ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH 530 GARDNERS NECK ROAD SWANSEA, MASSACHUSETTS 02777 November 19, 2017~Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Liturgical Celebrations Saturday Vigil: 4 p.m. Sundays: 8, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Monday Thursday: 9 a.m. Civic Holidays: 9 a.m. only Contact: Parish Office: 508-673-2808 Parish fax: 508-672-6241 Email: stfrancisswansea@comcast.net Website: www.stfrancisswansea.com Religious Education: 508-673-2808 or 508-674-0024 Email: religiouseducation@stfrancisswansea.com St. Vincent de Paul: 508-673-2808 Youth Ministry: 508-673-2808 50 Week Club: Bill & Kathy Sullivan 508-493-9064/508-674-8511 Parish Staff Pastor: Rev. Michael A. Ciryak Maintenance: Tony Roderigues Faith Formation/Office: Christine Patota (Grades 1-9) Finance/Office/Notary: Fran Kelley Music Director: Ada Simpson Cantors: Allison Messier, Mike Moniz and Christine Patota Youth Ministry: Justin & Amanda La Croix Parish Council President: Wayne Gray Parish Address: Church: 530 Gardner s Neck Road Office/Rectory 270 Ocean Grove Avenue Swansea, MA 02777 Office hours: 9:30 a.m. 4 p.m. or by appointment

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Swansea, MA Parish Mission Statement: In the spirit of our patron, St. Francis of Assisi, we dedicate ourselves as living stones to building our parish family with Christ as our foundation. Enlivened by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves by sharing God s transforming love with our families, our community and our world. Sacraments: Baptism: Arrangements must be made in advance. Please call the Parish Office to arrange a date and supply pertinent information. Individual Baptismal preparation is required. Sponsors: must receive from their respective Catholic pastors a sponsor certificate, which is the signed word of one priest to another that the proposed godparent is a Confirmed, fully-practicing Catholic who is qualified to be a godparent by living in harmony with our faith. Reconciliation: Saturday from 3:15PM to 3:40PM or call the rectory for an appointment. First Eucharist & Confirmation: Preparation two years prior to receiving each Sacrament is mandatory as a registered student in the Faith Formation Program. Matrimony: Couples are asked to consult with our priest at least six months in advance of the intended date to allow time for marriage preparation, including the Diocesan Program. Ministry to the Sick: Please notify us if someone you know is homebound and would like to be added to our Communion call list, or would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick. Low gluten hosts available: Please let us know before Mass if you have a need to receive this type of host. Church is handicapped accessible. Saint Francis of Assisi Memorial Fund In making funeral arrangements, you may wish to consider enrolling the deceased in the Saint Francis of Assisi Memorial Fund. Relatives and friends who donate to the fund in memory of the deceased receive a thank you card from the parish, and another card is sent notifying the bereaved of the gift. The gifts are charitable contributions and may be a supplement or a substitute for flowers. Those whose names are enrolled in the Saint Francis of Assisi Memorial Fund are remembered in the Masses and prayers of the parish. A special Mass is celebrated once a year for all the souls enrolled. All the monies of this Fund are used to purchase materials needed to make our church more inspiring and beautiful for community prayer and celebrations of the sacraments. Sat., Nov. 18 - Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00 p.m. Edward Pereira by Lucille, Brian & Mark Edwina Moniz by family Sun., Nov. 19 - Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 a.m. Helen Burns 9:30 a.m. Pauline & Elizabeth Betty Treloar 11:00 a.m. Joey Gonsalves, III by family Mon., Nov. 20 9:00 a.m. Emily de Medeiros & Francisco de Medeiros by Rose Pacheco Tues., Nov. 21 - The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 9:00 a.m. Mary E. Ferreira by friends from Espirito Santo Church Wed., Nov. 22 - St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr 9:00 a.m. Gloria & Charles Landry 7:00 p.m. Parish Family Thurs., Nov. 23 - Thanksgiving Day NO MASS Sat., Nov. 25 - Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 4:00 p.m. Elizabeth & Arthur Kern by Roussel s M/M Diniz Pimental by daughter-in-law Dorothy and grandson Sun., Nov. 26 - Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe 8:00 a.m. Domingos Teles by family 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Eusabio Carreiro by Dov & Luisa Carreiro STAY AWAKE Today we are told to use the gifts God gives each of us. They are not to be hoarded or ignored but used and nurtured for the good of God s kingdom. We are to stay wide awake and sober awaiting the coming of the Lord, for he will come suddenly. The perfect wife of Proverbs is God s spouse, his church and people, caring for creation and all the talents the Lord gives. This hard-tofind perfect wife is highly praised because she hears God s word and keeps it. Text, Philip J. Sandstrom, S.T.D. 2002, OCP. All rights reserved.

Sunday, November 19, 2017 50 Week Club This wonderful parish fundraiser is one of the easiest ways you can help defray the costs of parish expenses. Join today and be part of the fun! Weekend of November 11th and 12th Congratulations to: Dorothy Tremblay Winner for November 19, 2017 Budget donations: $3,547.00 Diocesan Assessment: $1,608.00 Fuel Fund: $415.00 Poor Box: $75.00 Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thank you to all who gave generous donations for the Hat, Coat, Scarf and Mitten drive. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society also thank those who have donated to the Thanksgiving basket collection. Together, we make a positive difference in the lives of those in need. Call the rectory today if you are in need of financial help with bills or rent or if you need groceries. They are eager to serve. Your confidentiality is always a priority. Thanksgiving food baskets are available to those who need one. Call the rectory today and place your request. November Candles Burn for: Sanctuary Lamp: Joey Gonsalves III, by parents Altar Candle: Oscar & Cecile Fontaine by son & daughter-in-law Tabernacle Candle: Robert Peloquin by family Crucifix Candle: Special Intention by Maria Luisa Carreiro Next weekend, November 25th and 26th, the second collection is for our Repairs and Restoration Fund. FIRST WORLD DAY OF THE POOR 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 19 November 2017 Respond to Pope Francis call for the 1st World Day of the Poor. Please be generous in this week s second collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. In the United States, one in six people lives in poverty. With this collection you support programs that address the causes of poverty and provide a sustainable future for those who are struggling across the country. In addition, 25 percent of funds collected remains in our diocese to fund local antipoverty projects. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this collection and work on the margins. More information about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development can be found at www.usccb.org/ cchd/collection. To read the Pope s letter on this topic go to: https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/ poveri/documents/papa-francesco_20170613_messaggio-i -giornatamondiale-poveri-2017.html Prayer Shawl Ministry The next meeting of our knitting group is on Tuesday, November 28th at 1:00 p.m. Come and join them to create prayer shawls, lap robes and hats for those in need of comfort. Please consider giving a knitted item to a loved one.

Separated & Divorced Support Group The La Salette Retreat Center in Attleboro is the location for a new bi-weekly support group for separated and divorced persons. Our next meeting will be Tuesday November 21 st from 7pm-8:30pm and subsequent meetings will be held every other Tuesday evening. For more information or for directions, please contact Dottie at 508-642-1928 or dojale@icloud.com. Worldwide Marriage Encounter When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Spouses, find value in one another by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Weekends are Jan 19-21, 2018 in South Kingstown, RI and Mar 9-11, 2018 in Duxbury, MA. For more information, call Stephen & Michelle O'Leary at 800-710-9963 or visit them at https://wwmema.org/. A Guide to the Sacraments: Presented by Holy Name Parish at the Parish Center in Holy Name School on Sundays after the 10:30 a.m. Mass and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. November 19 and 22: Penance & Anointing of the Sick December 26 & December 6: Matrimony & Holy Orders Marian Medal Awards Ceremony: Sunday, November 19 th at 3:00 PM at St. Mary s Cathedral in Fall River. Congratulations to Frank Mullins, this years recipient from St. Francis of Assisi. Advent Retreat: An Incredible Love Story, a Spirituality for Everyday Living mini-retreat led by Peggy Patenaude of Taking Time Out, will be held on Wednesday, December 13 at Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham, MA from 10:00am -12:30pm. (Coffee at 9:30) Cost is $25. Preregistration required. Contact Peggy at 508-548-9149 or timeoutretreats@comcast.net. For more information, visit www.timeoutretreats.com. Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Faith Formation Schedule for November & December Sun., Nov. 19 th - Class for Confirmation I & II at 9:30 a.m. followed by 11:00 a.m. Mass. Gr. 6 & 7 attend 9:30 a.m. Mass followed by class until 11:30 a.m. Class Mass at 9:30 a.m. for grades 3, 4 & 5 followed by coffee and donuts in the church hall. Tues., Nov. 21 st - NO CLASS/Thanksgiving Week Thurs., Nov. 23 rd - NO CLASS/Thanksgiving Week Sun., Nov. 26 th - NO CLASS/Thanksgiving Weekend Tues., Nov. 28 th - Class for grades 3,4 & 5 at 4:30 p.m. Thurs., Nov. 30 th - Class for grades 1 & 2 at 4:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 3 rd - Class for grades 6 & 7 after attendance at the 9:30 a.m. Mass until 11:30 a.m. Tues., Dec. 5 th - Class for grades 3, 4 & 5 at 4:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 7 th - Class for grades 1 & 2 at 4:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 10 th - Class Mass for grades 1 & 2 at 9:30 a.m And class for grades 6 & 7 after attendance at the 9:30 a.m. Mass until 11:30 a.m. Tues., Dec. 12 th - Class for grades 3, 4 & 5 at 4:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 14 th - Class for grades 1 & 2 at 4:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 16 th - Rehearsal for Christmas Pageant TBA Sun., Dec. 17 th - Christmas Pageant at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments in the hall following. Tues., Dec. 19 th - Class for grades 3, 4 & 5 at 4:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 21 st - Class for grades 1 & 2 at 4:30 p.m. Women s Weekend Retreat: The Story of My Life at Miramar Retreat Center in Duxbury, MA January 12-14, 2018. For more details, contact Peggy; see above contact information. Upcoming Parish Events Sun., Nov. 19 th - Youth Group Meeting at 5:00 p.m until 6:30 p.m. All parish youth, junior high and high school aged, are invited to attend. Tues., Nov. 28 th - Prayer Shawl Ministry meets in the church hall at 1:00 p.m. All are welcome! Fri., Dec. 1 st - Youth Group Meeting at 6:30 a.m. to set up for the Bazaar. Help needed from all able bodied young people. Mon., Dec. 4 th - Family Life Committee Meeting at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend and help plan parish events. Sun., Dec. 17 th - Christmas Pageant at 2:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day blessing O God of all things in heaven and on earth, you give all your people in the world the gift of life, the gift of family, the gift of work, and the gift of rest. On this, our national day of Thanksgiving, we turn all our thoughts to you, from whom all blessings flow. Bless all our work, our friends, and our families both near and far. We humbly ask for the ability to continue our work for your kingdom and the ability to gather freely to worship you without fear. We ask you to give our years ahead your blessing and protection. We ask all this through Christ the Lord, your Son. Amen. Our parish office will close on Wed., Nov. 22nd at noon and reopen on Mon., Nov. 27th at 9:00 a.m.

Sunday, November 19, 2017 Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary St. Francis of Assisi Parish 3rd Annual BAZAAR! Thanksgiving Wed., Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m. NO MASS on Thanksgiving Day. 4th Sunday in Advent Sat., Dec. 23-4:00 p.m. Sun., Dec. 24-8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. Christmas Vigil Sun., Dec. 24-4:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. Christmas Day Mon., Dec. 25-8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. VENDOR TABLES AND CRAFTERS Sunday December 3rd 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Advent Crafts & Games for kids Chili Cook-off and food for sale Giant Raffle of over 20 items donated by our vendors including a Fingerling! Preview sale Sat. Dec. 2nd 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Blount s Soup & Chowder available for supper. BAKE SALE Feast of the Holy Family Sat., Dec. 30-4:00 p.m. Sun., Dec. 31-8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m. Mary, Mother of God Sun., Dec. 31-4:00 p.m. Mon., Jan. 1-9:00 a.m. Enjoy homemade Chili on Sunday after noon, vote for your favorite one! Better yet, enter your chili for a chance to win! Marian Medal Awards 2017 FALL RIVER Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., will award the Marian Medal to 82 laypersons from parishes throughout the Fall River Diocese at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street, Fall River. Congratulations to Francis J. Mullins. He is the worthy recipient, from St. Francis of Assisi, for the Marian Medal for 2017. His involvement in our parish includes, membership in our St. Vincent de Paul Society, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and putting his faith into action whenever there is a need. You will often see Frank filling in for Tony on the rare occasion when Tony takes a weekend off. We are blessed to have Frank, his wife Cynthia, and his family as parishioners. May God continue to bless you, Frank! Well done! First presented in 1968, the annual award recognizes members of diocesan parishes for their dedicated service to the Church. Recipients are nominated for the award by their pastor. The medals will be blessed and presented in the context of Evening Prayer of the Church and Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Made of sterling silver, the Marian Medal is embossed with a Miraculous Medal on one side and the Fall River Diocesan coat-of-arms on the other.