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.
Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Care Ministries and Community Center support the care and wellness of our community by addressing parishioners’ spiritual, emotional, physical, and social needs. All are welcomed to be a part of the life of our community by living our faith and helping one another along the way.
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
Faith and Science Forum
The forum meets to discuss books, to ask questions, and to support one another in our mutual discovery and appreciation of our common home. We affirm with Pope Francis in Laudato Si that the mystery of nature reveals the divine, that the Spirit is active in creation, that each creature has its own purpose, and that the universe unfolds in God who fills it completely. We meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 1 to 2:30 pm.
Contact:
Feed the Need
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 who are dealing with significant life issues. Drivers are also needed to deliver meals to families who are unable to 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 and dietary preferences, restrictions, and allergies. Meals must be dropped off to 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. (feedtheneedSFA@gmail.com)
Contact:
Celesta Carlson
feedtheneedSFA@gmail.com
LGBTQ+ Ministry
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 the intrinsic value and self-worth of all people and to welcome them into full participation in the faith community. All LGBTQ+ people are welcome.
Contact : Stacey Shine (919) 847-8205 x 249
Contact:
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
The Men’s Prayer Breakfast meets in person in the Community Center, Padua Room every 1st and 3rd Mondays from 8 to 9 am. The meetings provide a way for men to come together for fellowship. For discussions, we select a book that deals with faith and life issues. See Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Realm for meeting details. Go to Realm: Groups: Find Groups: Men’s Prayer Breakfast or contact Deacon Steve at 732-213-0104 | stephenwandrews@outlook.com.
Contact:
Deacon Steve Andrews
stephenwandrews@outlook.com | 732-213-0104
Prayer Line
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” Phillipians 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
Prayer Shawl Ministry
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
Diane Rotunno | 919-844-7513
Rosary Ministry
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
Richard Hammer | (716) 903-1690 | steinmeisterhammer@gmail.com
Spiritual Direction
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 the midst of our lives as we live out our spiritual journeys.
Contact Gladys Whitehouse, (919) 906-0289, sfaspiritualdirection@gmail.com
Contact:
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 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 the Meadows
Contact:
Mary Cockrill
tennisnut1228@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 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
Contact:
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
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
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