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#1 ST. FRANCIS XAVIERVOL. 72 NO 40ST. FRANCISXAVIERCATHOLICCHURCHVOL. 72 NO 49December 6,2020Regular Mass Schedule (See Mass Attendance Guidelines)Monday-Friday: 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM; Saturday: 8:00 AM and 4:00 PMSunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12 Noon, and 6:00 PMAdoration Chapel: Open seven days a week fr om 7am to 6pm;Four people maximum can be present in the Chapel due to Covid restrictionsConfessions: Wednesday & Satur day - 7:30-7:50 AM & Saturday - 8:30 AM & 3:00-3:45 PM or by appointmentBaptism: Contact Parish Center 1 month prior to due date. Seminar 7:00P.M. - Second Monday of the month.Wedding: Contact par ish cler gy at least 6 months in advance.OFFICE: 444 Metairie Road, Metairie, LA 70005Office Phone: 504-834-0340; Fax: 504-837-8735Emergency Phone: 504-837-4733Office Email: r gr iffin@stfr ancisxavier .comOffice Hours: 8:30AM—4PM Mon-Thurs8:30AM—2PM FriWEBSITE: church.stfrancisxavier.comCLERGY:Pastor: Rev. J oe Paler moParochial Vicar: Rev. Thien NguyenDeacons: Rober t D. Nor mand, M.D.Kevin J. DarrahSCHOOL:215 Betz PlaceMetairie, LA 70005504-833-1471Fax 504-833-1498Principal: Jessica DwyerAsst. Principal: Jack GloverRegistrar: Liz Br isolar aAdmin. Asst.: Denise SecrestPARISH STAFF:Secretary: Rachel Gr iffinBusiness Mgr: Cindy Bir d; Business Asst: J ack SicilianoFacility Manager: CJ RowdenRELIGIOUS ED. OFFICEDirector: Claudia Todar o504-834-0348CYO YOUTH MINISTERRon CourtadeVince Liberto (Athletics)504-834-0340504-834-0340MUSIC AND LITURGYMusic Coordinator/ Organist: Alyce Coincon10AM Choir Director: Bar t Folse6PM Choir Director: J amie Diliber toCantor/Wedding Coordinator: Linda J ones4PM Organist: Betty 7946504-439-6000SHARING PROGRAM - Carol Pritchard504-835-6809ADORATION CHAPEL - Dottie Watson504-339-4298

2 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER#VOL. 72 NO 40SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2020SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENTThe preaching of John the Baptist Mk 1:1-8VOL. 72 NO 49PASTOR’S CORNERWhy make a retreat?John the Baptist's life was fueled by one burningpassion. He pointed others to Jesus and to the coming ofGod’s kingdom. The fire of the Holy Spirit dwelt in Johnand made him a powerful forerunner to the coming Messiah. He lived and ministered in the wilderness, where hegrew in the word of God through fasting and a disciplinedlife and was tested in preparation for his prophetic mission.There had been no prophet in Israel for severalhundred years before John. John broke the prophetic silencewhen he began to speak the word of God to the people ofIsrael. His message was similar to that of the Old Testament prophets who castigated the people for their unfaithfulness to God and tried to awaken true repentance in them.It was John’s mission to rouse the people, disturb theircomplacency, and stir up in them the goodwill to recognizeand receive Jesus when He came.I made a 5-day silent retreat recently at the Abbey in Covington (photo above). I had a room in the monastery. Iprayed and ate with the monks. Why does the Church require priests to make an annual retreat? Why is retreatweek my favorite week of the year?Spiritual Reboot. A retreat provides the opportunity for aspiritual reboot with God. On a typical day, I pray for anhour-plus but my prayer is often bombarded by thoughts ofwork. On retreat, I have no ministry responsibilities, so Ican pray for hours and focus on renewing my friendshipwith Jesus – rather than on work. That is the greatest blessing of a retreat.Our baptism in Jesus by water and the Holy Spiritbrings a new birth and entry into God's kingdom. Jesusbaptizes us in the Holy Spirit so that we may walk in histruth and holiness and radiate the joy of the Gospel. God'sword has power to change and transform our lives so thatwe may be light that points others to Christ. Like John theBaptist, we too are called to give testimony to the light and Rest. I have a heavy schedule in the parish, rising early andtruth of Christ.retiring late each day. I don’t get a huge amount of sleep atnight and there is no time for afternoon naps. But on reDo we point others to Jesus by the way we live,treat, with no cell phone, Internet, email, texts or T.V., I canspeak and act? Lord, let your light burn brightly in ourhearts that we may know the joy and freedom of your king- go to bed early and nap when the mood strikes me. Mydom. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and empower us to wit- body and soul get recharged through rest.ness the truth of your Gospel to all.Nature. I select retreat houses in the mountains, the woodsor by lakes. I relish the beauty of nature. Taking naturewalks lifts my mind, heart and spirit to God.Reading. As a priest, I constantly am reading about spiritual things, church things and current events, but on retreat –uninterrupted by noise and work – I read solely for spiritualenrichment – and it is wonderful.Listening. I try to listen to God every time I pray, read orinteract with people, but on retreat, I hear and see God ineverything: nature, food, rest, exercise, reading, and prayer. God is palpably present and usually has a special message for me – an insight, a consolation, a challenge, something to take with me as I return to the life of ministry.Now you know why retreat week is my favorite week of theyear, and why I encourage everyone to make an annualspiritual retreat.John the Baptist preaching in the desert.God bless you, Fr. Joe

3 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER#VOL. 72 NO 40COMING EVENTS IN THE PARISHSaturday, December 5- Girl Scout hosted Blood Drive, 9:00am-2:00pm, St. Joseph Hall- DOI Mass at 4pm then Christmas Party at 5pm, St. Joseph HallSaturday/Sunday, December 5/6- Special Collection-Church MaintenanceSunday, December 6- RCIA Classes in Old Rectory, 11:00am-12:30pm- PSR Classes, 1st-2nd, 4:15-5:45pmMonday, December 7- Pre-K 2 Teddy Bear Tea, 7:30-9:30am, St. Joseph Hall- St. Vincent de Paul Meeting, 3:30-5:00pm, Parish Center- Vigil Mass, Immaculate Conception Holyday, 4:00pm- Scout Leader Meeting, 6:30pm, CafeteriaTuesday, December 8- Parish Masses, Immaculate Conception Holyday, 6:30 & 8:00am- School Mass, Grades 1st-3rd, 9:15am in Church- School Prayer Service, Grades PK-4 & K, 10:30 in Church- School Mass, Grades 4th-7th, 1:30pm in Church- Day of Prayer for Nations and for Families, 3:00-9:00pm, Church- KC Officer Meeting, 7:00pm, Parish CenterWednesday, December 9- Parish Council/School Board Meeting & Social, 6:30pm, SJHThursday, December 10- Deacon Ed’s Food Bank, 9:00-11:00am, St. Joseph Hall- Rosary, 6:00pm, ChurchFriday, December 11- Sharing Program Christmas Luncheon in St. Joseph Hall, 11:30amSaturday, December 12- Rosary, Chastity of Priests/Healing Abuse Victims, 8:30am church- Lay Ministry Formation Program, 8:30am-12:00noon, SJH- Cub Scout Christmas Party, 12:00noon, Auditorium- Nativity Lighting, after 4pm Vigil Mass, Front of ChurchCHRISTMAS ANGEL GIVING TREEIf you took an angel from the Giving Tree,please return the wrapped gift this weekend withthe paper angel ornament attached. For questions, contact joanofarc1405@gmail.com.POINSETTIA MEMORIALWe will have a Poinsettia Memorial for deceased lovedones this Christmas. You may purchase a Poinsettiaplant for your loved one for 10 using the special envelopes in the pews and putting them in the collection basket. Deadline for purchase is Friday, December 18.Immaculate Conception HolydayThe Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, isa holyday of obligation. Mary, the Immaculate Conception,is the Patroness of the USA. Masses will be celebrated at4:00 pm on Monday, December 7, and on Tuesday, December 8, at 6:30 am and 8:00 am.Scholastic Online Book FairOur School Book Fair is online until Sun., Dec.13. Please support our school and help a childdiscover a love of reading. Use the link belowto shop, www.scholastic.com/bf/stfrancisxavierschool1.VOL. 72 NO 49Prayer for our Nation and for FamiliesWe will pray for our Nation and for Families on Tuesday, December 8, from 3:00 –9:00 pm in Church, on the Solemnity of theImmaculate Conception, the Patroness of the USA. Thisis the perfect time to gather to pray for our country – thatwe might turn to God in all things. It also is the perfecttime to pray for the faith of our families – that thoseaway from the Church might return.Stop by anytime and pray before the Blessed Sacramentfor these two important causes. May Our Lord and OurLady intercede for us, our country and our lovedones. (NOTE: Our Chapel will be closed during thistime of prayer in Church).CHRISTMAS BASKETS & DINNERSSt. Vincent de Paul and Deacon Ed’s Helping Hand Ministry will provide Christmasbaskets and dinners for the poor of our parish and community. You can buy a dinnerfor a family for 50 or donate canned goodsfor the baskets. If you wish to buy a dinner, make thecheck out to SFX indicating Christmas dinners, and either put it in the collection basket or bring it to the ParishCenter. Canned goods can be brought to the church orParish Center.ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICESWe will have two Advent Reconciliation Services inpreparation for Christmas — both on Wednesday, December 16. The services will be at 8:30am and 7:00pm.There will be a scripture service, examination of conscience and the opportunity for confession with severalpriests.Phase 3 Reopening Guidelines Governor’s Directive. The Phase 3 guidelines, September11, allow us to have 225 people in Church per mass. Once thatcapacity is reached, we can’t allow any more at mass. Dispensation Continues. The Dispensation from SundayMass remains; A Weekday Mass, fulfills the Sundayobligation. Videotaping of Weekday/Weekend Masses Continues. Entry through Any Door of Church; Seating at Mass. Forweekday mass, choose a pew and stay 6 feet away fromeverybody else. For weekend Mass, ushers will direct you to apew that fits your group. Social Distancing Requirements at Mass: Please stay 6 feetapart from others in Church and in the Communion line unlessyou are with a group; sanitize your hands immediately beforeCommunion; receive Communion in the hand – open yourhand flat and let the minister ‘drop’ the host into your hand; nophysical contact at the sign of peace unless you are with agroup; please don’t hang out in church before or after Mass;you MUST wear a facial covering (mask or shield) at allMasses, by order of the Governor, Jefferson Parish Presidentand our Archbishop.

4 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER#VOL. 72 NO 40VOL. 72 NO 492020 CHRISTMAS MASSES“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.” Luke 2:14Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 241:00 – 2:00 pm Confessions3:00 pm and 5:00 pm Vigil Masses(In Church and in Auditorium)7:00 pm Vigil Mass (In Church)Christmas Day, Friday, December 258:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 noon Masses(In Church; No Evening Mass on Christmas Day)Forty-three families received Thanksgiving Basketsfrom our Church with boxed goods, fresh produce, a turkey and a Thanksgiving card from our students. Manyfamilies said the Thanksgiving card was the highlight ofthe experience. Special thanks to the Food Bank Krewewho work tirelessly week in and week out to help thosein need of food in our area.

5 ST. FRANCIS XAVIER#VOL. 72 NO 40VOL. 72 NO 49SFX Volunteers gut a house, dismantle a garageand do hurricane debris removal in Lake CharlesOn the Feast of Christ the King, Fr. Joe leads a Eucharistic Processionhonoring Jesus as King of the Universe