St. Francis of Assisi

Following in the Steps of St. Francis

Faith in Action Through Living the Gospel, Helping Those in Need, Caring for the Environment, and Showing Compassion for All God’s Creatures

The purpose of the ministry is to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis by embracing humility, simplicity, and a boundless love for the world.

At the heart of the ministry lies the gospel—the good news of love, redemption, and hope. Living the gospel requires more than prayer; it calls us into action. Such as:

Authentic witness: Actions speak louder than words. The ministry seeks to embody the teachings of Jesus—love, forgiveness, mercy—in every encounter.
Community engagement: Living the gospel means engaging with those around us, building bridges between people of all backgrounds, and fostering a sense of belonging and hope.

St. Francis was renowned for his care and advocacy for the poor and marginalized. The ministry continues this work, committed to identifying and addressing the needs of the vulnerable. This mission is broad, encompassing individuals experiencing homelessness, hunger, loneliness, and despair.

Direct service: The ministry organizes food drives, shelter outreach, and visits to those isolated by circumstance.
Advocacy: Beyond immediate aid, the ministry speaks out against systemic injustice and works for long-term solutions to poverty and inequality.

Following St. Francis, who saw every aspect of creation as a reflection of the divine, the ministry holds a deep commitment to the environment. The earth is not merely a resource to be used, but a home to be cherished and protected. We do this through:

Action: Members participate in community clean-ups, tree planting, wildlife protection, and other hands-on conservation efforts.
Prayer and reflection: Environmental care is integrated into the spiritual life of the ministry, with liturgies and rituals honoring the earth and its creatures.

St. Francis’s love for animals and nature sets a precedent for radical compassion. The ministry extends this compassion beyond human boundaries, recognizing the inherent value and dignity of every living being. We do this through:

Animal welfare: The ministry promotes kindness to animals, supports shelters and sanctuaries, and educates others about humane treatment.
Interconnectedness: Recognizing that all life is intertwined, the ministry strives to make choices that respect the balance of ecosystems and the well-being of future generations.
Spiritual reflection: Through prayer and contemplation, members deepen their awareness of God’s presence in all creation.

Translating faith into action requires creativity, courage, and commitment. The ministry encourages individuals to discern their unique gifts and find ways to serve both their local and global communities. We do this through:

Volunteerism: Opportunities abound for acts of service—from serving meals to mentoring youth, from habitat restoration to visiting the sick.
Continual learning: Workshops, retreats, and study groups deepen understanding and nurture spiritual growth.

The Feast Day Mass for St. Francis of Assisi will be celebrated by the St. Francis of Assisi Ministry on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 12:15pm in the Main Church. A Pet Remembrance Reception will be held in the Family Center – Room 1 after the Mass.

The annual Blessing of Animals will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 9:00am at the outdoor Santo Niño Shrine. All pet owners are encouraged to bring their animals. If you own a dog, please be sure that it is on its leash. Please also ensure that other animals are in a carrier, box or another type of containment device. Owners will have the option of receiving a St. Francis medal for their pet. This event is sponsored by the St. Francis of Assisi Ministry.

St. Francis Ministry History

The St. Francis of Assisi Ministry at St. Paul Catholic Church was founded by Parochial Vicar, Father Bob Romaine and parishioners Tina Bubb and Kevin Bischoff. The initial intent of the ministry was to host a Mass for those who have lost a pet. The first Mass regarding this intention was held on Friday, July 27, 2018. After the first Mass was held, many parishioners began to seek out support for their pets who were ill or recently deceased. After a few weeks of planning, the first ministry meeting was organized on September 1, 2018, with 12 members present. One of the initial goals of the ministry was to solicit prayer requests for pets and their owners. Almost immediately, prayer requests began to pour in for those seeking comfort from the recent loss of a pet and from those who were sick.

The St. Francis of Assisi Ministry meets every second Saturday at 9:00am in the St. Michael Buidling on the St. Paul Catholic Church campus. In addition, the ministry hosts four events a year: the annual Pet Owners’ Mass of Remembrance, the Blessing of the Animals at the Santo Niño Shrine (on the first Saturday in October) and two prayer services. The colors of the ministry are green and silver. Green symbolizes creation and life and earth whereas silver symbolizes the angelic world.

The parish also hosts the ministry’s email account whereby parishioners may email their prayer intentions for both sick and deceased pets. The ministry members attend Eucharistic Adoration in the St. Paul Chapel each Tuesday night from 7:00pm – 8:00pm to pray for intentions received. Members who attend Eucharistic Adoration at St. Paul Catholic Church always wear their green and silver polo shirts with their ministry’s logo so that parishioners may approach them personally with their intentions or to seek someone to talk to about their companion’s situation. The ministry also sends out get well cards to owners of pets who are ill and sympathy cards to those owners who have recently lost a pet. The cards assure the individual that he/she and their pet are being remembered in prayer. This includes not only the animal, but the owner who may be suffering from their loved one’s illness or recent death. The ministry also sends out a quarterly newsletter to all members, with articles and features including the “Pet of the Month”. The ministry has grown since its initial founding with 12 members to over 40 members, ranging in ages from five to 80 years old.