St. Anne Catholic Church

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I was born September 27, 1992, and grew up in Augusta, GA.  I am one of seven children.  I come from a big family.  I attended K–12th at the Alleluia Community School in Augusta, GA.  After graduating High School in 2011, I attended Augusta University for two years.  I then transferred to the Seminary, where I finished my BA in Philosophy at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary & University.  I was then sent to study Theology at the North American College (NAC) in Rome, Italy for four years. I completed my Bachelors in Theology (STB) in June 2018, at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome.  I was ordained a Deacon at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in September 2018.  I served at St. Francis Xavier in Brunswick, GA (2018-2019) for my Pastoral Year.  I have spent the last year in Rome, Italy working on my Masters Degree (STL), and preparing for the Priesthood. 

I grew up Catholic, and I always enjoyed going to Mass, but the faith was never really my own. After high school I wanted to change my life, and the way I knew how to do that as a Catholic was through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I went to confess, even though I thought I couldn’t be forgiven, that the priest would be mad at me, wouldn’t forgive my sins, or look at me differently. Instead, all the weight that I had been carrying around for so long was lifted from my shoulders. At the end of my confession, I wasn’t met with a scowl, but with a huge smile and encouragement!  My life was radically changed from that point on, and I started to learn & embrace my Catholic faith more and more throughout college.  I started to go to confession, daily mass, and adoration regularly. I was building a habit of prayer, and growing closer to God. After 1½ years of increased prayer, retreats, spiritual reading, etc., I heard the Lord speak straight to my heart in Adoration, and ask me to be His priest.  I then went to visit a Seminary with other young men, and was convinced that God was calling me to be a priest.  I was ordained a Priest on June 20, 2020 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist in Savannah, GA. 

I enjoy reading, exercise, movies, and fellowship with others.  I am excited to be coming to St. Anne’s, and to be with all of you!

July 8, 2020

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace to you and Peace in Christ Jesus our Lord!

I am pleased to inform you that this morning, His Holiness Pope Francis honored our diocese with the appointment of a new bishop! Father Stephen Parkes, a priest of the Diocese of Orlando, has been named the 15th bishop of Savannah. We are deeply grateful to our Holy Father for this gift to our diocese.

How fortunate we are to welcome a seasoned and gifted pastor! In his 22 years of priestly ministry, he has served in parishes, directed souls, and was the campus minister at the University of Central Florida for nearly a decade. His pastoral zeal and concern are immediately evident when meeting him. He has also served in various capacities and on multiple councils and boards advising the bishops of his diocese.

His ordination and installation will be at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist on Wednesday, September 23rd, the Feast of Saint Padre Pio. Details will be forthcoming. We warmly welcome Bishop-elect Parkes to Savannah as he takes up the mantle of shepherding our diocese.

Please keep him in your prayers these next few months as he prepares for his ordination and installation as the next bishop of the Diocese of Savannah!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Very Reverend Daniel F. Firmin, J.C.L.
Diocesan Administrator
Diocese of Savannah