Fr. Tom’s Letters

Each week Fr. Tom writes a letter to parishioners in our bulletin. Every letter is comprehensive, including current information about the Parish, an explanation of Scripture for that Sunday, and an invitation to become more engaged in the life of the parish.

November 30, 2025

Dear Parishioners,

CHRISTMAS SPONSOR A FAMILY

Welcome to Sunday Mass on Thanksgiving Weekend as we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent. As we conclude Thanksgiving weekend, please know that parishioners responded to the Thanksgiving Sponsor a Family program in a most generous way. St. Anne’s parishioners supplied and gifted more than 700 families with a celebratory Thanksgiving meal. This included families in at least three different communities. Those parishes and organizations with whom we work at helping others express great appreciation and gratitude for the efforts of St. Anne’s parishioners. They often comment we are their most generous donors.

We met the goals and succeeded at the mission for Thanksgiving. Now we are asked to do the same for Christmas. We assist the same parishes and organizations and now include those persons who seek assistance from Catholic Charities for Christmas. So again our sharing our blessings with more than 700 families will help others to know that St. Anne’s Parish cares and seeks to live the Gospel message of Matthew 25: “When I was hungry…”

Recently we had two days of gatherings of parishioners to learn about the important letter of Pope Leo that was entitled “Love for the poor.” As parishioners we strove to understand the teachings of Pope Leo in this important document. The letter concluded with Pope Leo’s remarks about almsgiving, the practice of donating money, food, other goods, and the practice of charitable deeds as an expression of one’s sense of charity, compassion, and justice.

Our Christmas Sponsor a Family activity is a full expression of the long tradition in our faith of almsgiving, care, and support for the poor. You will find information in the bulletin about how your family can join in and support one of these 700 families who need St. Anne’s support at Christmas time. The posters at the doors of the church also invite your participation.

As you realize, there is a very short time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to accomplish all that needs to be done for Christmas Sponsor a Family. We actually hope to deliver all our Sponsor a Family food and gifts on Saturday, December 13. So again, please support this large scale effort as St. Anne’s seeks to live the Gospel and share our blessings with others.

ADDITIONAL ADVENT WEEKDAY EVENING MASS

During these four weeks of Advent, we will have an additional weekday evening Mass at 5:30PM. All are invited.

Have a Blessed Advent!

Fr. Tom

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