July 26^th 2013, marked the end of the 126^th Annual Novena to Saint Anne and the end of a celebration year commemorating the 125^th Anniversary of Saint Anne and Saint Patrick parish. On July 18^th, the opening night of the novena, several children from our younger generation represented this year’s First Communion class by presenting a commemorative quilt which they helped make, to Bishop Robert McManus in order for him to bless it. The quilt is surrounded by self portraits of the children reaching out to each other around the quilt, which was put together by Tina Frechette, a parent of one of the children. The quilt was displayed in the outdoor pavilion each night of the novena and will find a permanent display place in the parish center, as a reminder of our 125^th Anniversary year.

Bishop McManus blesses the quilt

Quilt commemorating 125^th Anniversary

Students in our middle and high school youth groups experienced the joy of serving others recently. In scorching 96 degrees plus temperatures, the middle school group spent their mission week in Springfield, picking garlic in the fields and bagging corn to be distributed to those in need. The food was being distributed by a new mobile food pantry to those unable to access a food pantry on their own.

Getting ready to leave for Springfield

Bagging corn for mobile food pantry

Picking garlic in scorching heat wave

Our high school youth set out early in the morning, before most of us were up, to serve in Buffalo, the third poorest city in the U.S. Some members spent their service with Habitat for Humanity while others worked one-on-one with children at a summer camp dedicated to building peace.

We made it to Buffalo!

One-on-one at summer camp

Habitat group taking a break

We know that our younger generation made a difference in the lives of many people, including their own, and are very proud of them.

The novena closed with a candlelight procession from the pavilion to the Genrations statue where Fr. Peter blessed a time capsule containing memories of the 125^th Anniversary year. The stone that covers the buried capsule instructs future generations to open the capsule in 25 years.

Final prayers of the Novena

Fr. Peter reads inscription on stone

Fr. Peter blesses the time capsule