In a recent online article, Cardinal Timothy Dolan talks about a book entitled Great Catholic Parishes: How Four Essential Practices Make Them Thrive. The Cardinal sums up qualities consistent with parishes that are striving to be vibrant. Share leadership – Pastors leading vibrant parishes realize the value of allocating some leadership responsibilities to competent lay staff … Continued

As a parish, we come together to celebrate the sacraments, we grow in our faith together and we go forth to spread the Good News. St Ann has been doing this for nearly 65 years with your support. Our challenge for the future is to be able to secure and strengthen that legacy. We have been able … Continued

Totus Tuus Summer Camp WHO: Youth grades 1-6 and 7-12 WHEN: June 11-15 COST: $15 per child/$30 family max. FREE for 7-12 graders! TOTUS TUUS, Latin for “Totally Yours,” is a weeklong summer catechetical youth program that combines Catholic religious instruction and having FUN!!! A team of college-age students and seminarians are coming to the parish June 11-15. The … Continued

Father McCarthy had a very good, well attended “History of the Church” program in which he discussed The Birth, Growth, and Development of the Church. He wanted everyone to go beyond the stories of Jesus and the Apostles and see what happened after them. The following link is to his March 22nd class in which … Continued

Photo Credit: Flickr/David Howard (Article copied from Catholic365.com; http: www.catholic365.com/article/7620/are-you-on-course.html) Everyone is at a different place on their journeys. I keep hearing people make this proclamation. I’m not sure though that I agree with their point, or the point that they are trying to defend, or the people no less they are trying to defend. When someone … Continued

Lord Jesus, We journey with you this Lenten season, through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, ever closer to Jerusalem, ever closer to your death on the cross. We hear your words: “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me,” but we are unsure of their meaning, or anxious about their true intent. Through the power of your Spirit, give us the … Continued

(Copied from Catholci365.com, www.catholic365.com/article/7485/a-paycheck-from-god.html) I don’t know about you, but the gospel reading about the laborers, makes me a bit uncomfortable. I can certainly relate to the ill feelings the workers who toiled all day long and received the same amount of pay as the workers who toiled for but a mere hour or less … Continued

Men – a call to join Christ Renews His Parish ! Do you ever feel alone in your spiritual journey? Are you even experiencing a spiritual journey to Christ? Christ Renews His Parish is a fellowship of parishioners (separate groups for men and women) that can help enhance your spiritual life. Men and women establish … Continued

Photo Credit: Flickr/Kevin Simmons/Mayberry Health and Home/ www.mayberryhealthandhome.com. (Copied from Catholic365.com, www.catholic365.com/article/7783/what-is-love.html) Love is such a basic word, used frequently and also very misunderstood, over-utilized and a term very much perverted in our culture and society. We confuse the idea of love with so many things that are very far from the virtue of love that … Continued

You really do not know what to expect when you are asked to be a waiter on Ladies Night. And, we did not know what BUNCO is which added to the curiosity. However, it turned out to be an enjoyable evening. The ladies playing their dice game were competitive but constantly laughing and enjoying themselves. … Continued