Register a youth NOW for the Conference! Space is limited. Student responsibility is $250. This does NOT include the contribution of sponsors needed. They need to be at least in 9th grade by November 2019. (For those in 8th grade, think ahead!) This is a bi-annual event. Don’t miss this life-changing event with 25,000 other young Catholics from around the country! Fantastic music and speakers! Website: www.ncyc.info.
On a rainy Saturday morning, October 8, 2016, the ASP team braved the weather to build a ramp for a St. Francis de Sales Parishioner. What a great day of service and fellowship. The Knights of Columbus Council #3489 came to our ASP team and asked if they could build a ramp for a Knight and long time parishioner.
ASP didn't hesitate and got right to work.
Great job to all who participated!!
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ASP Team Blessing/Commissioning Service
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On June 11, 2016 the 2016 ASP team received a special blessing and commissioning during the 5:30 Mass at St. Francis de Sales. Also during this service, the 10 quilts handmade by parishioners were blessed and given to the ASP team. These quilts will be presented by the youth of the parish to the families they will be serving.
The team is pumped up and ready to head out to do their part in making homes warmer, safer, and drier in Magoffin County, KY. They will leave the church parking lot on Saturday morning, June 18th, between 7:45 - 8:00 am. Come out to see them off and wish them well. Your continued prayers for the youth and adult leaders are appreciated.
ASP Team Builds Ramp For Salisbury Woman
On 4/16/2016 the 2016 ASP team swarmed Patterson Ave in Salisbury to construct a wheelchair ramp for Ms. Mary Anne. Although it was a very long day, we all had a great time making sure Ms. Mary Anne could get into her house when she is released from the hospital. Her sister, Ms. Nellie, was very grateful for the hard work of the ASP team. The ramp looks great!! Way to go St. Francis ASP!!
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ASP Participates in Youth Ministry Pilgrimage
Youth from our 2016 ASP Team participated in the parish youth ministry pilgrimage to Wilmington DE on Saturday March 19, 2016. 20 SFdS pilgrims were part of approximately 800 youth and adults from the entire diocese who walked the city streets of Wilmington with Bishop Malooly, carrying the Pilgrimage Cross from parish to parish.
Activities included an opening prayer service, entertainment by the incredible Catholic musician, Noelle Garcia, the chance to celebrate Reconciliation at St. Anthony of Padua, Stations of the Cross in Tilton Park, Eucharistic Adoration at St. Paul, Blessing of the Palms at St. Hedwig, and entering St. Elizabeth Church through the Holy Door to celebrate Mass for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord with Bishop Malooly.
While our feet were tired after the day long journey, our hearts were full and prepared for Holy Week.
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SFdS ASP Team Builds Ramp for Local Family
Over 50 youth and adults from the St. Francis ASP team took time out of their Halloween day to assist a local family by building a wheelchair ramp and replace an entry door. It was a great day spent in fellowship and service with not only their teammates, but with the residents as well. It was a busy day of construction, however, several members took time to sing around the piano with the homeowner while others started a backyard football game with the teenagers in the family. A great time was had by all. They ended the day with new friendships and left the family with a warmer, safer, and drier home!
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Making Homes Warmer, Safer, and Drier….
Every year, more than 15,000 youth from around the country come to rural Central Appalachia to help Appalachia Service Project (ASP) repair homes for low-income families. They bring boundless energy and spread tons of hope. Youth and adults from St Francis de Sales Parish will once again participate in this ministry in 2016.
Our group will began to prepare in September 2015 and will meet at least once a month, participate in parish functions and build wheelchair ramps locally for those in need. In June of 2016 the team will depart on a week long mission trip to central Appalachia.
ASP’s goal is to make homes warmer, safer, and drier for families in need. We’ll install insulation. Repair porches. Reinforce foundations. But ASP is more than just a building program—forging friendships is as important as swinging hammers. We’ll get to know the families we’re serving, and will come home closer as a church family.
Yes, Salisbury and Appalachia’s poorest families urgently need our help, but they will change our lives too. Because when we put our faith into action, God acts in our hearts. And when we change the lives of others, they have a way of changing us.
Please consider joining us this year. Meetings begin in September. Can't join us but want to help? Pray for us. Please lift up our ASP team, the families we serve, and this ministry as a whole.
Appalachia Service Project (ASP) provides one of the most rewarding structured service opportunities in the nation -- bringing thousands of volunteers from around the country to rural Central Appalachia to repair homes for low-income families. But ASP is more than just a home repair program. Yes, Appalachia's poorest families urgently need your help, but they can help change your life, too. Because when you change the lives of others, they have a way of changing you.
After a few days of hard work repairing homes with ASP, your hands will grow a little tougher, your arms a little stronger, and your relationship with God a whole lot deeper. You'll return home to your community with a passion for service, a renewed compassion for other people, and a fresh appreciation for your place and purpose in this world. Best of all, you'll discover first-hand that regardless of geography, education, or economic class, we are all equal members of the family of God.
We like to say that our goal is to make homes "warmer, safer and drier" for needy families. And for more than 40 years, we've done exactly that for thousands of families. Yet for all that, we are only able to serve one in ten families who apply to us for help. We need many, many more volunteers to make a lasting dent in Appalachian poverty.
In other words, we need you.
So come on and join us. Sure, you'll install insulation. Repair porches. Reinforce foundations. But even more importantly, you'll build a whole new you.
St Francis ASP is currently looking for participants for the upcoming year. If you are interested in joining the St. Francis de Sales ASP team please let us know. Send us an email at parish@visitstfrancis.org or call the Parish Office at 410-742-6443
