Dear Members and Friends of Saint Anthony Parish,

The past 15 months has been a journey, each one of us touched in various ways by the pandemic. With progress in the fight against COVID-19 and the elimination or modification of most safety protocols, we can all feel a sense of hope as we slowly move toward a new normal.

In light of this, I wanted to let you know that a very important day in the life of our parish is coming soon. On Sunday, June 13th, we will celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, our patron saint. We are very blessed that St. Anthony’s Feast Day falls on a Sunday this year because it enables the parish to celebrate its patron saint at all of the Masses that weekend (June 12 and June 13).

Though we can praise and pray to God in any place, at any time, there is nothing like the Church assembling together in the local parish church to “praise the Lord’s name in the midst of the assembly” (Psalm 22:23b) in the ultimate prayer, the greatest event on earth—the Mass, the Eucharist. Although, we appreciate the various technologies available, such as Mass on television, radio, and online to provide a stopgap option for those, who, because of age or illness or danger of illness are unable to attend weekly mass, it cannot replace praising the Lord’s name in the midst of the assembly and receiving Holy Communion.

Immediately following all Masses on the weekend of June 12 and 13, we ask that you stay to celebrate a “Feast” for St. Anthony”. When you hear “Go in peace” at the end of mass, go, but don’t go too far because the celebration will continue with a procession, food, and activities for all ages.

In preparation for celebrating the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, please pick up a Feast Day “swag bag” after Masses on the weekend of June 5 and 6. The “swag bag” will contain fun activities for the whole family: a candle for each household to decorate and other gifts. Please bring your decorated candle along with any of the other gifts to Mass on June 12 or 13 to help celebrate our patron saint.

Thanks be to God, this important parish celebration is possible because of the declining number of COVID cases, an increasing number of fully vaccinated children and adults, and the lifting or modification of restrictions and certain safety protocols. Please know that we will bring the memory of all that has happened during the past 15 months to these gatherings.

We look forward to celebrating St. Anthony with you and your family on June 12 and 13!

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Scott