St. Anne Catholic Church

UPDATE AS OF May 6, 2021

Dear parishioners,

Today's update on Saint Anne's participation in the Diocesan Annual Catholic Appeal shows that 202 of us out of almost 660 registered households have pledged or given $48,057  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:

May 22 & 23
June 12 & 13
June 26 & 27
July 10 & 11

Contact Grace at:  cookwithgrace@hotmail.com

PARISH GUIDELINES FOR
COVID-19

Issued: May 4, 2021

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE DIOCESE OF SAVANNAH

As we have taken a phased approach to a return to normalcy in our liturgies and parish life at St. Anne’s, Bishop Stephen Parkes desires to assure you of our concern for you as we move forward with relaxing pandemic protocols. The Bishop asks that you note that the Diocese of Savannah Guidelines for Sunday Mass Attendance (issued November 20, 2020 and put into place the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2020) continues to allow for those who are uncomfortable in public situations to look to their conscience in being dispensed from the Sunday obligation.    

The following revised protocols of the Diocese of Savannah will be fully implemented at Saint Anne’s by Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2021:

*Social distancing can be accomplished with 42 inches between households (as per the State of Georgia recommend-ations for restaurants and movie theaters).  It is important that each individual and household take "personal responsibility" for their decisions and respect of others.

*Tape and ropes marking off pews may be removed as long as social distancing between households is observed.

*The wearing of masks is highly encouraged when inside parish buildings.

*At the discretion of the local Pastor, Holy Water may be re-introduced at the entrance and exits of the church.  If Holy Water is present, it should be refreshed on a regular (a few times a week) basis.  

*At the discretion of the local Pastor, hymnals may be placed in the pews.  It is an individual decision for someone to pick it up and use it. 

*Hand sanitizer should be made available at the entrance and exit locations. 

*Ushers and Greeters should refrain from shaking hands as people enter the church.

*The Offertory Procession should take place.

*Altar Servers should perform their pre-pandemic responsib-ilities.

*The collection may be gathered utilizing baskets.  

*The Sign of Peace should take place with the invitation:  Let us offer one another a gesture of peace OR a "simple" acknowledg-ment of peace.

*Those distributing Holy Communion should sanitize their hands before and after distribu-tion.  Masks should be worn by those distributing Holy
Communion.

*The faithful should not be denied the ability to receive Holy Communion on the tongue. 

*The Precious Blood may not be distributed to the congregation. 

*After Mass Fellowship may take place with individually wrapped food items and social distancing protocols observed as noted above. 

* 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

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