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.

October 25, 2026

Dear Parishioners,

As we gather today at the 10:00AM Mass to celebrate our Parish Social Ministry, past, present, and future, I have been reflecting on the experience of our parish leadership. Be assured, I am most grateful for the parish leadership we experience in so many ways.

Today we celebrate Parish Social Ministry and the 25 years of leadership that Linda Leone has provided. Inspired by the invitation from Msgr. Gilmartin to lead what would become a most dynamic ministry here in our parish, Linda gave herself fully to the ministry and project of starting something. Essential to the successful leadership of Linda was the invitation to and welcome of hundreds of volunteers over these past two decades. In Respite, Senior Ministry, Sponsor a Family efforts, Ministry of Consolation, various groups for Moms, cancer survivors, study groups, leadership from many different parishioners emerged to organize and gather so many others for so many activities. As Linda considered returning to volunteer status in Parish Social Ministry, she enlisted Stacey Young to succeed her in leadership. Stacey has provided a seamless transition assisted by Chris Roller, Kevin Keane, Kelly Allen, dozens of volunteers to continue all the dynamic ministries of Parish Social Ministry. How grateful the parish is for such dynamic and continued leadership.

Our Faith Formation program continues to be one of our most complex ministries. 900 students, more than 100 student catechists all combine in three afternoons and one evening to share faith and lessons about our faith. Mrs. Vivian Flood, also a parishioner, a student years ago in the program, a mother and grandmother with both children and grandchildren in faith formation and the parish school, has led this program for the past 10 years. I still remember inviting Mrs. Flood to accept this responsibility. Her leadership in coordinating classes, rosters, schedules, and special requests has kept our program growing over the years. Mrs. Flood has implemented more prayer time for the kids in the church, incorporated more than 70 high school students as catechists, who do a wonderful job and give the younger kids great example and reworked the First Communion Masses so everyone selects their own date. Her leadership has allowed St. Anne’s Faith Formation program to keep up with the needs of today’s young families. Mrs. Flood is ably assisted in her leadership by Mrs. Huggard and Mrs. Pulis who are always ready to step in and lead various faith formation efforts. And again the backbone of the ministry is the dozens of volunteer catechists. How grateful we are for the caring and comprehensive leadership of Mrs. Flood and her entire team.

Our school principal, Dr. Thomas Fasano has been the leader of our school for four years now. Ably assisted by Assistant Principal Ann Zino and the school faculty and office team, Dr. Fasano has truly elevated the operations of our school. He has incorporated new academic programs, athletic programs, prayer and service opportunities for our students. With this entire school team, Dr. Fasano has helped to create an atmosphere of good cheer and discipline; fun and safety; learning and imagination; faith and culture. I am in the school almost every day and experience firsthand the courtesy and kindness of our students. We have a very diversified school that truly experiences friendship and community through all the grades. Dr. Fasano’s own faith, vocation as husband, father and grandfather helps to fuel his amazing energy and leadership in our school.

Much has been said about lay leadership in the church ever since Vatican Council II, fifty years ago. St. Anne’s has certainly well-implemented the papal teaching these past fifty years about lay leadership in the Church.

Soon, I will be sharing our Parish Financial Report for 2025-26 and will share thoughts about the Parish Office Staff and its leadership in our beautiful parish of St. Anne.

Have a peace-filled week!

Fr. Tom

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