Parish Life & Events

A parish is more than just a group of people that prays and rejoices in the sacraments together; they also play together, support each other in good times and bad, and work together to better the church and their community. St. Francis Xavier has a very active Parish Life program that assists parishioners with celebrations such as weddings and other sacraments, as well as funerals and bereavement, community outreach and support, Hispanic Ministry, and opportunities for parish-wide fellowship.

The pastoral council of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church assists the pastor through proposals on missionary, catechetical and apostolic initiatives. Operating within specific bylaws, the council works with the clergy and church staff for the betterment of our parish. The parish council is open to any and all suggestions from parishioners; please contact Deacon Chris via email. 

Time and Talent

Being a good steward is being a good disciple. All of us have been blessed. We have unique contributions to make to the work of the Church, both as individuals and as families. By sharing our time and talent, we have the opportunity to take ownership in the parish.

There are opportunities to share our time and talent with our parish, either continuing programs, committees or in the new involvements within our parish life. The bulletin will have opportunities to share time and talent for upkeep or improvement to the Church facilities. In this way, we can become faithful stewards. As people who live our faith more fully. Jesus said nothing about wanting church members, but he was emphatic about his followers being true disciples.

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. In all things glorify God. 1 Peter 4:10

Treasure

Our ability to earn money is a gift from God. Returning a percentage of our treasure back to God is one way that we live our faith.

Just like our family households, our parish community needs financial resources in order to operate, serve, and minister. God provides for these needs through you – you ARE the parish.

Prayerfully reflect on what your financial contribution to your parish should be. The amount is never as important as the spirit of generosity in giving. We may contribute money, but our real gift is LOVE.

Each year, parishioners formalize their commitment to sacrificial giving, a pledge between themselves and God, at Mass.

What return shall I make to the Lord, for all God has given me?

Why St. Francis Xavier School?

Graduates from St. Francis Xavier Catholic school stand at the threshold of young adulthood.  They have developed spiritually, mentally, emotionally, socially, and physically in our nurturing environment.  During their years here, they have cultivated strengths, abilities, and characteristics that will serve them well throughout life. They know how to reason and write well, problem solving, study, and value education.  While here they have experienced the important lessons learned from success and failure, joy and disappointment, winning and losing. Our students leave here knowing that Christ is the reason for this school.  He is the unseen but, ever-present teacher in our classrooms.  He is the model for our faculty and the inspiration for our students.

Visit our website at www.sfxcs.org.

Our High School Youth Group is a great opportunity for the young people of our parish to grow together in faith, fellowship and fun! We meet each Wednesday during the school year beginning at 3:30 in the Youth Room of the St. Joseph Family Center (old school) for snacks, games and homework, followed by group activities at 4:30, dinner at 5:15, a spiritual lesson at 6:00 and Holy Mass at 7:00 pm. For more information, contact Deacon Chris via email or call the parish office.

St. Francis Xavier operates under the guidance of the Safe Environment Director with the Diocese of Savannah. All clergy and volunteers within the parish are safe environment certified through Virtus.

For more information about the Diocese of Savannah’s Safe Environment policy, please click here.

Our parish ChristLife Ministry is a  a lay-led initiative at the parish comprised of families, couples and individuals who love our Lord and want to come together to share His Good News with each other and others who might not know Him. ChristLife is for anyone and everyone, Catholic or non-Catholic, who is wondering about the meaning of their life, seeking a personal relationship with Christ, and/or wants to grow as a disciple of the Lord.

ChristLife meets on most Thursdays (see the bulletin or Flocknote for the schedule) in the narthex, beginning with a potluck dinner at 6:00 pm and followed by the program and discussion at 6:30 pm. For more information, contact John and Patti LaNeve via email.

Contact the Church Office for more information.

Vincentian ministry is a call to holiness through service to the poor. The St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP), founded by Blessed Frederic Ozanam, is a Catholic lay agency that offers person-to-person service to our neighbors in need. SVdP has been serving Georgia since 1903 and is the oldest and largest statewide social services organization in Georgia. The mission of SVdP is to serve our neighbors with love and respect: delivering help, hope, and pathways to self-sufficiency.

The St. Francis Xavier and St. William Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society helps families in numerous ways, including financial assistance for utilities and other housing-related needs as well as providing food through the SVdP Society Food Pantry, located at the thrift store. Regular weekly food distribution takes place at the pantry door located on Grant Street each Thursday from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.

Operations at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is supported locally by St. Francis Xavier and St. William Catholic Churches. This ministry depends upon financial donations in addition to non-perishable foods, clothing, small appliances, furniture, and other goods. Committed volunteers are always needed to process donations for the store, distribute food from the pantry, and counsel those requesting financial aid. If you are seeking a way to grow closer to God through meaningful friendships and love of neighbor, please contact Paula Donovan through the parish office at (912) 265-3249 or stop by the SVdP Thrift Store located at 1217 Newcastle Street to fill out a volunteer application.

Store hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday.