by SFXparish | Aug 26, 2021 | NEWS
We welcome Fr. Ryan Healy as the new Administrator of St. Francis Xavier!
Following is his introduction…
I was born on December 25th, 1992. (Yes, by your calculations that does make me only 28! And yes, the irony of a future priest being born on Christmas Day is not lost on me. And no, I did not usually get double presents on my birthday.) I was born and raised in Attleboro, MA by my parents Richard and Christine, along with my older sister Jennifer and younger sister Meghan. As my former parishioners can tell you, stories of my family can often pop up in my homilies, so you’re sure to find out more about them in time.
Before ninth grade, I was educated in the Attleboro public schools, after which I attended Bishop Feehan High School. (It will take time getting used to the reality that I now live in Spartan territory…) The seeds of a priestly vocation were certainly planted by my family, particularly my grandparents who took me to daily mass as a child and had themselves seriously discerned a religious vocation. I was also deeply influenced by my experiences throughout high school at the annual Steubenville East youth conferences held for many years at Lasalette shrine in Attleboro.
Upon graduation from high school, I attended Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. It was there that my discernment of the priesthood took a more serious turn, and I decided after my first two years to transfer to college seminary in order to pursue the diocesan priesthood for the Diocese of Fall River. In 2013, I entered Our Lady of Providence Seminary, graduating from Providence College in 2015 with a bachelors in philosophy. I then at-tended St. John’s Seminary in Brighton before getting ordained in 2019. I come to you after spending the last 2 years in beautiful Falmouth on Cape Cod, assigned as the assistant priest to the three churches of St. Anthony, St. Elizabeth Seton, and St. Pat-rick. (Looking forward to learning the names at just one parish rather than three!)
Over the coming months, I am very excited to personally get to know the parishioners and families here. And I look forward to sustaining and building upon the good work done by the priests who have come before me. I ask for your prayers and patience as I become acclimated to my new role and responsibilities.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Ryan
by SFXparish | Jul 22, 2021 | NEWS
A Farewell Message from Fr. Williams
As I prepare to move to my new assignment as Pastor of Holy Name Church in Fall River on 18 August, it is with a mixture of pride and sorrow that I will have these last few weeks with all of you. Pride, because of all we have accomplished together during my four years here for the spread of the Gospel and the building up of the Kingdom of God, and sadness because, while the work continues for us all, we will now be in different parts of the Lord’s Vineyard.
I want to thank you for the witness of faith you have given me during my time as your pastor – for your devotion to the Holy Eucharist in Mass and Adoration, for your care for one another and for Christ’s poor, for your support of our parish during the unprecedented pandemic. So many memories – so many blessings that I can number from my time in Acushnet.
As I have shared with many of you, knowing that Fr. Ryan Healy will succeed me is the one thing that offers me peace in leaving. I know that he will be a faithful shepherd for all of you as I have sought to have been, and trust that you will offer him the same prayers and support that you offered me. Please know of the place that you and this parish will always have in my prayers – and, if you ever find yourself down the road in Fall River, know that I would always love to see you again!
God bless,
Fr. Williams
by SFXparish | Jun 10, 2021 | NEWS
We have put together a list of the local businesses that our parishioners own and/or operate.
Shop local and support our community!
St. Francis Xavier Parish Business Directory
by SFXparish | Jun 6, 2021 | NEWS
Guidelines for Liturgical Practices (Effective 29 May 2021)
*The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays in the Fall River Diocese will be reinstated on the weekend of Father’s Day, June 19-20, 2021 (see Bishop daCunha’s statement).
Indoor seating capacity is increased to 100%; therefore, any previously “roped off” pews in the center will be opened for use. We will continue to keep the side pews “roped off” for parishioners who have not been vaccinated and who are encouraged to maintain physical distance from others.
Reservations will no longer be necessary from this point on.
With regard to masks, those who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear a mask to attend Mass or any other liturgical or social functions held on parish property. Those who are fully vaccinated are free and welcome to continue to wear masks if you choose to do so. According to the most recent CDC and Commonwealth of Massachusetts guidelines, non-vaccinated persons are advised to continue wearing facemasks and to continue distancing until further instructed. We ask you to make the best decision for yourselves while keeping in mind the need for a collective commitment to the common good of our parish community.
If your child is a Sacristan or Altar Server and has not been vaccinated he/she should continue to wear a mask while serving.
Holy Water fonts will be filled with added Holy Salt for purification.
Pew Missals will once again be placed in the pews.
Collection baskets will remain at the entrance of the church.
The elevator will be available.
Sufficient hand sanitizing dispensers will be made available at the entrance of the church.
by SFXparish | Feb 18, 2021 | NEWS
While this Lent will be a little different from what we would like, we still want to make sure you have an enriching spiritual experience with these following resources we have produced!
Visit Our Prayer Resources page below…
Prayer Resources
View our Sunday Mass online on either our parish website or our Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/St-Francis-Xavier-Church-in-Acushnet-89678001047
by SFXparish | Jan 25, 2021 | NEWS
In this year as a parish when we are reflecting on how we live our faith – being not just hearers of the Word but also doers – St. Joseph provides one of the best examples of discipleship that we can have!
This book will be provided free as a service to our parishioners, though donations to defray the cost of this program will be gratefully accepted. Simply fill out the slip linked here and put in the collection basket or send to the office.
The preparation for consecration begins on Monday, 15 February, leading up to the Feast of St. Joseph on Friday, 19 March. The deadline to request a book is 31 January.
