the catholic community of st. francis of assisi
St. Francis Jubilee
Welcome to a sacred year of reflection, renewal, and joyful celebration as we honor the Jubilee Year of Saint Francis of Assisi. Rooted in the spirit of humility, peace, and deep reverence for all creation, this Jubilee invites our community to rediscover the timeless wisdom of St. Francis and live more intentionally in harmony with God, one another, and the world around us.
Throughout this year, we will come together as a community in prayer, service, and celebration, embracing the Franciscan call to simplicity, compassion, and care for all living things.
Seek And You Will Find
As the cofounders of the JobWorks Ministry, Paul Dean and Dana Gower, say, “Today’s workforce is undergoing unprecedented disruption. Job loss, career pivots, and uncertainty are increasingly common due to restructuring, artificial intelligence, and automation. The average worker now changes jobs every 3-5 years, yet most people find themselves unprepared with the strategies, tools, or networks needed to navigate these transitions effectively.” Both men are longtime Catholics in the Diocese of Raleigh and felt a calling to use their expertise to help those in need.
Dana and Paul found themselves uniquely qualified to help job seekers, both spiritually and practically, who, for a variety of reasons, found themselves without work. Whether they were recently displaced or returning to the workforce after time away, were new to the area and seeking community and connections, or recent graduates struggling to gain traction in a competitive job market, their ministry provides a structured, supportive environment focused on real-world results.
Care for Creation
Laudato Si’ is Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical issued in 2015 on the care for the Earth and all creation as part of God’s plan for the world. As a follow-up to that letter, in 2021 Pope Francis encouraged everyone to develop an action plan to implement the points of his encyclical. Fortunately, here at St. Francis, the Care for Creation Ministry is pushing for just such an action plan.
Pat Kelly, one of the long-time volunteers in the ministry, along with her husband Paul, says, “Figuring out how to develop a meaningful Laudato Sí Action Plan has taken much thought, but we’ve got the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) providing guidelines for support.” Paul adds, “The Diocese of Raleigh actually collaborated in a meeting with 18 other dioceses in Washington, D.C., and we had representation there because Bishop Luis wanted our Diocese to be involved. The Diocese of Raleigh is going to create its plan, but the idea is that it could be a model for the parishes and individuals to create their own plan.”
2026 Bishop’s Annual Appeal
As a diocesan family, we are invited to join together in supporting the ministries, programs, and outreach efforts that bring Christ’s love into our parishes and communities. Your prayers and participation help strengthen Catholic education, support parish vitality, and extend care to those in need.
Please take time to reflect on how you can contribute to this mission of faith and service.