Ministries

Volunteers

Contact information is given for each of our ministries below. If you want to volunteer or participate in a ministry, but don't know which one, please contact Veronica Thomas at (401) 274-3434 ext. 131 or e-mail at vthomas@stfrancischapel.com. We'll be happy to help you find your ministry.

Poverello Center

Contact: Liz O'Dea, 455-3740; eodea@stfrancischapel.com

Bread & Blessings Sandwich program

The Bread & Blessings Sandwich Program is a ministry that strives to feed the poor and homeless in Providence. Three times a week, over thirty (30) volunteers of all ages serve coffee, hot chocolate, pastry and bag lunches to more than two hundred (200) men, women and children at the Beneficent Congregational Church at 300 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence. Those lunches are made three times a week by another thirty (30) volunteers.

Contact: Fr. Brice Leavins, OFM; (401) 528-7188; bb43159@aol.com

Liturgical Ministries

Fr. Charles welcomes and trains those who attend St. Mary’s and the Chapel who wish to serve as Liturgical Ministers. The Ministry includes lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, crossbearers, altar servers,greeters and ushers. If interested, please contact Fr. Charles at (401) 274-3434 or by e-mail at coconnor@stfrancischapel.com.

Music Ministry

Music During Mass

Saturday 5:00 PM Contemporary Mass
Sunday 8:00 AM Traditional Mass
Sunday 10:00 AM Traditional Mass (with choir September to June)

Church of St. Mary on Broadway Choir "Sing on Broadway!"

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME!

If you think you have a pretty good singing voice, have always wanted to “sing on Broadway,” and have Thursday nights free this year for singing, camaraderie and refreshment call (401) 274-3434 ext. 110 and leave your name and phone number or e-mail Kathryn at kchester@stfrancischapel.com.

We’d love to have you join us!

Schedule

September to June

Commitment

Weekly Rehearsals
Thursdays 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the choir rehearsal room; rear entrance of church Sundays 9:00 AM in the choir loft.

Weekly Mass
Sundays 10:00 AM

Optional Masses
(Notify director immediately if unavailable.)
Christmas Eve
Holy Week
Other

Admission Requirement

Permission of director of music.

Contact: Kathryn Chester, 274-3434 ext. 110; kchester@stfrancischapel.com

Religious Education

Kindergarten Program

Our kindergarten program focuses on basic concepts: God’s love for us, Church as community, loving and sharing with family and friends, stories that Jesus told us, and praying and singing with God. Children engage in age-appropriate active, hands-on learning, building on the faith formation that their families have begun to inspire in them.

First Communion: Grades 1 and 2

First Communion is a two-year program that begins in grade 1 and culminates in receiving the sacrament at the end of grade 2.

Developing A Strong Faith: Grades 3 through 7

During these years, children acquire a sense of community within St. Mary’s parish and a deeper knowledge and understanding of their faith. The years between the sacraments may be the most important time for developing a young adult’s sense of spirituality.

Confirmation: Grades 8 and 9

Confirmation is a two-year program that begins in grade 8, runs through grade 9, and culminates in receiving the sacrament in the fall of grade 10. Children who have attended Catholic School throughout their middle school grades, are required to complete a one-year program only. These teenagers should register in grade 9 and participate in Year 2 of the Confirmation program.

Sacramental Prep For Older Children: Any grade

Is your child older and not made First Communion? Has your toddler or school-age child not been baptized? Is your teenager a junior or senior in high school and not confirmed? Has your child received none of the sacraments? Not a problem.

Register your child and we will organize an individual or small age-appropriate group for instructing the child in preparation for the sacrament and then assign him/her to the appropriate level of peers. Children who are older than usual learn the concepts much more quickly, so correct instruction can place them on a fast track to receive the sacrament within the year.

Schedule

Classes are held on Sunday mornings from 8:45 AM to 9:45 AM. A schedule of dates is provided upon registration.

Registration

For more information or to register your children please e-mail Diane DiSanto at ddisanto@stfrancischapel.com.

Registration Fee

Due to the increase in the number of children in our Religious Education Program registration fee has become necessary. The children’s books, for example, cost $16.50 per student. If parents could contribute $10.00 per child, with a maximum family fee of $30.00, this would help to offset the cost of our programs. Children are also provided with a Bible to use during class, the cost of which has been subsidized by many parishioners in our past “Buy a Bible” campaign.

Contact: Diane DiSanto, Ed.D. Director of Faith Formation
274-3434 ext. 144 ddisanto@stfrancischapel.com

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is a program designed for two groups:

So, are you an adult who would like to become Catholic? Were you baptized but never received your First Communion and/or Confirmation? RCIA may be the appropriate next step for you on your faith journey. RCIA is a program of inquiry, preparation, acceptance, and celebration of the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation) in the Catholic faith.

RCIA generally runs from mid-September to early May. The program has several stages and sacraments are celebrated at the Easter Vigil each year.

If you would like to learn more about RCIA, please contact Diane DiSanto, Ed.D, Director of Faith Formation at (401) 274-3434 ext. 144 or by e-mail at ddisanto@stfrancischapel.com.

Adult Faith Formation

Contact: Veronica Thomas at (401) 274-3434 ext. 131; vthomas@stfrancischapel.com.

Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC)

Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation is a directorate established by a Provincial Chapter of the Holy Name Province of Franciscans. The goal of JPIC is to bring Gospel values to bear in all aspects of life, that is, culture, education, business, government, environment, and spirituality.

At the Church of St. Mary, this directorate trained staff members in Franciscan Non-Violent Peacemaking, emphasizing how it applies first to our personal life and then to our public life. Two applications have specifically been made at St. Mary’s: using “fair trade” coffee at our monthly coffee hours and implementing a recycling program developed by our Confirmation students.

The JPIC ministry conducts two regular programs. A Peace Book Circle, scheduled throughout the year, provides an opportunity for people to share and discuss books on peace and justice with a special focus on applying these issues in everyday life. At 11:30 AM on Mondays, a Peace Centering Prayer Group meets before the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel of the Church of St. Mary.

Upcoming events in 2009/2010 will include a six-week study of “Immigration, the Church and the Bible.” Programs to explore health care reform in the US are also in the planning stage.

The JPIC Directorate is part or the international Franciscan Action Network (FNA).
Contact: Rene Perreault; 353-1422; poppiepereault@yahoo.com

Coffee Klatch Ministry

The Church of St. Mary holds a coffee hour on the first Sunday of the month following the 10:00 AM Mass. This time together provides the opportunity for parishioners to gather, get to know each other, and socialize in a casual setting.

A wonderful group of people do a great job running this coffee hour each month, and we certainly appreciate all they do. Sharing the responsibilities, however, is important, especially since people may need to take a particular weekend off due to illness or other commitments. People can serve in several capacities:

At each coffee hour, a free will offering box sits on the table. Donations are appreciated to offset the cost of coffee, cream, and paper supplies. We serve organic, free trade coffee.

This is a call to stewardship. This ministry is important to our building community at the Church of St. Mary. Anyone wishing to volunteer for this ministry may contact Diane DiSanto at (401) 274-3434 ext. 144 or e-mail at ddisanto@stfrancischapel.com.

Bazaar Committee

Contact: Diane DiSanto, Ed.D. Director of Faith Formation
274-3434 ext. 144 ddisanto@stfrancischapel.com

20's & 30's Group

Contact: Veronica Thomas at (401) 274-3434 ext. 131; vthomas@stfrancischapel.com.

St. Francis Knitters

The Knitting Ministry (or Crochet Ministry, if you prefer) is exceptionally active and vibrant. Our knitters produce a wide variety of goods for a number of different purposes, each one unique in its goal and meaning to the parish.

Our Weekly Knitters for Poverello

A committed group of knitters meet weekly on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (except for Tuesdays that follow a Monday holiday). They work diligently, socialize, and enjoy light morning refreshments as they knit hats, scarves, mittens, blankets, or sweaters for those in need of warm clothing during the winter. These handmade items are distributed basically to two groups: Families who shop at the Poverello Center and homeless individuals who frequent our Bread & Blessings Sandwich Program.

Our Bazaar on Broadway Knitters

All types of clothing, decorative items, afghans, baby clothes, handbags, or unique specialties are created by talented crafters and sold at the parish Bazaar on Broadway, held on the third weekend in November. Many of our knitters also have friends who knit or crochet and donate high quality items which we sell at reasonable prices. Anyone wishing to contribute his/her talent for a good cause is welcome. We often ask, “Can you make ONE item for our bazaar?”

Our Prayer Shawl Knitters

Prayer shawls provide comfort, consolation and warmth to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one or are suffering from major illness. Knitters in this ministry pray for the recipient while they knit soft, comforting shawls. Our Ministers of Care and/or the friars distribute these shawls as a tangible symbol of caring on the part of the Church of St. Mary community. Shawls received before Sunday, October 4, 2009, which is the Feast of St. Francis will be blessed at the Church of St. Mary at the 10:00 AM Mass. Two women from Hartford, CT initiated the Prayer Shawl Ministry, which has grown into a national movement. You can read more about the origin of the shawl ministry at www.shawlministry.com.

Our Home Knitters

Many people cannot meet with us in to knit but enjoy the craft and want to do something to benefit those in need. They knit at home. One faithful home knitter, for example, is a ninety-one year old lady whose knitting helps her arthritis in her fingers. One winter she singly produced about two hundred pairs of colorful children’s mittens. Another young woman amazingly finds time to knit at home while caring for her three children.

Our Corporate and Business Knitters

On occasion, employees from various businesses call wishing to knit for our ministries. They meet weekly during their lunch or as often as they wish. Our knitters are willing to meet occasionally with any such group to discuss needs, to provide yarn, or to pick up knit goods.

FAQ about Our Knitting /Crocheting Ministry

1. What if I do not know how to knit?
Our knitters are happy to teach new people. In addition to contributing to our ministry, you will acquire the skills to create homemade fashions for yourself, friends, and family.

2. If I knit or crochet, but do not have yarn, how can I participate?
Some people knit with yarn they have since they craft for their own pleasure and accumulate it. We provide yarn, knitting needles, and crochet hooks to anyone who wants to knit or crochet but does not have supplies.

3. Do you accept donations of yarn?
Yes. Donations of yarn are appreciated. Avid knitters donate excess supplies on occasion. All kinds of yarn are put to good use. Monetary donations are also appreciated so that we can purchase yarn for special projects.

For more information about any of our Knitting Ministries, contact Diane DiSanto, Ed.D. Director of Faith Formation at (401) 274-3434 ext. 144 or e-mail her at ddisanto@stfrancischapel.com.

Men of St. Francis Spiritual Direction

Contact: Veronica Thomas at (401) 274-3434 ext. 131; vthomas@stfrancischapel.com.

Women of Service and Spirit

The Women of Service & Spirit is a faith in action ministry, which aptly takes its name from the story of Martha and Mary who both work and pray in the company of Jesus.

The women take on a variety of projects, such as “Pack-a-Backpack,” conducted every summer to provide backpacks and school supplies for children who attend Sophia Academy or are members of the families who shop at the Poverello Center. In its origin, the group primarily assisted Sophia Academy. “Sophia,” which means “wisdom” in Greek became, and continues to be, the focal point of the group’s prayer and meditation.

The Women of Service & Spirit meet on the first Saturday of the month (subject to change) at 9:30 AM and assist in a Parish Ministry Office project such as the backpacks or our annual bazaar. They take time, however, to read and reflect on a Scripture passage, a poem, or brief piece of writing. The women share faith experience, pray, reflect, and engage in activities that further our parish goals. All women are welcome to join this group at any time.

Wisdom is bright and does not grow dim.
By those who love her she is readily seen.
And found by those who look for her.
Wisdom 6:12

For further information, contact Diane DiSanto, Ed.D., Director of Faith Formation at (401) 274-3434 ext. 144 or e-mail her at ddisanto@stfrancischapel.com.

Secular Order of Franciscans

At the Church of St. Mary, a group of approximately 20 women and men have publicly chosen to live lives according to the gospel in the spirit and charism of St. Francis of Assisi and the rules of the Secular Franciscan Order.

The Secular Franciscan Order, formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis, is an official Order within the Catholic Church, and was established by St. Francis of Assisi early in the thirteenth century.

Members do not live in community, but live their everyday lives in the world. However, members gather together in fraternity on a regular basis. By profession, they promise to follow a Rule of Life approved and confirmed by Pope Paul VI in June of 1978.

We are people from all walks of life who support each other in prayer and ministry. We have many ministries at St. Mary's and several others throughout Rhode Island. We invite you to come and join us on our journey. If you are interested, please contact Phyllis Cicchetti at p_cicchetti@yahoo.com.

Gay & Lesbian friends of st. francis

Contact: Fr. Scott, 274-3434 ext. 176; sbrookbank@stfrancischapel.com

Minsters of Care

Contact: Fr. Scott, 274-3434 ext. 176; sbrookbank@stfrancischapel.com

Spiritual Life Bereavement Group

Contact: Fr. Scott, 274-3434 ext. 176; sbrookbank@stfrancischapel.com

Friars

Contact: Fr. Frank, 274-3434 ext. 130; fsevola@stfrancischapel.com

St. Mary's Board

Contact: Fr. Frank, 274-3434 ext. 130; fsevola@stfrancischapel.com

Pastoral Council

Contact: Fr. Frank, 274-3434 ext. 130; fsevola@stfrancischapel.com

Financial Council

Contact: Fr. Frank, 274-3434 ext. 130; fsevola@stfrancischapel.com

Poverello Board

Contacts: Fr. Frank, 274-3434 ext. 130; fsevola@stfrancischapel.com
Liz O'Dea, 455-3740; eodea@stfrancischapel.com