St. Francis Xavier Church sponsors Cub Scout Pack 776 for youth in grades K-5. The Pack meets on Monday nights at 7pm in the RE Building during the BCPS school year. While Pack 776 mainly pulls from Pleasant Grove Elementary, it would be great to see more kids from SFX join the program and participate in the service activities that benefit their own Church.

There is an Ice Cream Social here at SFX on Monday, August 12th at 7pm and an information/registration session on Tuesday, August 13th at 6:30pm at Pleasant Grove Elementary. Anyone interested in the Scouting Program at SFX is welcome to attend one or both of these events. Regular weekly meeting resume on August 26th. Contact Wende Aubrey at wende.aubrey@sfxmw.com or (502) 385-6716 for more information.

16^th Sunday of Ordinary Time

July 20-21, 2024

Gospel:  Mark 6:30-34

RING… RING… RING… CLICK…

“You have reached the Office of Jesus of Nazareth and His apostles.  The office is now closed so they can get some rest.  But your call is very important to us.  Please listen to the following menu options, leave a voice-mail message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  To request a healing, press 1.  To inquire about salvation, press 2.  To apply for membership in the Kingdom of God, press 3. To hear a pre-recorded inspirational teaching, press 4.  Once again, thank you for calling. Shalom.”

I am most certain that the first apostles would have invested in a phone-menu, Voice mailing and texting had it been available to them 2,000 years ago.  No doubt.  As today’s Gospel shows, even though Jesus knew and advocated the need for rest, He and the apostles didn’t always get it.  And neither do we… 

Our need for rest and renewal is genuine, not selfish.  One of the least-thought-of-commandments is the commandment to REST.  The Sabbath REST given us by God, is centered on liturgical worship, but goes well beyond that.  God knows how much we need to re-fill and re-new ourselves.  It is possible to get so caught up in our own “parade” that that we might lose sight of where it is heading.  This can happen even when that “parade” is made up of one good deed after another.  When we ourselves are drained – or if we secretly feel cheated out of time for ourselves – it is difficult to give fully and generously to others.

Even though we know this “theory”, we still may find ourselves deluged with obligations to other people; directly or indirectly.  Some people are just a fixed part of our lives, and we cannot change that.  We must accept them.  We can; however, ask for help with them and accept that, too – ordinary things such as meals and household maintenance, extraordinary things such as caring for an aging parent or a child with special needs… 

Other obligations, however, may be partially of our own making or undertaking.  Even commendable desires to help, encourage, support or inspire other people can run rampant and consume more time than we have to give.  Sometimes – as happened in today’s Gospel with Jesus and His apostles –even our deliberate plan for rest and renewal gets “sabotaged”, so to speak, by someone’s genuine need… a friend calls and needs to talk… children suddenly need to be chauffeured to RE or scouts or sports… maybe they need help with their homework, help fixing meals, grandchildren suddenly need an emergency babysitter… these are to name a few.  Allowing your plans to be altered in order to meet the needs of others is to follow Jesus’ example. 

Jesus is the model of two words: BALANCE & FLEXIBILITY.  Sometimes, as in today’s Gospel, He changed His plans and sacrificed His (and the apostles’) need for rest in order to serve the needs of others.  It was an ad hoc decision He made upon seeing how great was the need of the people who came to Him.  That being said, Jesus must have been looking forward to spending some time with His disciples and listening to their experiences and excitement.  I am sure that He expected to spend some time instructing them for their next mission…

Yes, Jesus did not abandon the idea of rest and renewal.  On numerous other occasions (like next week’s Gospel in feeding with five loaves and two fish), Jesus made certain that He and the apostles had time alone.  And He never neglected to pray to His Father… even in times of relaxation.  “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”  Jesus made this suggestion or offer to His disciples.  He realized that they were tired, that they had much to discuss and some time apart from work would be helpful… sound familiar? 

Each of us needs to implement physical and especially spiritual R & R.  Like diet plans and exercise regiments, no one size fits all!  A dry well cannot quench anyone’s thirst; however much we may want it to do so… 

In our Eucharist today, we will receive as food and drink, the One who said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. “Let us ask Him to show us what we may need to do in order to receive the rest He promised. 

Quality family time takes place around the dinner table.  Let’s enjoy some ourselves as we move to gather around the Lord’s Table… 

Children’s Faith Formation meets weekly on Wednesdays from 6:45 to 8:00PM. Classes resume on September 4th. Please register by August 31st to ensure materials are available for your children.

Please contact lauren.battcher@sfxmw.com for additional information.

Click on here to view the latest edition of the Honor Thy Children Newsletter.

We would like to welcome Lisa Pence as our new High School Youth Group Minister! Lisa has been a member of SFX for more than 20 years. She has served as a catechist with the Children’s Faith Formation program for 5 years and been involved with the HSYG for 4 years. Lisa and her husband Darren have 4 adult children: Chas, Bethany, Dylan and Sami. They have been blessed with 3 grandchildren and have 1 on the way! Lisa recently retired from Ford Motor Company and served in the military for 4 years. She loves to travel and outdoor adventures. Lisa believes that she was called to Youth Ministry by the Holy Spirit. She is passionate about being a catechist and working with our youth because they are the future of our church. Lisa would like to extend an invitation to our 8^th grade and high school age students to join HYSG. Meeting resume on August 25^th. Contact lisa.pence@sfxmw.com for more information.

This summer we hope to provide Flat Francis with many adventures as he gets to know our young (and young at heart) parishioners. Through Flat Francis’ travels, our parishioners will learn what makes each of us special.

Personalize Flat Francis: Color Flat Francis to make him recognizable (or use the color version if you prefer)

1. Take Flat Francis on Adventures: Take Flat Francis with you wherever you go. Whether it’s to the park, the grocery store, or on vacation, bring Flat Francis along and take photos of him in different locations and doing various activities.
2. Document the Adventures: Take photos of Flat Francis in different places and situations. Be creative and have fun with it! You can take photos of Flat Francis with landmarks, with interesting people, or participating in fun activities.
3. Share the Photos: Share the photos of Flat Francis’ adventures with us. Tag St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church (@sfxmw ) on Facebook; or you can submit a single photo, create a scrapbook, photo album, or digital slideshow to document all of Flat Francis’ travels (Paula.Silliman@sfxmw.com) Note: By submitting your photos, you grant St. Francis Xavier Church permission to post images across all social media and print platforms.

Optional: Send Flat Francis on a Journey: If you want to make it even more exciting, you can send Flat Francis to friends or family who live far away and ask them to take photos of him in their hometowns. Reflect and Share: After the challenge is complete, reflect on Flat Francis adventures and share your favorite photos and memories with others. It’s a great way to learn about different places and cultures while having fun!

• Click here to access the Flat Francis Outline for printing and personalizing.
• Click here to access the Color version of Flat Francis.
• Stop by the office for a copy if you are unable to print your own.

Click HERE to view the latest edition of The Crossroads Messenger.

Congratulations to Brenden Zygmunt for being awarded the Patricia French Honorary Scholarship.  This scholarship was established and awarded for the first time in 2017 with an objective to honor Patricia K. French by recognizing and financially supporting a deserving member of the St. Francis Xavier Community with tuition assistance for college or vocational school. To qualify, students must be SFX parishioners in their senior year of high school, demonstrate a solid work ethic, and be a service-oriented person of high Christian moral values.

Brenden Zygmunt, son of Kim and Michael Zygmunt, fulfilled all these requirements and more. He has shown his dedication to his education at Bullitt East High School through his academic performance as well as his involvement in Beta Club, National Honor Society, Leaders of East, Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz & Pep Bands. Brenden’s service-oriented attitude extended past the doors of Bullitt East. He participated in the Lions Club Dare to Care, has been an altar server, a member of the SFX Youth Group, and as a young adult, a member of the Knights of Columbus. He exemplifies the kind of person for whom the Pat French Scholarship was intended and does honor to her memory. Congratulations Brenden!

The Parish Office will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th, in observance of the Federal Holiday, Juneteenth.

The Parish Office will be closed on Thursday, July 4th for Independence Day.

Are you looking for a way to get involved with the SFX Community? The SFX SummerFest and Super Raffle offer many different opportunities to give of your time and talent.

Super Raffle is in need of volunteers to sell/distribute tickets before and after masses starting April 27th and under the canopy starting May 17th. Click here to access SignUpGenius or contact Wende Aubrey @ (502) 385-6716 to choose a date.

SummerFest workers are needed for June 8th. There are openings for booth workers during the event as well as for the set up and tear down crews. The SignUpGenius site for SummerFest can be accessed here or contact James Underwood at (502) 494-5988 for more information. Booth Captains are still needed for a few booths, reach out to James if you are able to fill one of these positions.

Super Raffle 2024 will draw on June 8th at 10pm at SummerFest. Tickets go on sale after masses and in the office on April 27th.

Ticket sales are now Closed! Drawing is scheduled for 10PM on June 8th.

Charitable Gaming LIC #ORG1325

If you are available to assist in distributing/selling tickets before and after mass or working the canopy, click on this link to volunteer through SignUpGenius.

Are you interested in advertising your business in our weekly bulletin? Kirk Ritzenthaler will be in the Mt. Washington area Monday thru Wednesday, April 8 -10th. Reach out to him at (614) 301-8651 for more information.

Easter Sunday 2024

March 31, 2024

Gospel:  John 20:1-9

Today, in this Catholic Church and in all the other Christian churches of the world; our Eucharistic liturgy is the most gratifying celebrations in our whole liturgical calendar.  Our church is decorated with more flowers than usual (lilies and poinsettias are not here 24/7); the choir is singing upbeat songs; most people are wearing their best clothes; there is a chance for some fellowship with friends we have not seen for a long, long, long while… 

Yet, none of us came here today for the scenery, the concert, the fashion show or the socializing.  We are here today because we are reminded that death was conquered ONCE.  Today, with all the Christian faiths that have spun off the root of Catholicism, we share in the hope that it will happen again… FOR US… in due time… in God’s choosing… 

Have you even watched illusionists like Harry Houdini or David Copperfield in either the media or live at a theatre?  There is usually the one who puts a lady in a box.  Locks are secured.  The box is suspended.  The illusionist thrusts swords through the box.  When unlocked and opened, the lady was gone.  “HOW did he do it?”  Although we do not know HOW the trick was accomplished, we DO know that it was not magic.  There is a logical explanation for the disappearance for the lady. 

On Good Friday, many saw the wrapped lifeless body of Jesus laid in a tomb.  They watched a HUGE stone rolled into the groove before the cave-like vault sealing the only exit.  Sunday morning three people saw the same tomb.  The stone was rolled away.  The body was gone.  WHERE had the body gone?  There were three responses: Mary Magdalene thought the body was stolen.  Peter was puzzled, “Why would someone unwrap the body BEFORE stealing it?”  John saw and believed.  Our response to the empty tomb should make all the difference in the way we live life.  Does it for you?  What do you make of an empty tomb… if anything?

Christ is raised to new life by God.  The Resurrection is not a magic trick.  It was a feat foretold by prophets and accomplished by the power of God.  Peter and others ate and drank with him.  Mary conversed with Jesus.  We follow a risen Lord.  He is alive.  Bet on it.

Christ is raised.  We are raised with Christ.  Christ’s resurrection changes everything for all who lives before and after him.  When we die, we will not he held by death.  We believe through faith like John.  Eyes of faith help us see the invisible reality.  Believing is seeing.  

Christ is raised.  Our goal is eternal life with Him. 

Christ is raised.  Proclaim it.  We proclaim it with our words.  We are not responsible for the belief of the hearer.  Jesus was not always believed.  We will only be accountable for sharing the message.  Our message may not be popular or well received.  It is always difficult to go against the grain.  We may suffer, as disciples have, as Jesus did, for our faithfulness.  Doing comes out of believing.  Believing in eternal life makes all the difference.  When our words and actions match, we become credible.  People may not agree with us, but they can not ignore us.

A Dutch navigator sailing the high seas happened to come across an uncharted island in the Pacific.  He was just thrilled to land on it.  And this discovery happened on Easter Sunday in the year 1722… over 300 years ago.  Not surprisingly, the island was named “Easter Island”.  A well-known preacher used this bit of history to make a point.  He pointed out that we make a mistake if we regard Easter merely as an island – a nice place to visit once a year and then go back to the mainland.  Rather, he stressed Easter belongs on the mainland… your mainland is wherever you go… and with whomever you journey. 

Friends, the tomb is empty.

What do you have to say about that?

The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night

March 30, 2024

Gospel:  Mark 16:1-7

Emma loves stories.  From her shelf filled with brightly colored books, she will happily bring one (or several) to any willing reader.  But her favorite stories are the ones the adults tell from memory – stories about the day she was born, how grandpa made her laugh when she was a baby, stories about things Mom and Dad did as kids and what kind of games Grandma and her sisters played when they were little.  These tales help her understand who she is.

Like Emma, we have been listening to the family stories our elders have told their children down through countless generations.  And in the telling we too discover who we are.  For what we have heard is the story of a people’s faith – and we are that people.

We have heard the stories of our ancestors in faith told.  We heard the story they told about how the world came to be.  It told of a good God who forms a good world and makes a creature in the divine likeness.  Hearing that story, we, like our ancestors, discover the goodness of creation and the potential for Godlike goodness that is in each of us.

We heard the story of the Exodus, in which the same good God leads an oppressed people to freedom.  And, like our ancestors, we discover that God leads each of us to freedom from whatever enslaves us.

We hear the story of a tomb found empty, its inhabitant raised to new life and then going ahead of his followers into Galilee.  And we know, as the followers of Jesus came to know, that those who enter the waters of Baptism lie with Jesus in the tomb and follow Him out of it to the familiar hometown roads. We sing Alleluia! As we walk into His steps, for we know that His resurrection has opened to us a whole world of new possibilities: (A) reconciliation with God and another (B) concern for our neighbor’s needs (C) confidence when sickness overwhelms us (D) life that even death cannot destroy.

We have shared our faith story with the new believers we welcome into our community tonight.  For many months, with the support of our prayers, they have reflected on the story of faith – ours and our ancestor’s as it unfolds in the Liturgy of the Word throughout the Church year.  They have told the stories of their search for faith.  They have heard many of us share our stories, the personal dimension of our communal faith, explored ways in which we LIVE our belief.  They discovered themselves in our story.  What they heard and saw has drawn them here to join us tonight.

Paige, CaLeah, Ariana, Linda and Chad, we are so very pleased to have you come to The Table for the very first time. 

We continue to tell the story.  Soon the whole saga will unfold once more in the Eucharist Prayer, the story we tell at every Mass.  And in the telling, in the breaking of the bread that is the risen Lord’s body, we discover again who we are; the Living Body of Christ in the world of today.  We are the people who carry His News to a waiting and needy world.    

Holy Thursday 2024

Gospel:  John 13:1-15

March 28, 2024

We enter tonight into the Sacred Triduum, three holy days that culminate in the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection, by placing ourselves in humble service to others.  The solemnity, the symbols, and the beauty of this liturgy need very little – if any – explanation.  We can focus on many symbols tonight, but let out attention be drawn to the Gospel we have just heard proclaimed and the sacred action which will follow this homily: the mandatum (washing of feet). 

Instead of hearing the familiar story told in the synoptic Gospels, we hear instead John’s account of what happened after the meal Jesus shared with his disciples.  By telling them HOW Jesus washed the feet of these disciples, John makes the necessary connection between servanthood and Eucharist.  This is called mandatum because it is Jesus’ mandate that his disciples to as he did.  “Do this, do this love, in memory of me.  Do this Eucharist in memory of me.  Pour yourself out in complete service to others as I have done”.  Early in Church history, the mandatum was considered a sacrament; a transforming encounter with Christ. 

Sharing in the Eucharist means washing the feet of others. 

Feet are an interesting part of our bodies.  They help support us and keep us standing upright.  They prevent us from falling by keeping us balanced. Above all, feet are essential to walking as we take one step at a time.  They may not be the most glorious part of our body, but they have a major role to play.  Ask anyone who has lost the use of a foot.

The Hebrews walked from slavery into freedom.  The prophets walked from place to place announcing the message of Jesus.  Even at the time of Jesus, walking was THE mode of travel.  So, celebrating the Last Supper, Jesus, who took the role of slave and that of the host, washed disciples’ feet.  By doing this, Jesus not only performed a practical act of offering comfort to weary feet, he also emphasized that if anyone wishes to be a follower, she or he must be a servant to all.

The Hebrews were instructed to eat the Passover meal with their loins girt (that is to say, flexed, ready to walk), sandals on their feet, and staffs in hand ready to “hit the road”.  Before the journey, the Hebrews were instructed by God to prepare a meal.  They would need nourishment for the journey.  This meal was not one for the sake of eating/killing hunger – it was a sacred meal.  So they were prepared to hear God say, “Ready, set… go!”… they were called by God to set out on a journey with no clear knowledge of WHERE they would be going… kind of like handing your phone to someone who would program your GPS, click start, and tell you to follow it … wherever it tells to you walk … forever how long. 

Jesus shows the disciples the meaning of perfect love.  Just as Jesus knew the twelve, He also knows us.  In fact, Jesus is aware of our past sins as well as those we will commit.  In all of this, Jesus still loves us.  Knowing fully who we are, Jesus is still willing to serve us and asks us to do the same.  Doing Eucharist means service to one another on the journey of life. 

“Where charity and love prevail, there is God.”  Let us commit ourselves to the poor, to humble service as a Eucharistic people who live by the mandate of Christ. 

Let us go forth and wash the feet of others.