*

Parish Life Commission   Human Concerns Commission     Parish Library

Education/Formation     Liturgical Commission     Pastoral Council

Adult Faith Formation      Respect for Life Committee

---

Parish Life Commission This Commission encourages and supports the development of parish life through welcoming, social activities and outreach.  

Social Committee

        Baptismal Greeters

St. Francis Friars

        Friends of St. Francis

Welcoming Committee

        Little Angels (Go to Newsletter)

return to top

 

Human Concerns Commission The Human Concerns Commission is to encourage and support the development of parish life through the ministries of service which provide spiritual and material outreach to those in need.

       

MOMs (formerly Elizabeth Ministry)

Bereavement  Committee: This committee provides  a parish connection with bereaved families by providing prayer, support, comfort and  remembrances.

 Ministers of Care: Our ministers provide support and concern for the sick, the elderly and the homebound of the parish. Ministers visit and share with them the Word of God in Scripture, pray and bring Holy Eucharist. If you or anyone you know is unable to attend Sunday Mass, give us at call. We are happy to assist.
 

        St. Vincent de Paul Society

Helping Hands Committee  (Go to  Projects Page)

 

return to top

Education and Formation The mission of the Education/ Formation Commission is to provide religious formation for people of all ages throughout the parish.  We exist to facilitate collaboration and teamwork between the Religious Education Board, Youth Board, Cardinal Bernardin School and the Adult Faith Formation Board.

return to top

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities
The St. Francis of Assisi Parish Prayer Group
"Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst." Matthew 18:19-20  Mission Statement:  We gather weekly as a community to glorify Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  We pray in praise of God as the Holy Spirit leads us, using the gifts of the Spirit, in particular those gifts listed in 1 Cor 12:4-11.  We intercede for our personal needs, for the needs of our religious, for the needs of our Church, and for the needs of our world.  Our prayer group has three purposes: 1. To praise, worship and honor God. 2. To build up the Body of Christ in our faith community of St. Francis and the Catholic Church  3. To intercede --   With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we come before Jesus with prayers of praise and thanksgiving.  We listen to what God is saying to us and share God's word through prophecy, scripture reading and Christian witnessing.  We intercede for all in our Church.  We meet every Monday evenings at 7:30pm in the Church.  During the month of January we will be interceding for Peace, Love and Unity in our Families.  All are welcome.
Scripture Study 2010- TBA
Presenter: Topic: Date: Time: Where: Cost:
Small Faith Groups  Participants gather in small groups of no more than twelve people at the church or in homes. The group is led in prayer and discussion by a trained parishioner. Topics in the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults: Our Eternal Destiny The Celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ Baptism: Becoming a Christian Confirmation: Consecrated for Mission The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Christian Life Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation: God is Rich in Mercy Date: Groups start 6 week fall sessions in late Sept. and again in Feb. Time: There are morning and evening groups. Sessions last 1 ½ hours Cost: Each individual (couple) purchases the U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults, ~$20 through St. Francis Registration: see bulletin or call the office 708-460-0042

Liturgical Commission The Liturgical Commission is a commission of the Parish Pastoral Council.  The purpose of the Liturgical Commission is to set goals, develop standards and evaluate the practice for liturgical life of the parish.  The Commission is responsible for providing training and formation for all involved in liturgical life.  In addition, it serves as a resource to make information available about opportunities of growth, including Archdiocesan and Deanery workshops and programs.

Liturgical Ministries include: 

Ushers & Greeters	Lector/Readers	Eucharistic Ministers
Altar Servers (Youth)	Altar Servers (Adult)	Sacristans
The Art & Environment Committee

Music Ministries include:

Adult Choir	Ensemble	Cantors
Children's Choir	Liturgical Orchestra	Hand bell Choir

return to top

Parish Library

The Parish Library is located in the Great Room.

Bookshelves are located on each side of the windows. The library is “Self-serve”, you sign out the book, tape or movie by completing the Borrower Card with the date you are taking your item, your name and phone number. Take you item home, enjoy, and return it in a reasonable time frame for others to enjoy.

The books are divided by categories with a color dot on the shelves. The book will have the corresponding dot on it. Categories include: Saints, Parish Life, Sacraments, Biographies, Books about Mary, Children/ Teens, Books Written by Clergy.

Movies on VHS or DVD, Audio CD’s and Music CD’s will be together on the right side of the windows in the Great Room. They will not have color dots.

Instructions for using the library are posted by both shelving units.

The library cart is in the Narthex for Saturday and Sunday Masses will feature an assortment of books and tapes. Instructions are on the cart.

Questions about the library, Adrianne Wieczorek, Library Chairperson, 708-403-4169.

Through prayer, education, pastoral care, and legislative efforts, the St. Francis Respect Life Committee seeks to change hearts and minds to promote a culture of life where every person is valued and protected from conception to natural death.

6-7 National Catholic Bioethics Center national conference in Chicago

7 Rosary for Life 10:00 a.m. Chapel, prayer in front of Planned Parenthood in Orland Park 10:00 a.m. - noon

19 Respect Life Committee meeting 7:30 p.m. church

All are welcome

Keynote address: Francis Cardinal Arinze

Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Reception: 4:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 p.m.

For info: 312-534-5355

5 Rosary for Life 10:00 a.m. Chapel

12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
28 Feast of Holy Innocents

January

2  Rosary for Life in the Chapel 10:00 a.m.
22  Holy Hour for Life 7 p.m. at St. Francis
9  Chicago Archdiocese “Mass for Life” with Cardinal George
20-24  March for Life Pilgrimage to Washington, D.C.
22  37th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade-prayer vigils in Chicago

February

6  Rosary for Life in the Chapel 10 a.m.
11  St. Francis Respect Life Committee meeting 7:00 p.m.

March

6  Rosary for Life in the Chapel 10 a.m.
27  Annual “Gospel of Life” Conference with Cardinal George

April
3  Rosary for Life in the Chapel 10:00 a.m./Prayer in front of Planned Parenthood in Orland 10-noon

May
6  St. Francis Respect Life committee meeting 7:00 p.m./ Prayer in front of Planned Parenthood in Orland 10-noon
9  Mass for Expectant Mothers with Cardinal George

June
20  Father’s Day
 

Respect Life Websites

www.usccb.org/prolife/index.htm  Bishops policy and teaching

www.priestsforlife.org  Catholic priests pro-life organization

www.nchla.org  National Committee for a Human Life Amendment

www.stemcellresearch.org  Coalition for Americans for Research Ethics

 www.hopeafterabortion.org  Info about abortion’s aftermath & Project Rachel

 www.ehd.org   Info, pictures and movies about prenatal development

www.ncbcenter.org  National Catholic Bioethics Center