Francis by the Sea Catholic Church & School

About the Parish

St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church & School is located on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston. With seating for 825 in the main church and roughly 2,400 registered households, it is one of the most active parishes in the Lowcountry. The pastor is Rev. Michael J. Oenbrink, assisted by two parochial vicars, a deacon who also directs Religious Education, and a retired deacon. A warm welcome greets every visitor: 'We hope you will feel at home at St. Francis and will share your faith experience and talents with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.'

History

In 1984 the Bishop of Charleston announced the formation of a second parish on Hilton Head. Masses were first celebrated in borrowed spaces — the Crazy Crab Restaurant became the 'Holy Crab' and First Presbyterian hosted Saturday evenings — before Sunday liturgies moved to Hilton Head Primary School in 1988. Ground for the current church was broken on March 25, 1990, and the first Mass was celebrated there on March 3, 1991 by founding Redemptorist Fr. Joseph Majewski with more than 900 people present. A rectory and office building followed in 1993, the Family Center and columbarium in 1995, the school library in 1998, and the school's Fine Arts Center and gym in 2008–2010.

• 1984 – Parish announced by the Bishop of Charleston
• 1988 – Sunday Masses move to Hilton Head Primary School
• March 25, 1990 – Ground broken for the permanent church
• March 3, 1991 – First Mass in the new church, celebrated by Fr. Joseph Majewski, C.Ss.R.
• 1993 – Rectory and office building completed
• 1995 – Family Center (with two education wings) and columbarium completed
• 1996 – St. Francis Catholic School founded by Monsignor Martin Laughlin (Pre-K & K)
• 1998 – School library added
• 2008–2010 – Fine Arts Center and Gym/Auditorium completed

Architecture & Sacred Spaces

The 1991 sanctuary is semicircular and light-filled, with white walls, bright carpeting, and natural wood finishes. Original artwork includes the Stations of the Cross and the Prayer of St. Francis calligraphed on the rear wall, while the cherry-finished altar furniture was crafted locally. The building received an American Institute of Architects 'Energy and Design Award.' A serene, garden-like columbarium was added in late 1995 for inurnment of the faithful.

Mass & Liturgical Schedule

The parish offers a robust schedule to serve the resort community, including four Sunday Masses and two weekday Masses during much of the year (plus a Tuesday evening Spanish Mass at 7:00 p.m. and a Saturday evening Spanish Vigil at 7:00 p.m.). The Diocese of Charleston's directory lists weekday Masses on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., with Wednesday adding only the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

• Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00 (English)
• Saturday Vigil: 4:45 p.m. (English) and 7:00 p.m. (Spanish)
• Weekday: Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.; Wed 8:30 a.m.
• Tuesday 7:00 p.m. — Spanish Mass
• Saturday 8:30 a.m. — Daily Mass
• Holy Days: call the parish office or check the website

St. Francis Catholic School

Founded in 1996 by Monsignor Martin Laughlin as a ministry of St. Francis by the Sea, St. Francis Catholic School began with just two grades — Pre-K and Kindergarten — and today offers ten grade levels, Pre-K through 8th. It is the only Pre-K–8th-grade private school on Hilton Head Island and is accredited by SACS/Cognia, with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, a World Language program, Middle School Houses and Clubs, team sports for grades 5–8, a 15,000 sq. ft. athletic facility, an Extended Care program, and a new greenhouse learning lab. Each class is partnered with a parish ministry such as the Thrift Store, Women of St. Francis, the Knights of Columbus, Sharing Thy Bounty, the Pregnancy Center, or Friendly Visitors. The school also collaborates with The Pines senior living community for intergenerational programming, and weekly school Masses anchor its faith life.

• Grades: Pre-K through 8th (10 levels)
• Accreditation: SACS / Cognia
• Student–faculty ratio: 10:1
• 100% high school graduation rate; 100% participation in community service learning
• Motto: 'Faith, Scholarship, Integrity'

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious Education (Family of Faith), directed by Deacon Anthony DiIenno, forms children of the parish through volunteer catechists and continuing-education catechetical meetings. All volunteers must conform to diocesan Safe Environment requirements, including Virtus training and background screening. Adult Education and the Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA) ministry, led by Jennifer McGlynn, offer faith-formation opportunities, scripture studies, faith recollection days, retreats, and the parish's Alpha course for anyone exploring the Catholic faith.

• Religious Education / Family of Faith — Deacon Anthony DiIenno
• Adult Education (scripture studies, Church teaching, retreats) — Jennifer McGlynn
• Becoming Catholic (RCIA / OCIA) — Jennifer McGlynn (meets in the Family Center, Sunday 10:15 a.m.)
• Safe Environment / Virtus training required of all volunteers

Youth Ministry: Life Teen & EDGE

The parish runs both a high school Life Teen program and a middle school EDGE program, with meetings on Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The youth ministry runs an annual retreat ('Called for Duty' is a recent example) and supports teens preparing for Confirmation. Communications for parents and teens run through a GroupMe app in addition to the parish website.

• Life Teen — high school teens, Sunday 7:00 p.m.
• EDGE — middle school teens
• Annual youth retreat (e.g., 'Called for Duty')
• Confirmation preparation for high schoolers

Music Ministries

The Music Ministry, directed by Matthew J. Meloche, supports the parish's weekend and daily liturgies and is closely tied to the parish's recent effort to install a new Peragallo pipe organ.

Parish Outreach & Charity

Outreach is woven through almost every ministry of the parish. The Knights of Columbus Council 10668 (founded in 1991, named for Thomas Reilley Sr.) runs roughly 24 service events and has dispersed hundreds of thousands of dollars to local and international charities. The St. Francis Thrift Shop (founded 1999) sells gently used goods and gives clothing and housewares to the needy at no cost, while Sharing Thy Bounty gathers food on the first Sunday of each month for the Sandalwood Community Food Pantry. Women of St. Francis (founded 2004) promotes unity and service throughout the parish.

• Knights of Columbus Council 10668 — meets first Monday at 7:00 p.m. in the Family Center
• St. Francis Thrift Shop — 6 Southwood Park Drive, 843-689-6563
• Sharing Thy Bounty — first-Sunday food collection for Sandalwood Food Pantry
• Women of St. Francis (WOSF) — founded 2004
• Hispanic Ministry — assists Spanish-speaking parishioners
• Pregnancy Center — supported partnership with parish and school
• KAIROS Prison Ministry — supported ministry

Parish Staff

The parish is led by Fr. Michael J. Oenbrink (Pastor) with two parochial vicars — Fr. Raynald B. Nacino Jr. and Fr. Gustavo Corredor, STL — and Deacon Anthony J. DiIenno, who also serves as Director of Religious Education. Deacon Gerard Hand is retired but still listed with the parish. A team of lay staff supports administration, religious education, communications, finance, and music.

• Pastor — Rev. Michael J. Oenbrink
• Parochial Vicar — Rev. Raynald B. Nacino Jr.
• Parochial Vicar — Rev. Gustavo Corredor STL
• Deacon & Director of Religious Education — Rev. Mr. Anthony J. DiIenno
• Deacon (Retired) — Rev. Mr. Gerard Hand
• Director of Adult Education — Jennifer McGlynn
• Director of Music Ministries — Matthew J. Meloche
• Director of Communications / Safe Environment Coordinator
• Parish Administrator — Dion Jenks
• Finance — Pam Slawson
• Faith Formation Office Assistant
• Parish Secretary — Jan Halstead
• Finance Office Assistant
• Hispanic Ministry Assistant — Carolina Rozo

Facilities & Columbarium

Beyond the church itself, the campus includes the rectory and parish office (1993), the Family Center with two education wings (1995), the on-site columbarium (1995), the school library (1998), and the school Fine Arts Center and Gym/Auditorium (2008–2010). The St. Francis Thrift Shop is housed at 6 Southwood Park Drive.

• 45 Beach City Road — church, parish offices, school
• 6 Southwood Park Drive — St. Francis Thrift Shop
• On-site columbarium for inurnment

Getting Involved

With 'over fifty thriving ministries and nearly 2,000 households' (per the parish's own history), there are many ways to participate. Catechists and Safe Environment–cleared volunteers are especially needed for Religious Education; the Thrift Shop welcomes cashiers and furniture helpers; the Knights welcome new members on the first Monday of each month; and the Hispanic Ministry, Music Ministries, Greeters, and youth teams all welcome new help.

• Become a catechist (Religious Education)
• Volunteer at the St. Francis Thrift Shop (843-689-6563)
• Join the Knights of Columbus Council 10668
• Become a Greeter
• Join Music Ministries or sing in the choir
• Help with Sharing Thy Bounty on the first Sunday of the month