A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM FR. DAVE
WORSHIP & PRAYER
- Live Streaming Online We are set to live stream from St. Francis! Please use this link to our channel to watch the following live programs:
- Radio & TV Masses
- If you are unable to livestream Mass, there are other options:
- Radio: AM820 is broadcasting Mass daily at 12:05p and 8p weekdays, Saturday at 7p and Sundays at 10:30a.
- TV: The following stations broadcast Mass:
- If you are unable to livestream Mass, there are other options:
- Reconciliation Pope Francis says the following about Reconciliation at this time of social distancing:
“God is your Papa; He isn’t a judge…I know that many of you go to Confession for Easter to meet with God again. However, many will say to me today: “But, Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, because one can’t leave home? And I want to make peace with the Lord, I want Him to embrace me, that my Papa embrace me . . . What can I do if I can’t find priests?” Do what the Catechism says; it’s very clear: if you don’t find a priest to hear your Confession, talk with God, He is your Father, and tell Him the truth. “Lord, I’ve done this, and that, and that . . . I’m sorry,” and ask Him for forgiveness with all your heart, with the Act of Contrition and promise Him: “Afterwards I will go to Confession, but forgive me now.” And you will return to God’s grace immediately. As the Catechism teaches, you yourself can approach God’s forgiveness without having a priest at hand. Think: it’s the moment! And this is the right moment, the opportune moment. And Act of Contrition well made, and so our soul will become white as snow. It would be good if today this “return” resounded in our ears, “return to your Papa, return to your Father.” He is waiting for you and He will celebrate you.”
FAITH FORMATION
- Adult Faith Formation Our bible studies, RCIA, baptism preparation and other programs will continue online. We are finalizing details of producing these events through an online meeting platform called Zoom. More details will come from us soon!
- In the meantime, please check out the Getting Started Tutorials at Zoom.
- We also have technology helpers upon request. Contact Tina Burtch for info.
- Youth Ministry
- Each week we are going to have Teaching Tuesdays and Formation Fridays! Follow us on Instagram for more details.
- Right now, with social distancing and the uncertainty we are facing, it is even more important to draw closer to our faith and closer to each other. We are going to start having small groups for elevate and summit by Zoom- and the cool thing is you can join using almost any device! Stay tuned!
- Since we missed Teaching Tuesday yesterday, check out this blog post where parish teen Daryl Howard wrote an awesome reflection about all the craziness our world today. Also, check out this post on Instagram.
- Elementary Faith Formation Our Parish School of Religion has created a Facebook page where we’ll post information and resources and give our families an opportunity to engage with each other.
DAILY OPERATIONS
- Parish Hours Our parish and campus is now closed. Staff is still accessible by phone or email. See a contact list here.
- Staff will continue their other tasks from home, staying engaged in their office work to the greatest extent possible.
- Staff will be checking voicemail messages regularly every day and returning phone calls as promptly as possible.
- Activities & Events All in-person activities and events will be evaluated for cancellation on a 3-week rolling basis. Please consult our online calendar for the latest information. Please Note: we will be implementing online video conferencing to continue bible studies, RCIA, baptism preparation and other events where possible. Please stay tuned for details.
- Safety & Offertory We are working on expanding virtual giving capabilities and will more info in our next Flocknotes.
- We have also become aware of some solicitations via phone, email, and text that have been aimed at soliciting offertory or extra funds for the Church from the faithful. Please be aware that these are scams. Please keep these points in mind:
- Safe links for online giving or text to give will come via Flocknotes or will be posted on our website.
- If in doubt, please verify all solicitations by calling our parish office first.
- For your safety, for those of you that usually donate in-person at the office or at Mass, please do one of the following to limit your exposure to others:
- Mail your envelopes directly to the parish office. Please do not send cash. We are also creating a one time gift link and a text to give option for those of you who wish to use it in lieu of mailing your checks during the Covid – 19 Crisis
- Use bill pay via your bank – this is secure, and a free service offered by most banks.
- Use EFT through the parish. At this time EFT can only be set up by either mailing in an EFT form found under giving on our website or calling the parish office and our Director of Accounting and Development will return your call. We will soon release an online EFT sign up form through our Flocknotes.
- Should someone representing parish staff or Fr. Dave contact you asking for help especially financial, please call the parish office before acting.
- Finally, we know everyone is facing hardships, please reach out to the parish office if you need emotional, financial, or spiritual assistance.
- We have also become aware of some solicitations via phone, email, and text that have been aimed at soliciting offertory or extra funds for the Church from the faithful. Please be aware that these are scams. Please keep these points in mind:
- Flocknotes Spread the word! Flocknotes is the best way for us to stay up to date.Tell your non-Flocknotes friends to text SFDS to 84576 or visit stfrancis.flocknote.com to sign up.
CATHOLIC OUTREACH MINISTRIES
- Support for the Elderly & Homebound We are working on a Buddy System to partner our parishioners who are elderly or immune-compromised and cannot leave their homes with mobile parishioners. Mobile Buddies will be responsible to reaching out their Homebound Buddies by phone to check up on them, fill them in on parish updates per the Flocknote, provide shop and drop for groceries and other needs, prayer and general companionship during this isolating time. To learn more, volunteer or become a Buddy, please contact Deb Shelly (740.334.3147) or our Pastoral Associate Joanne Breitmayer (jbreitmayer@stfrancisparish.net).
- Serving the Poor Out of generosity and forethought, area electric, gas and water companies have suspended disconnect notices and state governor Mike DeWine has placed a stay on housing evictions. With these policies in place, Catholic Outreach Ministries will shift its focus to serve where needs are the greatest, feeding the poor. Our material and financial assistance will be directed to the Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry in Newark. We will be back to business as usual once this pandemic crisis subsides.
- Parishioner Emergency Financial Assistance For those within our parish family who are in need, help is available. Please reach out confidentially to Shannon Walker, swalker@stfrancisparish.net.
SCHOOLS
- Spring Break Our school is currently on spring break! We hope our families are enjoying time together. Online learning resumes on Monday, 3/30.
ATTACHMENTS
