Our Vision & History

Growing a community that preaches the Gospel at all times through our worship, our words, and our actions

Enlivened by God’s grace, we live the good news

-  joyfully sharing God’s love with all,
-  being instruments of peace for the poor and vulnerable, and
-  continually building up our diverse church community.

On May 25, 1972, Archbishop Patrick Cardinal O’Boyle decreed the building of a new Parish: St. Francis of Assisi in Derwood, MD. The church was then officially born on June 1, 1972, its boundaries drawing parishioners from St. Peter’s in Olney, St. Martin’s in Gaithersburg, and St. Patrick’s and St. Mary’s in Rockville. The first mass was celebrated on June 4, 1972 with Father John Stack presiding in the Redland Middle School gym.

Three years later, on October 4, 1975, the present church building was dedicated by His Eminence William Cardinal Baum, Archbishop of Washington. Under the guidance of Fathers Stack, Andre Bouchard, Donald P. Worch, Lee Fangmeyer, David W. Beaubien and presently John J. Dillon, St. Francis of Assisi has thrived and grown to a membership of nearly 1,700 families, all sharing the basic mission of sharing Christ’s love, living the Word of God and creating a living and vibrant community in Christ.

About Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) was born into a wealthy family in Assisi, Italy, the son of a cloth merchant. Francis received little formal education and his childhood was based solely on fun. As a young man, he was popular, charming, enjoyed practical jokes and became known to be the life of the party. Because of his wealth, he generally picked up the tab and thus attracted a following of fun loving, rowdy young men and promiscuous women. When armed conflict broke out between the men of Assisi and a neighboring city in 1202, Francis eagerly volunteered for the cavalry. However, he was captured after the first battle and spent a year in captivity. Francis returned to Assisi hailed as a hero, but unknown to his friends because he had undergone a momentous transformation in his outlook during his captivity. Although he was once again the life of the party, he was now questioning his reason for existence. After much contemplation, including vivid dreams and mystic visions, he turned away from the pursuit of all worldly pleasures, sold all his property, and donated his money to the Church.

Francis began a lifelong passion of caring for society’s castoffs, sick, and poor. His father’s reaction to his son’s new lifestyle was anger and he therefore disinherited him, forcing Francis to live in utter poverty. But his humbleness, extraordinary kindness, and love for humanity attracted the attention of other young men who also chose to give up worldly pleasures and follow him to spread the gospel and serve the poor. Eventually, as the brotherhood grew, its members preached throughout other parts of Europe including France, Germany, Spain and England. A separate order for women was formed, known as the Franciscan Nuns or Poor Clares.

Francis had great love for animals, and a special fondness for birds. He liked to refer to animals as his brothers and sisters. Legend has it that wild animals had no fear of Francis and even came to him seeking refuge from harm. In 1224, Francis went up onto a mountain and began a 40-day fast. During that time he is said to have had a miraculous vision and received a stigmata, or the marks of the nails and spear exactly as they appeared on the body of Jesus during his crucifixion. After his death in 1226, Francis was declared a saint by Pope Gregory IX. For centuries after his death, his Franciscan order has experienced continuous growth and is still active today caring for the poor, educating, and continuing Francis’ life of good deeds.