You’re Invited:
Lunch Club at St Francis of Assisi

St Francis is pleased to offer a free community lunch twice a month, open to all. The Lunch Club runs fortnightly, from 11:30am to 1:00pm in the parish supper room. Everyone is welcome—whether you're looking for good food, friendly faces, or simply a reason to get out of the house.

These lunches are funded by a generous grant from Dementia Australia, supporting our parish’s commitment to becoming a Dementia Friendly church community. In 2023 Saint Francis was accredited as ‘Working Towards being Dementia Friendly’ – an accreditation process from Dementia Australia that saw St Francis being the first church in Australia of any denomination to receive this status.

Dementia is currently the leading cause of death for Australian women and is expected to become the leading cause of death amongst Australians within the next 5 to 10 years. As the number of people living with dementia grows, so too must our awareness, understanding, and compassion. Sadly, dementia often carries stigma and misunderstanding—and yet it touches many in our congregations and communities.

It’s also when people are most in need of the comfort, reassurance, and connection of their faith community that they can find it hardest to attend or participate. One of the known risk factors for both developing and worsening dementia is social isolation. That’s why building spaces of inclusion and connection is so important—not just for those already living with dementia, but for us all.

The Lunch Club is one small but meaningful step toward that goal. It’s not a formal program, just a place to gather, eat, chat, and feel part of a caring community. Whether you come regularly or just drop in when you can, you’ll be warmly welcomed.

For more information, contact the parish office—or just turn up and bring a friend!