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Parish Pastoral Council |
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Board of Education |
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Worship and Spirituality Committee |
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Social Concerns |
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Buildings and Grounds |
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Finance Council |
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Parish Life |
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Knights of Columbus |
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Sponsor Couples Program |
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council participates with the pastor in the making of policy
decisions relative to the spiritual and temporal well-being of the parish. It is
a vehicle for fulfilling the pastoral mission of the parish by nourishing growth
among the parish family, by sharing spiritual gifts and talents, and by
encouraging quality relationships among all members of the parish, and between
the parish and the civic and world community. The council studies the life
and missions of the church, researches the needs, ideas, hopes and activities of
the people of God, evaluates parish life as to its conformity with the Gospel,
and recommends policies and programs with a vision for the future. The council
accomplishes its mission through its various standing committees: Worship and
Spirituality, Parish Life, Social Concerns, Board of Education, and Building and
Grounds. It also works in cooperation with the Parish Finance Council and has a
liaison appointed from the Pastoral Council to the Finance Council.
In June, 2002, the Parish Council drafted a new Five Year Strategic Plan for
St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Click here to read - Five
Year Strategic Plan.
(Click on the notebook for minutes of our last two meetings.)
Board of Education
The Board of Education addresses itself to the educational needs of the entire
parish community - adults, young persons, and children. The "cradle to the
grave" approach assures that all members of the parish are serviced
educationally according to their needs at a particular time in their
lives. The committee is responsible for the parish religious education
program Pre-K through 12th grade and the youth ministry program. There is also a
formal liaison relationship with Sacred Heart School where children from St.
Francis Parish attend Catholic day school.
(Click on the notebook for minutes of our last two meetings.)
Worship and Spirituality Committee
The Worship and Spirituality Committee initiates and coordinates those
activities in the parish which pertain to the celebration of the liturgy of the
Church and the spiritual growth of the members. There are several areas of
responsibility: liturgy planning, music ministry, liturgical ministries, R.C.I.A.,
faith-sharing opportunities, and liturgical art and environment.
Music Ministry - The music groups here at St. Francis provide an opportunity for all ages to share their musical gifts and in doing so enhance our liturgy. We have an adult choir, contemporary choir, teen choir, ensemble, and children's choir. We also have several opportunities for cantors and instrumentalists. For more information contact Rachel Mohr, our Music Director @ 223-4577, Ext. 105.
Art and Environment - The Art and Environment Committee plans and implements the liturgical decorations for the parish, decorates the altar, cares for the interior plants and flowers, and prepares the home kits in preparation for special liturgical seasons. Help is always welcome for the variety of tasks this committee performs. For more information contact the parish office.
Mass Coordinators - The goal of this ministry is to ensure appropriate coverage at each Mass. The Mass coordinator sets up for the Mass, prepares the vessels, and coordinates the ushers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and altar servers. This ministry also handles any special needs for each mass and ensures communications to each involved with the mass. By having the Mass Coordinator fill this role during each mass, the priest can focus his attention on the spiritual preparations for the Mass. For more information contact the parish office.
Eucharistic Minister - Come, give a part of yourself to others...be a Eucharistic Minister. "Eucharist" means to give thanks. It is Christ himself that we give thanks for. We give thanks for the Gift of himself to us. As a Eucharistic Minister you serve the deep hunger people have to be nourished by the risen Christ.
"Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually." Psalm 105 Verse 4
This is what draws us to the Eucharist, this is our ministry. For more information contact the parish office.
Lector - When you answer the call to be a minister of the word, you enter into a deeper relationship with God revealed in sacred scripture. You take upon yourself the duty and responsibility of bringing the printed work to life for those in attendance at the mass. The ability to effectively proclaim the oftentimes complex, ancient, and sacred scriptures in a manner, which allows the listeners to more clearly grasp the intended message, is very important to the celebration of the mass. We are always looking for individuals who hear this call and if you are such a person we invite you to come forward. For more information contact the parish office.
Usher - The ushers at St. Francis help guide the parishioners in the mass. They seat the congregation, take up the collection, and see that everyone that wants to goes to communion. During the mass they give information to visitors, greet the parishioners, take care of any problems that occur, and work to make the celebrant's job easier. There are six ushers at each mass (high school age and above). Husband and wife teams are welcome. For more information contact the parish office.
Social Concerns
Following is a list of the committees which encompass Social Concerns. We are
always looking for new faces and ideas on each of these committees. Please
consider signing up to become involved on one or more of these committees. Watch
for our fall kick-off.
(Click on the notebook for the minutes of our last meeting)
Respect Life and Elder Care Committee - This committee supports people and agencies respecting all phases of life, from conception to natural death; including the pre-born, the disabled, the sick, and the elderly. This committee is in great need of volunteers so we can impact as many lives as possible. Past projects include: adoration and prayer; advent gifts for elderly and expectant mothers; Christmas caroling to nursing homes; Lent and Easter projects; Mother's Day rose sale. We welcome new ideas!
Homeless and Hungry Committee - The Homeless and Hungry Committee at St. Francis of Assisi parish offers parishioners the opportunity to assist hungry, homeless and refugee people in the greater Des Moines area. Each month the committee coordinates and serves two meals at the Churches United Shelter in downtown Des Moines, on the 9th and 10th of each month. Once a month we provide a meal to the St. Joseph's Emergency Shelter for Families. On the 2nd Sunday of the month we hand out grocery bags at Masses. On the 3rd Sunday we collect and deliver the food and personal items that have been donated in those bags to the Food Pantry. Annually we coordinate a Christmas drive (Angel Tree project, collecting personal care shoeboxes filled with personal care products) and an Easter drive (Lenten Cross project, collecting household items for refugees). There are recurring collection drives for household linens, children's books, birthday party gifts/supplies, blankets and Salvation Army breakfast casseroles. We offer different levels of committee involvement. You can attend meetings, chair projects, or assist with projects on a recurring or special basis. For example, you can prepare food for Churches United Shelter meals - or you can serve it - without attending any committee meetings. You might wish to donate your skills for painting or repairing St. Joseph's Emergency Shelter for special projects. We invite you to attend committee meetings on the first Thursday of each month at 7 pm, September through May. For further information contact the parish office. Your time and talents can help the hungry and homeless in our community, so please consider donating them to those in need.
Troubled Youth and Families Committee - The Troubled Youth and Families committee ministers to at-risk youth and their families. Past projects have included: Thanksgiving food baskets; Christmas Adopt-a-Family; and Easter party for disadvantaged youth. This year, the committee will be leading St. Francis parish's contribution to the COG-sponsored Christmas children's shopping trip instead of Adopt-a-Family to provide better coverage of needy groups at Christmas. Other possible projects this year include volunteering at Youth Emergency Shelter Services (YESS) and House of Mercy.
Gardening Angels Committee - The garden provides the Des Moines Area Religious Council's food pantry with fresh produce throughout the summer. Bounty from the garden was also donated to help area refugee families this past year. Volunteers are needed to work the garden, pick the ripened produce and transport the fresh produce to the food pantry.
Church Opportunity Group (COG) - This is a group of West Des Moines churches united in Christian service to the community. Activities sponsored by COG have been: Senior citizens' spring luncheon; children's Christmas shopping trip to purchase gifts for siblings and parents; West Des Moines Human Services Thanksgiving Dinner; YMCA camp scholarships; funding for the summer school program in Valley Junction; and many more activities aimed at the needy in our community. St. Francis has been an active member of this organization for three years. We are in need of a person to help represent St. Francis at the COG monthly planning meetings and also volunteers to help with one or more projects throughout this year.
Refugee Committee - The Refugee Committee ministers to the refugees (mainly Sudanese) in the Des Moines Diocese. The committee works with Sr. Pat from St. Ambrose on projects and current needs. Past projects have included: Donating food from the St. Francis garden, coat and mitten drives, Thanksgiving baskets and the Advent and Lenten angel projects. We will have an event in February that allows interaction between our communities. Volunteers and new ideas are welcome!
Emergency Needs Committee - This committee is in charge of preparing and serving our luncheons for funerals and also meals for parish families in crisis.
Social Justice Committee - As part of our mission to the world, Catholics have a right and a duty to promote and live out the social teachings of the Church, especially in regard to the life and dignity of the human person. The Social Justice Committee attempts to identify, reflect, and act upon important issues like immigration, war, poverty, health care reform, abortion - to name only a few. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm in Room 2.
Buildings and Grounds
The Building and Grounds Committee oversees the operation and maintenance of all
property and buildings used by the parish. The committee will also serve as
planners for any construction of new facilities or remodeling of existing
facilities.
Finance Council
The Finance Council of the parish is not a standing committee of
the Parish Pastoral Council. However, there is to be a liaison appointed by the
chairperson of the Pastoral Council to the Finance Council to help foster open
lines of communication. The Pastoral Council is responsible for setting the
pastoral priorities for the parish. The Finance Council will use those
priorities in setting the annual budget and will communicate with the Pastoral
Council about the availability of funds for programming and operations.
Parish Life
The Parish Life Committee assists in the fostering of ongoing relationships
among parish members through welcoming new members, sponsoring parish-wide
activities that promote interaction among members, developing communication
instruments for keeping members informed about parish life, and maintaining a
parish calendar of events. It also serves as the public relations link with the
larger community. Following are a list of committees that encompass "Parish
Life".
Christian Family Movement (CFM) - Want to meet other parents who share your Christian values? Want to have your family have fun with other church families? Want to share your faith with other adults? Want to get involved in your parish community? Christian Family Movement will provide all of this and more. Call the parish office for more information.
Tiny Treasures of St. Francis (formerly Frankies Kids) - Tiny Treasures is a group of moms and their preschool children who meet weekly to socialize. During the nice weather they meet in area parks.
Welcome Newcomers - The mission of the Welcome Committee is to welcome new members to the St. Francis of Assisi parish family. Each new family will receive a welcome letter and a St. Francis Information Packet when they register. A "Newcomer Welcome Party" is held twice a year. There are many opportunities for faith development and community involvement available at St. Francis. This committee also arranges for the Coffee and Donuts Sundays each month held after Masses. The Newcomer Committee also offers N.E.W. Ministries, a 12-week class for newcomers, "After the Boxes are Unpacked...Moving on after Moving in," committed to the spiritual growth and adjustment of moving. A powerful, hands-on class using biblical principles and practical how-to's.
Knights of Columbus - The Knights is a group of men that brings fellowship along with their fundraising for many groups like the Mentally Challenged, Special Olympics, ARC Industries, Ruby Van Meter School and Bishop Drumm Alzheimer Unit. Check out their "link" from our website.
Communication - The Communications Committee provides ideas, suggestions and implementation for communication needs of groups within the parish.
Sunday Nursery - St. Francis of Assisi provides a Nursery during our 9:30 am Sunday Mass. You must be pre-registered. This is a co-op of parents.
Young Catholic Adults and Friends (YCAF) - We are a group of St. Francis parishioners in their twenties and early thirties, single or married, who want to come together to have fun, grow spiritually, and contribute to the community. Events are held once or twice a month for spiritual, social, and/or service activities. If you are interested in learning more about YCAF or would like to volunteer to help with events, please contact the parish office.
Sponsor Couples Program
St. Francis parish participates in the Sponsor Couple program to prepare engaged
couples for marriage. The engaged couple meets with a married couple discussing
the FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study)
premarital inventory.
The inventory provides feedback on topic areas important to marriage including lifestyle expectations, friends and interests, personality match, personal issues, problem solving, communication, dual careers and religion and values.
During the meetings in the Sponsor Couple's home the Sponsor Couple shares their personal experiences with the engaged couple. The Sponsor Couple encourages the engaged couple to examine their assumptions and expectations of marriage in the light of the real life experiences offered to them by the sponsor couple.
Couples interested in learning more about becoming a Sponsor Couple may contact the parish office.