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SOCIAL OUTREACH
& COMMUNITY GROWTH
WORSHIP/LITURGY
YOUTH
PARISH LIFE
SPIRITUAL LIFE
SOCIAL OUTREACH
& COMMUNITY GROWTH
Blood Drive
The Knights of Columbus, in conjunction with INOVA, hold blood drives at St.
Francis de Sales. Parishioners’ involvement include blood donation, calling
donors, assisting in registration, and providing baked goods for the drive.
Christmas Giving Tree
Outreach program during the Christmas season. Christmas trees are decorated
with holiday gift tags to benefit the Loudoun Community Holiday Coalition
(Loudoun Interfaith Relief, Loudoun County Department of Social Services and
The Salvation Army), Heritage Hall, Birthright and overseas missions.
Donated gifts are collected, sorted and distributed by volunteers to
benefiting organizations.
Heritage Hall
Heritage Hall is a nursing home in Leesburg serving the elderly and infirm.
St. Francis holds Mass for the Catholic residents the 3rd Monday of each
month. Volunteers assist in the preparation of the Mass, assist Catholic
residents to Mass and escorting the priests to those residents unable to
attend and for ministering of Eucharist.
POP - Preferential Option for the
Poor
Five percent of each Sunday collections is used to help those in need. The
POP fund has helped in the education of youth, supported food pantries,
helped to buy an ambulance, and has helped abused women. Any eligible
missionary organization, international or national, that needs support may
apply for funds. Please send a letter to the pastor stating what the
organization does, what their needs are, and how to contact them.
Respect Life Committee
The focus of the Respect Life Committee is to educate and deepen the respect
of human life from birth to death. We promote this here at St. Francis as
well as the community in general by participating in the annual March for
Life, promoting awareness of outreach programs for pregnancy support
agencies, e.g., Project Gabriel, Lifeline, Birthright; abortion healing; and
care for the elderly and dying. The committee promotes advocacy on the
national, state and local levels to adopt laws that defend and protect human
life. And finally, encourage prayer among our parishioners to promote a
“Culture of Life” and respect for human dignity.
WORSHIP/LITURGY
Adoration / Benediction
“Eucharistic adoration is an essential way of being with
the Lord…In the sacred Host, He is present, the true treasure, always
waiting for us. Only by adoring this presence, one learns how to receive Him
properly…Let us love being with the Lord! There we can speak with Him about
everything. We can offer Him our petitions, our concerns, our troubles, our
joys, our gratitude, our disappointments, our needs and our aspirations.”
Pope Benedict XVI
Here at our parish we have the honor and privilege of praying before Jesus,
present in the Most Blessed Sacrament every month. Many parishioners adopt a
specific Holy Hour each month or sign up to become a substitute. The
following positions are available for all parishioners to prayerfully
consider.
Adorer - the commitment of an individual or couple to stay with our
Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament one hour a month.
Co-Adorer - The commitment of an individual or couple to stay with
our Lord present in the Blessed Sacrament one hour a month and assist the
Adorer as needed.
Substitute - An individual open to filling in for a regular adorer
who is not able to make their Holy Hour.
Captain - An individual who is open to answering calls at home from
adorers who are not able to make their Holy Hour. Substitute lists will be
provided to reference when needed.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild prepares the sanctuary, sacristy, and chapel for liturgical
services. The altar guild cares for all altar linens, vessels, candles, and
reports supplies needed. The Altar Guild has a rotating schedule and all
parishioners are eligible to help.
Altar Servers
Altar Servers are ministers to the celebrant for all liturgies. Servers must
have received the Sacrament of 1st Eucharist. Training sessions are
scheduled for new servers. Review sessions are scheduled as needed.
Art and Environment
The Art and Environment team is responsible for decorating the church for
all liturgical seasons. Anyone with an interest in enhancing the liturgy in
this way is encouraged to volunteer.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion
Eucharistic Ministers serve at all parish liturgies and aid the Pastor
whenever the Eucharist needs to be distributed. Diocesan training and
commissioning is required.
Lectors
“In the liturgy God speaks to his people, Christ is still proclaiming his
gospel.” (Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Liturgy) Lectors
proclaim God’s Word to the gathered faith community. A calling to proclaim
God’s word to one’s fellow believers is to participate in the mystery and
struggle of their individual journeys of faith. If you are called to this
essential ministry, please join us.
Mass Coordinators
Before Mass, a liturgy coordinator makes sure things are set up, in place,
and ready for the Eucharistic celebration to begin. They are available to
assist the priest with any special needs for the liturgical celebration and
coordinate those who are serving. After mass, they oversee that everything
is cleaned up and put away. The coordinator is the central contact person
for questions and assistance at each liturgy. Needed to serve in this
ministry are a love for and dedication to the Eucharistic celebration.
Music
We gather for worship as community to express, renew and deepen our faith.
Through our voices and instruments, using acclamations and responses, songs,
psalms and hymns, we proclaim praise to our God in a profound way. Music has
the power to express our feelings in ways that words alone cannot. Music
ministry provides opportunities to serve at our weekend liturgies as
singers, instrumentalists, sound technicians and cantors. In addition to our
weekend liturgies the ministry joins together for concerts, fundraisers, and
fellowship. We invite you to become part of this inspiring, meaningful
ministry.
Ushers
Individuals and families are encouraged to participate. There are no
requirements except for a friendly smile and a willingness to welcome all to
our faith community. Ushers assist in all masses by taking up the
collection, assuring the gifts are ready and carried to the celebrant,
distribution of bulletins, and other duties as appropriate. We are available
on request for funerals, weddings, or any special occasions that occur in
the church. There are no scheduled meetings, only those called on an
as-needed basis.
YOUTH
J.A.M. (Jesus and
Me for Grades 6-8)
This program is designed for grades 6-8 to continue the lesson of Christian
Community already learned in Religious Ed classes. We will meet once a month
during the school year, for a fun activity.
Teen Faith (Grades 9-12)
To promote spiritual and social growth by providing a weekly teen mass,
spiritual sharing, service projects and social activities. Membership is
open to ALL high school students. Friends, regardless of denomination, are
always welcome.
Workcamp
At Workcamp, the teens spend a week of their summer living in a Christian
community and serving less fortunate people by rebuilding their homes,
repairing damage, and restoring dignity. They’ve built handicap access
ramps; rebuilt rotted floors and walls; replaced leaking, rotted roofs;
built porches and decks; repaired crumbling drywall; rebuilt bathrooms; dug
latrines and built outhouses; rebuilt decaying mobile homes; painted homes
inside and out, and much more, all for residents unable to provide for
themselves because of poverty, illness, age.
Workcamp changes people’s lives. It touches the residents. It touches the
teens. It touches everyone involved.
PARISH LIFE
Bereavement
Within the scope of the Parish Nurse Ministry, we would like
to broaden our outreach to our parishioners who have experienced death of a
loved one. We are looking to offer support to the grieving throughout the
entire difficult first year after the death of a family member or close
friend. Spouses, children, parents, friends all handle grief in different
ways, and our aim is an offer to be there. This support includes ongoing
contact with the bereaved: offering to listen, making suggestions, joining
in prayer, watching children if necessary, suggesting professional
counselling, if this seems appropriate, etc. If you are wiling to offer
friendship to those who are grieving, please consider volunteering.
Communications
Provides information to parishioners by way of the weekly Sunday Bulletin,
flyers, the Ministry Handbook, and the website which is updated weekly.
Knights of Columbus
To support outreach programs and encourage faith in the community. This is a
Catholic men’s organization know worldwide for its many ministries devoted
to charitable organizations, youth and family programs, support outreach
programs, and encouraging the faith among the community. Meetings are held
every first and third Wednesday in St. Francis Parish Hall.
Parish Nurse Ministry
The Parish nurses provide spiritual support, bring Holy Communion to the
patient and family, provide respite for caregivers, read to the patient,
write letters, provide meals and help with the chores of daily life during
times of special need to support individuals and families dealing with
health issues and problems. This care and support is essential to
maintaining the parish community spirit. A secondary role of the Parish
Nurse Ministry is to inform and educate the parish community about health
care issues. On occasion, we offer presentations and seminars on topics of
general interest; and health screenings. Specialized nursing or health care
that should be handled in a medical setting cannot be provided. Referrals to
an appropriate source for the care can be made.
Parish Picnic
An event for the whole family, to be held in June each year. Barbeque and
beverages are served. Show off your God given gifts in the Talent Show!
Enter your cake in the cake contest! Come and watch the grounds of the
church come alive with families engaging in fun, games, and community.
Senior Luncheons
Join us for lunch and conversation at noon on the last Tuesday on the month.
Who is a senior? Whoever wants to be - no age minimum!
Softball Team
This is a multi-denominational coed league. The season runs from May through
June. Practices and Doubleheader games are played through the playing
season. Games are played on alternating fields throughout western Loudoun
County. All parishioners are invited to register to play.
SoulStitch
A new multi-generational Fellowship Ministry for those who would like to
teach, work or learn how to KNIT or CROCHET or EMBROIDER or CROSS-STITCH..
Soulstitch will create handstitched prayer shawls, baby blankets, scarves,
and embroidered or cross-stitched baptismal garments for people in our
church and community. We need teachers, workers, learners and any yarn or
needle supplies you would like to donate.
Wedding Coordinator
Members of this ministry coordinate the rehearsal and ceremony for couples
celebrating the Sacrament of Marriage at St. Francis de Sales.
SPIRITUAL LIFE
Armata Bianca
The children of the Armata Bianca are the little soldiers of Mary who, with
the Rosary as a sling, go against the evil of the world to beat it in joy
and happiness. The goals are:
• to promote the love of God and purity among children
• to pray for the conversion of sinners and peace in the world (especially
protection of unborn children)
• their consecration to God through Our Blessed Mother.
With the blessing of God, the Armata Bianca meets every 1st Friday at
11:30am. All children are invited, please come, and receive a shower of
graces for you, for your family, for your friends and for all the world.
Charismatic Prayer Group “Refuge”
Come and join us every Thursday at 6:30pm in the Visitation Room for a
dynamic study on “Living a Life in the Spirit”. This study will explain THE
HOW TO concerning our walk in the spirit, living by faith, fighting the
battles of life, and experiencing Charismatic Gifts of the Spirit (Wisdom,
Knowledge, Prophecy, Miracles, Healings, Special faith, discernment,
tongues, and interpretation of tongues). If you have a desire to have a
deeper walk in the spirit you don’t want to miss this study. Immediately
following the end of each evening study the St. Francis Charismatic Prayer
Group “Refuge” will meet at 7:30pm for a time of praise, worship, and prayer
for the healing and needs of all who attend.
Christian Family
Movement (CFM)
Christian Family Movement is a national network of parish-centered small
groups of Catholics and their families. Through prayer, discussion, and
action, families grow in their faith while providing support and friendship
to one another. We meet monthly in one another's homes while children play
together under the watch of babysitters. Quarterly service projects, faith
gatherings, and social events also build the faith and the relationships of
the families in the group. The U.S. Catholic Bishops recommend CFM, a member
of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers (see
www.cfm.org). If you would like to join or just want to learn more about CFM
at our parish, contact Beth and Dan McKenna at bethmckenna@verizon.net.
Cursillos in Christianity
Cursillo is a movement that, through a method of its own, tries to and
through God’s grace manages to enable the essential realities of Christian
life to come to life in the uniqueness, originality and creativity of each
person. Our purpose: to live in God’s friendship. Our way of evangelization
is through: friendship, group reunion, and the Cursillo. We focus on Jesus
Christ, Savior and Lord. St. Paul is our patron saint. Our mission is the
church’s mission. Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II mentioned Cursillo as
one of the hopes for the church.
Fellowship of the Modest Proposal
The Fellowship of the Modest Proposal is a group of men, primarily from the
Saint Francis de Sales parish, whose common interest is to deepen their
identity as the adopted spiritual sons of God the Father and the adopted
spiritual brothers of Jesus
Christ the Lord. They seek to live out this identity at home, in their
workplaces, and in their civic lives. They commit consciously to be in the
Father’s presence:
• through daily prayer and study of Sacred Scripture;
• by attending daily Mass at least once during the week apart from the
Sunday obligation;
Christ the Lord. They seek to live out this identity at home, in their
workplaces, and in their civic lives.
• They commit consciously to be in the Father’s presence:
• through daily prayer and study of Sacred Scripture;
• by attending daily Mass at least once during the week apart from the
Sunday obligation;
• by seeking reconciliation with God through the Sacrament at least
quarterly;
• by putting aside everything for an hour each month simply to be with our
Lord in Eucharistic Adoration;
• by praying for at least one other member of the Fellowship between
meetings;
• by meeting at least every other month at a different man’s home for prayer
and reflection; and
• by attending on annual retreat.
Make a Joyful Noise
The Spirit of the Lord is in You! Come and journey as we experience the Word
of God in song. We gather in the church on the 3rd Monday of each month at
7:30pm. Come be a part of this spirit-filled night of God, Prayer and
Reflection.
Ministry of Praise
A Spiritual Ministry in which prayer, joys and suffering are offered to God
for the salvation of souls. Membership is limited to the sick, the
handicapped, the homebound and senior citizens. All that is required is a
commitment to pray daily in your home for the needs of our Parish.
Padre Pio Cenacle
The Cenacle meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month following the 9am Mass.
The Cenacle is made up of a group of laity who are associate members of the
Marian Movement of Priests and we are registered at the National
Headquarters in the United States located in St. Francis, ME. We follow a
Guide of required prayers, readings and meditations.
Teams of Our Lady
To allow married couples to deepen their spiritual life by responding
together to the call of the Lord through the Sacrament of Matrimony. Teams
began in France over forty years ago under the patronage of Mary, Our Lady,
and now embrace
couples of all ages in many countries. Each Team consists of four to seven
couples who meet monthly to share a meal and community prayer combined with
a religious topic discussion. We meet monthly on Saturday evenings.
The following is not a St. Francis de Sales Ministry, but is supported by
our parish:
Loudoun Fellowship of Christian
Artists
Loudoun Fellowship of Christian Artists (LFCA), formerly Christian Artists
Circle, was founded in 2004 by one of our visual artist parishioners,
Catherine Fetterman. LFCA is an ecumenical community of local artists in
their teen thru retirement years helping one another use their gifts of
creativity in a way that humbly serves and honors God. The mission of LFCA
is to encourage, inspire and
