the catholic community of st. francis of assisi
Jubilee Year of St. Francis
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.
Elevated Parish Mission
Join us for the Elevated Parish Mission, a three-night parish-wide experience designed to help you encounter the transforming love of Jesus Christ and discover the joy of living as His disciple.
Through inspiring preaching, dynamic worship, Eucharistic Adoration, and meaningful opportunities for prayer and reflection, the Elevated Parish Mission invites you to deepen your faith and experience the love of Christ in a powerful way. Whether you are just beginning your faith journey or have been walking with the Lord for years, this mission offers an opportunity to renew your heart and grow in authentic discipleship.
Learn more about this transformational community experience!
October 25th-27th
The Little Pantry That Could
Maybe you have noticed the little white box in the courtyard at St. Francis, outside the Church and in the Columbarium. On one side it says, “Take what you need; leave what you can,” and on the other, “St. Francis of Assisi Raleigh.” Looking inside, you see canned goods and some dry goods, perhaps a snack pack of fruit cocktail. That ‘Little Pantry,’ and many like it scattered mainly outside Churches, many with associated schools, and large food pantries around the Triangle, was the project of Jillian Hines, a former student at The Franciscan School, who used it to complete her Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest Girl Scout award for middle schoolers. The idea has taken off!
When asked about the project, Jillian says, “I noticed that there were a lot of ‘Little Free Libraries,’ but they didn’t have many pantries for food and foodstuffs. So I thought we should have a ‘Little Free Food Pantry.’ I’ve seen a few of them around, so I’m not the ‘OG creator,’ but we have put out nine of them so far.” She says her dad and grandpa help build and install them around the Triangle. She even has a small one out in front of her house! She has put out a whiteboard and marker so people can write down what they would like to see in the pantry.
Duke Children's Hospital
We all love Christmas. The birth of Jesus, the celebration of our faith, the joy of family and friends gathered together in the spirit of the season- it’s all so wonderful. Who loves Christmas most of all? Of course, children do, and, well, Santa Claus. What could be better than making a child’s Christmas better, as Santa does, even when they are facing challenges during the special season of Christmas?
You have the opportunity to make a child’s Christmas better, and all it takes is helping out Santa Joe Slifer and his elves. Each year, the Duke Children’s Hospital ministry distributes gifts generously donated by our parishioners through the St. Francis Giving Trees during Advent to children facing health issues and their siblings, at a time of year when they should be celebrating Christmas with joy in their hearts. Santa Joe and Mrs. Claus, also known as Joe’s wife, Geanie, set up in the hospital lobby, complete with a Santa chair and a backdrop for photos.
