There are many Pastoral Ministry opportunities for individuals that would like to reach out and touch the lives of others in need. The time commitment for each of the ministries varies. Please contact Sr. Cordy to learn more about each ministry or to volunteer your time.

Anointing of the Sick

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is held during the Advent and Lenten Season.  The Anointing Sacrament  is for persons who are in need of healing in mind, body and spirit.  The Anointing is available to children who have reached the age of reason.   If parishioners are seriously ill and request an anointing at their home or hospital, it can be arranged through the Parish Office, the Pastoral Minister or pastor.

BeFriender Ministry
BeFrienders are trained to be active listeners to persons in need of care and support.  Training required.  The next 20 hour  training will take place on a weekend  in fall of 2010 in the St. Cloud area, along with several other churches. BeFrienders meet once a  month after training as a group and are expected to visit with an assigned person who is in need of support once or twice a month for an hour or less, depending on the circumstances. We are encouraging persons to consider this ministry who can drive a vehicle, have the ability to listen,  are confidential and willing to take the training required.  
Newly Commissioned BeFrienders will occur in Spring 2011

Bernice  Anderson                                    Barb Kroll

Ruth Brattensborg                                    Mary Kuhlmann

Mary Jo  Dhein                                        Jackie MCann

Alice Emslander                                       Sandy Sexton

Pat Feneis                                              Darlene Stafney

Alice Gerads                                            Deb Weinberger

Jim Gonsior                                             Marilyn Rajkowski 

Jennifer Morrissette Hesse                        Donna Traut

Wanda Kantor                                         Janet Wiener

 



Health & Wellness Committee

St. Francis Xavier has a Health and Wellness Committee that focuses on activities that promote wellness and disease prevention. The committee strives to work together with needs that surface in the faith community around issues of education, prevention and wholistic living.Jackie  McCann and Karen Reinholz, Parish Nurses, plan and lead the meetings under the leadership of  Sister Cordy, staff liaison for the Health and Wellness Committtee. Blood pressure screening is scheduled on the same weekend as Hospitality Sunday.   Meetings for the Health and Wellness Committee are held every second month.  Members of the Health and Wellness Committee are the following:

Bob Barrett             Mary Mader                 Rosemary Weiser

Deb Carey              Pat Marincic                Bev Wiehoff

Wendi Haas           Jackie McCann             Sister Cordy Korkowski, OSF

Christie Hamak       Karen Reinholz 

Lori Jarnot              Beccy Ruzanic

Chuck Kalkman      Brenda Spoden

Sharon Kalkman     Shelly Teff

Grief Support/ Life Transitions  Services

Parishioners are invited to take advantage of the programs offered through Catholic Charities for support in the following areas or to contact Sister Cord, Pastoral Minister,  at 252-1363, Ext. 1103.

            Job Loss Support Group

            Suicide Loss Support

            Widowed Persons Hope Support Group

            Separated and Divorced Support Group

            Children and Youth Support Groups

            Co-Parenting  Program

For more information on any of the listed support groups or programs, please contact Lois Rengel,  Catholic Charities Life Transitions Services,  at 320-529-0427.

Parish Visitor Ministry

As parishioners move to care facilities or are hospitalized, it is helpful to be connected to a St. Francis Xavier member for a continued relationship with the parish. Homebound parishioners receive visits in their homes, and Eucharist when requested. Parish Visitors are connected to the following facilities in the area:

            Hospital

St. Cloud Hospital

VA  Hospital

          Nursing Homes

                        Country Manor, Sartell

                        Good Shepherd, Sauk Rapids

                        Ridgeview, Sauk Rapids

                        St. Benedict's Center, St. Cloud

                        Sterling Place, Sauk Rapids,

                        The Legends at Heritage Place

Place of Hope Ministry
Franciscan Sisters who live at the Franciscan Welcoming House in St.Cloud serve a meal to guests at the Place of Hope.
Parishioners can assist the Franciscan Sisters in purchasing, preparing and serving the 5 p.m. dinner at the Place of Hope, 9th Avenue in St. Cloud., the former St.  Raphael Home.  Wonderful opportunity for Confirmation students looking for a service project.  The Place of  Hope serves the homeless and also is a treatment center. Contact Sister Cordy at 252-1363 if you are interested in volunteering.  Committment time is about two hours or more. Watch the bulletin for dates.

Prayer Blanket Ministry
Individuals in the parish sew prayer blankets for parishioners and friends of parishioners for support and a promise of prayer.  Prayer blankets are blessed by the pastor and distributed to many people throughout the year. Persons who love to sew and stitch can volunteer for this ministry.  Specialty blankets can be knit or crocheted also.


Welcoming Sunday
Three or four times during the year, St. Francis Xavier plans a Welcoming Sunday for new parishioners at the 10:30 a.m. Mass.  New parishioners are introduced at the 10:30 a.m Mass and enjoy hospitality following the liturgy.  Volunteers are needed to link with new parishioners on Welcoming Sunday and attend the liturgy with them and stay to enjoy hospitiatliy. Couples, singles and families are welcome for this ministry.

Advocates for Military Families - St. Francis Xavier Parish offers support for members of the military through care packages, communications and prayer.  Parishioners are encouraged to send in names and addresses of deployed persons so that pastoral care may be given. Members of the Advocacy for Military Families Committee include:  Chuck and Kitty Haselkamp, Marcie Traut and Sister Cordy Korkowski, Pastoral Minister.