July 2015

June 2016

Parish Annual Report

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Frisco, Texas

8000 Eldorado Parkway • Frisco, Texas 75033 • 972-712-2645

Pastor’s Reflection

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October 1, 2016 As I reflect on this past fiscal year, I’m filled with joy at the many wonderful liturgical cele-

brations and community events we have shared together. But I am also noting that in 2016

we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our founding, first as a Mission and then as a Parish. I

thought it appropriate to provide you the story of how we became to be St. Francis of Assisi

Catholic Church in Frisco.

In the mid-1960s, a group of Mexican Catholics living in and around Frisco went to the pas-

tor of St. Michael’s in McKinney, the closest parish to Frisco, and asked the pastor to come

each Sunday and celebrate Mass for them. He explained that he could not come each Sun-

day, but he would be happy to celebrate Masses one Sunday per month in homes in Frisco. What did those Mexican

Catholics do the other 3 Sundays? They bought an old bus they found in a junk yard, fixed it up, and bussed them-

selves to McKinney! Amazing faith and devotion. That laid the foundation for our parish.

In 1966, the Diocese of Dallas established that outreach as an official Mission, which means that it is not quite a parish,

doesn’t have a resident priest, and is served by a “mother parish.” With the help of fundraisers and help from St. Mi-

chael, they bought an old Protestant Church that held about 50 people. Quickly outgrowing that little Church and

now with the additional help of the Diocese, a metal building at Third and Elm near downtown Frisco was built in the

mid-1970s. There was still no resident priest, but St. Michael’s pastor still couldn’t come every Sunday. So the parish

had to look for priests to come and celebrate Mass.

In the summer of 1980 I was assigned to our Holy Trinity Seminary as Vice-Rector and Professor. Just before that, the

priests assigned to the seminary took turns coming to Frisco. So, once a month, during the school year 1980-81, I took

my turn. At that time there were 2 Masses: one in Spanish for about 100 people, and one in English for about 25 peo-

ple! My, how we have now grown to about 7,000 in attendance. It is more than appropriate that we joyfully celebrat-

ed our 50th Anniversary at the 42nd Annual Mexican Dinner and Cultural on Saturday September 24.

The Gospels guide our parish life, and we at St. Francis are examples to each other, living the principles of stewardship

and Christian Discipleship, the cornerstones of our mission at St. Francis. In this 50th Anniversary year, we stand on

the shoulders of our predecessors continuing the wonders of ministry and discipleship. I believe the Holy Spirit uses

those tools to work through us to build and maintain our parish family and nurture our community. Please know that I

deeply appreciate the incredible commitment our dedicated stewards give throughout the year to our parish minis-

tries. You are all true examples of our collective parish family following in the footsteps of Our Lord.

In closing, I’d like to again welcome all those new to our parish and to also sincerely thank the entire parish family for

the kind support you have given this past year to me, Fr. Paul, Fr. Artemio and our deacons. Along with our staff, I look

forward to working with you all to have another successful year in our faith journey at St. Francis of Assisi.

In Christ,

Fr. Larry Pichard

Rev. Msgr. Larry Pichard

Pastor

“Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to Heaven” — St. Pius X

St. Francis of Assisi continues to grow along with the City of Frisco, now with over 150,000 persons and our parish with 33,847 registered parishioners. From 1 July 2015 through 30 June 2016 we added 842 new families resulting in 9,482

total registered families. The parish continues to be largely a young community, and teaching the Catholic faith to this large young population is an outstanding Faith Formation program comprised of grades K-5 (Children’s Ministry), middle

and high-school. Last year, 1450 children attended K-5 classes with classroom needs supported by 300 volunteers, in-

cluding catechists, team leaders, substitute catechists, nursery, and office volunteers. Also, our middle and high school programs enrolled 753 and 300 young persons respectively. We also have 110 Middle School catechists and 50 in High

School CORE. In addition, our caring Little Friends of St. Francis, an academic pre-school, enrolled 180 children.

This fiscal year our priests and deacons administered the Sac-

raments of Baptism to 301 persons, First Reconciliation and

First Communion to 484, Confirmation to 333 and Marriage

to 42 couples. Our parish is blessed to have so many wonder-ful Christian disciples helping our priests and deacons

through their involvement in more than 80 parish ministries.

The Ministry Model, pictured at the right, is the parish organi-

zational management mechanism to help our pastor, staff, and lay parish leaders support the parish ministries as well as the

operational and business areas our growing parish family.

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Parish Profile

Demographics

Parish Membership Mass Attendance Growth

Individual Mass Attendance Parishioner Age Breakdown

Year Average Sunday

Christmas Easter

2013/14 6,515 13,167 12,245

2014/15 6,828 13.469 13,828

2015/16 7,038 13,375 14,286

As of Total Registered

Families

Total Registered

Parishioners

30 June 2014 8,519 29,213

30 June 2015 8,702 31,243

30 June 2016 9,482 33,847

Sat 5:00 PM 12% 7:00 AM

Spanish

4%

8: 00 AM8%

9:45 AM 18%

11:30 AM 19%

1:15 PM Spanish1

6%

Sun 5:00 PM 14%

7:00 PM Spanish 9%

St. Francis Ministry Organization Model

Children,

12,638,39%

20s, 3,578, 11%

30s, 4,761, 15%

40s, 6,603, 20%

50s,

2,992, 9%60+, 1,838, 6%

“O Adorable Blood of Jesus, wash our stains, save us from the anger of the avenging angel. Irrigate the

Church; make her fruitful with Apostles and miracle-workers, enrich her with souls that are holy, pure

and radiant with divine beauty. “

A Mediation on the Precious Blood of Jesus from

St. Albert the Great Bishop and Doctor of the Church

+++++++

Liturgy Commission

Ministries:

Altar Guild

Altar Servers

Art and Environment Choir

Exposition of the Holy Eucharist

Eucharistic Ministers

Lectors Mass Facilitators

Sacristans

Ushers

Did you know? Sacraments Administered Last Year

Baptisms —301 First Reconciliation —484

First Communion —484

Confirmations—333 Marriages—42

The Liturgy Commission consists of representatives of

parish liturgical ministries who together support our pastor in planning the liturgical celebrations of the par-ish. The Commission's goal is to enhance and nourish the

sacramental life and spiritual growth of the faithful in our parish through a community process that involves

clergy and laity. Through prayer and education mem-bers of the Liturgical Commission strive to put their Catholic faith into action to carry forth our mission of

living as the Body of Christ. If you feel called to served in the liturgical ministry, please contact the Liturgy Department at 972-712-2645, ext.237, or e-mail Anneliese Rivera at arivera@stfoafrisco.org or Ismary Gonzales Igonza-lez@stfoafrisco.org, ext.241.

As we celebrate the

cultural diversity of our parish community, we strive to promote the

spiritual development of

our faith by fostering

unity and spiritual growth through life-

giving liturgies.

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St. Francis of Assisi Choir

St. Francis of Assisi Dedication Mass, December 7, 2013

At St. Francis parishioners strive to be-

come truly one Body in Christ. Our

Community Life groups live the reality

of Christian communion and fellowship

through many active lay movements,

groups, and ministries highlighted on

this page. Please contact the parish of-

fice if you wish to share your talents in

one of these ministries.

‘Humanity is loved by God! This very simple yet profound proclamation is owed

to humanity by the Church. Each Christian’s words and life must make the proc-

lamation resound: God loves you, Christ came for you, Christ is for you “the Way,

the Truth, and the Life!” (John 14:6)

Christifideles Laici , Saint John Paul II.

Our on-going support of others

is centered on the strong an-

chor of community and fellow-

ship at St. Francis and promot-

ing strong relationships in

Christ. We invite you to be in-

volved in one of the many min-

istry opportunities provided for all ages to experience fellow-

ship in Christ and increase our

bond as a parish family.

Community Life Commission

Ministries:

Boy Scouts Catholic Singles Volunteering

Cub Scouts Empty Nesters I, II, III, IV, & V

Girl Scouts Hospitality (After Mass

Donut Fellowship)

Knights of Columbus #12480

Knight’s of Columbus— Ladies Auxiliary

K of C Squires &

Squire Roses Marriage Ministry Ministry of Mother's

Sharing (M.O.M.S.) Squire Roses St. Francis Men’s and Co-

Ed Softball Teams Women of St. Francis

Young Adults Ministry

Did You Know?

The Ninth Annual St. Francis of Assisi Golf Tournament

was held on May 20 at The Trails of Frisco Golf Club—

it was a fun time for all. All proceeds from this great

event fund scholarships for parish high school seniors.

Please mark your calendars and join us for the tourna-

ment next spring. With a parish our size, we should have

as many golfers as the course can hold for the next

event.

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Empty Nesters II

Dinner Gathering

St. Francis of Assisi

Boy Scout Troop 298, Frisco, Texas

Frisco Mayor Masso with members of

Boy Scout Troop 298 at Frisco Commons

on Memorial Day.

With the welcome addition of Melissa Silvestro as the new Director of the

Adult and Family Life Ministry the parish is addressing the needs of fami-ly ministry and ongoing adult education in the parish. The growth of our parish demands that we ensure many educational opportunities to grow

in faith. Our new Adult and Family Life Ministry is meeting this im-portant need. Our Faith Formation ministries continue to serve the needs

of our parish on all levels.

Faith Formation and Adult and Family Life

Ministries:

Pre-K Sunday Class

Children’s Ministry -

Kindergarten-5th grade

RCIA for Children &

Teens

Middle School YM High School YM

Vacation Bible School

ACTS (Adoration,

Communion, Theology,

and Service)

Rite for Christian

Initiation for Adults

(RCIA)

Adult and Family Life

Bible Study

Book Club

Crossing the Goal, Men’s

Ministry

Faith Formation Update— Did you know? Did you know that the most important ingredient to being a catechist is the desire to share your faith? We aren’t looking for people who know everything, but those who have a willing heart. Want to be a catechist for

any grade level? Let us know!! We will show you how!!

We offer occasional courses that go toward diocesan certification hours for our catechists. Did you know you don’t have to be a catechist to participate and learn more about your faith? Upcoming fall classes will be

advertised in the bulletin and other parish media.

“Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.”

- St. Charles Borromeo, Cardinal-Archbishop and Confessor, Patron Saint of Catechists, Catechumens and Seminarians

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DEACON GREGG KAHRS

ADDRESSES RCIA SESSION

The annual Brown Bag Sunday organized monthly collections for Frisco Family Services, and Green Bag Sunday facilitated an an-

nual collection for the military serving overseas.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul again provided much needed

financial assistance where possible to many Frisco area residents

in need, and the Blood Drive ministry solicited donors for Carter Blood Care.

Clothe a Child, Thanksgiving Meals, and Angel Tree also provid-ed holiday family meals, clothing, and Christmas gifts to those in

need in the Frisco community.

This year’s Baby Bank collection raised a total of $6,696 for the

Catholic Pro-Life Committee, Birth Choice, and the White Rose cri-

sis pregnancy centers. $3,346 of that total, went to our parish’s pro-

life efforts.

“Do everything calmly and peacefully. Do as much as you can as well as you can. Strive

to see God in all things without exception and consent to His will joyously. Do every-

thing for God, uniting yourself to Him in word and deed. Walk very simply with the

Cross of the Lord and be at peace with yourself.” - St. Francis de Sales

A YEAR OF SERVICE The ministries of the Outreach Commission are devoted to

charitable works for people within our community. For example, our Hospital Ministry

organizes visits and brings Holy Communion to patients at Centennial Medical Center

and other local hospitals every day of the year. This Commission includes groups for

divorce support, addictions, respect life, and bereavement. Outreach ministers from

the parish visit area nursing homes and local residents who are homebound. Also, AIDS

Outreach brings meals and needed items to residents of AIDS Services of Dal-

las. Our newest Outreach ministry, Rays of Sunshine, has been re-started support to

many elderly and ill parishioners in need of help with everyday tasks. Please consider

joining any of these very worthwhile ministries.

Outreach Commission

Ministries:

AIDS Supper Club Angel Tree

Blood Drives

Brown Bag Sunday Catholic Addictions

Ministry Clothe a Child

Divorce Support Funeral Meals

Grief Ministry

Hospital Ministry Illness/New Baby Meals

Nursing Home/ Homebound

Prayer Chain

Rays of Sunshine Respect Life

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Thanksgiving Baskets

Did You Know?

We are on the web! Please visit

www.stfoafrisco.org/outreach_ministry.asp

Please consider becoming involved in one

of the above ministries which are the hu-

man extension of Our Lord’s mission on

earth. Contact information for ministry

leaders is in the weekly bulletin and on the

parish website above.

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We celebrated La Posada, Altar on All Souls’ Day, along with a variety of de-

votions and fellowship.

As part of the cultural celebration, we continued the long-held tradition with the 42th Annual Mexican Dinner and Cultural Day event in September.

The Guadalupanos celebrated the feast of the Patroness of the America on De-

cember 12th. Hundreds of people gathered to participate in the festivities such as Mañanitas, a procession, and a bilingual evening Mass.

We also celebrated the end of Christmas season with a special

celebration and the Easter with a Via-Lucis procession by the VIVE youth groups.

For the first time our Pro-life ministry provided the breakfast to

celebrate and share with all our elderly fellowships.

The Hispanic community has established more than thirty ministries that promote the spiritual growth of the Hispanic

community including Liturgy, Faith Formation, Adult and

Family Life, and Outreach. These ministries have served to promote a greater integration within the parish and local

community and are true examples of Christian Discipleship.

Hispanic Ministry —Ministerio Hispano

Some of our Ministries Liturgical Ministries

Altar Server, Ushers, Lectors, Choir, EMC, Sacristans.

Faith Formation

Hispanic Faith Formation K-8 Jr. High School, Youth Group

Spanish VBS, Why Catholic? Program, Young Adult Group,

Adult Faith Formation, RCIA

Community Life Annual Mexican Dinner and

Cultural Day , Christian Family Movement , Marriage Encounter, Guadalupanos, Conquest, Chal-lenge, Programa Mujer, Family Missions (Youth Missions)

Charismatic Prayer Group Talleres de Oración y Vida ,

Traditional Dance, MOMS, ACTS

Retreat Outreach

Prolife, Parents raising Children with special needs. English as a

Second Language, Homebound

Ministry, Parents raising Children

with Special Needs. 8

Our community congregates around 1950 people in the three

Spanish Sunday Masses. We held a Spanish Holy Hour every first Thursday of the

month, once a month the Spanish Rosary and Daily Masses-Tuesday and Friday

in Spanish-including the Anointing of the Sick once a month. We held a

bilingual Holy Hour for the Vocation intentions the second Tuesday of each

month. And once this past year the World Missionary Rosary was hosted our the

young adults group. A group promoting fellowship lived the Holy Week preach-

ing classes to adults and children during the Family Missions by visiting families

door to door in Frisco.

Special Celebrations

Did You Know?

FAITH FORMATION We offered Faith Formation courses in Spanish

for adults; Why Catholic?. 120 Hispanic youth received their First Holy

Communion, 130 Reconciliation, and 68 Confirmation.

We continued the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Children.

We offered Faith Formation classes for chil-dren with special needs, and we added new classes on Friday evening to expand this opportunity to more families.

OUTREACH

We offered for first time ministries in Spanish for family abuse, addictions and for people who lost someone to death.

ADULT AND FAMILY We offered a ministry for boys and dads to learn

to live the virtues of the Saints and to bring

those virtues to their father-son relationship.

VOCATIONS Our Spanish speaking community had Voca-

tions events such as: Holy Hour, Vocations Chalice, Vocation Night and Movie Night.

RICA Team

Our Lady of

Guadalupe

procession 2015

Charity is the sweet and holy bond which links the soul with its Creator: it binds God with man

and man with God. - Saint Catherine of Siena

St. Francis of Assisi is a thriving community of Christian Disciples who embrace, through ministry, Christ’s teachings: to

be His disciples, to follow His example in deed and word. Through 90-plus parish ministries our parish family brings

their time, talent and treasure for the good of the church and surrounding community.

Each August the community showcases its ministry life in the

Great Hall on Sign-Up weekend. We encourage you to think about being involved at St. Francis. To learn more about the basis

of stewardship or Christian Discipleship we suggest you read Stew-ardship, A Disciple’s Response: A Pastoral Letter on Stewardship, by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In this document, steward-

ship as a Christian way of life is addressed in the fullest sense. It can

be obtained via the following website: http://tinyurl.com/3cda7xc

Another suggested document, written by St. John Paul II, is Christi-fideles Laici, an Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness on the Voca-tion and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World. As you can imagine, St. John Paul’s wonderful words are clear, guiding, and easily understood; written to give insight into a life of Christian Discipleship. It is an excellent

prescription for everyone’s role from the Bishops to the Laity in today’s church. This document can also be down-

loaded from the internet at: http://tinyurl.com/3ws2nmb

Stewardship

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2013 Parish Time & Talent

Appreciation Picnic

Fr. Larry, Elia and Deacon Frank Reyna at

Fr. Larry’s 40th Anniversary celebration.

Empty Nester’s Dinner Gathering

In closing, we encourage everyone to

prayerfully reflect on his or her gifts and contemplate the question, “What is God calling me to do as His agent living a Chris-

tian life?” If you are thinking of serving in a parish ministry, please see the bulletin for a

list of ministries and the associated contact information. Also, please take time to think of family, friends, and neighbors and invite

them to join us and attend Mass regularly at St. Francis of Assisi.

Guadalupanos Dancers “Matachines”

2015 Spring High School Retreat

Stewardship Sign-Up Weekend

Chris and Deborah Sulak

give Lay Witness Talk for

the Bishop’s Capital Cam-

paign at Mass.

Since our last annual report, the parish added much needed lighting in front of the

Chapel and along the walkway leading to the west parking lot. In addition to the

increased illumination along the walkway to the west parking lot, we believe the

light poles add to the overall beauty of our parish grounds. In addition, the parish

installed in February a beautiful donor-provided glass etching of the Last Supper,

suspended inside the wooden arch in front of the tabernacle.

Your Parish Building Committee

Development

The Bishop’s Diocesan Capital Campaign

As you may remember, our parish in 2015 began a campaign to support Bishop Farrell’s $125 million Capital Cam-

paign to provide needed funds for: Catholic Schools, Holy Trinity Seminary, Catholic Charities, Diocesan Parishes,

and the Cathedral Shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our parish pledge goal was $1,995,000—we exceeded that

goal by $2 million. As a result, our parish will get back 30 percent of paid pledges up to the original goal. The parish

will receive 70 percent of paid pledges above the original goal. As of the end this fiscal year, the parish has received

$127,223. These funds, and all subsequent money received from the campaign, will go toward reducing our parish

debt. Thank you for your generosity and for keeping your pledge payments current!

Throughout the year our parishioners make day-to-day financial sacrifices in all areas of family living. I recognize

and deeply appreciate the on-going generous and sacrificial support you all made this past year to our Operating

and Building Funds. Our parish programs and outreach are sustained and improved as a result of your stewardship.

The following is a snapshot of the financial plan to build the church and chapel and how that relates to the parish

debt. This is old news to many, but new information for newly arrived parishioners. The parish Finance Council and

the Diocese approved a three-part financial plan that I addressed from the Ambo, and at each Capital Campaign in-

formation meeting during 2010. This financial model, approved by the Diocese as a condition to break ground, al-

lowed the parish to start building sooner rather than later. First, we relied on cash we had placed in the bank; second,

we conducted a three-year Capital Campaign; and lastly, we are now paying on a $8.1 million 15-year loan, which

has a fiscal year-end balance of $7.3 million. I ask that you please remember, as you consider your offertory gifts for

church operations, to also consider continuing your gifts to the Building Fund to help reduce our debt. We are going

to try, as is our history, to pay off this loan early. Thank you for your continued generosity.

In closing, I share the following background information each year for those of you who may not be familiar with par-

ish operations. St. Francis of Assisi parish is a stand-alone, self-sufficient entity within the Diocese of Dallas with an

established Finance Council, as required by Canon Law, and consisting of lay parish leaders overseeing parish financ-

es. Monthly Finance Council meetings are held, and a detailed balance sheet and income statement are presented

and thoroughly reviewed. Each year an independent review of the parish finances is conducted by an outside agency

with the results reported to the parish Finance Council and the Diocese.

For your review, the Statement of Activities Summary as well as a Statement of Financial Position

Summary are on the following page outlining the use of your thoughtful financial gifts. Again, my

sincere thanks to each of you for your generous financial support to the parish. Fr. Larry Pichard

Pastor’s Comments on 2015-16 Parish Finances

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STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

7/1/15 - 6/30/16 7/1/14 - 6/30/15

Revenues

Sunday and Holy Day Contributions 3,097,928 2,930,242

Building Fund Contributions 538,942 849,940

Diocese Capital Campaign 127,223 0

Faith Formation Registration/Sacrament Fees 199,543 189,316

Other 443,659 402,203

Total Revenues 4,407,295 4,371,701

Expenses

Compensation and Benefits 1,434,710 1,346,660

Diocesan Assessment 389,587 338,917

Interest Expense 286,850 313,999

Property and Casualty Insurance 86,890 94,972

Utilities 222,057 242,369

Facilities Management 338,229 188,107

Faith Formation 259,106 228,408

Liturgy 77,490 64,713

Outreach 41,689 42,094

General Operating Expenses 424,582 307,911

Total Expenses 3,561,190 3,168,150

NET GAIN 846,105 1,203,551

Other Expenditures Affecting Cash Flow

Debt Service - Principal Payments -620,373 -687,336

Other Capital Expenditures -367,311 -898,446

NET CASH EFFECT -141,579 -382,231

Non-Cash Expense: Depreciation Expense 1,064,707 1,019,092

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION SUMMARY

6/30/16 6/30/15

Assets

Cash and Cash Equivalents (current) 231,839 364,259

Cash and Cash Equivalents (non-current) 1,242,768 1,240,231

Investments 0 0

Prepaids and Receivables 24,495 31,212

Land and Land Improvements 3,895,364 3,809,615

Buildings 26,579,728 26,428,450

Vehicles, Equipment, Furniture 1,939,447 1,814,322

Accumulated Depreciation -6,324,849 -5,265,302

Total Assets 27,588,792 28,422,786

Liabilities

Accounts Payable 78,137 156,816

Assessment Payable to Diocese 0 30,473

Other Current 352,439 238,307

Mortgage Loan 6,699,273 7,319,646

Total Liabilities 7,129,849 7,745,242

NET ASSETS (Equity) 20,458,943 20,677,544

For more comprehensive reports, see www.stfoafrisco.org/finance-council/html