Dear Friends of Saint Ann,
Easter is the greatest miracle of the human race. Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the son of the Virgin Mary rose from the death of Good Friday on the Cross, outside Jerusalem in the Holy Land of Palestine. All Christians believe this event and celebrate it with great joy, especially by the celebration of the Eucharist. As you celebrate Lent, Holy Week and Easter, you will be celebrating the Eucharist and the wish of the Risen Lord: “Do this in memory of me.”
Jesus was very moved by a widow who contributed two coins to the Temple in Jerusalem. He said she had given more than all the others who contributed. It was all she had to live on. Saint Paul, who had persecuted the early Christians, was told what he was doing, was done to Jesus. They are the “Body of Christ”, the Church. The Eucharist is the body of Christ, the Risen Lord who shares his life with us.
I am writing on behalf of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. We were founded by Saint Peter Julian Eymard in Paris, France in May, l856. In the United States, we are priests, deacons, and brothers in the province of Saint Ann. There is a history for the Blessed Sacrament’s Community’s devotion to Saint Ann. When the relic destined for Saint Anne de Beaupré in Canada arrived in New York City, a novena was celebrated at Saint Jean Baptiste Church in Manhattan, New York, where the Blessed Sacrament Community reside. Many miracles happened during that novena and for years after. The Congregation asked the Redemptorists for a piece of the relic. From there a portion of the relic is in the shrine of Saint Ann in Cleveland, Ohio. The Blessed Sacrament Community invite you to join us at the Shrine when you are able!
Our mission is to continue the ministry of Saint Peter Julian Eymard. He is the Apostle of the Eucharist. He wrote the Constitutions of 1864. The Congregation updated the Constitutions now called our Rule of Life of 1984 according to the Ecumenical Council of Vatican II in 1962-65. Saint Peter Julian underscored the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and asked the Congregation to continue proclaiming this presence of the Risen Lord throughout the world. Today this goal has been reached on five continents. Since 1900 the Province of Saint Ann developed provinces in Australia, Africa, Asia and South America.
We are asking for your assistance in continuing our mission in the Province of Saint Ann (United States). Your contribution supports Saint Ann’s Shrine, our priests and brothers in the ministry of parishes, and communities across the United States, including Hawaii.
As we thank you for your generosity, we pray for you and ask God, Jesus, Mary and Saint Ann to give you joy and peace and blessings.
Sincerely,
Father Ernest Falardeau, SSS
*Our Blessed Sacrament religious at Bethany in Highland Heights and at Regina Health Center in Richfield pray for you daily. Please let us know of any special intentions you’d like us to remember. The Blessed Sacrament Community supports you in prayer and Eucharist. You can submit your prayer though our website and request a candle to be lit for your special intentions at st-ann-shrine.org.
*We invite you and your group to join us at Saint Ann’s Shrine for Daily Mass at 11:30AM, Monday-Friday (call for Holidays). Mass is currently being held while following social distancing guidelines.
*The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament offers a daily devotion/reflection by email. If you’d like to receive this uplifting message, send an email to cee@blessedsacrament.com.
*We have Blessed Oil and Holy Water available for a donation. Contact Saint Ann Shrine at 440-449-2700 or visit our website at st-ann-shrine.org.
*We ask you to consider becoming a member of our Legacy Society by naming Saint Ann’s Shrine or the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in your will.
*You can support Saint Ann’s Shrine or the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament through distributions from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
*You may also consider donating gifts of stock. Depending on the stocks current value, you may avoid capital gains tax or deduct the loss in value while donating the proceeds of the sale to the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Consult your financial advisor for the most advantageous opportunities for you.
*Your loved ones can be remembered during Mass at Saint Ann’s Shrine. Call 440-449-2700 for details.
*Be sure to “Like” Saint Ann’s Shrine on Facebook!
*You may choose to make a secure, recurring monthly gift to Saint Ann’s Shrine or the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Please check the box on the reply slip and we can automatically process your credit card gift each month!