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.

April 28, 2024

Dear Parishioners,

Earlier in the Easter season I received a call from Bishop Barres informing me that he is extending my assignment as Pastor of Saint Anne for another year until June 25, 2025. I was delighted to receive the Bishop’s extension and expressed to him my gratitude for his decision. Now that I am beyond two six year terms as pastor of the parish and have celebrated my 70^th birthday, my ministry as pastor of St. Anne’s will be determined on a year to year basis. I have now been at St. Anne’s for thirteen years and am happy to move forward on a year to year basis. An assignment of six years would bring me beyond the usual retirement age, so a year to year discernment on the part of the Bishop and me is very appropriate and helpful.

These past 13 years have been very happy ones and I look forward to a few more years of active priestly ministry. I have no timetable or plans for retirement. When the time comes for those plans, I am sure I will know and be ready.

St. Anne’s is a great parish to be pastor. We have active parish ministries of many kinds and wonderfully generous parishioners who support all that the parish does. We have a strong outreach to young children and families. With many youth activities, a parish school, and a vibrant faith formation, along with CYO, scouting, youth ministry, altar servers, summer camp, Respite, volunteer opportunities, I estimate about 2500 children have some association with Saint Annes. These children come from more than 1000 families. Along with all parishes we work to encourage increased sacramental participation. Between our Confirmation and First Holy Communion Masses, each year about 350 young people celebrate these sacraments along with about 100 baptisms each year.

Our involvement with parish social ministry and relationship to the grieving, our senior citizens, and support for those in need both in the parish and beyond our towns is extraordinary at Thanksgiving and Christmas and in ways all through the year. Our Respite program offered to families with persons with special needs, its involvement with adult and student volunteers is a tremendous expression of parish community.

We continue to offer prayer groups, bible study groups, study groups, and traditional parish organizations like the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, and Rosary Altar Society. Again, we hope that Sunday Mass is the weekly St. Anne’s Parish gathering that expresses who we are and prayerfully supports all that we do.

Along with terrific parishioners we have a great parish and school staff. The parish and school staff are strong in their faith, most generous with their time, and exceptionally capable in their work, ministry, and service. They provide leadership in all sorts of ways and are always ready to assist me, one another, and the people of the parish. Our staff is a strong team.

I am grateful to Bishop Barres for this extension; grateful to the parish for your continuous support; grateful to all with whom I work and serve at St. Anne’s for your commitment and dedication. I look forward to continued service as the pastor at St. Anne’s, hopefully for a few or several more years.

I was absent from the parish last weekend for Sunday Masses. I spent three days in the hospital for kidney stones and some related issues. To complete the treatment for the kidney and address related issues, I may require additional surgery. None of these issues are life threatening and all can be resolved with a prognosis of full recovery. Some treatment and procedures may limit my presence and availability at times in the months ahead. I know I can count on your prayerful support and understanding. I loved turning 70 earlier this year; I just did not anticipate some of the problems that can occur at this very happy time of life. I am confident that everything will be resolved and I will continue to enjoy the blessing and graces of being your pastor.

Have a peace-filled week!

CYO ROLE MODEL AWARD

Last week at the CYO Role Model Award Dinner, Gina and Todd DeStaebler were recipients of this cherished award for their leadership over many years provided for the St. Anne’s CYO Swim Team. Across the diocese, 17 CYO leaders received the award. St. Anne’s has a very active CYO program with estimates of around 800 participants. CYO has a rich tradition at St. Anne’s and we’re grateful to the DeStaeblers for their leadership and example. Many thanks to Jack Kiley who coordinates the entire program and to all the coaches and volunteers of the CYO program.

Fr. Tom

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