A LETTER FROM THE PASTOR
Dear Friends, In two weeks, we’ll begin the celebration of the 144th Annual Novena to Saint Anne. This will be the 26th time I’ve conducted the Novena, and I can personally attest that it’s a very powerful time of prayer and spiritual renewal.
It’s serendipitous that in today’s gospel reading Jesus personally invites us to begin a spiritual journey. “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
Hopefully, you can take part in the Novena this year. It begins on July 17th and concludes on St. Anne’s Feast Day, July 26th. We celebrate two Novena Masses every weekday for your convenience, 7:30 am and Noon. We also celebrate a special Blessing of Children and Grandparents on Sunday, July 19th and a Communal Anointing of the Sick on Saturday on July 25th.
Contemplative prayer has an important role during the Novena. At Saint Jean’s, we afford the opportunity to adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament every day from 9:00am until 5:30pm. On St. Anne’s feast day, July 26th we celebrate with a Procession of the Blessed Sacrament at the 7:30pm Mass. It’s during this procession that we’re invited to commit ourselves to continue our spiritual journey, walking with Jesus the Risen Lord.
If you can’t join us, you’re invited to send us your intentions. We’ll place them at the Shrine of St. Anne and encourage everyone in attendance to keep them in their prayers. During the novena we pray for healing not only for ourselves, friends, and relatives, but also for the world. So we reach out and pray for global healing and universal peace and prosperity for all people.
St. Anne has interceded for us for many years, bringing healing and blessings to us. Join us for all or part of the Novena to St. Anne. God bless you, your families and your friends.
Rev. John A. Kamas, SSS Pastor
