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Fourth Sunday of Lent March 19, 2023 |
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From the Pastor |
2023 Annual Catholic Appeal
In the midst of Lent, we are provided the opportunity to deepen our knowledge and love of God through the practices of prayer, fasting and sacrifice, and works of charity. Running concurrently with Lent & Easter is the 2023 Annual Catholic Appeal. This yearly appeal supports the various ministries of the Diocese of Brooklyn. The theme of the Campaign this year is that we are “United in Communion and United in Charity.” As lower individual parish resources make it increasingly difficult to duplicate services on the parish level for those in need, the Annual Appeal is an ideal way to provide assistance on a Diocesan level. For more complete information on the Annual Catholic Appeal and who it assists and serves, please see: https://catholicfoundationbq.org/annual-catholic-appeal/.
Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier is currently responsible for meeting our 2023 assigned goal of $69,821. As a Parish responsibility, anything under goal is met from limited parish resources. Anything over goal comes back to Saint Augustine~Saint Francis Xavier. As I noted last weekend, I am grateful to all those who consider the leadership gifts of $1,000 or greater requested in the first mailing. Please do not be discouraged by the large numbers requested, but instead prayerfully consider your participation at any level. Please prayerfully consider helping us meet the goal requested of Saint Augustine~Saint Francis Xavier by making a pledge today.
Destruction/Reconstruction/Renewal
By way of brief update, the extent of the termite damage at the former Rectory has extended farther than we could have imagined. Ultimately, the entire perimeter of the building has termite damage which has resulted in the removal of the floors and replacement of many of the beams supporting the first floor. It’s not pretty but eventually it will be complete AND safe which is always a good thing. Over the last 18 months the entire property at Saint Francis Xavier has been treated for termites, and just this week we received word that we are still termite-free.
Most of this work has been funded by using funds that were in low-interest bearing accounts. To help meet these expenses, eventually those using envelopes will see a Deferred Maintenance envelope replacing the Monthly envelope that is currently in the set. Ideally, those wishing to use a monthly envelope can use one of the weekly envelopes. This change will allow us to generate funds specifically to meet the extensive deferred maintenance that currently occupies a great deal of time and effort. Thank you for your patience as these issues are sorted out and corrected.
Catholic Relief Services Collection
The second collection at Masses this weekend is to assist Catholic Relief Services. Funds from this collection support the work of Catholic organizations that aid victims of war and natural disaster, provide pastoral care to migrant workers, and help welcome refugees fleeing violence and persecution. For a more complete understanding of these National Collections, please see https://www.usccb.org/committees/national-collections. Thank you as always for your generous sacrifice which helps reveal Christ’s love to the World. As we are faced with many completing requests for our time and financial assistance, please know that I greatly appreciate the many sacrifices that are made to support the works of our Church locally, nationally and throughout the world. May the remaining days of our Lenten journey continue to help us in our ardent desire to Repent, and Believe in the Gospel.
Fr. Frank C. Tumino Pastor
**See financial report for January and February below.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR CLEAN UP DAY |
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WE NEED YOUR HELP! Come and help us clean up the church and get it ready for Easter! Please call the office or email us to let us know that you will be helping. 718.638.1880 info@sasfx.org You can also just show up if you are free! We would love your help.
Thank you in advance for your help!
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Candidates for Full Reception this Easter |
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Please keep those who will complete their Christian Initiation at Easter in your daily prayers. Alexander Azcuy, Eric Kim, and John Watson have dedicated the last 15 months to praying with us at Mass and learning about the Catholic Faith in formal instruction. We are grateful to the parish's faithful members who have witnessed God's love for them, as well as their catechists and sponsors. May God's Holy Spirit continue to illuminate their hearts and minds. |
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Stations of the Cross |
Join us For Stations of the Cross during Lent. We pray with “The Way of the Cross” by St. Alphonsus Liguori Stations of the Cross Each Saturday after 5:00pm Mass at Saint Francis Xavier 225 6th Avenue - Brooklyn, NY |
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Eucharistic Adoration |
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What is Eucharistic Adoration? When Catholics say they are “going to Adoration,” they are typically referring to Eucharistic Adoration. Which, in the most basic terms, is the worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass. The Eucharistic Host is displayed in a monstrance on the altar so that all can see and pray in the presence of Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that, “Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the “King of Glory,” respectful silence in the presence of the “ever greater” God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications.” (CCC 2628) We can show our adoration to God in many ways, but in Eucharistic Adoration, we spend time adoring the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist. |
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Eucharistic Adoration Pilgrimage |
Join us for the 2023 Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage February 22 to April 9 The pilgrimage will visit 42 churches throughout Brooklyn and Queens for a celebration of the gift of the Holy Eucharist. Every day (excluding Sundays) a different parish will host Eucharistic Adoration for all the faithful of our diocese. Journey with hundreds of Catholics and experience the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. For complete details an a list of participating churches, visit by clicking the link below. |
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Lent 2023 |
Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, and there are many resources available to enrich your experience this year. Here are a few: Sign up for daily email reflections in the Best Lent Ever series available for free at dynamiccatholic.com. Creighton University's Online Ministries website offers daily prayers, Lenten audio retreats, various reflections and essays, and archival messages from Pope Francis. Go to onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/ Living Lent Daily is an email series of reflections based on Bible verses from Loyola Press's 3-Minute Retreats. Sign up at loyolapress.com under "Lent." The Sisters of St. Joseph website provides daily reflections. Go to brentwoodcsj.org and go to Ministry Areas>Spirituality to find them. And be sure and check out their Spirit Alive Institute, an ongoing webinar symposium series to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Vatican Council, available on Zoom. The next webinar is "Being the Church in the World: Joys and Griefs, Then and Now," on Feb 15. To register for $10, go to brentwoodcsj.org/spirit-alive-institute/ Fearless: A 7-Week Lenten Video Series is available for free beginning on Feb. 22nd when you sign up as a parishioner at formed.org |
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Second Collections for March |
3/19: Catholic Relief Services 3/26: Easter Flowers When paying online for a mass remembrance, please add the name of the deceased in the Name box that you would like to have the mass remembrance for. Those need of donation envelopes please call or email the parish office @ 718.638.1880. Donations can also be made online by going to sasfx.org/giving or clicking on the links below. Thank you so much for your generous donations! |
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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.
Thank you for your generosity. |
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To remember our loved ones at Easter, envelopes are available for the 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! Envelopes can be found as you enter church or donations can be made online. |
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Donations made for Easter Flowers will help decorate the Churches of Saint Augustine—Saint Francis Xavier with beautiful flowers and plants for Easter. |
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Financial Report January/February |
Included is the financial profit and loss statement for January and February. Please know that, together with those who advise me financially, we are making every effort to control expenses and seek new ways of generating income to meet the vast needs of Saint Augustine~Saint Francis Xavier. As always, I am grateful to those who support us in meeting the many obligations that are our responsibility in the midst of the mandate to preach, teach and heal. |
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First Reading: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A
Responsorial Psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” Psalm 23
Second Reading: “Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light.” Ephesians 5:8-14
Gospel: “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.” John 9:1-41
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Scripture Readings for the Week |
Weekly readings 3/20-3/26
Monday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a 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: Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Sunday: Ez 37:12-14; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
Daily readings and reflections can be found at https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
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ST. VINCENT DE PAUL |
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LIBRARY BOOK GIVE AWAY |
Free Religious books are in the Vestibule of Saint Francis Xavier! Feel free to take the books that are in the bin that says “Free Books”. Thank you to all who have donated books in the past. Reminder: Please sign out all books that you borrow from the Library and return them in a timely manner. |
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Mass Intentions |
Week of 3/18/2023 through 3/23/2023
Saturday, March 18, 2023 5pm Patricia Kabacinski (Living)
Sunday, March 19, 2023 9:30am Carl and Connie Herbesell, Doris Anzil (Living)
12pm Isabel Sciacovelli, The People of Saint Augustine~Saint Francis Xavier Parish and The people of Haiti and for St. Andre Parish Dufort, Haiti
Monday, March 20, 2023 9am Samuel Wiener
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 9am Grace Frey
Wednesday, March 22, 2023 9am In Thanksgiving—Lorraine Lozito
Thursday, March 23, 2023 9am Reverend Gregory Stankus
2023 Mass Intentions are Available The 2023 Mass Book is open to schedule daily Mass Intentions. The offering for a Mass intention at Saint Augustine and/or Saint Francis Xavier is $15. Call the parish office to schedule mass intentions for your loved ones or for a special intention. |
In Our Prayers |
May God strengthen and give peace to all of our sick parishioners, relatives and friends, especially for: Dorothy Kelly, Suzanne Ramdial, Peter Sun Woo, Silbert Hinds, Raymond Bouchard, Trinidad Siara, Christine Grochocki Myrin, Flavia Langan, John Garone, Kenneth Leger, Edward McCrory, Robert Schlegel, Daniel Joseph, Matt Speicher, David Harrison, Maritza Arroyo, Aida Cuin, Kris Suares, Dasan Broadnax, Anne M. Thompson, Andrew Quinn, Angel Rosa, Luna Victoria Pena, John Hurtado, Jose Pagan, Estella Chan, Ann Gucwa, Joe Guzman, Sylva Svajian-Yahiayan, Samuel Wiener, Dominick Votto, Sylvia Garland, Conor Skelding, Olga Matinsen, Helen McCann & those in Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation facilities.
And for all those who have entered eternal rest. |
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Weekly Memorials |
| The Bread and WineSaint Augustine - Francis Xavier Church are offered Intentions of Stephen and Patricia Kabacinski
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| The Altar CandlesSaint Augustine - Francis Xavier Church are offered Intentions of Stephen and Patricia Kabacinski
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| The Sanctuary LampSaint Augustine - Francis Xavier Church are offered Intentions of Stephen and Patricia Kabacinski
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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. 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.
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PARISH INFORMATION |
Reflection Garden - Saint Francis Xavier |
We want to welcome you to our "Reflection Garden" between Saint Francis Xavier Church and the parish office. Please keep in mind that for your child's safety, you must accompany them at all times. While we are in the midst of construction our staff is still working diligently to achieve our weekly goals. The main goal for this garden is quiet reflection. Please keep this in mind when you visit. As our office window is right next to the garden, please keep in mind that your cell phone conversations are not private. We apologize but will have to ask that cell phone use be prohibited in this space. Please limit bringing classes to this garden. You must contact the parish office if you are planning on visiting the garden with your students so we can set up a time that is appropriate. We ask that you walk through in a very quiet manner as there are others praying in the Reflection Garden. Please for the safety of the children, do not let them climb the trees or walk in the flower beds. |
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Construction at the Church Parish Office |
3-17-2023
Another week and more progress is being made! As you can see the staff no longer has access to the front door. Please call the office if you need something or if you have questions. If you are having items delivered to the office we cannot guarantee that it will arrive safely as we cannot receive anything from the front door. Please make other arrangements.
The staff is working diligently inside of the offices while construction is ongoing. All cameras are operational. Please keep this in mind when you “picnic” on the front steps. While we cannot get to the door, we can still see everything outside of the front door.
Please pray for continued patience and success of this particular mission. We want to welcome you all back to a safe space where we could all gather and continue the mission of this parish. We can’t wait to have our very first event here when it is all said and done!
Thank you to our wonderful staff and parishioners for trusting us during this project. Thank you to Fr. Frank Tumino for putting so much effort into creating a space for future generations. We have no doubt that it will be beautiful and very functional. May God be our guide and may He grant us all the patience needed during this progress.
***Please note: Due to the nature of the ongoing construction, we cannot allow parishioners inside of the Parish Office at this time. The front entrance area is inaccessible. If you have any needs or questions please call the office. |
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We cannot wait to welcome you back! We miss you! |
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SASFX Book Club |
Please join us on Sunday, March 26th at 10:45 am (right after the 9:30 Mass) to talk about our next selection, Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Ten Objects, by Jill Duffield. We will meet in the Faith Formation office (enter the St. Francis garden by the gate and take the path to the first door on the left, then ring the bell). You can also join us via Google Meet--that link will be sent out a couple of days before our meeting. You do not need a gmail account to participate. Looking forward to seeing you!
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BROOKLYN BROWNSTONE & BEYOND BOOK CLUB |
The Brooklyn Brownstone and Beyond Book Group meets on Thursday evenings from 7-8PM via Zoom. Our current selection is The Case for God, by Karen Armstrong. The link to join in the discussion is: stcharlesbklyn.org/zoom (The meeting ID is: 849 0802 1688 and the password is: 1584). Please feel free to join us! |
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BROOKLYN BROWNSTONE & BEYOND BIBLE STUDY |
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The Psalms We are currently working on the Psalms using Psalms I—Study Set by Little Rock Scripture Study. The course will focus on hymns, psalms of trust, and wisdom psalms. We have two meetings remaining in this series – February 26 and March 5. Please feel free to join us! We meet on Sundays at 5 PM on Zoom. The book can be purchased here. The link to join is: stcharlesbklyn.org/zoom (The meeting ID is: 849 0802 1688 and the password is: 1584). |
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Diocese of Brooklyn |
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Save The Date |
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Faith & the City |
The Rev and the Rabbi Live at the Sheen Center: Conversations About Faith & the City and Faith & Celebrity. Fri. Feb 24 11 am. Mayor Eric Adams talks about his faith journey. Free. For info call 212-219-3132 Taking a Chance on God film screening. Mon Feb 27 at 7 pm at Fordham University Lincoln Center. Documentary about pioneer priest John McNeil and his work with LGBT Catholic group Dignity, his ministry during the AIDS crisis, and friendship with peace activist Dan Berrigan. Followed by discussion with filmmaker Brendan Fay. Free. Hearts Aflame: Lectio Divina (reading sacred scripture) for young adults ages 18-35. Beginning Feb 6, Tuesdays 8-8:30, recurring. To join, text 860-368-0826. Sponsored by Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Midday Retreat With the Mystics: the Hesychasts. Conference talk on the Hesychasts contemplative movement followed by guided meditations. Sat Feb 18 12-3 pm. Series about mystics takes place 3rd Saturday of the month. No RSVP required. St. Catherine of Siena church, 411 E. 68th St., NYC. 212-988-8300 |
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St. Francis of Assisi adult education courses: Catholicism 101. Weds Feb 8-Apr 12 (no class Feb 22 or Apr 5) 12:30-1:30 or 6:30-7:30 in person or by Zoom. $80 A Deeper Look at Catherine of Siena: Her Dialogue, Prayers, Spirituality, and Life. Sat. Mar 11 9 am-12 pm on Zoom. $30 Elizabeth of the Trinity: Her Life, Letters, and Spirituality. Sat. Mar 11 1-4 pm on Zoom. $30 Franciscan Short Stories, a 5-week series on the life and times of St. Francis Assisi. Sundays Feb 26-Apr 2 (no class Mar 5) 4-4:45 pm. Free Great Music Inspired by the Old Testament. Tuesdays Feb 28-Apr 4 12-1:30 pm. $60 "I Shall Pour Out Water Upon the Parched Land": Second Isaiah as Story and Promise. Tuesdays Feb 28-Mar 28 12-1 pm on Zoom. $50 To register, go to https://stfrancisnyc.org/courses/ |
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Catholic Pilgrimage to Fatima/Lourdes/ Santiago de Compostela and Barcelona March 13 - 25, 2023 $4,299 per person and includes airfare, all sightseeing, daily Mass with breakfast and dinner daily. For a flyer or more detailed information please call Mike Milano at 1-800-773-2660. |
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Members of the St. Augustine - St. Francis Xavier Prayer Shawl Ministry knit/crochet/quilt shawls, lap blankets, and baptismal shawls while praying for the person who will be the recipient. Prayer shawls can be given for all occasions: birthdays, holidays, as a comfort after a loss, in times of stress, or while undergoing medical treatment. Currently we work at home, but we can offer an occasional Zoom or in person meeting. The Ministry can provide knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn, and patterns to anyone who would like to participate. For more information – or should you, or someone you know, be in need of one of our items - you can email Marge Danser at: prayershawls@sasfx.org |
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Donations to feed the hungry |
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The work of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is the Gospel message in action: I was hungry, I was thirsty, I was a stranger, I was naked, I was sick - and you cared. Our St Vincent de Paul ministry here at Saint Augustine-Saint Francis Xavier has been ongoing at Saint Francis Xavier since 1892. Over those many years, parishioners have responded to the needs of the poor in our community through two World Wars, the Spanish Flu epidemic, and the Great Depression. We have helped people with issues such as paying rent, finding an apartment, dealing with legal matters, completing applications for assistance, assisting with funeral costs, and assisting with holiday gifts through the annual Christmas Giving Tree. The distribution of food to those who need it is probably the most visible function to parishioners, as they generously provide donations for the pantry. The people who come to us know that their needs and requests will be kept confidential. Please contact us if you need help or have questions. svdp@sasfx.org To make a donation please follow the click the link below to donate. |
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The Helping Hands Food Pantry Volunteers Needed! |
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How do I Go To Confession? |
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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.
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