Saturday Evening Vigil: 4:30 PM / Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM and 10:45 AM
Letter from Fr. Dan 9/13/20
Dear St. Francis Xavier family,
This past Saturday I had the great honor and joy of celebrating with my friend, Rabbi Dan Fellman and his family, the Bar Mitzvah of their son. Bar Mitzvah means ‘son of the commandment’; a celebration at which the young man is proclaimed to be an adult member of the Jewish community with all of the duties and responsibilities associated with being an adult in the faith. This is similar to our own Confirmation at which the young man or woman proclaims the faith to be their own, is sealed with the Holy Spirit, and begins to take an active, adult role in our Catholic Faith family. I couldn’t help but to pray at the Bar Mitzvah, how important a faith family is and how necessary to provide all of our young people with a firm foundation of faith, moral values and a sense of belonging to something much greater than themselves. A faith community connects us with our past, helps us to live responsibility in the present and gives hope and meaning to our future. I was also moved to pray for a true understanding between people of all faiths and a celebration of all of our common humanity. To Rabbi Dan’s son, our own young men and women, and all who will come after us and them in our journey of faith, ‘mazel tov’ (good fortune), and it is my prayer that you always stay connected to your faith, God and the community.
God bless,
Fr. Dan
Letter from Fr. Dan 9/6/20
Dear St. Francis family,
As many of you may know I have resisted technology; specifically smartphones, but recently I jumped from the 15th. century to the 21st. I am now typing this listening to Gregorian Chant on my laptop (I am not ready to abandon the 15th. century altogether). I am finding that it may be good to accept that which is new, not just because it is new, but to the degree it can help us grow closer to each other and to God; and to keep what is old, not because it is old, but because it can keep us grounded and in touch with our history and Tradition. No matter what century, Jesus has promised that His Church will continue until the end of time and that at the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. As we continue to move into the future, even though it may seem that there is still a great deal of uncertainty, we need to remember that our God, who is outside of time, is already present there, as He was in our past and is in our present. We continue in our faith journey with faith, hope, love patience and a sense of humor. St. Joseph, patron of workers: pray for us.
God Bless,
Fr.Dan