St. Anne Catholic Church

UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 19, 2021

Dear parishioners,

The 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal will begin the weekend of January 23, and 24.  This year the theme is “Steadfast in Faith”.  Our parish goal is $70,445.  With your help, we can assure the continued support of many important programs that help thousands in our diocese each year; education of our children and seminary students, evangelization and Christian initiation, ongoing formation for our clergy, and more.  We are blessed with much; let us be a blessing to others.

With 100% participation I know we will far exceed our goal of $70,445.  Thank you to all who gave last year.  Please do so again this year.  And to those who have never given to the Annual Catholic Appeal, I pray that you will.  Not only do you help the diocese with its needs, you help us as a parish to be one family united in Christ.  Let’s all do our part and chip-in!  And remember, no gift is no small.  God bless you with a generous heart. 

Father Allan J. McDonald
Pastor

Dear parishioners,

Bishop Stephen Parkes has reinstated the Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation Masses with several exception. This is what he writes:

As society reopens, mindful of social distancing and other precautions, I make an appeal to you that you perform an examination of conscience in regards to your everyday activities and consider Mass attendance in that context.  If you and your household are frequenting restaurants, your children are attending school, family members are involved in sports, and individuals are attending social gatherings, I believe that Sunday Mass attendance should also resume.  Sunday Mass may only be missed with good reason related to personal and communal health as the pandemic continues.

Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020, the dispensation from Sunday Mass attendance is granted only for the following:

* those who belong to vulnerable populations due to age or health caregivers and those who live with those in vulnerable populations

* those who are sick or have symptoms

* those who suffer from extreme uneasiness or anxiety from being in any public places in this time of pandemic. 

While we must not forget that we are still living in a time of pandemic, as a Church we are to be guided with a desire to move forward with hope, confident in God’s help. We are called to promote a culture of hope, not a culture of fear.

Bishop Parkes emphasizes the use of masks: 

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.

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 her or call her at the office during office hours. 

We have hand sanitizer available. Use it. We clean the Church after each weekend Masses. We promote physical distancing and our large church is ideal for it. Be defensive and concerned about not spreading the virus to others and wear a proper mask to protect yourself and others.  I deeply appreciate your cooperation in all of this during these stressful times, especially the use of masks. God bless you.

God bless you,

Your pastor, 
Fr. Allan J. McDonald