St. Francis & St. Ambrose​ Catholic Churches
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      • I - Jesus is Condemned to Death
      • II - Jesus Carries His Cross
      • III - Jesus Falls The First Time
      • IV — Jesus Meets His Mother
      • V — Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus To Carry His Cross
      • VI — Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
      • VII — Jesus Falls The Second Time
      • VIII — Jesus Meets The Women Of Jerusalem
      • IX — Jesus Falls The Third Time
      • X — Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments
      • XI — Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross
      • XII — Jesus Dies On The Cross
      • XIII — Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross
      • XIV — The Body Of Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb
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St. Francis Altar Society.

PictureThe Balfay crucifix and main altar[1].
The traditional description of an Altar Society is a group of parish women who maintain the church's altar, altar linens and sanctuary.  Over time, Altar Societies, have evolved into project teams who handle a great deal of the parish business.

At St. Francis, the Altar Society is responsible for:
  • Church Cleaning which includes the sanctuary area and all three altars.  Altars and floors are dusted and vacuumed. Communion rails are dusted and confession rooms, windowsills, moldings and kneelers are dusted.  Check all bathrooms.  
  • Preparing and serving funeral dinners.  This includes ordering food to accommodate the number of guests estimated by the family; and preparing deserts, salads and side dishes to go with purchased food.  After the dinner the Altar Society does the basic cleanup and straightening of the parish hall.
  • Assisting the American Red Cross with local blood drives. 
  • Planning, preparing and serving the Fall Festival meal as described in the 2023-2024 Altar Society Letter (below).  Also setting up the fancy stand and overseeing other groups who prepare games, tables, etc.  This is a major project that involves most of the Altar Society members.  A sign-up sheet for jobs will be posted in the back of the church and will be picked up the second week of October.  Work assignments will be made, and a worker list will be printed in the church bulletin.  IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO WORK YOUR SHIFT, PLEASE FIND YOUR OWN REPLACEMENT.
  • Planning and supporting special events such as diocesan visits, special meetings, etc.  

​For large events, such as Fall Festival, the Altar Society often works with other parish organizations such and the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Youth Ministry. 


Organization:
The Altar Society operates with a monthly guild system.  Guilds are directed by a four-person board.  Current Altar Society Board members are:
  • Elaine Van Leeuwen
  • Maggie Westhoff
  • Kim Newberry
  • Margaret Diskin
Each of the monthly guilds is directed by a Guild President and Vice President.  
Vertical Divider
2024 - 2025 Altar Society Letter:
The Altar Society Letter is the plan for the organization's activity for the planning year.  It includes basic descriptions of society responsibilities and names and contact information for Altar Society and board members, guild presidents and vice presidents and monthly guild members.

The letter can be downloaded below in PDF format:
2024-25altarsocietyltr.pdf
File Size: 2219 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture

St. Francis Altar Society at Work & Play:
November 2016 Blood Drive:
   (Hover mouse for caption.  Click to enlarge.)
Rosie, Marcia and Carol at the Front Desk.
Red Cross Blood Collection Area.
Proud of Our High School Students for Stepping Up!
Alice and Tracie Checking Folks In.

December 4, 2022, Christmas Party at St. Francis Hall:

Some Reference Information:
​1.  The life-sized crucifix was donated to the church by the family of Michael Balfay.  When the Balfay family was moving from Chetopa to Osage Mission in 1884, their wagon was caught in river current at Trotters Ford.  While trying to save his team and wagon Mr. Balfay promised that if our Lord spared his family he would make a lasting gift to the church.  Michael's family was spared but before he could fulfill his promise he died suddenly.  His family filled his promise in 1889.  The three Jesuit saints in the altar niches are:  St. Francis Hieronymo S.J. (top), St. Alphonsus Rodriguez S.J. (left) and St. John Berchmans (right).  

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​About Us

​This is the community website for the St. Francis de Hieronymo and St. Ambrose Catholic Churches in Neosho County, Kansas.  Both churches are located in the center of the historic nine-county southeast Kansas area.  We share one of the richest Catholic Heritages in Southern Kansas and the Four-State Region.  For more information about our churches, history, organizations or programs browse our site including its links.
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​Copyright — 2016 - 2025.  All Rights Reserved
  • Home
    • Contacts
    • About Us
  • St. Francis , St. Paul
    • St. Francis History
    • St. Francis Cemetery
  • St. Ambrose, Erie
    • St. Ambrose History
  • Education
    • Parish School of Religion (PSR)
    • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
    • RCIA Program
    • Bible Study Group
  • Organizations
    • Altar Society, St. Ambrose
    • Altar Society, St. Francis
    • Catholic Youth Ministry (CYM)
    • Parish-Specific Councils & Committees
    • Daughters of Isabella
    • Harvest House
    • Knights of Columbus
    • Stewardship Council
    • St. Francis Thrift Store
  • Church Life
    • Sacraments
    • Sacristan Team
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Stations of the Cross at St. Francis >
      • I - Jesus is Condemned to Death
      • II - Jesus Carries His Cross
      • III - Jesus Falls The First Time
      • IV — Jesus Meets His Mother
      • V — Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus To Carry His Cross
      • VI — Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
      • VII — Jesus Falls The Second Time
      • VIII — Jesus Meets The Women Of Jerusalem
      • IX — Jesus Falls The Third Time
      • X — Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments
      • XI — Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross
      • XII — Jesus Dies On The Cross
      • XIII — Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross
      • XIV — The Body Of Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb
  • News
  • Links