What Does “Old Catholic” Mean?

Old Catholics are not “old-fashioned” Catholics! We preserve the ancient Catholic faith of the first millennium—before the centralization of papal power.

Our History:

• 696 CE: Saint Willibrord founds the Church of Utrecht
• 1122: Concordat of Worms establishes local church autonomy
• 1145: Pope Eugene III grants Utrecht perpetual right to elect bishops
• 1724: Utrecht maintains autonomy and apostolic succession
• Today: We continue this ancient tradition

We ARE:

• ✓ Catholic in faith, worship, and apostolic succession
• ✓ Governed synodally (by councils, not papal monarchy)
• ✓ Committed to ancient creeds and sacraments
• ✓ Independent but in communion with other Old Catholic churches

We Are NOT:

• ✗ Under papal jurisdiction (we’re not Roman Catholic)
• ✗ Protestant (we maintain Catholic sacraments and succession)
• ✗ Part of the Union of Utrecht (though we’re friendly with them)

Living in the Way of Saint Francis

Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) heard Christ call him to “repair my church.” We continue that mission today through five core values:

Our Core Beliefs

We hold to the ancient Catholic faith of the undivided Church:

The Creeds:

• The Apostles’ Creed
• The Nicene-Constantinople Creed (381 CE)

The Seven Ecumenical Councils:

• Nicaea I (325) – Divinity of Christ
• Constantinople I (381) – Nicene Creed
• Ephesus (431) – Mary as Theotokos
• Chalcedon (451) – Two natures of Christ
• Constantinople II (553) – Christology
• Constantinople III (680-681) – Two wills of Christ
• Nicaea II (787) – Veneration of icons

The Seven Sacraments:

• Baptism – Initiation into the Body of Christ
• Confirmation – Fullness of the Holy Spirit
• Eucharist – The Body and Blood of Christ (open to all baptized Christians)
• Reconciliation – God’s mercy and forgiveness
• Anointing of the Sick – Healing and comfort
• Holy Orders – Ordination of bishops, priests, and deacons (men and women)
• Marriage – Blessing all couples (opposite-sex and same-sex)

Join Us for Worship

What to Expect at Sunday Worship:

• Liturgy: Traditional Catholic liturgy in English
• Music: Mix of hymns, chant, and contemporary worship
• Communion: All baptized Christians welcome
• Duration: Approximately 60-75 minutes
• Dress: Come as you are! Casual to formal, all welcome
• First-time visitors: Greeters will welcome you and answer questions

All Are Welcome at God’s Table

At Saint Francis Parish, all means all. This is not just a slogan—it’s our lived commitment:

✓ LGBTQ+ Inclusion:

• We welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ persons in all aspects of church life
• We celebrate same-sex marriages as full sacramental marriages
• We ordain LGBTQ+ persons to all levels of ministry
• We do not view same-sex relationships or transgender identity as sinful

✓ Women in Ministry:

• We ordain women as deacons, priests, and bishops
• Women serve in all leadership roles
• We believe the Holy Spirit calls both men and women to ordained ministry

✓ Divorced & Remarried Catholics:

• No annulments required
• Full participation in sacramental life
• Recognition that marriages sometimes fail and grace is greater

✓ Seekers & Doubters:

• Questions are welcome—doubt is part of faith
• You don’t need to have all the answers
• Theological diversity is honored

✓ Former Catholics:

• If you left the Roman Catholic Church because you were hurt or excluded: you are welcome here
• If you felt you didn’t belong: you belong here
• If you were told God’s love was conditional: it’s not, and we’ll remind you of that

Ways to Serve & Connect

Worship & Liturgy:

• Lectors (readers)
• Eucharistic Ministers
• Altar servers
• Music ministry (choir, cantors, musicians)
• Greeters and ushers

Formation & Education:

• Adult faith formation classes
• Bible study facilitators
• Confirmation preparation
• Secular Franciscan Order (Third Order)

Justice & Peace:

• Food pantry and meal programs
• Immigration accompaniment
• Racial justice advocacy
• Prison ministry
• Peacemaking and nonviolence education

Creation Care:

• Community gardens
• Sustainability projects
• Environmental justice advocacy
• Blessing of Animals (Feast of Saint Francis)

Outreach & Communication:

• Social media team
• Website updates
• Newsletter writing
• Graphic design
• Photography and video

Your Questions Answered

Q: Are you Roman Catholic?

A: No. We are Old Catholic—part of the ancient Catholic tradition with valid apostolic succession and sacraments, but we are not under papal jurisdiction. We govern ourselves synodally.

Q: Can I receive communion here if I’m not Old Catholic?

A: Yes! All baptized Christians are welcome at our communion table, regardless of denomination. We practice open communion.

Q: Do I need to get my previous marriage annulled?

A: No. We do not require annulments. Divorced and remarried persons are fully welcome in all aspects of parish life, including receiving communion.

Q: Are you really LGBTQ+ affirming?

A: Yes. Fully. We celebrate same-sex marriages, ordain LGBTQ+ persons, and affirm that all sexual orientations and gender identities are part of God’s good creation. This is not “tolerance”—it’s celebration.

Q: Do you ordain women?

A: Yes. Women serve as deacons, priests, and bishops in Old Catholic churches. We believe the Holy Spirit calls both men and women to ordained ministry.

Q: What if I have questions or doubts about my faith?

A: Welcome to the club! Questions and doubts are normal and healthy parts of the faith journey. We encourage intellectual honesty and theological exploration.

Q: How do I become a member?

A: Come to worship, get involved, and when you’re ready, speak with one of our pastors. There’s no rush—take your time to discern if this is the right community for you.

Q: Do I need to give money?

A: We are supported by the generous gifts of our members, but financial giving is never required for participation. Give as you’re able and called. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds.

Q: What do kids do during the service?

A: Children are welcome in worship! We have activity bags available, and families are encouraged to sit where they’re comfortable. “Joyful noise” from children is a blessing, not a disruption.

Q: I’ve been hurt by the church. Will I be safe here?

A: We understand that many people carry wounds from past church experiences. We commit to being a safe, welcoming space. If you’ve been excluded, rejected, or harmed by a church, we’re deeply sorry. You deserve better, and we’ll do our best to provide it.