Dear People of Saint Anne,
With you, we are watching as more individuals and communities are impacted by the spread of COVID-19 (the “novel coronavirus”). Our thoughts are especially with those for whom this global public health issue is immediate and personal.
At this time, we have been informed by Archdiocese that Cardinal Cupich has mandated the suspension until further notice of all liturgical services beginning Saturday March 14, 2020. Public Masses will be suspended beginning Saturday evening, March 14. Saint Anne Catholic Community will be open for private prayer on the Sundays to come between 9am and 12pm. Mercy Home in Chicago provides a televised Sunday Mass at 9:30am on WGN-TV Channel 9.
It is important to note that at this time Saint Anne Catholic Community is without confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19. For this we are grateful, but realize we must act in a proactive way to protect our community and the communities beyond. As much as we cherish our Sunday worship and other gatherings, we are making the sacrifice to limit our time together for the sake of public health.
“This was not a decision I made lightly,” said Cardinal Cupich. “The Eucharist is the source and summit of our life as Catholics. And our schools and agencies provide essential services to many thousands across Cook and Lake Counties. But, in consultation with leaders from across the archdiocese, for the sake of the safety of our students, parishioners, and all the women and men who serve the people of the archdiocese, it is clear that we must take the better part of caution in order to slow the spread of this pandemic.”
In addition, Saint Anne Parish School, along with all of the schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, will be closed until further notice. It has yet to be determined how long these closures will last. An announcement will be made when a determined date to reopen is announced.
So, effective tomorrow, March 14, 2020, we are closing our campus indefinitely. We are also canceling all programs and meetings for that time.
There will be limited staff presence in the parish office to answer calls and perform routine maintenance with a heightened focus on disinfecting all areas of common use.
We are awaiting additional guidance from the Vicar General for the administration and celebration of other sacraments in our parish community.
Because this situation is evolving rapidly, we will continue to communicate with you in the days ahead through eblasts and our parish website www.stannebarrington.org.
We feel the sadness and anxiety of this moment and this was not a decision the Archdiocese made lightly. We hold in prayer and in our hearts all those who have been touched by this disease. And more than ever in this time, we lean on each other to be a church of courage, responsibility, and hope.
In Christ’s peace,
Father Bernie Pietrzak
Pastor