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250 Works of Mercy

Our Jesuit Parish Family continues its call to be transformed in the Body of Christ—bearing hope and healing to our world. As Easter ends and ordinary time begins, we remember Jesus’ words “Peace be with you…as the Father sent me, I am sending you” (Jn 20:21). Emboldened by the Holy Spirit, rooted in our faith, and following His example, we are called to give, to evangelize, and to serve.

As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, we invite you to join our parish family in a special effort to bring hope, healing and peace to our community. With that spirit, our parish plans to complete more than 250 Good Works between Memorial Day (May 25) and Independence Day (July 4).

Here is a list of upcoming parish good works and service opportunities to which you are warmly invited. You are also encouraged to think creatively and help develop additional ways to serve. Together, this will be a meaningful opportunity to grow in faith and compassion as individuals, as families, and as a parish community. 

After you have completed your good work(s), individually or as a group, please record your good works below! We have a team creating an installation of paper doves in the back of the church that will be a special way of visualizing our positive impact and our growth in discipleship—focused on hope, healing and peace—when we celebrate the weekend of July 4! 

Submit Your Work of Mercy

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Tender Mercies

Tender Mercies Collection: Please donate a food dish for Tender Mercies in May and June. Please call the office or drop it off at St. X by 11 AM on Sunday, May 31 and Sunday, June 28

Habitat for Humanity

Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. Join us as we partner with Habitat for Humanity to create and preserve opportunities for affordable homeownership in our community through the “2026 Habitat Shalom” project. The Shalom Coalition of Habitat for Humanity builds a house every year between March and September.

Volunteers must be 16 years or older. This opportunity is ideal for individual adults, friends, and groups who would like to serve together.

To participate:

  1. Complete the volunteer waiver and safety video by visiting the Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Page and clicking on the “Volunteer” tab.
  2. New volunteers should indicate that they are new so a VolunteerHub account can be set up. If you already have a VolunteerHub account, leave that section blank.
  3. If you experience any issues, please contact Laura Wells at Laura.wells@habitatcincinnati.org.
  4. Sign up for a workday using the 2026 Habitat Shalom Signup Genius. Twelve volunteer slots are available each day, so choose a date and make plans to serve!

Please wear comfortable clothes you do not mind getting dirty, along with closed-toe shoes. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. Since this is an active construction site, there is no heat or air conditioning, so dress appropriately for the weather. In the event of inclement weather, please check your email for cancellation notices and rescheduling information.

Nexus Community Garden

The mission of NEXUS Community Garden and Urban Farm is to serve as a growing collaborative space bringing together diverse stakeholders from St. Xavier Church, Bellarmine Chapel, Xavier University campus, and neighboring communities. A place to grow genuinely transformative relationships, address food insecurity and hunger, educate around the importance of urban agriculture, and promote sustainability. The garden is on Xavier University’s campus and volunteers help with weeding, watering, harvesting, and delivery to the food pantries. Last year, we donated more than 1000 lbs of food! This is a family friendly event scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 9-11 AM. Click here to RSVP.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

At the heart of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is the ministry of person-to-person home visits, where Vincentian volunteers accompany neighbors in need and work together to find ways to support them. Parishioners from St. Xavier and the Cathedral gather on Saturday mornings from 9 AM to 12 PM to serve in this meaningful ministry. We invite you to prayerfully discern whether you feel called to share your gifts and put your faith into action through SVDP. If you are interested in serving in this way, please contact Sr. Whitney Schieltz, SC, Associate Director of Social Mission, at wschieltz@stxchurch.org.

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Praying for Hope, Peace, and Healing

Father Damian will be leading our Jesuit Parish Family in a special online prayer series centered on hope, healing, and peace. All are warmly invited to join in prayer and reflection as we come together in faith and support for one another. Please consider participating in one or more of the following sessions:

  • PRAYERS FOR HOPE: Wednesday, May 27 8:30-8:45 AM (ET)
  • PRAYERS FOR HEALING: Wednesday, June 24 12:15-12:30 PM (ET)
  • PRAYERS FOR PEACE: Wednesday, July 1 5:45-6 PM (ET)

Click here to join.

Rosary Group

The St. Xavier Rosary Group has been praying the Rosary every night on Zoom (7:30 to 8 PM EST) since May 2020! There are also monthly events organized to pray the Rosary in person. Please contact Jan Meyer if you would like to participate at jmeyer0555@gmail.com.

Weekly Examen

A weekly Examen is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recognize God’s presence in the midst of everyday life. Rooted in the Jesuit tradition, the Examen helps us grow in gratitude, deepen our awareness of God’s guidance, and find peace amid the business of our days. Please join us as Jesuit Parish Family parishioners gather remotely each Tuesday at 7:30 PM to pray the Ignatian Examen. Ignatian Examen Contact: examen@bellarminechapel.org. Click here to join. 

An Examen for Peace

Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, has prepared an examen for peace. Click here to read or print the PDF.

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A Legacy for the Next 250 Years

St Xavier Church has served the community for more than 200 years. As we look ahead with gratitude and hope, we invite all parishioners to prayerfully reflect on their support of St. Xavier Church and the legacy that we are building together for the next 250 years of faith, worship, and service.

For generations, our parish community has been sustained through the generosity of those who came before us. Today, we are called to continue that tradition by supporting the ministries, outreach, liturgies, education, and care that make St. Xavier Church a vibrant spiritual home.

We encourage current parishioners to review their regular offertory giving and consider whether they are able to increase their support as part of this important legacy. If you are new to the parish or have not yet begun contributing, we invite you to prayerfully consider making a gift and becoming part of the mission and future of our community.

Every contribution helps ensure that St. Xavier Church remains a place of welcome, prayer, and service for generations to come. Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to our parish family. Learn more. Contact: ldurr@stxchurch.org

Diaper Drive

Sweet Cheeks Diaper Drive Through May—the month devoted to mothers and motherhood—our parish is collecting diapers and baby wipes for the Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, a new program of St. Vincent de Paul Cincinnati. Requested items include diapers of any size (the most needed sizes are 4, 5, and 6) and baby wipes. Diaper packages can be opened, but all items must be clean and usable. Donations can be placed in the barrels in the entrance of the Church through May 31.

Virgin of Nazareth, Sister Parish

On June 14, people from our sister parish, Virgin of Nazareth Church, of Peru will visit us and we are holding a reception after the 10:30 AM Mass at St Xavier Church in the parish center to celebrate! You are warmly invited to join us for welcoming them and celebrating our relationship. 

And if you discern that you would like to provide support for the basic needs to help the parish to serve freely and without worry, you can donate via this link.

Parish Kitchen

The Parish Kitchen is a ministry of Catholic Charities that has provided free, hot daily lunches and care to anyone in need since 1974. Each day, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM., they welcome all who enter their doors with dignity, respect, affection, attention, and hospitality, offering not only a wholesome meal but also a place of comfort and refuge. The St. Xavier Prime Timers are sponsoring a collection of toiletries for the Parish Kitchen on June 20/21 and June 27/28. Parishioners are invited to donate men’s and women’s toiletry items, which may be placed in the barrels located at St. X Church. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated. Items needed include shampoo, toothpaste, tooth brushes and soap.

Holy Father’s Collection

The Holy Father’s Collection on June 27 and 28, also known as Peter’s Pence, gives Catholics around the world an opportunity to support the charitable works and pastoral ministry of the Holy Father. Through this collection, Pope Leo is able to respond to those suffering from war, natural disasters, poverty, and other urgent needs throughout the world.

Your generosity helps the Church extend Christ’s compassion to those most in need and supports the mission of the universal Church. We invite you to prayerfully consider contributing to this special collection and thank you for your continued generosity. Information and envelopes will be available in church the weekend of June 27 and 28.