View this email in your browser

AVPTRIPARISH COMMUNITY

avptriparish.org

THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Happy Easter!

Yes, this should go well!? He was a well known killer of Christians. And he was very good at it. Then he had a vision and fell off his horse, was blinded and later curied. He heard God's voice telling him that he was commissioned to be a disciple and to go to Jerusalem to meet the others.

With a story like that what could possibly go wrong?

Plenty, it turns out and it would have ended badly if not for someone from the group standing up for him. That man was Barnabas whose name means "Son of consolation," or "Son of exhortation," or "Son of comfort."

Please consider contributing to the Annual Appeal this year. The ministries and services it supports need our assistance more than ever.

CHURCH NEWS WEBSITES

We have links to several Catholic news websites on our website (avptriparish.org). They may be found under the GROW navigation bar: Resources - grow in faith at home. Among them are local sites like our diocesan news site and the US Catholic Bishops site. International include La Croix, La Civilta Cattolica, and L'Osservatore Romano.

VACCINE CONCERN

There is, unfortunately, a great deal of confusion about receiving the Pfiser or Moderna vaccine. Some have been led, mistakenly, to believe that it is immoral to receive the vaccine because fetal stems cells have been used in creating these vaccines.

Rome has issued a document outlining why the use of these vaccines by Catholics is not only permissible but encouraged as an act of love of neighbor. The full document is available on our website for you to read. 

Health officials advise that it is critically important that as many people as possible get vaccinated in order to stop the development of variant strains of covid-19 from developing, which would put us all at further risk. 

These are very trying times. Please do not be confused by well meaning but inaccurate advice. 

A Prayer...

Oh, Lord my God, You called me from the sleep of nothingness merely because in your tremendous love you want to make good and beautiful beings.You have called me by my name in my mother's womb.You have given me breath and light and movement and walked with me every moment of my existence.I am amazed, Lord God of the universe, that you attend to meand, more, cherish me.Create in me the faithfulness that moves you, and I will trust youand yearn for you all my days.Amen.

Joseph Tetlow, SJHearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits

If you know of someone who is not receiving these Updates, kindly suggest that they can subscribe through our website -   avptriparish.org.

NEWS AND UPDATES

FIRST COMMUNION

this year will be June 20th - Father's Day!

    Classes will be held Sundays in the Family Center from 11:am to 12:00pm on:

May 9

May 16

May 23

May 30

June 6

June 13

ANNUAL ST ANN BLOOD DRIVE

St. Ann’s Annual Blood Drive will be held on Tuesday May 18th this year, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The BMC mobile van unit will once again be set up in our parking lot.We have been participating in this event for many years and have always had an excellent response. They run a wonderful program.For those interested, please let Dianne Romeo know so that she can reserve a spot for you. The number to call is 637-2684.

ST. ANN’S ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS

If you are a registered parishioner of St. Ann Church, an active member, and a senior in high school planning to attend college next fall, you are eligible to apply for one of St. Ann scholarships this year. To apply, please write a letter to Msgr. John explaining why you deserve this scholarship.

DEADLINE for application is May 21st

, and should be returned to St. Ann Church, 134 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. Please be sure to include your name, address, and which high school you are attending.The recipients will be informed at Class Day and will also receive a letter at home. Recipients of a St. Ann Scholarship will receive a check in January, after the completion of one semester at college.

We anxiously await the end of the pandemic and the safe return of all our members. Meanwhile, our parishes' staff have been busy searching for ways to reach out. Below is information about our various initiatives. We hope you find them useful.

NEW TRIPARISH WEBSITE

Our new website:

avptriparish.org

 i

s still a work in progress, but we are chipping away. Any suggestions for additions, changes, help, etc., would be gratefully received.

LIVE-STREAMED MASS

The 4:00pm Saturday Evening Mass is live-streamed. It is also available to view at your convenience. Just visit our website

avptriparish.org

.

NEW SERVICE AVAILABLE TO ALL PARISHIONERS FOR FREE

We have subscribed to the service

FORMED

from the Augustine Institute. It is freely available to all parishioners of our parishes.

"Discover thousands of books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies... there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church." 

 From the publisher.

It is especially rich in material for children and young adults. We  hope to make use of their resources in our Faith Formation program and for first communion, confirmation and marriage preparation.

When you first access the site, you will be asked to find your parish. Type

St. Ann Lenox.

(Sorry, we needed to provide one name.) Next, you will be asked to provide your name and email address. You will then be taken to the FORMED site and have full access. From then on, to access the site, click on "Are you a member? Sign In" on the upper right-hand side of the sign-in pane.

Everything is free for your use EXCEPT those items listed under the RENT/OWNED drop down list in the Navigation Bar. After you register you may receive an email, periodically, alerting you to movies, books, documentaries, etc. that might interest you according to the season or Holy Day or issues in the Church. You can unsubscribe from the emails without losing your access to the FORMED site.