7:00 am - 6:00 pm: Monday - Thursday
7:00 am on Friday to 6:00 pm on Sunday
Monday through Saturday: 8:30 am
Sunday: 9:00 am
Thursday: 6:00 pm
DAILY MASS AND VIDEO EVENTS. Click here to view on YouTube.
CHRISTMAS VIDEO, “TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, COVID-STYLE”. Click here to view on YouTube.
LIVE Thursday, December 24 3:00 pm LIVE - Christmas Eve Masses in Church (Fr. Joe). Click here to view on YouTube.
Fridays (Feb 19, Feb 26, Mar 5, Mar 12, Mar 19, and Mar 26): 8:30 am and 6:00 pm
Please click the link below to view online Stations of the Cross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyjKcaYbbxc&t=782s
Pavilion: 24/7 every week
Adoration Chapel:
7:00 am - 6:00 pm: Monday - Thursday
7 am on Friday to 6 pm on Sunday
Rosary: after 8 am Mass daily
Wednesdays: 7:30 am
Saturdays: 7:30 am, 8:30 am and 3 pm
Wednesdays (March 10, March 17, and March 24): 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Wednesday March 31: Communal Penance Service at 6:30 pm
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.
Ash Wednesday (Masses with distributing Ashes):
6:30 am, 8 am, 12 pm, and 6 pm
Weekend Masses:
4 pm Vigil Mass on Saturdays
8 am, 10 am, 12 pm and 6 pm on Sundays
Daily Masses:
6:30 am and 8 am from Monday through Friday
8 am on Saturdays
Reconciliation:
7:30 am on Wednesdays
7:30 am, 8:30 am and 3:00 pm on Saturdays
5:00-6:30pm on March 10, 17 & 24: Evening Confessions
6:30 pm on Wed March 31: Communal Penance Service
Prayer Opportunities:
Pavilion: 24 hours and 7 days every week
Adoration Chapel: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm daily
Rosary after 8 am Mass daily
Stations of the Cross:
Fridays of Lent at 8:30 am and 6 pm
Lenten Book Studies:
“The Eucharist” by Bishop Baron; “Consecration to St. Joseph” by Fr. Don Calloway
Lenten Presentations:
“The Search”: 7-part Video Series on Wed evenings
“The Eucharist in Daily Living": Fr. Nile Gross at 7pm on Mar 11
Please click the link below to register online:
https://church.stfrancisxavier.com/my-own-church
Price: $50 each ticket
Tickets to be sold: Only 250 tickets
Prize:
1st Prize - $5,000
2nd Prize - $1,000
* All proceeds will go directly to the new school sign on Metairie Road and Betz Place!
Thanks to the 30 Individuals and 14 Homeowners who participated in our Mardi Gras Costume and Home Decorating Contest. There were some very creative entries. Thanks the parishioners and school parents who discerned which ones were the best.
Winners:
Best Home Decoration:
1st place: the Freires
2nd place: the Stuarts
Best Individual Costume:
1st place: Patty Jourdan
2nd place: Wayne Wetzel
Best Group Costume:
1st place: The Truhes
2nd place: SFX School Children
Friday, February 26:
- Stations of the Cross, 8:30am and 6:00pm, Church
- SFX School Mass, Grades 4th-7th, 9:00am, Church
- Fish Fry, 5:30-8:00pm, School Cafeteria—take out only
Saturday, February 27:
- Lay Ministry Program, 8:30am-12:00noon, St. Joseph Hall
- Special Collection for Catholic Charities at 4:00 pm mass
- Girl Scout Cookies sold after at 4:00 pm mass
Sunday, February 28:
- Special Collection for Catholic Charities at all Masses
- Girl Scout Cookies sold after all Masses
- RCIA Classes in Old Rectory, 10:30am-12:30pm
- PSR Classes, 1st-2nd, 4:15-5:30pm
- Confirmation Class, 6pm Mass and 7:00-8:30pm, SJH
- CYO Athletics Practice, 7:15-8:30pm, Gym
Monday, March 1:
- Lenten Study Group, 10:00am—12:00noon, Old Rectory
Tuesday, March 2:
- Home and School Meeting, 6:30pm, Virtual
- Monthly Prayer Group, 7:00-8:00pm, St. Joseph Hall
Wednesday, March 3:
- Lenten Study Group, 2:30-4:30pm, St. Joseph Hall
- “The Search” Series, 6:10-7:45pm, St. Joseph Hall
Thursday, March 4:
- Deacon Ed’s Food Bank, 9:00-11:00am, St. Joseph Hall
- Rosary, 6:00pm, Church
- School Board Meeting, 6:30pm, St. Joseph Hall
Friday, March 5:
- Stations of the Cross, 8:30am and 6:00pm, Church
- SFX School Stations, Grades 1st-3rd, 9:00am, Church
- SFX School Stations, Grades PreK-K, 10:15am, Church
Saturday, March 6:
- “The Search” - School Parents, 9:30-11:30am, St. Joseph Hall
Theme for school year 2020-2021
Questions to review with students
Map for our school arrival and dismissal
"The search" program for school parents
The application portal for Champions of Catholic Education tuition assistance program will open March 1-14, 2021. All applications must be submitted through FIRST BANK & TRUST portal that will be posted on www.nolacatholicschools.org at the appropriate time.
Feb 26 Friday Update
Anger Management
Next Update: Tuesday, March 2
Masses are videotaped daily and accessible at church.stfrancisxavier.com; Friday, Saturday and Monday Masses – Fr. Joe; Sunday and Tuesday Masses – Fr. Thien
Today’s Gospel: Anger Management. Anger is an emotion which is neither good nor bad, but neutral. It’s what we do with our anger that is good or bad. If anger motivates us to fight against injustice in a pastoral, non-violent way, it can be very good. If anger leads us to crush others and sever relationships, it can be very bad. In today’s gospel, Jesus says that whoever is angry with another must try to work through the anger and reconcile the relationship before coming to prayer – or risk being judged by God. Reconciling hurts when we are embroiled in anger isn’t easy, but it is possible with the grace of God’s Holy Spirit. May God grant us the grace to manage our anger and may God heal our deep relationship hurts through the power of your Spirit.
Food Bank Report: Yesterday our Food Bank served groceries, including fresh fruit and vegetables, to 21 families. Thanks for your support of this ministry.
Stations of the Cross today: We will have Stations of the Cross twice today – at 8:30 am and 6:00. A video of the Stations from February 19 will remain on our Parish website during Lent.
Lenten Fish Fry tonight: Our first Lenten Fish Fry is tonight from 5:30 – 8:00 pm. This is drive-through take-out only event on Betz Place in front of the school. Fried Fish dinner with potatoes, salad and bread - $10 a plate; Seafood Gumbo - $6; Cheese Pizza - $1 per slice. Enjoy delicious fried fish and gumbo, and support the work of the KCs.
Girl Scout Cookie for Sale: Our SFX Girl Scout Troops will sell Girl Scout Cookies at tonight’s Lenten Fish Fry and after all Masses this weekend. Enjoy great cookies or freeze them till after Lent, and support our girls.
Mistake in bulletin regarding Liturgical Ministers: The Liturgical Ministers list from last weekend was accidentally copied into this week’s bulletin so the printed bulletin for this week will be incorrect in that regard. The correct list for this weekend’s Liturgical Ministers is appended to this Email. The bulletin on our parish website also will reflect the correct information
“The Search” for School Parents Sign-Up Deadline Monday: “The Search” Evangelization Program for School Parents will be on March 6 and March 20 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am in St. Joseph Hall. The Search Program consists of prayer, videos and discussion on core topics of our faith. There is no cost to attend the program but pre-registration is required. Social distancing will be observed. Open to Parents who are SFX parishioners with children in Pre-K to 12th Grade at SFX or other schools. Free coffee and donuts served at 9:15 am. Drawing for $250 Tuition Credit for St. Francis parents who attend both sessions. Register at rgriffin@stfrancisxavier.com by Monday, March 1.
“The Eucharist in Daily Living” Presentation, March 11: Fr. Nile Gross, a Notre Dame Seminary Professor and the Director of Worship for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, will give a presentation, “The Eucharist in Daily Living,” on Thursday, March 11, at 7 pm in St. Francis Church. Come be enlightened about the practical implications of the Eucharist during this Year of the Eucharist.
Don’t let our Religious Liberties be trampled: The “Equality Act,” passed by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday, provides legal rights for same-sex attraction and “gender discordance” but denies the religious freedom to stand for traditional gender roles and traditional marriage. The Act now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration. The U.S. Bishops are strongly against this Act: file:///C:/Users/FrJoe/Documents/Religious%20Liberties/Letter%20to%20Congress%20on%20Equality%20Act%20threat%20to%20Religious%20Liberties.pdf. Please write Louisiana and other U.S Senators to express strong opposition to this Act and PRAY fervently for protection of our religious freedoms: http://www.laccb.org/content.cfm?id=1244&vvsrc=%2fCampaigns%2f81342%2fRespond.
And please ask our Senators not to confirm Cabinet Members who support the abortion of partially born babies or “gender transition surgery” for minors – acts which threaten the dignity of life and gender as created by God.
Upcoming Events: “The Search” Evangelization Program for School Parents, March 6 and 20; Presentation, “The Eucharist in Daily Living,” Fr. Nile Gross, Mar 11; St. Joseph Altar in Auditorium, Mar 19-20; Parish-wide Book Reading, “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father,” March 30 – May 1; Presentation on St. Joseph, Fr. Joe Doyle, SSJ, April 21; Parish Work Day on Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, May 1; “The Presence” Video Series on the Eucharist this Spring.
Office Hours, Adoration Chapel, Confession Schedule and Bulletin: The Parish Office is open from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm on Friday. The Adoration Chapel is open from 7:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and from 7:00 am Friday – 6:00 pm Sunday. Confessions will be heard this Saturday at 7:30 am and 8:30 am (Fr. Joe) and at 3:00 pm (Fr. Thien). Our bulletin is available on the parish website and in church.
Financial Support: Many thanks for your ongoing financial support of our parish.
The next scheduled Email Update is Tuesday, March 2.
HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND. FR JOEation
ion
Prayer is conversation with God. It is essential for fasting and almsgiving because prayer gives us the strength to fast. Pope Francis said, “Lent is a privileged time for prayer.” In prayer, we draw closer in relationship with God. Relationship with God makes us grateful for the blessings we have received. Prayer is the cornerstone of our Lenten journey and is vital to all of our actions in life.
Scripture References:
Zephaniah 3: 17; Joel 2: 1-2 John 16: 33; Philippians 3: 10-11
Fasting and abstinence are old traditions in Judeo-Christian history and early Lenten practice. Found in the Scriptures, they offer a way of growing closer to God. Pope Francis reminds us, “Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security and, as a consequence, benefits someone else…”
In addition to the above traditional forms, try fasting from social media, technology, gossip, and excessive screen time. Fasting reminds us of our hunger for God.
Scripture References:
Joel 2: 12-14; Isaiah 58: 6-7 Matthew 6: 16-18; Mark 1: 12-15
Almsgiving (giving) is a response to God, one that we can come to through prayer and fasting. It is a way to live out our gratitude for all that God has given us, reflecting the realization that we are the Body of Christ, responsible for each other. Justice, mercy, and charity are integral elements of our baptism that call us to be disciples of Jesus.
Scripture References:
Leviticus 19: 9-10; Proverbs 19:17 Luke 19: 1-10; Romans 15: 25-28
On the First Friday of Lent, begin your journey with self-reflection and allow yourself to experience the mercy of the Lord. How will you renew your commitment to prayer, fasting and almsgiving and allow yourself to be led to a deeper relationship with Christ this Lenten season?
As we observe the Second Friday of Lent, check in with yourself. How are you doing with your Lenten sacrifice? In what ways have you succeeded and where is there room for growth? How is your sacrifice helping you to grow in holiness?
We are the beloved children of God! Not only did God send his son to save us but his son remains with us today truly present in the Eucharist. As we prepare for Mass this weekend, let us remember and approach in awe, the gift of the Eucharist.
Lent is a time of repentance, a time of conversion. As Catholics we are called to constant conversion not as punishment but for renewal. As we journey through Lent, are you opening your heart to Christ?
Act of Consecration to St. Joseph: O dearest St. Joseph, I consecrate myself to your honor and give myself to you, that you may always be my father, my protector and my guide in the way of salvation. Obtain for me a greater purity of heart and fervent love of the interior life. After your example may I do all my actions for the greater glory of God, in union with the Divine Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. O Blessed St. Joseph, pray for me, that I may share in the peace and joy of your holy death. Amen.
“Sometimes it’s neglected that the table of the Word leads us to the table of the Eucharist. If you go back to the earliest of Christian communities, they gathered around and read the Jewish Scriptures, they told stories about Jesus and then they celebrated Eucharist. I think we have lost that sense – because our celebration is so formalized. The church makes it clear that it’s not two separate things but one single act of divine worship. We eat the “Word.” The Word nourishes us. We are supposed to be fed at the table of the Word, as God speaks to us, which leads us to the table of the Eucharist, where we receive the body and blood of Christ.” - Archbishop Gregory Aymond
Time schedule for each session:
5:30 pm: Eucharistic Adoration
6:00 - 7:00 pm: Lecture and Q&A
Location: Schulte Auditorium at Notre Dame Seminary (2901 S. Carollton Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118)
Watch livestream of each lecture on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbWUrGENcibx6KlEtIb1Syw/videos
Click on the link sessions below to register to attend the lectures:
Beginning on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, January 10, 2021, the local Catholic Churches in Archdiocese of New Orleans have entered into the Year of the Eucharist, a time of renewal, healing, and communion. This year is dedicated to helping all of us, clergy, religious, and laity, grow in our relationship with Christ.
We begin this important year on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord because baptism marks the beginning of our initiation into Jesus Christ, a lifelong journey toward union with Christ and one another. The Eucharist is communion with God. Christ nourishes us with his very Body and Blood so that we can be joined more closely to him and to all humanity.
As the universal church observes a special Year of St. Joseph as proclaimed by the Holy Father, we in the Archdiocese of New Orleans call upon St. Joseph’s powerful intercession to bring us closer to Jesus in the Eucharist.
Marking the 150th anniversary of St. Joseph being declared patron of the universal church, Pope Francis proclaimed a yearlong celebration dedicated to the foster father of Jesus. In a Dec. 8, 2020 apostolic letter, "Patris Corde" ("With a father's heart"), the pope said Christians can discover in St. Joseph, who often goes unnoticed, "an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble." He then continue: "St. Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play an incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all"
Plenary indulgence in the year of St. Joseph:
A Plenary Indulgence is the full remission of punishment for sin so that no cleansing is required in Purgatory. As a special blessing of the Year of St. Joseph and owing to St. Joseph’s role as the Protector of Life and Universal Patron of the Church, Pope Francis has announced a plenary indulgence attached to receipt of the sacraments on reciting prayers to St. Joseph. See www.https://nolacatholic.org/ prayers-to-st-joseph.
Conditions for Indulgence: The plenary indulgence is granted under the “usual conditions” for an indulgence: Confession, Eucharistic Communion and Prayer for the Intentions of the Pope. It is granted to the faithful who are detached from sin and who participate in prayer for the Year of St. Joseph in one of the following ways:
(1) Meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer, or take part in a Spiritual Retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on St. Joseph
(2) Perform a spiritual or corporal work of mercy in the spirit of St. Joseph
(3) Recite a family or couple rosary
(4) Entrust their daily work to St. Joseph or pray to him for those seeking gainful work
(5) Recite the Litany of St. Joseph for persecuted Christians.
Indulgence for the Sick:
Amid the ongoing Covid-19 concerns, the plenary indulgence is also extended to the sick, the elderly, the dying and all those who can’t leave their homes. They can obtain the indulgence if they are detached from sin and have the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible, the three conditions for an indulgence plus recite an act of piety to honor St. Joseph, offering to God the sufferings of their lives.
Prayer for protection and healing from Coronavirus
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.
Monthly Prayer meeting
Please click the link below to see the Scripture readings every month:
https://church.stfrancisxavier.com/monthly-prayer-group-meeting
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.