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
Anointing Service is held twice per year during Advent Season, and during the Easter Season.

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

Grief Support
Facilitated by Joan Gonsior and Ruth Brattensborg, an annual 5-6 week grief support group is held on the campus of St. Francis Xavier Church.  The sessions are approximately two hours in length and enable persons who have experienced a significant loss to experience healing and support.
Watch the bulletin or this page for the start up date. Interested persons can contact Sister Cordy for information.

Health & Wellness Committee
There is a committee formed at St. Francis Xavier that focuses on activities that promote wellness and disease prevention.  The committee focuses on people of faith working together and creating healthier communities. This committee meets with Sister Cordy Korkowski and the Parish Nurses, Jackie McCann and Karen Reinholz, Parish Nurses every two months, for one and a  half hours.  Interest and experience in health education and promotion is helpful for committee members.

Parish Nurses Jackie McCann and Karen Reinholz

Parish Visitor Ministry
As parishioners  move to care facilities, it is helpful to be connected to a St. Francis Xavier member for comfort and continued relationship with the parish. Parish Visitors are connected to the following facilities in the area and can visit once a month or oftener, depending on the expressed needs and wishes of those visited. Visitors need to be friendly, comfortable with persons experiencing transitions and the ability to listen well.

Country Manor, Sartell, MN
Veteran's Hospital,  St. Cloud, MN
Good Shepherd, Sauk Rapids, MN
St. Benedict's Center, St. Cloud, MN
St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud, MN


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.


Grief Support
Ruth Brattensborg & Joan Gonsior, Parish Coordinators


Separated/Divorced Support Group is offered EVERY MONDAY from 7:00 - 8:30 pm at Caritas Family Services, 911 18th St. North, St. Cloud. No charge. All faiths are welcome. Confidentiality respected. Please call 320-529-0427 for more information.

CONTACT US
If a member of your family is being deployed or has been deployed during these months, please let us know, so that we can provide support during this time. Our parish has several people who were trained to be advocates and a support to our military families. Contact me with names and more information.