Lent is a time for us to grow in holiness and grace. There are many ways for us to do this; prime among them is prayer, Mass and Confession. Please utilize the resources being made available for Lenten Devotions. Come to the additional times of prayer — Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings.

As God offers us His mercy we must then offer love and mercy to others through the Spiritual and Corporal works of Mercy. Through prayer, fasting and almsgiving, may we grow in holiness this Lent so that when Easter arrives we will be able to celebrate fully the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection.

Ashes will be blessed and distributed on Wednesday, February 26th, at the 7:00am Mass, at a 12:10pm Mass (noon), and at a 7:00pm Mass. There will also be a prayer service at 4:00pm during which ashes will be distributed.

We remind you that Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. The collection that is taken up on Ash Wednesday is for the work of Evangelization.

There are two days when the law of fast and abstinence apply: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The law of fast applies to those individuals of the ages 18 to 59, and it means that an individual may have one meal and may take nourishment (other than meat) twice during the day sufficient to maintain strength. Taken together, these two other opportunities for nourishment should not equal another meal. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. The law of abstinence applies to those who are 14 years of age and older, and an individual is to abstain from meat on those days.

To assist us on our Lenten journey, we will be having the usual daily Mass at 7:00am Monday through Friday, and Mass at 8:00am on Saturday. On Fridays at 7:00pm we will be having the Stations of the Cross.

Grade 9 students will be attending their Confirmation Retreat on Saturday, March 7th, (groups 1-3) and Saturday, March 14th, (groups 4-6) from 10:30am to  5:00pm.  The retreats will be held here at the Parish Center and students will be dismissed from the church following the 4:00pm Mass at 5:00pm.  Please keep the Candidates in your prayers.

There will be an Installation ceremony for new Council members and an Advancement ceremony for current members on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 7:30pm in the Parish Center.  Family members of those Knights participating in the ceremonies are welcome to attend.  Refreshments will be provided.

The next monthly Business meeting will be held on March 11th at 7:00pm which is 30 minutes earlier.  The meeting will be held in the Parish Center.  All members are encouraged to attend.

A monthly Business meeting reminder will be emailed to all members 2-3 days prior to the meeting.

The St. Ann’s Knights of Columbus meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the St. Ann’s parish center at 7:30pm.  Any practicing Catholic man 18 years of age or older wishing to join the Knights should contact Grand Knight Ron Pagels at 774-281-2429 or email rnpnekvt114@gmail.com. For additional information about the Knights of Columbus, visit our website www.kofc.org.

Coffee & donuts are available after the 8:00am and 9:30am Masses. We would like to thank Nina Triolo, Fred Sylvia, Christina Reis, Nancy Cabral, and Barbara Owens for assisting this weekend.

We are grateful to Bev Morgan for overseeing this activity, and Tim Holick, George Pike, and Mark Maimaron our “bakers.” We are always looking for helpers and it’s a nice way to make friends and meet new people. If you are interested in helping please call Bev at 508-823-9183.

With the Easter season approaching, our food pantry is in need of some restocking. We can use some canned sliced pineapple, canned baked beans, mustard, Easter Candy (jelly beans, peeps, etc.), as well as $10 food vouchers to Market Basket or a local supermarket. Also, if you can be mindful of checking to make sure the expiration date is at least 6 months out on all donations, that would be greatly appreciated. St. Vincent de Paul thanks you for your continued generosity and support!

Beginning Wednesday, March 4 to April 8, 2020, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, our women’s group we will be hosting a weekly Lenten study on the Passion of Christ.  We will be studying the scriptural basis of Mel Gibson’s, The Passion of Christ movie.  The study guide is $15.00.  If you would like to join us, please send an email as soon as possible to stannwalkingwithpurpose@gmail.com so we may order the materials. No experience needed, just an open heart to grow in your faith. God bless.

A reminder to the Parishioners who use the weekly collection envelopes. Please clearly mark the front of your envelope with your donation amount. This will ensure you receive credit for your donation on the year-end statements you receive in January. The company we use for processing sends back numerous envelopes monthly that have no amounts written or checked on the front of the envelopes, therefore, the year-end statement will not reflect this donation.

Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers who would be able to assist in Ash Wednesday services are asked to sign up on the sheets in the vesting area this weekend.

With the Easter season approaching, our food pantry is in need of some restocking. We can use some canned sliced pineapple, canned baked beans, mustard, Easter Candy (jelly beans, peeps, etc.), as well as $10 food vouchers to Market Basket or a local supermarket.  Also, if you can be mindful of checking to make sure the expiration date is at least 6 months out on all donations, that would be greatly appreciated. St. Vincent de Paul thanks you for your continued generosity and support!

The 30th Annual St. Ann’s Knights of Columbus Council 10289 Charity 5 Mile Road Race and 3.4 Mile Family Fun Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, March 8th at 10:00am.

The shorter distance is suitable for both runners that might not want to try the longer distance as well as those that like a nice long walk for a great cause. The race starts and finishes at the Raynham Lions Club on King Phillip Street. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome to join in the fun. Free race t-shirt for all runners registered by February 15. Full pancake breakfast after race!

This race is the main fundraising vehicle for the St. Ann’s Knights Council. All proceeds are used to support local families and charities in need as well as to fund scholarships for college bound Raynham students. Volunteers interested in helping with the race and those interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Race Director, John Donahue by email at john.donahue64@gmail.com or 508-822-6015 or call Ed Mahoney at 508-245-0644. For runners information and to register for the event go to: https://www.northeastracers.com/raynham-charity-5-miler/.

The next Emmaus is March 13-15 at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown, MA.  Emmaus is a retreat for men and women (ages 20+) who seek to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, regardless of their present level of faith or practice. We want to invite you to join us on our next Emmaus weekend. You will be welcomed by a loving community, spend time in personal and communal prayer, and celebrate the sacraments. For more information or to apply online, email us at emmausretreats@gmail.com or visit our website: www.emmausretreats.com.

Cancellation of Faith Formation classes due to snow will be posted on WHDH Channel 7, and on this website. If school is canceled or delayed, Daily Mass will also be canceled.

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