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.
LENT AT ST. FRANCIS
There are many opportunities for the observance of the season of Lent at St. Francis Parish:
Stations of the Cross, Fridays in the church
Children’s Stations at 6 p.m.
Regular Stations at 7 p.m.
Adult Faith Formation, Sundays at 10 a.m. in Assisi Hall
The Last Seven Words by Dr. Scott Hahn. Dr. Hahn explores the final words that Jesus uttered while He hung dying on the Cross, showing how those words reveal the heart of our salvation.
Parish Mission, Sunday, March 30 - Thursday, April 3
Led by Father Ben J. Cameron from the Fathers of Mercy
Sunday-Thursday: Confessions at 6 p.m.
Sunday-Wednesday: Talk by Fr. Cameron at 7 p.m.
Thursday: Mass at 7 p.m., followed by a closing reception
Fasting for Lent
Ash Wednesday and all Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also days of fasting.
The Knights of Columbus will offer dinner (fish and other meatless dishes) in Assisi Hall on Fridays from March 7 through April 11, 5-7 p.m.
Confession
Regular hours for confession are Tuesdays 4-5 p.m. and Saturdays 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Confessions will also be heard during the parish mission (see times above).
Lenten Reconciliation days take place as follows:
Wednesday, April 2, Blessed Sacrament, Harrisonburg, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8, St. John the Evangelist, Waynesboro, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9, St. Francis of Assisi, Staunton, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
LENTEN MISSION
St. Francis Parish will host Father Ben Cameron, CPM, from March 30 through April 3 to lead a mission on “The Holy Eucharist: Shadows and Fulfillment.” Confessions will be heard each evening at 6 p.m., followed by a talk at 7 p.m. The specific schedule for each evening is as follows:
- Sunday, March 30: “The Passover Lamb: The Holy Eucharist as Sacrifice”
- Monday, March 31: “The Manna: The Holy Eucharist as Communion with God”
- Tuesday, April 1: “The Bread of the Presence: The Holy Eucharist as Real Presence”
- Wednesday, April 2: “The Eucharistic Sacrifice: Renewal of Calvary”
- Thursday, April 3: Closing Mission Mass, “The Eucharistic Sacrifice: Foretaste of Heaven”
All are welcome.
CULTURE OF LIFE MINISTRY
Read the latest issue of Lifelines to learn more about the Culture of Life Ministry at St. Francis Parish. Topics include the Virginia March for Life on April 2 and fathers and their feelings post-abortion.
The Virginia March for Life takes place on Wednesday, April 2. The rally is at 11 a.m., the march at 12 noon. A bus, sponsored by St. Francis Knights of Columbus and our Culture of Life Ministry, departs from St. Francis at 8:30 a.m. and will return around 4 p.m. The cost is $10 per person, $35 per family. Prepay at the parish office or by following this link or scanning the QR code:
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.
REQUIEM FOR MSGR. CASSIN
All are invited to attend a Requiem Mass for Msgr. Andrew Cassin on Saturday, April 5, at 10 a.m. His death occurred approximately a year ago.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Adult Faith Formation meets Sundays at 10 a.m. in Assisi Hall, coffee and snacks provided. All are welcome.
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.
ST. FRANCIS YOUTH
All St. Francis teenagers are invited to join our Youth Group as we explore and strengthen our faith together. Meetings are typically Tuesdays after the 5:30 p.m. Mass, and there are also weekend social events throughout the year. Grab a slice of pizza and have real discussions with other teens in relaxed and fun way.
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.
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.
“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.