Dear Friends,
I am sorry to share that our beloved Chaplain of Saint Ann Shrine, Father Roger Bourgeois, has passed away at the age of 96 on Saturday, August 22nd. Father Roger served faithfully as Chaplain for the past 13 years. Father Roger was ordained a priest on September 21, 1957 and served the Blessed Sacrament community as Pastor, local superior, parochial vicar, novice director, and provincial vicar in numerous parishes across the United States and the Philippines. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and care for the liturgy, community, parish, and personal friends, he will be missed dearly. I will miss our daily morning greeting, as our offices are next to each other, where we discussed the previous day’s Cleveland baseball, basketball, or football games. Rest in Peace, Father Roger!
We are excited to share that Father John Thomas Lane, Provincial Superior for the Saint Ann Province for the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, has named Father William Fickel, SSS and Brother Thomas Mella, SSS, as Co-Chaplain’s at Saint Ann’s Shrine. Join us in welcoming our new leadership!!!
The original theme behind this mailing was to be for the renovations being done at Saint Ann Shrine. Saint Ann Shrine opened in 1976 in the former Chapel of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Seminary here in Cleveland. Since it’s opening, it has hosted countless activities including: Masses, weddings, funerals, baptisms, rosary’s, along with prayer sessions for the Blessed Sacrament Community. The Shrine has been visited by devotees of Saint Ann from all over the United States and also international guests! It is a place of prayer and celebration. It is especially heartwarming when our 11:30AM Mass is near or at capacity with those of you who celebrate with us!
It is time to give Saint Ann Shrine the makeover she deserves!
We recently had the statue of Saint Ann, Blessed Mother, and baby Jesus cleaned and repainted, as it certainly needed the refreshing. We plan to replace the carpet inside the Shrine, update/paint the walls inside the Shrine, and perform various maintenance duties to keep the Shrine clean and welcoming for our guests. It is an investment in a place where generations of people have encountered God through prayer and through the loving intercession of Good Saint Ann!
We invite you to make a gift in memory of Father Roger for his dedicated service to Saint Ann Shrine and/or in support of the renovation projects being done, as we would be honored for your support. Your generosity will make a lasting impact for generations to come! Any financial support we receive that exceeds our costs incurred to spruce up the Shrine will be used for daily operations. Thank you so much for your prayers of support, generosity, and kindness in supporting our mission!
May Good Saint Ann continue to intercede for you and your loved ones!
God Bless You!
In the Spirit of Good Saint Ann,
Scott Gongos
Director of Mission Advancement
*Please ask your employer if they support a matching gift program and your donation may be doubled!
*Emmanuel online magazine is a publication of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. The mission of Emmanuel is to “see all of reality in the light of the Eucharist.” Those interested in a Eucharistic perspective on Spirituality, Culture, Scripture, Ministry, Liturgy, and Prayer will find Emmanuel to be an excellent resource. Subscribe today! Contact us at emmanuel@blessedsacrament.com.
*Please share your story of how the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament Community or Saint Ann Shrine has made an impact on your life! We would be so grateful to hear from you! You can reach me at sgongos@blessedsacrament.com or 440-449-2700.
*You can honor your loved ones or a Blessed Sacrament Community member by having a Mass celebrated in their honor during Mass at Saint Ann Shrine. Call 440-449-2700 for details.
*We are able to distribute the Blessed Oil we have in stock, while supplies last, for a donation. Contact Saint Ann Shrine at 440-449-2700 or visit our website at www.blessedsacrament.com/st-ann-shrine/. We still have Holy Water available for a donation as well.
*We invite you and your group to join us at Saint Ann Shrine for Daily Mass at 11:30AM, Monday-Friday (except on Holy Days or Holidays).
*The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament offers a daily reflection. If you’d like to receive this uplifting message, send an email to cee@blessedsacrament.com.
*Our Blessed Sacrament religious in Bethany and at Regina Health Center 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 www.blessedsacrament.com/st-ann-shrine/.
*We ask you to consider becoming a member of our Legacy Society by naming Saint Ann Shrine or the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in your will. For more information, please contact Scott Gongos, Director of Mission Advancement, at 440-449-2700 or sgongos@blessedsacrament.com.
*You may also consider donating gifts of stock. Depending on the stock’s 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.
*Be sure to “Like” St. Ann Shrine on Facebook!
*If you are 70 ½ years of age or older, you can support Saint Ann Shrine or the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament through distributions from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Your IRA Charitable Rollover Gift may satisfy your annual required minimum distribution and reduce your taxable income. Consult your financial advisor for the most advantageous opportunities for you.
*We accept grants from your Donor Advised Fund (DAF)!
*Just a friendly reminder that we do NOT sell your name and contact information to other organizations!
