Our Ministries

Adult Faith Formation

Nourish your faith with our Adult Faith Formation opportunities. Attend a retreat, join a Bible study, or become part of a Small Church Community. We have prayer groups and seminars for men, women, married couples, single parents, those divorced, those in grief, and those who simply want to learn more about their faith.

Adult Faith FormationACTS RetreatsAdult ConfirmationBaptism PreparationBible StudyCircle of Widowed WomenCentering PrayerENDOW Women's StudyGrief Support SeminarLife Beyond DivorceLord, Teach Me to PrayMarriage FormationRite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)Seasonal MissionsSingle-Parent MinistrySmall Church CommunitiesWomen in the SpiritYoung Adult Ministry

Join Us for Adult Faith Formation

While the children are participating in faith formation, join us for adult faith formation classes and show by example that you also want to learn more about your faith and grow in a deeper relationship with God. We are glad to offer adult faith formation classes at the following times in the San Damiano Building and on Zoom. Parents and non-parents alike are welcome!

  • Sunday 10:00-11:00 a.m. Emmaus Room
  • Tuesday 4:30-5:30 p.m. Emmaus Room

Our Fall 2023 Adult Faith Formation begins on Sunday, September 10 and Tuesday, September 12. We will be studying Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Father Gregory Boyle, S.J.

For twenty years, Father Boyle has run Homeboy Industries, a gang intervention program located in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, the gang capital of the world.

In Tattoos on the Heart, he distills his experience working in low-income areas into a breathtaking series of parables inspired by faith. Arranged by theme, these essays offer a stirring look at how full our lives could be if we find the joy in loving others and in being loved unconditionally. From giant, tattooed Cesar, shopping at JCPenny fresh out of prison, we learn how to feel worthy of God’s love. From ten-year-old Lula, we learn the importance of being known and acknowledged. From Pedro, we understand the kind of patience necessary to rescue someone from the darkness. In each chapter, we benefit from Boyle’s gentle, hard-earned wisdom.

We meet on Sundays from 10 am to 11 am after the 8:30 am Mass; or you may also attend on Tuesdays from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Both classes meet in the Emmaus Room in San Damiano.
The book is available for purchase for $12 on Amazon.

Please contact Larry Perry at lperry@sfasat.org if you have any questions.

We know that life is busy, so you are always welcome to switch between Sunday morning and Tuesday afternoon. We will cover the same content on both days each week.

Zoom Links
Sunday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting
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Tuesday 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting

ACTS Retreats

ACTS Retreats are designed to facilitate the personal spiritual growth of adult lay Catholics. Parishioners who are former ACTS retreatants serve on teams to present retreats.  Parishioners who are former ACTS team members serve on the ACTS core team, which selects each retreat’s director and oversees the facilitation of ACTS retreats. ACTS is an acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service:

Adoration: The call, acceptance and response to God

Community: Love and caring for each other as members of the body of Christ

Theology: Study of our faith through Scripture

Service: To God, each other and our parish family

To see the schedule of upcoming retreats and complete registration forms, click here.

Adult Confirmation

Preparation is available for adults who have not yet received this sacrament. Adults who desire to receive the sacrament of Confirmation prepare through formal instruction, reflection, and group discussion. Contact Deacon Johnny Flores about new classes forming.

Baptism Preparation

Baptism is the first Sacrament of Initiation in the church, through which we die to our old selves, and sin, and rise out of the waters into a new life in Christ Jesus. In the symbols of water, fire (light), oils, and white clothing, the living God comes upon the one Baptized and claims them for God’s own. God says, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). That person is forever marked as a child of God and heir to the kingdom.

For information on Baptism of a child 7 years old or older, please contact Larry Perry at the parish office: 210.492.4600, Ext. 211.

Classes are required for parents and sponsors. We offer classes for those who plan to have their child baptized at St. Francis of Assisi Church, as well as for parishioners who will be sponsors at another parish. Deacon Jim Hewson organizes these classes. If you wish to contact Deacon Jim, please call the office and we will put you in touch with him. To read more information about baptism preparation, classes, and schedule, please click baptisms.

Bible Study

We offer group Bible studies in the fall and in the spring led by trained facilitators. Each study focuses on one of the books, writers, or themes found in holy scripture. We are pleased to offer both a Tuesday morning study and a Wednesday evening study to fit any schedule.

Circle of Widowed Women

We invite you to gather to reconnect with women you know and meet other women who share the experience of losing their spouse. We share our experiences, pray with and for each other, and determine how we can move forward by expressing our needs and concerns and remain connected. Please call Terri Nañez at 210.213.0484 for more information.

francis at the ambo

Centering Prayer

Has God been calling you to silent prayer? Consider adding contemplative prayer to your prayer life. For more information, please contact Karen Jones at kbarj@hotmail.com or call 210. 854. 7818.

endow girls laughing

Endow Women’s Study

Endow is an acronym that stands for Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women. Engage in reading and lively discussion based on course material that combines Catholic teaching, history, and Scripture to explore and understand what it means to be a feminine person created and loved by God. Register online at www.endowonline.org. For more information, please contact Julie Mellin at 210.416.4536 or mellinjulie@hotmail.com.

•     One day per week

•    Thursday mornings from 10:30 am – 12 pm

Grief Support Seminar

Grief Support Seminar offers a time for healing to those grieving during the holidays. Led by a team who have suffered loss, this seminar series allows attendees to share their experiences and join with others in prayer.

Life Beyond Divorce

Life Beyond Divorce is a four-part series for those who are divorced, in the process of divorce, or remarried and struggling with a past divorce. Each session offers prayer, group discussion, and testimony during a special time of grace and transformation.

Lord, Teach Me to Pray

“Lord, Teach Me To Pray” (LTMTP) is a three-part prayer series, rooted in Ignatian spirituality and designed to help women and men learn how to pray. The three parts are taken in succession. Each part is a prerequisite for the next part. For more information, please contact Nan Balfour at nanbalfour@yahoo.com.

Click here for more information.

retreat formation all day

Marriage Formation

Those engaged couples who are associated with St. Francis of Assisi are asked to contact Deacon Mike Portele as soon as engaged; however, it must be a minimum of nine months prior to your expected wedding date. Marriage preparation will be outlined during your meeting with Deacon Mike. A wedding date can only be finalized after all marriage formation is completed.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

Our RCIA program offers non-Catholic adults, or adults who have yet to complete all their sacraments of initiation, preparation and instruction on joining the Catholic Church. Meetings begin with the 8:30 am Sunday Mass, followed by group discussion and instruction.

For more information, contact Larry Perry at lperry@sfasat.org.

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Seasonal Missions

Parish Missions in Advent and Lent enrich parishioners’ celebration of these Church seasons. A guest speaker begins the mission during all weekend Masses and continues with a reflection and prayer service for the three following evenings.

Mary Claire and Andrew four EDITED_16-9

Single-Parent Ministry

Our Single-Parent Ministry was formed in 2015 with the following goals:

  • For single parents to know that they have a place in our Church and in our parish.
  • For single parents to pray and reflect on scripture together and find community through a common experience.
  • For single parents to participate more fully in our parish, through social and service events.

Please consider joining us if you:

  • Are a single parent, with a child aged infancy to adult.
  • Are looking for community, support, and friendship in your parenting journey.
  • Are interested in a regular time of prayer and reflection.
  • Are interested in attending social events, with and without your children.

For more information, contact Mary Claire Scholl at mcbecan@gmail.com

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Small Church Communities

Small Church Communities (SCCs) are groups of parishioners who meet regularly to study weekly Scripture readings, share their faith, and discuss God’s invitations to service and action. Groups often are formed by parishioners with a shared experience such as an ACTS retreat or the RCIA process. Contact Larry Perry in the parish office for more information.

Women in the Spirit Last Day

Women in the Spirit

Our Women in the Spirit sessions meet on the first Wednesday of the month from 9:30 am – 11:30 am in the John Paul II Room from September through May.  We study different writers of Catholic spirituality each year and meet for prayer and discussion. For more information, please contact Lorraine Bedingfield at raineybed@gmail.com or Gloria Lopresti at jloglo@gmail.com.

• First Wednesday of Each Month from September-May

• 9:00 am – 11:30 am

• John Paul II Room

May 2016 Group Photo

Young Adult Ministry

Who is a young adult? The definition varies depending on who you ask. Some young adults are in college, some have graduated, some are single, and some are married with children. This makes young adults key players in the future of the Church.

The St. Francis Young Adult Ministry seeks to create, maintain, and nurture a place in the parish community where young adults will enter together more deeply into the life of Jesus Christ and the Church.

The group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month and has at least one social event a month.

The group is open for all young adults in their early twenties to late thirties. Keep up to date with everything going on in the group by joining the group in the parish app, the Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/sfayoungadult, or email sfa.youngadultgrp@gmail.com.

Welcome to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church