As with any family or business, churches have expenses and depend upon their parishioners for support of their mission. Hard costs such as utilities, personnel, mortgages, and maintenance are similar to those of other organizations,…
This year, the LGBTQ+ ministry will celebrate 25 years of service to the St. Francis of Assisi community. Jane Paris, one of the founding members, remembers, “We got started because the friars at St. Francis…
As Father Chris Koehn joins one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Raleigh, he will, as the most common phrase in the bible says, ‘Be not afraid!’ His sense of calm is because…
Everyone knows Father Jim. If they don’t, he will leave an impression soon after the first time they meet him or see him say mass. As those who work closely with him say, “Father Jim's…
Monsignor Michael Clay came to St. Francis Parish at a uniquely challenging time. The Friars had chosen to withdraw in December of 2019, effective in the summer of 2020, and Bishop Zarama assigned Monsignor Clay…
Parents of small children can sometimes find it challenging to keep their children busy and engaged during Mass. Parents want their children to be immersed with them in the faith at an early age, but…
JaVon Hansknecht had been the Director of Justice and Peace at St. Francis for only about three months when Laudate Deum , the apostolic exhortation and follow-up to Laudato Si’ , was…
Many people are unfamiliar with “the stigmata.” As Wikipedia says, “ In Catholicism, stigmata are bodily wounds, scars and pain which appear in locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ…
Traditionally, new Catholics are received into the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil Mass by celebrating the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. The ritual that brings individuals into the Catholic church…
Traditionally, when Lent approaches, people ask themselves, “What should I give up for Lent this year?” In recent years, however, the idea has been to see what you can add to your life during Lent…