Community Building

Our St. Francis Hospitality and Community Building Ministries build our parish family by sponsoring events and services that bring individuals and families together in fellowship, faith and fun. These ministries are described in this section as Faith and Fellowship Groups, Family Life programs, and Hospitality and Community Building. activities.

• Players meet monthly at each other’s homes to play bridge except for the month of February. Each couple contributes $2 to play before every session. Players needed.
• Coordinator needed

• Members meet at area restaurants on the first Wednesday of every month for food, fellowship and fun.
• Coordinator: Mary Lou Habib, 301-417-0243

• Team members play softball in the Gaithersburg Church League on Monday nights from mid-April to the end of July. Practices begin in early April. The per-person cost to play is $10-20.
• Coordinator: Dan Sullivan, 301-775-2283 or Milt Madison, 301-977-6854

• Interested in an activity with fellow parishioners at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rockville? Then, join a multi-parish bowling league for people of all skill levels and at least 16 years of age. The 12-week bowling season begins the Sunday after Labor Day and finishes in early December. Parishioners bowl at Bowl America in Gaithersburg from 6-9 p.m. on Sundays; the per-person session fee is about $18. Players of mixed skill levels achieve competitive parity by handicap.
• Coordinator: Richard Beitner, 301-460-3971 

• Members help promote activities to strengthen families and marriage. Interim Coordinator: Trish Olin, 301-840-9692

• The Café is designed to encourage parishioners to stay and mingle with each other after Mass, helping create a more vibrant community and also providing an opportunity for parishioners to learn about available ministries and sign up for them. Members of this ministry will help provide coffee and doughnuts after the morning Masses and pizza and soft drinks after later Masses. 
• Coordinators: Sylvia Jones,  301-762-6564 and Marianne Moore, 301-706-6900

• Members will support planning and coordinating an inaugural International Night event, where parishioners will share information about their country of origin and enjoy food.
• Coordinator: Wendel Hall, 202-744-3250

• This ministry provides a monthly program to welcome new parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi, encourage their participation in two or more ministries, explain the history and goals of the parish, and establish expectations for new parishioners. Those involved in the ministry help welcome new parishioners at monthly gatherings and follow up with newly registered parishioners. Individuals with a Virtus certification are also sought to help provide babysitting for families with young children during the gatherings.
• Interim Coordinator: Georgana Finn, 240-393-8182. 

• The goal of the ministry is to ensure people living in or near St. Francis of Assisi Parish know about us and are invited to join us in worship. The ministry discerns how to communicate with the various audiences, so that they will take the first step of coming to a mass or a parish event. People with interest or experience in advertising / marketing, event planning, public relations, communications strategy, or who have been involved with similar initiatives are highly encouraged to join. Those with no experience in these areas but who have a strong interest in this ministry are welcome, as well!
• Coordinator: Fr. Jack Berard  301- 840-1407.

• Members assist with planning and executing the annual St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day Parish Picnic held in early October. Responsibilities include decorating; setting up and breaking down the room; and coordinating, cooking and serving food.
• Coordinator: Sylvia Jones, 301-762-6564

• Participants provide all parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi with current information for which they would normally contact the parish office. The Information Desk will also welcome new parishioners and provide a way for them to register.
• Coordinator: Chris King 240-683-1355

• Members will help with dances and parties; coffee and punch; the St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day Parish Picnic, the Montgomery County Fair, the Pancake Supper, etc.
• Coordinator: Sylvia Jones, 301-762-6564