Children's Liturgy of the Word
Contacts:  Lisa Dwyer - 886-1958  and  Kim Kane phone - 294-7744
Schedule: At the 9:00 AM Mass from September to June

A special Liturgy of the Word is offered for children age 4 to Grade 4. The children begin Mass with their parents, then leave in procession after the opening prayer to attend their special liturgy in the chapel. A Gloria, songs, the Gospel of the day and prayers of petition are presented at an appropriate level. The children return to the main church during the offertory to complete the Liturgy of the Eucharist with their families.  Volunteer teachers and aides are needed in the Fall.

Coffee Hour
Contact:  Richard Olsen - 884-5680

Coffee hours are planned following each of the Sunday morning Masses. The purpose of these gatherings is to develop and nurture fellowship within the parish community. Coffee, punch and donuts are served by volunteers, who also set up and clean up afterwards. Two volunteers are needed for each Mass and are scheduled once per month.

Also called Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist or Special Ministers, these people assist the priests in bringing the real presence of Christ to the faithful through the bread and wine of the Eucharist at Mass.  Each minister goes through a brief training period during which faith in the Eucharist is explained and proper handling of the Eucharist is demonstrated. Ministers are commissioned to a two-year term and assigned to serve based on parish needs and the person's availability.   Usually, ministers for Mass serve every other week. 

Ministers to the sick bring the Eucharist to the homebound weekly, after an initial visit by one of the parish priests.

Finance Council
Contact:  Fr. Bert - 884-2105
Meeting Schedule: Quarterly or as needed

The purpose of the Finance Committee is to review parish finances. It approves funding of specific parish projects and activities and prepares an annual financial statement for the diocese, providing a summary for parishioners.

500 Club
Chairperson:  Kathy Siok - 885-1608
Drawing Schedule: After 11AM Mass on the last Sunday of each month

In existence since 1976, the 500 Club is made up of 500 members who pay $5 per month for the chance to win one of several monthly cash prizes - $1000, $100 and $50.

The drawing is held in the Parish Center following the 11AM Mass and all are welcome to attend. It is not necessary that you be present in order to win, but your club number must be in good standing (paid up to date).

New numbers may be purchased and monthly payments made after the drawing at Mass or by contacting the secretary.

Friends of the Altar
Contact:  Fred Beigner - 885-1282 

This group of dedicated people is organized into a number of teams that take responsibility for preparing the church for worship. Teams consist of a captain and several workers and are scheduled on a rotating basis. On Saturday mornings, a team will dust, vacuum and polish the church and chapel in preparation for Sunday Masses.

Food Certificate Purchase Program (Stop & Shop or Dave's Market)
Contact:  Parish Office  884-2105

Through this program anyone can purchase certificates at St. Francis which are used as cash at all branches of these local markets. The certificates are purchased by the church at a 5% discount and sold at face value, giving St. Francis a 5% profit. Therefore, if you purchase $100 in certificates, the church will profit $5. The money is then used to assist with parish ministries. Details about this program:

•  Certificates are sold in the parish center after each mass every weekend.

•  They are available in denominations of $10, $20 or $50.

•  Separate certificates must be purchased for each of these stores, but can be used at any location.

•  You may purchase the certificates with cash, credit card, or with a check made out to St. Francis de Sales.

•  Since the certificates are like cash, we cannot be responsible for their loss after purchase.

Generations Of Faith Volunteers
Contact:  Kathleen Kane - 885-3639  and  Karen Paul - 885-3639
Meeting Schedule: Monthly or as needed

Volunteers help to provide educational, spiritual and personal growth opportunities for parishioners of all ages. Committees are divided into the Theology Committee, Decoration Committee, Kitchen Committee, Volunteer Coordination, and Supplies & Home Kits Committee.  For much more information see our Generation Of Faith web pages.

Jacob's Gift Boxes
Contact: 
Through your donations to our Jacob's Gift Boxes (found at the entrances of the church), we are able to help those in dire need of financial assistance both locally and at our sister parish St. Theresa's.  We also help other service organizations such as McAuley House and Amos House.

Lectors
Contact:  Fr. Andrew - 884-2105  and  Gene Ripa - 884-3141
Meeting Schedule: As needed

The primary responsibility of the lectors is to proclaim the Word audibly and meaningfully at weekend Masses. weekday Masses and on Holy Days. It is important that lectors be familiar with their text and with the message it reveals. A guidebook is available to help with the meaningful reading of the week's passages. Included in it are punctuation and enunciation guidelines, as well as a dramatic sense for the reading and suggestions for its communication to the congregation. Lectors should be at ease when addressing large numbers of people and should be willing to spend time in preparation and reflection.

Legion of Mary
Contact:  Fr. Andrew - 884-2105
Meeting Schedule: Mondays at 7pm, unless otherwise stated

The Legion of Mary is an organization of Catholic men and women who, in the words of Pope John Paul II, "render service to every person, who is the image of Christ, with the spirit and the solicitide of Mary."  Our Legion is quite active in the area, performing works such as visiting those in nursing homes and other care facilities, visiting those who recently celebrated a baptism in their family, and comforting those who recently lost a loved one.  The Legion consists of active members and auxiliary members, the latter being those who are part of the organization spiritually but cannot commit to the weekly meetings and visitations. 

Marriage Preparation Program Team
Contacts:  Jenn and Tom Wettergren - 884-8588
Program Schedule:  August 1 & 2, 2008   and   February 27 & 28, 2009

Men of St. Joseph
Contacts:  Gene Ripa - 884-3141  and  Leo Pelletier - 823-1433
Meeting Schedule: Announced in Bulletin

This Catholic Association of men committed to Jesus Christ consists of men of all ages.  The Men of St. Joseph meet every other month for breakfast, fellowship and Eucharist. On months in which there is no formal meeting, an invitation is extended to men interested in small group meetings to share faith and support each other in prayer and dialogue.

Mothers' Faith Sharing Group
Contact:  Cheryl Dowling - 885-4704
Meeting Schedule: Thursday Mornings 9:45 – 11:30
Downstairs in the Parish Center

This group provides an opportunity to share and grow in our faith as it pertains to our roles as mothers, wives and women. We come together in a spirit-filled environment to learn, share, laugh, support, pray and reflect, while expanding our knowledge of faith. We are a fellowship of women with children of all ages who gather together to support Catholic family values. The meetings are friendly and the topics vary depending on the needs of the group.

Parish Council
Contact:  Fr. Bert -  884-2105
Meeting Schedule: Monthly or at the call of the Pastor or Chairperson

The Parish Council is an advisory group for the pastor. Members are selected annually and serve 3-year terms.

Parish Prayer Line
Contact:  Willough Strauss - 884-2105

The prayer line is a team of people within St. Francis parish who offer intercessory prayer every day for the special intentions of our parishioners. These intentions are left on voice mail, retrieved frequently and passed on to the team by e-mail and telephone. A team of ‘prayer partners' is also committed to regular prayer for intentions not specifically identified.

(Friday Night) Prayer Group
Contacts:  Dot Paul - 884-3963
                     Linda Cihat - 884-0460
                     Theresa Tessitore - 884-5093
Meeting Schedule: Every Friday at 7:45 in Chapel

Our purpose is to praise and glorify God through prayer and song, to provide sound doctrinal teaching on Scripture and Christian living, and to encourage and exercise the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit as explained in 1Corinthians 12 and in the Acts of the Apostles.

RCIA Catechumenate
Contacts:  Fr. Bert - 884-2105  and  Dick August - 884-7826
Meeting Schedule: September to Easter Season 

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process whereby adults are fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church. In our parish, this program is open to those who are not baptized, those who have been baptized in another Christian church and now wish to become Catholic, and to those baptized Catholics who wish to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.

Every candidate will have a sponsor who is actively involved in all the classes and special liturgies that take place during the year. Weekly meetings, which usually consist of prayer, lecture and sharing, are led by various members of our parish family. We try to acquaint candidates with many people in the parish to help them feel welcome and at home. At the end of this program participants receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.

Post-Easter meetings focus on living the life of the spirit and sharing more fully in parish activities.

Respect Life Committee
Contact:  Dot Paul - 884-3963

This committee informs parishioners about pro-life issues and welcomes volunteers to help with planned activities such as guest speaker presentations and our annual rose sale.  The Diocesan Respect Life Office provides information and direction to this parish organization.  It is not affiliated with any other pro-life group or movement.

Scouting
Contact:  Patricia Andraka - 885-9886
Scouting is a world of wonder through which boys and girls discover their fullest potential as they explore the beauty of all God's universe.
Catholic Scouting Awards are given to the young people involved in scouting. The purpose of these is to enrich and deepen an understanding of faith and spirituality through successful completion of structured programs organized by age level.

Boy Scout Religious Awards

•  Light of Christ – The purpose of this program is to have the young scout (Tiger or Wolf) develop a personal relationship with God. This program includes parent participation.

•  Parvuli Dei – This program is for boys who are registered Cub Scouts. Its purpose is to help the scout to become more aware of God's presence in his daily life, especially within his home and community.

•  Ad Altare Dei – This program is for registered scouts who have completed the 6 th grade and attend Mass weekly. Its purposes are to better equip the scout to take his place in the world with an understanding of his Christian commitment, to help him recognize his advancement in the spiritual content of scouting, and to help him live the Scout Oath and Law more fully.

•  Pope Pius XII – This program is for high school age Catholic Scouts. Its purpose is to help the boy explore his relationship with God and his role within the Church

Girl Scout Religious Awards

•  For the Love of God – This Diocesan program helps to encourage girls (ages 7 to 9) to be more aware of God's love in their daily lives. This program includes parent participation.

•  Family of God – This National award program is offered to help Brownies in grades 2 and 3 to explore a wide range of activities and to discover the presence of God in family and parish life. Parental involvement is encouraged.

•  Holy Family – This is a Diocesan program to help girls aged 9 to 11 to become more aware of God's presence in daily life through home and community.

•  I Live My Faith – This is a National award program for girls aged 9 to 11 that helps build a deeper appreciation for the importance of God and religion in daily life.

•  Marian Medal – This is a National award for girls in grade 8 or for any Senior Girl Scout. The Marian Medal program enables girls to discuss and share in order to come to a better understanding of the Christian life, looking at values, approaches to life, one's relationship with God and giving an understanding of the Virgin Mary.

•  Spirit Alive –This is a National program designed for Senior Girl Scouts (ages 15-18). This program seeks to help youth discover the Holy Spirit acting in their lives.

Senior Group
Contacts:  Larry and Dot McBride - 295-7832

Come join us in the Parish Center for friendship, food and fun.  Each month we have a luncheon with a guest speaker who discusses relevant topics for seniors.  Plus we have a 50/50 cash raffle at each luncheon, so you might go home a winner!   The board meets on the second Tuesday of every month (Sept through May) to plan luncheons and other activities.  The Senior group also helps other organizations such as sending care packages to our troops over in Iraq.

Woman's Prayer Circle
Contact:  Joan Beachnau - 885-9435
Meeting Schedule:  Fridays at 9:30am.

All are welcome to join us in sharing our life experiences as Christian woman as we explore the scriptures and support each other in prayer and fellowship.

Youth Music Group
Contact:  Mike Simeone - 932-0918

This ministry facilitates singing at the 5:30pm Sunday evening mass and other special masses throughout the school year.  Vocalists and instrumentalists from Middle School and High School are welcome.  Young people are also invited to be Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Collectors for these masses.