Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is one of the most personal functions of a church. At St. Francis, we are deeply committed to helping our members and their families through the peaks and valleys of life.
We offer a range of spiritual support services provided by our priests and trained volunteers. We provide rituals of Blessing or Thanksgiving like Weddings, Baptisms, Home Blessings or our annual Blessing of the Backpacks or Blessing of the Pets.
We also have services to minister to those in Recovery or Home-bound like Visitation, Lay Eucharistic Ministry, and Prayer Requests.
One of the most difficult times in any person's life is dealing with Grief or Loss and we offer ways to comfort, guide and assist with Last Rites, Funerals and Memorial Services, Grief Support, and End of Life Preparation & Planning.
Weddings
Preparing for Holy Matrimony
St. Francis is pleased to offer support and assistance in making your wedding a joyful, Christ-centered experience. It is our belief that in a Celebration and Blessing of Marriage, the Christian family gathers to celebrate and to ask God’s blessing upon the commitment in which a man and a woman pledge life-long fidelity and love. This act of worship is an important beginning in the creation of a healthy relationship. The reason for making this public and solemn covenant in the Church is to recognize that such a relationship is built only with God’s help.
Planning Your Wedding at St. Francis
To learn more about holding your wedding at St. Francis, please contact the church office (832.325.2983) to schedule a meeting with a member of our clergy.
Recovery or Home-Bound
Please contact Sally Jo Flores at 832.325.2983 or via email to assist with any pastoral needs.
Prayer Requests
Parishioners are encouraged to request inclusion in our prayer list, for both themselves and their close relatives. This is one of the best ways that the church family can support its members.
Visitation
Our priests and volunteers are available to visit ill and recovering parishioners and provide them with prayer support. This can be done at home, at a hospital or treatment facility, or over the phone.
Lay Eucharistic Ministry
Specially-trained volunteers, who are licensed by the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, take communion to parishioners who are unable to attend church.
Prayer Shawls
The loving hands of our parish create these beautiful shawls for recovering parishioners. These are unique creations, blessed by our clergy, that wrap the recipient in love. If you know someone who needs this kind of support, please contact Sally Jo Flores (832.325.2983). If you are blessed with the creative skill to knit or crochet, please consider joining our Prayer Shawl Group.
Baptisms
The Meaning
Holy Baptism is the initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ and His Body—the Church. The bond which God establishes in baptism is permanent and represents the outward and visible sign of Christ’s grace at work in our lives now and forever. Through baptism we are buried with Christ in His death. We also share in Christ’s resurrection and are born from above by the Holy Spirit.
In the Episcopal Church, baptism is the entry rite into the Christian life. Baptism is the only requirement for joining in the Holy Eucharist and all other ministries of the Church.
Scheduling a Baptism
The sacrament of Holy Baptism is available for infants, children, and adults. For more information please contact Sally Jo Flores (832.325.2983) to talk with a member of our clergy.
Blessing of the Backpacks
We invite you to join us for a very special back-to-school tradition: our annual Blessing of the Backpacks! Students of all ages are encouraged to bring their backpacks to church and receive a blessing for the school year. Going back to school can be a source of both great excitement and anxiety, and we love to send our children out with the positive energy of our prayers for their safety, health, happiness, and continued growth!
Grief or Loss
Contact Sally Jo Flores at sally@sfch.org for immediate assistance.
Last Rites
A member of our clergy is on-call to administer the prayers at the time of death to our parishioners.
Funerals & Memorial Services
We offer support in the time of loss to our parishioners and our local community.
Grief Support
The loss of a loved one is often the hardest thing we face in this life. If you would like support in this difficult time, please us know.
Grief Group
Led by Father Bates
End-of-Life Preparation & Planning
We hold a class each spring on end-of-life planning that includes insurance, finances, property, and service arrangements. Please watch the church calendar for the announcement of the next class. The workbook that we use, which has many valuable resources, is available year-round in the church office.
Blessing of the Pets
St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals and the natural environment. In his honor, near his feast day in early October, our parish holds a very special Blessing of the Animals service. For this wonderful event, you and your children are invited to bring your pets – whether large or small – to the church for a blessing.
