St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

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

Masks or Facial Covering are no longer required in St. Francis Xavier Church or other buildings on our campus except for our School. You are so welcomed to continue wearing them if you would like.   

        To securely make a gift to St. Francis Xavier Church, text a dollar amount to 504-233-6373. You will be asked to complete a one-time registration page with your billing and contact information. After this registration, you can give any time by texting a dollar amount to our phone number.
            Simply:
               1. Text “Enroll” to 504-233-6373 to donate on a regular basis or gift amount for a one-time donation.
                 2. Follow the link to and complete a one-time process.
God Bless You!

Anyone volunteering or participating at the church or in the school where children are involved,  must complete a class and a background check. My registering at CMG you can take the class, which is now being offered only online due to COVID, and run your own background. Please allow about 15 days for this process to be approved before you intend to volunteer. The approval is good for 3 years. 

Please see https://nolacatholic.org/safe-environment for more information about Safe Enviroment training. 

Should you have any questions, please contact Cindy Bird at 504-834-0340 or email: cbird@stfrancisxavier.com

Friday, May 14:
   - Rosary SFX Students, 9:15am, 10:15am & 1:15pm, Church
   - Dinner at Rectory, Auction Bidders

Saturday, May 15:
   - Lay Formation Program, 8:30am-12:30pm, Library
   - Scout Award Banquet, 9am-11am, St. Joseph Hall
   - Anniversary Blessing at 4 pm mass

Sunday, May 16:
    - Anniversary Blessing at all Masses
    - Parish Picnic, 1-4pm, Pontiff Park Shelter #6

Monday-Friday, May 17-21:
   - Sharing Program Classes for Seniors, SJH and PC

Tuesday, May 18:
  - Bereavement Group Meeting, 12noon, Pavilion
  - School Board Meeting, 6:30pm, St. Joseph Hall
  - Bereavement Group Meeting, 6:30pm, Parish Center

Wednesday, May 19:
   - No School for SFX Students due to Records Day
   - “The Presence” Video Series, 6:10-7:45pm, St. Joseph Hall
   - Adult Choir Practice, 6:30-8:30pm, Church

Thursday, May 20: 
   - Deacon Ed’s Food Bank, 9:00-11:00am, St. Joseph Hall
   - Kindergarten Closing Ceremonies, 9:00-11:00am, Church
   - Rosary, 6:00pm, Church
   - Men’s Club Meeting, 6:30pm, St. Joseph Hall

Friday, May 21:
   - Last Day School for PreK 2—6th
  - End of Year Mass and Awards, 1st-6th, 8:45am, Church

THIS WEEK AT OUR SCHOOL

Monday May 10:

• Jan will be here to meet with you all day. Please click here to choose a time if you have not met with her yet. We are working on getting someone to come in to cover classes if you do not have a break. The meetings will be in the conference room.
• 7th Grade Rehearsal, 10:30-11:30 AM in the church
• Free Shoe Day Coupon from Auction

• Free Dress Day Coupon from Auction
• T-shirt Tuesday
• 7th Grade Mass & Promotion Ceremony, 10:00 AM

• Regular Day

• 5th & 6th Grade Exams

• 5th & 6th Grade Exams
• Rosary
  • Grs. 1-3, 9:15 AM
  • PK3-K, 10:15 AM
  • Grs. 4-6, 1:15 PM

• Parish Picnic, 1:00-4:00 PM @ Pontiff Playground 

SUMMER ENRICHMENT/TUTORIAL (June 2-25): 
SFX students entering 4th-7th
Taught by Miss Lebeuf, Middle School Reading Teacher
Click here for the flyer and registration form.
Contact Miss Lebeuf with any questions.

Summer camp registration (Camp Jaguar from June 7 - July 23):

Click here for the registration forms for students entering PK3
Click here for the registration forms for students entering PK4 through 11 years old.
     * Contact Mrs. Penny with any questions.

CABBAGE BALL (June 7 - July 23):
Age: PK3 & Up
Registration for our 2021 Summer Cabbage Ball League is now OPEN! To register, please complete the Google Form  LINK 
St. Francis Xavier parents may pay online at fbtonline.com or by check. Please make checks payable to SFX Summer Cabbage Ball and send to the school office. The registration deadline is Friday, May 14th.
COACHES & SPONSORSHIPS needed! For all details, please review the registration form.
    * Contact Brigette Starr or 504-432-0601 with questions.  

NEW RULE

REMINDERS

• Hang your name sign from your rear view mirror for the entirety of carpool so that all staff can see the name. Hint: A pants hanger works great!
• Siblings & Carpools are dismissed from the yard.
• Single Riders are dismissed from Betz Pl. Please go to your usual location even if a sibling is sick or out of school. The students are used to going to their designated side.
• If anyone in your immediate family tests positive, please notify Ms. Dwyer immediately. You can call the school, 833-1471, or email if after hours.
• Students should be kept home if they have any symptoms and their doctor should be consulted. Please do not assume it is allergies or a cold or send them to school after giving medication.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

  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.
                                                        

Theme for school year 2020-2021

          Questions to review with students

 

Map for our school arrival and dismissal  

    Wednesday April 28, 2021 
Mask Mandate Lifted for Churches, not Schools

Yesterday, April 27, 2021, Governor Edwards lifted the Mask Mandate for most buildings in the State of Louisiana, including Churches.  The Mask Mandate remains in place for schools.  The Governor’s Order was confirmed by Cynthia Lee Cheng, President of Jefferson Parish. 

Effective immediately, Masks or Facial Covering are no longer required in St. Francis Xavier Church or other buildings on our campus except for our School.  Those who wish to wear a mask in Church or other buildings – for personal health and safety reasons – are welcomed to do so.

We will continue to provide hand sanitizer in our buildings.  At Mass, the priests, deacons and Eucharistic Ministers will continue to sanitize their hands before Communion and, for the time being, will wear Masks while distributing Communion.  Communion will be given under only the species of Eucharistic bread.

We give thanks to the Lord for the improvement of Covid numbers in our State.

God bless,
Fr. Joe Palermo

          May 14 Friday Update                                      Good Leaders
Masses are videotaped daily and accessible at church.stfrancisxavier.com. Friday and Sunday Masses – Fr. Joe; Saturday and Monday Masses – Fr. Thien

Feast of St. Matthias – Reflection on Leadership:  A good leader isn’t afraid to lead but also doesn’t micromanage.  St. Peter shows good leadership in today’s reading from Acts.  He suggests the need for a replacement apostle for Judas but lets the community nominate the candidates and then leads them in prayer for God to reveal His choice.  Matthias is chosen.  Peter’s leadership isn’t fearful or dominating but collaborative and faith-seeking.  May we exhibit such godly leadership in our families, work places, community and church.

Urgent Need to fill Adoration Chapel Hours:  We urgently need committed adorers for the hours of Saturday at 9 PM and Sunday at 1PM, Saturday at 9PM.   Call or text Dottie Watson at 504-339-4298.

Food Bank Thursday: Yesterday our Food Bank served groceries, including frozen meals, to 21 individuals or families.  Many thanks for your support of this ministry. 

Parish Picnic THIS SUNDAY:  Our Parish Picnic – for the Church and the School – is this Sunday from 1-4 pm at Pontiff Park Shelter # 6.  Bring your own chair; we will provide the rest.  Food will include grilled pork and chicken, jambalaya, white beans and corn, and for the kids, a hot dog bar.  Plum Street Sno-Balls.  Water and lemonade.  Cake Walk.  Old-fashioned games and races; hand sanitizer stations; food served by hospitality ministers.  Hope to see you there.  (The weather forecast is good – please keep praying!)
 
Marriage Blessing this Weekend:  There will be a blessing of all couples married in the months of May, June and July during the Masses this weekend.

Final Date to sign up for Summer Cabbage Ball is Monday:  The final date to sign up for the SFX Summer Cabbage Ball League as a participant or sponsor is this Monday.  See the bulletin and website for details.

Restart of 10 am Choir next Sunday:  The 10 am Mass Choir resumes its ministry next Sunday, May 23, on  the Feast of Pentecost.  We joyously welcome back our faithful Ministers of Music. 

Seminarian Jody DiMaggio Mass and Reception, Sunday, May 23:  SFX Parishioner Jody DiMaggio will serve and preach his First Mass as a Deacon at our Church at 12 noon next Sunday, May 23.  All are invited to the Mass and Reception which follows in St. Joseph Hall. 

June 5-6 Weekend:  Mass Dispensation Ends; Eucharistic Procession after Weekend Masses; Reception for Seminarian Cuong Tran:   The dispensation from attending Mass due to Covid ends on the Weekend of June 5-6, the Feast of Corpus Christi.  There will be an in-Church procession with the Blessed Sacrament at the end of all weekend Masses, except for the 12 noon Mass, which will end with an Outdoor Eucharistic Procession.  There will be a Reception in Church after all the Masses-Processions that weekend to welcome the seminarian assigned here for the summer, Cuong Tran.  Please take some time to welcome him.

 Fr. Thien’s Farewell Reception, June 26:  Fr. Thien’s Farewell Reception will be in the School Auditorium at 5 pm on Saturday, June 26.  It will be a grand celebration and thank-you with a distinctly Asian flavor.  Don’t miss this tribute to our beloved Associate Priest.

“Summer Search” Sign-up underway:  The Search Evangelization Program will be held on three Sunday afternoons this summer from 1:30 – 3:30 pm in St. Joseph Hall (two episodes each Sunday):  June 26, July 18 and August 8.  Lunch will not be served, but we will have snacks and water.  There is no cost to attend but you must reserve a place to participate.  You will be mailed an email link to watch the first Episode online.  People are signing up.  Call the Parish Office at 834-0340 or email rgriffin@stfrancisxavier.com to register.

Victory Belles Live in Concert at SFX on Sunday, July 4; hot dogs, chips, etc. too:  The Victory Belles of the National WWII Museum will perform a live Concert at St. Francis Church at 2:30 pm on Sunday, July 4.    The VBs are an acclaimed vocal trio who perform patriotic and 40s era songs.  Admission is free.  A good will offering will be taken.  The Blessed Sacrament will be moved from Church and the altar screened during the performance. Prior to the start of the Concert, the KCs and Men’s Club will serve free hot dogs, chips and drinks for the 4^th of July.  More details to come.  Mark your calendars.

Upcoming Events:  School Rosary, lower grades, today; Lay Ministry Formation Program, Saturday morning, School Library; Scout Blue & Gold Banquet, Saturday morning, SJH; Marriage Blessing at Weekend Masses, May 15-16; Parish Picnic, Sunday, 1-4 pm, Pontiff Park; Kindergarten Promotion Service, May 20; School-Ending Program and Drawing for Men’s Club $5,000 Raffle, May 21; “The Presence” Video Series on the Eucharist (totally booked), May 19, May 26 & June 2, SJH; Seminarian Jody DiMaggio’s First Mass as Deacon, May 23, 12 noon, with Reception following, SJH; Arrival of seminarian, Cuong Tran, May 31, and welcome after Parish Masses, June 5-6; Corpus Christi Processions after Masses, June 5-6:  procession in Church – 4 pm, 8 am, 10 am and 6 pm; procession outside after 12 noon mass; Summer Camp & Summer Cabbage Ball, June 7-July 23; “Summer Search” Video Series,” Sunday afternoons, 1:30 – 3:30 pm, SJH, June 13, July 18 and August 8; Fr. Thien’s Farewell & Thank-You Reception, June 26, 5 pm ; Arrival of Fr. Andrew Sanchez, July 1, and welcome after Parish Masses, July 10-11; National WWII Victory Belles Concert in Church, 2:30 pm, Sunday, July 4; KC Blood Drive in SJH, Sunday, July 25, 9 am – 3 pm.

Adoration Chapel, Office Hours, Confession Schedule and Bulletin: The Adoration Chapel is open Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 6 pm, and from 7 am on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday.  The Parish Office is open from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm on Friday.  Confessions will be heard this Saturday by Fr. Thien at 7:30 am and 8:30 am and by Fr. Joe at 3:00 pm. Our bulletin is available on the parish website and in church. 

Thanks to those who financially support our parish through regular donations, weekly envelopes or Faith Direct.  We are very grateful for your support.  The next email will be on Tuesday, May 18.
                                                           
HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND.  FR JOE
 

     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