Wednesday, Fifth Week of Lent April 1, 2020 Celebrant: Fr. John Foley The full archive of previously-recorded daily and Sunday Mass videos is available on Facebook. Those who wish to pray the rosary may follow along with the videos that are also available on Facebook. Select one of the images below to pray the desired set of mysteries. Joyful Mysteries Luminous Mysteries Sorrowful Mysteries Glorious Mysteries

All public celebrations of Mass are suspended until further notice In cooperation with Governor Baker's emergency order, all public celebrations of the Mass are suspended until further notice in the hope of slowing and, God willing, halting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The obligation to take part in the Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is thereby lifted. All Catholics are encouraged to continue to pray with the local Catholic community by virtual attendance at the Sunday Mass and Daily Mass. Although we can't physically partake in Holy Communion at this time, we can offer an act of Spiritual Communion instead (see below). St. Anne's Church offers daily Mass live through its Facebook account. Tune in by clicking on the Facebook icon at the top of this web page or by clicking on the video to the left. Act of Spiritual Communion It is proper to pray a perfect Act of Contrition prior to offering this prayer of Spiritual Communion. My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. A Prayer in Time of Pandemic O God, whose Only Begotten Son bore the weight of human suffering for our salvation, hear the prayers of your Church for our sick brothers and sisters and deliver us from this time of trial. Open our ears and our hearts to the voice of your Son: Be not afraid, for I am with you always. Bless all doctors and nurses, researchers and public servants; give us the wisdom to do what is right and the faith to endure this hour, that we might gather once again to praise your name in the heart of your Church, delivered from all distress and confident in your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

At St. Anne's Church, we are sympathetic and understanding of the physical, emotional, and financial stresses that the coronavirus outbreak has caused on the world and, in particular, on our local community. We are especially mindful of the struggles experienced by those whose health may be compromised, those who are without employment, and those who live from paycheck to paycheck. We care deeply for your well-being and pray for your health and safety.

With the suspension of public Mass celebrations, St. Anne's Church and all parishes face another struggle: the disruption of the financial support we receive from our parishioners. As stewards of St. Anne's parish, we must continue to maintain the church property and utilities, however this is difficult without the regular weekly collections we receive from the Sunday Masses.

We know that many parishioners will generously make up their weekly envelopes when the suspension is lifted, and for that we are truly grateful. We also know that some parishioners are going through their own financial struggles and need to focus their resources on their families. For you, we pray.

If you are able to do so, we ask that you prayerfully consider submitting your weekly offerings through WeShare, our online-giving service provider. Doing so will ensure a regular, steady source of income and assist us in paying our parish expenses in a timely manner. If you haven't already enrolled in online giving and are able to do so, you may sign up through the Donations page of the parish website, or by going directly to WeShare. If you are not comfortable with online giving, feel free to mail your offering directly to the parish.

We thank you for your ongoing loyalty, generosity and support, especially during these difficult times. Let us all pray together and for one another for a swift end to the outbreak and that God will bless and protect us in the midst of danger.

We are a Catholic Christian community rich in a tradition of giving and caring for its Church and its people.

Through the course of each year, hundreds of parishioners volunteer their time and talents for the many special events and celebrations within our Parish.

In addition, many of our parishioners are active on an ongoing basis in the ministries we see and experience every week as well as in those ministries that are not so outwardly visible.

2 Corinthians 9:6 "Whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

To look at the Crucifix and then to look at our own hearts; to test by the cross the quality of our love – if we do that honestly and unflinchingly we don’t need any other self-examination. The lash, the crown of thorns, the mockery, the stripping, the nails – life has equivalents of all these for us and God asks a love for himself and his children which can accept and survive all that in the particular way in which it is offered to us. It is no use to talk in a large vague way about the love of God; here is its point of insertion in the world.

Author: Evelyn Underhill
Source: Bread and Wine