If a baby about to be born could think, if an infant about to go through the ordeal of labor could speak, that brand new human might well say something like this:

Uh oh. That really is an awfully narrow space. It’s gonna be a real tight squeeze. But I’ll give it a try. I’m not gonna fight it. I’m gonna go for it and see ...

Right from the very start, life is all about narrow spaces. Right from the very beginning, life is full of tight squeezes. And the key is trust. We move forward by trusting life--and the Giver of life. We move forward by trusting that even though the space is scary narrow and even though the squeeze will be real tight and uncomfortable and maybe even painful, there’ll be light at the end of that tunnel. We move forward by trusting that at the end of the “narrow” there will come a new birth. We move forward by trusting that when the “squeeze” is over, new life will begin.

Ash Wednesday is just days away. We’re about to enter Lent, that “narrow” season that can feel so very much about the “squeeze.” We give things up and our life narrows down, or so it seems. We “do more” and our days and our plans and our usual priorities get squeezed. And it hurts a little, especially at the start. But we trust. We trust in new life. We trust in a new Easter beginning.

When trying to squeeze through a narrow space, we do well do leave our baggage (or at least some of it) behind. Here’s some suggestions for stuff to leave at the door on Ash Wednesday. sour cream and onion potato chips Ring Dings

chocolate gossip

pizza bacon

judging television

pudding Cheez Doodles

procrastinating grilled cheese

Coca-Cola talking back

And here are a few things that might help you slip through the narrows …

Sunday Mass prayer a good book friendship

fruit vegetables

sleep exercise

confession quiet

Especially helpful, we hope, will be our coming Parish Mission in early March with Monsignor Paul Schetelick, and the preaching series we’ll be starting on Ash Wednesday. Our theme for Lent comes down to three words. “Mercy: God’s Name.” It is his mercy that gets us through the narrow places. It is his mercy that opens up for us a new life. Let’s pray for one another, that his mercy may touch us this Lent, and always. Peace.

Fr Colin

Worship…Called and formed by the Word of God, we

worship our Lord primarily in the Mass. The Eucharist is the

center of our Christian life. It grounds everything else we do,

from prayer to our daily tasks to our ministries. If you have any

comments, please feel free to contact any of the following

Pastoral Council Representatives: Fr. Colin Kay, Deacon

Rich McGarry and Michael Kohler.

Pray for the recovery of: Fr. James Joyce, Ann DiGiaimo, Leva DeGiglio, Larry, Carol & Jill Sifflard, Dylan Ochanski, Helen Konarski, Cathy Nahra, Sharon Breheny, Mary Ludlow, Margaret Schneider, Dave Owens, Sam Samir, Craig Buksar, Ven Hammonds, Fr. Jim Moran, Timothy Dolan, Manny Chirico, Margaret Chirico, Facundo Daniel, Nicki Conaway, Ray Hofmeister, Virginia Sprague, June Passarelli, Barbara Spreer, Ron Barbarulo, Janet Blumka, Emma Marie Wyman, Evelyn Hedderich, Jason & Justin Leider, Kevin Barnett, Dianna Miranda, Jack Hermans, Joanne DeCaro, Brandon Higgens, Ann Millstein, Carol Gravel, Wendy Gratale, Richie Policastro, Jackie Manning, Stanislaw Tecza, Jean Calabrase, Louis Frances, Jarret Adamo, Matthew McGovern, Gloria Ranieri, Sarah Valenti, Stan Tomon, Violeta Arva, Ken Macagna, Todd Hodge, Vickie DePadova, Louise Garcia, Emily Rao, John Rao, Carol Verbovsky, Kenneth Bodzak, Janice Ward, Carol Crosson, Anne Llewellyn, Amy Joosten Butler, Les Wolf, Gary Beal, Diana Lambouras, Thomas Brown, Mary Ann Cavana, Nicole Schepps, John Falcone, Elise Bord, Vicki Purpura, Liz Morano, Baby Regan Doyle, John Cooney, Msgr. Joseph Slinger, Jayden J. Miranda, Brenda Reef, Mary Garripoli, Kenneth Michael Bodzak, Kelly Ann Ross, Kay McAteer, Frank DiGiaimo Jr., Michael T., Mildred Adamo, Patricia Salvi, Aliysha Malone, Peter Mastrangelo, Olga Marino, Tyler Dixon, Richard DeLorenzo, Brandon Patory, Alice Giegler, Ruth Rizzo, Patrice Foster, Gertrude Mahon, Sean Cox, Ken Lisa, Kevin Considine, Baby Kaedon Ross, Glenn Endresz, Sarah Wilder, Krista Jentzsch, Patricia Hinchliffe, Helen Krajacic, Robert O’Byrne, Andrew D’Amico Sr., Anthony Frank, Janet Blumka, Anna Coletti, Patricia Castiglia, Linda DeLorenzo, Jean Conerly, Ruth Corsi, Rick Owen, Jeannie Girovasi, Natasha Santana, and Jay Paolella.

†Pray for the happy repose of † Lou Abbruzzese

During January, Pope Francis asks that we pray especially...that sincere dialog among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice.

Monday, February 8th

7:30 – People of St. Anne Parish 8:45 – Mary Desmond – Daughter & Son-in-law

Tuesday, February 9th

7:30 – Robert Robertson – Family Infant Jesus of Prague 8:45 – Bernice Vena – Sister, Karen

Wednesday, February 10th

– Ash Wednesday 7:30 – People of St. Anne Parish 8:45 – People of St. Anne Parish

Thursday, February 11th

7:30 – Warren Harris – Dorothy Harris George Swoboda – Margie Guy 8:45 – Edward F. Raeber – Wife Kay & Family

Friday, February 12th

7:30 – People of St. Anne Parish 8:45 – Jack Kinmond – Beverly Olive & Anthony D’Emidio - Family

Saturday, February 13th

8:45 – People of St. Anne Parish 5:15 – Rose & Pat DeMaio – Patrick & Caroline Pompeo George Angelides – Family Nina Cieri – The Ferrara Family Rafael Marte - Family

Sunday, February 14th

7:30 – Al Placa – Wife, Mildred William Fowler – Wife Marie & Ray Daiuto - Daughter 9:30 - Janina Karway – Pat Muse Mary & Bob Wilk – The Sonye Family Albert Hochkeppel – Wife & Sons Tom Bostley - Eileen 11:30 – Marie Schwoerer – Doris & John Lyons Mom & Sam – DePadova Family Helen Kohler – Dan & Barbara O’Byrne Oriliana Briganti – Macaluso Family 6:00 PM – People of St. Anne Parish

The Bread and Wine will be offered this week in loving memory of John Hermans, as requested by Grace Seitzer.

The Altar Candles will burn this week for the special intentions of the people of St. Anne Parish.

The Sanctuary Lamp will burn this week for the special intentions of the people of St. Anne Parish.

.

Let us pray for those in our armed forces especially

for: PFC Richard Marchese, US Army; Lt. Col. Phillip Christy, US Army; Army Natl. Guard; Pvt. John Pagios,

US Army; Pvt. Kristoffer Burger, US Army; SPCE4 Kyle

Milnes, US Army; PO 2nd

Cl Jimmy Guerra, US Navy, PO 2

nd Cl Nicholas J. Vanni, US Navy; Major Gregory

Sugalski, US Army; MM2 Nicholas J. Magarelli, USN,

Master Sgt. Michael VanPamel, USAF; Sgt. Michael Bourke, US Army; PFC Lindsay Newarski, US Army;

PFC Jason Dawson, US Army;Staff Sgt.. Matthew Bauer,

USAF; Brandon Motto, USMC; Lt. Marc Sabatino, USN; LCPL Storm Odom, USMC; Airman Michael Diffin,

USAF; Sgt Major Joseph R. Lobban, US Army; CPL Justin Scales, USMC; LCPL Dominick Rizzo, USMC; PFC

Jonathan C. Sulinski, Warrant Officer Alan Harty, US

Army; Sgt. Bert J. Frullo, US Army; LCPL. Harrison James Bruining, USMC; LCPL Steven D’Argenio, USMC;

Capt. Kip Rainey; SP4 Monica Saucier, US Army; Spec. 4

Brian Tarantino, US Army; PO 1st Cl. Mike Tarantino,

USN; Lt. Col. Marshall Denney; Lance Corp. Marshall

Denney IV; EO2 Michael Yondolino, USN; Col. Patrick Frank; Capt. Daniel Curtin, US Army; Staff Sgt. Joseph

Sullivan, USMC; A1C Richard Baldassari, USAF; Capt.

Donald Pump, USMC; and all those serving in Iraq and

Afghanistan.

ALTERNATIVE TO ABORTION If you know someone who is considering having an abortion, here is a number they might call that could be of help to them to consider an alternative to this practice. The number is 1-800-395-HELP (4357).

BACK TO OUR ROOTS

will meet this Thursday, February 11th from 1-2 PM in the Faith Center

MEDITATION

Prayer to Our Blessed Mother

Take my hand, O Blessed Mother,

Hold me firmly lest I fall;

I am nervous when I’m walking

And on thee I humbly call.

Guide me over every crossing;

Watch me when I’m on the stairs,

Let me know you are beside me,

Listen to my fervent prayers.

Bring me to my destination,

Safely every single day

Help me with my undertaking,

As the hours pass away

And when evening falls upon us,

And I fear to be alone

Take my hand, O Blessed Mother,

Once Again and lead me home.

Author Unknown

STEWARDSHIP REFLECTIONS 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,

‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’

‘Here I am,’ I said, send me!.” (Isaih 6:8)

Every day – in little ways and in big ways – God

asks, “Whom shall I send?” Whether it is someone

to take on a new ministry or just someone to open a

door for a stranger. God constantly provides doors

of opportunity. The next time you hear God

calling, have the courage to walk through the door

and say “Here I am, Lord.”

HOLY NAME SOCIETY The next Holy Name meeting will be on Feb. 14th with Mass at 9:30 and all members are requested to proceed down the aisle together. Meeting to follow in the Church Hall. Members of the Holy Name Society will hold their Annual Valentine Boutique after Mass on Valentine’s Weekend. Please stop by …there’s something for everyone.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Please join us for Stations of the Cross

each Friday during Lent at 7:00 pm in the Church.

We are social beings, and forgiveness

has a social implication;

my sin wounds mankind, my brothers

and sisters and society as a whole.

Confessing to a priest is a way of

putting my life into the hands and heart

of someone else, someone who at that

moment acts in the name of Jesus.

It is a way to be real and authentic.

…Pope Francis The Name of God is Mercy p. 22

Word… St. Anne’s is a family of faith formed by the Word of God, especially as this is expressed in the person of Christ, in the

Scriptures, and in the Tradition of the Church. As we hear this word and take it more and more deeply into our lives, we

become ever more truly the People of God.

If you have any comments, please feel free to contact any of the following Pastoral Council Representatives:

Donna Stickna, John Hill, Carmie DeMerchant, Melissa Rovetto-Ruffner & Marianne Cummins

SAINT ANNE SCHOOL NEWS

As we conclude Catholic Schools Week 2016, we would like to say thank you to our parish for its tireless

support of our mission: to offer a quality Catholic education enhanced by the handing on of our faith.

We couldn’t do it without you!

Registration for new Pre-K to Grade 8 families will be held on Wednesday, February 24 and Thursday,

February 25, from 9:00-11:00 AM and 1:00 – 2:00 PM in the school cafeteria.

New Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students must present birth and baptismal certificates and

record of immunizations. New students registering for Grades 1 through Grade 8 must present a

transcript from their previous school and record of immunizations. For further information regarding

tuition and fees, call the school office at 201-796-3353 or visit the school web site at www.stannenj.com

FAITH FORMATION NEWS

SUNDAY/TUESDAY FAITH NEWS

Sunday Faith classes meet February 7; NO classes February 14; classes resume February 21.

Tuesday Faith classes meet February 9; NO classes February 16; classes resume February 23.

““AAllll aarree ooff tthhee dduusstt,, aanndd aallll ttuurrnn ttoo dduusstt aaggaaiinn..”” ~~ EEcccclleessiiaasstteess 33::2200

Ash Wednesday February 10, 2016

Morning Masses: Daytime Services: Evening Mass:

7:30 a.m. 12:10 p.m. & 3:30 pm 7:30 p.m.

8:45 a.m. (Soup and Bread will be

available in the elevator lobby

after the noon service.)

Our church will be open for prayer and reflection, and you

are very welcome to receive ashes throughout the day.

Families who have had their babies baptized in the last few years

here at St. Anne Church are invited to a Special Mass on

Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.

After this special celebration, there will be a reception

to follow in the Church Hall. Kindly RSVP by Mon., Feb. 8th by e-mailing us at

BaptismFamilies@Yahoo.com to let us know the number of adults and children who will be attending.

Give us your names, phone number and e-mail address

ATTENTION MEN…….SAVE THE DATE

A 26-Hour Retreat Experience

Right here at St. Anne Church Hall Men’s Cornerstone …. April 15-April 16, 2016

Cornerstone is…

An opportunity to step out of the hustle of daily life to pause and reflect.

A welcoming, non-judgmental environment

An outstanding opportunity to meet and interact with other members of the parish Contact: David Ruffner Andy McDonough Joe Barone

908-812-5059 201-214 2754 551-206-2502

St Anne School PTG 20th Annual Tricky Tray & Dinner

April 7, 2016 The Venetian, Garfield, NJ

For ticket info please contact Catherine Mortell At 201-791-1802 or 201-410-0147 Dinner ticket $60.00 includes 1 blue sheet & 1 yellow

Pre-Sale Raffle Bags also available at $55.00 Ticket order forms available at the rectory.

Basket Donations are greatly appreciated!

As always, thank you for supporting St. Anne School.

Service… Impelled by the Spirit of Jesus, St. Anne’s strives to reach out to others. In works on behalf of justice, charity, and human

development, we seek to imitate Jesus in bringing glad tidings to the poor, liberty to the oppressed and captives, and healing to

the blind and the sick. If you have any comments, please feel free to contact Fr. Joe or Fr. Colin.

FROM THE OFFICE OF HUMAN CONCERNS

ITEMS MOST NEEDED: CANNED FRUIT, TUNA, MAC&CHEESE, PASTA & SAUCE, FACE SOAP,

LAUNDRY DETERGENT!! White Rice, instant potatoes, packets of instant dry milk, coffee, sugar, Equal, peanut

butter , jelly, pancake mix, syrup, cake mix, healthy snacks, cookies, deodorant, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap,

house cleaning products. Please check the dates on your donations prior to donating them. We do not hand out expired

food. You can drop off food anytime at the rectory.

Food coupons from Newspaper: Please collect the inserts from the Sunday papers. DO NOT CLIP COUPONS! Bring

them to the church and place them in the third drawer of the small wicker chest in the main vestibule of the church. A

parish family collects them and uses them when they purchase the food they donate to our Food Pantry.

The Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help out stocking shelves, packing food bags and assisting on food

distribution days. Help would be needed on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday mornings and on Food Distribution which

are on the first and third Wednesdays of every month.

If you are interested or have questions please call Michelle Goetz at the Rectory at 201-791-1616 ext. 217.

ST. CAJETAN MINISTRY

for the Unemployed & Under-employed

We meet every two weeks as follows: St. Catharine’s Ministry Center - next meeting: Thursday, Feb. 18th - first floor meeting room 7-9PM and at St. Anne’s Rectory on Saturday, Feb. 20th - from 10am-12 noon. If you think you may be interested please contact Ed Grzesiak 201-321-5144, John Lederer 201-286-9354, Lou Cuomo 201-657-3838, Eamon Jennings, 917-841-2558, Steve Zmuda 201-819-9026. You can also email us at stcajetan@stannefairlawnnj.org

Community… Formed by the Word and by the Eucharist, St. Anne’s

builds community in the ways that we live and work and

celebrate together. In these ways, we experience the living

presence of Christ.

If you have any comments, please feel free to contact any of

the following Pastoral Council Representatives:

Junie Fuertes, Peggy Long, Eamon Jennings,

Danielle Douglass, Stephanie Kedersha, Joe Barone

and Terence Curley

EVENTS FOR THIS WEEK Sunday, February 7th Coffee Sunday/BP – 8:00 am – 1:00 pm - CH Faith Formation – 10:30 am – 12:00 pm - SCH CFC/FFL – 1:00 – 5:00 pm – CAF Cub Scouts – 1:30 – 5:00 pm - CH Monday, February 8th Seniors – 1:00 – 3:00 pm - CH School Adv. Board – 7:00 pm – FC AA – 7:30 pm – LCR Choir – 7:30 – 9:00 pm – C Tuesday, February 9th Men’s Morning Prayer – 6:00 am - FC Faith Formation – 3:30 – 5:00 PM – SCH Girl Scouts – 6:00 – 7:30 pm – CAF PTG – 7:30 pm - CAF Men’s Cornerstone – 7:30 pm - CR Wednesday, February 10th–Ash Wednesday Play Group – 9:30 – 10:30 am - CH Bible Study – 7:00 pm – FC

Thursday, February 11th BTOR – 1:00 pm - FC Children’s Choir – 4:15 pm – C Cub Scouts – 6:30 – 8:30 pm – CAF/CH SCC – 7:00 pm - FC Choir – 7:30 pm - C

Friday, February 12th Fish ‘n Chips – 5:30 pm – CH Stations of the Cross – 7:00 pm - C BOLD Middle – 7:00 – 8:30 pm - CAF Saturday, February 13th Stages – 12:00 – 5:00 pm - CH AA – 7:30 – 8:30 pm – CAF

G.R.O.W. (God Reaches Out to Women)

Join us on Saturday, February 20 for a Book Chat. Come to the 8:45am Mass, or meet us in the Church Hall at 9:30 am for a Continental Breakfast before we discuss Sue Monk Kidd’s: “When the Heart Waits”. More food for thought… “Crises can be holy beginnings if we allow them… Hope lies in braving the chaos and waiting calmly, with trust in the God who loves us.”

SAINT ANNE'S SENIORS

TO HOLD VALENTINE PARTY Saint Anne's Seniors will meet on Monday, Feb. 8th at 1 p.m. in the church hall. Our annual valentine party will be featured with a "Price is Right" game for entertainment. Tickets for our March 14th St. Patrick's Day party will be on sale. The cost is $8 for members and $10 for guests. The party will be catered by Rivara's offering a choice of corned beef or tuna fish accompanied by macaroni salad and potatoes.

For further info. call Lucy at 201-791-3440.

Are you a stay-at-home mom or dad of children age 5 and under? Or perhaps you care for your grandchildren during the week?

If so, come join us for a weekly Play Group this Wednesday, February 10th at 9:30 am for about an hour in the Church Hall. Hope to see you there! For info, please email Meghan at meghan.lobue@gmail.com

Save the dates for our Parish Mission… Saint Anne Parish will host a

Parish Mission this Lent

featuring Msgr. Paul Schetelick

beginning with the weekend Masses on

March 5 & 6, 2016

and continuing in the evening on

March 7, 8 & 9 at 7:30 pm in the Church

In keeping with the Holy Year of Mercy

declared by Pope Francis,

the theme of the Parish Mission will be mercy.

No need to cook !

Come to the 9th Annual

Fish & Chips

Friday, February 12th Church Hall

$15.00 per person- includes fish & chips, coffee, water & dessert

(Chicken fingers & chips also available) Food prepared in a truck outside by “Tastefully British” catering company.

***All orders must be placed by the deadline.***

***Absolutely no walk-up orders!***

Kindly send/bring form to the Rectory by Wed. Feb 10th

Name __________________________ Phone ______________ Number of tickets (fish)______ at $15.00 each Total: ________ Number of tickets (chicken)____at $15.00 each Total:________

Kindly make checks payable to St. Anne Church.

____ I would like to be at the 5:30 seating.

_____ I would like to be at the 6:30 seating.

Once again this year, we are only offering the opportunity to eat here. Kindly choose whether you’d like to eat at 5:30 pm. (especially good for those who want to attend Stations of the Cross at 7pm) or 6:30 p.m.

Either way, you’re welcome to relax at your table ‘til closing time!

Finance/Administration… A Christian community strives to steward its resources so that they can provide the material by which its various

ministries can reflect the parish’s mission to reflect Christ’s presence in all that we do and say. Finance Committee

Members: Ed Hughes, Bill Ball, Sally Quinn, Sheila Abate, Ed Trawinski, Loretta Stachiotti, Kristie Bednarz,

Karen Gillies, Steve Palermo and Jerry Cunningham.

Buildings/Grounds: Carl Shoemaker, Dave Lee, Kate Humble, and Steve Zmuda.

We are grateful to the 1,577 people who worshipped with us last weekend and contributed $16,212.50 in the offertory and $2,542.00 through Online Giving offertory,

which along with other fees and donations totaled $22,657.50. Our weekly expenses average out to $20,348.00.

Heating & Air Conditioning ~ Everyone knows that there are some months in which our electricity bill or heating bill is higher than

others. Well, it’s the same with the Church. As you know, we use an additional way of paying for our extra

energy months. In the back of the church each Sunday you will find separate ENERGY envelopes. If you should

happen to hit the jackpot that week, and wish to throw a dollar or two in that envelope, we’d greatly appreciate

it! You can throw these special envelopes right in the collection with your regular envelope. The energy

envelopes will not be mailed to you. They will simply be in the back of the church, so if you don’t spot them, be

sure to ask the ushers at your Mass. Thanks so much. And special thanks to those who have already been doing it

regularly. It makes a difference!!!

Online Giving…

You have the opportunity to make donations to our Sunday collection online! To sign up, go to the St. Anne website – www.stannefairlawnnj.org

There are several ways to access the system: 1. Underneath the scrolling slideshow on the home page, on the bottom right-hand corner, you will see a

light blue icon with a $ sign. Click that icon to go directly to the system.

OR

2. From the homepage, check the left-hand menu options. The second to last menu option says

“envelopes & online giving.” Click that link, and a page with various giving options will appear. Select the

Online Giving option to be taken directly to the system.

Once you are taken to the new site, click on the section that says Create New Account. Next you will see New User Account Registration. Fill out the form and click “submit.”

When you are enrolled, you can go into Manage My Account, where you will see My Payment Methods. Here you can choose to have the funds deducted from your checking or bank account (you will need your routing and account numbers on hand). Under Manage My Account, you will also see Give a New Gift. There you will decide when and how much to give. (In the list, Offertory Collection means the Sunday collection.) You can select recurring or one time gifts. You also have the option to access all the other special envelopes you would normally find in your envelope packet and which are generally one-time donations.

Each time you go to Mass, get a card that says “I have made my donation online” and put it in the collection when the usher comes around. Thanks so much for giving online!