Pastoral Care

Al-Anon is a support program for family members and friends of individuals struggling with alcoholism. It provides a safe and confidential space to share experiences, find strength, and learn coping strategies. Through meetings and resources, Al-Anon helps individuals navigate the challenges of loving someone with alcohol addiction while focusing on their own well-being and recovery.

They meet every Sunday at 7pm in room 405 in Anthony Hall.

Contact:

Scott Kingsley

scottkingsley66@hotmail.com | (240) 252-0074

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

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can be both rewarding and challenging. Our support group offers a compassionate and confidential space for caregivers to connect, share personal experiences, and gain practical insights from others who understand the journey. 

Each session provides opportunities for mutual encouragement, education, and guidance in navigating the stages of dementia with resilience and compassion. 

Meeting Options: 

• In-Person: First Wednesday of each month at 1:00 PM in Padua 
• Virtual: Third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM (via Zoom)
  To receive the virtual meeting link, please contact Lynne Carpentar. 

New participants are always welcome. 

Contact:

In Person Group:
Kathleen Boate

Virtual Group:
Lynne Carpentar
Fran Doerfler

Here there is hope. Here there is deep understanding. Here there is camaraderie. We are a group touched by cancer and we gather weekly to listen and offer support to each other. No matter where you are on your journey; newly diagnosed, long hauler, or in survivorship, come gather with us. Here is where we laugh, cry and pray with each other as we journey with cancer. We meet virtually once a week in the evening for a 5-6 week session. Start date is TBD. Monthly check-ins may follow. 

Contact:

Suzanne Ziemer

suzanne.ziemer@stfrancisraleigh.org

Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer developed by Trappist monk Thomas Keating. Prayer fosters a deeper relationship with God by moving beyond conversation to communion. After 20 minutes of silence, the group shares reflections on Scripture or spiritual reading.  The Centering Prayer group meets on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 in Anthony Hall room 406, Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 via Zoom, and every fourth Saturday in the Anthony Large Conference Room 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!

Contact:

Alice Stanford

919-781-5860

Contact:

Deacon Steve Andrews

stephenwandrews@outlook.com

This ministry fosters inclusion and active participation for parishioners affected by frailty or disability, meeting their social, emotional, and spiritual needs. Through a supportive “buddy” system, it integrates them into the daily life and broader ministries of the parish, highlighting unity and shared purpose within the Church community.

Contact:

Scott Pias

scotttail@icloud.com

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 and discussion 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

Volunteers join residents at the Abbotswood Independent and Assisted Living community in a 30-minute liturgical service every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. 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

sdbartone5@gmail.com

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

We minister to the Magnolia Glen Senior Living residents by offering compassionate care and encouraging a sense of belonging and connection to the Body of Christ through Eucharist, Word, prayer, and presence.  There are many ways to serve: Group Rosary leader, lector, cantor, EMHC, admin support, or visitor.  Perfect for young families or compassionate individuals. 

Contact:

Jacob House

jacob.w.house@gmail.com | 781-290-8813

Service Opportunities

REX Hospital Eucharist Minister’s are scheduled on Tuesdays to bring the Eucharist to people who are currently patients at REX Hospital that can not currently attend Mass.

Contact:

Will Lundrigan

willrlun@gmail.com

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:

Cathy Dondlinger

cdondlingernc@gmail.com

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:

Jeanette Cottone

jyc1@msn.com

William Lundrigan

willrlun@gmail.com

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

The Emmaus Minister provides compassionate support to families who are planning a funeral for a loved one. Ministers serve as a comforting presence, guiding families through the planning process and helping them choose appropriate readings, music, and other liturgical elements for the funeral Mass. Rooted in the spirit of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, this ministry walks alongside those who are grieving, offering care, guidance, and the hope of Christ’s resurrection. 

Contact:

Dina DaRe
(919) 847-8205 x 242

Grief Group is a support group offering a safe, welcoming place where people can share, process, and understand the difficult emotions of grief. It is a 7-week program using the handbook A New Day to facilitate discussion.

Contact:

Kathy Davis

kathydav22@gmail.com

The JobWorks Career Ministry™ is a faith-based community of professionals and job seekers dedicated to proactive career development through continuous learning, networking, and mutual support. Our mission is to foster growth, expand opportunities, and support one another in navigating both current and future employment paths.  

We convene on the second Thursday of each month at various parishes throughout the area. 

Contact:

Paul Dean

vpauldean@gmail.com

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In accordance with our parish mission statement, we reach out to provide spiritual nourishment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families and friends. We seek to affirm all people’s intrinsic value and self-worth and welcome them into full participation in the faith community. All LGBTQ+ people are welcome.

Contact:

Stacey Shine

(919) 847-8205 x 249

WE ENCOURAGE you to experience the love of God & the power of the Holy Spirit to be healed & to heal others. WE TRAIN Catholics to use their God-given authority in their everyday lives. WE TEAM UP, like the seventy-two, to strengthen each other & act on His commands. “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” ~Luke 10:9

Contact:

Maureen Costello

sentout72@gmail.com

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” Philippians 4:6.   We can probably all attest to the power of prayer in our lives and what comfort prayers are to us in times of need.    Join us and pray for the intentions of others in our St. Francis family.  Intentions are received via the St. Francis website,  email, and notes in the PrayerLine box and sent to volunteers in a weekly email.

Contact:

Paul Wilson

wilsonpf99@gmail.com

The Prayer Shawl Ministry lovingly creates handmade shawls, lap robes, children’s blankets, hats, and scarves through knitting and crocheting. These items are crafted with care and compassion for individuals who are ill, homeless, hospitalized, or experiencing life’s challenges. As each piece is made, it is prayed over, a cross is sewn on, and it is blessed before being wrapped with a card expressing our heartfelt support.

These shawls are more than just fabric—they offer comfort, warmth, and spiritual solace. As Janet Bristow so beautifully stated: “They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, hug, and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles.”

Contact:

Cindy Cardello

919-846-8825

The Rosary Ministry is a prayerful community devoted to interceding for the needs of our parish, our ministries, and the wider world. Through the meditative and powerful prayer of the Rosary, we lift up the intentions of fellow parishioners and offer spiritual support to all who are in need, both near and far.

We gather regularly in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel to pray as a community:

• Monday Evenings | 7:30–8:30 PM
• Daily | Immediately following the 9:00 AM Mass

Whether you’re new to the Rosary or have prayed it for years, all are welcome to join us in this meaningful and peaceful devotion.

Contact:

Marian Monti

919- 841-0807 | ianmar94@aol.com

Richard Hammer

steinmeisterhammer@gmail.com | (716) 903-1690

Spiritual direction is an ancient Christian tradition in which two people enter a sacred space to dream, explore, and discern a path toward a deeper relationship with God. People turn to spiritual direction in times of deep faith, doubt, or life transition to discern God’s movement in the experience.

Click here to learn more.

Contact:

Nancy J Jones

prayerfulheart3@gmail.com

Stephen ministers are lay ministers trained in active listening to walk with those dealing with stress, grief, life transitions or other concerns. Stephen Ministers are volunteers who offer confidential Christian care to those who seek prayerful, emotional support to deal with stress, grief, life transitions or other concerns. They offer empathetic listening, unconditional positive regard, and other resources and referrals as needed. St. Francis’ Stephen Ministry is part of a worldwide caregiving network.

To learn more about Stephen Ministry please watch these videos:
Stephen Ministry: A Listening Ear
Stephen Ministry Care Receivers Share Their Stories
It Was Such a Burden off My Shoulders

Contact:

Stephenministry@stfrancisraleigh.org | 919-847-8205×234

These wonderful volunteers warmly greet visitors to the church office area for a 3-hour shift during normal business hours.  Shifts are scheduled for 9 am-Noon or 1 pm-4 pm once a week and can be scheduled around the volunteer’s personal schedule and vacation.   Volunteer receptionists also answer the main phone number and do light office work when needed. Training is provided.

Contact:

Dina DaRe

dina.dare@stfrancisraleigh.org | (919) 847-8205 x 242

Weekend Service Opportunities

This is a ministry that accompanies and supports pregnant and parenting moms in need.

Service Opportunities

Contact:

Janine Costello or Diane Haley

sfarespectlife@gmail.com hockeynut0955@yahoo.com