Dear Friends – this message offers a brief update about our plans for this weekend following the State of Maryland’s decision to begin Phase 1 of the coronavirus protocols. Here is the most important information you need to know for this weekend:

1.      The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held at Saint Ann Church beginning on Saturday, May 16 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Please drive to the front of church and park your car, following the guidance and directions of the parish volunteer.

2.      Weekend Mass will continue to be held on Sunday at 9:00am without the presence of the faithful via livestream on Facebook and YouTube. Recall that Archbishop Lori has extended his dispensation of the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.

In the meantime, please consider – Before you come to church -take your temperature before leaving home; if you have a fever and/or do not feel well, please stay home; Bring your mask; Use the restroom, to avoid utilization of the public rest room

When you arrive at the church – Wear your mask before leaving your vehicle and Follow the directions and guidance of parish volunteers

We look forward to sharing additional and more detailed information with you as our planning efforts continue – and thanks very much for your patience, understanding and prayerful support as we strive to serve you with a commitment and dedication to promoting a safe environment for all!

During the Coronavirus: What if I cannot go to confession right now because of the pandemic?

Pope Francis addressed this issue in his remarks on March 20, 2020 “But many people today would tell me, ‘Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, because I can’t leave the house? And I want to make peace with the Lord, I want him to embrace me, I want the Father’s embrace.’”  The pope said his response would be, “Do what the Catechism (of the Catholic Church) says. It is very clear: If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your father, and tell him the truth. Say, ‘Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,’ and ask for pardon with all your heart.”

Make an act of contrition, the pope said, and promise God, “‘I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God.”

“As the catechism teaches,” Pope Francis said, “you can draw near to God’s forgiveness without having a priest at hand. Think about it. This is the moment.” The Apostolic Penitentiary also addressed this issue in his March 20, 2020 note on sacramental confession. It urged priests to remind their faithful that when they find themselves with the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution they can make an act of contrition directly to God in prayer. If they are sincere and promise to go to confession as soon as possible they “obtain the forgiveness of sins, even mortal sins” according to the note.

 Baptism

The first of the seven sacraments, Baptism removes original sin and makes us members of the Church. Infants are regularly baptized at St. Ann Parish during Sunday liturgy or at 12:45 PM with one of our Deacons on Sundays. Although the preferred celebration of the sacrament in the parish community is at masses, special arrangements can be made for another time.

Parents are asked to participate in a baptismal prep class held on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in the Parlour of the Parish Center. Please call the Parish Office (301-733-0410 ext 4) to register.

Adults and children above seven years of age are normally baptized at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday evening. There is a time of formation in the Catholic teachings, practices and community life.

During the reflective 40-day season of Lent each year, as the Church participates in the spiritual practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving as preparation for (and anticipation of) the renewal of our Baptismal promises, our parish takes this time to generally “fast” from the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism until we rejoice again during the Easter season and beyond.

Eucharist

The celebration of the Lord`s Supper is the heart of the Church`s life. In this celebration, we are joined to Christ as he offers himself to the Father and are nourished by the body and blood of Christ.

Celebrations of the Eucharist are held:

• Monday through Friday (in the Resurrection Chapel) – 8:00 AM
• Saturdays – During the Vigil celebration of the Eucharist at 5:00 PM
• Sundays – 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM masses
• Holy Day Masses – scheduled as posted on the web page

Lay Ministers of the Eucharist will take communion to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass regularly. Please contact the parish office to make arrangements.

Preparation for First Eucharist is during the second grade school year beginning in September. Contact the parish office to register your child.

 Reconciliation – See above for info during Coronavirus

This is the sacrament in which we receive God`s merciful forgiveness and reconciliation with God and his Church.  Private appointments for the sacrament can be arranged by calling the parish office.

Preparation for First Reconciliation is held in the second grade beginning in September. Contact the church office to register your child.

Confirmation

Confirmation completes the grace of Baptism by a special outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which equips the Catholic for active participation in the worship and life of the Church.

Youth are invited to prepare to receive Confirmation in the 9th grade. They should be actively involved in religious education during both the 8th and 9th grade as remote preparation.

Adults who are practicing Catholics who have not been confirmed can receive the sacrament around Pentecost at the Cathedral in Baltimore or at other local parishes. Preparation sessions are conducted in the early spring. To register, please call the Archdiocese help desk at 410-547-5305.

Baptized non-Catholics who would like to join the Catholic Church and be confirmed may call the parish office to join the formation program called Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This is a year long process which culminates at the Easter Vigil.

Marriage Preparation

This sacrament seals the love of a man and a woman in a lifelong covenant that provides for the spiritual good of the spouses and the procreation of children. Couples interested in being married at St. Ann Parish must contact a priest or deacon of the parish before making other arrangements, such as setting dates or contracting for the reception.

While it is absolutely necessary to contact the priest or deacon six months prior to the desired date of the wedding, it is advisable to contact the priest or deacon a year in advance. This will allow time to participate in a marriage preparation program. If either spouse has been previously married, more time will be needed to seek an annulment.

Sign up for a marriage preparation program. Before signing up for a program ensure it will be accepted by your local parish because different parishes offer different programs.

• Sponsor Couples: A married couple from your parish is trained to guide you through your preparation course, using a Pre-marriage Discussion Inventory to facilitate communication and understanding. You will meet with the sponsor couple at their home. Register directly with your parish.
• Group-Style “Pre-Cana” Conferences: These workshop-style group programs are open to any couple. You will complete a pre-marriage discussion inventory to facilitate communication and understanding. Below are the Archdiocesan Pre- Cana programs currently open. Your parish also may have a Pre-Cana program not listed here. To see available dates and register for classes CLICK HERE

For assistance with planning a Catholic wedding: www.CatholicWeddingHelp.com.

Marriage, Divorce and Annulments 

HELP OUR MARRIAGE – Many marriages experience four stages: (1) Romance, (2) Disillusionment, (3) Misery, and (4) Awakening. Marriages that end in divorce never make it to the 4th Stage of Awakening. Don’t give up without learning about the 4th Stage of Awakening. If your marriage suffers from disillusionment or misery, please contact Retrouvaille (pronounced “retro-vie” with a long “i”).  For confidential information or to register for an upcoming program please visit: www.HelpOurMarriage.com, call (443) 400-7017, or email: 3015@retrouvaille.org. 

 Anointing of the Sick and Dying

This sacrament imparts forgiveness of sins and sometimes physical healing and comfort to the Christian who is suffering the infirmities of serious illness or old age. If you are scheduled to go to the hospital, it is fitting to be anointed before you go. Please call the parish office to make arrangements.

In case of an emergency, call the parish office anytime. The only way we know you are in the hospital is if you or a member of your family informs us. Due to privacy laws, hospitals cannot inform us of your hospitalization.