XAVIER

Sunday, January 4, 2009 - Epiphany of the Lord

DIRECTED BY THE FATHERS OF THE SOCIETY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD SINCE 1890

2618 Seneca Street, St. Joseph, MO 64507

ST. FRANCIS They were overjoyed at seeing

the star, and on entering the house

they saw the child with Mary

his mother. They prostrated

themselves and did him homage.

Then they opened their treasures

and offered him gifts of gold,

frankincense, and myrrh.

- Matthew 2:10-11 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…

Catholic Mystic Prayer Group begins again.

The St. Francis Xavier Catholic Mystic Prayer Group will begin again Tuesday,

January 6th at 9:00 AM in the Rectory Conference Room. This group meets on

Tuesdays at this time and place, for one hour of prayer and reflection.

The time begins with 20 minutes discussing the life of a Catholic Mystic, then 20

minutes is spent praying the Jesus Prayer, and the hour is finished with 20 minutes of

sharing and fellowship.

The group finished up in early December looking at the lives of St. Francis, St. Clare,

and Hildegard of Bingen. We will start on January 6th looking at the life of Julia of Norwich

This is a very peaceful time of prayer, discussion and sharing. All are invited.

A Special Message from Father Ron…. Dear Parents,

Next Sunday, on January 11, we will celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Baptism is the

sacrament by which we are welcomed into the Church. We become children of God and heirs to eternal

life with God in heaven. Our Baptism is a very important day for us and the whole Church.

This is a wonderful feast for a family celebration. Gather information about the Baptism of each person

in the family. Tell stories that you’ve heard (or things you remember) about your Baptism and share

photographs of those special days.

Especially focus on the day of your child’s Baptism. Tell your child everything you can remember about

the day: the parish, the priest who baptized your child, the celebration. Most of all, share with your child the joy you

experienced on that day. Help your child better understand the significance of this very special moment when he or she

started a life in Christ that will last forever.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Ron

GOOD STEWARDSHIP Just as you rely upon

receiving income on a regular basis, St. Francis

Xavier Church relies upon your regular

contributions. St. Francis Xavier deeply

appreciates the efforts of parish members to

make consistent donations throughout the year,

especially during popular winter and summer

travel periods. To assist you, the church provides a

convenient electronic giving option for setting up

regular contributions. Please contact the parish

office for details.

SEEKING GOOD STEWARD NOMINEES

To nominate someone for a St. Francis Xavier Good

Steward Award, please write a brief summary of

their good works, and bring/mail it to the Parish

Office, or you may email to

robertasfx@yahoo.com.

Fr. Ron Will, C.PP.S.

Pastor

Fr. Timothy Guthridge, C.PP.S.

Priest in Residence

STEWARDSHIP is a way of living your Faith life.

COLLECTIONS LAST WEEK FISCAL YTD

Contributions (actual) $ 34,011 $ 583,259 Budget (needed to cover expenses)

$ 36,512 $ 688,024

Excess/(Shortfall) ($ 2,501) ($ 104,764)

PLEASE NOTE THE SHORTFALL - WE NEED YOUR HELP!

GOOD STEWARD AWARD: CHARLOTTE CHUNN, who coordinates the SFX student

servers, the Safety Patrol and the student volunteers

for the school Open Door Food Kitchen service days,

as well as working with the new Youth Group,

and volunteering in many capacities in the parish

including as a Eucharistic Minister

Sunday, January 4 - The Epiphany

9:00 am Choir Sings at Mass

Monday, January 5

SFX School Classes Resume

5:30 pm Building & Grounds

Committee meets/P. Center

6:30 pm School of Religion Classes resume

7:00 pm School Board meets in Parish Center

Tuesday, January 6

9:00 am House of Bread Open

Wednesday, January 7

6:00 pm Youth Group meets

7:00 pm RCIA and RCIC meets

Thursday, January 8

9:00 am House of Bread Open

Friday, January 9

6:00 pm Baptism Families’ Supper in Parish Center

Saturday, January 10

9:00 am House of Bread Open

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: Girl Scout Cookie Sale

and Registration for Spring Sessions

of “That Man Is You!” in Gaspar Hall after all Masses

Sunday, January 11

10:15 am 100th Anniversary Committee meeting

in Parish Center

5:00 pm Newcomer’s Soup Supper in Parish Center

Sunday, January 4 - Epiphany of the Lord 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 - BEST BUY BONUS OFFER THRU FRIDAY, JANUARY 23rd

for an additional 1%, (a total of 3%).

Best Buy offers a large selection of

televisions, cell phones, iPods, game

systems, Blu-ray discs, DVD’s and CD’s,

and accessories for all those items, too!

THANK YOU AGAIN to all our parishioners and friends who

have purchased SCRIP GIFT CARDS from us in 2008. From

July thru 12/17/08, your efforts raised $4,804 PROFIT to

SFX, and $4,706.24 in tuition credit for LeBlond families.

We are grateful for your continued support!

SCRIP Program Sales for Past Two Weeks: Thru 12/21, Sales $15,167.00 Profit $752.14

Thru 12/28, Sales $ 4,364.00 Profit $178.30

Marilyn Pollard, mother of parishioner

and SFX 7th Grade teacher, Darin Pollard

Please remember her and her family in your prayers.

Vocation Prayer

Many may have seen the star over Bethlehem, dear

Father, but you gave only three the gifts of love, humility

and simplicity to know that the baby in the stable was a

king, and to feel in their hearts a desire to worship him.

In our day, loving Father, please hand on these great

gifts to those who hope to be our priests.

Vocational Crucifix

J.R. & Jennifer Juhl,

Sun., Jan. 4, at 12pm Noon Mass

John & Nila Bitunjac,

Sun., Jan. 11, at 9am Noon Mass

New SFX Activity Calendar

We hope you noticed and kept the new

January parish activity calendar that

was in last week’s bulletin.

This is a new feature that will appear in

the bulletin on the last weekend of every month, and will

show events for the following month.

Any events listed on the parish calendar, and parish

center and school calendars will be included.

If your parish group wants to be listed on this calendar,

please submit your items by the 20th of the month.

The deadline for the February calendar is January 20th.

Please submit your information to Bulletin Editor

Roberta Seevers at the Parish Office, or email to

robertasfx@yahoo.com.

Page 4 St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph, MO

Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel and St. Joseph Electric Supply Co. 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.

NEW SESSION STARTS JANUARY 24TH

“That Man Is You!” will continue with the

spring sessions beginning January 24th.

More than 100 men participated during the

fall sessions and the spring sessions provide a

great Lenten experience in addition to

continuing the focus on authentic male leadership. It is not a

prerequisite to have participated during the fall sessions….so

pre-register now by calling Marty Novak at 233-1228 or by

stopping at the registration table next weekend after Mass.

ENGAGED? MARRIED? NEED NATURAL FAMILY

PLANNING? IS INFERTILITY A PROBLEM? The FertilityCare

System (Creighton Model) Introductory Session is offered

monthly at nine area locations. It fulfills marriage policy

requirement. It is helpful for achieving and avoiding

pregnancy plus medical application. Better than IVF for

infertility. Register online at www.fertilitycarekc.com or call

232-2258

FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION If you or someone you know is

at risk of foreclosure call Catholic Charities, a HUD certified

Housing Counseling Agency. No fee to Homeowner. The

sooner you call the better. 232-2885.

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT: After two working sessions,

the parishioners who gathered have developed the following

wording for our new parish mission statement:

St. Francis Xavier Parish is dedicated to the mission of Jesus

Christ. Our mission is to encounter Christ and bring Him to all

through vibrant liturgy, lifelong Christian formation, and social

outreach.

We invite your reflection and feedback by emailing Todd Joe

at tjoe@stjoelive.com or by contacting the parish office. The

deadline for comments is January 5th.

BAPTISM PREPARATION will be offered Thursday, January 15,

at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center for parents seeking Baptism

for their children.

NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK January 4-10 “The Church is

ever mindful that Jesus Christ himself was a refugee, that as

a child he had to flee with his parents from his native land in

order to escape persecution. In every age therefore the

Church feels herself called to help refugees. And she will

continue to do so, to the full extent that her limited means

allow.” (Pope John Paul II Address to Refugees in Exile at

Morong) Refugees are individuals who had fled their countries

of origin and who meet the United Nations’ criteria of having a

“well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion,

nationality, membership in a particular social group, or

political opinion.”

In 2007, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

and its diocesan agency network helped to resettle 13,631

refugees, or 28% of all refugees admitted into the United

States during this period. The persons resettled represented

41 different countries.

THE CALLED & GIFTED WORKSHOP Learn about the nature of

spiritual gifts and the lay vocation. Discern your own unique

calling. January 9th, 7:00-9:30pm, and January 10th, 9:30am

- 4pm at St. Therese (North) Parish, 7207 NW Hwy. 9, Kansas

City, MO, 64152. Lunch is included. There is no cost to

register; a free will offering will be taken to cover costs.

Presented by Fr. Michael Fones, OP, and Sherry Weddell,

directors of the Catherine of Sienna Institute. To register, or

for more information, contact Brandi Miller at

miller@diocesekcsj.org or call 816-756-1850 ext.250, or go to

www.bishophelmsinginstitute.org.

Scenes of Christmas at St. Francis Xavier...

Far Left, The Manger Scene. Near Left: The Ambo with finished

Advent pottery (symbolizing our own Advent journey) now ready

to greet the Christ Child, below it. Above: Fr. Timothy reads

the Gospel to the children at 4pm Mass, then tells the Russian

lesson of Grandma Baboushka.

Welcome Back, Students! Classes resume at 8:00am on Monday, Jan. 5th.

COMING EVENTS AT ST. FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL:

Monday, Jan. 5th - 7:00 pm School Board Meeting

Thursday, Jan. 8th - SFX Night at Papa John’s

Friday, Jan. 9th - Explore Test / Bishop LeBlond Entrance Exam administered to 8th Grade students

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL 30TH ANNIVERSARY AUCTION - - “THE BLACK PEARL” Saturday, April 25, 2009 will be here before we know it, and we hope you start thinking now

about your family’s donation.

Each family is asked to donate an item or basket to the auction, and buying items now during

January sales is a great way to pick up an item that will be sure to earn more than your

purchase price!

Collection of donations will start later in January.

For more information, contact one of the Auction Co-chairs Scott & Stacey Hausman or Sally &

David Sanders, or Family Donation Co-Chairs Angie Wise or Carol Fangman.

SCHOOL CLOSINGS FOR WEATHER: All St. Francis Xavier School families will be notified through the School-Reach automatic

calling system if weather conditions force the closing of school. Also, listen to KFEQ Radio at 680AM and KQTV Channel 2 or 10

for school closing information. The school will generally follow the St. Joseph School district unless they dismiss early for

extreme cold. St. Francis Xavier School does not dismiss early for weather conditions, but parents are always welcome to pick

up their children early.

Scholarship and Placement Test for Incoming Freshmen - Saturday, January 10 All eighth grade students planning to attend a

Catholic high school next fall must take the placement exam on Saturday, January 10. Doors open at 8 a.m., and the test begins

at 8:30 a.m. The test is an entrance requirement for all diocesan and private high schools in the Diocese of Kansas City ~ St.

Joseph. Students may test at Archbishop O'Hara, Bishop LeBlond, Cristo Rey in Kansas City, Notre Dame de Sion, Rockhurst, St.

Mary's, St. Pius X, or St. Teresa's Academy. Please call the school of your choice to reserve a spot.

FOR THE 2009-2010 SCHOOL YEAR St. Francis Xavier Parish seeks an enthusiastic and visionary Catholic School Principal to

guide our Preschool-8th grade program. The ideal candidate should show a strong ability to communicate well with staff,

students and parents; possess marketing and recruitment skills and a collaborative leadership style. The qualified candidate

must be an active practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church (Magisterium) with a minimum of 3 years

teaching experience; a master’s degree in education, administration or a related field and an administrative certificate from the

State of Missouri (or the ability to obtain one). Applications are available by contacting the Diocesan School Office at 816 756-

1858 x274 or on the website at www.diocese-kcsj.org/schools.

THINKING ABOUT NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS? Use the Five Expectations of an Active St. Francis Xavier Parishioner as a beginning point:

Actively participate in the entire Mass every Sunday.

Extend your prayer life beyond the Sunday Mass, actively pursuing spiritual growth and

personal encounters with God and follow the moral teachings of the Catholic Church

Actively work at discovering your God-given talents and treasures, and use them by being

involved in at least one parish ministry.

Share your Catholic beliefs by enrolling your children in religious education opportunities,

and invite others to learn and experience our Catholic Faith.

Show compassion for the poor and marginalized. Acknowledge and affirm the positive things people do.

Sunday, January 4 - Epiphany of the Lord Page 5

A featured item at this year’s SFX School Auction is this black pearl and created sapphire pendant. We hope you start thinking ahead about what

your donation will be! Remember - Holiday Sales are a gold mine for your donation items!

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 robertasfx@yahoo.com, 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

RECTORY COOKS Please pick up your pans and containers

from the rectory conference room.

DID YOU NOTICE the new tables in our parish center? They

were purchased through the generosity of the John Luckert

Memorial. They are a wonder Christmas gift from John to

the parish.

PAPER and ALUMINUM CAN RECYCLING BINS are now in

the driveway between the school and parish center. We

encourage you to be good stewards of our natural resources

and of our landfills.

TABLES FOR SALE: A select number of 8-ft. long and 5-ft.

round tables for a free will offering. Please call Ed Ford at

the Parish Office, 232-8449.

FORGIVE AND REMEMBER: A Retreat at the Sophia Center

in Atchison, KS. Presented by Donna and Robert Bacic.

January 10-11, 2009, (Sat 9:00 a.m. to Sun. 4:00 p.m.)

Retreatants are invited to take time out to reflect on what

forgiveness means to them, to explore what has helped and

what has hurt their attempts at forgiving another person,

and to consider how they might cultivate an inner life that is

open to the possibility of forgiveness. The retreat will

provide people interior space in which to think, discuss and

pray about one of the greatest gifts and challenges in

human life. Fee: $100 (Deposit $20) Register by Jan 15.

To contact Sister Eleanor Suther, OSB, Director of Sophia

Center, email: sophia@mountosb.org, or call 913-360-6173.

16TH ANNUAL “SUPPORT OUR SEMINARIANS” DINNER AND

AUCTION is scheduled for Fri., Jan. 30, 2009. This event

benefits seminarians from the Archdiocese of Kansas City,

Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. It

promises to be an evening filled with fun and laughter,

celebrating our Catholic faith, dining on wonderful food, and

bidding on extraordinary items! SOS will be held at the

Marriott Allis Plaza, 12th & Wyandotte, KCMO. Tickets are

$150 per person at tables of ten people. To reserve your

place, or an entire table, or to donate to the oral auction,

contact Martha Hodes at 913-649-9013 or

mmmh66@sbcglobal.net.

IMPORTANT EVENTS

SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND FOR YOUR CATHOLIC

KEY SUBSCRIPTION. An envelope was included in your

monthly packet for this purpose - $25 purchases a one-year

subscription, and can save our parish money when you

purchase your own subscription. If you forgot it today, please

drop it in the collection basket next weekend.

CHILDCARE ON SUNDAYS DURING 10:30 MASS is now in

Xavier House, (former Convent building) at 27th & Seneca,

catty-corner from church. THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY

CHILDCARE ON JAN 4TH DUE TO THE HOLIDAYS.

THANK YOU ALL for your prayers, cards and memorials for

Pat Smith. It was very thoughtful and we appreciated it.

- Bob Shalz and Susie Merrill

THE CATHOLIC MYSTIC PRAYER GROUP Dates for January are

January 6, 13, 20, and 27, at 9am in the Rectory conference

room.

THANK YOU for your kindness and generosity this Christmas

Season and for your donations for our foster children. You

have helped make Christmas a little brighter for many

children and families. May God bless each of you and your

families.

- Beth Miratsky, Supervisor, Catholic Charities Foster Care

JANE BRENNAN PRESENTATION Come hear the powerful

testimony of author Jane Brennan, MS a former militant/anti-

Catholic feminist. She will be giving her presentation and

doing a signing of her book “Motherhood Interrupted: Stories

of Healing and Hope after Abortion” on Wednesday night

January 7th at 7pm at St. James church. Jane has an amazing

conversion story. Come join us to hear how you can help

promote the culture of life.

It’s Not Too Early To Mark Your

Calendars For—

THE FIRST EVER - SFX CHOIR

VALENTINE'S DINNER

AND CONCERT

FRIDAY - FEB 13th -

In the PARISH CENTER 6PM Authentic Lasagna Dinner

7PM Concert.

Tickets will be available (pre-sale only) from any choir

member - and after Masses Jan 24/25, Jan 31/Feb 1, Feb

7/8). Just $12 per person.

Adult evening; wine will be available or B.Y.O.B. Please watch

the bulletin for more information!

CENTENNIAL NEWS

Watch the new bulletin board in Gaspar Hall

for details of the celebration of the Centennial

of our present church building

on Sept. 26 & 27, 2009!

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, closed 12:00-1:00 for lunch.

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, January 4 - Epiphany of the Lord 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

April. 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, January 10

8:00 AM Kevin Casey

4:00 PM For the Parish

6:00 PM Dick Robertson

SUNDAY, January 11 Baptism of the Lord

7:30 AM Katherine Meyer

9:00 AM James Chleborad

10:30 AM Lois McCoy

12:00 PM For Children &

The Needy

MONDAY, January 5 John Neumann, bishop

7:00 AM Jack & Stella Nelson

8:15 AM Magdalen Schultz

TUESDAY, January 6

7:00 AM Sylvester & Florance

Minnis

8:15 AM Kevin Casey

WEDNESDAY, January 7

7:00 AM Frances McCullough

8:15 PM Margaret Blessington

THURSDAY, January 8

7:00 AM Patricia Smith

8:15 AM Mrs Billie Anello

FRIDAY, January 9

7:00 AM Monte L. Schaufler

8:15 AM Jim Chleborad