On December 19th 1986, Cardinal
Carter brought St. Francis Xavier Parish into being. He appointed Msgr. Terence D’Souza as its
first pastor. It was Msgr. Terence’s
responsibility to gather the community first in Christ’s spirit and then to
animate it as a stable gathering of Christ’s faithful equipped to worship and
fulfill the mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel.
The parish was named in honour of
St. Francis Xavier a priest in the first generation of the Society of Jesus
dedicated to proclaiming the faith. St.
Francis was a tireless worker. He became
a model for many missionaries who have followed. For many who have become part of our parish,
St. Francis’ missionary work has been close to their hearts and at the heart of
their own Christian histories. Goa,
India, is still a great centre of devotion to this saint of singular
heart. St. Francis also went to Japan
and very nearly to China before he died, still quite a young man. He was a prolific writer and some of his
letters are available in our library. If
we say we are missionaries now, it seems very appropriate for us spiritually
united to St. Francis. Pope Benedict, is
inviting the Church to focus on its mission of spreading the Gospel in the
midst of the post-modern and secular world.
From this year’s feast of St.
Francis to next year’s, activities will take place that call us to deepen our
commitment to this mission and to appreciate the gift of faith we have
received. Friday, December 2nd, we will
celebrate Solemn Evening Prayer of St. Francis and pray together with thanks
for our spiritual benefactors who have gone before us. We will remember all of our deceased
parishioners and their families. Then, on
Saturday, December 3rd (the actual feast day) we will celebrate a solemn Mass. All will be welcome of course, but in
particular we would like to gather all those involved in our parish
organizations and ministries. A
reception will be held after Mass to break bread together so we can know each
other appreciate the Holy Spirit’s work
so diverse and blessed. Circle
these dates.
Fr. Bob
