Greetings!

The feast of Saint Charbel Maklouf, a monk, priest and hermit of the Syriac Maronite Church of Antioch, the first saint belonging to the Eastern Rite Church canonized by Paul VI in 1977 in the Latin Rite, happens to fall on the 7th day of our novena to Saint Ann. His devotion to Christ with undivided heart brings our attention to what  intercessory prayers mean. It is necessary according to him that we "pray for others so that the  rain of mercy will fall from heaven ... that will bring the grace  to soften hardened hearts, to open darkened minds and to safeguard our interior life". And we have a very strong intercessor for us, Saint Ann, the patron saint given to our parish who prays for us, intercedes for us, protects us and guides us.

It is for this reason that we celebrate as one parish family with friends-devotees of Saint Ann on her feast day tomorrow. We gather around the altar of the Lord, and timely so on the Lord's Day, to give thanks for her prayerful intercessions and for her goodness unto us. 

I'd like to express my gratitude to all the novena sharers who did such wonderful reflections on the different sub-themes that help deepen our relationship with Saint Ann, God, others and oneself. Thank you Deacon Jim, Msgr.Casey, Deacon Frank, Sister Pat, Gene Lanzoni and Gary Maccaroni. Kudos to all of you. You have all prepared us to make a wonderful celebration of the Feast of Saint Ann meaningfully tomorrow. May we all become faithful children of God so that blessings may indeed abound in our family.

One fruitful thought/reflection that came into my mind during the whole of the novena is for parish family to give more time for prayers. I'd like to invite individual persons or individual families to take an hour of adoration to the Blessed Sacrament. I believe the Lord is calling us through Saint Ann to devote ourselves and our families to Him in prayer. We will start this August every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1PM to 5PM only. If you would be ready and willing to participate, please call the parish office to schedule what time you would be willing to do the adoration. I am appointing Yelka and Gertude to see to it that all hours are covered and the Lord is not left unattended in the exposition. Prayers will only be our greatest strength during these times of difficulties. Saint Ann, Pray for us.

Aside from the fact that it is due to Covid-19, summer is really slow in the parish. Thus, the office will be closed ALL FRIDAYS of August and will resume after Labor Day. This will help us save a little of energy and expenses, I hope.

Below, I'd like to call your attention to the update the Finance Council and I have made. Please do check and  read and prayerfully consider to help. Thank you.
Once again, please be reminded that the bishop has not yet lifted the suspension of our Sunday obligation, meaning attending Mass on Sundays is not mandatory at this time. You may attend Mass during the week to keep your week holy. Those uncomfortable attending our in-church Sunday masses, you may follow the Mass in your homes or in your car at the parking lot. Communion will be distributed as your exit by Rossa Ave. 
For everyone’s health and safety, continue to observe the Pandemic trifecta: wear mask properly, social distancing and sanitizing. Please do not wear mask to cover your eyes, do not be blinded or disillusioned, this virus is very real and it kills people!
God Loves you!