sharing our gifts
TRANSCRIPT
DECEMBER 18 2016
4th Sunday of Advent
The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh, NC 27613 919-847-8205 www.stfrancisraleigh.org
Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve Masses 2:30pm in the Church and Gym 5:00pm in the Church and Gym 7:00pm in the Church
Sunday, December 25 Christmas Day Masses 12:00am in the Church 9:30am in the Church 11:30am in the Church (There is no 7:30am or 5:30pm Mass)
Monday—Friday, December 26 –30 9:00am in the Chapel Saturday, December 31 Mary, Mother of God Vigil 5:30pm in the Church
Sunday, January 1 All Masses in the Church 7:30am 9:30am 11:30am 5:30pm
Holiday Mass and Reconciliation Schedule
Sharing Our Gifts
See page 6
Through Baptism may
they walk always as a
Child of the light:
Charlotte Marie Edwards Daughter of Bret and Emily Edwards Grace Lillian Linder Daughter of Aimee and Dean Linder
May he rest in peace and
perpetual light shine up-
on him:
+ Hugh Eymard Father of Rachael Kirke
Our vibrant ministries and liturgies are, thanks to all of you, helping us to live our mission each day.
New to the parish? Contact Toni Hammes at [email protected].
Looking to get involved? Contact Tresa Pickup at [email protected].
Download the parish map
www.stfrancisraleigh.org/maps
Our Mission Statement
Inspired by our patron Francis of Assisi, we seek to proclaim the reign of God by growing in Holiness through our experience of Christ in word, sacrament and one another, offering Hope to those who hunger for human dignity, and extending Hospitality to all.
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Please do not leave unsolicited
items such as clothing, food, electronics, or any other items in our buildings or on our campus. Thank you!
As you probably know Bishop Burbidge was re-cently named bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia and his installation Mass was held there on December 6. Until a new bishop is named for Raleigh – which from what I hear could take sev-eral months – a diocesan administrator will serve
in the bishop’s place. His name is Msgr. Mike Shugrue. We are asked to keep Msgr. Shugrue in our prayers here. We friars had a chance to say goodbye to Bishop Burbidge a few weeks ago and we wish him the best in his new position in Virginia.
Thank you to Fr. David Convertino and Fr. Bob Sandoz who were here last weekend speaking about the Franciscan Challenge, which is a fundraiser that helps support the friars of Holy Name Province, of which the friars here are a part. Thanks as well to all who helped organize our first penance services for the 200 or so young people who made their first reconciliation last Saturday.
And now, of course, as Advent draws to a close, we look to Christmas only a week away. Back in 2011, I went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with members of this parish, and one of the plac-es we visited was Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. There is a wall around Bethlehem, with checkpoints at all entrances and ex-its, and when you arrive at a checkpoint armed soldiers get on the bus, walk down the aisle, and ask for identification. The Holy Land is a place of great beauty and great tension and that is true both in the time of Jesus and in our own time. And yet in the middle of all that, a child is born, God comes to dwell among us.
There is a theological term called “the scandal of the incarnation” which means that it’s astonishing that the God of the universe, the God who created the heavens and the earth, would come into our world not with power and might, but helpless and needy, needing to be nurtured, dependent upon the “yes” of a young woman in Nazareth to enter our world. How does that change our image of who God is in the world?
Please note our Christmas mass schedule: on Christmas Eve, at 2:30pm (church and gym), 5:00pm (church and gym), 7:00pm, and midnight, on Christmas Day at 9:30am and 11:30am. Please note there is no Mass at 7:30am or 5:30pm on Christmas Day.
Blessings on your week!
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A s a Church Musician, Christmas presents an interesting time for me. Of all the seasons of the year, it is the most predictable. In a way it is the easiest to plan. Undoubtedly we will be singing the favorite hymns and carols: O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, Joy to the World… the list is endless. Of course, we may find a new arrangement, or even a new
song that expresses the Christmas message in a powerful way. And yet every once in awhile a song seems to reinvent itself, speaking in a new way. This happened to me a few years ago with the song “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” I had sung and played this song countless times, finding it pleasant and warm. And yet the final verse hit me in a different way as I was playing it while communion was being distributed.
O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born to us today
“Be born to us today!” This was a new way of thinking about Christmas, a new lens to see the mystery of the incarnation. It brought me to understand, as expressed by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the three “comings” of Christ. Of course, at Christmas we celebrate the coming of Christ into the world 2,000 years ago. And every week we proclaim together, in the Nicene Creed, that Christ “will come again to judge the living and the dead.” And yet as it says in the song… Christ is “born in us today!” In so many ways the Holy Spirit brings this to reality, but the most intimate way is in the sharing of the Risen Christ in communion.
As we make the preparations for celebrating Christmas by decorating, preparing gifts, baking, writing cards, etc., we also have to prepare for receiving Christ in the Eucharist. One way we do this is through reconciliation, “cleaning out” our hearts to receive this most precious gift. But it is also im-portant to remember that how we receive is such an important part of our act of communion. There are three gestures or words we make when receiving communion that express our faith in the Eucha-rist:
We make a bow of the head before Christ in the Eucharist. This can be made as the person in front of you is receiving. It is a gesture that says “we adore you.”
If receiving communion in the hand, place one hand beneath the other, creating a “throne” to receive the King. This was expressed in the 4th century by St. Cyril of Jerusalem who said: "When you ap-proach, take care not to do so with your hand stretched out and your fingers open or apart, but rather place your left hand as a throne beneath your right, as befits one who is about to receive the King.”
When the Minister says “Body of Christ” or “Blood of Christ” respond with “Amen.” This recalls the words of St. Augustine who says: “You are saying "Amen" to what you are: your response is a personal signature, affirming your faith. When you hear "The body of Christ", you reply "Amen." Be a member of Christ's body, then, so that your "Amen" may ring true!”
Be Born In Us Today: Receiving Christ in the Eucharist
James Wahl - Director of Liturgy and Music
Formation
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Prepare the Way of the Lord! Celebrating Advent at St. Francis
Parish Advent Prayer Service Wednesday, December 21, 2016
6:30pm St. Mary of the Angels Chapel
Using Sacred Scripture and ancient prayers of the church, Fr. Steve Kluge will lead us
in this candlelight service that will help prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christmas. All are welcome.
E veryone is welcome for an evening of fun, music, and prayer for the whole family! As we sing along to familiar Christmas carols, we will reflect on the theology behind the lyrics and deepen our understanding of God’s great love for us. Join us for this night of fellowship and Christmas spirit. A light supper will be
served in Clare Fellowship Hall between the end of the 5:30pm Mass and the event. We hope you will save the date! This is a free event.
Need more information on Advent Events or other Formation Programming? Email [email protected]
Do You Hear What I Hear? Parish Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 18, 2016 6:30pm - Light Supper in Clare Fellowship Hall
7:15pm - Lessons and Carols in Church
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Pastoral Ministries
When we do something together, something good, something beautiful, everyone changes – all of us change in some way – and this does us good. ~Pope Francis
R ecently about 25 parishioners of St. Francis did something beautiful together when they participated in providing breakfast to guests of Oak
City Outreach Center, an outreach center to the hungry and homeless of downtown Raleigh near Moore Square. Some cooked, some made coffee, some purchased food items, some cut up vegetables and fruit and some went to the center to serve and visit with guests in the dining room. It was a beautiful morning and as one person commented, “My family was really happy to do this. What a great way to show my kids how important it is to help others, especially those less fortunate. I’m really in the Christmas spirit now!”
We are thrilled to be able to provide a breakfast like this one Saturday every other month for it provides another wonderful way for parishion-ers and their families to live out our Gospel call to mercy and service to folks in need. Won't you join us some time? Our next feeding is in February. Here is a link http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f44aaa82fa46-february.
Also here is a link to many other opportunities to serve with fellow parishioners. Just click on an event and then on ‘more details’ to find a link to sign up. Thank you for any help you can provide! http://stfrancis2.wpengine.com/st-francis-feeds-calendar
St. Francis Feeds
M ore than any time of the year, the Christmas season is when individuals and whole fami-lies seek out opportunities to do something meaningful for others. Here at St. Francis,
we get more phone calls in December about helping out with a ministry than any other month and our Advent Giving Tree is wildly popular with parishioners wanting to make sure others in need feel the love of the season.
This year we have a very special opportunity for extending hospitality and generous giving when we host homeless families for seven days after Christmas, December 25 to January 1, through our ministry called Family Promise, formerly known as Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network (WIHN). For these seven days, we turn our facilities into a homeless shelter and invite parishioners to participate in this meaningful ministry. Options for participating include serving hot meals and dining with the families, playing with the children, driving them to the day center, and staying overnight on campus with the families. Many of these options are great ones for children and whole families.
Given the Christmas story of the plight of Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay on the eve of Jesus’ birth, it’s difficult not to feel like this is the perfect time of the year to host these struggling families who have been through so much. Many of them have come from living in cars and have been on a wait-list, calling in to Family Promise every Monday to see if there is a vacancy in the program. Some of them have spent their last money on hotel rooms.
We know that many of you will be traveling and tied up with family festivities, but for those of you who are in the area and looking for something especially meaningful to do this holiday season, contact our parishioner, ministry leader, Ron Smith, [email protected] or 919-455-7786.
Making this Christmas Season Meaningful
Trevor Thompson, Director of Justice and Peace
Growing in excellence
since 1991
Assisi Preschool The Franciscan School
Elementary: K-5
Middle School: 6-8
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A t age three, a child’s personality is really beginning to develop. Preschool teachers have the opportunity to make a significant impact on a child’s development at this
level. Our three-year old teachers spend countless hours working with the children on how to be kind and empathetic toward their friends; how to ask one another nicely to play, and how to treat each other with respect. They help the children notice how their words and actions are affecting others and how to make amends when someone is hurt.
The children are given many opportunities to work and play together. Through trial and error, they are becoming more and more independent, confident, and kind. In the words of Ms. Mary Grace Sellars, a three-year old teacher of 15 years, “it’s the beginning of their backstory.”
Our three-year-old teaching team is comprised of well tenured and educated teachers who are amazing at helping these young children to learn and grow. The skills that they are learning now will follow them into adulthood and help them to be successful learners in years to come.
If you are interested in more information about our school, please visit our website at www.preschoolatstfrancis.com or call 919-847-8205x262 and speak with Jennifer Stephens.
Join us for our Open House on Sunday, January 29.
Creating a Backstory
A s we prepare during Advent to celebrate the birth of Christ, students from the Franciscan School have been busy sharing their gifts to those less fortunate.
On December 7, the first grade class traveled to Duke Children’s Hospital, sharing their gift of song and present-ing the hospital with over 100 receiving blankets, blessed by Father Steve for the babies in the NICU. Some of the babies in the NICU are born so tiny that the standard blankets the hospital uses are too big for their little bodies. There are also families that cannot afford to buy blankets for their babies. Each baby in the NICU will re-ceive a blanket and the parents will take those blankets home, wash them and bring them back and forth to the hospital for their baby to use during their stay. Unlike the standard hospital blankets, this is their own personal, special blanket given to them by our first graders. In addition to presenting the NICU with the blankets, our first graders performed two concerts of Christmas songs to cheer patients and families. Singing to the patients and families is an annual tradition for the first grade that is special for everyone who participates.
The school also held the annual Passage Home Advent Food Drive from December 5-14. Passage Home is a multi-faith, non-profit organization that helps homeless families in Wake County who qualify for free and reduced lunches for their children while in school. During the Christmas break, that program cannot meet the needs of these families. The food drive helps support these fam-ilies and is a great opportunity for our school community to share with those in need.
These are just a couple of examples of how our students and school community share their gifts during Advent. The Advent season is not the only time of year that we should be reminded of the talents that God has given us, but rather we should be reminded on a daily basis of how we can help make the world a better place by sharing our gifts and talents with those around us.
Please join us for our Winter Open House on Sunday, January 29 at 12:45 pm in Clare Fellowship Hall. For more information or to register for Open House, please visit our website at www.franciscanschool.org or contact Lura Tysiac at 919-847-8205x469.
Sharing Our Gifts
Community Life
Tricia Henry, Coordinator of Community Life
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Community Center Activities
Assisi Café is Open: Need a little jolt in the morning or just want some quiet time Planning to meet someone? We’re open after morning drop off and after Sunday mass! Come and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Assisi Café. The Café serves fresh-brewed free trade coffee from Larry’s Beans, a variety of muffins or danishes are available, and the Espresso machine is always open with any of your fancy drink desires. Stop by! http://wp.me/P4Hdt1-4QA.
50+ Group Game Days: The monthly Game Day returns for the 2016 – 2017 season. Mark your calendars for the 2nd Wednesday of the month, September 2016 - May 2017. We invite anyone 50 years of age or older to participate in these monthly events. Refreshments and drinks will be provided. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners.
Open Play Nights All are welcome in the Assisi Community Center for open play nights but each night is a different ministry. Check out the website for details at www.stfrancisraleigh.org/community-life-adult-open-play/.
Exercise Classes School year is in full swing. Time to get back in shape. Check out our fitness classes in the Community Center. www.stfrancisraleigh.org/fitness-classes-and-programs-2/
Creative Writing: Would you like to share stories or poems about your life to pass on to your children or grandchildren? Find out about our easygoing writers group by calling Claire Lengefeld at 919-510-0845.
H ave you ever wondered about the upside down Christmas tree? I’ve always thought it was an interesting holiday decoration and I have wondered if it was some sort of commercial gimmick or something. Thank
goodness for Google. A recent search actually taught me that the upside down tree traces its history to an English Benedictine monk who went to Germany to preach the Gospel. Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. By the 12th century, it was being hung, upside down, from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe, as a symbol of Christianity.
Funny this tradition is actually rooted in Christianity. When I was reading today’s Gospel, I thought that is what Joseph must of been feeling. He must have been feeling that his world was being turned upside down.
I’m sure we all can relate to some momentous event that caused our world to be flipped on end with some dramatic change. There are definitely world disasters we can think of that caused this type of effect – 911, Katrina, Pearl Harbor, and most recently the fires in the NC mountains have definitely caused people affected to have their world turned upside down. Close to home, you may have experienced a sudden death or a tragic accident or a loss of job which turned your world on end. Or, how about the beautiful events that also cause these major sudden changes in our lives? A new birth, a new job, a marriage, an offer letter to college or a new team, etc. Many events can cause that sudden dramatic change in our lives.
Behind all these events needs to be trust. The kind of trust that Jo-seph shows us today. Emmanuel shall be his name. God is with us.
Today, we carry this momentous event within us so we have the capacity to trust. Emmanuel was born through the trust of Mary and Joseph. When our world is turned upside down, God is with us. Trust.
Right side up or upside down?
Thurifers Needed! Interested in serving as an incense minister at one of the Christmas liturgies? You must be at least 14 years old and comfortable working with lighters and charcoal. Contact: Mary Lacy Simmons at [email protected].
St. Francis Brown Bag Ministry has open dates to fill. We prepare and deliver lunches to a senior citizen apart-ment complex in Durham on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Satur-days of the month. This is a wonderful opportunity for fami-lies, scout troops, Y guides, youth groups, and sports teams to serve the community together. More information at stfrancisraleigh.org/bbm. Contact: Tricia Downs and Nanette Kirsch, [email protected].
Assisi Cafe: We are always looking for volunteers to work behind the counter. We have three shift teams that rotate volunteering on a regular basis; a weekday morning team, a Sunday morning team, and a Saturday conces-sions team. Serve some coffee, chit-chat, socialize. Training will be supplied and St Francis staff are always available for questions. Interested parties check out the website for more information at http://stfrancisraleigh.org/cl-volunteer/.
Pen Pal Ministry: Do you like to write? Share a minis-try of mercy from your own home? We are always looking for new pen pals for our men on death row. Contact: Jill Balogh, [email protected].
The Visitation Ministry is looking for volunteers. We visit folks in need of a smile who are in assisted living facilities, nursing homes, in the hospital, or at home. If you have 2 or 3 hours a month and a great smile, Contact: Kathleen Owen, 919-847-8205x241.
Drivers/Volunteers Needed: We have some parishioners who can no longer drive who would love to come to mass. Any mass. One lives out by PNC Arena and one lives in Morrisville. If you would be open to driving them to mass once each month, Contact: Stephanie Smith, 919-302-0080.
Our Caregivers Ministry is assisting several parish-ioners who have multiple appointments each week due to illness and we could use some help! Would you consider driving someone to the doctor’s office or to the grocery store? Contact: Carol Derrenbacher, 919-696-6096.
Parking Ministers needed for the Sunday 11:30am mass. Contact: Steve Burdett, 919-669-8099.
Volunteer Opportunities
AA Meeting: The Daily Reprieve Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets Mon. thru Fri. at 7:00am in the LaVer-na Center (log cabin across from the Chapel). Enter through the garage. Al-Anon Meetings: Sun. 7:00pm, Anthony Hall Rm 403. Always Our Children: A safe, welcoming, confidential place for GLBT persons and family/friends of GLBT persons to discuss issues of personal concern. Visit www.stfrancisraleigh.org for more information. Adult Open Play Nights: Assisi Community Center Gym. Visit http://stfrancisraleigh.org/adult-open-play to contact the ministry leaders for each of our adult open play nights. Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Support Group: The first Wednesday of the month, 1:00 - 3:00pm in the Padua Room of the Assisi Community Center and the third Wednesday of the month, 7:00 - 9:00pm in Anthony Hall Room 405. Carol Gault, [email protected] Centering Prayer: Thursdays, 9:35am or 7:30pm in St. Mary of the Angels Chapel.
Community Center Classes: Regular exercise classes and parent/child classes run on a weekly basis. www.stfrancisraleigh.org/programs-and-classes. Community Garden: Saturday mornings,10:00am. Call Pat or Paul Kelly at 919-413-8833, email [email protected], or just drop by.
Divorce Care: Tuesdays, 7:00 - 9:00pm in the Padua Rm. of the Assisi Community Center. Confidential, co-ed healing from separation and divorce. Contact Bill Morgan at [email protected]. Exercise Programs: http://bit.ly/14T9JXR. Men’s Ministry: Breakfast, Monday, January 9, 7:00am, Padua Room of the Assisi Community Center. Visit www.bit.ly/SFAMensMinistry for details. Peace Pole Prayer: Join us after the 9:30am Mass on Sundays to pray for peace in the world and our country. We meet in front of Clare Hall for a few minutes of pray-er. Prayer Shawl Ministry: Thursday, Jan. 12, Clare Hall Room 202, 12:00noon-2:00pm. Contact Cindy Cardello, 919-846-8825 or Donna Quirk, 919-847-2084.
Rosary Ministry: Mondays, 7:30 - 8:30pm, St. Mary of the Angels Chapel.
50+ Adults Group: Monthly potluck luncheons through-out the year and monthly game days September through May in Clare Fellowship Hall. Contact Gene Schulz, 919-562-0477. Third Option: A marriage skills-building small group, http://bit.ly/sfathirdoption. Young Adults Community: (20’s and 30’s) Weekly Bible study every Wed.,7:00pm, Anthony Hall Rm. 403.
Small Group Opportunities
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Diocese of Raleigh News Love My Life Youth Rally - January 21, begins at 9:30am.
This annual event is an opportunity for Catholic teens to come together to celebrate life, connect with others from across the Diocese, and learn more about living and promoting the pro-life culture. Youth and their parents will have to opportunity to participate in the March for Life after the youth rally and Mass. The Rally will feature a dynamic speaker, music, great free food, and will draw our youth to live out a culture of loving, protecting, and celebrating all human life! For more information, please visit http://dioceseofraleigh.org/lml or contact [email protected].
Permission slips must be completed and turned in to the St. Francis Faith Formation office, attention: Jennifer McCourt no later than January 6, 2017. To register, visit http://www.stfrancisraleigh.org/websfa/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ Love-My-Life-Rally-2017-Registration-Package.pdf)
To Order a Love My Life T-shirt, visit http://dioceseofraleigh.org/sites/default/files/files/T-shirt-Flyer-longsleeve.pdf. The deadline to order t-shirts has been extended to Monday, December 19.
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Formation Returning Catholics 847-8205 Rite of Christian Initiation-Adults Gabriele Monetti [email protected] Christian Initiation of Children Gabriele Monetti [email protected] Intergeneration. Fam. FF (FIRE) Gabriele Monetti [email protected]
Family Life AAMEN Ministry Leon Cooke 740-7515 Baptism Preparation Bill & Regina McCrorie 847-6757 Family & Marriage Enrichment Steve & Cecy Becker 870-0694 Marriage Preparation Team Theresa & Mark Baumgartner 848-3383 Men’s Ministry Steve Becker 870-0694 Young Adults Melissa Misko [email protected] Community Life 50+ Adults Group Gene Schulz 562-0477 50+ Adult Monthly Potluck Pam Schwartz [email protected] Assisi Café Orders Michelle Cash 847-8205x379 Assisi Café Sundays Jamie Johnson 847-8205x379 Assisi Café Volunteers Ashley Watson 847-8205x444 Adult Summer Basketball Mary Arleth 847-8205x358 Adult Gym Nights Mary Arleth 847-8205x358 High Community Center Programs Ashley Watson 847-8205x444 FrancisFest Tricia Henry 847-8205x375 School Basketball Mary Arleth 847-8205x358 Youth Basketball Mary Arleth 847-8205x358 Youth Volleyball Mary Arleth 847-8205x358 Youth Soccer and TBall http://www.parishathleticsnc.org Summer Camps Ashley Watson 847-8205x444 Parish Community Events Tricia Henry 847-8205x375 Knights of Columbus Grand Knight [email protected] Boy Scouts John Martin [email protected] Cub Scouts (pack352nc.org) Chris Triplett [email protected] Girl Scouts Jamie Johnson 847-8205x379 Liturgy Altar Servers & Thurifers Bob Kaczynski [email protected] Marie Kaczynski [email protected] Assisi Scripture Study Barbara Efird [email protected] Liturgical Ministry Mailbox [email protected] Children’s Liturgy of the Word Jackie Kelly 896-6297 Church Keeping Beverly Saunders 846-5795 Cross Bearers Joseph Randazzo [email protected] Deaf Ministry Jean Cooke-Byrne 412-8365 Environment & Art Theresa Baumgartner 848-3383 Eucharistic Ministers Dennis Kelleher [email protected] Funeral Ministers Lisa Gianturco 845-9718 Lectors Mike Wrzesien 624-1592 Shawn Bayle Master of Ceremonies Michael & Julie Ducatte 622-8883 [email protected] Music Ministry Joyce Petzka [email protected] Parking Ministry Steve Burdett 845-2714 Ushers John Cuomo 931-4308 Troy Chaput 665-7194 Wedding Directors Judy Ferraro 395-3005 Administration Collection Counters Rob Neppel 847-8205x243 Columbarium & Mem. Plaques Tresa Pickup 847-8205x249 Volunteer Receptionists Toni Hammes 847-8205x265 Webmaster Diogenes Ruiz 847-8205x271 Campus Beautification Spring/Fall Jim Anderson 847-8205x263
Other Organizations Marriage Encounter Charlie Abbott ncmarriagediscovery.org Angela Abbott 556-7401 Secular Franciscan Order Stan Driscoll OFS http://ofscentralnc.org
Parish Office: 919-847-8205 Stewardship Opportunities Fax: 919-870-1790
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First Contact New Parishioner Contact: Toni Hammes 847-8205x265 Volunteer—Get Involved Tresa Pickup 847-8205x249 The Way of Francis Ben Whitehouse [email protected]
Care and Wellness Resurrection Ministries Consolation & Care Celesta Carlson 818-4122 Emmaus Ministers Kathleen Owen 847-8205x241
Eucharistic Ministries EMs to Abbotswood Gerry & Karen Collins [email protected] EMs to the Homebound Pat Spencer 704-608-1678 EMs to the Magnolia Glen Erica Schaab Emerson 617-7765 EMs to the Meadows Andrea McVerry [email protected] EMs to Rex Hospital Edward Gilmartin [email protected] EMs to Springmoor Janice Horner 484-949-1417
Ministries to the Infirm, Sick, and Hospitalized Transportation to Mass Stephanie Smith 302-0080 Cancer Companions Lisa Cilento [email protected] Caregivers Carol Derrenbacher 919-696-6096 Caregivers Line 534-4843 Medical Facility Visitation Sharon Holland [email protected]
Ministries of Care & Presence Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Carol Gault [email protected] Linda Tucker 900-8280 Caring Casseroles Donna Mariani 326-3768 Divorce Care William Morgan [email protected] Feed the Need Donna Mariani 326-3768 Life After Loss Cindy Nackashi 247-3632 Job Connections Mary Horner 610-755-5392 Project Rachel [email protected] 852-1021 Stephen Ministry Kathleen Owen 847-8205x241 Special Needs Ministry Heather Lisk [email protected] Karen Ondejko [email protected]
Ministries of Prayer & Faith Sharing Centering Prayer Alice Stanford 781-5860 Prayer Line Susan Stamey [email protected] Prayer Shawl Ministry Cindy Cardello 846-8825 Donna Quirk 847-2084 Rosary Ministry Barbi Tapernek [email protected] 744-7234
Justice and Peace Education and Advocacy Ministries Advocacy Task Force Trevor Thompson 847-8205x270 JustFaith Trevor Thompson 847-8205x270 Justice Theater Project Deb Royals-Mizerk 272-1551
Service Ministries AIDS Care Team Tom Zimmerman 870-1379 Blood Drive Tom & Elaine Dupree 577-6901 Brown Bag Ministry Nanette Kirsch [email protected] Tricia Downs [email protected] Catholic Parish Outreach (873-0245) Sue Hand 846-7954 Community Garden Pat & Paul Kelly 413-8833 Curbside Care Andrew Rinderer 559-2733 Duke Children's Hospitality Danielle Howe [email protected] Gabriel Project Kip Moffett [email protected] Gay & Lesbian Ministry Jane Paris 847-7431 Chris O’Neill 210-5319 Gay & Lesbian Parent Support Kathryn Cox 618-2178 Habitat for Humanity Diane & Bob Steinbeiser 846-8026 Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (250-0043) Suzanne Szymendera 845-4885 Migrant Ministry Bruce Cartier [email protected] Passage Home (834-0666) Peg Cavender 985-5950 Prison Pen Pal Jill Balogh [email protected] R.A.R.E. Tom Zimmerman [email protected] Ronald McDonald House Julie & Jason Huckaby 624-5065 Sister Parish - Guatemala Carie Gunnell [email protected] St. Francis Feeds Becky Cawley [email protected] St. Francis Inn, Philadelphia John Budway 305-205-5104 St. Vincent de Paul Voice Mailbox 534-4842 Support Circles Ellen Ferrone 381-5509 Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network Ron Smith 455-7786
FRANCISCAN FRIARS 226 Fr. Steve Kluge, O.F.M., Associate Pastor 224 Fr. Steve Patti, O.F.M., Pastor 249 Tresa Pickup, Assistant to the Pastor
FORMATION MINISTRIES 496 Sarah Bowser, Coordinator Children’s Formation 264 Martina Dumberger, Administrative Specialist 239 Dawn Eagan, Coordinator Middle School Formation 238 Jennifer Fiduccia, Director of Family Formation 289 Terri Layer, Admin. Specialist-Family Life 244 Jason Lillis, Coordinator of Family Life 223 Alex Mancuso, Coordinator of High School Formation 269 Jennifer McCourt, Administrative Specialist 489 Tara Moore, Play and Pray (Specialist for Childcare Ministry) 237 Patti Panizza, Administrative Specialist 488 Mary Lacy Simmons, Coor. of Liturgy and Weekend Experience 230 Jim Wahl, Director of Liturgy and Music
CATHOLIC EDUCATION MINISTRIES The Franciscan School 651 Colette Dziadul Assistant Principal 6-8 255 Marie Leone, Receptionist (Main Number) 254 Michele Northington, Assistant Principal, K-5 253 Donna Sincock, Bookkeeper, Franciscan School 251 Joanne Sullivan, School Nurse 469 Lura Tysiac, Coordinator of Marketing and Admissions 314 Laureen Wacenske, Guidance 301 Mike Watson, Principal
Our Pastoral Staff Parish Office: 919-847-8205 Fax: 919-870-1790
OUR PRESCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL Cathy Ashton, Niamh Crotty, Patrick Dougherty, Daniel Elliott, Gail Hemedinger, Heather Lisk, Shane McGroarty, Trey Morris, Steve Patti, O.F.M. Denise Rinderer
OUR FINANCE COUNCIL Delynn Alexander, Betty Camp, Rebecca Daumen, Steve Dilger Julio de la Rosa, Ron Doggett, Tim Hrehor, Steven Joseph, Bill Laxton, Robert Longley, Mike Keleher, Marc Kielty, Tom Mense, Robert Neppel, David Nerz, Steve Patti O.F.M. Bob Randolph, John Smith
OUR SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL Jim Carr (co-chair), Patty Carr (co-chair), Mike Keleher, Robert Neppel, Michele Northington, Steve Patti, O.F.M, Phil Strand, Lisa Tomaino
OUR PASTORAL COUNCIL Stephen Andrews, Jim Carr, Patty Carr, Julio De La Rosa, Julia Earnhardt, Thomas Graham, Gail Hemedinger, Alberto Lopez, Steve Patti, O.F.M., Chris Rosaferra, Mary Zahn
St. Francis Preschool 240 Cathy Ashton, Director 262 Jennifer Stephens, Marketing Specialist 262 Shelley Freeman, Administrative Specialist Cardinal Gibbons High School 919-834-1625
PASTORAL MINISTRIES 268 Jackie Adamo, Admin. Specialist-Care and Wellness 267 Becky Cawley, Justice and Peace Specialist 241 Kathleen Owen, Coordinator of Care and Wellness 270 Trevor Thompson, Director of Justice and Peace
FINANCE AND PLANNING 236 Trish Adamkowski, Coordinator of Human Resources 228 Alison Hathaway, Coordinator of Finance for the Schools 229 Esperanza Neri, Coordinator of Finance for the Parish 243 Rob Neppel, Director of Finance and Planning
PARISH OPERATIONS 263 Jim Anderson, Facilities Manager 234 David Crout, Database/Web Specialist 375 Tricia Henry, Coordinator of Community Life 227 Marc Kielty, Director of Parish Operation 271 Diogenes Ruiz, Coordinator of Communications 245 Trina Sugrue, Admin. Specialist-Safe Environment STEWARDSHIP AND ADVANCEMENT 265 Toni Hammes, Admin. Spec. Stewardship and Advancement Staff email address: [email protected]
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9
Inspired by our patron Francis of Assisi, we seek to proclaim the reign of God by growing in Holiness through our experience of Christ in word, sacrament and one another, offering Hope to those who hunger for human dignity, and extending Hospitality to all.
This Week and Next... December 21 Advent Evening Prayer, 6:30pm in St. Mary of the Angels Chap-el presented by Steve Kluge
For more information or to sign up, visit http://www.stfrancisraleigh.org/adultfaithformation/.
December 18 Do You Hear What I Hear? Parish Lessons and Carols 6:30pm - Light Supper in Clare Fellowship Hall 7:00pm - Lessons and Carols in Church On Sunday, December 18 everyone is welcome for an evening of fun, music, and prayer for the whole family! As we sing along to familiar Christmas carols, we will reflect on the theology behind the lyrics and deepen our understand-ing of God’s great love for us. Join us for this night of fellowship and Christmas spirit. A light supper will be served in Clare Fellowship Hall between the end of the 5:30pm Mass and the event. We hope you will save the date and plan on participating! This is a free event. To RSVP, visit www.stfrancisraleigh.org/formation/.
December 21 Art & Environment Ministry Do you love to see the church decorat-ed for the holiday season and always wondered how to get involved? We are looking for people to help with setting up the church for the upcoming Christ-mas season. We will be decorating the church on Wednesday, December 21 from 9:00am to 1:00pm and lunch will be served at 12:00noon. Stay the whole time or only one hour, we would love your help. We are looking for people to do some manual labor; no special talent or training needed. Theresa Baumgart-ner, who leads our Art & Environment Ministry will be there to lead and direct. Please RSVP to [email protected] if you would like to help and this will provide us with the num-bers for quantity of food.
December 31 - January 8 Used Cell Phone Drive Used Cell Phone Drive - Our Knights of Columbus Council (kofc9709.org) is conducting a 2-weekend used cell phone drive to benefit InterAct of Wake County (http://www.interactofwake.org). They provide assistance to victims and survivors of domestic violence and rape/sexual assault. We will have collection boxes for used cell phones and accessories in the Stewardship center on Dec. 31/Jan.1 and Jan. 7/8. Please, NO broken or unusable phones or accessories.
January 6-31 Secrets of the Cathedral, an exhibit telling the story of the world's greatest cathedrals, opens at the City of Raleigh Museum on January 6, 2017 and runs through January 31, 2017. The exhibit answers the question “What makes a Church a Cathedral?” and shows how cathedrals have a continuing influence on architecture, art, music and culture. It is free and open to the public. Visitors can learn how early builders crafted these monuments to become the stunning societal focal points they continue to be today. The City of Raleigh Museum, located at 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, is open Tuesdays - Saturdays 9:00 am-4:00 pm/Sundays 1:00-4:00pm.
T o the Community of St. Francis of Assisi Parish,
Your warm welcome for Fr. Bob and me, as we came to preach about the
Franciscan Challenge this past weekend was truly an example of the wonderful Franciscan hospitality for which your community is known.
Your care and support of the Franciscan Fri-ars who serve you now and those to come in the future is evidence of the love you have for those who have served you in the past.
Thank you for your participation in our annual Provincial fundraising event. Your gift ensures that the Franciscan spirit will endure in our world and in our church.
Thank you for having a Franciscan Heart and for sharing it with all the Friars and the people we serve.
A very special thanks also to Fr. Steve P and Fr. Steve K for sharing their home with us in such a wonderful, fraternal way. Many blessings,
Fr. David Convertino, O.F.M. Executive Director Office of Development The Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province Please visit our website for more information or to donate to the Franciscan Challenge at https://haveafranciscanheart.org/
Thank You
8
Jan 26 - March 2 Assisi Adult Scripture Study will hold its next study in the early 2017: Panorama of the New Testament. In this study we are invited to enter the biblical story of the New Testament be-ginning with the gospels and working our way through the final book, Revela-tion. We will discover God's plan of sal-vation running throughout the story and characters, both familiar and unfamiliar. The study will be held January 26 through March 2 from 7:00 - 8:30pm in Siena Room 751. The cost of the mate-rials, $20 is due at registration. Register before January 10 online at: stfrancisraleigh.org/adultfaithformation. Please register, class is limited to 20 participants. The materials are provided by Little Rock Scripture Study.
January 29 Basketball Free Throw Competition The Knights of Columbus All Saints Council 9709 at St Francis invites all boys and girls between the ages of 9-14 to participate in our annual Basketball Free Throw Competition in the Assisi Community Center on Jan 29 at 4:00pm. Each contestant will get 15 free throws with practice shots, a certifi-cate for each participant, and a certifi-cate for each winner as well as a medal in each age group. The winners will compete for the state finals. There is no fee to participate. Please contact John Buico at [email protected] or cell phone 732-778-9373 and include child's name, age, gender, home address, and a parent/guardian e-mail.
Arise from your slumber, Get ready the feast.
With colored banners, Prepare the halls and the walls.
Pick the tree And decorate its branches
But leave off Till later
The topping star Or angel.
Let the celebration not be put off! Our Hope has come
Wrapped in swaddling clothes. Let joyful expectation give rise to action
As recognition of even-now-with –us Presence Gives birth to wonder!
Still Our Hope is yet to come Wearing honor and glory,
Robed and crowned with the vulnerable power of Love.
So as we wait Let us do a bit of fasting before the feasting,
And decorate our festal robes with Patient hope, and charity.
In this great already but not yet, Let us permit the Advent preparations begin
For the great Christmas celebration.
Fr. Steve K.
December 18, 2016 Aging with Grace/Retirement Fund for Religious December 25, 2016 Diocesan Priest Retirement
T he St. Francis Community appreciates the contributions of our parishioners. As a new year approaches, please remember all 2016 contributions must be received by December 31 for processing. Any contributions after this date will be credited in 2017.
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