Pastoral Care

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

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:

Kathleen Boate

Here there is hope. Here there is deep understanding. Here there is camaraderie. We are a group touched by cancer and we gather monthly 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 @ 1pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Please contact Suzanne at the email below for a link.

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 LaVerna, Thursday evenings from 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!

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-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

suebluhowru63911@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

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

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:

Will Lundrigan | willrlun@gmail.com

Jeanette Cottone | jyc1@msn.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

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

Feed the Need supports our community’s authentic living of the Christian life.

Volunteers are needed to provide meals on a short-term basis for members of our community dealing with significant life issues. Drivers are also needed to deliver meals to families who cannot pick up. Opportunities to provide meals are on St. Francis Serves and listed on the calendar by family, who are identified by a number. Select the opportunity on the calendar to view the family’s information, which includes the number of people, dietary preferences, restrictions, and allergies. Meals must be dropped off at Clare Hall by noon on the date due.

If you are in need of some meals because of a life transition, please click here for a form. 

Contact:

Celesta Carlson

feedtheneedSFA@gmail.com

Service Opportunities

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

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 knits or crochets shawls, lap robes, children’s blankets, hats and scarves for the benefit of those that are sick, homeless, hospitalized or are struggling with difficulties in life to express our love, care and concern for our sisters and brothers. These shawls are prayed over as they are being made, a cross sewn on and then blessed and wrapped with a card enclosed. “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”. (Janet Bristow) 

Contact:

Cindy Cardello

919-846-8825

In praying the Rosary, we include the petitions and intentions of our parishioners, the ministries of our parish, and the prayers of our community and world. By praying the Rosary, we reach out and offer spiritual support to our brothers and sisters who are in need. We meet every Monday from 7:30 to 8:30 pm in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel. We meet every morning immediately after the 9am Mass in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel

Contact:

Marian Monti

919- 841-0807 | ianmar94@aol.com

Spiritual Direction is a form of ‘holy listening’ wherein the seeker explores their spiritual journey with the help of a trained director. It is a process that directly assists individuals in developing and cultivating their personal relationship with God. The aim is to explore where God is in our lives as we live our spiritual journeys.

Contact:

Gladys Whitehouse

sfaspiritualdirection@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.

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

The Welcome Hosts comprises dedicated volunteers who warmly greet church visitors during Mass, assisting parishioners with inquiries about the parish, and helping new parishioners find their purpose.

Contact:

MaryLou Holloway

mlholly10@gmail.com