Parish Life
Pastoral Care
• Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which one becomes a Christian and a member of Christ’s body, the Church. Baptisms are scheduled throughout the year on specific Sundays. Contact Christine Tetrault, the parish secretary, to request the current schedule and to obtain, complete, and submit a Baptism Information form.
• The Celebration and Blessing of Marriage requires consultation with clergy. For inquiries about wedding arrangements and set-up requirements, contact Christine Tetrault at 301-365-2055.
• A death in the family can be reported to any of the clergy. Please call the church office. Clergy will assist with funeral or memorial plans and can recommend the services of an undertaker.
• The rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession and counsel) can be scheduled with any of the clergy.
• Communion for the sick or home-bound (or pastoral visits to the hospital) can be arranged through the church office.
• Helping Hands is an "emergency" help ministry that reaches out to the parishioners of St. Francis by providing meals, house-sitting for funerals, and providing transportation to the doctor and other important appointments. Helping Hands lovingly responds to those unexpected needs that occur in all our lives.
• Parish Call is a new ministry at St. Francis aimed at reaching out to each other on a personal basis. Its goal is to share compassion, warmth and friendship in the name of Jesus Christ, in an effort to nourish our Parish ties and strengthen our sense of church family. Parishioners will learn about fellowship events, Church service schedules, special programs, and opportunities for service.
• Pastoral Assistants is a group of specially trained men and women of this parish who provide support to parishioners and their families, of which some are shut-ins and some require long-term care and attention. When we face difficult life transitions, grief over the loss of a loved one, chronic illness or a crisis in the family, Pastoral Assistants are ready to help. Periodic workshops and support groups are organized which focus on both temporary and ongoing needs of parishioners of all ages.
• Petal Pushers is a ministry of parishioners who rearrange and deliver the altar flowers to people who are ill, homebound, or celebrating a joyful event. This thoughtful sharing of flowers each Sunday brings the recipients something of the peace and blessings that are present at Sunday services. Please advise the church office of anyone who might be in need of or would enjoy receiving these special flowers.
• St. Francis Seniors provides programs, services, and information through our relationship with the diocesan Episcopal Senior Ministries. Opportunities are offered to seniors to choose and plan activities of interest. Aging issues impact all of us and special needs often arise, as we get older. Services are offered to reach out on a continuing basis to those seniors who live alone or who are housebound. Support groups and seminars are also available for families caring for the elderly. This ministry to seniors is closely associated with the Pastoral Assistants ministry.
• Spirit of St. Francis has a mission to reach out to each other on a personal basis to share compassion, warmth and friendship, in the name of Jesus Christ, in an effort to nurture our parish ties and strengthen our sense of church family.