With Deep Gratitude added by Fr. Mac

Christmas this year was the most enjoyable one that I have experienced here in the eight years I have been pastor. Everything went so smoothly from Church decorating, Choir presentations, various ministries to the very well liturgies. Words cannot express the deep felt gratitude for all those who made this possible. I was so relaxed that I almost slept through the 4:00PM vigil mass, (which actually did not begin until 4:15PM). In addition, I cannot say how deeply moved I was at the huge number of Christmas cards received at the rectory, the gingerbreads, Christmas cookies, the variety of Christmas cooking, as well as the many personal gifts. Again, Thank you! Fr. Mac 05 January 2009

Christmas Thoughts added by Fr. Mac

I’d like to share with you the following Christmas thoughts by an anonymous author: “If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny ornaments, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point. Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.” Merry Christmas and lots of love to you and yours! Fr. Mac 05 January 2009

Last Sunday added by Fr. Mac

It was so heart warming to have our Church packed to the doors. The Choir once again provided us with such prayerful and beautiful musical accompaniment to our Liturgy. A huge debt of gratitude to all who ministered at the Liturgy: our Altar Servers, Lectors, greeters, Ushers, Collectors, and Gift Bearers. Bishop Tobin’s presence as our celebrant and homilist was an added honor to our celebration. His thoughts for us on our history and our future were so well received. Yes we have a great history, but the focus of our community has been on Jesus Christ, and must continue to be so. I must admit that his image of a crossroads of past and future had me a bit nervous for a few minutes, but he certainly calmed my nerves with his very strong emphasis on our life as a community. The jewel in the crown was our meal at the Crowne Plaza. Richard and Linda Ardito did a fantastic job as chairpersons of the Dinner. They worked tirelessly all summer organizing, printing, assigning tables, etc. We could not have done all this without them. Maria and Steven Kite headed up the whole committee, and did a superb job. Beginning with the beautiful ‘Quilt”, keeping the whole committee on track, organizing the making of the centerpieces, and gathering the beautiful baskets for door prizes, Maria and Steve accomplished the smoothest event I have seen at St. Ann’s in the past 7+ years as pastor. Debbie Petrosinelli and John O’Leary did a great job organizing the Memorial Booklet. It certainly is a work of art. Linda Petrosinelli was responsible for the very beautiful ornament of our church, which was the favor for the day. And finally, John Walsh kept things moving as our Master of Ceremonies during dinner. Words cannot express not only my gratitude but that of all the parish for the great success of our Anniversary Year. Now we must turn the corner and begin our next 150 years. We have a lot of work to do, but what a great foundation we have. I am quite confident that we can certainly accomplish a great deal in the years ahead. It means we all need to “get with it, or we could easily be without it!” 08 October 2008

Update Of Anniversary Events added by Fr. Mac

What a great work of art is shaping up here at St. Ann Parish. The Anniversary Quilt is coming together with great pictures of family members. Be sure and get your patch and the information needed to finish it. Maria and Steve Kite are available in the Vestibule each and every Sunday, if you have any questions. This year, our Annual Novena and Feast will take place from July 18 (the actual founding date of St. Ann Parish) through July 26, the Feast of St. Ann and Joachim. We will have mass at 4:00pm that day, with Bp. Gelineau as chief celebrant and homilist, followed by our annual cookout and a block party. Set aside the date. The novena each night will be at 7:00pm with a guest homilist being one of the several pastors of parishes that were formed from St. Ann. The Anniversary Dinner reservations are coming in very well. We are no just under two hundred paid reservations. Even though you might not be able to pay for the entire ticket at this time, please try to let us know if you will be attending. Several of the priests who formerly were stationed here have already let us know they are coming. We are in the process of contacting former religious who grew up in the parish or were stationed here. I recently attended a dinner for priests held at the Crowne Plaza, and the menu was the same the same as ours. It was superb. The Memorial Booklet is coming along well. A volunteer is needed from a variety of age groups, to write a short reflection of being a parishioner here at St. Ann. 28 April 2008

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