How It Started...
The Story Behind the St. Francis of Assisi Marriage Enrichment Ministry
For more than ten years, Jim and I were involved in a marriage ministry that was study based, spiritually enriching and offered the gift of gathering monthly with like-minded couples in a small group setting. Those years strengthened our marriage and helped us build meaningful relationships with other married couples in the parish.
Then the Pandemic arrived and like so many ministries, ours began to fall apart without the personal connection that had held it together. When we attempted to regroup afterward, we realized that couples were busier than ever and committing to a regular monthly meeting had become increasingly difficult.
After much prayer, discussion and discernment we felt called by the Holy Spirit to explore a new direction, one that would still support marriage but in a way that was more accessible, more flexible and more community building. We had noticed that neighboring Catholic parishes offered marriage enrichment ministries centered around fellowship and social connection. We sensed that our own large parish community needed something similar.
With that in mind we met with our Pastor, Fr. Rudy Garcia to share our vision for a Marriage Enrichment Ministry at St. Francis. We knew many of our married parish couples were attending marriage events elsewhere and it was clear that our parish home needed a space for couples to gather, grow and connect.
Fr. Rudy gave us his blessing and with the support of Deacon Alex Barbieri and Deacon Henry Weichman, we began the formal approval process. Once approved, the real work began. With the guidance, support and encouragement of Terry Bannerman, our parish Ministry Leader our vision has come to life.
What began as a hope and a prayer has not become a ministry dedicated to strengthening marriage, building community and creating opportunities for couples to grow together in faith and fellowship.
Meet Jim & Lillian Burke
We are Jim & Lillian Burke and are the leads for the STFOA Marriage Enrichment Ministry. We have been married for 45 years. We were college sweethearts at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. Jim is from St. Louis and Lillian is a born and bred Texas girl from San Antonio. We have three grown daughters, three wonderful sons in laws, and four granddaughters.
We have been members of St. Francis for 25 years, since we moved to Frisco in 2000. We have been involved in various ministries through the past 25 years. We noticed that other neighboring parishes had marriage enrichment ministries providing social events for the couples in their communities. We felt the need for our large parish to do the same.
We are Rick and Yvette DeLeon, co-leads of the St. Francis of Assisi Marriage Enrichment Ministry. Married for more than 30 years, our journey began as a friendship rooted in trust and shared values. Though we were first married outside Catholic canonical form in 1994, we later entered into a sacramental marriage through convalidation in 2022—an experience that deepened our appreciation for the beauty of the Church’s vision for marriage.
Originally from El Paso (Yvette) and Dallas (Rick), we met through mutual friends and slowly built the foundation that still anchors our relationship today: faith, friendship, and intentional love. Our Catholic faith continues to guide our family life, especially as we help raise our grandson, Billy.
Since moving to Frisco in 2014, we’ve been active parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi and have served in several ministries, especially ACTS, which has profoundly shaped our spiritual lives. Our desire to serve also extends into our small business, Faithful Feasts, where we create faith-inspired meals and experiences that bring people together around the table.
Because we believe deeply in the strength and grace of sacramental marriage, we feel called to walk alongside other couples who want to grow in faith, love, and community. We are grateful to share this ministry journey with all of you.
