Church of Saint Ann
From the Pastor's Desk
Only two days left in this seemingly endless national political campaign. In recent weeks I have used this column for brief summaries of the large moral issues that face us in this election, including immigration and climate change, poverty and abortion, healthcare and employment. We cannot conclude this series without some reflection on the war in Iraq. Today’s commentator is Stephen Colecchi director of the office of International Justice and Peace for the United States Catholic Bishops:
For the American Catholic bishops, Iraq is not primarily a partisan or political matter. It is a moral and human concern. Last year the bishops wrote: “The war in Iraq confronts us with urgent moral choices. We support a responsible transition that ends the war in a way that recognizes the continuing threat of fanatical extremism and global terror, minimizes the loss of life, and addresses the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, the refugee crisis in the region, and the need to protect human rights, especially religious freedom. This transition should reallocate resources from war to the urgent needs of the poor.”
Prior to the war the bishops raised serious moral questions regarding the possibility of war and expressed concerns for the unpredictable and uncontrollable negative consequences of invasion and occupation. In particular, both the pope and the bishops questioned the moral legitimacy of ‘preventive war.’
Now that our forces are in Iraq the concern is for a responsible transition to minimize the loss of life and address the humanitarian crisis in Iraq and throughout the region. The bishops are acutely aware of the sacrifices of military personnel. In addition to our responsibilities toward Iraqis, our country has moral obligations to provide for the human, medical, mental health and social needs of military personnel and their families.
Perhaps if enough voters ask the right moral questions, a new Iraq policy might engender broad bipartisan support. It could even help our next President unite our nation on a path to peace.
(To read more, go to www.faithfulcitizenship.org/media/article/colecchi).
Our Mission
We, the parish community of St. Ann's Church, are called by God to be a family of believers united in faith and love, to teach and to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ, to celebrate the Word of God, to witness to the presence of God in our community, and to manifest the Kingdom of God in word and work.
TEACH
In our efforts to teach the Gospel message we offer religious education classes for all ages. Through discussion, formal instruction and study, the tenets of our Catholic faith are passed on.
PROCLAIM
In word and in action we strive to proclaim the message of Christ to all. We believe that by our example others can come to know Jesus Christ. We endeavor to build a vibrant community so others are touched by what they see and experience.
CELEBRATE
In our attempts to celebrate the word of God we seek to create a lively, worshipping community. The Eucharist is our central celebration to which all our hopes lead, and from which all of our strength comes. From this celebration all meaningful parish activities flow. We recognize that the celebrations of the sacraments are great occasions of joy and new life in our parish. The prayer life of our parish sustains us in our journey of faith.
WITNESS
In our witness of the presence of God in our world we reach out to those who are oppressed in any way or who are victims of injustice. By using the gifts of our members we create programs that will bring about peace, justice and harmony in our community.
MANIFEST
In our service to others we try to follow the example of Jesus Christ who was present to others who needed healing, forgiveness and restoration. We value the individual and the communal efforts of our parish to recognize and respond to the needs of our community.
We perceive our mission as both gift and challenge. We believe that God will use us as His instruments manifesting His Kingdom on this earth. We rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us in being faithful to this parish Mission Statement.
Upcoming Events
OOCTOBER/NOVEMBER CALENDAR
Sun., Nov. 2 Commemoration of All Souls, 10 am Mass Why Catholic? Youth after Mass, Anchorage Inquiry Session for new and returning members after Mass, Anchorage St Ann’s Pantry Food Shower begins
Tues., Nov. 4 Election Day – Don’t forget to vote! Why Catholic? 7:30-8:30 pm, Anchorage
Wed., Nov. 5 Jubilee Women meet, 9 am, Anchorage Why Catholic? Finance council meeting, 6 pm
Sat., Nov. 8 Leadership Team Retreat 9 am-1 pm St. Mary’s, Paca Street
Sun., Nov. 9 Oblate Sister’s Book Sale after Mass Why Catholic? Youth, 1pm St. Wenceslaus
Tues., Nov. 11 Why Catholic?,7:30-8:30 pm, Anchorage
Wed., Nov. 12 Why Catholic? 12 noon-1 pm,
Anchorage
Sat., Nov. 15 Why Catholic? 10:30-11:30 am, Anchorage
Saint Ann Birthdays
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS
1 WILHEMENA BRASWELL
2 DAWN BUTLER
2 ALLEN CLYBURN
2 BRENDA ROYSTER
3 GLORIA DEAN GOODSON
4 MICHELLE GOODEN
9 JEANETTE RICE
10 PAULINE LEWIS
13 CHRISTIAN LAWS
15 SUSIE DAY
18 ASOLITA LOLA MARCH
19 KAMERON DEENE
21 DOLORES MOORE
23 MARY MIDDLETON
23 PEARL SCROGGINS
24 SHAUNA JONES
African Proverb
AFRICAN PROVERB::: :: ::: : : Rain does not fall on one roof alone........ . . .........(IBO) — (CAMEROON)