About St. Francis of Assisi · Lancaster, Texas
St. Francis of Assisi is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish in Lancaster, Texas, just south of Dallas in the Diocese of Dallas. The parish serves a multi-generational community at 1537 Rogers Avenue with a full sacramental life including weekend and weekday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Faith Formation for children through adults, RCIA, and a robust set of lay ministries and outreach (Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, CRHP, Pro-Life, Altar Society, Youth Group). It is pastored by Fr. Sabando and supported by a small parish staff including a business manager, secretary, and Director of Religious Education. The parish welcomes lifelong Catholics, newcomers, returning Catholics, and visitors.
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Fr. Sabando
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas
Why belong here
St. Francis of Assisi is a faithful, welcoming Catholic community in Lancaster that celebrates Mass in both English and Spanish, offers Eucharistic Adoration and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and nourishes its members through a deep devotional life (Miraculous Medal Novena, Rosary, Stations of the Cross in Lent). Families can grow in faith through Religious Education for grades 1–12, RCIA for adults, and a vibrant Youth Group, while adults find meaningful service through CRHP, the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, Altar Society, Pro-Life, lectors, greeters, altar servers, and a Homebound ministry. It is a place where lifelong parishioners, newcomers, returning Catholics, and visitors all feel at home and can journey together in faith, hope, and love.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment (per parish directory listing); check bulletin or call parish office
Adoration times
- Friday Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Benediction at 3:00 PM (per parish website)
About St. Francis of Assisi Parish
St. Francis of Assisi is a bilingual Catholic parish serving Lancaster, Texas, in the Diocese of Dallas. The parish community is rooted in worship, service, and growing together in Christ, and welcomes lifelong parishioners, newcomers, returning Catholics, and visitors. Whether you join for Saturday evening or Sunday Mass, for Eucharistic Adoration, or for one of the many ministries, you are invited to feel at home.
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led pastorally by Fr. Sabando, who celebrates private Masses for the intentions of parishioners and offers the sacraments. Lay staff keep the parish office, religious education program, and business operations running for the community.
- Fr. Sabando — Pastor
- Sara Raines — Business Manager
- Gloria Perez — Secretary
- Sherry Granello — Director of Religious Education (also: Anabel Barajas, PCL — Religious Education Coordinator)
- Bishop Edward J. Burns — Diocesan Bishop (Diocese of Dallas)
Parish History
St. Francis of Assisi was established with the involvement of dedicated founding laypeople, including longtime Lancaster civic leader Joseph 'Joe' Tillotson, who helped establish the parish and served on its board and finance committee. In 2012 the Diocese of Dallas honored Tillotson with the Bishop's Award for Service to the Church. The parish was incorporated as a Texas Domestic Nonprofit Corporation in October 2018 and continues to serve Lancaster and surrounding southern Dallas County communities.
- Helped established by Joseph 'Joe' Tillotson (1929–2024), former mayor of Lancaster and lifelong parishioner
- Bishop's Award for Service to the Church, 2012 (Bishop Kevin Farrell)
- Incorporated as Texas Nonprofit, October 22, 2018
- Current diocesan oversight: Bishop Edward J. Burns, Diocese of Dallas
Our Patron Saint
The parish takes its name from St. Francis of Assisi (1181/1182–1226), the Italian friar and preacher known for his love of poverty, his care for creation, and his founding of the Franciscan order. His feast day is celebrated on October 4.
- Feast day: October 4
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments, working through its parish staff, clergy, and lay formation teams.
- Baptism
- Holy Eucharist (First Communion)
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation (Confession)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Matrimony (Marriage preparation)
- Holy Orders & Religious Vocations
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for children, youth, and adults is a core ministry. Open registration typically begins in April, with a $65 fee per student. Faithful, registered-active parishioners using Sunday offertory envelopes may enroll.
- Children's Catechesis (Grades 1–6)
- Middle School (Grades 7–8)
- High School (Grades 9–12)
- Adult Faith Formation (AFF)
- RCIA — Becoming Catholic (adults 18+ completing initiation sacraments)
- Confirmation requires 2 years of Wednesday class formation (typically grades 7–8)
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Parishioners serve the church and the broader Lancaster community through liturgical, formation, and outreach ministries. Opportunities are available for men, women, youth, and Spanish-speaking members.
- Liturgical: Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Greeters, Lectors (English & Spanish/Lectores), Sacristans, Ushers
- Formation: Catechists, Marriage Sponsors
- Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, Homebound Ministry, Pro-Life, Altar Society, Knights of Columbus (Council #15), CRHP (Christ Renews His Parish) Men's & Women's retreats
- Youth Group
- Spanish-language prayer & support: Renovación Carismática, Cenáculo, Reencuentro, Serafines
Parish Office & Visiting
The parish office is open during the week to help with registration, sacramental records, Mass intentions, and general inquiries.
- Address: 1537 Rogers Avenue, Lancaster, TX 75134
- Phone: (972) 227-4124
- Email: [email protected] (also [email protected])
- Website: http://www.stfrancislancaster.org
- Office Hours: Monday–Tuesday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (additional hours published in the bulletin)
- Online giving and bulletin available through the parish website
Donations & Stewardship
Parishioners and visitors can support St. Francis of Assisi through Sunday envelope offerings mailed to the parish office, online recurring donations via the parish website, and gifts to specific funds such as the Building Fund (noted as a memorial option in 2024 funeral notices). Annual financial summaries are posted on the website.
- Mail Sunday offerings to: St. Francis Catholic Parish, 1537 Rogers Ave., Lancaster, TX 75134
- Online donations available via parish website
- Building Fund and annual financial reports published