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Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
The mission of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church is to nourish our love
of God through Jesus Christ under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Centered
in the Eucharist, we are developing a faith community through prayer, education,
worship, and Christian fellowship. As stewards of God's love, we strive to
share our gifts and talents for the service of God and all His people.
This guide is intended to provide the parishioner—new or veteran—
with an idea of what our parish is all about and what is available to the
individual and family as far as services offered and ways to become involved
in parish life.
Church office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
and the phone number is 722-4404. The church office is closed on Holy Days.
School office hours are the same as regular school hours. During summer
vacation time, the school office hours vary. The school office phone number
is 722-5171.
In case of emergencies when a priest is required, call 466-2747.
In support of this guide are other sources of parish information. First
and foremost are the weekly Bulletin and our monthly newsletter,
The Vernacular.
In addition, details about our parish school are in the school handbook of
Policies and Rules, available at the school office. Details about parish
organizations are in the Stewardship Renewal handbook, available at the church
office. Our parish Website, at stfranciswichita.com, has information
on all aspects of parish life. A parish directory is generally published
every five years. This features information on parish life as well as photos
of our parish families.
Notices will appear in the Bulletin and Vernacular when we are preparing
for a new directory.
The Diocese of Wichita publishes a weekly newspaper, "The Catholic Advance",
which is mailed to the homes of all registered parishioners.
The first step in becoming involved in St. Francis of Assisi Parish is
to register at the church office. This ensures you are on the parish mailing
roster and that information is on file in case of an emergency. Registered
parishioners may apply to enroll their children in the parish school and
may schedule baptisms or weddings at St. Francis. If you are not registered,
you will have to obtain permission from the parish in which you are currently
registered for a baptism or wedding to be held at St. Francis. Meeting halls
at St. Francis are available to registered parishioners only.
Names and number of children, if any, of new parishioners are printed in the
monthly Vernacular. Once each month, the
Welcoming Committtee is at Church after all weekend Masses to provide new members with information
packets and gifts. The weekends are announced in the Bulletin.
Please notify the church office of any changes in your address or phone
number and if you move out of the parish.
Collection envelopes are mailed to registered parishioners on a monthly
basis. Envelopes for children are available in the church office.
Please refer to the weekly Bulletin for daily and weekend Mass times
and Masses for Holy Days. Schedules for additional Masses during the seasons
of Lent and Advent appear in the Bulletin at those times. Announcements
for other Masses, such as the monthly Anniversary Mass and
Masses for youth, are posted in the Bulletin.
Parishioners can support the Liturgy through the music program,
by serving as Ushers, Commentators,
Lectors, Mass Greeters ,
Altar Servers, Eucharistic
Ministers, or bringing the Offertory Gifts
forward during the Mass. Parishioners also create the banners
used in the Church.
A nursery
offers care for children one to three years old during the 10:00
and 11:30 a.m. Sunday Masses in the room next to St. Clare Hall. Parents
interested in making use of the nursery are encouraged to sign up their
children and take turns working. The nursery is closed on major holidays,
and the Bulletin carries reminders at these times.
Several groups within the parish take advantage of the weekend Mass crowds
by setting up bake sales, coffee hours, ticket sales to other events, and
enrollment for other activities. Special activities are usually announced
during Mass.
Certificates that can be used like cash at Dillons grocery stores are on
sale after all weekend Masses. St. Francis Parish gets a small percentage
rebate on these sales and divides the proceeds between St. Francis charities
and Guadalupe Clinic.
Reservations for the Sacrament of Baptism must be made with the church
office. Parents must attend a preparatory class before their first child's
baptism. The times for these classes are printed in the Bulletin.
Reservations are not required for the class.
Due to the size of the parish, it is not uncommon for more than one child
to be baptized at the same time. Photographs and video taping of the
proceedings are allowed.
Adults who wish to be baptized into the Catholic Church should call the
church office to arrange for participation in the
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
Please refer to the weekly Bulletin for confession times. Schedules
for additional confessions during the seasons of Lent and Advent are announced
in the Bulletin at those times.
Confessions are normally heard in the traditional confessional in the church.
During special Penance services, face-to-face confession is available.
To make arrangements for a special face-to-face confession at another time,
contact a priest through the church office.
Children in the second grade spend much of the year preparing for their
reception of First Confession and First Communion. First Confession is in
the winter and First Communion is made in the spring.
Logistics for the ceremonies are handled through St. Francis School
and the Parish School of Religion.
White dresses and veils for girls and suits or dress pants, shirts, and
ties for boys are the normal attire. A photographer is available to take
individual and group photos, which families can purchase. Picture taking is
permitted during the Mass.
Adults and youngsters beyond second grade who are entering the Catholic
Church receive their first sacraments through the parish RCIA program.
All 10th graders—whether in public or parochial school—prepare
together for the Sacrament of Confirmation
by spending nine months in special biweekly study and involvement in service projects.
Ties, dress shirts and slacks for the boys and dresses for the girls are
the normal attire for participants.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita administers the Sacrament of Confirmation
during a special evening Mass in the spring. A reception with the Bishop follows.
The couple to be married should contact the church office at least four
months in advance of the anticipated wedding date to arrange for instructions
with one of the priests and to make all arrangements.
The Ladies Auxiliary
of our parish offers a variety of services and items
that can be rented for a wedding or reception. The church office has details
as well as information regarding the use of a hall, rehearsals, and other
options available to the parishioner for a wedding.
Several groups stand ready to aid the sick and elderly
of the parish. If you want to be of service or need help, contact the Parish Nurse, the
Parish Nurse Ministry, the
Transportation Committee, and the
Social Justice Committee. In addition, priests will visit the sick in hospitals
each week. Communion can be taken once a week to those who can't attend Mass.
For Anointing of the Sick, please contact the office, or in case of emergency
after regular office hours call 579-0572.
Please call the church to make arrangements for a funeral.
If you have suffered a loss through death, Tobit's Ministry,
the Bereavement Committee,
and the Funeral Dinners Committee
are at your service. A Rosary service is generally conducted by one of the priests the evening
before the funeral.
Family and friends of the deceased receive a complimentary lunch after
the funeral, put on by the Funeral Dinner Committee. It is usually held in
St. Clare Hall. Parishioners donate side dishes, and the Church provides
the meat.
Halls are available to registered parishioners only. Normal uses include
wedding receptions,
anniversary celebrations, reunions, and funeral meals.
They cannot be used for graduation parties or teenage birthday parties.
The fact that you are holding your wedding at St. Francis does not
guarantee a hall for your use. Early reservations are suggested. Some
halls are reserved a year in advance.
For receptions or other large gatherings, a deposit is required. This
deposit will be returned if there is no damage. There is also a clean-up
and security fee. Smoking is prohibited in all halls. Care is to be taken
to ensure that no person under 21 consumes alcoholic beverages. All music
in the hall must end by 11:30 p.m., with everyone out of the hall by midnight.
Complete rules covering use of the halls are available in the church
office. The church office staff will make reservations.
Parish Pastoral Council
Like all other parishes, a Parish Pastoral Council helps set the direction
for St. Francis of Assisi Parish and coordinates communications and activities
among all groups. Meetings are held monthly.
Permanent members of the council are the pastor, associate pastors, and
the director of stewardship /
finance. Other members of the council are nominated by the Parish Pastoral Council and
parishioners and appointed by the pastor at the end of the year. A chairperson,
vice chairperson, secretary, and 11 commission coordinators make up the rest
of the council. They all serve three-year terms on a revolving basis so that
a third of the members are appointed each year.
Various groups are under the umbrella of each commission coordinator.
These groups are autonomous and set their own goals. Commission coordinators
represent and act as liaisons between their committees and the Parish Council.
Stewardship
God has blessed each and every one of us with many and varied gifts. Here
at St. Francis, we recognize this and return a portion of these blessings
back to God in the form of time, talent, and treasure. We call this the
Stewardship Way of Life. As more families choose to live the Stewardship
Way of Life, we see these blessings multiplied in individual family
life and the parish as a whole. We strongly encourage you to participate
in Stewardship.
Each November, parishioners commit or re-commit themselves to Stewardship
through the Time, Talent, and Treasure forms sent to each parish home. These
forms list the committees parishioners can join to give of their time and talent,
as well as a donation pledge card to give of their treasure.
An "Opportunities for Stewardship of Time and Talent" booklet is
sent along with the Time, Talent, and Treasure forms and gives details of the
various committees to help you choose the best way for you to become involved
in parish life.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee assists the
pastor in the planning and monitoring of the fiscal operations of the parish.
This includes developing the annual budget and handling weekly contributions.
Information on the financial operation of the parish can be found in the Bulletin
and Vernacular.
Building Committee
The Building Committee advises and assists the pastor with any major
building projects in the parish.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish began Perpetual Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament in 1986. Everyone is encouraged to visit the Adoration Chapel
to meditate and pray any time of the day or night. The chapel is open 24 hours
a day , seven days a week except during weekend Masses. Parishioners can sign
up for a permanent hour of weekly adoration. If you have a particular devotion
to Our Lady or the Rosary, you can join the Legion of Mary,
the weekly Rosary Group,
Immaculate Heart of Mary Rosary Group,
or the Pre-Mass Rosary Group.
We have a Parish Prayer Chain
for anyone in special need of prayers. It is not necessary to identify yourself
when requesting prayers. We also have a Family Prayer Group
and a Parish Prayer Box. The prayer requests are
included in the petitions at each Mass.
We also have Bible Study
groups and a group that works to promote
Religious Vocations.
Details about these prayer groups are in the Stewardship Opportunities
handbook. Watch the weekly Bulletin and monthly Vernacular for
information and meeting schedules for the various prayer groups.
Though not a formal prayer activity, the parish has a Meditation Garden
just outside the hallway to St. Clare Hall. Parishioners are invited to use
it at their leisure.
The St. Anthony of Padua Library, located just off of the vestibule, has
books, videotapes, and audiotapes covering many topics of our faith. All
are available for parishioners to borrow.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
is the process by which one can become a full member of the Catholic Church.
Such a person may never have been baptized, or may have been baptized in a non-Catholic
faith or baptized as a Catholic but never reared in the Catholic faith. Those
who participate in RCIA are normally adults, but children can also enter the process.
Anyone interested in RCIA should contact the church office to make arrangements
for entering the process. A brief interview is held with the priest who directs
the program. The RCIA program begins with an informal process beginning at Easter
and going into September. The formal process then begins in September and
culminates the following spring at the celebration of the Easter Vigil. At this
liturgy, those who have decided they have been called by God to become full members
of the Catholic Church receive whichever sacraments of initiation they have
not yet received: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The formal process
continues during the seven weeks following the Easter season.
Parishioners can assist in this process by becoming a sponsor for an RCIA
candidate, supporting him or her through the formal process.
Babysitting is available
for those sessions taking place at the church. A special nursery for RCIA is
available during the 8:30 a.m. Mass from September through the Easter season.
St. Francis of Assisi School begins with Preschool and goes through
eighth grade. The school is for registered parish families living the
Stewardship Way of Life. Education is a mission of the parish, and there
is no tuition. There are, however, classroom, lab, and book fees.
Due to the size of the parish, there are times when not all children can
be accommodated. Children applying for Kindergarten are screened and must
meet certain "readiness" criteria.
In addition to regular classroom subjects, students receive instruction
in religion, music, art, computers, foreign language, and physical education.
An Environmental Learning Facility (ELF Garden) is maintained on school grounds
so students can study plant life. Special tutoring is available. A nurse is on
duty full time. A counselor is available. All teachers are certified by
the State of Kansas.
Hot lunches are available in the cafeteria, and lunch tickets are purchased
monthly. An Extended Day Program program operates before and after classes in
the school complex. Children can play, do homework, and have a snack.
The school generally follows an August through May schedule. There is no
school-bus service. Uniforms are required. Parents of school children are
expected to practice their faith and to attend weekend Mass with their children.
A handbook of school Policies and Rules, available through the school office,
provides more details about St. Francis School.
The Parish School of Religion is open to parish
children in grades K through 12 who are not attending Catholic schools.
Classes are on Wednesday evenings from September to April throughout the school complex.
Volunteer catechists are recruited from among parishioners. Priests from the parish regularly
visit the classrooms.
In addition to religious instruction, PSR students can participate in special Masses, prayer
services, and Confession.
Pre-registration for PSR classes is in March and regular registration takes place from May
until the first night of class. A $15 fee is charged for each family. There is no school-bus
service. Uniforms are not required.
Special presentations on a variety of topics, with different guest speakers,
are offered to the adults of the parish throughout the year. Programs usually
take place in the evening at the church complex. The Bulletin and
Vernacular carry announcements and details for these programs.
A parish pre-School Sunday School
operates from October through April during the Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mass. Youngsters
must be at least three years old and not yet attending Kindergarten. Registration
is in September. The Bulletin will carry announcements prior to the registration date.
Communicating information to the parishioners is accomplished mainly through
the weekly Bulletin and the monthly
Vernacular newsletter. The Internet Committee has developed and maintains
parish information on our Website. The Special Publications Committee handles
special publishing projects that come up through the year. Another way of
communicating to the parish is through the bulletin boards in the main Vestibule
and in the hallway to St. Clare Hall. Some parish groups have permanent informational
displays. Other committees post notices as needed. Personal advertisements are not
allowed. All notices to be posted should be brought to the church office.
During the years, St. Francis parishioners have the opportunity to reach
out to the needy in several ways through the activities of the
Charities Committee. Through these activities, we help those in need in
our parish community as well as those in our diocesan community.
Information on these supporting charities appears in the Bulletin
and the Vernacular, as well as on displays and bulletin boards in the
school walkway and St. Clare Hall walkway. The Stewardship Opportunities
handbook also has more details.
Another way to get involved at St. Francis and meet parishioners is to
join one of the many social or athletic groups.
Athletics for adults include Basketball, Volleyball, Square Dance, and
Women's Bowling. Social groups available to adults are the 50 Plus Club,
Harvest House, Men's Club, Ladies Auxiliary,
Marathon Bridge, Young Married Couples, and Marriage Encounter.
We have a Mother's Group and Mom's Day Out
program for our stay-at-home mothers.
Please refer to the Stewardship Opportunities handbook for more details
about each of these groups.
For the youth we have children's sports, Girl and Boy Scouts, Youth Groups
for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students and a High School Youth Group for high school students.
Please refer to the Stewardship Opportunities handbook for more details
about each of these groups.
In addition to the nursery during Mass, High School Youth Group members
may offer babysitting sessions throughout the year. Details are announced
in the Bulletin and Vernacular.
Babysitting is usually provided during other events at church. Details
on each event will include the availability of babysitting.
If you are in need of help with anything from your marriage to assistance
with a disability, the church office can guide you to the appropriate
committee. If you would like to help on one of these committees, refer to the
descriptions in the Stewardship Opportunities handbook.
The Bulletin and Vernacular provide information on special
Masses and assistance programs that occur throughout the year.
Parish Dinner
Every year, the parish says, "thank you" to the registered adult parishioners
at our Parish Dinner, which is preceded by a social hour. This is also an
opportunity for the parish leaders to report on the state of the parish. Registered
adults will receive an invitation in the mail. This is a wonderful opportunity
to socialize with your fellow parishioners. There is no charge for this event.
Fun Night
Fun Night, held on or
near Halloween, is a popular event for the youngsters of the parish. The
children come in their costumes to play scores of games and other age-appropriate
activities throughout the school complex. Admission is free, but tickets
are needed to participate at some booths. Proceeds from this event are used
for various projects throughout the parish.
Boy, Cub & Girl Scout Meals
The annual Boy Scout Chili Supper
is one of the oldest activities at the parish. Tickets are sold after Masses
and at the door.
The bi-annual Cub Scout Pancake Feed has become a parish
favorite over the last few years as parishioners and friends enjoy a delicious all you
can eat pancake breakfast cooked by our Scouts (and parents).
The Girl Scouts offer chicken
with homemade noodles and dessert. Tickets are sold after Masses and at the door.
The dates for these events will be announced in the Bulletin and at
Mass on the day they are held.
Vacation Bible School
Totus Tuus Vacation
Bible School is held for one week during the summer. Grades 1 through 8
attend all day, and grades 9 through 12 can participate in evening retreats.
Totus Tuus, which means Totally Yours, encourages children to develop a deeper
love of God. The presenting team is made up of seminarians, religious sisters,
and college and high school students.
Parishioners must register their children to participate. There is a fee.
Watch the Bulletin and Vernacular for more information as
summer vacation draws near.
Coffee & Rolls
The high school youth group serves coffee and rolls on most Sundays from
September through May after the 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. Masses in St. Clare Hall.
Donations are accepted for the rolls. This is an opportunity to get
acquainted with other parishioners.
Parish Picnic
A yearly picnic for our parish families is held on the parish grounds in
early summer. Food and drinks are provided. The date is announced in the
Bulletin each year.
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