St. Francis of Assisi, Sheffield

Music and liturgy

Pascal J Stienlet and Sons, Architects, Newcastle, designed the church. The Children’s Liturgy Group at Sunday Mass is aimed at children from the age of two up to their first Holy Communion or seven years of age. Children leave after the opening prayer and rejoin at the offertory, where they present their work; during their session they pray, listen to a children's version of the Gospel, sing hymns, and do an activity.

The First Holy Communion celebration usually takes place on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Confirmation was last celebrated in the parish in November 2025.

Parish life

The parish has a revised 'Covenant with the Poor', with a 2026 version agreed at the Parish AGM. On 9 June 2024 parishioners planted a wildlife garden. The parish has a purchasing policy encouraging sustainable, Fairtrade and ethically sourced products.

The Upper Room is the parish youth group, open to anyone in year 10 or above from any parish or none. The parish has groups including S.V.P., Prayer Group, Justice & Peace Group, Bible Group, CAFOD Group, Card Making Group, Parent & Toddler Group, and Praise & Play for the Under 5's.

The parish actively participates in national and diocesan Proclaim 15 initiatives. The parish promotes the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) and supports parishioners who wish to complete it. The parish explores The Joy of the Gospel and the call to Spirit-filled mission in a parish course. The Parish Council meets every two months on a Tuesday evening and is open to all.

Regular events

The parish holds two shared ecumenical services each year: one in January during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and an Evening Service on Good Friday, on a rota in each participating church.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Baptisms are conducted in a separate service, with a minimum of six weeks before the date for instruction from lay members of the Baptism team. Marriages are celebrated following an appropriate course of preparation, usually through the Diocesan Marriage Preparation programme, with arrangements discussed initially with the Parish Priest.

When a Catholic is admitted to hospital, arrangements are made for them to be visited by the Catholic hospital chaplain, with patient details given to the Hospital Chaplaincy Department. Extraordinary Ministers of Communion are commissioned by the Bishop after invitation by the Parish Priest, help distribute Holy Communion at all Masses, and take Holy Communion to the sick at home or in hospital.

Visiting

The church offers a photographic tour online. The church garden has a wildflower patch that visitors can view. Visitors can water the wildflower patch with the children after Mass.

Visitors are offered hymn and Mass books on arrival and asked to return them to welcomers on leaving. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served after Sunday Mass by volunteers. A list of sick people for prayer is displayed on the notice board in the Narthex.