saint FRancis xavieR paRish novembeR 19, 2017

Our MissiOn stateMent

st. Francis Xavier is a cathOlic- Jesuit parish ignited by the eucharist 

tO pray, serve, dO Justice, and lOve.

Celebrating 125 Years

‘Thank You.

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Pastor

Thanksgiving

I was raised on old movies--movies of Frank Capra and John Ford, of William Wilder and Howard Hawks; movies that starred Gary Cooper and June Allyson, Clark Gable and Myrna Loy, Humphrey Bogart and Sonja Heine, and Fred Astaire. Staying home, on those rare grade-school sick days, I would curl up on the couch and watch with my mother, who would be etting up constantly to do a load of laundry or prep dinner. Before DVD’s or even VHS tapes, on an old black and white television, we would watch together. And though I did not know it, dreams were growing in me of meaning and purpose, of a world where people could be decent and heroic, where joy and grace could come, if we just worked together and learned to laugh. Looking back, I know that these movies portrayed an unreal world, yet still I am thankful, for the un-reality they maintained and the twist it put in me.

I grew up in the rural New York, with 8 siblings. We would play war and build forts on the side of the barn. We grew up, still believing that we could solve the problems of the world, just as our parents had won World War II and solved the problems of the Great Depression. Looking back at those days, I can see naiveté in believing we would make the world over, yet I am thankful for the shelter such ideals afforded a young boy, and the way they planted hope too deep to root out. I entered the Church before I even knew I had. With three priests in the rectory, we received wonderful and varied homilies, and a sense that the Church, grounded on the unfailing love of Christ in the Eucharist, was meant to be open and active, unafraid to speak to the world and able to dialogue fearlessly with the many voices that surrounded her. For all the sadness and the anger in the Church today, from all directions, I am thankful for the joy my parents felt in their faith, the confidence they gave me that the Church—filled with the fallible and the foolish—is still the presence of Christ in the world, founded on the apostles, and guaranteed to be eternal, through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Much of what I knew as a child is very different today. I have seen the corruption of politicians and governments around the world, and the intractable nature of evil. I have known children who do not grow up with ideals built on care and love, but in the shadow of abuse and neglect. I have encountered (too personally) a Church in which abuse is hidden and shame comes out in flights of anger.

Yet, for all these terrible things, for all these sins that call me to work for healing and hope, I am not over-come, because I know that I am—even today—wildly and undeservedly blessed. I know that I have been incredibly graced in my life, and that the vast majority of the globe—including many in this Parish—cannot claim most of what I sometimes take for granted: food and shelter, clean water and medical care, parents who loved me and an education that permitted me amazing freedom. I know how much of what is at my fingertips is pure gift, unearned by any efforts that I have done. And I know, as well, that I can never repay all that I have received, even if I work twice as hard and take half as much going forward. So what am I to do? Sometimes, the proper response is far simpler than we imagine. Our response to all that is given is, ultimately, to pray that great and perfect prayer: Thank you!

This week, we celebrate the great national feast, Thanksgiving. But as we sit down to the table, let us recall that, in the end, it is not turkey or cranberry sauce, or pumpkin pie —not even football—that are at the center of this celebration. No. The center is thanks, for our mixed up and wondrous lives, and all the ways we live them. Therefore, before we carve the bird let us take a moment to recall these blessed lives, and recount what is given into our hands; and let us say with awe: Thank you!

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RESPONSORIAL PSALM

You may have noticed that we have modified the way we sing the responsorial psalm.

The purpose of the psalm is to allow us to respond to the scriptural reading we just heard. The cantor’s role in this call/response is to intone the psalm response. The con-gregation’s role is to echo that response, which is why the cantor is appropriately silent during that time. The cantor calls and the people respond. For this to work, three key actions are important: we listen to the cantor’s call, repeat it strongly to fix it in our memory, and repeat it each time the cantor raises arms to invite our response.

You will find the words to each Sunday’s psalm either in the Missal (no indication on the number board) or in the red hymnal in the pews (indicated by PS on the number board)

With time and practice this part of the Liturgy of the Word will be full voiced and enthusiastic. Thank you for your patience!

Rachael Beck

The Parish office will be closed on Thanksgiving and the Friday after.

We will be hosting a blood drive on Monday, December 4th in Reidy Hall

from 8:30 - 1.To register, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter stfrancis or you may call Pam in the

parish office to select an available time.

Please join us for Mass at 9:00 a.m.

on Thanksgiving Day.

"Join with St. Francis Xavier Parish in the #iGiveCatholic movement in an online fundraiser to repair and refinish the doors to our beloved church. While the parish con-tinues to restore our stained glass windows, we can no longer ignore the need to refinish all of the original oak doors. There are 7 exteriors doors remaining and three sets of interior doors.

Please consider making a donation in support of our efforts to preserve this historic church for future gen-erations. Please follow this link to make your donation today through November 28th: https://igivecatholic.org/designee/st-francis-xavier-church.

Our goal is to raise $12,000 by November 28th and hope you will help with whatever amount is affordable to you or your family. Thank you in advance for your generos-ity and ongoing support of our restoration efforts at St. Francis Xavier Parish!"

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Items of Note:

Vamos a celebrar la Misa en español el domingo el 19 de

noviembre a las 6:00 pm en la parroquia de St. Anthony.

Our next Mass in Spanish will be at 6:00 pm on Sunday, November 19 at St. Anthony Parish.

¡Todos están bienvenidos!

Mass celebrated in Spanish Today!

If you know of any parishioners who would like to have one of our dedicated Ministers of Care bring Holy Communion to their

home, please contact Karen in the parish office at 541-6045

GIVING TREE 2017 MAKE TAGS IN REIDY HALL- SUNDAY, NOV. 12 11:00 AM

PUT UP TREES IN CHURCH – FRIDAY, NOV. 17 4:00 PM FOOD DRIVE – NOV. 25, 26 & DEC. 2,3

DEADLINE TO RETURN FOOD AND GIFTS – DEC. 10 SORT GIFTS – TUESDAY DEC. 12 8:30 AM

MAKE FOOD BOXES – FRIDAY DEC. 15 8:30 AM DISTRIBUTE GIFTS – FRIDAY DEC. 15 1:00 PM

TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE CALL PAM IN THE PARISH OFFICE

AT 541-6041

This year, tags will be on the Giving Trees

from the following agencies:

Early Head Start, Mountain Home, Seattle Nativity School, Council Groves Low-Income Apartments,

Backpacks for Kids, Partners in Home Care, Family Promise, and the International Rescue Committee. New this year for the Heart Butte community will be vouchers for Essential Eats Distributors to purchase elk and bison meat for

their newly formed Food Pantry.

Family Promise

We will be hosting Family Promise from December 3rd - 9th. The white board will be in the west entrance for sign ups or you can call Pam in the parish office to get on the schedule.

Moms Group

This is an informal gathering of mothers and young children developing friendships and

sharing their Faith.

To guide us in prayer we will be drawing from ‘Challenge’ a daily meditation program based on

the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

Our next gathering here in the Loyola Center will be December 7th at 10:00 a.m.!

Please contact Patricia in the Parish office if you have questions.

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St. Francis Xavier Parish will often use parishioner likeness in print, video, website or in social media sites for the purpose of sharing our church community with others.

Are you interested in finding out more about St. Francis Xavier and the Catholic Church?

Whether you are baptized in another denomination, have never been baptized and are exploring Christianity for the first time, or are a former Catholic pondering a return to the Church, we are happy to talk with you, answer questions, and explore the many possibilities.

Find out more—by calling Fr. Rich Perry, S.J. , Fr. Matt Holland, S.J. or Fr. Joseph Carver, SJ.

saint FRancis xavieR ~~ missoULa, montana420 West pine street, missoula mt, 59802

542-0321, sfxmissoula.org

November 19, 2017 ThirTy- Third iN ordiNary OFFICE HOURS:

Monday-Thursday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Friday 8:30 am - Noon

e-mail: stfrancisxavier@sfxmissoula.org. Phone: 406- 542-0321 Fax: 406-327-8537

Weekend LiturgiesSaturday ~~~ 5 p.m.Sunday ~~ 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 6 p.m.Weekday LiturgiesMonday - Friday ~~ 8 a.m. Confession -Saturday ~~ 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. or by appointmentEucharistic AdorationWednesdays & First Fridays ~ 8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Prayers

Thank you for your generous giving! on Facebook at St. Francis Xavier Church ,

on Twitter @SFXmissoula and

on Instagram at sfxmissoula.

Follow all the events, news, and photos of life here at St. Francis Xavier.

Remember to add our parish App to your phone and stay connected!

May --- Dolores Lawrence, Dorothy Long, Jack McCoy,

Laura Fellin & Elizabeth Coffey receive His healing and consolation.

For information on Jesuit vocations BeAJesuit.org

Collections for Sunday, November 12, 2017

Envelopes $10726.50 Loose: $1612.77

Eucharistic Adoration

If you are interested in participating in Eucharistic Adoration and would like to

commit to an hour of prayer in the church, please contact Kathy Kaiser 406.251.3704.

St. Francis Xavier offers Adoration on Wednesdays & First Fridays from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

All Saints $120.00 All Souls $260.00 Maintenance $30.00 Solemnity of Mary $1.00

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Mass StipendSuggested Mass stipend is $20 tax deductible

“... only the intangible value of prayer...”

November 19, 2017

Mass Intentions for the Month of November, 2017

Saturday 11/18 For the People* Sunday 11/19 Trisha Hagan Jean Weldele Elsie Hamill Monday 11/20 Peg Sterling Tuesday 11/21 Dorothy Hoyt Dillingham Wednesday 11/22 Tim Hubbard Thursday 11/23 Mary Friia Thanksgiving Friday 11/24 Elsie Hamill Saturday 11/25 Rose & William Kohout Sunday 11/26 For the People* Special Intention* John ‘Jack’ Bradbury Monday 11/27 Sabina C’de Baca Tuesday 11/28 Peg Sterling Wednesday 11/29 Amanda Foote Thursday 11/30 Peg Sterling

Mass Scriptures for the Month of November, 2017

Saturday 11/18 Wis. 18:14-16; 19:6-9 Ps. 105 Luke 18:1-8 Sunday 11/19 Prov. 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Ps. 128 1 Thess. 5:1-6 Matt. 25:14-30 Monday 11/20 1 Macc. 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63 Ps. 119 Luke 18:35-43 Tuesday 11/21 2 Macc. 6:18-31 The Presentation Ps. 3 of the Blessed Virgin Mary Luke 19:1-10 Wednesday 11/22 2 Macc. 7:1, 20-31 St. Cecilia Ps.17 Luke 19:11-28 Thursday 11/23 1 Macc. 2:15-29 Bl. Miguel Agustin Pro Ps. 50 Luke 19:41-44 Friday 11/24 1 Macc. 4:36-37, 52-59 St. Andrew Dung-Lac 1 Chron. 29 Luke 19:45-48 Saturday 11/25 1 Macc. 6:1-13 Ps. 9 Luke 20:27-40

A Stevensville Country ChristmasHistoric St. Mary’s Mission and Gift Shop

315 Charlos StreetHoliday Exhibit of Nativities and Christmas Dolls

Friday, December 1 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.Chapel Open House from 6 to 9 p.m. onlyDecember 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

St. Mary’s Gift ShopFeatures beautiful, handmade necklaces, jewelry and rosaries

made in Stevensville, Made in Montana unique gift items, stocking stuffers and much more.

Christmas shopping hours:Small Business Saturday, November 25 and

December 9, 10, 16, 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Winter fairMissoula country

fairgrounds

On Saturday and Sunday, December 16-17,from Noon to 6 PM, Missoula Fairgrounds issponsoring a FREE Winter Fair. Hay rides,a bonfire, free cocoa and coffee, events atthe ice rink, vintage and handmade market,gingerbread cookie decorating, folfing, games for kiddos and adults,and more. Feel free to bring a donation or food for the Food Bank and Salvation Army.

Please join this first-time family holiday event!If you are part of a caroling group, you are welcome to have your group stroll the groundscaroling and hymning. You may want toprovide a fun activity for children or adults, orhelp run some of the activities that are setup. Please let Fr. Rich know if you want tobe involved actively in this event. Thanks.

Mass Intentions for the Month of December, 2017

Friday 12/1 Kathy May* Saturday 12/2 The Beers Family* Sunday 12/3 Tim Burger St. Francis Xavier For the People* The Society of Jesus*

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Greetings from Carroll College! We are pleased again to offer a prospective student from St. Francis Xavier a $1,000. Carroll College scholarship, named in memory of the deceased priests of the Diocese of Helena and the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings. Carroll requires that the recipient be a student plan-ning to attend Carroll for the first time in the fall of 2018. The application is available for download from the Carroll College website at: https://www.carroll.edu/sites/carroll.edu/files/public_files//Scholar-ship%20Application/parish_scholarship_applica-tion_2018-2019.pdf.

Please note that the student should send the completed application to the Parish by no later than February 1, 2018. If you have questions, feel free to contact Tina Wagner by phone at 406-447-5466 or via email at: twagner@carroll.edu .

UNite: Join us Tuesday nights at CTK for food and fellowship. We begin with a meal at 6:00 and run programming from 6:30-7:30. This is a great way to grow in the faith and get plugged into our community. Mass on Campus: No Mass on Campus this week because Thanksgiving travel day! Bible Study: No Bible study this week! Will re-sume the following Friday! Women's Group is Sundays at 1 pm in the CTK Lounge! We are currently looking at female figures in The Bible. Come get some coffee, explore God's word, and enjoy good conversation with good company! Men's Group: No Men's group because of Thanksgiving holiday! Enjoy Thanksgiving! Lattes with Liz: Meet with Liz at Le Peak (on campus in the Cornerstore) for a time of discipleship, friends, and coffee! We will meet every Monday at 8 am!