Ministries: 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.

Bible Study

To provide the opportunity for parishioners and others in the community to explore the written Word of God in the Catholic Tradition so that they may come to know, love, and serve God more deeply. Bible Studies are organized and offered throughout the year at various times during the week. For more information about our current Bible Studies click here.

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 counseling, 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 second and fourth Monday nights in St. Francis Parish Hall.

Nursery for Toddlers

This program takes place in the Parish Hall during the 10:30am Mass, for children 18months thru 5 years old. On the weeks of the Blood Drive and Pancake Breakfast, nursery will be held in the Oratory Room. If you are interested in helping volunteer in a program where your children can participate in play while you attend Mass, please join the Nursery Ministry.

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 mckennau@gmail.com.

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.

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