About St. Francis de Sales · Lumberton, North Carolina
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish serving Lumberton, North Carolina, and the surrounding Robeson County area within the Diocese of Raleigh. The parish is led by Administrator Very Rev. Zacharie Lukielo Tati, V.F., who also serves as Dean of the Fayetteville Deanery, and is supported by a Director of Religious Education, Melissa Edwards. Located at 2000 East Elizabethtown Road, the parish offers daily noon Mass Wednesday through Friday, a Saturday vigil, and three Sunday Masses including two Spanish-language celebrations, reflecting its strong Hispanic community. The parish's motto, drawn from its patron, reminds members that "Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily."
- Patron
- St. Francis de Sales
- Rector
- Very Reverend Zacharie Lukielo Tati, V.F. (Administrator; also Dean of the Fayetteville Deanery)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Raleigh
Why belong here
St. Francis de Sales is a warm, bilingual Catholic community that warmly welcomes both longtime residents and newcomers to Lumberton. The parish offers meaningful worship through weekday noon Masses, a Saturday vigil, and three Sunday Masses (two in Spanish), alongside weekly Confessions, First Friday Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction, and a daily Rosary. Members can grow in faith through K-12 Faith Formation, Confirmation and First Communion prep, Children's Liturgy, a twice-monthly Adult Catechism program, and parish life through the Knights of Columbus Council 7225, the Parish Social Commission, and a new Safety and Security Ministry — making it an excellent place to build connections, share your time and talents, and serve those in need.
Mass times at St. Francis de Sales
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (or by appointment with the priest)
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 12:45 PM (after noon Mass) – 7:00 PM, followed by Benediction at 7:00 PM
Welcome from the Pastor
Through his Pastor's Corner, Very Rev. Zacharie Lukielo Tati, V.F., extends a personal welcome to newcomers and longtime residents alike, inviting them to register, participate, and share their time, talents, and resources. He emphasizes that St. Francis de Sales is "a warm, spiritual, and Christ-centered community of faith" where members can build connections, deepen spiritual roots, and respond to the baptismal call to aid those in need.
- Administrator: Very Rev. Zacharie Lukielo Tati, V.F.
- Also serves as Dean of the Fayetteville Deanery (Diocese of Raleigh)
- Parish motto drawn from St. Francis de Sales: 'Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily.'
Mass & Worship Schedule
The parish celebrates the Eucharist in both English and Spanish. Weekend Masses include a Saturday vigil and three Sunday Masses — one English vigil, one English morning Mass, and two Spanish Masses. Weekday Mass is celebrated Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at noon. The Rosary is prayed after Wednesday's noon Mass and before every weekend Mass.
- Saturday Vigil: 5:00 PM (English)
- Sunday: 7:20 AM (Spanish)
- Sunday: 10:30 AM (English)
- Sunday: 12:30 PM (Spanish)
- Wednesday–Friday Daily Mass: 12:00 PM
- Rosary: Wed 12:35 PM; Sat 4:30 PM; before each Sunday Mass (Spanish and English)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish's Religious Education program offers faith formation for children from Kindergarten through 12th Grade, with weekly Sunday sessions that prepare young parishioners for the Sacraments and a lifelong journey of faith. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during Mass for ages 3–8.
- Faith Formation K–12: Sundays, 8:45 – 10:00 AM
- Confirmation Prep: Sundays, 8:45 – 10:00 AM
- First Communion Prep: Sundays, 8:45 – 10:00 AM
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (ages 3–8) — held during Mass in the social hall
- Director of Religious Education: Melissa Edwards
- Catechists and adult volunteers always needed
Adult Catechism / Adult Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation (AFF) has long maintained a tradition of twice-monthly gatherings for the spiritual and intellectual growth of parishioners. Topics have ranged from liturgy, theology, Scripture, and Catholic doctrine (including the problem of suffering, the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the Mass, purgatory, the papacy, Marian doctrines, and the communion of saints) to philosophy, logic, the Councils of the Church, and evangelization.
- Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in the Social Hall
- 6:30 PM shared meal, 7:00 – 8:00 PM class and discussion
- Leads parish novenas, Eucharistic Congress activities, and the Annual Divine Mercy Novena (Good Friday to Divine Mercy Sunday)
- Contacts: Winston Arokiasamy and Joe Walters (via parish email)
Knights of Columbus Council 7225
St. Francis de Sales hosts Knights of Columbus Council 7225 (named 'Holy Birch' / in honor of P. Holley Burch), a fraternity of Catholic men dedicated to charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, with a special charism of supporting Catholic priests. The Council hosts fundraisers such as the annual Pancake Breakfast to support parish and community causes.
- Meets 1st Thursday of the month, 6:30 PM, St. Madeleine Social Hall
- Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
- Council Number 7225 — District 19, Region 7, Division II (North Carolina Knights of Columbus)
Parish Social Commission & Hospitality
The Parish Social Commission organizes a wide variety of events to foster fellowship, joy, and a sense of belonging. The Hospitality Committee within it ensures all gatherings are welcoming and coordinates special events including baby showers for parishioners welcoming a child through pregnancy or adoption.
- Annual holiday celebrations, parish picnics, and fundraising galas
- Fellowship activities — game nights, potluck dinners, community service outreach
- Impromptu gatherings — post-service refreshments and social meet-ups
- Baby Showers for parishioners (request via 'Parish Baby Shower Request Form')
- Contact: April Pittman or the Parish Office
Safety and Security Ministry
At Fr. Zacharie's request — as both pastor and Dean of the Fayetteville Deanery — local Sheriff Chris Germaine is leading this newly formed ministry to keep the parish community safe, welcoming, and prepared. Volunteers with experience in healthcare, emergency response, safety, or counseling are especially encouraged, though anyone with a caring heart is welcome.
- Medical emergencies during Mass or parish events
- Safety and security of parish property and vehicles
- Fire safety and weather-related emergencies
- Emotional or mental distress among parishioners or visitors
- Lost children or missing items
- Contact: Sheriff Chris Germaine
Music & Liturgical Ministries
The parish music ministry was highlighted by the Diocese of Raleigh as one that, though among the smallest in the diocese, joins the church family across age and language barriers. Children's choir director Meghan Miller emphasizes that the congregation often leads singing when no cantor is present, and the parish sings in both English and Spanish with powerful effect, especially after Communion.
- Children's Choir — directed by Meghan Miller
- Music in both English and Spanish reflecting the bilingual worship life of the parish
Parish Office & Practical Info
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday, with bilingual assistance (Ayuda Bilingüe Disponible) offered Thursday and Friday afternoons. The office is closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Appointments are required for Sacraments and Social Hall rentals, and the parish uses an Automated Telephone System with Call Multiplier to keep parishioners informed of weekly updates, prayer requests, and emergency Mass-time changes.
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM (Bilingual help)
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM (Bilingual help)
- Saturday, Sunday, Monday: CLOSED
- Fax: 910-739-5443
- Call Multiplier enrollment available via the parish website