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Principles for Parish Life and Ministry

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Dec 31, 2022

Principles for the community and our parish in ministry, but also great principles for life in the world. THY WILL BE DONE - Are we completely giving ourselves over to God’s will? And embracing the high adventure of His plan, over our plan, wherever that may lead? LOVE OUR PEOPLE - Are we loving our people above all else and as if they are Jesus in disguise? Are we detached from things, money, power, honor and comfort, so we are free to love people most fully? Are we helping each person take...

A View from the Kitchen Window

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Dec 28, 2022

As part of formation for solemn vows as a Franciscan friar, you spend a whole year living outside the world of formation and studies. You live with a friar community involved in full-time ministry. I was assigned to a large parish in Raleigh, N.C. It was a large parish with almost 5,000 households and lots of ministries, meetings, activities, and all manner of things that occurred day and night. One weekday evening after finishing a meal and cleaning up in the kitchen, I happened to look out...

Welcoming at Christmas

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Dec 12, 2022

The days of Christmas are quickly approaching, your shopping isn’t finished (…. maybe not started!), the end-of-year activities at work are reaching deadlines, the tree is not up, the kids have a school Christmas play tomorrow night (… “Mom, is my costume ready?”…what costume?), the toy drive at the church is ready to wrap and deliver packages (I think we signed up to help as a family? .... maybe?), and…and… oh my gosh, the in-laws are coming to stay with us this Christmas. Even amidst the...

Thanksgiving 2022

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Nov 24, 2022

Take a Hike!

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Nov 11, 2022

Whether you're new to hiking or an avid trailblazer, Prince William, VA has a wide variety of scenic hikes to enjoy. Hike through hallowed grounds, challenge your stamina, or enjoy a family-friendly excursion - here are 9 hikes that you won’t want to miss. St. Francis of Assisi Care for Creation Ministry 1. Deep Cut Loop Trail Head over to Manassas National Battlefield Park for a 1.2-mile historic hike along Deep Cut Loop Trail. This awesome trail follows the line of the unfinished Manassas...

Just Because Day

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Nov 11, 2022

Many people attribute this saying to St. Francis: “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words when necessary.” He never said it. In fact, St. Francis was all about words: words to glorify God, words to give praise to God’s works in nature, words for repentance, and most of all, the Word of God. What about you? Do you only use words when it’s absolutely necessary? Maybe it’s just easier to send someone a text or e-mail. What would happen if you said something to someone when they weren’t...

2022 Pastoral Council Candidates

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Oct 14, 2022

Pastoral Council Candidate: Robert Allen Registered at St. Francis: 25 years Experience in Parish ministries/programs: I, along with my wife, have been a Eucharistic Minister for at least 10 years. Why I want to serve: This parish is a very open, welcoming, inclusive community that has had a tremendous, positive impact on my spiritual life. I want to start actively participating in parish activities to help the parish continue to successfully provide that spiritual and communal support in the...

Online Giving: Do I need to change?

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Oct 10, 2022

What is most important? Giving gratefully in a way in which you are comfortable! If you already give via Pay-Pal or transfer from your bank (check, ACH or EFT) – there is no need to change. You can still create an account with the new Online Giving System from Our Sunday Visitor. Why? It will be the easiest way to give to collections such as disaster relief, Sister Parish in Peru, special collections, and other emerging needs. What if I use envelopes? Again, no need to change. But as someone...

Grateful for you, hopeful for the future

by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Oct 5, 2022

I remember the first time as a pastor I had to promote the bishop’s annual appeal in another diocese. It was a $300,000 target that was not a “best effort” campaign. It was a hard number that would either be raised by the appeal or would be made up by taking funds from Sunday Offertory. In that diocese there was no monthly contribution from a parish to the diocese. The annual appeal was the means by which the diocese funded everything from Catholic Charities, seminarian education and...

The Virtue of Tolerance

by Fr. John O'Connor OFM | Sep 27, 2022

We have all had our moments when we are tempted “to call down heavens fire” if someone acts in a way that we don’t approve of, or doesn’t meet our standards of behavior. We can be very critical. Should someone dare to undermine our agenda or become an obstacle to our plans, we can become impatient or judgmental. We should be asking why the other person feels as they do, or try to see things from their perspective, but too often we do not. In this passage of the gospel, Jesus teaches the...

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