September 22, 2022
“This is My Body”
A Message to the Parish Families of
St. Augustine – St. Francis Xavier
Friday, September 23, 2022
Some Points of Interest From the Pastor
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY
As we begin the new Pastoral year, we should be greatly encouraged. I am grateful for all the efforts of our parents, catechists and parishioners who seek to intentionally answer Jesus’ call to follow Him. Please join me in prayer each day for our efforts.
COMING BACK TO CHURCH...SAFELY!
Over the next few weekends, inserts have been prepared to help us return to in-person prayer at Masses here at Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier with a renewed understanding. I totally understand the concerns of those with compromised im-munity, or who are connected to those who are more vulnerable. To that end, we would look to safely return to the more usual celebration of Mass – including the offertory and exchange of peace - on the weekend of November 27, 2022, for the Solemnity of Jesus Christ our King. As I noted last weekend, in preparing for a return to pre-pandemic ways of praying at Mass, we are offered a useful opportunity to learn “why we do what we do”. Again, I recognize that many good people have taught us over the years—in no way am I saying things are wrong, just that we should always be conscious of, and express, the unity that Jesus came to bring by his life, death and resurrection while praying at Mass.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Today at Masses, I will present a financial report for the fiscal year ending August 2022. The Parish of Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier is in the process of being merged; for this reason, the report is presented in two parts which comprise our total efforts as one parish. At some point in the future, a finalized merger will occur. Until that time, it is important that we maximize the use of the generosity of our parishioners and donors, as well as carefully address the vast current emergency building issues before us. I realize that a great many parishes include copies of these significant documents in their bulletins, resulting in the wasteful use of paper and at unnecessary cost. In transparency, I will be happy to briefly present the financial highs and lows, as well as the many blessings and challenges that lie ahead. Those registered, supporting parishioners wishing to see a copy of these reports are asked to contact the Parish Office.
Gratefully,
Fr. Frank Tumino
Pastor
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 25, 2022
Barent Fabritius , Lazarus and the Rich Man, 1661, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
The LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
The LORD loves the just;
the LORD protects strangers.
The fatherless and the widow he sustains,
but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
Psalm 146: 8-10
SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Job 1: 6-22; Ps 17: 1bcd, 2-3, 6-7; Lk 9: 46-50
Tuesday: Job 3: 1-3, 11-17, 20-23; Ps 88: 2-3, 4-5, 6, 7-8; Lk 9: 51-56
Wednesday: Job 9: 1-12, 14-16; Ps 88: 10bc-11, 12-13, 14-15; Lk 9: 57-62
Thursday: Dn 7: 9-10, 13-14 or Rv 12: 7-12ab; Ps 138: 1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5; Jn 1: 47-51
Friday: Job 38: 1, 12-21; 40: 3-5; Ps 139: 1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab; Lk 10: 13-16
Saturday: Job 42: 1-3, 5-6, 12-17; Ps 119: 66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130; Lk 10: 17-24
Sunday: Hab 1: 2-3; 2: 2-4; Ps 95: 1-2, 6-7, 8-9; 2 Tm 1: 6-8, 13-14; Lk 17: 5-10
Daily readings and reflections can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Saturday, September 24+Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Vigil Mass
5 :00 The Krieger & Hippert Families
Sunday, September 25+ Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:30 Ralph, Josephine & Joann Tedeschi
Rose Serra
12:00 Rocco D’Orazio
The People of Haiti & for Saint Andre Parish Dufort,Haiti
The People of Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier
Monday, September 26
9:00 Maria O’Connell
Tuesday, September 27 + St. Vincent de Paul, Priest
9:00 Dr. Joseph G. & Martha Paterno
Wednesday, September 28
9:00 Mike Hansen
For the intentions of Luisa Delgadillo
Thursday, September 29 + Sts Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, archangels
9:00 Deacon Jack Franca
Linda Gibbons
Saturday, October 1st + St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin & Doctor of the Church
5:00 The People of Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier
THE BREAD AND WINE . . .
...at Saint Augustine - Francis Xavier Church is offered by the Benefactors of Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier.
THE ALTAR CANDLES . . .
...at Saint Augustine - Francis Xavier Church - Intention Available
THE SANCTUARY LAMP . . .
...at Saint Augustine - Francis Xavier Church is offered in gratitude to God
from a private donor
WEEKLY MEMORIALS
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.
- Bread and Wine Offering $25 – Loved ones can be remembered weekly with the bread and wine consecrated at Mass.
- Altar Candles $20 – The Altar Candles also serve as a reminder of Christ our light and of our call to pray to God without ceasing.
- Sanctuary Lamp Offering $20 – The Candle above the Tabernacle reminds us of Jesus’ constant presence in the Eucharist.
- Daily Mass - The offering for Mass intentions at Saint Augustine and/or Saint Francis Xavier is $15.
PASTORAL PLANNING COUNCIL NEWS . . .
The Pastoral Planning Council will hold its first meeting of the new pastoral year in early October. Please reach out to any of the Council members with your ideas and/or concerns. You can share your thoughts by speaking with a Council member after Mass, or you can email the council at: [email protected] A list of the council members can be found on the website; you can use this link to access that page: https://sasfx.org/pastoral-planning-council
THANK YOU!
Catholic Education Collection. Through your generous sacrifice, $1,231 was collected last weekend, not including online giving. Thank You for helping us support the Church’s charitable works.
FAITH FORMATION
Catechists and adult volunteers still needed.
The Faith Formation program which serves the children of our parish grades K through 8 is in need of generous volunteers to help keep us maintain a safe environment.
Our parish program is needing to fill the following volunteer positions: Catechist, classroom assistant, hall monitor and door monitor.
For more information please call Ms. Parra at 718.857.2903.
Let us continue to pray for our Catechists as our faith formation program begins . . .
Prayer for Catechists
Loving Father, we pray today for our catechists.
We thank you for their gift of ministry in your Church.
Grant them your wisdom that they may grow in the understanding
and teaching of your Word.
Grant them also your love that they may be fruitful heralds of your
Word and lead others to love you.
Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon them to grant them wisdom about what is
important; knowledge of the truths of faith;
understanding of their meaning;
right judgement about how to apply them in life;
courage to persevere even in the face of adversity;
reverence before all that is sacred and holy;
and that loving zeal which leads others to a transforming
encounter with your Son.
We pray this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
SAVE THE DATES!
Blessing of Animals
- Saturday, October 8 @ 3PM at Saint Francis Xavier &
- Sunday, October 9, @ 1:15 PM at Saint Augustine.
Saint Augustine Helping Hands Food Pantry
14th Annual 5K Fun Run/Walk/Bike in Prospect Park Saturday, November 19, 2022 @ 11 am.
PRE-BAPTISM CATECHESIS
Parents considering the baptism of their children at Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier will be joining next week, October 1, after the 5 PM Mass, in receiving formation on the Sacrament of Baptism. All interested are invited to remain after Mass.
FAITH IN THE CITY SPOTLIGHT
Spirit Alive
Re-Energizing the Renewal: A Webinar Symposium Series to Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. The Spirit Alive Institute, an educational ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, invites you to join us in this webinar symposium to appreciate, celebrate, and deepen our understanding of the vision of Vatican II. The work of renewal is ongoing and needs to be re-energized by every generation.
Registration opens September 1, 2022
The registration fee for each session is $10
All sessions will be conducted via zoom
Sessions will start at 7:30 PM EST.
For more information and to register visit: https://brentwoodcsj.org/spirit-alive-institute/re-energizing-the-renewal/
For general information about this initiative and available resources visit: https://spiritalivecsj.org/
Big City Catholics Podcast
Did you know that Bishop Brennan has a weekly podcast called “Big City Catholics”? On this podcast he and Father Christopher Heanue discuss a wide range of topics of interest to the Brooklyn/Queens Catholic community.
You can check it out here: https://podcast.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/podcast/
FORMED SPOTLIGHT
Register for your free account
1. Go to FORMED.org/signup
2. Enter 11215
3. Enter your name and email
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO . . .
What it means
The Offertory or the preparation of the gifts at the altar are meant to remind us of Jesus’ willing sacrifice on the Cross. When we offer the gifts in procession, it is an opportunity for us to offer ourselves, our prayers, joys, works and sufferings, and place them on the altar alongside the elements of bread and wine that have also been offered by the faithful. These will be offered up to God to be perfected.
During the Pandemic
In June 2020 all parishes received guidelines for opening churches and the celebration of the sacraments. Among the many changes, all processions including the offertory were omitted in an effort to minimize the transmission of COVID-19.
W
Parish Norms for the offertory procession:
- What: The Preparation of the gifts includes the collection and the offertory procession.
- Who: Although anyone may bring or offer gifts at Mass, it traditionally may be brought forward by the family or loved ones remembered at Mass; the Mass intention, depending on the availability. On special celebrations or occasions, first communicants, candidates for Confirmation, those celebrating a special anniversary, or others may be selected to offer the gifts at Mass.
- When: Those who wish to participate in the offertory may arrange this ahead of time by contacting the parish office or by arriving to Mass early and speaking with one of the ushers.
- Where: Follow the instructions of the Usher Coordinator at each mass.
**It is important to remember that participating in this procession is seen as an act of unity with the entirety of the faithful. Please arrive early to communicate with the Usher Coordinator so that there is no confusion.
2022: All content within the St. Augustine - St. Francis Xavier (SASFX) newsletters is the property of SASFX unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved. No part of the newsletters may be reproduced, transmitted or copied in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of SASFX.
Saint Augustine - Saint Francis Xavier
Roman Catholic Church
225 6th Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11215
PARISH BOOK CLUBS
Our parish currently hosts two book clubs.
The Brownstone Brooklyn and Beyond book is currently discussing the book, Caste, by Isabel Wilkerson. We meet on Thursday evenings, from 7-8PM. The link to join in the discussion is: stcharlesbklyn.org/zoom (The meeting ID is: 849 0802 1688 and the password is: 1584). All are welcome!
SASFX Book Club meets monthly. The next meeting will be on Sunday, October 16th at 11am IN PERSON in the trophy room at the church. Enter through the garden door. In addition, for the time being we will have a Zoom option if anyone would still like to join virtually. The Zoom invitation will be sent out in a couple of weeks.
Our selection for next month is In Praise of the Useless Life: A Monk’s Memoir, by Paul Quenon. Thanks to all who joined us for our discussion of Matrix, by Lauren Groff.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY - REMINDER!
Earlier in the year we posted information about the Red Scarf Project. We are re-posting it below for those who might be interested in getting involved. Scarves will need to be completed by December 1, so they can be sent off to Foster Care to Success. A number of scarves are in progress – or have already been completed. If you knit or crochet, please consider joining us in this project. You can email any questions to Marge at [email protected]
DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE . . .
AUTOMATED GIVING : giveCentral
Have you signed up yet? It benefits you and our parish! Enrollment is friendly and trouble-free.
Use this link https://www.givecentral.org/location/725
Thank you in advance for your sacrifice and support!
ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL 2022 UPDATE
Use this link: annualcatholicappeal.org
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
Are YOU someone, or do you know someone who…
- Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic?
- Is over the age of sixteen and unbaptized?
- Was baptized Catholic, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist?
Registration for Adult Faith Formation (RCIA) is always open. Please contact Ms. Parra at 718-857-2903.
CONTINUED COVID SAFETY
While mask mandates have been lifted, all are encouraged to continue to be diligent about COVID Safety and sanitizing one’s hands. The use of masks is now optional, but for Holy Communion all are asked to continue to wear a mask and receive on their hand to protect those still at risk.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL
Share your treasure; give alms….
“He who has compassion on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed. Proverbs 19:17
Help us replenish our cupboard by participating in our food drive every Sunday. Please consider donating:
Canned vegetables, Tuna, Macaroni and cheese, Crackers, Rice and beans, Cereal.
Donation bins are located by the Blessed Mother’s Altar. Please consider supporting our missionary efforts by making a monetary donation to St. Vincent de Paul. Checks can be made out to St. Francis Xavier Church/St. Vincent de Paul, you can also use the link below. Thank you in advance for your generous support and prayer!
https://www.givecentral.org/location/725/event/28945
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The Helping Hands Food Pantry at the St. Augustine worship site is in need of volunteers.
- We need a volunteer to do inventory of the food and order the food
AND
- We need volunteers to receive and accept the food deliveries on Thursdays, and to date the cases of food and store them in storage rooms.
The Food Pantry is located at St Monica Hall below Saint Augustine Church at 6th Avenue & Sterling Street.
Are you interested? Please send an email to [email protected], or contact the Parish Office at 718.638.1880
To make a donation, use this link: https://www.givecentral.org/location/725/event/28108
SAFE ENVIRONMENT
The parish of Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier complies with all Safe Environment mandates set forth by the Diocese of Brooklyn and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. All employees and volunteers who have contact with children must attend a Virtus session, sign a code of conduct and submit to a background search. If you need to register for a Virtus session please do so at www.virtus.org. We will be holding two sessions at St. Augustine-St. Francis Xavier: one in March and one in April. Watch here for more information about the dates and location.
The Diocese of Brooklyn wishes to do everything possible to see that all people, particularly children, are safe in all pastoral settings. Excuses and rationalizations for such criminal actions will not be accepted. To report sexual abuse involving diocesan personnel—priests, deacons, teachers, employees or volunteers at schools or parishes please call The Diocese of Brooklyn toll-free, confidential reporting number 1-888-634-4499.
COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND
Please contact the Parish Office for further information on how to receive Holy Communion if you are not able to pray at Mass.
THE SACRAMENT CONFESSION/ RECONCILIATION/PENANCE (CPR)
Confessions are available at the St. Francis Xavier worship site on Saturdays from 4pm to 4:45pm, on Wednesdays after the 9am Mass, or by prior appointment with Fr. Tumino by contacting the Parish Office.
PARISH REGISTRATION IS IMPORTANT
If You Need:
- A sponsor form signed and/or
- A letter of recommendation and/or
- To have your child baptized or prepared for Holy Communion or Confirmation.
As a Parish we need you to register and use your weekly contribution envelopes with your sacrifice to support our works. Please review the information below:
Why do we encourage you to register with the Parish and use your envelopes?
- They demonstrate your commitment to the Church and that you are a member.
- They are one of the references we can use to verify your eligibility to be a sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation, as they can indicate your participation at weekly Mass and commitment to the Church’s mission.
- Envelope contributions are tax deductible; but proof is needed each year of contributions to Church.
- Weekly giving helps us better prepare an annual budget to meet expenses in the year ahead.
Your Parish needs your support—not only financially, but spiritually and physically (volunteering) as well. Without your consistent weekly support, none of the existing ministries, or new ones are possible. We want to know who our parish members are so we can serve them better. In the same way, we need to plan and prepare a budget for a vibrant present and even more rich future.
Without your commitment of prayers and support we are limited in what we can do. Please take the time to register online at https://sasfx.org/member/register.
ARE YOU SOMEONE, OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO…
- Has expressed an interest in becoming Catholic?
- Is over the age of sixteen and unbaptized?
- Was baptized Catholic, but has not celebrated the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist?
Registration for Adult Faith Formation (RCIA) is always open. Please contact Ms. Parra at 718-857-29003.
THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
All engaged couples seeking the Sacrament of Marriage are reminded that a preparation process is required. Since every situation is slightly different, and various permissions are often needed, it is highly advisable to contact the Parish Office before looking for a venue to celebrate after the Church celebration.
LOOKING FOR A CATHOLIC SCHOOL?
Check out SAINT SAVIOUR CATHOLIC ACADEMY. They are now accepting applications for 2022-2023. To learn more call 718-768-8000 Ext. 4 or visit saintsaviourcatholicacademy.org
CATHOLIC MASS TIMES FOR TRAVEL
Please visit masstimes.org to find local and international mass times when you are away from home. Phone app available.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE!
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 to the collection taken (as in The Bishop’s Overseas Aid Appeal).
ONGOING INFORMATION
Worship Aid For the Masses this Weekend: https://sasfx.org/resources/worship-aid
Financial health of the parishes…
You can make your contribution:
- In person at Mass
- On line at https://www.givecentral.org/location/725
- By mailing it to, or dropping it off, at the parish office: 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
- If you would like to receive a packet of collection envelopes mailed to you, please email [email protected] with your request.
PLEASE NOTE: Since we are awaiting consolidation, please continue to write checks to either: St. Augustine OR St. Francis Xavier Church . Thank you for your kind and continued generosity.
Automated Giving At Give Central
Have you signed up yet? It benefits you and our parish! Enrollment is friendly and trouble-free. To use your credit card to make your weekly contribution simply visit: https://www.givecentral.org
Mass Schedules: https://sasfx.org/about/mass-times
Church Now Open For Private Prayer
Please note that both worship sites are open for Private Prayer at the times below:
Saint Augustine: Monday—Thursday 8:30—11 AM
Saint Francis Xavier: Monday-Friday 8:30—11 AM
Note: For safety, the restrooms are not available.
Communal Prayer Opportunities . . .
Parishioners from St Augustine-St Francis Xavier and St. Charles Borromeo come together via Zoom to pray several times a week. We gather on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5PM for the Rosary, and on Fridays at 5PM for Vespers. No materials are needed, as the prayers are all shared on screen.
The Zoom credentials for all of these prayer gatherings are as follows:
- The meeting ID is: 849 0802 1688 and the password is: 1584
- To join via a computer or smart phone you should be able to click on this link and be connected automatically: stcharlesbklyn.org/zoom
- To join by phone, dial (301) 715-8592 and, when prompted, enter the meeting ID 849 0802 1688 followed by #. You will not need a password.
Parish Book Clubs
Our parish currently has two book clubs: the Brooklyn Brownstone and Beyond book group and the SASFX book club.
Use this link for more information about these clubs and how to join in the discussion: https://sasfx.org/ministries/book-clubs
Pastoral Planning Council
The role of the PPC is to function as the central leadership, coordinating, and decision making body of the parish, under the canonical guidance of the Administrator/Pastor and parish staff. Please reach out to the Council with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you might have. The Council email is [email protected]. For more information about the Council members click this link https://sasfx.org/pastoral-planning-council.
Mass Intentions:
The Mass Intention Book for 2022 is open. To request a Mass, call the parish office at 718-638-1880. The offering of $15 per Mass Intention is a way of providing for the needs of the church and a tangible way of offering the gift of remembrance. Other ways to remember your loved ones are also available.
Sacraments
Baptisms: https://sasfx.parishcentral.com/schedule-a-baptism
Confessions: https://sasfx.org/sacraments/reconciliation
Marriage: https://sasfx.org/schedule-a-wedding
Anointing of the Sick: https://sasfx.org/sacraments/anointing-of-the-sick
Religious Education
Children's Faith Formation: https://sasfx.org/faith-formation
Rite Of Christian Initiation Of Adults (RCIA): https://sasfx.org/faith-formation
Parish Office
Please Note: Only the office at St. Francis Xavier (225 6th Avenue) is open; the office at St. Augustine is no longer operational.
Location: SFX Rectory, 225 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Office hours: Mondays - Friday from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Contact Information: Phone number: 718-638-1880. Email address: [email protected]
Do You Know Anyone In Need Of Help During These Difficult Times?
If so, please share this information with them . . .
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Our food pantry is located at the St. Francis Xavier worship site and is open on Wednesdays from 1-3. Enter through the Chapel on Carroll Street. If you need help with any other matters, please contact us at [email protected]. or call the parish office at (718) 638-1880.
Helping Hands Food Pantry: The Helping Hands Food Pantry, located at the St. Augustine worship site, provides bags of food to people in the community who live in zip codes 11215, 11217, and 11238. If you need food, please come and register any Saturday between 10 am-12 noon . You will receive a bag of food and seasonal fresh produce every two weeks. The food pantry is open every Saturday morning between 10 am-12 noon and is located beneath St. Augustine’s Church in St. Monica Hall, 47 Sterling Place.
Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens currently sponsors more than 160 programs and services for children and youth, adults and seniors, persons with developmental disabilities, those who are mentally ill, and the isolated. Visit: https://www.ccbq.org/
Catholic Migration Services assist low-income immigrants and individuals through their free legal immigration, housing and workers’ rights services. Visit: www.catholicmigration.org
The Homebound
If you may know of anyone who is a homebound parishioner and has not been receiving information electronically from the parishes, please send us his or her name, mailing address and/or phone number and we will be sure to reach out. You can let us know by writing an email to: [email protected] or calling the Parish Office at: 718-638-1880.
Stay Connected
St. Augustine – St. Francis Xavier parish website: https://sasfx.org/
St. Augustine parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Staugustinercparkslope/
St. Francis Xavier parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stfxbrooklyn/
Community Bulletin
Check out our bulletin for other resources and the Prayer/Mass Intentions for the week at: https://sasfx.org/bulletins
Parish Calendar
Check out our Parish Calendar at: https://sasfx.org/calendar. You can click on the events listed for more information.