Missions

Receiving Heifer Ark

A Serving Community...
With God's help, we believe that our baptism calls us to reach out to those beyond our walls in love and service. The primary means for doing this is through the work of our mission committee, which works ecumenically to support the CROP Walk each fall, serves at the Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen in Worcester, and offers various other volunteer opportunities. We also put together at various holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) food baskets that are delivered to those in need in the Wachusett Region. We see missional giving as the backbone of our life together -- more than anything else it defines who we are as servants of Jesus Christ. Opportunities exist throughout the year to serve others; the best way to learn about them is to become a part of our parish family and to participate as they arise.

St. Francis has a very active Mission committee serving local areas as well as our brothers and sisters around the world.

This past year we dispersed more than $39,000 to organizations such as Wachusett Food Pantry, Dismas House, Welcome Aldrich Fund, United Thank Offering, Crop Walk, Worcester County Food Bank, Abby's House, Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance, Centro Las Americas, Episcopal Relief and Development, and the Diocese of Jerusalem. We have also been consistent supporters of Heifer International, earning our 7th Ark Award in 2009.


In 2007 we began a relationship with Fundacion Cristosal, a nonprofit organization established to assist the Episcopal Church of El Salvador. Through this partnership we have supported an agricultural project to help approximately 30 families learn sustainable agriculture and farming. The produce grown not only feeds their families, but also helps to support the families financially as well. During these past two years we have sent two groups of St. Francis members to El Salvador to spend time worshipping and learning of Christ's love together. They have been witnesses of the hope and signs of His presence in the world outside of Holden, MA.