Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier

The Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier proclaims this vision of religious education:

We are called to translate this vision into practice. We do this when we gather to celebrate the Lord Jesus in liturgical action. The Liturgy is our primary catechesis, the change motivator for each of us. Within the Sunday assembly, we are nourished by God's word in the scriptures and are fed with His special presence in the Eucharist. Within the Sunday assembly, we minister Jesus to each other and so attendance at our Masses at St. Francis Xavier is vital to our spiritual life.

We believe that our children are apprentices and will learn community from the adult Christians with whom they associate. For this reason, adults are the primary focus of our religious instruction and formation. Everything we do as a community must reflect that belief.

We believe that parents are the first teachers of their children in ways of faith (Baptism ritual). The primary responsibility for all aspects of the religious education of children belongs to the parents. The entire community has the obligation to assist parents in carrying out this call from the Lord Jesus.

We believe that learning must lead to experience. Our community life must foster experiences of the Lord Jesus. This works out in our Advent, Lenten, and other programs of the liturgical year.

We believe the natural way of learning in life is intergenerational. We learn from grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors. We learn from the society in which we live. What we seek is to develop our mutual faith. To accomplish this we must interact with each other. The community must foster opportunities for members to interact with each other in small groups of many different kinds-Bible groups, family groupings, social groupings and any other available means. These groups will help faith grow within the community.

Adults
- Bible Study
- Another Look (an outreach to inactive Catholics)
- R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
- Sponsor Couple
- City of God Prayer Group
- Life in the Spirit
- Crisis Intervention
- Bereavement Ministry
- Theology of the Body
- Catholic Scripture Study
Children
- God's Little Lambs
- Family Faith Sharing - Grades K-5
- RCIC
- Summer Camp Program
- Middle School
- Confirmation
High School
- Youth Ministry

Our parish is a corporation established by the Archbishop of Baltimore. In addition to the corporate officers of the Archbishop, Vicar Bishop and our pastor, two parish members serve as corporators. Our parish conforms to all laws and rules promulgated by the Archbishop of Baltimore and the universal law of the Church as promulgated in Canon Law.

Our Philosophy of Governance sets forth the principles that guide the planning and operation of the parish. Like all other statements that define our identity, they have been developed over time as a collegial enterprise of our pastor and our parishioners.

We are committed to being a faith community. Our corporate title is the Catholic Community of St. Francis Xavier.
Each family and individual person who joins the community has a right to mutual support from all other members. Each member is also committed to building a network for this mutual support.
We believe each member is an OWNER and will assume responsibility for the good order of the community. As an owner, each member assumes certain responsibilities and receives certain benefits. We seek active participation and a strong commitment from all members. We are committed to be open and responsive to input from our community members.
Each owner has a right to be involved in all major decisions affecting the overall community. This right is exercised by attendance at the Parish General Meetings. Two Parish General Meetings must be held each year. The Mission and Planning Committee will call other general meetings if, in its judgment, the seriousness of the issue warrants it. The community assembled in a General Meeting must approve the year's goals, objectives, and budget.
The community recognizes that members, depending on time and circumstances, are able to be involved in the governance process to different degrees. The life of the community will be vibrant to the extent that all members (when possible) participate actively according to their ability.
Each owner family or individual will be asked to decide on a yearly basis how much financial support they can give to our community through our Stewardship process.

Since 1990, our community has operated from a clear philosophy of giving, one which flows naturally from our philosophy of governance. When you join our community you become an owner, you belong. St. Francis Xavier does not exist to provide services as needed. We exist as a community to help each other grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our mission statement directs our work.

As "owners," community members have the responsibility and the opportunity to give of themselves according to each one's gifts and abilities in three areas: Time, Talent, and Treasure. There are many opportunities to share one's time and talent both within and outside this community, for example, in the multiple ministries encompassed by the Liturgy Committee and in the various programs and projects conducted by the other parish committees. In the sharing of ourselves we go beyond "ownership" to active participation in the service of Christ to our sisters and brothers.

We cannot do God's work without financial support. To carry on our mission, we ask all members to determine in advance the level of financial support they will provide in the coming fiscal year. Members are asked to give according to their means and expect to receive according to their needs. We ask our members to sign and submit financial commitment cards for each year. Contributions can be made weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or yearly. Our goal is to encourage members to give by check, monthly if possible. Over 90% of our contributions come in monthly checks, some of which are mailed in. There is also the option of electronic transfer.

All parish general operating expenses are paid from offertory income. We do not charge for religious education or sacraments; nor do we have second collections. On occasion, we will engage in "dedicated fund raising" events to financially support projects and causes not covered or envisioned in the ordinary parish operating expense budget. We must meet our approved offertory income budget in order to accomplish our central mission. Our expenses grow due to inflation and mandated increases. Our Finance Committee monitors all expenses carefully, but we need everyone to take a proprietary interest in the financial health of our community.

The best solution for giving of our treasure is for every owner to sign a financial commitment card, and make a regular contribution. This is the only way a faith community can operate in a financially secure fashion. [Revised May 11, 2010]