State Senate Will Vote Tomorrow to make Abortion a Constitutional Right in Connecticut - Contact Your Senator Now. (Click title to send a pre-written email to your senator - you may edit it as well). The State Senate is expected to vote tomorrow, April 19th, on S.J. 30 "Resolution Proposing a State Constitutional Amendment to Recognize a Right of Personal Reproductive Autonomy and Freedom", which is the next step in making abortion a constitutionally protected right in our state. It would includes abortion on demand without any limitations up to the moment of birth. The Conference recognizes that abortion is volatile issue. Most pro-choice voters agree with limitations, especially in light of advancements in care for pre-term newborns and new thresholds for viability. Therefore, unlimited abortion should not be enshrined in our Constitution. Matters of public policy must remain in the hands of the public. The issue should remain with our elected representatives, who can consider different opinions and the changing definition of viability.
As a reminder, for the month of March 2022, Church of Saint Ann Food Pantry Garden has been selected to receive a $1 donation for every $10.99 Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker sold at the stores located at 498 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury CT and 1799 Farmington Avenue, Unionville CT.
Anyone interested in “serving” the Mass when the altar servers are absent, but may need a little instruction, please come to the church at 2pm on the first 3 Sunday’s in February. No appointment is necessary and all are welcome. Those already in a mass ministry such as Lectors, Eucharistic ministers and Ushers are encouraged to attend a session, so that you might expand your role and fill a need.
The Men of St. Ann's annual Men's Retreat will take place on January 14-16, 2022 at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford. The theme of the retreat is "in the Spirit of Trust". You can find out more information about the retreat by going to: www.holyfamilyretreat.org, click on Retreats, then click Themed Retreats. You may also call the Retreat Center at 860-521-0440.
It is through caring, sharing and praying that our community has grown in love and support of one another. The success of our religious education program depends on the dedicated individuals in our parish willing to share their time, talents and faith with the future church, our parish children. For more information, contact Valerie St. Jean Director of Religious Education grades K-8. 860-673—9858 x223 email: valerie.stjean@stannavon.com
Our Annual Tools for Schools collection of school supplies will run through September 18/19. This collection is of great assistance to the Catholic Worker House, Hartford families and Avon Food Pantry families. Any and all NEW school supplies are welcomed! Backpacks are especially needed. Please place the items in the area marked "Tools for Schools" in the Gathering Space after the weekend of August 21/22. You can also bring it down to the Parish Offices under Fr. Bennett Hall. Suggested items: Backpacks, calculators, notebooks, pencils, dictionaries, rulers, pencil sharpeners, pens, notebook paper, markers, binders, etc.
The Archdiocese of Harford has released an update regarding the lifting of the dispensation starting on Pentecost Sunday as well as some of the previous restrictions. Please click the title to be taken to the full 3 page statement.
Perennial Plants * Art * Home Decor * Jewelry Gardeners, please consider sharing some of your perennials that are ready for dividing. Plant donations may be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May13, and Friday, May 14, on the lawn in front of the parking lot on West Avon Rd. side. Please IDENTIFY plants (name, color, sun/shade). Proceeds will benefit St. Ann’s Social Justice Scholarship Program. If you have any questions, please call Jean Frey, 860-673-1949.
Little Lambs is returning the first 4 Sundays in May at 9:30 mass. Children 3-7 are welcome to join us for the Liturgy of the Word in the activity room (they can come down with or without caregivers). You can sign your child up by adding “Little Lambs” and their first name in the comments section of the online Mass sign up. Father will call the children up for a blessing right after the Gloria and kids will return directly to your pew after the Prayers of the Faithful. Please sit in the side wing or the cry room of the main naive. Interested in being a helper in this powerful ministry? Contact Heather Hoffman at: heather-hoffman@sbcglobal.net. We look forward to seeing the kids again!!!
Join us on Palm Sunday when we welcome the Most Reverend Juan Miguel Betancourt, SEMV, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Hartford, who will be celebrating our9:30am Mass that Sunday.
Confirmation Masses will be taking place on March 5th & 6th. To allow us to safely hold these Masses according to COVID-19 protocol, the church will be closed from 4pm on March 5th until 2pm on March 6th. Thank you for your understanding and please keep our candidates in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit!
We have been informed that there will NOT be Monday evening confessions during Lent this year. Please disregard notices in 2/12 E-News and 2/14 bulletin as we didn't know at the time of publishing. Please continue to attend confessions after our 4pm Vigil Mass on Saturdays. Thank you.
Our Pro-Life Ministry is holding a Valentine’s Day Collection of diapers and wipes For Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center in Torrington on the weekend of February 13th &14th. The Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center, a Catholic based organization located in Torrington, is continually attempting to meet the needs of young women facing an unplanned pregnancy, or difficult economic times, by providing basic supplies and support to them and their children. The center is in need of diapers, wipes, socks, and baby food. Financial donations and gift cards are also accepted. Please help them to continue to provide critical services to mothers and babies in need.
"In light of the continued circumstances surrounding the pandemic within the state of Connecticut and throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Blair has now extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation for all the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Hartford up to and including Sunday, May 23rd, which is Pentecost Sunday." ( Click the title to read the full statement from the Archdiocese of Hartford.).
If you have any concern about the morality of the COVID-19 vaccine, here is what we know. This week, both Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict received their first doses of the vaccine. Reports say it was the Pfizer vaccine. The Vatican's doctrinal office in December said it was "morally acceptable" for Catholics to have a coronavirus vaccine. For a more detailed explanation, please read the statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This year we are collecting homemade Valentine's Day cards for Connecticut Children's Medical Center frontline healthcare workers. Cards can be dropped off outside the Faith Formation Office. Deadline for donations is: Sunday, February 7th.
Dear Parents – This morning I met with Father McHugh and we have decided to postpone First Reconciliation scheduled for this Saturday Dec 12th due to the rise in COIVID infections. We have tentatively rescheduled the Reconciliation prayer service for Saturday March 27th Please join us in prayer that conditions will greatly improve in the coming months and we will be able to gather again soon. With blessings of health and friendship, Valerie St. Jean, Director of K-8 Faith Formation
