St. Anne Catholic Church

UPDATE AS OF April 15, 2021

Dear parishioners,

Today's update on Saint Anne's participation in the Diocesan Annual Catholic Appeal shows that 185 of us out of almost 660 registered households have pledged or given $42,113 toward our goal of $70,445. Thank you so much. But all of us have to step up to the plate and give. We don't want to leave anyone behind. Please send your gift or pledge today! Together we can do it!

Father Allan J. McDonald
Pastor

The CCW Religious Store is located in the Narthex of the Main Church.  The store is typically open the 2nd, and 4th Sundays.

Come take a peek at our NEW selection of gifts for the following Sacraments:  Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.  Don't see what you need?  No worries, we can order it for you.

Mrs. Grace Campbell will have the store open on the following days:

April 24 & 25
May 8 & 9
May 22 & 23

Contact Grace at:  cookwithgrace@hotmail.com

Please consider tithing online by using the St. Anne Catholic Church secure online giving website:  https://osvonlinegiving.com/4445.

All items mailed to St. Anne Catholic Church should be addressed to:

St. Anne Catholic Church
10550 Ford Avenue
Richmond Hill, GA  31324
 

PARISH GUIDELINES FOR
COVID-19

Issued: November 20, 2020 

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL PARISHES

* State and local guidelines and ordinances must be followed.

* Parishes must place the sign below in a visible, and somewhat prominent location near the entrance to buildings the following text: 

Warning
Under Georgia law, there is no liability for an injury or death of an individual entering these premises if such injury or death results from the inherent risks of contracting COVID-19. You are assuming this risk by entering these premises.

* Worship spaces and schools must be properly cleaned and sanitized, with particular attention given to bathrooms and surfaces that are touched most often, like door knobs and doors. Parishes may utilize disinfectant smoke machines and be attentive to wiping down surfaces.

* Hand sanitizer must be readily available at the entrance of every building, near the areas where communion is distributed, and near the altar.

* The use of masks has been shown to significantly decrease the rate of contagion  of COVID-19. Wearing a mask is highly encouraged at all times when the faithful are inside our buildings.

* Worship spaces may be filled to their maximum capacity according to social distancing norms. Ushers must assist the sitting of the faithful to maximize space and to ensure proper social distancing. Families/households who wish to sit together may do so.

*  Music and singing should be provided for the Sunday liturgy in all parishes, including Mass parts.

* Hymnals are not to be placed in the pews. One-time use liturgical aides may be used, or hymnals may be made available for purchase.

* Altar servers may assist at the altar during Mass, as long as parents agree and the servers wear masks. Parishes may start by assigning a maximum of three altar servers (a cross bearer and two candle bearers) to perform limited functions.

* Lectors, Ushers, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may resume their ministerial responsibilities as needed.

* The Sign of Peace may now be extended to the faithful without physical contact. This may be done by saying: Let us offer one another a simple acknowledgement of peace or by explaining to the faithful beforehand that the Sign of Peace will be exchanged without physical contact. Families/households may still exchange the Sign of Peace as before. The rubrics of the Roman Missal should be followed.

* The distribution of the Precious Blood to the faithful remains suspended.

* In order to maintain the integrity of the liturgy, the distribution of Communion must occur at the indicated time and not after the final blessing.

* Holy Communion cannot be denied to the faithful who wish to receive it on the tongue. Please remind the faithful how to properly receive communion in the hand and on the tongue in order to avoid physical contact.

* Faith Formation for Children and Adults must continue using ingenuity and creativity. Even if the number of faithful involved in faith formation is decreased, every parish must continue to provide opportunities for learning and especially for the preparation of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist.

* The Sacrament of Reconciliation must be celebrated in a room with ample space that allows for social distancing and air circulation. "Drive By" confessions are not permitted.

Dear parishioners,

My heart is warmed by seeing so many people returning to Mass and not allowing fear and phobias to prevent the proper worship of God. I pray that by the end of the summer, we can return to parish life as normal. 

I have asked Ms. Renee Singleton our Religious Education Coordinator to make sure our CCD program returns in the Fall to in-person learning only. Keep in mind too, that we need qualified teachers to volunteer to be catechists in our program. We want our program to be the best it can be and the only way we can do it is by in-person learning on our campus and good catechists who have the best interests of our children in mind.  

Parents have the most serious responsibility of handing on the Catholic Faith to their children. Not only must you provide proper religious education of your children, you must, and let me emphasize this, you must bring them to Mass with you each and every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation. This is your obligation before God to do so. CCD without Mass makes Catholicism into a farse! 

By now, there should be fewer and fewer people who qualify for a dispensation from attending Mass because of health concerns and anxiety. Please, please do not let fear and anxiety prevent you from coming to Mass. Sometimes people with anxiety disorders need help to overcome this anxiety through counseling or medication. Please do what is necessary to assist you in overcoming your fears. 

Of course if you are sick and running a fever, no matter what the cause, every Catholic has always been dispensed from attending Mass, especially if the illness is contagious be it a virus, flu or Covid-19. 

For those who still qualify for a dispensation from Mass, we will continue to live-stream our daily Masses, and the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass.  You can still make a  “an Act of Spiritual Communion” and "The Act of Perfect Contrition" from home until you can get to Confession, and Mass. As well, If you haven’t done so,  PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ON-LINE GIVING WITH “OUR SUNDAY VISITOR”  by going to our secure Our Sunday Visitor on-line giving and setting up your personal account. If you need help with that Sarah Thomas in our office can assist you. Email or call her at the office during office hours. 

Once again, I am grateful to all of you who are helping us to get back to life as normal in our parish and community. God bless you.

God bless you,

Your pastor, 
Fr. Allan J. McDonald

 

 

Did you have a hard time understanding the teachings in our Lenten book,  Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence?  Were you unable to complete the reading?  Do you want a better understanding of the teachings in this book?  Well, on Wednesday, May 5 from 7-8pm in HFH, Fr. Robert will be giving an abbreviated teaching on this book, as well as fielding any questions you may have.  Come with your books and with questions!