The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi
For more information about the ministry, click on the ministry name.
AAMEN Ministry – Leon Cooke – 919-740-7515
The African Ancestry Ministry and Evangelization Network provides support and ministry for our African-American and African-descent parishioners and communities.
Advocacy Task Force – Trevor Thompson – 919-847-8205×270
Provides parish leadership for political advocacy in light our faith and our call to faithful citizenship
AIDS Care Team – Tom Zimmerman – 919-870-1379
Provides compassionate care to those in our community suffering with HIV/AIDS in partnership with Alliance of AIDS Services – Carolina
Altar Servers and Thurifers – Bob Kaczynski or Marie Kaczynski
Help the Presider and Congregation at large celebrate the Mass.
Alzheimer’s Dementia Caregivers – Kathleen Boate kboate@msn.com
Reaching out to both, those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other related dementia, and to their caregivers.
Assisi Cafe Volunteers – Ashley Watson – 919-847-8205×444
Volunteer to work in the Assisi Café during weekdays mornings, Sundays after mass, and Saturday concessions.
Assisi Scripture Studies – Adult Bible Study Groups – Contact Faith Formation Administrative Assistant – 919-847-8205 x237
Babysitting Group – Ute Feger, stfrancisbsc2@gmail.com
Families working together to share babysitting of young children through a trading system.
Baptism Preparation – Tim Hetzel 919-847-8205 x244
Meeting with and preparing our families with infants and children to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism through a once-a-month preparation session.
Basketball High School – Tim Burns – tburns@spirax.com
Girls and Boys League play during the months of Feb – May. Registration begins in January.
Basketball Summer Adult – Tim Burns – tburns@spirax.com
Adult Over 18 League play during June and July on weekends only. Registration begins in April.
Basketball Youth -Mary Arleth – tburns@spirax.com
Girl and Boy youth league play during the months of Oct – Jan. Registration begins in August.
Blood Drive – Bryan Kozak 910-728-9200
Knights of Columbus and American Red Cross bi-annual Blood Drives.
Brown Bag Ministry – Nanette Kirsch or Tricia Downs
Makes and delivers lunches on the first and third Saturdays of the month to a low-income senior community in Durham.
BSA Boy Troop – Robert Sadler at scoutmaster352@gmail.com
Organizing the BSA Boy Troop that meets at St Francis.
BSA Girl Troop – Scott Cash at scoutmaster219tfs@gmail.com
Organizing the BSA Girl Troop that meets at St Francis.
Camp Francis – Ashley Watson – 919-847-8205×444
Summer camp program for school age youth. Offering over 100 camp opportunities. Registration begins in January.
Cancer Companions – Beth Gaudette – 919-847-8204×241
Reach out and support those who are dealing with cancer
Catholic Parish Outreach – 919-873-0245, Sue Hand 919-846-7954
Serves the needs of people facing difficult financial times by providing food and children’s and maternity clothing.
Care for Creation – Trevor Thompson – 919-847-8205×270
Answers the call of St. Francis to be faithful stewards of God’s creation by advocating on behalf of the environment and supporting educational activities.
Caregivers – Carol Derrenbacher – 919-696-6096
Provides rides to medical appointments, grocery stores and respite visits to those who can’t drive.
Caregivers 402 Line – 919-847-8205 Voicemail 402
This line is used to pre-schedule rides to doctor’s appointment or to the grocery store.
Caring Casseroles – Donna Mariani – 919-326-3768 or DonnaM@nc.rr.com
Volunteers bring freezer ready casseroles to the Feed the Need refrigerator on the first weekend of each month. Meals are used to help those dealing with life’s challenges.
Centering Prayer – Alice Stanford – 919-781-5860
Silent prayer followed by reading and discussion of spiritual materials.
CLOW (Children’s Liturgy of the Word) – Jackie Kelly – 919-896-6297
A celebration of the Liturgy of the Word that is designed for children ages 4-6 years
Church Keeping – Beverly Saunders – 919-846-5795
Volunteers help maintain the worship space, Holy Water fonts, altar, linens, and other liturgical items.
Collection Counters – Rob Neppel 919-847-8205×243
This behind-the-scenes ministry strives to accurately process and record donations so the Parish can be good stewards of contributions received.
Columbarium and Memorial Plaques – Trish Adamkowski – 919-847-8205×236
Community Center Programs – Ashley Watson – 919-847-8205×444
Programs and classes offered in the Assisi Community Center throughout the school year. Fitness classes and Parent/Child classes.
Community Garden – Pat and Paul Kelly – 919-413-8833
Tends a garden on parish grounds and grows vegetables primarily for donation to the hungry in our community through Inter-Faith Food.
Consolation and Care – Celesta Carlson – 919-818-4122
Sends cards to parishioners grieving the death of a loved one and they conducts four evening prayer services a year
Cross Bearers – Joseph Randazzo
Carry the Crucifix into and out of the Church at Mass and special Liturgies.
Cross Step (Formerly Play & Pray) – Andrea Javier – 919-847-8205 x489 – Faith Formation for children 1 year old (and walking) to 4 years old. Sessions are offered every Sunday morning (excluding holiday weekends) from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM. Annual registration and weekly RSVP required for participation.
Cub Scouts – Kyle Berner- kyleberner@yahoo.com
Organizing the Cub Scout Pack that meets at St Francis.
Curbside Care – Andrew Rinderer – 919-559-2733
Collects items and provides care packages for distribution among the poor
Deaf Ministry – Jean Cooke-Byrne – 919-412-8365
Divorce Care – William Morgan
Offering support and comfort to those experiencing the pain of separation and divorce.
Duke Children’s Hospital – Danielle Howe – daniellemhowe@gmail.com
Celebrates seasonal parties with children and families experiencing compromised health situations
Emmaus Ministers – Beth Gaudette – 919-847-8204×241
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.
Environment & Art – Theresa Baumgartner – 919-848-3383
Dresses the worship space based on the liturgical season, which helps parishioners connect more closely with the message of the Gospel.
Eucharistic Ministers – Tim Hetzel
Lay persons who administer the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ to the congregation at each Mass when there is a shortage of priests and deacons to assist the celebrant.
Eucharistic Ministries
Eucharistic Ministers, also called (EM’s) 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 such as
EM to Abbotswood – Gerry and Karen Collins
EM to the Homebound – Pat Spencer – 704-608-1678
EM to Magnolia Glenn – Erica Schaab Emerson 919-617-7765
EM to the Meadows – Andrea McVerry
EM to Rex Hospital – Edward Gilmartin
EM to Springmoor – Janice Horner 484-949-1417
Family and Marriage Enrichment – Steve and Cecy Becker – 919-870-0694
Family Promise – Jim Packard – sfa.whin@gmail.com
Provides meals, hospitality, childcare, lodging and transportation for families who are homeless by hosting them on campus for a week three times each year.
Feed the Need – Donna Mariani – 919-326-3768
Provides cooked meals to members of our community who are dealing with significant life issues.
Food Drives – Tim Fasano – 919-847-8205×267 or becky.cawley@stfrancisraleigh.org
Every year we host 2 food drives to stock the food pantry for Our Lady of the Rosary parish in rural North Carolina.
FrancisFest: – Ashley Watsoon – 919-847-8205×444
Annual parish wide event celebrating our patron Saint by welcoming the entire community for a day of fellowship. Event held the first Sunday in October. Event planning team begins in April.
Funeral Ministers – Lisa Gianturco – 919-845-9718
Assist the Friar during a funeral, and greet guest who attend a funeral.
Gabriel Project – Kip Moffett
Offers emotional and practical support to women with unexpected pregnancies.
Gay and Lesbian Ministry – Jane Paris 919-847-7431, Chris O’Neill 919-210-5319
Gay and Lesbian Parent Support – Kathryn Cox – 919-618-2178
Girl Scouts – Shannon Hoffman at 919-847-8205 ext 296
Organizing all Girl Scout troops that meet at St Francis.
Gym Nights Open Play – Mary Arleth – 919-847-8205 ext 358
Ministry leader led open play in the Assisi Community Center each week night. See website for membership information and leader contact information for each night.
Habitat for Humanity – Diane and Bob Steinbeiser – 919-846-8026
Offers St. Francis workdays to work alongside other parishioners in building homes for the homeless.
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle – 919-250-0043, Suzanne Szymendera – 919-845-4885
International Mission – Trevor Thompson – 919-847-8205×270
Takes parishioners to other parts of the world to experience different ways of living and expressing faith.
Job Connections – Mary Horner – 610-755-5392 http://www.stfrancisraleigh.com/job-connections/
We are an instruction and support ministry that provides encouragement, information, networking, coaching, spiritual guidance, and job search skills training in a Catholic Christian setting.
Jobs for Life – is an employment ministry where unemployed and underemployed men and women, many of whom are homeless, come seeking training, mentoring and coaching to help them find meaningful work. We serve on Mondays. This is a brand new opportunity in partnership with a transformational organization of Jobs for Life.
JustFaith and other Social Justice Formation Events – Trevor Thompson – 919-847-8205×270
Offers educational programs, films, guest speakers, and event throughout the year on a variety of social justice topics
Lectors – Mike Wrzesien, Shawn Bayle – 919-624-1592
Proclaim the Word of God on weekends, Holy Days, and special Liturgies.
Life After Loss – Beth Gaudette – 919-847-8204×241
This ministry is for individuals who are ready and feel the need to reach our and bridge into creating a new normal life after the loss of a loved one.
Marriage Preparation Team – Tim Hetzel 919-847-8205 x244
Meeting with and preparing our engaged couples to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony through information sessions and sharing from our experiences of marriage.
Master of Ceremonies – Michael and Julie Ducatte
Responsible for coordinating and overseeing all aspects of the Liturgy and make sure Mass runs smoothly.
Medical Facility Visitation – Sharon Holland – hollandbozo@yahoo.com
Provides friendly visits to parishioners in area hospitals and care facilities.
Migrant Ministry – Bruce Cartier – 919-855-9909, bcartier7@gmail.com
Connects with migrant workers at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, in Louisburg, N.C., in summer by driving them to Mass on Sundays and serving monthly “fiesta” meals.
Music Ministry – Joyce Petzka
New Parishioner Contact – Toni Hammes – 919-847-8205×265
Want to register for the parish, please visit www.stfrancisraleigh.org/join.
Oak City Outreach Center
Prepares a meal regularly for individuals experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity in downtown Raleigh.
Passage Home – Peg Cavender 919-985-5950
Offers opportunities to build relationships with people living in low-income neighborhoods in Raleigh.
Panera Pickup Ministry – Tim Fasano 919-847-8205×267 or tim.fasano@stfrancisraleigh.org
Every Monday evening at the Briar Creek Panera Bread location we pick up the left over breads and pastries and the next day we deliver these beautiful treats tot he Morehead Hills Senior Apartments complex in Durham.
(Click here) – to sign up to help, or go to: bit.ly/panerapickup2017
We are also looking for a ministry leader for this ministry.
Parish Community Events – Ashley Watson – 919-847-8205 ext 444
Social event planning for the parish community including FrancisFest, Family Friendly Fridays, Jamboree, and others.
Parking Ministry – Steve Burdett – 919-845-2714
Welcome all vehicular participants to and from St. Francis property and ensure safe passage to and from their vehicles.
Prayer Line – Susan Stamey
Volunteers prays for the intentions of parishioners.
Prayer Shawl Ministry – Cindy Cardello 919-846-8825, Donna Quirk 919-847-2084
Makes shawls as expression of our community’s care and concern for those struggling with difficulties in life.
Prison Pen Pal – Trevor Thompson – 919-847-8205×270
Writes to death row prisoners, creating a relationship built on human dignity.
Project Rachel – projectrachel@nc.rr.com – 919-852-1021
A Catholic community program that aims to provide hope and healing after abortion.
Racial Awareness and Religious Exchange (RARE) – Tom Zimmerman at 870-1379
Promotes interracial and interfaith dialogue and understanding through prayer and discussion with members of Baptist Grove Church.
Returning Catholics –
Rite of Christian Initiation – Adults RCIA@stfrancisraleigh.org
A process of discernment for adults who seek initiation and full communion with the Catholic Church.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, adapted for Children – RCIA@stfrancisraleigh.org
A process of discernment for those who are between the ages of 7 and 17 and seek initiation and full communion with the Catholic Church.
Ronald McDonald House – Julie and Jason Huckaby – 919-624-5065
Prepares and serves a meal on the third Wednesday of the month to families of sick children who are staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Durham and receiving services at Duke Children’s Hospital.
Rosary Ministry – Maureen Monti 919-841-0807
Promotes devotion to the Holy Rosary of the Virgin Mary.
Sister Parish Guatemala – Carie Gunnells
Sends delegations of parishioners to the village of Las Margaritas II in Guatemala (Central America) to deepen our mutual understanding and open our hearts to our Mayan brothers and sisters.
Special Needs Ministry – Beth Gaudette at 919-847-8205 x241
Reaches out to parents/caregivers of special needs children and adults, offering support and encouragement for the journey.
St Francis 50+ Adults Group – Pat Gerney at pgerney@gmail.com
An organization formed to provide opportunities for social, spiritual, charitable services, and educational opportunities for the benefit of its members, as well as the parish and Wake County community. Membership is open to persons 50 years or older who attend the St. Francis parish, or reside in Wake County and surrounding areas. Monthly potlucks and Monthly game days are open to all members.
St. Francis Feeds – Donna Mariani – 919-326-3768
Prepares a meal regularly for individuals experiencing homelessness and/or food insecurity in downtown Raleigh.
St. Francis Inn, Philadelphia – John Budway – 305-205-5104
Reaches out to the homeless and hungry in Philadelphia through several delegation trips during the year
St. Vincent de Paul – 919-534-4842
Provides compassionate care and assistance to individuals experiencing a financial emergency
Stephen Ministry – Beth Gaudette – 919-847-8204×241
Lay ministers trained in active listening to walk with those dealing with stress, grief, life transitions or other concerns.
Stewardship – Get Involved – Kathy Sales – 919-847-8205×488
Summer at St Francis – Ashley Watson – 919-847-8205×444
St Francis of Assisi has many activities for all age groups this summer. Look for the opportunity that meets your needs.
Support Circles – Ellen Ferrone – 919-381-5509
Develops a year-long (or longer) relationship with a family transitioning from homelessness, providing emotional support and practical assistance.
The Way of Francis – Ben Whitehouse
An individual pilgrimage for those who are seeking a deeper understanding of the gifts they have received from God.
Transportation to Mass – Stephanie Smith – 919-302-0080
Provides transportation to parishioners who have no means of getting to church for weekend liturgies.
Ushers – John Cuomo – 919-931-4308 or Troy Chaput 919-665-7194
Serve as visual representatives of St. Francis during mass and offer assistance and direct the offertory collection, Eucharistic procession, and bulletin distribution.
Volleyball Youth – Mary Arleth – 919-847-8205×379
Girls and Boys League play during the months of June-July . Registration begins in April.
Volunteer Receptionists – Toni Hammes – 919-847-8205×265
Monday thru Friday, welcome people who walk in our door, answer the main phone number.
Wedding Directors – Judy Ferraro – 919-395-3005
Young Adults – Melissa Misko
Hosting social, service, and spiritual events for those in their 20s and 30s. Single, married, or divorce; with kids or without – all are welcome!
