COMMUNION – “…grant that by the power of the Spirit of your love we may be counted now and until the day of his coming among the members of your Son, in whose Body and Blood we have communion.” These words found in several of our Eucharistic Prayers during Mass proclaim that no matter what the obstacles in life we already have communion in Christ. This communion cannot be un-done. It is. While never perfect in this life, the communion we have in Christ is real. It is often stretched and strained, but it always is.
CONNECTION – More than previous years, this Lent we have been led into the desert---that is an experience of profound and extended isolation which can give rise to temptations to doubt God’s goodness, presence and power. We began this Lent with the Sunday Gospel of Jesus being led into the desert for an extended time in order to be tempted. The Evil One came at Jesus from three different angles, but I think the temptation was the same each time, namely, “If you are the Son of God….” Jesus struggled and succeeded in maintaining his faith that no matter what the stresses and strains, he is the beloved Son of the Father and the Father in good, present and powerful. We have communion in Christ and we will build on this communion and through this communion maintain the truth that we, in Christ, beloved daughters and sons of the Father.
STAYING CONNECTED – At the direction of Archbishop Perez, our parish face-to-face and in person activities have pretty much been suspended. That said, Although the parish office is closed, the staff is working remotely to the extent possible so as to be of service to our parishioners. You can reach the staff via phone (610-933-3732) or email. I can be reached by phone (610-933-3732) or email fathernewns@gmail.com and I will get back to you as I am able.
FLOCKNOTE – is my preferred method of staying linked to our parishioners and I thank the more than 700 households who are using this program in this fluid situation. If you are not currently enrolled in Flocknote I urge you to do so now by subscribing online at flocknote.com/StAnnPhx or Text Stannphx to 84576 from your phone to subscribe to updates.
SUNDAY MASS - We will livestream Mass at 10:00 AM this Sunday on St. Ann’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StAnnPXV/ Thanks to our members who reported difficulties experienced during last Sunday’s “premier” and know that we are working to improve this new aspect of parish life. These Masses will be available later in the day each Sunday on Flocknote and on our parish website.
DAILY MASS AND DEVOTIONS - We invite you to join daily Mass online from Bishop Barron's chapel, celebrated either by Bishop Barron himself or by Fr. Steve Grunow, CEO of Word on Fire. The video will be posted below at 8:15am ET each day.
LEMONS INTO LEMONADE – Our Men’s Bible Study continues to meet on Saturday mornings via a program called ZOOM, and our town’s Bluebird Distillery is now producing hand sanitizer to help with the pandemic. As Thomas Merton wrote, "You do not need to know precisely what is happening or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope." Please suggest and share creative adaptations during this time of corvid-19 restrictions with Madelyn Howard at stannadulted@gmail.com.
Saint Ann Pantry
Now more than ever our families are in need of: diapers (especially sizes 3, 4, & 5); laundry detergent; baby wipes; toilet paper; paper towels; cooking oil; juice; bagged dry black beans; white rice; canned tuna; pancake mix and syrup. Donations can be placed in the bin on the front porch of the parish office (502 S. Main St). For information contact Michelle Giffroy-Rossi (610-283-1515) or Jack McKeon (610-283-1311)
Aid For Friends – Caring For Friends
Caring for Friends (formerly Aid for Friends) is a wonderfully simple program connecting meal providers with those suffering from food insecurity. Our Caring For Friends freezer will be available as it always had been in the back room of 602 S. Main Street on Saturdays from 4:00 to 6:00 PM and on Sundays from 7:00 AM through 1:00 PM. For information contact Kate Commiskey at call (610) 955-4918 or katecommiskey@msn.com
PACS
Please consider supporting Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS), our local food pantry as they are in desperate need of assistance. For more information contact melissa.threadgill@pacsphx.org or phone 610) 933-1105. To volunteer with PACS go here: https://www.pacsphx.org/become-a-volunteer/
St. Ann Memorial Church
On March 11th we were told to close down St. Ann Church and Church Hall until a structural issue had been remediated. We are working with engineers and our insurance carrier at this time and we will keep you posted about the condition of our original parish church. Work should begin soon.
Thank You
Thank you for your continued, faithful financial support of our parish at this challenging time. For the duration of this crisis, I ask you to consider mailing your church envelopes to the parish or placing your donations in the bin marked “Parish Correspondence" located on the front porch of our office (502 S. Main ST).
Also, this public health emergency is an occasion for our members to consider our Direct Debit program for regular church support. Almost 100 of our families are already using Direct Debit and it helps us maintain a predictable income stream. (Please see Giving Form below.)
"STAR of the SEA” - Historically, when we Catholics have found ourselves in uncharted waters, unmoored, adrift or at sea, we have prayed to Mary under her title, Star of the Sea or in Latin Stella Maris. She did not know what the future held, but she trusted in the One who held the future. “Mary, Star of the Sea, draw us to you and your Son and accompany us to safe shores.”
In sadness we share the dying of Bernadette Matta and Mark Chester. Their Memorial Masses will take place at St. Ann's at a time to be determined.