XAVIER
DIRECTED BY THE FATHERS OF THE SOCIETY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD SINCE 1890
2618 Seneca Street, St. Joseph, MO 64507
ST. FRANCIS
Sunday, February 15, 2009 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The mission of St. Francis Xavier Parish
is to encounter Jesus Christ and bring
Him to all, through vibrant liturgy,
lifelong Christian formation,
and social outreach.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart. - Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11 Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD
Page 2 St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph, MO
This week’s message from Father Timothy…
Lectio Divina (Divine Reading )Retreat
Invocatio, Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio, Contemplatio, Operatio, and Laudatio - these are the basic
steps of the most ancient way of praying the scriptures in all of Catholicism . References
referring to Lectio Divina go back as far as the Third Century. Last summer, at the Roman
Synod on Sacred Scripture, the Holy Father with the bishops encouraged a renewal in this
ancient way of encountering the presence of God through Scripture.
This Lent, as part of our Spiritual Enrichment series, I will lead a six-week retreat on Friday
mornings at 9:00 AM and Sunday Evenings at 5:30 PM immediately after Vespers on Lectio
Divina. All are welcome. There will be a sign-up sheet in Gaspar Hall after Masses so we know
how many will attend. Religious and laity have been using this form of prayer for centuries. We can embrace our
living God through praying scripture as well.
WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE? As St. Francis Xavier approaches the centennial celebration of our present church
building, many parishioners and friends have reflected on what the parish has meant to them personally, in their
careers, and families. They’ve been asked what their legacy of support for the parish might be and how they can
give back to the place that transformed their lives in so many ways.
You can express gratitude for your own St. Francis experience and make a lasting difference in the lives of current
and future parishioners by supporting the parish and school in a variety of gift planning methods:
-Making a provision in your will or trust to benefit St. Francis Xavier
-Donating marketable stock or mutual fund shares
-Designating the parish as beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement plan assets.
For more information about these and other ways to make a gift to benefit St. Francis Xavier, contact Fr Ron at
[email protected] or call 816-232-8449.
Philanthropic support for St. Francis will help ensure the parish’s ability, now and in the future, to provide a
transformative experience for our parishioners and students who will, in turn, positively impact the lives of others.
Fr. Timothy Guthridge, C.PP.S.
Priest in Residence
Would God be satisfied with my charitable works
if he saw my checkbook?
COLLECTIONS LAST WEEK FISCAL YTD
Contributions (actual) $ 20,855 $ 761,625 Budget (needed to cover expenses)
$ 25,095 $ 833,961
Excess/(Shortfall) $ (4,240) ($ 72,335)
PLEASE NOTE THE SHORTFALL - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
GOOD STEWARD AWARD:
to ROSE MARIE JEZAK who coordinates
our funeral luncheon ministry. During 2008
she and her volunteers served 30 funeral lunches
totaling 2,260 people served. Thank you
for this great service to our parish family.
Sunday, February 15
9:00 am Confirmation Year 2 Rite of Election
10:30 am Choir sings at Mass
1:00-6:00 pm 5 Love Languages Seminar in Parish Center
Monday, February 16 - No School and
No School of Religion Classes
6:30 pm Parish Council and Finance
Council meet in Parish Center
Tuesday, February 17
9:00 am House of Bread Open
9:00 am Mystic Prayer Group meets in rectory meeting room
Wednesday, February 18
6:00 pm Youth Group meets ―Wait Training‖
7:00 pm RCIA and RCIC meet in Parish Center
Thursday, February 19
9:00 am House of Bread Open
11:00 am Finance Council meets in Rectory
2:30 pm Mass at local prison
7:00 pm Baptism Preparation Meets in Parish Center
7:30 pm Adult Choir rehearsal in Parish Center
Friday, February 20
No events scheduled today
Saturday, February 21
6:00 am ―That Man Is You!‖ meets in Parish Center
Topic: ―Penance: Conquering the Flesh ‖
9:00 am House of Bread Open
2:00 pm Tim Reid & Brooke Harvey Wedding Mass
4:00pm Choir Sings at Mass and Dedication
5:00 pm Dedication of St. Gaspar Statue in Gaspar Hall
Sunday, February 22
3:00 pm Precious Blood Companions meet in Parish Center
8:00 pm Mass at St. Patrick Church
In the last month, have you invited someone
to participate in our parish?
Sunday, February 15, 2009 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 3
at St. Francis Xavier
WELCOME TO ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH
Our parishioners and parish staff hope that your visit to our
church will be a prayerful time as you visit. If we may serve you
with any of your needs, please do not hesitate to contact us at
the Parish Office. St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is
committed to proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ.
If you recently moved to our area and desire to join our parish
community we invite you to register as a member by talking
to one of the priests after Mass or by calling the Parish Office.
Together we pray that the Holy Spirit will lead us in being a
welcoming Catholic community.
$CRIP NEWS
Exciting news! The recent Best Buy bonus was a great
success. So, Best Buy has decided to continue the non-
profit contribution on Best Buy's $25, $100 and $250 gift cards at
3%, indefinitely.
Don't forget to take advantage of Best Buy's on-line Gift Center the
next time you're searching for that perfect gift. Search for gifts by
price, occasion, rating, or even by age and gender. Whether you're
buying for a family member, friend or co-worker, shopping has never
been easier.
Did you know that JCPenney & Kohl’s scrip cards can be used as
payment on JCPenney & Kohl’s charge account at any register?
Scrip cards are available every Friday morning from 7:30 am -
7:55 am at the school main hall near the office, after weekend
Masses in Gaspar Hall, or in the parish office during regular business
hours - Mon.-Fri., 8-Noon and 1-4pm.
SCRIP Program Sales for the Past Week:
Sales 7,396.00 Profit $303.38
Vocation Prayer Dear Father, help us understand that we extend your love to our
neighbor not only as Jesus did when he touched the leper,
but also through the sound of our voice, the compassion
in our face, the love in our eyes. Like Jesus, dear Abba, we have
the vocation of being your image in the world.
Vocation Crucifix Mark & Kelly Tighe,
Sun., Feb. 15, at 10:30am Mass
Doug & Marjorie Minnis,
Sun., Feb. 22, at 10:30am Mass
Matthew & Libby Harshman Family
Kiley Franken & Doug Sims Family
Welcome to our Parish!
Dr. Thomas Collins, former parishioner and principal
of St. Francis Xavier School for 17 years. Dr. Collins passed away on Saturday, February 7th. The
funeral Mass was on Wednesday, February 11th at
Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be
in the form of a donation to St. Francis School or the
American Heart Association. For those who wish to send a
card, the family home address is:
324 Forest Park Circle, Longwood, FL 32779.
Please remember him and his family in your prayers.
Charles Wolf, father of Fr. John Wolf (former pastor of St. Francis Xavier), died Wednesday,
February 4th. The Funeral Mass was February 7 in
Minster, Ohio. Sympathy cards may be sent to:
Fr. John Wolf, C.PP.S., Church of the Annunciation,
PO Box 599, Kearney, MO 64060-0599.
Please hold Charles, Fr. John and all the family in prayer.
Page 4 St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph, MO
Welcome New Advertisers: Green Hills Supermarkets and Matt Thrasher / American Family Insurance
Many thanks to our advertisers whose ads you see on the back page of our bulletin. Because of their
investment, our bulletin no longer costs the parish anything to print! Please patronize their businesses.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEDICATION
OF OUR CHURCH Our parish church
was dedicated on February 21,
1909. We rejoice over the gift of this
building, so honored in its memories,
handed on to us by our parents in
the faith. We also praise God for the
saving events which have unfolded
here – the Easter Vigils together, the
baptisms (perhaps yours), and the many actions which form
us into church. We will begin an all-year celebration of our
anniversary with the dedication of a statue of St. Gaspar after
the 4:00 pm Mass next Saturday, February 21. Please join
us. We hope that all our current and past parishioners will
celebrate with us September 27 when Bishop Finn will
celebrate a special Mass with us. This can be a homecoming
day for those who have moved away, a get-acquainted day for
those who are new. We have a lot of stories to tell about our
history here.
BAPTISM PREPARATION for new and expecting parents will
be offered this Thursday at 7:00 pm in the parish center.
A MORATORIUM BILL has been introduced in the Missouri
Legislature calling for a two year halt to executions while the
practice is studied statewide. The Human Rights Office of the
Diocese is sponsoring an advocacy day on Wednesday
February 18th, 2009 . Carpools and vans will be leaving St.
Francis Xavier Church in Kansas City on Troost Ave. at
7am . We will return at 5pm . To register, please contact
Whitney at 816-756-1858 ext. 532 or
During Lent the Diocese will be organizing a postcard
campaign to our legislators in Jefferson City as well.
LENT BEGINS FEBRUARY 25 with Ash
Wednesday. We invite you to bring
your old palms from your homes to
church and drop them in the baskets
at the church entrances. The palms
will be burned to make ashes for use
on Ash Wednesday.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS ARE NEEDED for Ash Wednesday
Masses at 12:05pm and 7:00pm. We need Lectors,
Communion Ministers, Servers And Hospitality Ministers. To
volunteer, please call Theresa Gach at 232-3082.
LENT IS A DAILY WALK WITH JESUS As a parish family we
journey with the RCIA catechumens and candidates toward
Baptism and at the same time renew our own commitment to
living our Baptismal Promises. There will be a Lenten
Spiritual Enrichment Series offered Friday mornings and
Sunday evenings by Fr. Timothy based on praying the
scriptures and on Wednesday evenings by Fr. Ron based a
better understanding and deeper encounter of Jesus through
the Sacraments. See next week’s bulletin for full schedule of
Lenten opportunities.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW LECTORS,
COMMUNION MINISTERS AND CANTORS
Saturday, February 28th at St. Francis Xavier; registration
deadline is February 21st.
Saturday, March 21 at St. Pius X High School in Kansas
City. Registration deadline is March 9.
Contact our parish office for registration information.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS’ OPEN HOUSE Families toured our school facilities last weekend during the Diocesan-wide
Open House. Below left: The Spencer Family tours our Early Childhood Center
with Kindergarten teacher Nila Bitunjac. Below: Amy Barnett and daughter,
Lily visit one of the classrooms. Right, Amy Mayfield visits with Pre-
Kindergarten teacher Kim Baker while Izabella and Marquel play.
COMING EVENTS AT ST. FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL: Monday, Feb. 16th - NO SCHOOL - NO SCHOOL OF RELIGION - President’s Day Holiday
Wednesday, Feb. 18th - 4th Grade ―Bring a Guest to Lunch‖
Monday, Feb. 23rd - 7:00 pm HASA Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 25th - 9:30am Ash Wednesday All-School Mass
SCHOOL FAMILIES - Now is the time to turn in your auction donations. Remember the deadline is Friday,
March 6th to help your child win individual prizes! And the final deadline for grade level incentives is March
31st! Here’s how it works:
Donate to the Auction by Friday, March 6th and your student(s) will be in a drawing for individual prizes
(All donations prior to 3/6/09 apply to this drawing.)
Grade levels with the highest percentage of family participation by Tuesday, March 31st will also be
rewarded.
Please complete and securely attach an auction form to your donation. It is important that your family’s name
and children’s grade level are completed for accurate records. If you choose to make a cash/check donation,
it is suggested that it be a minimum of $25. Please send the money and the completed form in a secure envelope to ―Kevin
Koenig-8th grade.‖ So – please donate early and join in the fun - and the rewards!
Students should keep an eye on auction chart on the cafeteria wall to see how their grade is doing in the Pirate Race for 100%
Participation! Aarrrgh! And remember—now is the time to claim your place in the front row! Just 5 Caribbean-themed tables
remain and will be sold for $500 each—be sure to get one of the best seats in the house when you sponsor one of these tables!
- Auction Co-Chairs, Scott & Stacey Hausman, 387-1175 & David & Sally Sanders, 232-2564
SECOND QUARTER HONOR ROLL STUDENTS
FROM ST. FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH Nathan Bain, Stephanie Bell, Summer Bridges, Karen Brunner,
Kaitlyn Crotty, Meg Davis, Brian Debenito, Ryley Drennen, Brandon Fangman, Dain Finney, Amanda Fuson,
Madeleine Glenski, Kayla Grieshaber, Aaron Harris, Kaitlyn Jenkins, Monica King, Nic Lammoglia,
Patrick Lawhon, Hannah Looney, Lauren Looney, Katie Lorenz, Alex Luke, Alex Lukens, Brooke Marquart,
Brian McCullough, Jacob McKiddy, Veronica Modlin, Max Montag, Sam Montag, Eric Muehlbach,
Megan Peppard, Molly Peppard, Robert Pyatt, Sarah Sanders, Juston Sanger, Jacob Seevers,
Hailey Slater, Tyler Sten, Hillary Turner, Jocie Van Vickle, Joe Voltmer, Vince Vos, and Jackie Ziesel.
Sunday, February 15, 2009 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 5
100th ANNIVERSARY STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
Many thanks for the prompt and enthusiastic
response to our request for donations for this important
Centennial project!
Two donors have already stepped forward with financing!
COMING THIS MARCH! Watch for a display in Gaspar Hall of
photos from the past 100 years to
celebrate the Centennial of our present
church building. The committee is
planning a different event or display each
month to highlight our history.
Page 6 St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph, MO
BULLETIN DEADLINE: Submissions need to arrive by noon on the Friday nine days prior to the publication date, and may be
emailed to [email protected], or delivered to the rectory office.
Please patronize the advertisers on the back page of our bulletin. Because of their ads, our bulletin no longer costs the parish
anything to print.
NEWS & NOTES
CHILDCARE ON SUNDAYS DURING 10:30 MASS is now in Xavier
House, (former Convent building) at 27th & Seneca, across from
church.
LEGISLATIVE WEBSITE: For information on the Freedom of
Choice Act (FOCA), as well as other legislation go to:
www.nchla.org
FROM THE SOPHIA CENTER: THE DREAM AND THE
JOURNEY Fri., Feb. 27th at 7:00pm through Sun., Mar. 1st
at 4:00pm. Do you ever wonder from where dreams come
and what meaning they might have in your journey to God?
Limit 10 participants. Fee $180; register by Feb. 23rd.
MINISTERING TO THE BODY, MIND AND SOUL Energy is
your life force, animating the body, creating movement and
vitality in your whole person. Learn a daily routine that can
enhance your overall health, reducing stress, adding vitality
and joy, and heightening clarity of mind. Fee $40; register
by Mar. 10th. Contact Sr. Eleanor Suther, OSB, Directory of
the Sophia Center in Atchison. Call 913-360-6151 or email:
LENTEN RETREATS AT THE CONCEPTION ABBEY GUEST
CENTER: Fri. to Sun., Feb. 20-22 - Lessons from the Rule of St.
Benedict and Monastic History: a Lenten retreat.
Br. Thomas and Fr. Benedict will reflect on aspects of the
monastic tradition as an introduction to contemporary ways of
living Lent. Ample quiet time, prayer and Eucharist with the
monks and seminarians, and the opportunity to celebrate
Reconciliation round out the weekend. (Suggested donation
for lodging, meals and conferences: $120 single, $195 double
accommodations)
Wed., March 11th - Lenten Day of Reflection for Women.
Pause early in Lent and reflect with Fr. Patrick and others from
the Abbey Guest Center staff on your Lenten goals and
practices. Coffee and a conference at 9:30 begin the day.
Quiet time, Eucharist with the monks and seminarians, and
lunch follow. A 2:30 pm conference concludes the
day. (Suggested donation, including lunch: $20 per person)
Wed., April 8 to Mon., April 13th Celebrating the Triduum at
the Abbey. Join the monks and seminarians for the holiest
days of the Church year. Moving liturgies, good conferences,
and ample silence for reading and prayer mark this sacred
time. Begins Wednesday evening, with supper and concludes
after breakfast Monday morning.
(Suggested donations for lodging, meals and conferences:
$200 single, $380 double accommodations)
For more information, please call the Abbey Guest Center at
660-944-2809 or email us at [email protected].
IMPORTANT EVENTS
WIDOWED PERSONS GROUP will meet Sunday, Feb. 15th at
1pm in the Parish Center. Dessert; all are welcome.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND This weekend is a time to
look at our love for our spouse and decide to do something to
make our love more like Jesus’ love for us. How do I learn to
love like Jesus? The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Weekends are Feb. 20-22 at the Ramada Inn, Branson, MO;
Mar. 6-8, June 5-7 and Nov. 6-8 at the Howard Johnson Plaza
in Kansas City, MO. Dates fill fast; early registration is
recommended. For more information, contact Shawn &
Stephanie Souders at 816-903-1988, or email:
TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) Weekend: March 13-15.
Sophomore High School-age 20 teens are invited to a faith-
filled and fun weekend at Conception Abbey. Begins Fri., 4:30
PM, and ends Sun., 6:00 PM. Come join other teens to
explore your relationship with Christ. Cost : $75. Apply by
March 1 (earlier is encouraged). For application or more
information, check website: www.olog.org (click on "TEC"),
call Fr. Tom Ludwig, 232-2847, or contact Terri Teschner, 271
-3434, or [email protected].
MEN’S CURSILLO is offered in Kansas City on March 12-
15. Women’s Cursillo will be offered April 30-May 3.
Candidate Application Forms can be printed from website:
www.cursillo.net.
REACH OUT WITH A HELPING HAND Catholic Charities offers
opportunities to serve others through volunteering in our
community.
Share your talents and expertise with at-risk youth
through T-CAP. Volunteers are needed in implementing a
positive action curriculum; nutrition education; dance,
fitness or drama instruction; or homework tutoring.
Assist case managers in Turn Around or Services for
Young Families programs
Contact Teresa at 800-246-1850, ext. 561, or
[email protected] to learn more about these and other
volunteer positions.
Let Nothing Disturb You Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God alone never changes. Patience gains all things. If you have God you will want for nothing. God alone suffices.
- St. Teresa of Avila
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER
2618 Seneca St., St. Joseph, MO 64507
RECTORY .................................... 232-8449
FAX .............................................. 364-5174
SCHOOL ...................................... 232-4911
(Pre-School thru Eighth Grade)
HOUSE OF BREAD ..................... 671-9473
Web Site: www.sfxstjoe.com
Parish Office hours are 8:00 to 4:00 M-F, closed 12:00-1:00.
PARISH STAFF
Rev. Ron Will, C.PP.S., Pastor
Rev. Bill Walter, C.PP.S., Senior Priest in Residence
Rev. Timothy Guthridge, C.PP.S., Priest in Residence
Principal............................................................. Denise Campbell
Secretary .............................. Connie Swymeler and Pam Evans
Parish Administrator ........................................................ Ed Ford
Confirmation Director ................................................. Lynn Davis
R.C.I.A. Director ......................................................... Jodean Ford
School of Religion Coordinator ................................. Pam Evans
Music Director......................................................... Bill McMurray
Catholic School Alliance ........................................... Patty Ziesel
Bulletin Editor…………………………………………….Roberta Seevers
House of Bread Coordinators………....Marie Lederer & Jack Switzer
Youth Ministry Coordinator……………………………….……David Schmitt
Diocesan Victim’s Advocate, (816) 361-2666………….Leslie Guillot
Sunday, February 15, 2009 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 7
GIFT BEARERS AT WEEKEND MASSES: If you are present at a Mass for your family’s intention, please tell
an usher before Mass that you would like to bring up the gifts of bread and wine.
S aint Francis Xavier parish has been under the spiritual leadership of the Society of the Precious Blood since
its beginning in 1890. As a Catholic community, we stand ready to serve all those who are in need. We value
in a special way the handing on of faith and tradition through our Parish School, Religious Education and Christian
Formation. We welcome everyone. New members are encouraged to call and register at the Rectory.
MASSES SATURDAY: (SUNDAY VIGIL MASS) 4:00 and 6:00 PM
SUNDAY: 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 AM and 12:00 NOON
WEEKDAY: 7:00 and 8:15 AM: SATURDAY: 8:00 AM
RECONCILIATION SATURDAYS: 11 AM, 3 PM and 7 PM
BAPTISM Parental preparation by appointment.
MATRIMONY Nine months of notification. Preparation for
engaged couples.
R.C.I.A. Meets weekly from September through
Pentecost. Inquiries are welcome year-round.
COUNSELING Available to individuals and families. Make appointments
through the Rectory.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK Priests visit Heartland hospital on Tuesday and Friday.
Can be received at home anytime. Call the Rectory.
HOSPITAL VISITS If you have a family member or friend in the hospital who
would like to be visited by a parish priest, please call the
Rectory. Due to privacy laws, the hospital cannot tell the
priests who is in the hospital.
SATURDAY, February 21
Peter Damian, bishop & doctor
8:00 AM Sylvester & Florance
Minnis
4:00 PM Agnes Murawski
6:00 PM Dick Robertson
SUNDAY, February 22
Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time
7:30 AM For the Parish
9:00 AM John & Mary Esther
Hague
10:30 AM Marilyn Pollard
12:00 PM Monte L. Schaufler
MONDAY, February 16
7:00 AM Fred Lindsey
8:15 AM Tom Collins
TUESDAY, February 17
Seven Founders of the Order of
Servites, religious
7:00 AM Vincent Spire
8:15 AM For Vocations WEDNESDAY, February 18
7:00 AM Hugh McCullough, Sr.
8:15 AM Floyd & Alma Borghoff
THURSDAY, February 19
7:00 AM Stella Nelson
8:15 AM Don Tabor
FRIDAY, February 20
7:00 AM Virginia Casey
8:15 AM Tom O’Connor