Dear Friends,

Last Saturday I was asked to give the opening prayer on the opening day of soccer season for the Town of Raynham.

I was pleasantly surprised to be asked (as someone new to the Town) to pray at the youth event… but even more pleasantly surprised that our town still thinks enough to invite one of the local clergy to be part of that ceremony!

This gesture speaks volumes about what kind of a place Raynham is. It says to me that Raynham still has the “old town America” touch to it… and there’s nothing wrong with that! Catholic – Protestant – Jewish – all children of God… and all having the concerns and struggles of growing up in a country/society wherein we very often try to delete God and faith from the public forum.

No matter what the faith tradition… our young people need signs of God… signs of faith to give them somewhat of a moral compass to guide them as they grow.

Yet another reason why I am liking Raynham more and more by the day!

Have a great week!
Father Jim

The duties of those girls and boys and young women and men who serve at the altar are integral to the celebration of the Mass. They must be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and to carry them out with appropriate reverence. They must have received First Communion and they must attend Mass on a regular basis.

If you are interested in becoming an altar server and are, in the fall, beginning fourth grade or higher, please contact the parish office to indicate your interest. (508-823-9833). You will then be notified concerning mandatory attendance at two training sessions, to be held in the November-December time period. In those sessions, we will review the duties one performs as an altar server and address any questions you may have about your responsibilities.

A second opportunity to express interest in becoming an altar server will be offered in October when a presentation and a sign-up sheet will be offered to the fourth and fifth-grade formation classes.

Homeschool Mandatory Meeting
There will be a mandatory meeting for all parents of homeschool students on Wednesday, September 22nd at
7:00pm. This meeting will be hosted on Zoom and a link will be sent to all parents. Please note that in our homeschool program, the parent is the teacher. This is not a student-guided program.

Faith Formation Fundraiser
Our Faith Formation families will begin our Hilliard’s Candy Bar Sale on October 16th. Confirmation Students will be selling candy after the Saturday and Sunday Masses on October 16th and 17th.

Proceeds from this sale will go towards our Build-A-Bed project where groups from our parish will build beds for local youths this Spring. More information will be shared this winter on how YOU can get involved with this great community project!

This past Sunday, September 19th at the 11:00am Mass, Mr. Antonio Ionnidas will be received into the Roman Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. Tony will marry Victoria Rodier on October 8th at St. Jude Church Taunton. Tony is a Fire Fighter/Paramedic working between the Towns of Easton and Berkley. All are invited to this ceremony! It’s great to see someone who is freely embracing the Catholic faith. A great example to the rest of us!

Congratulations to Tony and Victoria as they welcome and include God into their lives!

Coffee and donuts will be served in the Parish Center after the 8:00am and 9:30am Masses beginning in October. We are grateful to Bev Morgan for agreeing to coordinate this activity. We are currently looking for adult helpers, it’s a nice way to make friends and meet new people. If you are interested, please call Bev at 508-823-9183.

New Lectors
Many hands make for light work.  We can always use more lectors/readers at weekend masses, as well as during the week.  If you would like to be involved as a reader, please speak with Fr. Jim.  An instructional session would certainly be held to train you.

New Eucharistic Ministers
Again, having more Ministers of Holy Communion means that the same people do not have to serve so often.  Think about it and speak to Fr. Jim.  Instructions and training will be offered!

A set of beautiful white vestments has been given to the Parish by Mr. Joseph Kintegos in memory of  Pat Ritz.  We are grateful to Mr. Kintegos for such a thoughtful gift.  Let us keep Pat Ritz in our prayers.

Bishop da Cunha will celebrate adult Confirmation on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at 7:00pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral for any adult who is at least 18 years of age and has been instructed for Confirmation.  Online sessions (via Zoom) will begin on Thursday, October 7th at 6:30pm.

In-person sessions will begin on Saturday, October 16th at 10:00am at St. Julie Billiart Church Hall in North Dartmouth.  The registration fee of $45 is payable, in advance, to the Diocese of Fall River.  Registration forms are available after Mass on the weekend.

The Annual Pro-Life Month Mass will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption on Sunday, October 3rd. The Mass is to take place at 10:30am with the Most Reverend Bishop da Cunha as celebrant and in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus.

Join Scouts!
Boy Scout Troop 43 meets at St. Ann’s Church basement Tuesday nights from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Any boy age 11 and older is welcome to visit and learn about what we do: including g camping, hiking, and community service. If you have any questions please email troop43raynham@gmail.com. We look forward to welcoming new scouts to join us in our adventures.

Join Cub Scouts!
Any boys in Kindergarten to 4th grade interested in joining a Cub Scout Pack: Scout Troop 43 wants to help get Cub Scout Pack 11 up and running. Any parent looking for information regarding Cub Scouts, please contact troop43raynham@gmail.com.

We will be meeting to deepen our faith in community and starting with the Stay Connected Journal: The Gift of Invitation: 7 Ways Jesus Invites You to a Life of Grace by Allison Gingras.

We have two daytime options for you to choose from: Wednesdays from 10:00am to 11:30am, or Thursdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. This study will meet for seven weeks (Wednesdays 9/22 to 11/3 or Thursdays 9/23 to 11/4). Please email Karen Toste at ktoste@comcast.net if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you.

A reminder, the church is open daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm for you to stop by and pray. Please exercise social distancing while in the church. Daily Mass is live-streamed on our website & Facebook at 8:00am each day.

The Daily and Sunday Mass is recorded for your viewing!

On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/StAnnsParishRaynham

To view on Facebook, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/stannsraynham
and the live-stream appears under the Video section.

The Parish Facebook page is also embedded on this site at
https://stannsraynham.org/facebook-page/

The live stream video is compatible with all desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

The Fall River Diocese sponsors a televised Mass each Sunday at 11:00am on WLNE-TV, ABC Channel 6, New Bedford-Providence. The Mass is re-aired at 12:30pm on Comcast cable channel 95 in Fall River. On the air since September 1963, the Television Mass serves members of the faithful who are unable to attend Mass at a parish church because of illness or infirmity.

Mass Online: http://www.fallriverdiocese.org/tv-mass/

No Facebook account? No problem. View the Parish Facebook page on this site by clicking here. No Facebook account required to view.