OUR PARISH

St. Francis de Sales is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. As a Catholic community of faith, we acknowledge that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.

We are a welcoming community with deep roots in Morgantown and north central West Virginia, and a parish where people come together to support one another and grow in their faith. Our parish is committed to serving Christ by serving those in need, both locally and globally. We do this through various ministries, including providing food, clothing, and supporting organizations, such as Catholic Charities and Christian Help.

As a parish community, we believe in the importance of caring for one another. We strive to create a supportive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. We offer a variety of opportunities for people to get involved and serve others.

If you are exploring the Catholic faith, we invite you to join us on your journey. Our parish offers an OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) class to help you learn more about the Catholic Church and its teachings. The OCIA process involves attending weekly classes, participating in small group discussions, and attending Mass regularly. Through this process, you will have the opportunity to deepen your relationship with Jesus and become fully initiated into the Catholic Church through reception of the sacraments. The seven sacraments in the Catholic Church are instituted by Christ himself, are scripturally based, and administered by the church.

Rev. Monsignor Anthony Cincinnati, STD, Pastor

Rev. Mr. Pierce Murphy, Deacon

• April Lawrence, Parish Operations Coordinator, april.lawrence@stfrancisdesalesparish.com
• Judy Pazerski, Office Assistant, parishoffice@sfdsmgtn.com
• Karen Modzik, M.Ed., DRE/Safe Environment Coordinator, karenmodzikdre@gmail.com
• Julia Giuliani, MM, Director of Liturgical Music, julia@stfrancisdesalesparish.com 304-296-9710
• Donna Kinsey, Parish Organist, dlkmusic@comcast.net
• Janet Lawrence, CPA, Accounting/Finance, jblpurplecpa@yahoo.com
• Richard Bell, Facilities/Maintenance Coordinator, rich3767@aol.com
• Robert Phipps, Technology Coordinator, communications@stfrancisdesalesparish.com

We are conveniently located just off Exit 1 of I-68. Turn right onto US 119 south, then take the first left onto Guthrie Lane, which is at the intersection with Hornbeck Road. Ample parking is available and our building is handicap accessible. Click here to see our location on Google Maps.

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism: For infants and children under the age 7, parents must be registered and attending Mass at least 4 months prior to baptism at the parish. First time parents, please contact the parish office to schedule an initial meeting before the requested celebration can be scheduled. The meeting is an opportunity to learn more about the parents and to secure their understanding of the parental faith commitment placed on their shoulders in growing the Household of God, which is the Church. Our entire sacramental life is based on the foundation of Holy Baptism. Once parents have made the initial contact with the parish, they are free to request (future) baptism celebrations for the children that may follow their first child, but without repeating the formal initial meeting with the deacon or pastor.

The Sacrament of Baptism during the Mass is conducted by the priest celebrant. Baptisms after Mass may be celebrated by either the deacon or the priest. Customarily we rotate such celebrations, mindful of the deacon’s availability to assist with the weekly parish liturgical schedule.

Confirmation: In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is “sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit” and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ. The Diocese requires Sacramental preparation for Confirmation for ninth graders to be a 2 year program, beginning with a religious education class in eight grade at the parish or a Catholic school, and a special Confirmation class at the parish during the ninth grade year. Please visit our Faith Formation page for more information.

Eucharist: Mass is celebrated daily at St. Francis de Sales.

Weekday Masses are in the Daily Mass Chapel (enter by the side door to the left of the front entrance) except for School Masses (typically Thursdays). Weekday Masses are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 8:30 am; Wednesday at 7 pm; and Friday at 7:30 am.

Sunday Masses are celebrated on Saturday at 5:15 pm (anticipated), and Sunday at 8 and 10 am.

Holy Communion to the Sick/Homebound: We believe those who are unable to attend Sunday Mass because of age or illness should not be deprived of their place in the Eucharistic Community. Please contact the parish office to arrange for a minister to visit.

Sacaraments of Healing

Penance & Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:00 – 4:45 pm or by appointment. This sacrament is a powerful instrument of Christ’s healing and merciful love for us. The Good Shepherd wants us to experience His healing touch in abundance! All of us should be celebrating the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation regularly, at least once a year, regardless of our physical health condition.

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is administered by a priest. In addition to your resident pastor, we are blessed to have a diocesan assigned, full-time Catholic priest to assist with our local Morgantown Hospitals. The chaplain’s name and number may be acquired by calling our Parish Office staff.

Additional opportunities are available during the season of Lent and Advent; please consult the bulletin for additional times.

Anointing of the Sick: Sacrament of Anointing is administered by the priest to baptized Catholics in need of healing, comfort, strength and peace. Formerly called Extreme Unction or simply “Last Rites”, now the Sacrament has been amplified in usage for more than those who are terminally ill or dying. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church graciously extends the grace of this Sacrament for those who are ill, but not necessarily dying, the hospitalized, the surgerybound and for the elderly whose health and wellness may be in a natural state of decline. Emergency situations remain inevitable, without advanced notice, but we encourage those who are scheduled for surgery or a hospital stay to contact the Parish Office beforehand so this Sacrament may be administered. We offer the Sacrament of Anointing for our parishioners in need at least once a year in a community celebration. Often times, before or after any scheduled Mass, you may have witnessed me celebrating the Anointing of the Sick for an individual or small group. HIPAA regulations make it somewhat cumbersome or even difficult to glean information directly from healthcare institutions, so the best course of action is always a direct contact with the parish by the individual or immediate family member. We are not contacted by the hospital or healthcare facility as a part of one’s admission or discharge process. Of course, the Sacrament may be celebrated in the home, hospital or healthcare facility as well.

When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age. (from the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults)

Sacraments of Calling

Marriage: Marriage is a vocation, the most important lifework for those who embark upon it. Couples planning marriage should contact the parish office (parishoffice@sfdsmgtn.com) at least six months in advance, making arrangements to meet with the pastor. After meeting with the pastor, a date may be set. Marriage preparation will be scheduled with the pastor or deacon. Those seeking marriage should be active Catholics participating in the sacramental life of the parish. Parish membership and regular Mass attendance are required.