Dear Friends of Saint Anne's Shrine,

 

Fr. Ray Doherty, SSE lived across the hall from me in our residence at Saint Michael’s College since my ordination in 1996 until he passed peacefully in his sleep on June 7, 2021. He always wanted to wake up in heaven, and I believe he did right after his Boston Red Sox swept a weekend series of my beloved N.Y. Yankees. Fr. Ray and I rooted for opposing teams and often watched these games together for a few innings at a time. Fr. Ray was a true mentor, and he always reminded me and others that the central theme of the season of Advent is hope.

In Advent we patiently wait and prayerfully prepare for the coming of God as a vulnerable infant born of Mary. God entered our human condition as one of us in all things but sin. He entered the turbulent and violent world of the first century under Roman occupation. We wait and prepare in hope because we know the Christ story. In his words and deeds Jesus manifested the Kingdom of God. We celebrate Advent in hope because we know that in the mystery of God becoming human, we embark on the journey to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The celebration of Christmas is always in the shadow of the cross. Moving from the crib to the cross is necessary if we are to celebrate the gift of sharing in the resurrection of Jesus at Easter. This is why we celebrate Advent in hope.

We have had a wonderful pilgrimage season with many visitors attending our Masses, weekly Reflection Series, and retreats. Our committed staff have much to do to keep momentum by preparing for 2026 and improving our facilities, which is a never-ending task. We have work to do in making repairs to the roof and painting the interior of the outdoor chapel pavilion. If the weather permits, we hope to install concrete slabs on each side of the pavilion so that those pews rest on a firm foundation removing the need to cut grass under the pews. 

Friends like you help us fulfill this ministry because you make such repairs and needed improvements possible. There are many ways to help the Shrine financially, especially at the end of the calendar year. Our Planned Giving page on our website under the Be a Supporter tab suggests ways you can donate funds through IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, gifts of stock, bequests in your Will, a Living Trust, or as a beneficiary on your IRA, etc.

You can also assist the Shrine in response to this appeal by making a generous Christmas donation. The Dion Family Foundation has pledged a $50,000 matching gift initiative. Each dollar you contribute for the programming and upkeep of St. Anne’s Shrine will be matched, up to a combined total of $100,000. Your donation will go twice as far.

 

Please fill out our intention form so that we Edmundites can remember them in our prayers. Thank you for considering a special gift this time of year. May God bless you and keep you and all your loved ones in good health.

 

Have a holy Advent and a blessed Christmas!

Sincerely,