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SAINT AUGUSTINE - SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Located in Brooklyn, New York, Park Slope

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

March 10, 2024

From the Pastor

If today you hear His voice…..pray with us!

Over the last few months, you may have noticed a visible increase in the numbers of people praying with us at our three weekend Masses.  Last weekend, for instance, there were over 500 people—including 82 children—in attendance, which is such a hopeful sign of our vibrancy.  For perspective, just two years ago, weekly Mass attendance post–COVID was only 224 people with an additional 26 children at Mass. 

Please remember that we are all called to bear witness to the reality of God’s presence in our lives.  Together, we should all rejoice and commit ourselves to be the faith–filled welcoming presence that we have hopefully been for over 150 years. 

In the last few weeks, the Saint Augustine~Saint Francis Xavier Choir has begun alternating between the 9:30 AM Mass at Saint Francis Xavier and the noon Mass at Saint Augustine.  I am grateful for their willingness to adjust to new situations, which has resulted in beautiful choral music supporting our prayer in our two beautiful Churches.  Great things continue to happen as we seek His voice, block the distractions of life, and simply follow where God leads us. 

Helping Hands Food Pantry Closure

After two years of prayer and consultation, regrettably the Helping Hands Food Pantry will permanently close on Saturday, March 16, 2024.  Ultimately, not being able to comply with the Diocese--wide mandates for providing a safe environment, as well as lack of available funds to sponsor two pantries in one Parish, has necessitated this action. 

During the transition, we have provided those who have been served with information regarding food pantries coordinated by Food Bank of NYC (located within blocks of Saint Augustine), as well as the large network of food pantries coordinated by Catholic Charities, which we already support through the Annual Catholic Appeal each year.    

I continue to extend my deepest gratitude to the volunteers, donors, and supporters who have contributed to the Helping Hands Food Pantry over the years. I certainly recognize that change is not easy, but failing to change will result in even greater liabilities to Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier. 

Confession during Lent

Please consider the need for God’s grace extended to us by celebrating the Sacrament of Penance during our Lenten Journey.  Confession is available after the 9 AM Mass Wednesdays and from 4-4:45 PM on Saturdays at Saint Francis.

With gratitude for all that is being revealed by God in our midst,

Fr. Frank Tumino

Pastor 

EXPERIENCE PEACE AND LOVE

If you haven’t been to Confession in a while, the Catholic Church wants to welcome you back, and invites you to participate in this beautiful sacrament of healing. Take a step in faith. You’ll be surprised about how free you feel after taking part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. So many Catholics describe incredible feelings of peace, joy, relief, and love that they never expected. Jesus is calling you to experience His mercy in this way too.

Confession Times:

Wednesdays following 9:00am mass - Saint Francis Xavier - 225 6th Ave., Carroll and 6th Ave.

Saturdays: 4:00pm - 4:45pm - Saint Francis Xavier - 225 6th Ave., Carroll and 6th Ave.

Reconciliation Monday - March 25, 2024

3:00pm - 5:00pm Saint Augustine - 116 6th Ave., Sterling Place and 6th Ave.

6:00pm - 8:00pm - Saint Francis Xavier - 225 6th Ave., Carroll and 6th Ave.  

WHAT IS THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is one of the most unique and beautiful aspects of Catholicism. Jesus Christ, in His abundant love and mercy, established the Sacrament of Confession, so that we as sinners can obtain forgiveness for our sins and reconcile with God and the Church. The sacrament “washes us clean,” and renews us in Christ.

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).

DO I NEED TO GO TO CONFESSION?

How to go to Reconciliation/Confession

Reconciliation may be face-to-face or anonymous, with a screen between you and the priest. Choose the option that is the most comfortable for you.  Just wait in the pews until the priest is finished with the person before you.

• The priest gives a blessing or greeting.

• Make the Sign of the Cross and say, “Bless me father, for I have sinned. My last confession was…” (give weeks, months, or years).

• Confess all your sins to the priest. (If you are unsure or uneasy, tell him and ask for help.)

• Say, “I am sorry for these and all my sins.”

• The priest gives a penance and offers advice to help you become a better Catholic Christian.

Say an Act of Contrition, expressing your sorrow for your sins.

• The priest, acting in the person of Christ, then absolves you from your sins.

Act of Contrition

God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace to confess my sins, do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Confessions  Saint Francis Xavier Church 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, Park Slope

Saturdays at 4:00pm - 4:45pm

Wednesdays following the 9:00am mass

Join us for Way of the Cross & Holy Hour Wednesdays during Lent

The Way of the Cross: Praying the Psalms with Jesus

Experience the way of the cross as you never have before. Rather than meditating about Christ's journey to the cross, pray with him.

Jesus, as an observant Jewish man, would have prayed the Psalms throughout the day, and drawn strength and peace from them.

In The Way of the Cross: Praying the Psalms with Jesus, Fr. Toups invites us to step closer to Christ and pray beside him, drawing strength from Scripture during his last moments before the crucifixion.

Each station features:

• A short reading from Scripture

• A brief meditation

• A Psalm to pray with Christ

FORMED - Baptism in the Holy Spirit & Fire | Episode 3

"He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." - Matthew 3:11
Jesus came to baptize us in the Holy Spirit, and the power and grace that comes from baptism in the Holy Spirit changes lives. For the millions of Catholics worldwide who have had this experience it is a transforming grace that brings freedom, peace, and the very presence of God. Unfortunately for many Catholics the term "baptism in the Holy Spirit" is not a term with which they are familiar. In this segment we will discuss what baptism in the Holy Spirit is all about.

SUNDAY’S READINGS

First Reading - 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23: Judah's betrayal of faith led to their exile as Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. God's warnings were ignored, resulting in captivity. Fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy, the exile lasted until Cyrus of Persia decreed the rebuilding of the temple, marking the beginning of the return.

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 137: In Babylon's captivity, we wept for Zion, unable to sing our sacred songs in a foreign land. Forgetting Jerusalem would be my greatest loss, my joy silenced without its memory.

Second Reading - Ephesians 2:4-10: God, in His mercy, made us alive with Christ, saving us by grace through faith, not by our deeds, to display His grace in Christ. We are created for good works, predestined by God.

Gospel - John 3:14-21: Jesus has a conversation with Nicodemus and references Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness as a foreshadowing of his own crucifixion and the salvation that it would bring. Jesus emphasizes the importance of believing in him as the Son of God in order to receive eternal life, and highlights the judgment that will come to those who do not believe.

Readings for the week can be found at: https://bible.usccb.org       

LENTEN FAITH SHARING GROUPS - 2024

The season of Lent begins on Feb. 14 and once again we will offer the opportunity to participate in a small faith sharing group, reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures. The groups will meet on Zoom at the following times: Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm, Saturday morning at 10 am and Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. Choose the time that is best for you.

Sign up online or in the vestibule of the church.

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Readings for the Week (March 11-17)

Monday: Is 65:17-21; Jn 4:43-54

Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Jn 5:1-16

Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Jn 5:17-30

Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Jn 5:31-47

Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30

Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Jn 7:40-53

Daily readings and reflections can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

MASS INTENTIONS

Saturday, March 9, 2024

5:00pm  +Madeline Hippert

              +John Morlano

              +Dettie DiCupillo

             +Francoise Joseph

Sunday, March 10, 2024—Fourth Sunday of Lent

9:30am  +Matthew Speicher

              +John Messina

              +John D. Riley

              +Tom Condon

12:00pm +The People of Saint Augustine ~ Saint Francis Xavier Parish

Monday, March 11, 2024—St. Casimir

9:00am  +John and Marie Lembo

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

9:00am   +In Gratitude for Graces Received

Wednesday, March 13,  2024

9:00am   +Millie Taranto

Thursday, March 14, 2024

9:00am  +Janusz Kliglich

Mass intentions will be announced at the scheduled mass. Weekend masses do have more than one mass intention. Thank you for understanding.

WEEKLY MEMORIALS

The Bread and Wine

By the Parishioners of Saint Augustine - Saint Francis Xavier

The Altar Candles

Memorial Available

The Sanctuary Lamp

In Respect of All Human Life

Parishioners may request these memorials at either Saint Augustine or Saint Francis Xavier, for one week, in memory or in honor of a loved one. Intentions will be published in the weekly bulletin and on the email blast. Please contact the parish office to schedule. 718/638-1880 or email info@sasfx.org.

Checks can be mailed to our parish office 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215.

IN OUR PRAYERS

May God strengthen and give peace to all of our sick parishioners, relatives and friends, especially for:

Neil Napolitan, Elscena M. Rickman, The Leger family, Mary Owens, Denise Keys, Jordan Louis, Suzanne Ramdial, Archento Anzil, James Leger, Pat DeVito, Bob Beaumont, Jenny Whetstine Hoffman, Sister Maryann Abrose, CSJ, Claire Scanlon, Karen Intintoli, Josephine Oliga, Peter Sun Woo, Christine Grochocki Myrin, Flavia Langan, John Garone, Kenneth Leger, Edward McCrory, Marge Miller, Robert Schlegel, Daniel Joseph, David Harrison, Maritza Arroyo, Aida Cuin, Dasan Broadnax, Anne M. Thompson, Andrew Quinn, Angel Rosa, Luna Victoria Pena, John Hurtado, Estella Chan, Ann Gucwa, Joe Guzman, Dominick Votto,  Sylvia Garland, Olga Matinsen, Helen McCann & those in Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation facilities.

And for all those who have entered eternal rest,

May they rest in peace.

DONOR STATEMENTS -2023

Donor statements are available by request by calling the Parish Office 718.638.1880.

• We invite you to log into your secure GiveCentral profile to view your record of electronic contributions to our parish.

• You can download a PDF report for your records at any time—now and in the years to come.

Thank you for your generous sacrifices and support.

ANNUAL CATHOIC APPEAL 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal: a journey of faith, unity, and purpose. This year, we are Called to Communion, Participation, and Mission – a powerful theme that encapsulates the essence of our shared commitment to make a meaningful impact.

Individually, none of us can fully address the needs of our diocese. However, when we come together, we have the power to accomplish remarkable things! The Annual Catholic Appeal offers us the chance to continue spreading Christ's love throughout Brooklyn and Queens, providing hope in the process.

This year, we urge you to become a beacon of light and hope for those facing challenges. Assume a leadership position by actively participating in the 2024 Annual Catholic Appeal, setting a model of Christian stewardship for others to follow. Acknowledge the abundance in our lives and demonstrate gratitude through dedicated support for the mission and initiatives of the diocese, as they work tirelessly to bring the Gospel to those in greatest need.

If you choose to become a sustaining donor, opting for the "Recurring" option when pledging online, you will further advance the Church's mission. Your monthly commitment will automatically renew each year, offering convenience and efficiency, ensuring that more of your gift goes towards supporting the crucial ministries outlined on this webpage.

We appreciate your partnership in the Lord's work and invite you to join forces with your neighbors again in this year's Annual Catholic Appeal. Together, we can make a significant impact.

Thank you to those who have sacrificed to support the programs funded through the Annual Appeal.  For more in depth information on the campaign, and who it assists, please see https://catholicfoundationbq.org/annual-catholic-appeal/ 

For those able to donate, pledge cards will be available at the entrances of the Church.  Help us meet and exceed our assigned goal of $69,821, with a pledge payable until the end of the year or a one-time gift.   

SECOND COLLECTIONS MARCH

Maintenance Fund donations: Can be added to any collection throughout the month.

Each week, our individual sacrifice is gathered during the collection at Mass.  The first collection helps with the costs associated with the operation of Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier.  Second collections are usually to share our sacrifice with other announced needs extending our generosity.

• March 3, 2024—Maintenance Fund

• March 3, 2024 - Easter Mass Remembrance

• March 10, 2024—Catholic Relief Services

• March 10, 2024—Easter Flowers

• March 17, 2024—Easter Gift

Maintenance Fund Donations: $1,488.00

Thank you for your generosity with the maintenance fund collections and all other collections throughout the month. We appreciate your continued support.

The revenue from this collection will be used to support the Catholic Relief Services; the USCCB Offices of International Justice and Peace, Migration and Refugee Services, and Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees; relief work of the Holy Father; and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network.

Maintenance fund: This collection helps Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier parish meet the high cost of maintaining a comfortable and safe environment for prayer at Mass and in the parish buildings.

*These envelopes can be put in any collection during the month.

We invite you to remember all loved ones, living and deceased, during Masses celebrated each day in the First Week of Easter. The names of your loved ones will be placed at the Altar of Saint Joseph in Both Saint Augustine and Saint Francis Xavier where we can remember our family living and experiencing Easter Joy in Heaven! Please enter the name(s) in the box above. 

Thank you for your generosity.

The flowers that will decorate our church at Easter are a sign of our joy in the Resurrection of Christ. 

Thank you for your generosity.

Easter  is the greatest celebration in the Catholic church as we commemorate Christ's resurrection from the dead. It is celebrated on Sunday, and marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year.  This collection is an extra holiday offering which our parish depends upon to cover our expenses over the year.

Thank you for your generosity.

What is a Mass Intention/Memorial Intention?

When a priest celebrates Mass each day, he offers each celebration of the Eucharist for a particular person, or intention. By doing so he applies special graces from God upon that person or intention.

Similar to how we are able to intercede for others by our personal prayers, the Church is able to intercede for us through the celebration of the Mass. However, since the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” the Mass possess a power that our personal prayers do not.

The practice of offering Mass for particular intentions is an ancient one, dating back to the early Church.

The 2024 Mass book for Saint Augustine –Saint Francis Xavier is open for Mass Intentions and Memorials.

The dates are scheduled on a first come basis. Saturdays and Sundays will continue to list several intentions, while we will limit weekday masses with only one name, to the best of our ability.

• Mass Intentions: $20.00 per intention/per name

• Bread and Wine: $20.00

• Altar Candle: $20.00

• Sanctuary Lamp: $20.00

Due to construction the office is closed to outside visitors, therefore you can either place the payment and a list of desired mass intentions or memorials in an envelope. Put Attn: Mona on the envelope.

• Drop off at office, put it in the mail slot.

• Place envelope in collections on the weekend.

• Email info@sasfx.org Subject line “Mass Intentions or Memorials” and pay online. Once I confirm the dates I will send you the link to pay online.

• Mass cards for your intentions are available by calling the office and setting a time to come and pick them up.

  
  

We will do our best to accommodate your requests. Please understand that we may have to schedule other dates if the date that you want is not available. We will call you to discuss if this happens.

JOIN ONE OF OUR BOOK CLUBS

St. Vincent dePaul

EGERIA - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

On the first day of Holy Week, “the Church enters upon the mystery of its crucified, buried, and risen Lord, who, by his entrance into Jerusalem, gave a glimpse of his own majesty.” While the use of palm branches draws our attention to his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the solemn and somber chanting or recitation of the Passion reminds us why he arrived that day.

In our culture, we try to avoid thinking about suffering, and unfortunately that can spill over into our faith lives. We profess a Risen Lord, yet resurrection could only follow death. The Liturgy of the Word focuses on Christ’s suffering, culminating in the passion account of Matthew, Mark, or Luke (John is always read on Good Friday). For better appreciation of such a lengthy reading, it has traditionally been divided into three speaking parts: Christ, Narrator, and Voice. Today, the Voice includes an exclusive role for the congregation.

Holy Week should be observed like no other week, at church, home, school, work, or play. There should be a mindfulness and solemnity fitting the importance of the mystery we celebrate. Now is the time to decide how you (and your family) can make Holy Week the special opportunity it is meant to be.

Egeria Inserts are an endeavor of egeriathepilgrim.com

BECOMING CATHOLIC — OCIA (FORMERLY RCIA) ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS 

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process for adults who desire to join the Catholic faith and for those seeking more information on the Catholic Church.  OCIA can also be a method for Catholics to complete their reception of the initiation sacraments. 

WHO IS OCIA FOR? 

• Non-Catholics who want to find out more about the Catholic Faith

• Those who want to join the Catholic Church through Baptism, or Profession of Faith

• Those who were baptized Catholic as infants but never received religious education, Confirmation, or First Eucharist.

Registration for Adult Faith Formation (OCIA) is always open. Please contact Ms. Parra at 718-857-2903.

SAINT AUGUSTINE CHURCH TOURS

Do you have family visiting? Curious about this beautiful church in Park Slope? No appointment needed. Just show up!

Saint Augustine Roman Catholic Church Tours are available each Saturday at 3:00pm!  It is so important for us to have the support of our community. Please share this with your family and friends.

Beautiful Historic Gothic Revival Church was built in 1888. For more information about our parish visit our website at sasfx.org.

DIOCESAN NEWS

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH

SACRAMENTS

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that all Sacramental information is sent to your church of record?

• Church of Record = Church where the Sacrament of Baptism took place.

• EX: If your child was baptized at either Saint Francis Xavier or Saint Augustine, when they receive the Sacrament of First Communion, Confirmation or Marriage at another Church, that church will send us a notification and it will be recorded in our Church registry.

• When requesting a Sacramental Certificate or Certificate of Baptism we require a formal request.

• All records are kept in Church registry books. We do not have a digitalized system.

We can provide sacramental records for Baptisms, First Holy Communion, Confirmation and Marriage. These records are confidential and sacred to our parish. If requesting for a minor, only the parents of the child can request these records. If requesting for an adult, that adult must contact us for the records. You must provide all of the information requested to better help us locate your records. Please allow our parish an ample amount of time to locate the records and prepare the certificate(s) you are requesting.

Sponsorship Form Request

If you are asked to be a sponsor for a child/adult receiving a Sacrament a form must be completed. It can be scanned and emailed to us at info@sasfx.org, mailed in: 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215 or brought to our church parish office.

Some of the questions that are asked:

In accepting this responsibility, I truthfully state the following:

__________ I am at least 16 years of age.

__________ I have been fully initiated into membership in the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.

__________ I attend Mass regularly on Sundays and receive the Sacraments of the Church.

__________ Single

__________ If married/living with someone, I was married in the Catholic Church.

*If you have been away from the church we want to invite you back. Go to mass so that your church can answer these questions truthfully. Go to mass so that you can in fact be the best sponsor for the child making their Sacrament. By receiving the Sacrament the child has been asked to follow the rules of the Catholic Church.

See the form below:

2024 National Eucharistic

Congress and Monstrance

Receive Special Papal Blessing

On June 19, 2023, the Holy Father extended his Apostolic Blessing on the 10th National Eucharistic Congress and the monstrance that will carry Jesus in the Eucharist into Lucas Oil Stadium as the four National Eucharistic Pilgrimage routes converge in Indianapolis on July 16, 2024, the day before the five-day Congress opens next summer. The Mexican-made 4-foot monstrance, similar in construction to one used in a Los Angeles Eucharistic procession recently, is an homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the National Eucharistic Revival.

Jesus Is Calling Us Deeper

HE PROMISES TO RESTORE AND RENEW HIS PEOPLE

Our world is hurting. We all need healing, yet many of us are separated from the very source of our strength. Jesus Christ invites us to return to the source and summit of our faith in the celebration of the Eucharist. The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery here in the United States by helping us renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Why Now?

BECAUSE THE CHURCH NEEDS HEALING. AND THE WORLD NEEDS JESUS.

Scandal, division, disease, doubt. The Church has withstood each of these throughout our very human history. But today we confront all of them, all at once. Our response in this moment is pivotal.

In the midst of these roaring waves, Jesus is present, reminding us that he is more powerful than the storm. He desires to heal, renew, and unify the Church and the world.

How will he do it? By uniting us once again around the source and summit of our faith in the celebration of the Eucharist. The National Eucharistic Revival is the joyful, expectant, grassroots response of the entire Catholic Church in the U.S. to this divine invitation.

The Eucharist is the heart of the Church. Where Eucharistic life flourishes, there the life of the Church will blossom.

St. John Paul II

Here’s how to get more involved in the parish!

MAILING ADDRESS

Although the consolidation to one Parish is still not complete —it is critical to continue the mission of these historic Catholic Parishes in Park Slope.

Parish Office Address

The Parish Office for Saint Augustine~Saint Francis Xavier is located at 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York.

Since there are no longer two staffed offices, please do not leave envelopes, offerings or donations of any kind at Saint Augustine Rectory.

Weekly Offering

While we rely on the generous weekly sacrifice of those who call Saint Augustine~Saint Francis Xavier their spiritual home, please remember that until the consolidation into one parish is complete, donations in check form, as well as online, need to be made to either Saint Augustine or Saint Francis Xavier Church.

Diocesan Collections

In order to facilitate the transfer of funds collected in the 2nd collection for various collections of the U.S. Bishops or the Diocese of Brooklyn—those using checks are reminded to make the check payable to Saint Augustine OR Saint Francis NOT the collection taken (as in The Bishop’s Overseas Aid Appeal).

Thank you for your patience while we work out all of the details of building maintenance and repairing damage to our buildings.

WILL YOU BE TRAVELING?

Catholic Mass Times for Travel

Will you and your family be traveling? Don’t miss mass. Click on the link below and enter your location to find a mass while you are on vacation.

Please visit masstimes.org to find local and international mass times when you are away from home. Phone app is also available.