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St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
www.xavierbrunswick.org, 912-265-3249
February 18, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in his providence offers us each
year the season of Lent as a “sacramental sign of our conversion”. Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the
Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life. With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire
Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth. I will take my cue from the words of Jesus in the Gospel
of Matthew: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (24:12).
False prophets
Let us listen to the Gospel passage and try to understand the guise such false prophets can assume. They can ap-
pear as “snake charmers”, who manipulate human emotions in order to enslave others and lead them where they would
have them go. How many of God’s children are mesmerized by momentary pleasures, mistaking them for true happiness!
How many men and women live entranced by the dream of wealth, which only makes them slaves to profit and petty in-
terests! How many go through life believing that they are sufficient unto themselves, and end up entrapped by loneliness!
False prophets can also be “charlatans”, who offer easy and immediate solutions to suffering that soon prove ut-
terly useless. How many young people are taken in by the panacea of drugs, of disposable relationships, of easy but dis-
honest gains! How many more are ensnared in a thoroughly “virtual” existence, in which relationships appear quick and
straightforward, only to prove meaningless! These swindlers, in peddling things that have no real value, rob people of all
that is most precious: dignity, freedom and the ability to love. They appeal to our vanity, our trust in appearances, but in
the end they only make fools of us.
A cold heart
In his description of hell, Dante Alighieri pictures the devil seated on a throne of ice, in frozen and loveless isola-
tion. We might well ask ourselves how it happens that charity can turn cold within us. What are the signs that indicate that
our love is beginning to cool? More than anything else, what destroys charity is greed for money, “the root of all evil” (1
Tim 6:10). The rejection of God and his peace soon follows; we prefer our own desolation rather than the comfort found
in his word and the sacraments. All this leads to violence against anyone we think is a threat to our own “certainties”: the
unborn child, the elderly and infirm, the migrant, the alien among us, or our neighbour who does not live up to our expec-
tations.
What are we to do?
Perhaps we see, deep within ourselves and all about us, the signs I have just described. But the Church, our Moth-
er and Teacher, along with the often bitter medicine of the truth, offers us in the Lenten season the soothing remedy of
prayer, almsgiving and fasting. By devoting more time to prayer, we enable our hearts to root out our secret lies and
forms of self-deception, and then to find the consolation God offers. He is our Father and he wants us to live life well.
Almsgiving sets us free from greed and helps us to regard our neighbour as a brother or sister. What I possess is never
mine alone. How I would like almsgiving to become a genuine style of life for each of us! How I would like us, as Chris-
tians, to follow the example of the Apostles and see in the sharing of our possessions a tangible witness of the commun-
ion that is ours in the Church! Yet I would also hope that, even in our daily encounters with those who beg for our assis-
tance, we would see such requests as coming from God himself. When we give alms, we share in God’s providential care
for each of his children. If through me God helps someone today, will he not tomorrow provide for my own needs? For
no one is more generous than God. Fasting weakens our tendency to violence; it disarms us and becomes an important
opportunity for growth. On the one hand, it allows us to experience what the destitute and the starving have to endure. On
the other hand, it expresses our own spiritual hunger and thirst for life in God. Fasting wakes us up. It makes us more at-
tentive to God and our neighbour. It revives our desire to obey God, who alone is capable of satisfying our hunger.
The fire of Easter
Above all, I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by alms-
giving, fasting and prayer. If, at times, the flame of charity seems to die in our own hearts, know that this is never the case
in the heart of God! He constantly gives us a chance to begin loving anew.
During the Easter Vigil, we will celebrate once more the moving rite of the lighting of the Easter candle. Drawn
from the “new fire”, this light will slowly overcome the darkness and illuminate the liturgical assembly. “May the light of
Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds”, and enable all of us to relive the experience of the dis-
ciples on the way to Emmaus. By listening to God’s word and drawing nourishment from the table of the Eucharist, may
our hearts be ever more ardent in faith, hope and love.
With affection and the promise of my prayers for all of you, I send you my blessing. Please do not forget to pray
for me.
-Pope Francis Excerpts from Message for Lent 2018
Mass Schedule
Saturday
5:00 p.m. SFX
7:00 p.m. (on
Jekyll)
Sunday (SFX)
8:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
6:00 p.m. in Spanish
Weekday Masses
St. Joseph Chapel
Mon. - Noon
Tues. Thurs. Fri.
7:00 a.m.
Wednesday
8:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Reconciliation:
Church
Saturdays
4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Sun-day
7:45 - 8:15 a.m.
(Or by appointment)
St. Joseph Chapel
(Please go to the main office for a key)
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
St Joseph Chapel
First Friday
Adoration
2:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Holy Hour
7:00- 8:00 p.m.
First Saturday
8:45 a.m.
Stations of the Cross have begun and will continue
every Friday during Lent in the church at 7:00 pm.
The Knights of Columbus are offering a fish fry each
Friday through March 23. They will be serving fried
fish, hush puppies, grits, slaw and tea. Dinners are $8
each or $25 for a family of four. Grilled cheese
sandwiches are available for $2.50. Come enjoy a
meal and fellowship in Xavier Hall during Lent. We
look forward to serving you.
For a daily video for Lent go to Dynamic Catholic
Best Lent Ever. Sign up for a daily email.
Community Seder Meal
When: March 1 at 6:00 PM
Where: The Gym at Saint Francis Xavier School -
Howe Street between Union and Newcastle
Streets
Who: All congregations invited.
Reservations required. To make reservations,
please email [email protected]
call 912.261.8512 ext. 444.
Save the date:
-Lenten Penance Service Wed. March 14 7:00 pm
-First Communion Sun. May 6 11:00 a.m.
-Celebration of Sr. Anna’s 70 years of religious
life Sat. May 19 5:00 pm
-Confirmation with the Bishop Wed. May 30 6:00
pm
INTERNATIONAL FOOD
TASTERS FESTIVAL
Saturday, March 3, 11 am to 1 pm
Xavier Hall
Do you have a favorite dish to share? Would
you like to experience a savory adventure?
Be a part of the International Food Tasters
Festival.
We are looking for cooks to share their fa-
vorite dish or dishes with our patrons during
this fundraiser. Funds raised go towards
helping our school, church and community.
Tickets to the event are Pre-sale $5.00 and
$7.00 at the door. Each ticket entitles you to
10 tastes. Desserts will be available for
purchase.
To register as a cook or to buy tickets
contact Rose Browning at rbrown-
[email protected] or by telephone,
912-289-9226.
Sponsored by the Council of Catholic
Women
Collections for:
February 10 & 11
$ 9,377.04
BAA 2018
$ 4,669.00
Online Giving (Jan.)
Weekly $ 2,682.50
St. Vincent $ 212.50
School Sup. $ 110.00
Donations $ 250.00
To sign up for online giving:
www.osvonlinegiving.com
150th Anniversary!
As we celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2018 we want to make two items available to help
celebrate and get our story out! We have 150th anniversary stickers available for your cars
and trucks ($2 each) and we also have available golf shirts made with dri-fit material ($30
each). The stickers are available after masses. The shirts can be pre-ordered and paid for
when delivered. Thank you.
Ramp in front of church
Please note that we have parking available in front of the church for persons with disabili-
ties. It is very important that we keep the ramp clear that leads up to the sidewalk so that
wheelchairs and walkers can transit between the street and the sidewalk. We will mark the
ramp with orange pylons as a reminder not to block this area with your vehicle. Thank you!
Anna Hardwick
Richard Brunegraff
Vera Borkowski
Savannah Jones
Shelby Jones
Jason Runyon
Wyatt Kersey
Michael Rafolski
Jane Rafolski
Andrew Robson Jr.
Kevin Nicklay
Georgia Burgess-Erwin
Niko Cousins
Jerry Hayward
Kevin Cloonan
Gertrude Roberts
Susan Layman
Peggie Cash
Sr. Kathleen J. McMenamin
Betty Jean Murray
Evelyn Harper
Duke Wilson
Patricia Clark
Arlie Jackson
Phillip Hand
Marion Lenz
Jerry Ehlman
Joyce McPhee
Thomas Clarke
Timothy Tindall
David Higbee
Michael Mleko
Jackie Maassen
Let us pray for all those in
the military and police force
both active and retired.
Mass Intentions
Saturday, February 17
5:00 p.m. t Attilio Tozzi/James Powell
7:00 p.m. t Rudy Zocchi
( At Jekyll United Methodist Church)
Sunday, February 18
8:30 a.m. t Rudy Garcia Jr.
11:00 a.m. t Mamie Krewer
6:00 p.m. t Jose Neto
Monday, February 19
Noon t Sara Fryar
Tuesday, February 20
7:00 a.m. t Paz Dupriz Casi
Wednesday, February 21
8 a.m. t Jerry Nicklay
7:00 p.m. t Margaret & Jim Lewandowski
Thursday, February 22
7:00 a.m. t Martha Lou Metz
Friday, February 23
7:00 a.m. t Retta Kearns Burke
7 p.m. Stations of the Cross
Saturday, February 24
5:00 p.m. Living & Deceased K of C Members
7:00 p.m. t Paul Buisson
( At Jekyll United Methodist Church)
Sunday, February 25
8:30 a.m. t Mary, Effie and Preston Blanchard
11:00 a.m. t Rose DeFranco
6:00 p.m. Our Parish Family
February 18, 2018
First Sunday in Lent
The prayer list will be refreshed at the end of every month. To add a name to the prayer list or to offer a Mass, please call the church office at 912-265-3249 ext. 0 or by email to [email protected].
The SFX Community extends their prayers and condolenc-es to the family of Retta Burke, Sr Anna’s sister. May she rest in the peace of Christ.
St. Francis Xavier School seeks qualified person
to establish a development office. Primary responsi-
bility will be year-round fundraising through coordi-
nating special events, obtaining grants, and direct
solicitation. Candidate should be mature, energetic,
self-motivated, and have good interpersonal skills.
Experience in fundraising preferred. Secondary re-
sponsibilities will be marketing and alumni relations.
Please send your letter of interest and resume to:
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, 1121 Union
Street, Brunswick, GA 31520 or tmer-
Congratulations to the first, second, and third place
winners of the Savannah Deanery Spelling Bee!
Ares Ellis took the first place win for the third con-
secutive year. Ivan Barr and Anastasia Barr took
second and third respectively. Congratulations to all
our students who represented SFX so well!
Teens in the Spirit meet every Wednes-
day, 5:30 pm in Xavier hall. Open to
teens 13 to 17 years old. Come engage
with other Teens in the Spirit youth. Continue to
learn about our faith with friends in a fun way. Col-
lege students are invited to come and help mentor
our teens. To be involved in family & youth minis-
try contact Marisol at [email protected] or at
264-6805 extension 12.
Living the Eucharist
Dear Jesus, help us to spread your presence everywhere we go. Flood our souls with your Spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly, that our lives may be only a radi-ance of yours. Shine through us, and be so in us, that every person we come in contact with may feel your presence. Let them lookup and see no longer us, but only you! Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as you shine; so to shine as a light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from you; none of it will be ours; it will be you, shining on others through us. Let us thus praise you in the way you love best by shining on those around us. Amen. Adapted from a Prayer by Blessed John Henry Newman
OPEN INVITATION
ANYONE INTERESTING IN SERVING THE
HOMELESS AT MANNA HOUSE ARE ENCOUR-
AGED TO JOIN OUR KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
BROTHERS ANY 3RD THURSDAY AT 1100AM
TO SERVE THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY. THANK
YOU TO THOSE WHO ANSWER THE CALL TO
SERVE OTHERS. NEXT DATE FEBRUARY 15TH.
Lenten Retreat at St William
St William & St Francis Xavier CCW
March 10, 2018
Facilitator: Sally Kazin
Registration by March 7th required There is no
registration fee You can register by calling or tex-
ting Diane Heinecke at 912-617-2778 Or by email
Parish Activity Contacts
Adult Bible Study, Joe & Linda Kirby…………….267-9359
Altar and Environmental Care, Diane Lott……….223-1261
Bereavement, Ann Buebel………………………..265-3249
CCW, Cate Gooch-Coolidge………………………266-0100
Culture of Life, Rose Lodise…………….…….…...264-4121
Greeters, Ginger Dorcas…………..……………....275-8492
Jekyll Island Catholic Ladies, Eleanor Daniel…....635-3046
Knights of Columbus, Bill Schuster……………….266-6779
Religious Ed., Larry Guyer ……………………..…265-3249 ext. 14
Religious Articles Shop, Rose Lodise……..……...264-4121
St. Monica Society, Peggie Cash…………….…....264-5458
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store…………...….…....262-6027
Parish Council, RoseMary Jones
Most Rev. Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Bishop of Savannah
M embership
To be a registered member of the parish is to
have a sense of belonging to a family. Newcom-
ers are requested to register at the church office
soon after arrival to meet the staff and learn
about your new parish. In the time of family sick-
ness, death or special need, parishioners are
asked to notify the Church office. If requested,
Holy Communion will e brought o anyone desiring
to receive the Eucharist but are unable to attend
Mass for serious reasons.
Church Office
405 Howe St.,
Brunswick, GA 31520