St. Monica Christian Women
We are women of the parish, single or married regardless of motherhood. WE ARE YOU! St. Monica Christian Women started in 1940 when a group of Sartell women from Sacred Heart Parish decided to form a Christian Women group. Their first meeting was held at the Village Hall in Sartell. In 1940, the main purpose was to keep women aware of their high vocation and to aid them spiritually, especially in the character formation of their children. They received instruction on Christian family living, made social contacts, and had a chance to work for their parish and community while sharing in the prayers and good works of other Christian Women. In the 68 years since that group began, a lot has changed but a lot has stayed the same.
The Christian Women of St. Francis Xavier provide educational opportunities, leadership preparation, spiritual enrichment, and prayerful support for the women of our parish. We involve ourselves in social justice issues that happen locally such as “Kids Against Hunger” where we enlisted the congregation’s help during the month of November. We asked parishioners to empty their pockets of loose change in the collection basket. With the addition of $500 from our group, $3,400 was raised—feeding a total of 30,000 people locally and globally.
In February, men, women, and children have the opportunity to volunteer at the KAH (Kids Against Hunger) warehouse in Sauk Rapids. The group will prepare meals which will be shipped to needy families in Africa.
We work with other parishes in the St. Cloud area (also called the St. Cloud Deanery) to host diocesan women’s events for the St. Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW), such as women’s retreats, annual conventions, and Food Fun Fund Day.
The Christian Women group is under the umbrella of the National Council of Catholic Women, and the St. Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Through them we are informed of rural, community, family life, spiritual life and mission needs as well as legislative and international concerns.
St. Moncia's activities:
Annual coffee cake or Franny Bread sale on Palm Sunday weekend raises over $1000.00.
Annually $600.00 goes to purchase sacramental gifts for Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation and Marriage.
Annual Madonna Auction raised over $1000.00 for the Water for Life program. The Madonna Auction has been at SFX for 44 years.
January's "Baby Shower" for Jesus provides donated items to Birthline.
Sartell area Church Craft Sale
Donated $300.00 for the purchase of cots for the mission group in Guatemala.
Volunteer yearly for the Poor Clare Tea by service and donated foods with proceeds going to defray fuel costs for the Poor Clare Monastery.
We pray the Rosary the 1st Saturday of the month before 5:00 p.m. Mass.
We pray the Rosary for deceased Christian Women at their wakes and for their family members.