MASS SCHEDULE
Regular schedule for Mass at St. Francis Church.
- Weekends: Vigil Mass on Saturdays at 5 p.m., Mass on Sundays at 7, 8:30, and 11:30 a.m.
- Weekdays: Mass on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday at 7 a.m., Thursday and Friday at 12 noon, First Saturday at 10 a.m.
In addition, the Sacrament of Reconciliation takes place on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Check the specific schedule for the current week.
NANCY DAVIS FUNERAL
We are sad to announce the death of Nancy Davis, long-time parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi. Condolences go out to her husband, Dick, and to the Davis family.
The Funeral Mass for Nancy is this Saturday, August 23, at 10 a.m. All are invited to attend. A reception will be held in Assisi Hall following the Funeral Mass.
The viewing will take place Friday, August 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Henry Funeral Home, 1030 West Beverley Street in Staunton.
CCD CLASSES 2025-2026
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes for students pre-K through high school begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 7. Forms are available in the church vestibule, in Flocknote, in the parish office, or at this link. If you have any questions please contact Hope Ogden in the parish office (540-886-2262).
First Holy Communion preparation takes place during the 2nd grade CCD year. Please note: November 1st is the cut-off date for late registration into the First Communion class. The registration form for First Holy Communion preparation can be found at this link.
Confirmation preparation normally takes place during the 10th- or 11th-grade year. Confirmation preparation is primarily incorporated into the high school curriculum, with some additional classes. The registration form for Confirmation can be found at this link.
BECOMING CATHOLIC
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which individuals become members of the Catholic Church. Candidates can be those who have never been baptized or those who were baptized in other Christian bodies and now wish to become Catholics. At St. Francis Parish the process begins in September and officially concludes with the Easter Vigil the following year (occurrng in 2026 on Saturday, April 4). Candidates meet with trained leaders, who explain what the Catholic faith is all about, with the Catechism of the Catholic Church forming the basis of instruction. At the Easter Vigil those unbaptized receive the sacrament of baptism; then those already baptized make their profession of faith and are received into the Catholic Church; finally, all of the candidates receive the sacrament of confirmation.
Last year twenty people participated in the OCIA program and became Catholics at the Vigil. The 2025-2026 program begins on Sunday, September 7, and registration forms are available at this link. Anyone interested in becoming Catholic or in exploring the possibiity may contact Hope Ogden in the parish office by emailing her or by phoning her at 540-688-3502.
Erik Curren, who completed the OCIA preparation last year and was received into the Church at the 2025 Easter Vigil, has written an account of his religious journey...
WELCOME TO ST. FRANCIS
We offer a special welcome to visitors to this site and invite you to learn more about St. Francis Parish. There are several ways to stay in touch with what is going on in the parish:
- Sign up to receive news and notifications via text or email from Flocknote
- Read the weekly bulletin, available online
- Check the news section of this website
- And you can learn more about the long history of the parish by checking the history section of this site and taking the tour of the church section as well.
- All parishioners are encouraged to register with the parish. The registration form is available online.
- To contact the parish staff or find directions to the church, visit the contact page of this site.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Adult Faith Formation returns at 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 3, in Assisi Hall. Biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma and Franciscan University of Steubenville president Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, discuss the history and mysteries of the Dead Sea Scrolls, what they reveal about Jesus, the sacraments, and the early Church, and why they matter to believers and non-believers today. Refreshments are served, and all ae invited.
MORNING PRAYER
The St. Francis Schola leads the office of Morning Prayer, including beautiful, contemplative psalm melodies, every Monday and Thursday at 7 a.m. in the church. Parishioners are invited to start the day off with the official prayers of the universal Church.
RENOVATION PHOTO GALLERY
A gallery of photos of the renovation of the interior of St. Francis Church has been posted on this website. As of July 11, 2024, two videos from Harman Construction (which carried out the renovation project) have been added. One shows the renovation in progress, the other, the finished project. There is another gallery with photos of the blessing of the font and the dedication of the new altar held on September 1.
INTERIOR RENOVATION OF ST. FRANCIS
It has been over 30 years since the inside of our beautiful church has been renovated, and your gift will enable us to restore and reimagine a church interior that maintains the focus on Our Lord Jesus and His Sacraments. This will be a renovation that fixes problems caused by walls’ deteriorations a few years back, long-ago created problems based on previous modifications, and long-term wear and tear associated with age. Floors and walls, plaster and paint, lighting and sound, better accessibility and better use of the existing space we already have are important parts of this transforming campaign.
Your gift gives us an exciting possibility to move forward as a parish. One-time gifts or pledges for a 3- or 5-year period are welcome and can be made at this site.
CHAMBER ORGAN AT ST. FRANCIS
Soon after the renovation of the St. Francis Church interior began in July 2023, a chamber (or digital) organ, built by a talented and generous parishioner, was installed in Assisi Hall. The instrument was used for Masses held in the hall, and is now in use in the renovated church. For a description of the organ, images of it, and more information on digital organs, visit the music section of the parish website.
“FORMED” SUBSCRIPTION
With a subscription to “Formed,” every St. Francis parishioner has 24/7 access to the best Catholic content on any device, including your computer, smartphone, and tablet with internet access. “Formed” offers video programs that explain the Catholic faith, explore the deepest meaning of marriage, receive Bible studies on a variety of topics, and listen to inspiring audio talks. Presenters include Dr. Tim Gray, Dr. Edward Sri, Dr. Mary Healey, Chris Stefanick, Dr. Scott Hahn, Bishop Robert Barron, and many more.
It is very easy to begin your free subscription to “Formed”: Go to www.formed.org. Under “How would you like to sign up?” select “I belong to a Parish or Organization.” Enter the parish code: VVW3G4. Enter your name and email address, and that’s it.
THE CROSS OF CHRIST
From the Catecheses by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop
The Catholic Church glories in every deed of Christ. Her supreme glory, however, is the cross. Well aware of this, Paul says: God forbid that I glory in anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! At Siloam, there was a sense of wonder, and rightly so. A man born blind recovered his sight. But of what importance is this, when there are so many blind people in the world? Lazarus rose from the dead, but even this affected only Lazarus. What of those countless numbers who have died because of their sins? Those five miraculous loaves fed five thousand people. Yet this is a small number compared to those all over the world who were starved by ignorance. After eighteen years a woman was freed from the bondage of Satan. But are we not all shackled by the chains of our own sins? For us all, however, the cross is the crown of victory! It has brought light to those blinded by ignorance. It has released those enslaved by sin. Indeed, it has redeemed the whole of mankind!
LEGACY GIFTS TO A PARISH...AND A FREE WILL AS WELL
Legacy gifts reveal our faith to our community as a witness of God’s great love for us. The Catholic Community Foundation of the Diocese of Richmond is excited about its partnership with FreeWill and the valuable legacy giving resources they provide for parishes, schools, and campus ministries. Through these resources, including an online Will platform, the Foundation can ensure that all practicing Catholics have an updated Will with a parish, school, and/or ministry named as a beneficiary or beneficiaries.
In August, the CCF raised $1,366,000 in bequests through FreeWill for parishes and schools using FreeWill! Parishioners across the diocese used FreeWill’s platform to create their Will and named their parish and/or a school as a beneficiary. As of December 31, there were $12,000,000 in bequests through FreeWill. No one imagined just how many people would use the FreeWill platform to create their Will. It really is a testament to the statistic that more than 67% of Americans do not have a Will.
Find out more at the website.