A Catholic Parish in Western Berks County
St. Francis de Sales Parish serves the borough of Robesonia and surrounding communities in the western part of Berks County, Pennsylvania. Established in 1982, the parish is home to about 625 registered families and belongs to the Diocese of Allentown. Visitors often comment on the warm welcome and gentle spirituality found in the church, qualities the parish traces directly to its patron. The parish is pastored by Reverend John A. Frink, M.Div., with Alison Snyder directing religious education and Christina Kopinski serving as administrative assistant.
The parish office sits at 320 N. Church Street in Robesonia and is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to noon, closed on Fridays. The parish phone is 610-693-5851, and the general email is stfrancisrob82@verizon.net. Masses are livestreamed on the parish's YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.
Weekend Mass, Daily Mass, and Holy Days
Weekend Masses are celebrated on Saturday at 5:00 PM and on Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Daily Mass is offered each weekday, Monday through Friday, at 9:00 AM. On Holy Days of Obligation, Mass is celebrated at 12:00 noon and 6:30 PM.
Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation
Eucharistic Adoration is offered every weekday morning from 6:30 to 8:30 AM, before the daily Mass. On Thursdays, adoration continues from 9:30 to 11:00 AM and resumes from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, closing with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 7:00 PM. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10:30 AM and from 5:45 to 6:45 PM, and on Saturdays from 4:00 to 4:45 PM, before the vigil Mass.
The Gentle Spirit of St. Francis de Sales
The parish takes its name and tone from St. Francis de Sales, the sixteenth-century French priest who became Bishop of Geneva in 1602. Born in 1567, de Sales persuaded his family that ministry was his true calling, met Pope Clement VIII in Rome, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877. Because of his kindly temperament, he is often called the "Gentleman Saint."
The parish mission statement reflects his influence: "Guided by the gentle spirit and practical teachings of St. Francis de Sales, we strive to 'Live Jesus' in our daily lives. We proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the Holy Eucharist, and are nourished through prayer, worship, love, and service to others. Together we are building a community that brings joy to our faith and light to the world, which one day will become the City of God."
His writing and sayings are woven through parish life: "Be who you are and be that well." "We are seldom called to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things with extraordinary attention and enthusiasm." "God is love, and all creation is an outpouring of that love." His Prayer of St. Francis de Sales - "My God, I give you this day. I offer you, now, all of the good that I shall do..." - is shared as a daily offering.
Family Formation and Sacramental Preparation
The Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) is built around Family Formation, a model that treats parents as the primary educators of their children in the Catholic faith. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade attend one monthly Family Formation session with their parents, with home lessons completed as a family throughout the rest of the month. Sessions are faithful to Sacred Scripture and guided by the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Second graders preparing for First Penance and First Holy Communion attend the monthly Family Formation session along with a separate monthly sacramental preparation session. Seventh graders preparing for Confirmation attend two monthly Confirmation preparation sessions in place of the Family Formation gathering. The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in the fall of eighth grade, after which students have completed the parish's formal religious education program. Sacramental preparation is rooted in a child's readiness and family involvement, not just grade level.
Program fees are modest: $65 per student or $100 for multiple children, with an additional $30 sacramental fee for second graders and a $40 combined class and sacramental fee for eighth graders. Checks are payable to St. Francis de Sales, or families can pay online through the parish's giving page under the "religious education" designation.
Liturgical and Pastoral Ministries
The parish relies on a wide circle of lay ministers. At the altar, Altar Servers, Lectors, and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist assist at Mass, with separate schedules published monthly. Ushers and Greeters fill hospitality roles. The Music Ministry centers on the parish Choir, directed by Mary McCormick-Archutowski, who holds a Masters in Vocal Arts. The choir sings at designated Masses and special celebrations.
Behind the scenes, the Building Committee and Finance Committee are appointed by the Pastor, while the Pastoral Council advises on parish life. The Fun and Social Committee organizes community events, and the Garden Ministry tends the parish grounds. The Knights of Columbus maintain a local council, and the Prayer Shawl Group knits and prays for parishioners in need. The St. Monica Ministry gathers on the last Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM for informal sharing, rosary recitation, book discussion, and prayer, followed by light refreshments and fellowship.
Reaching Out Beyond the Parish
Outreach is woven into parish identity. The Bereavement Ministry walks with families through loss. The St. Vincent de Paul Society assists those facing material hardship. The parish supports the Conrad Weiser Food Pantry, Kennedy House, and Opportunity House, extending its care into the wider community. The Respect Life Committee promotes the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, and Parish Nurses offer a health-focused presence within the parish.
Sacraments for Every Stage of Life
Baptism is celebrated during Mass or on Sundays after the 10:30 AM Mass. Parents contact the parish office to arrange preparation, and godparents must provide a completed eligibility form two weeks before the ceremony. Registered parishioner status for at least three months is required before scheduling a baptism, beginning marriage preparation, or obtaining a godparent or sponsor eligibility form.
Marriage preparation begins at least six months before the desired wedding date; couples contact the parish office to start the process. For the sick and homebound, the parish brings Holy Communion monthly upon notification and celebrates the Sacrament of Anointing on request.
Alpha: A Space to Ask Big Questions
The parish hosts Alpha, a series designed for open conversation about faith and life. Each Tuesday evening session includes food, a short film, and small-group discussion. There is no cost and no prerequisite, and the gatherings are explicitly open to anyone, including those who do not currently go to church or do not consider themselves believers. Alpha meets at St. Francis de Sales Church, and sign-ups are accepted online.
Visiting St. Francis de Sales
Newcomers are warmly invited to "come and see." A parish registration form is available online and in the pamphlet rack at the back of the church, and can be returned in person, by mail, or by email. The parish shares school connections with St. Ignatius Loyola Elementary School and Berks Catholic High School. Online giving is available through the parish's offertory page, and the YouTube channel carries a livestream of Mass along with recordings of the pastor's videos.