner will get a $100 gift certificate to a restaurant of their choice. The Parish Council will select the winner, who will be announced on Sept 22. Get your creative minds thinking! 

September 28 ( the 12th annual “Friends of the Poor” Walk/Run at New Orleans City Park):
          - This event is held to gain awareness of poverty in the community while raising funds for local St. Vincent de Paul Conferences.          
          - Onsite registration and check in at 8:15AM on Sept 28. Please visit fopwalk.org or contact Conner Ellis 382-2721 for more information.  

         On Wednesday afternoon, August 7, I learned about an allegation of sexual abuse against former St. Francis Xavier Pastor, Monsignor Henry Bezou, by a man named George Bertucci. This was my first notice of the allegation. The claimed abuse occurred in 1977.  Monsignor Bezou died 30 years ago, on August 15, 1989. 
         The Archdiocese has released the following statement about the allegation: “Out of pastoral concern for Mr. Bertucci, the Archdiocese reached a settlement to provide counseling for him. Without additional information, we do not plan to add Monsignor Bezou to the list of abusive clergy at this time.” 
      My understanding is that this man’s claim, reported several months ago, is the only claim the Archdiocese has received against Monsignor Bezou. I don’t have any other information to share with you at this time. 
           Let us pray for all victims of sexual abuse. May God grant help and healing to them, to everyone affected by abuse, and to our parish and Church.
 
God bless,
Fr. Joe Palermo, Pastor
August 8, 2019

          As Christ's disciples, we are called to go forth and spread the good news of His Resurrection. Our parish's many ministries are examples of how many of you answer that call. Our ministries require not only gifts of time and talent, but also of financial help.
           Please prayerfully consider supporting St. Francis Xavier with electronic donations through Faith Direct. Signing up is easy! Visit faith.direct/LA422 or text the word ENROLL to (Text-to-Give Phone Number). 
           Thank you for your continued support of our parish family!

     Fr. Nile Gross of Notre Dame Seminary gave a wonderful presentation entitled “How to get more out of the Mass” at St. Francis Xavier Church on February 2, 2019.  By special request of those who attended the presentation, we attach a copy of the text of Fr. Nile’s talk below under "Parish Flyers and information."  Also check below for a You Tube video of a similar talk by Fr. Nile on the Holy Mass..

- Monday through Saturday: after 8:00 am Mass.
- Thursday: 6:00 pm  
- Saturday: 3:30 pm