FINANCE COUNCIL

The Finance Council is a consultative body which provides the Pastor with information and suggestions, which enable him to make proper decisions for the administration of parish property and finances.

Members:

• Tom Costello
• Greg St. Onge
• Sue Chapdelaine
• John Wells
• Pastor: Father Dennis Skowera

PASTORAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

“A representative group of parishioners who assist the Pastor in his leadership role of planning, organizing, initiating, promoting, coordinating and reviewing the evangelization, worship, religious education and service activities within the parish.” (St. Anne Pastoral Council, By-Laws 2 A). There are seven commissions: Spiritual Life, Family Life, Faith Formation, Liturgical, Property and Maintenance, Parish Social Outreach, and Evangelization. These commissions depend on council members and parishioners to develop programs and ideas that are submitted to the Pastoral Council. Meetings are help monthly September through June.

Members:

• Candy Child
• Denise Lapointe
• William Cooper
• Anna Cruz
• Maredith Haesaert
• Darlene Lajeunnesse
• Alexandra Purcell
• Dr. Kristen Lech, Recorder
• Jean Rouillard
• Deacon Greg St. Onge
• Jeanne Bennis
• Nancy Brodeur
• Sue Sowa
• Pastor: Father Dennis Skowera

COMMISSIONS:

Open to all parishioners; meet monthly September and through June. Please contact the Parish office for information at 413-532-7503.

FAITH FORMATION COMMISSION

Religious Education

The Faith Formation Commission plans, organizes, and offers religious education and on-going formation for our children, youth and adults. Teachers (catechists) are needed for the Religious Education classes and group facilitators are needed for the adult formation programs. Training, materials, and support are provided.

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process by which the Catholic Church brings people to full membership in the Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. The purpose of the OCIA is that of Religious Instruction. It is a wonderful and enriching program for adults 18 years and over who have not been baptized and for any person who has not received the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and/or Confirmation. It is also recommended for anyone who needs to be updated in our Catholic faith.

Commission Leader/Director of Religious Education: Maredith Haesaert  saintannere@gmail.com

EVANGELIZATION COMMISSION

The Evangelization Commission creates opportunities to proclaim the Gospel to all people; to help bring about the conversion of those who have not heard the Gospel; the reconversion of those who, having heard it, have stopped practicing their faith; and to deepen the Gospel in the lives of believers. Facilitators and planners are needed. Training, materials and support are provided.

Commission Leader: Maredith Haesaert

ChristLife Ministry

ChristLife equips Catholics for the essential work of evangelization so that all people might personally encounter Jesus Christ and be transformed into His missionary disciples. We developed the ChristLife Evangelization Process, which is a relational way to make missionary disciples by helping people discover, follow, and share Jesus Christ. Our ministry partners with parishes, priests, clergy, religious and lay leaders who are seeking to answer the Church’s call for the New Evangelization through a proven method of parish evangelization and outreach.

Commission Leader: Maredith Haesaert

FAMILY LIFE COMMISSION

The Family Life Commission meets once a month. It’s goals are: To create fun, friendly, family activities. Such as: Movie Nights, Trunk or Treat, Winter Wonderland and Thunderbirds Family Hockey Night. To create new ways to raise funds for the parish and for those in need. Such as: The Giving Tree, The “200” Club, Teacup Raffle, Parish Picnic and the May Flower Sale.

Commission Leader: Darlene Lajeunesse

LITURGICAL COMMISSION

The Liturgical Commission assists the pastor and pastoral staff in assessing the needs of the worshiping community of St. Anne, and in forming and maintaining a vision of liturgy, which is truly the center of the life of the parish. The Commission assists in the planning, preparation, implementation, and evaluation of the parish’s liturgical celebrations, formation and activities.

Commission Leader: Denise Lapointe

Lay Liturgical Ministers

Extraordinary Ministers Of Holy Communion

Serve as needed to help in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass. Extraordinary Ministers are trained and serve according to a published schedule at the Sunday Masses. Lay Minister Mass preferences and schedule limitations are respected.

Readers

Lay readers proclaim the first and second readings of the liturgy, read the announcements and occasionally the Prayer of the Faithful. Readers are trained and serve according to a published schedule at the Sunday Masses. Lay Minister Mass preferences and schedule limitations are respected.

Reader and E.M. Ministry Coordinator: Sue Poulin

Altar Servers

Open to adults and children who have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Servers assist the Priest at the altar at Mass. Servers are trained and serve according to a published schedule at the Sunday Masses. Lay Minister Mass preferences and schedule limitations are respected.

Altar Server Trainer: Deacon Greg St. Onge

HOSPITALITY

The activity of the hospitality ministry is to provide a welcoming environment of love, acceptance, comfort, support, and care for visitors, members, guests and friends.

Ushers

Open to adults and youth. Ushers greet and help seat parishioners, take up the collection at offertory, and assist in other church hospitality duties as needed. Ushers are trained and serve according to a published schedule at the Sunday Masses. Lay Minister Mass preferences and schedule limitations are respected.

Greeters

Exercising the ministry of welcome, greeters meet people as they enter our Church and make them feel welcome, provide them a bulletin, and distribute other important materials as the occasion arises. 

Event Arrangement

Donut Sunday

Church Decor and Environment

Hospitality Coordinators: Josette Paul and Jeanne Bennis

MUSIC MINISTRY

The Music Ministry leads the congregation in musical worship and provides an avenue through which individuals may share their gifts to be an integral part of the liturgy. The Choir currently rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 and sings at the Sunday, 9:00 AM Mass, and for Holy Days, Memorial Masses and other Special Services.

Music and Choir Director: Dan Mashia

PARISH SOCIAL OUTREACH COMMISSION

Homebound

Bringing the Eucharist to the parishioners who are unable to attend Mass. This ministry is the ultimate of all ministries bringing Jesus and offering His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to our brothers and sisters in Christ either to their home, nursing home, or hospital. Personally, you will witness the deep and infinite faith of fellow parishioners, and, in turn, your faith will grow together with theirs. Training is provided.

Homebound Coordinator: Deacon Greg St. Onge

Pro-Life

The focus of Pro-Life ministry is prayer. We are asking you to pray, pray, pray. Please contact us to learn more on how you are able to help save lives from womb to tomb. 

Pro-Life Coordinators: Deacon Greg St. Onge

Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen - St. Anne Night

St. Anne Parish helps to prepare and serve meals at the Chicopee Soup Kitchen on the second and third Wednesday of the month. Anyone interested in helping is asked to contact Maredith at 413-532-7503.

Coordinator: Maredith Haesaert

Renate’s Food Pantry

The second full weekend of the month, the parish family is invited to bring canned good and nonperishable food items, or to make monetary donations to be distributed to needy families in our parish and community. On special occasions requests are made for clothing. Some exceptions depend on time of year.

Renate’s Coordinator: Maredith Haesaert

PROPERTY AND MAINTENANCE COMMISSION

The Property and Maintenance Commission role is to provide St. Anne’s parishioners with a church building and grounds in good repair. The commission researches all projects that are presented to it, than forwards the findings to the Pastor for his review. This commission keeps the Bishop’s office of Property and Maintenance informed of major projects and their associated costs. The commission meets the third Friday of every month at 2:00 PM. We do not meet in the summer months. 

Property And Maintenance Commission Leader: John Wells

SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMISSION

The purpose of the Spiritual Life Commission is to provide opportunities and resources for spiritual growth through prayer and reflection, devotions, and events.

Living Rosary

Marie Rivier Associates (MRA)

Remembrance Mass

Adoration/Devotion Ministry

Currently St. Anne Parish has Benediction and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after the 9:00 AM Mass on Fridays, followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. In addition, we celebrate Holy Hour every other Sunday of the month, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and Adoration from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Wednesdays. There is prayer and silent time for individual reflection.

Prayer Group Ministry

A group of St. Anne Parishioners who pray for the needs of the parish.

Adoration/Devotion and Prayer Group Coordinator: Margaret Cooper

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Meet the second Saturday of the month from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.