Putting Love into Action with our Service Ministries

The Art & Environment Committee plans and implements the liturgical decorations for the parish, decorates the altar, and cares for the interior plants and flowers. Help is always welcome for the variety of tasks the committee performs.

Central Iowa Shelter & Services provides 24/7 support to adults experiencing homelessness in Central Iowa. They provide shelter and services for up to 150 individuals, with guests able to stay for up to 90 days. St. Francis volunteers provide meals, supplies, and serve downtown on the 9th and 10th of each month. View the sign-up here.

Volunteering at coffee and donuts is a great way to serve the parish while building community and making connections. We need 2-3 volunteers after the 7:30 am and 9:30 am Masses to help serve and wipe down tables. Volunteers need to arrive about 15 minutes before donut service begins or if attending Mass, come after Communion.

Connection Café serves lunch five days a week to hundreds of individuals experiencing homelessness or food insecurity in downtown Des Moines. St. Francis provides lunch on the third Wednesday of each month. Volunteers help by serving and/or delivering meals, purchasing needed food and supplies, and preparing casseroles and cookies.

Help the next generation grow in faith by sharing your time and talents through Youth Faith Formation. Whether you enjoy teaching, mentoring, organizing, or supporting behind the scenes, there are many ways to make a meaningful difference. Check out the Faith Formation Volunteering page to learn more. 

To support our neighbors in need, St. Francis dedicates the fourth Sunday of each month to raising funds for the West Des Moines Food Pantry. Volunteers help collect monetary donations after weekend Masses. To help, you can donate here or volunteer to assist with collections.

Funeral Hosts serve grieving families by offering hospitality, guidance, and practical support on the day of a funeral. They welcome guests, assist the family and funeral home staff, and help create a peaceful and caring environment during a difficult time. This ministry is well suited for those with gifts of hospitality, compassion, service, and encouragement. Time commitment is approximately 3–5 hours per funeral.

The parish provides a luncheon for the family and guests following the funeral. Parishioners who volunteer at funeral luncheons see firsthand how grateful families are and how much the love and compassion shown by our parish community means to those attending. Volunteers may help by providing a dessert or side dish and/or serving the meal.

The garden provides the Des Moines Area Religious Council’s food pantry with fresh produce throughout the summer.

The garden is located north of the school next to the track. We welcome volunteers of all ages to help plant, weed, harvest and transport produce to the food pantry or refugee services. No gardening experience is needed. Equipment is provided and service hours can be earned. Join us every Sunday from 3:00–5:00 pm during the garden season (approximately April–October). Watch the bulletin for weekly updates.

To learn more about the Gardening Angels, please contact Eric Rohe at 515-710-6426.

Homebound Ministry serves members of our parish community who, due to physical limitations, are unable to attend Mass regularly. Volunteers are dismissed from the 7:30 am Sunday service and bring Holy Eucharist to 11 different care facilities throughout the area. The commitment typically takes one to two hours and usually requires serving every other month. 

Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (IHYC) works to prevent and end homelessness among children, youth, and young families in Central Iowa. St. Francis collects needed food items on the second Wednesday of each month. Those interested will be added to a contact list and notified when sign-up opportunities are available.

The Knights of Columbus is a group of Catholic men who gather for fellowship and service, while supporting a variety of charitable efforts in our community. Their fundraising supports organizations such as services for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics, ARC Industries, Ruby Van Meter School, and the Bishop Drumm Alzheimer Unit. Email the St. Francis of Assisi Grand Knight with questions or to inquire about joining the Knights of Columbus. For more information visit https://www.stfrancisknights.org/.

Marriage preparation sponsor couples are married couples who share their own experiences of married life to illustrate practical and spiritual aspects of marriage. They offer guidance and support, aimed at helping engaged couples discuss important topics such as communication, finances, family planning, faith, and long-term goals. By providing a living example of a faithful Catholic marriage, sponsor couples help to ensure that engaged couples are well-prepared for a lifelong, sacramental marriage.  Time commitment can vary, but on average can be 5 hours over 2 to 3 meetings within a couple months.

We are proud to offer childcare services to allow parents/caregivers the opportunity to participate in many of the programs and events offered by our church. The Nursery is currently open during the 9:30 am Sunday Mass as well as other requested special events. The nursery is in need of both adult and youth (6th grade and older) volunteers. For more information about how you can help in the nursery, please email our nursery coordinator.

The Respect Life Committee promotes life at every stage of development – from conception to natural death. Volunteers assist through education, prayer, charitable giving, hospitality and advocacy.

The Social Concerns Committee coordinates several parish wide projects including the coat drive, Thanksgiving food drive, Advent Angel Trees, Lent Crosses. We work with several sub-committees to make these projects possible. We are always looking for new volunteers to serve on one of the sub-committees or assist with the implementation of these parish projects. Your time, talent and perspective on ways to grow this outreach are welcome and appreciated.

If you are interested in serving with the Social Concerns Committee or would like more information, please contact the church office.

The Catholic Charities Emergency Family Shelter helps keep families experiencing homelessness together during a difficult time in their lives. St. Francis volunteers provide dinner for approximately 30 people on the second Saturday of each month. Volunteers can help by serving the meal and/or providing needed food items. Those interested will be added to a contact list and notified when sign-up opportunities are available.

St. Francis welcomes over 200 families each year. In our large parish, it’s easy for these new households to pass through unnoticed. The St. Francis welcoming team is dedicated to receiving, inviting and journeying with these new members as they find a home within our faith community.

If you love your Catholic faith, St. Francis church and meeting new people, please consider joining our welcoming team. The volunteer commitment should be no more than 20 hours a year and includes tasks such as:

• Helping host the monthly newcomer inquiry class (first Sunday of every month after 9:30 am Mass).
• Helping host new member socials throughout the year.
• Providing hospitality and welcome at large parish events such as FrancisFest, parish mission, etc.
• Mentoring new members by reaching out after registration and inviting them to attend parish events.

If you are interested in serving on our welcoming team, please contact Rebecca Bahl, Newcomer and Volunteer Coordinator at rbahl@saintfrancischurch.org.

WINGS (Women IN God’s Service) is a social group with the mission to welcome and serve the St. Francis parish and broader Catholic community. All women (over 21) are invited to join us on the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30–6:30 pm.