Spiritual Life
Ministry is a participation in the service of Christ within the context of His Church. ”Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them” (Romans 12:5). Through the exercise of ministries, the assembly may have a more fruitful experience of the liturgical celebration. We solicit volunteers for most ministries annually during the month of October. Training sessions follow and are announced through the bulletin. Email getinvolvedatSFA@gmail.com.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Assist in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ at all liturgies. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are trained and commissioned for two years of service. Training sessions are announced through the bulletin.
Greeters
Greeters are scheduled to welcome worshipers, collect their offerings, and assist them in the full participation of liturgies. Sign up for this ministry occurs once each year. Lectors Lectors are trained and expected to continually develop skills and understanding to effectively proclaim the Word of God during our parish liturgies. Training sessions are announced through the bulletin.
Cross Bearers
Cross Bearers (crucifers) are trained and scheduled to lead our liturgical processions by carrying the processional cross. Training sessions are announced through the bulletin. Altar Servers Altar Servers are trained and scheduled to assist in our community worship. Adults and children (at least 10 years old), are invited to this ministry.
Training sessions are announced through the bulletin.
Choir
Music Participants provide support to the congregational vocal and musical participation in our community worship. Opportunities include: Cantors, who proclaim the psalm, instrumental ensembles, and choirs and both Sunday liturgies.
Contact: Bill Miller – wkmiller@sbcglobal.net.
Lazarus Ministry
Lazarus Ministry represent the parish at funeral services. Volunteers can help in many capacities which include assistance at the Mass of Christian Burial, representing the parish by attending the grave site services or wake as well as helping to serve at luncheon if family wishes. Volunteers will be contacted by coordinators to discuss opportunities and interest.
Coordinators: Dan and Mary Ann Kerscher
Ministers of Care
Provide the Body of Christ and conversation to Catholics at area hospitals and nursing homes, as well as persons confined to their homes.
Contact: Jan Rosenfield – 614.378.2207 – jrosenfield@columbus.rr.com
Marriage Mentoring
Marriage Mentoring is a ministry within St. Francis that provides ongoing companionship and support to engaged and newly married couples in the community. The mentoring relationship allows couples to discuss personal or practical concerns that often arise in the marriage and wedding preparation process with a married couple in the parish community. These gatherings will allow time for the couples to continue to discuss joys and challenges of marriage preparation through shared stories and experiences. Married couples who serve as marriage mentors will meet with the engaged couple 2-3 times after FOCCUS Inventory has been completed. The couple will then meet with the mentor couple approximately one (1) month after the wedding date.
Contact: Maria Elliott – mariapriscoelliott@gmail.com
Social Justice
St. Vincent de Paul Society Inspired by Gospel values. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a catholic lay organization, leads men and women to join together and grow spiritually by offering person to person service to the needy and the suffering. Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice”. Activities include: Distribute Thanksgiving Food Baskets, Serve monthly Outreach Dinners, Prepare sandwiches to serve at St. Lawrence Haven.
Contact: Dennis Smith – dennis.smith@ameritech.net
NNEMAP
Near Northside Emergency Material Assistance Program is a cooperative ministry with over 30 churches distributing food and material assistance to needy residents of the near northside of Columbus. To learn more about St. Francis of Assisi’s involvement with NNEMAP and ways you can help. Contact one of the Pastoral Council Social Justice Liaisons. Holiday Cookies If you enjoy making cookies during the holidays, why not brighten someone’s day by bringing cookies to people who are house-bound at Christmas.
Contact: Therese Phillips – 614.299.5781 – office@sfacolumbus.org
B.R.E.A.D. “Building Responsibility, Equality and Dignity”
People of faith, building power, to do justice! St. Francis of Assisi Parish has been a member of the B.R.E.A.D. organization since 2005. Help us fight social injustice!
Contact: Pat Cassidy – 614.596.5545 – cassidy.jpatrick@yahoo.com or Carol Smith – 614.481.7616 – casmith@ameritech.net or Visit : www.breadcolumbus.com for up to date information
Prison Ministry – KAIROS
Visit people who are incarcerated; attend Mass Bible Study and be part of discussion groups with the inmates. Prison ministry also provide home-baked cookies several times each year.
Contact: Randy Smith – 614.451.3861 – randyjsmith@yahoo.com
St. Francis Center in McArthur, Ohio
Collects and distributes food, household items, clothing and school supplies to struggling families that live in the foot hills of Appalachia.
Contact: Frank Schneider – 614.272.2932
Blood Drive
Scheduled on Sunday mornings several times throughout the year. To help out with the blood drive or for more information about dates and times.
Contact: Lorri Kuczynsk 614.439.1904 – lorrik09@gmail.com or Mary Ann Kerscher – 614.457.1314 – napaker@wowway.com
Education
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
If you are interested in exploring the Catholic Faith or would be interested in becoming a companion to walk the faith journey with a person going through the conversion process.
Contact: Kathy Dancey – 614.421.7652 – kdancey@columbus.rr.com. RCIA meets on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 in the parish hall.
Bible Study Group
Meets every Thursday from 7:00 -8:00 PM in the parish hall
Contact: Denny Ring – 614.523.2822 – dring@wowway.com
Breaking Open the Word
If you are interested in exploring a deeper meaning of the Sunday liturgy, please join us in the parish hall following the 9:00 and 11:00 Mass.
Contact: Kathy Dancey – 614.421.7652 – kdancey@columbus.rr.com
Catholic Bible Study & faith Sharing Group
Meets every Thursday at 1:30 PM at the Westminster Thurber Community to read the scripture lessons for the up coming Sunday and discuss how they touch our lives today.
Contact: Jay Jackson – 614.443.6739
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Serving children ages 3 through 6 using Montessori based instruction methods. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program helps children grow closer to God through prayer and activities. To learn more about the Catachesis of the Good Shepherd program, visit www.cgsusa.org If you would like more information about the program at St. Francis or are interested in helping out.
Contact: Therese Terndrup – 614.853.0322 – tterndrup00@hotmail.com
Wedding Ministry
Scheduling and organizing of weddings.
Contact: Melanie Farkas – 614.354.2672 – melaniejfarkas@gmail.com
Baptism Workshop
Meets the third Sunday of each month following the 11:00 AM Mass for parents planning to have their infant or pre-school child baptized.
Contact: Suzanne Cruickshank – 614.273.0069 – sue@cruickshank.us
Facilities and Grounds
Garden Days
Volunteer to help maintain the beautiful gardens and lawn around the Church and Rectory. Team meets approximately 6x/year, on Saturdays for 3-4 hours.
Contact: Tony Keels – 614.554.0371 – anthonykeels@hotmail.com or Bob Geoghegan – 614.421.2632 – bgeoghegan@columbus.rr.com
Church Cleaning
Help clean and prepare the worship space and church basement for holidays and other celebrations.
Contact: Tony Keels – 614.554.0371 – anthonykeels@hotmail.com or Bob Geoghegan – 614.421.2632 – bgeoghegan@columbus.rr.com
Minor Repairs and Grounds Maintenance
Work with staff on projects requiring extra hands as needed.
Contact: Tony Keels – 614.554.0371 – anthonykeels@hotmail.com or Bob Geoghegan – 614.421.2632 – bgeoghegan@columbus.rr.com
GreenSpot
Columbus GreenSpot was inspired by people like you. People who look to the City of Columbus for answers to important questions. Like exactly what does green mean? How can I get green? How does being green impact our city? It starts with a simple commitment to doing things together to protect our air, soil and water. Help St. Francis maintain our membership and a commitment in “Columbus Greenspot”.
Contact: Mike Schmidt – 614.294.5721 – michaeljamesschmidt@yahoo.com
Recycling
Help the earth and help increase the awareness and importance of helping recycling of church materials, especially aluminum, plastic, paper, ink jet cartridges. To learn more about recycling and how you can help.
Contact: Mike Loutzenhiser – 614.291.4666 – mloutzenhiser@student.cscc.edu
Outreach
Welcome New Members
Do you enjoy meeting and talking to people? We are looking for people to welcome prospective and new parishioners at a Hospitality Sunday.
Contact: Chris Stenger – 299-3290 or Patrick Wadsworth – 499-2252
Hospitality Sunday
Help set up and serve coffee and doughnuts after one of the Masses on the first Sunday of each month. This is a greet way to meet other members of the of St. Francis community. Sign up sheet is located in the parish Hall. Bring your smile and meet some new people.
Contact: Kim and Michael Lauer – 614.579.3409 – ky292301@ohiou.edu
Pasta Dinner
A yearly tradition at St. Francis of Assisi Church. The Pasta dinner is typically held on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday. Both a fund-raiser and a great community get together. Food, wine and entertainment throughout the day. We can always use cooks, servers, ticket takers, set up and clean up help. There are also opportunities to whip up your favorite dessert for the bake sale and donate gift baskets for the raffle! This is a fun family event you will definitely want to be part of!
Contact: Co-Chairs, Kari Reeb – 614.216.6373 – karireeb@gmail.com or Diane Meeves
Parish Picnic
This annual gathering of the St. Francis of Assisi community is typically held at the Goodale Park Shelter House. The Parish provides meat for the grill, everyone is encouraged to bring a pot luck items to share with the rest of the community. There will be games and activities for the kids and a great social time for all. If you are interesting in helping plan this fun community event:
Contact: Megan Murphy – 614.297.0023 – mjmurphy1155@gmail.com
Garage Sale
An annual event on the first Saturday in June, in conjunction with the Victorian Village Yard Sale. The Church Basement and most of Father Ron’s garage will be filled with furniture, clothing, appliances, books, toys and other wonderful treasures donated by parishioners and friends. To donate items or help on the day of the sale.
Contact: Mike Schmidt – 614.294.5721 – michaeljamesschmidt@yahoo.com
St. Francis Internal Website
Do you have computer or website site skills? Are you interested in learning more about how web-pages work behind the scenes? We have a parish website that provides information about the parish, electronic copies of the weekly bulletin, Information about Parish Ministries and Calendar of Events. If you would like to be part of our SFA website team that designs and maintains updates to our web-pages.
Contact: Chris Stenger – 299-3290 or Patrick Wadsworth – 499-2252
Tapestry Talent
Collection of opportunities to contribute your gifts of time and talents in support of parish activities. For more information:
Contact: Chris Stenger – 299-3290 or Patrick Wadsworth – 499-2252
Book Discussion Group
Do you like to read? Looking for ways to stimulate your mind and spirit? Want to meet new people? Whether you are an avid reader or occasionally listen to a recorded book, join fellow parishioners (and guests) for an informal discussion group on spirituality and the human experience. To find out what we are currently reading, visit our web site at www.stfrancisbc.weebly.com
Contact: Dee Bruney – 740.881.6324 – deebruney@aol.com or Megan Murphy – 614.297.0023 – mjmurphy1155@gmail.com
Mountain Dulcimer Music Group
Experienced players and beginners come together to teach, learn and share the joys of this traditional American musical instrument.
Contact: Kris Slaughter – 614.878.6365 – kikiholmkinder@yahoo.com