For 125 years St. Anne's Shrine in Sturbridge, MA has been the site of the annual nine day Novena to St. Anne, from July 18^th to July 26^th, her feast day. This novena includes a daily Mass, a variety of speakers, music and a rosary procession on the final night. As part of the first night's celebration this year,  Bishop Robert McManus will also be dedicating the new bronze sculpture, "Generations," depicting the Holy Family embraced by St. Anne and St. Joachim.

This year also marks the 125^th anniversary of the combining of the formerly two parishes of St. Anne and St. Patrick's.

Fr. Peter Precourt, A.A., pastor of the parish, invites everyone to join him, parishioners and pilgrims from far and wide, to come and celebrate this grace-filled event!

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI is happy to join you in giving thanks for all that you have been able to accomplish in spreading the Gospel, especially all that you have done to promote unity, especially with Eastern Christians, and your pastoral ministry to so many Latin-rite Catholics. Ever since the first Assumptionist missionaries were sent to Bulgaria by Fr. d'Alzon, your mission has spread to other countries in the Near East where you have generously undertaken many responsibilities and have been able to keep abreast of changes in society and the Church.

The Augustinians of the Assumption of the U.S. Delegation are happy and proud to announce the appointment of Fr. Peter Precourt, A.A. as their new Delegation Superior. The appointment was made at their recent Provincial Chapter in Worcester by Fr. Miguel Diaz-Ayllon, A.A. Provincial. Fr. Peter is pastor of St. Anne/St. Patrick parish in Sturbridge, MA, the provincial's delegate's to Bayard U.S. and the Vice -Chair of Assumption College's Board of Trustees.

This year we celebrate the birthday of our country with renewed hope and vigor for having participated in the U.S. Bishops "Fortnight for Freedom" through reflection, discussion and prayer for the continued honoring of our right to religious freedom. And so we pray:

FOR THE PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Almighty God, Father of all nations,
For freedom you have set is free in Christ Jesus (Gal. 5:1).
We praise and less you for the gift of religious liberty, the foundation of human rights, justice, and the common good.
Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties.
By your grace may we have the courage to defend them, for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land.
We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness and in the name or your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.