Immigration Presentation – February 8 & 9
After each of the Masses this weekend, parishioner Greg C. will share from his experience with immigration law, giving a short presentation about what we need to know to be better prepared for the changing issues around immigration. We are blessed by Greg’s willingness to share his knowledge of immigration law with us, so please consider staying to participate.
2nd Collection
It’s the 2nd weekend of the month, which means it’s time for our 2nd collection to help those in need in our parish and our neighborhood. We receive many requests for help each week and are thankful to be able to offer assistance to our neighbors thanks to your generosity..
Parish office closed
The office manager, Elizabeth, will be on vacation Saturday February 8th through Tuesday February 11th, therefore the parish office will be closed on February 10th & 11th. The office will be back open Wednesday February 12th.
Prayer for Creation – February 16
The Social Justice Ministry’s Creation Care Team offers a chance to gather in the Chapel at 8:15 AM on the 3rd Sunday of each month for a Prayer for Creation. This is a wonderful way to prepare oneself for Mass, with time for shared and quiet prayer. Please join us before Mass on Sunday, February 16th.
Save the Date! Mardi Gras at St. Ann – March 1
It’s a long standing tradition at St. Ann to celebrate Mardi Gras on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday – so mark your calendars for March 1st for the St. Ann Mardi Gras celebration. Our hospitality ministry is also looking for members to help put on this fun community event, and will be asking for volunteers in the coming weeks. Contact the parish office if you’d like more information.
Social Justice Ministry Education Series
The Social Justice Ministry’s education series called “A Change is Gonna Come” continues with part two of the talk on the issues around Christian Nationalism on Sunday February 16th, in the church after Mass. The first part of this talk was very informative and brought about some good conversation.
This series began a couple of weeks ago with a screening of a short film called Mother Kuskokwim. For those who were unable to attend that session, here is a link to this short documentary. Mother Kuskokwim: https://salmonlife.org/archived/stories/mother-kuskokwim/
Bishop Daly at St. Ann – March 16
Save the date – Due to an unexpected conflict the Bishop’s visit to St. Ann has been rescheduled. Bishop Daly will be celebrating Mass at St. Ann on Sunday March 16, at our 9:00 AM Mass.
Get Reminders About Parish Events
If you would like to receive reminder messages about upcoming parish events, so you don’t hear about or remember about events after the fact – we have a new tool to help. We have signed up for a program called “Remind” that is very easy to sign up for. Just text saintanncc to 81010 – or follow this link https://www.remind.com/join/saintanncc – and sign up as a “student” to join.
Immigration Resources from Catholic Charities
In consultation with the most reliable information and Church teaching from the USCCB, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), and Catholic Charities USA, our local Catholic Charities leaders have offered the basic resources to support our parishioners and community. Below is a Know Your Rights document they have provided. Please reach out to the parish staff with any concerns or more resources or assistance.
Creation Care Corner
“…the impact of climate change will increasingly prejudice the lives and families of many persons. We will feel its effects in the areas of healthcare, sources of employment, access to resources, housing, forced migration, etc.” Pope Francis, Laudate Deum (2)
We are all well aware of the problem of plastic in our environment. We have written several of these columns in that regard.. But it seems that daily we are being made aware of more and more about the hazards of plastic being literally everywhere! Microplastics are now being found in the human brain, as well as other parts of our bodies. And they are having a negative impact on our health. Health experts are recommending that we move toward less and less plastic in our homes. Those plastic bottles that millions of us still use as the container for the water we drink contribute to the microplastics and toxins we consume. They have even more of a negative effect when left in a warm car. Here are more things we may have mentioned before, but also a few we hadn’t thought of that we may want to avoid. Plastic storage containers for our food. If we do use them, never heat up leftovers in them as the heat releases phthalates and bisphenols which cause health issues. Glass is a better alternative. For the same reason, non-stick cookware. Although it may be expensive to replace, a person or family could replace one by one. Wrapping or covering our food in plastic wrap also contributes to the microplastics in our bodies. A wonderful alternative is ‘press and seal’ paper, which works extremely well for the same jobs. You also might consider swapping out your plastic cutting board for a wooden one, like we always used in the olden days. Another item which can release nasty toxins when heated up is your shower curtain. Natural fiber shower curtains can be the alternative. Even the dental floss we use can contribute to the microplastics we ingest. Plain cotton is the alternative. Also, be sure to check your personal hygiene products. They just might contain some of those toxins you may not want to put in or on your body.
Check out the happenings at Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment: https://www.gonzaga.edu/climate-institute Most events are offered both in-person and live-streamed.
Thank you to the Creation Care Team for sharing with us!
Franciscan Corner
We know well the words of St Francis, ‘Make me a channel of your peace… Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope.’ Carey Landry wrote a song we sometimes sing: “We are companions on the journey, breaking bread and sharing life; and in the love we bear is the HOPE we share for we believe in the love of our God, we believe in the love of our God.” The companions of Francis are many, they followed him on the streets of Assisi, they follow him on the streets of Spokane. We are companions, we are pilgrims of hope, we are instruments of peace called to bring hope to those whose lives are bleak. Beyond our own city, when we think of those who need hope, the people whose lives have been turned upside down and inside out come to mind—those who have lost everything in the California fires. What must it be like to see house and home and car and family pictures, and legal documents and neighborhoods, and neighbors—gone? How can we be pilgrims of hope, instruments of peace, companions on the journey? Prayer, donations, reaching out through Catholic Charities USA or some other reputable agency that is on the ground there. What action are you willing to take? “As long as you did it for one of these…”
Thank you to Sr. Joanne for sharing these reflections with us!
Upcoming Parish Events and Important Dates
February 8 & 9 – 2nd Collection to help those in need in our parish and neighborhood
February 8 & 9 – Short presentation after both Masses on being better prepared for the changing issues around immigration.
February 10 & 11 – Parish office closed
February 15 – Funeral at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception in the parish hall.
February 16 – Prayer for Creation in the Chapel at 8:15 AM
February 16 – Celebration of two baptisms at the 9:00 AM Mass
February 16 – Social Justice Ministry – education series speaker at 10:30 in the church.
February 22 – Funeral at 11 AM, followed by reception in the parish hall
March 1 – Save the date – Mardi Gras celebration at St. Ann
March 5 – Ash Wednesday
March 16 – Bishop Daly celebrates Mass at St. Ann – 9:00 AM (rescheduled)
Weekly Events
Sundays at 8:15 – 9:00 AM – Reservation Chapel open for private prayer before Mass
Sundays at 6:00 PM – St. Ann Zoom prayer services.
Mondays at 2:30 PM on Zoom – Craig’s Discussion Group
Thursdays at 4:15 PM – Taize Prayer Service (Contact Shonna at Bartletts@gonzaga.edu for more info)
Saturdays 3:15-4:00 PM – Reservation Chapel open for private prayer before Mass
Monthly Events
1st Sunday of each month – Swahili Mass at 9:00 AM & Catholic Women’s Association meeting in the house at 11:00 AM
Every Sunday except the 1st Sunday – Swahili Choir practice at 11:00 AM
3rd Sunday of each month – Prayer for Creation in the Chapel at 8:15 AM
Sunday Evening Zoom Prayer Service – 6:00 PM
The Sunday evening Zoom prayer service that began during Covid continues to be a prayerful gathering for some of our parishioners. The service on Sunday evenings is a chance to pray and share together. The service now begins at a new time at 6:00 PM; the Zoom opens at 5:45 and prayer begins at 6:00 PM.
Fig Tree Benefit – March 8
“Sharing Wisdom: Connecting the Generations” is the theme for the 2025 Fig Tree Benefit Events. The Benefit Lunch buffet opens at 11 a.m., SATURDAY, March 8, with the program from noon to 1 p.m., at Hemmingson Center at Gonzaga University. It is in person and livestream.
The Breakfast-Time Benefit begins with gathering at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, on Zoom. The program is from 8 to 9 a.m.
These are the main fundraising events supporting The Fig Tree newspaper that shares stories of people who make a difference and the Resource Directory that connects people with resources they need to transform their lives.
Register at secure.givelively.org/donate/the-fig-tree/2025-benefit or email or call at event@thefigtree.org 509-535-4112.
Prayer Requests
Please contact the parish office if you would like to add a name to the prayer list.
Please pray for these community members in need of our support or healing:
Please remember our recently departed and pray for their grieving families and friends:
Sacrament of the Sick
If parishioners need to schedule the Sacrament of the sick for an ill or dying family member, please call the parish office at 509-535-3031.
Online Giving with Tithe.ly
You can donate using the direct link here – St. Ann tithe.ly page: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2044739
Or if you would rather mail in a donation, our address is at the top of the bulletin.
2025 Calendars for St. Ann
Thanks to the generosity of Holy Cross Cemetery, St. Ann was able to order free 2025 calendars to share with our parishioners. If you would like one for your family, you can pick one up in the entry of the church or from the parish office!
Annual Catholic Appeal 2024 – Update
We have nearly reached our ACA goal – only $1715.00 to go! Thank you to those who have already donated on behalf of St. Ann Parish. If you have not yet donated to the ACA, we ask that you prayerfully consider doing so. And please mark your donation St. Ann-Spokane so that it goes towards our parish goal.
Donations as of 1/10/25 $30,770.00
Parish Goal: $32,485.00
Percentage of goal: 94.72%
Monthly Collection Totals – January 2025
General Collection $26,595.98
Building Fund $300.00
Social Concerns $2,894.87
Social Concerns – Reserved $881.35
Coffee & Donuts $87.41
Total collections $30,759.61
Link for the full collection reports is on the giving page of the website.
St. Ann Mission Statement
The Mission of Saint Ann Catholic Church is to live the Good News of Jesus Christ. To create a family and community of faith that lives with integrity and justice. To care for those who are vulnerable, and to treat one another and all those we encounter with dignity and respect.
