St. Anne Catholic Church

Oct 15, 2021

Dear parishioners,

Today's update on Saint Anne's participation in the Diocesan Annual Catholic Appeal shows that 221 of us out of almost 660 registered households have pledged or given $62,451 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

Our P. O. Box has been closed.
All checks or any correspondence for St. Anne Catholic Church should be mailed to: 10550 Ford Avenue, Richmond Hill, GA 31324.  Please advise your bank of the address change if you have automatic debit payments.

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

A letter from Bishop Stephen Parkes about Catholic politicians:

Dear Friends in Christ,

As a body is one though it has many parts,  and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.  
(1 CORINTHIANS 12:12)  In this issue of the Southern Cross, I hope that you will enjoy learning more about our spiritual family – the Diocese of Savannah.

 As the body of Christ we are made up of many parts and are very diverse, but all of our parts are united together as “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” As the Roman Catholic Church, we celebrate our universality but are beautifully knit together around the table of the Lord through our celebration of the Eucharist, which:...is  “the  source  and  summit  of  the  Christian  life.”

  “The  other  sacraments,  and  indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1324)

The Eucharist draws us into beauty and mystery. One of my favorite quotes about the Eucharist is from St. John Vianney: There is nothing so great as the Eucharist.  If  God  had  something  more  precious,  He  would  have  given  it  to  us.  As  we receive the Eucharist, we become a tabernacle and resting place for the Real Presence of Christ. Our thoughts, words and actions – our witness as Catholic Christians – should reflect the light and love of Christ. Our  Church,  our  world,  needs  authentic  witnesses  to  bring  Christ’s  light  into darkness, most especially from those who hold public office. 

I am deeply concerned about government officials who identify as Catholic but whose views  (especially  when  it  comes  to  the  preeminent  issue  of  protecting  the  child  in  the  womb),  are  not  in  accord  with  the  teachings  of  the  Catholic  Church.  Our  shared  faith  should  also  be  expressed  in  our  public  witness. 

 I ask you to please pray for Catholics who serve in the public square...that they do not compromise the beliefs of our faith but rather show courage in their promotion of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all persons from conception to natural death. 

For those who separate their personal belief from their public witness, may they experience the grace of conversion and make a difference in building a culture of life. Please  be  assured  of  my  prayers  for  you,  your  loved  ones  and  your  intentions. I pray that we may be authentic witnesses of our Catholic faith. 

Thank you for your prayers for me. May we meet each day in our prayers and as the Body of Christ, may we Rejoice in the Lord always!

In Christ, 

Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes 
Bishop of Savannah
 

Dear parishioners,

As we adapt to life in the Covid-19 age, I must say that most people I know are trying to live life as normally as possible. Football games are packed to capacity as are other sporting events. People are returning to life as normal but taking the necessary precautions be it vaccines, masks or social distancing. 

It appears that the virulent Delta variant of Covid-19 is dissipating. Bryan County schools will go mask optional once again. 

Thus, we will be going mask optional too for our CCD program. Parents, you make the decision if your child needs to wear a mask or not. 

Also, greeters, altar servers and Communion Ministers have the option of wearing or not wearing the mask. The Sign of Peace can be offered also but be respectful of those who desire not to shake hands. A simple nod of the head or simply saying in a quiet voice, “peace be with you” would seem to me to be in the spirit of the Sign of Peace. 

I deeply appreciate that so many have returned to Mass and are striving to live as normally as possible. I think most of us know people who have been seriously compromised by this virus, have been critically ill and some who have tragically died. 

But living life in fear is not an option for me. The Church teaches that we should be ready for the moment of death as best we can by living lives that are faithful to our high calling as Catholics, going to Mass each Sunday and Holy Day of obligation and everyday if possible and going to Confession regularly. 

No matter how long or how short our lives are, this life is but a pilgrimage to our true home which is heaven. Jesus gives us all we need to live in this passing world, trusting in His Divine Mercy and sanctifying grace to get us safely to our true home in heaven. 

Please know that all of you are in my prayers. God bless you. 

Your pastor, 

Fr. Allan