All Ministries
Advocacy -Issue Teams
Part of our responsibility as Catholics is to participate in the debate over the values and vision that guide our communities and nations. Thus, our parish has prioritized coordinating opportunities for our parishioners to discern the “signs of our times” that threaten the vulnerable and poor, learn about the issues in light of our Catholic social teaching values, and then take action through Christian acts of charity and justice.
Contact :
JaVon Hansknecht
919-847-8205 x270
Altar Servers and Thurifers
From the processional hymn to the recessional, altar servers help the Celebrant and the assembly celebrate the Mass. No experience necessary.
Contact :
Joanie Madormo 440-364-9597
Always God’s Children (AGC)
This ministry, named after the US Bishops’ 1998 pastoral letter, entitled “Always Our Children,” offers a confidential setting for those who identify as LGBTQ+, along with our family, friends, and anyone who supports and cares for us as children of God. Monthly gatherings provide a safe place to pray together, share our experiences, and talk over our concerns.
Contact :
Stacey Shine
(919) 847-8204 x 249
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregiver Support Group
The group offers caregivers a safe place to share their struggles and gather ideas on how others deal with the everyday challenges of caring for a loved one during each stage of dementia. The emphasis is on sharing information, education and support. We welcome new participants.
Contact :
Assisi Cafe Volunteers
Volunteer to work in the Assisi Café during weekdays mornings 8:30am-10:30am from September-May.
Contact :
Ashley Watson
(919) 847-8204 x 444
Assisi Scripture/Adult Bible Study
All are welcome for adult bible study groups.
Contact :
Brooke Kingston
919-847-8205 x 237
Baptism Preparation
Meeting with and preparing our families with infants and children to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism through a once-a-month preparation session.
Contact :
Martina Dumberger
(919) 847-8205 x 264
Basketball High School
Boys League play for 9th-12th graders. The season runs February thru May with registration beginning in January.
Contact : Tim Burns
Contact :
Basketball Summer Adult
Adult Men’s Over 18 League play during June and July on weekends only. Teams will have no practice time. Registration begins in April. Registration is TEAM BASED only. Players will form their own teams and submit their registration as a team.
Contact : Tim Burns
Contact :
Basketball Youth
This program is open to girls and boys grades 1st thru 8th playing in 6 different divisions. Youth league play runs during the months of Oct – Jan. Registration begins in August.
Contact : Mary Arleth (919) 847-8205 x 358
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Blood Drive
Knights of Columbus and American Red Cross bi-annual Blood Drives. For dates and more information visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ and enter sponsor code stfrancis.
Contact : Bryan Kozak
Contact :
For More Information (sponsor code stfrancis)
Brown Bag Ministry
Brown Bag Ministry prepares and distributes brown bag lunches every Saturday morning to a low-income senior citizen apartment community in Durham. The ministry welcomes groups and families of all ages to participate. Volunteers work together to make sandwiches, pack lunches, gather in brief communal prayer, and experience face-to-face contact with people in need.
Contact :
BSA Boy Troop
Open to Males 11-17 years old. “Service, community engagement and leadership development become increasingly important parts of the program as youth lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout.” The troop meets weekly and typically have a weekend adventure every month. Visit Troop 352’s website to learn more.
Contact : scoutmaster352@gmail.com
Contact :
BSA Girl Troop
Open to Females 11-17 years old. “Service, community engagement and leadership development become increasingly important parts of the program as youth lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout.” The troop meets weekly and typically have a weekend adventure every month. Visit Troop 219’s website to learn more.
Contact : Shawn Pecze
Contact :
Camp Francis
Summer camp program for school age youth. We offer lots of really cool opportunities in athletics, technologies, arts, and various enrichment areas! Kids can join us for half day or full day. All camps have min and max number of students so camp availability is based on enrollment. Registration begins in January.
Contact :
Ashley Watson
(919) 847-8205 x 444
Care for Creation
The Creation for Care Ministry strives to meet the challenges from scripture, from Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Sí, and from our Franciscan roots to respond to “The Cry of the Earth and the Poor”. We suggest changes in our individual daily lifestyles, encourage changes and improvements in the ways our parish impacts the environment, and participate in organizations that advocate on the local and state level. Ministry options include our parish Community Garden, a local CSA (Community Supported Agricultural) program, or regular collaborations with community organizations.
Contact : Pam James
Contact :
Catholic Parish Outreach
Catholic Parish Outreach – On-going Donation Collection
CPO is a ministry of Catholic Charities that serves the needs of people facing difficult financial times by providing food and children’s and maternity clothing. Certain donations are collected year round in Clare Hall.
Contact : Sue Hand | 919-846-7954 / CPO | 919-873-0245
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Catholic Parish Outreach Donation Drives
Join us twice a year as we host food drives for and invite parishioners to volunteer at CPO, a ministry of Catholic Charities that serves the needs of people facing difficult financial times.
Contact :
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer, developed by Trappist monk Thomas Keating. The prayer practice fosters a deeper relationship to God by moving beyond conversation to communion. After 20 minutes of silence, the group shares reflection on Scripture or spiritual reading. The Centering Prayer group meets on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 in LaVerna, Thursday evenings 7:30 to 8:30 via Zoom, and every fourth Saturday at LaVerna from 9 to noon. Refer to Centering Prayer on Realm for more current information. Go to Realm: Groups: Find Groups: Spirituality – for meeting details. All are welcome! Call Alice Stanford for more information: 919-781-5860.
Contact :
Alice Stanford
919-781-5860
Church Keeping
Volunteers help maintain the worship space, Holy Water fonts, altar, and other liturgical items as well as wash and iron linens. Volunteer times for Church Keeping can be adapted to fit in your schedule.
Contact :
Beverly Saunders
919-846-5795
CLOW (Children’s Liturgy of the Word)
Children’s Liturgy of the Word are volunteers that ensure that the assembly’s children (ages 4-6) experience meaningful, inspirational, and spiritual celebrations of the Liturgy of the Word through careful, reflective planning, and preparation by our lay presiders.
Contact :
Jackie Kelly
919-896-6297
Collection Counters
Each week a group of volunteers meets to sort and count the donations received during the prior week, including the weekend mass collections. The count team is charged with ensuring the accuracy and transparency of our count process. It also serves as our first step in demonstrating our good stewardship over the donated funds. Between 8-10 volunteers are desired to conduct the count. The time commitment is about one hour each week. Ideally we would like to have enough volunteers to form multiple rotating teams. If you cannot commit to a weekly schedule, that is not a problem. We have members who volunteer every week, every other week, once a month, whatever works best for your schedule. While the count team has an important mission, it also can be a great opportunity to meet and socialize with other parishioners.
Contact : Rob Neppel (919) 847-8205 x 243
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Community Center Programs
Programs and classes offered in the Assisi Community Center throughout the school year. Fitness classes and Parent/Child classes.
Contact :
Ashley Watson
(919) 847-8205 x 444
Contemplative Spirituality Group
Contact :
Deacon Steve Andrews
732-213-0104
CORRAL Riding Academy
CORRAL Riding Academy is a faith-motivated nonprofit that equips adolescent girls in high-risk situations through a long-term, holistic program of equine therapy and education. Reach out for more information on opportunities to provide transportation and academic support for program participants on a weekly basis or check out the service opportunities portal to help with hands-on support around the Kildaire campus on monthly work days.
Contact :
CROP Hunger Walk
The annual CROP Hunger Walk, taking place in October, raises awareness of issues of hunger and food insecurity in our local and international community. In addition to walking, optional fundraising goes to support local and international organizations addressing these very issues. Opportunities exist to walk, donate, or join the leadership team.
Contact : JaVon Hansknecht (919) 847-8205 x270
Contact :
Cross Bearers
Being a Cross Bearer is an excellent way to share your time and talent with this community and play a very important role in the Mass, from the processional hymn to the recessional.
Contact :
Joseph Randazzo
410-841-4817
Cross Road (9-12)
Cross Road is our high school youth ministry program. 9th grade is usually the 2nd year of Confirmation preparation (link to Confirmation page), and all 9th grade students who are not attending a Catholic High school should attend. All high school youth are welcome to attend Cross Road, regardless of grade.
Cross Road takes place after the 5:30pm Sunday Mass and meets roughly three times per month. We use a youth ministry model for “youth nights.” Participants GATHER together for a snack, fellowship, followed by a PROCLAIM given by an adult leader or peer leader. We then BREAK into designated small groups, led by adult group leaders to engage in deeper discussion of the evening’s proclaim. Small groups allow youth participants to build relationships within the groups and create a sense of community. Finally, we come back together to pray and to be SENT back into the world.
In addition to regular Sunday evening youth nights, youth are provided with opportunities to participate in retreats, socials and service projects throughout the session year.
Contact :
Cross Step (Formerly Play & Pray)
Faith Formation for children up to five years old, who are not enrolled in kindergarten. Sessions are offered every Sunday morning (excluding holiday weekends) from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM.
Contact : Andrea Javier (919) 847-8205 x 489
Contact :
Cross Train (6-8)
Cross Train is our middle school faith formation program. Our goal is to connect the youth to each other, to our parish and church at large, and to God and Jesus Christ. We do this by creating a fun, engaging, meaningful, and faith filled environment. Our youth ministry model follows Jesus’ ministry on earth; gather, proclaim, break, and send. Join us as we meet two to three Sunday’s a month from 6:45-8:15. Learn, grow, and serve in our five social nights, five service projects, and prayer evenings included in our regular youth night program. If you are interested in joining, please contact Becky Cawley or Shawn Tenace.
Contact :
Cross Walk (K-5)
Cross Walk meets immediately after the 9:00 AM Mass on Sunday mornings by breaking open the treasures of the Mass. Children hear a short “proclaim” in the Church challenging them to put their faith into action by living The Word heard at Mass. We live the Gospel and bring the Gospel to life. Just as the USCCB’s National Directory for Catechesis says, “Catechesis both precedes the Liturgy and springs from it.”
Contact :
Cub Scouts
Open to Youth in Kindergarten thru 5th grade! “Cub Scouting is fun for the whole family. In Scouting, boys and girls start with their best right now selves and grow into their very best future selves. It’s fun, hands-on learning and achievement that puts kids in the middle of the action and prepares them for today – and for life.” Visit Pack 352’s Website to learn more.
Contact : Membership Coordinator
Contact :
Curbside Care
Collects items and provides care packages for distribution among the poor
Contact :
Alyson Zwerneman, Margaret O’Brien
alysonzwerneman@gmail.com, emob1108@gmail.com
Divorce Care
DivorceCare is a safe place where caring people come alongside you as you find healing from the pain of separation or divorce. In this video-based support group, you’ll find helpful counsel to manage the emotional turmoil and learn practical tools for decision-making.
Contact :
Bill Morgan | dejanuts@yahoo.com
Shannon Brinn | shannonbrinn@gmail.com
Sue Ward | ward.sueward@gmail.com
Donation Drives
We coordinate a number of drives: food for local food pantries, supplies for migrant farm workers, and school supplies and backpacks for children. We also coordinate an Advent Giving Tree for local organizations, families, and ministries.
Contact : Ashley Watson 919-847-8205 x 489
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EM to Abbotswood
Volunteers join residents at the Abbotswood Independent and Assisted Living community in a 30 minute liturgical service every Sunday at 10:00 am. This is an important weekly service for residents who cannot attend Sunday mass at church to celebrate the Eucharist and join each other as a community, in prayer. Training will be provided.
Contact :
Susan Bartone
suebluhowru63911@gmail.com
EM to Capital Oaks
Eucharistic Ministers hold a weekly Communion Service at this retirement community each Saturday 3:30pm. The service is held in the movie theater. One of the residents provides music and the EM’s conduct a brief service, which includes prayer, readings and distribution of the Eucharist. While we hold the service each week, EM’s on our team typically serve about once per month. Training will be provided.
Contact :
Peter Russo
prusso65@gmail.com
EM to Magnolia Glen
We minister to the residents of Magnolia Glen Senior Living by offering compassionate care and encouraging a sense of belonging and connection to the Body of Christ through Eucharist, Word, prayer, and presence. Many ways to serve: Group Rosary leader, lector, cantor, EMHC, admin support, or visitor. Perfect for young families or compassionate individuals. Contact Jacob House to come and see or begin training. Training will be provided.
Contact :
Jacob House
jacob.w.house@gmail.com | 781-290-8813
EM to Springmoor
Springmoor Eucharist Minister’s are scheduled on Sunday mornings to bring the Eucharist to the people living at Springmoor that can no longer attend Mass. Training will be provided.
Thank you for your time and support to this/all ministries.
Contact :
Janice Horner
484-949-1417
EM to the Homebound
Volunteers are trained, offered the opportunity to shadow until comfortable and scheduled once a month (more if they wish), to visit the homebound. On your scheduled week, you would visit 2-4 homebound parishioners, pray with them and give them the Eucharist. We are always looking for conscientious individuals to serve as Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound. Training will be provided.
Contact : Shannon Hoffman ( 919) 847-8205 x 296
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EM to the Meadows
Volunteers join the parishioners and residents of the Meadows Senior Living Community in a Communion Prayer service every Saturday beginning at 4:30 p.m. with the Rosary followed by the Communion Service at 5:00 pm. It is through this outreach that St. Francis is keeping in touch with this extended community with prayer and visitation. Contact Mary Cockrill – tennisnut1228@gmail.com.
Contact :
Mary Cockrill
tennisnut1228@gmail.com
Emmaus Ministers
Assists parishioners in dealing with the death of a loved one by helping them with funeral preparations and “walking” with them in their time of sorrow.
Contact :
Dina DaRe
(919) 847-8205 x 242
Environment & Art
The Environment and Arts ministry enhances the worship space by connecting the parishioners to the message of the Gospel through flowers, candles and fabric based on the liturgical season. The group also cares for the sanctuary greenery with weekly watering.
Contact :
Theresa Baumgartner
919-848-3383
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (EMs)
EM’s help assist in the distribution of Holy Communion to the congregation during Mass. We also have EMs who bring the Holy Eucharist to those who cannot attend Sunday liturgies at St. Francis: the homebound, hospitalized and residents of retirement communities and nursing homes.
Contact : Jim Wahl (919) 847-8205 x 230
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Fair Trade and Alternative Gifts Market
Our annual Fair Trade and Alternative Gift Market is in November. This event provides an opportunity to purchase fair trade and alternative gifts from a variety of vendors that ensure fair wages and dignity for vulnerable people around the world. There is a parish leadership team tasked with planning, leading and promoting this event.
Contact : Javon Hansknecht (919) 847-8205 x 270
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Faith and Science Forum
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