Christian Service Committee

The Christian Service Committee is concerned with the outreach, hospitality and service ministries of the parish. "Serve the Lord with gladness." Psalm 100:2

Bereavement Education & Support offers periodic bereavement education and support in partnership with Family Ministries of the Archdiocese of Louisville.

* Grief materials are available in the rear of church.
* Periodic bereavement support group in partnership with Family Ministries of the Archdiocese of Louisville.

Career Connections Ministry for people transitioning through careers and employment. This ministry offers individuals in a reflective and prayerful setting the opportunity to find group support, resources, information and suggestions for making the right career connections when faced with this kind of major life change.

Coffee and Donuts is designed to promote fellowship and bring forth parish involvement. This gathering gives parishioners an opportunity to meet and socialize after the 9:00 a.m. Mass on the third Sunday of the month. Coffee and donuts are hosted by various groups/ministries of St. Francis of Assisi.

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Cougar Boosters support the social and physical well being of the members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in a Christian environment. This is accomplished primarily through support of social events and athletics. Special emphasis is placed on the children of the parish and school. Related objectives include fund raising for the identified purposes and participation in the care and maintenance of parish facilities. The SFA sports program includes, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, track, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. In addition to teaching sportsmanship and athletic skills, the Boosters support academic competition and awards. Main fund-raisers are the Fall Festival, Night at the Races, Lenten Fish Frys and concession operation.

Cub Scouts and Brownies are associations of boys, young men, girls, young women and volunteer leaders. The purpose of these association are to help children grow by involvement in many experiences, and to help children to be responsible, resourceful members of their communities, their country and the world. Contact St. Francis of Assisi School.

Eucharistic Ministers to Homebound are to assist in the distribution of Holy Communion on Sundays and First Fridays to the sick and homebound of the parish. They are commissioned to do this ministry by the pastor.

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Fran-Seers is primarily a social and recreational organization for men and women who are 50 years of age and older. Meetings include luncheons and Bingo. Seasonal parties and day trips are planned during the year.

Grief Ministry supports persons in the parish that have experienced a death in their family through organizing, preparing and delivering food to grieving families.

Highlands Community Ministries is a covenantal relationship among congregations in the Highlands for the purpose of providing unified Christian Ministries and witness to persons throughout this area. Meals on Wheels, Dare to Care and the Adult Day Care programs are some of the services HCM provides with the cooperation of SFA.

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Hospitality plans and hosts special parish events. The committee's responsibilities include organizing entertainment and refreshments, setting-up, serving and cleaning-up for special events and/or receptions.

Jesse Tree provides Christmas gifts to persons in need in the Highland area. The Jesse Tree is in church throughout Advent.

Legion of Mary is an international organization of small parish groups who meet weekly for prayer (Rosary), spiritual reading and reflection. Each member is also assigned weekly charitable work - visiting persons in nursing homes or homebound and other services at the pastor's request.

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Good Samaritan Ministry (Ministry to the Sick & Elderly) volunteers visit the parishioners of St. Francis who are sick or elderly, in their homes or nursing home. Closely associated with this program are the volunteer Ministers of the Eucharist. Please notify the Parish Office when a parish member enters a hospital, nursing home or becomes homebound.

MOMS Ministry Are you a mother who enjoys her children and responsibilities but needs a break? The MOMS Ministry is an opportunity for mothers of infants and pre-school children to meet for support and to share experiences. It is a time to spend in prayer and discussion with other moms.

Newcomers introduces new members to our parish at a specially hosted brunch. This is an opportunity to introduce newcomers to the many activities and ministries available to them as parishioners, as well as making them feel welcome into the parish.

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Newcomers Picnic introduces new Kindergarten students and their parents to the Parish community

Parish Nurses are dedicated to bringing the healing ministry of God into the community by promoting health and wellness and by encouraging self-responsibility. This is not a program for crisis nursing; the focus is prevention, wellness and health promotion.

Peace and Justice/Social Concerns addresses social needs and justice issues through education, direct service, action for justice and empowerment. We strive to make God more fully present in our parish and our local community. Major involvement at present is with Habitat for Humanity, Whitley City Mission and St. Vincent dePaul Soup Kitchen. Other projects include feeding migrant workers, collections for St. Vincent de Paul and St. John's Center.

• Soup Kitchen volunteers go the first Friday of every month to St. Vincent de Paul soup kitchen, 1044 S. Jackson Street to serve the evening meal. The group sets up salads and desserts for the cafeteria-style meal and serves from 3:00 p.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m. Volunteers leave SFA at 2:30 p.m. and returns between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.
• Whitley City Mission was formed in 1984 when the St. Francis of Assisi parish community made a commitment to help support the people and Sisters of Whitley City of Eastern Kentucky in a financial way. We also collect and deliver food, medicine and sponsor pre-Christmas toys drive.

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Respect Life raises awareness of the sacredness of all life. It deals with issues of the unborn, elderly, terminally ill, physically and mentally handicapped and any other areas where life needs to be protected. Projects throughout the year include Kentuckiana Life Chain, Respect Life Sunday, sale of Right to Life Christmas cards, Mothers' Day Birthright collection of maternity and baby clothes, special speakers and programs. New ideas, projects and members are always welcome at meetings.

Prayer Ministries

Prayer Tree Recognizing the power of prayer and that all of our service flows out of and into prayer, parishioners are invited to pray for the intentions and needs of others in our faith community, the Parish, the Universal Church and for the world. Please add your name to the Prayer Tree as an opportunity for you to use your time and talents in this prayer ministry.