Welcome
Welcome
We invite you to become a member of Saint Francis Xavier Church. There are numerous opportunities to serve and minister. Please drop by or give us a call. If you have made the decision to join us, please download,fill out and print our Parish Registration Form from the link.
Masses
We offer Mass celebrations on several weekdays and weekends, as well as a Spanish Mass.
In addition, Monday's Mass is followed by an hour of Eucharistic Adoration.
Visit the Home Page for Mass Times.
Click here for accessing different Holy Hour's prayers from the USCCB website.
Parish School of Religion
Volunteers and catechists will hold classes P-K through 8 to prepare students to receive the sacraments, and teach them about their Catholic Faith through prayer, the Liturgy, the Sacraments, and our traditions to walk with the Lord as co-teachers with their parents. Time 1 hours/week each Sunday at 10:00 AM except holidays and summer.
Contact: Sister Barbara Blesse 618-457-4556
Small Christian Communities (SCC)
Volunteers will facilitate/participate in faith-sharing meetings at the parish hall or in the homes of the participants. You need a desire to become a closer disciple of Christ. Contact: Fr. Bob Flannery (618) 457-4556
High School Confirmation Preparation
Faith Formation 9th grade youth with preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is offered, as well as monthly social gatherings for teens and famiies. Sessions generally meet on select Sundays, September through May. Contact: Sister Barbara Blesse (618) 457-4556
Pre-Cana
Married couples are needed to share personal experiences as we prepare engaged couples for marriage through discussion, activities, and personal reflection. Commitment for 1 year. Pre-Cana is held once a year. On the scheduled date, married volunteers would be required to participate for approximately three hours.
Contact: Fr. Bob Flannery (618) 457-4556
Pastoral Council
This is a consultative body that assists the pastor in planning and overall decision-making in all areas of parish life. Time 2 hours/month. Volunteers must be active in the parish and deeply interested in the health of our parish life. Contact: Fr. Bob Flannery (618) 457-4556
Stewardship Committee
Stewardship volunteers strive to build community in the parish by promoting the resources of prayer, time and talent, and treasure to enhance our catholic way of life and help our parish grow. Activities include developing information brochures and promoting resources each year. 1 year commitment 2 to 4 hours/quarterly.
Contact: Fr. Bob Flannery (618) 457-4556
Parish Building and Grounds
This committee meets to assess and make recommendations for the upkeep and appearance of the worship space and Xavier Hall. Decisions made will ensure the buildings will last through future generations of parishioners Meets quarterly for approximately 1—1 1/2 hours. All can help but especially needed are those with knowledge of construction and building upkeep.
Parish Partnership Committee
The Parish Partnership Committee is made up of representatives from Saint Francis Xavier Parish and the Newman Center. The purpose of the Parish Partnership Committee is to work towards coordinating events and worship opportunities between our three faith communities. The committee meets once every six weeks, alternating between the two sites. One year commitment is required. Contact Person: Fr. Bob Flannery (618) 457-4556
Social Justice
Services of this Ministry: through study of the Church's teachings on Social Justice, to engage in helping to break the cycle of poverty in this country and the developing world, by involvement in projects geared toward breaking that cycle through advocacy; lobbying and or some direct action. Time commitment approximately 5—10 hours during the year. Contact: Fr. Bob Flannery (618) 457-4556
Interfaith Council
One or two parishioners needed to represent our parish on the Carbondale Interfaith Council which plans ecumenical and interfaith events, and other concerns and issues relating to the faith life and actions of the local community. Volunteers should have a desire and openness to promote ecumenical and interfaith life in the community. 3 year term and 1 1/2 hrs/mo time requirement. Contact: Fr. Bob Flannery (618) 457-4556
Pro- Life
There are a number of volunteer opportunities:
March for Life in Washington, DC every January 22
Jackson County March for Life in January
Mother’s Day Rose sale for Project Rachel
Contact Person needed
Spirit of Christmas
Volunteers needed to assist with our Parish Christmas project. We are provided with names of those in need and gift suggestions from the Carbondale Interfaith Council. The project is completed by the first part of December. Time required is 5 to 6 hours/year. Contact: Parish Office 618-457-4556
Lights Fantastic
Volunteers needed to help with float for the annual Lights Fantastic Christmas Parade. This is an annual event. Time varies according to condition of float after being stored.
Contact: Parish Office 618-457-4556
Holy Grounds
Seasonal volunteers help plant and mulch in the spring, maintain (water and weed when necessary) one flower bed in the summer and fall . Commitment: 1 Year Volunteer Time Commitment: 1 Hour perhaps 2 hours / week if drought conditions exist.
Contact: Parish Office 618-457-4556
Good Friday Reading of the Passion
Volunteers needed to be readers, actors and musicians in the Passion Play. Readers use scripts, actors play scenes, memorizing some lines, musicians play interludes. Acting or lector skills, musical or singing skills preferred. About 6 hours/year rehearsal time plus one 20 minute reading on Good Friday. Contact: Fr. Bob Flannery (618) 457-4556
Funeral Meals
Volunteers needed to work with the Meal Coordinator to plan, prepare, serve and cleanup for a dinner served to the family and friends of the deceased.
Contact: Parish Office (618) 457-4556
Coffee and Donuts
Volunteers will pick up donuts, prepare coffee and juice and set up in gathering space of Church on the first Sunday of every month.
Contact: David Ullman
Advisory School Board
Members appointed by Father Gary and Father Bob. Members head various committees including Development, Recruitment, Finance, Public Relations, Planning/Curriculum, Policy, Mission Effectiveness, and Building and Grounds. Time commitment is for 3 years with meetings held on the first Monday of each month. Contact: Parish Office 618-457-4556
Recitation of the Rosary
The rosary is prayed the first Saturday of each month. Everyone is invited to meet 1/2 hour before the 5:30 PM evening Mass. During the months of October and May the rosary is prayed before all weekend Liturgies and following daily Mass on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Contact: Parish Office (618) 457-4556
Women’s Club
Women of the parish join together to address parish social and physical needs thru raffles and other fundraisers. We provide scholarships and support various parish charities. Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6 PM. No dues, all women of the parish are members.
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is a national organization of Catholic men that centers on charitable activities with the goal of strengthening the church, family, community and youth. It is the only men’s organization at Saint Francis Xavier.
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER
Renewal in the church and change in the world by assisting couples to live fully intimate and responsible relationships by providing them with a Catholic experience and ongoing community support for such a lifestyle. To be a team leader one must have made a worldwide marriage encounter weekend.
Heritage Club
For men and women age 55+. Meet every month except for July and August to make new friends and meet with old friends. Employs 4-leaf clover involving spiritual, social, educational, and service experiences. Contact: Parish Office (618) 457-4556
Shawl Knitting Ministry
Shawl Knitting Ministry volunteers knit God's love, care & warmth into shawls for those in need of comfort. This is another way to pray and serve the Lord. Meet Weds 6 to 8 PM. For all level knitters and those wanting to learn. Contact: Parish Office (618) 457-4556
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA
Volunteers are needed to serve as sponsors for those participating in RCIA process. The sponsor will be a support to the candidate from September through the Easter Season. Ministers of the Word are also needed for “Breaking Open the Word” session on Sunday from January up to Passion (Palm) Sunday.
Sister Barbara Blesse 618-457-4556
Care of Altar Candles
Volunteers needed to assist when regular person is away or unavailable to clean the glass candle followers and the candle stands when they become covered with wax. Contact: Parish Office (618) 457-4556
Eucharistic Bread Baking
Bake Eucharistic bread for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter Liturgies. Specials skills include kneading, rolling, scoring and baking with lots of love and smiles. 1 year commitment, Time approximately 4 hours 3 or 4 times/year. Eucharistic Bread recipe provided
Ministers of Communion to the Hospital, Homebound/Nursing Homes
Volunteers offer Holy Communion to the hospital, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and home bound. Usually 1 Sunday every other month. Commitment for 1 year. Time commitment approx.2 hours every other month. Must be a Eucharistic Minister.