St. Anne Catholic Church

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

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

UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 25, 2020

As of today 207 of us have pledged or given over $59,999 toward our goal of $75,287.  All of this, for the most part, occurred during the pandemic shut down of our parish and with little or no asking from me that you give your fair share to the diocese. Thank you for responding in such a generous way. 

If you haven’t sent in your gift or pledge please do so as soon as possible so we can bring our share in the ACA to a conclusion. And if you have never given to the Annual Catholic Appeal, please do so this year. Send something. No gift is too small and certainly no gift is too big. If you need a new pledge envelope, these are available in the narthex of the main church and the side entrance to the church. 

If we have just 75 to 100 more of us giving, I know we can meet and even exceed our goal. Please help your parish to do that. Let us show our new Bishop-Elect Stephen Parkes that we want to support him and the many good works of the diocese the ACA funds. 

Father Allan J. McDonald
Pastor