News and Parish Happenings
Being a parish member at St. Ann's means you are probably involved in a lot. We welcome you to navigate our news page to find out what the latest happenings at our parish are.
News
News from the International Catholic Stewardship Conference:
St Ann receives 2025 Archbishop Thomas Murphy Parish Stewardship Award
September, 2025
The Catholic Church of St. Ann has been named the 2025 recipient of the Archbishop Thomas Murphy Parish Stewardship Award, presented by the International Catholic Stewardship Council (ICSC). This national award recognizes parishes that exemplify outstanding commitment to Christian stewardship and discipleship.
Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. James Henault, MS, the parish exemplifies a deep and consistent commitment to living as disciples of Jesus Christ. Rooted in the spirituality of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, St. Ann’s mission is one of reconciliation, service, and spiritual growth, carried out through a wide range of vibrant and inclusive ministries.
At St. Ann, stewardship and discipleship are not seen as separate responsibilities, but as a unified way of life. Parishioners embrace this call by participating in a strong assortment of ministries that serve the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of both the parish and the wider community. Through liturgy, faith formation, social outreach, pastoral care, and hospitality, parishioners strive to live out their mission:
“We are a La Salette parish family dedicated to reconciliation through worship, word, works, and sacrament. Committed to creating a place for everyone to make a connection and grow in faith through prayer, lifelong learning, service, discipleship, and pastoral support, we invite you to be part of our family and make yourself at home.”
Over the years, St. Ann has grown into a spiritual home that embraces stewardship as a lifelong journey of discipleship. Parishioners actively commit to daily practices of service, prayer, and generosity, deepening their relationship with Christ while building God’s kingdom through tangible acts of love and hospitality.
The Archbishop Thomas Murphy Award is a testament to St. Ann’s dedication to living out the Gospel through intentional stewardship. This honor places the parish among a select group recognized for setting a standard of excellence in parish life and outreach.
Second Annual International Festival Is a Joyful Celebration of Culture, Costume, and Cuisine closing out the Second Phase of the Stewardship Campaign: Prayer and Presence
September 2025
Parishioners gathered on a beautiful fall day to celebrate their nationalities through dance, dress, and delicious food. From La Salette hall the aromas of culturally significant dishes wafted enticingly. A large crowd enjoyed sampling food and learning a bit about the cultures from over twenty-five nations. Everyone cheered along to the International Festival talent show participants. These talented performers explained the cultural significance of their chanting, tinikling, dancing and step dancing. There was great enthusiasm to learn the basics of Irish Step Dance.
Volunteers make the International Festival possible. It is such a thrill to walk among the tables and hear so much love and enthusiasm abound. The International Festival is something you have to experience. Make a point to attend next year.
The timing of the International Festival is also significant to St Ann because it celebrates the conclusion of Prayer and Presence, the second phase of parish Stewardship Campaign. As the name suggests, Prayer and Presence is about deepening our relationship with God through personal and communal prayer, learning about our faith and participation in parish life.
If you are a parishioner of St. Ann and you have yet to fill out your commitment cards, you can do so here.
4th Annual Dueling Pianos Fundraiser for Life Teen Recap
September 2025
Dueling Pianos rocked La Salette Hall to a sold out crowd on Saturday night. If you were there, it was a treat for the ears and the soul. Composer-musicians Ed Bolduc and John Angotti boogie-woogied and wailed on opposing grand pianos while Dion Clay kept the beat and the party pumping on the drums. It was a blast; the atmosphere was electric. Attendees at every table smiled, sang, danced, and clapped along. A good time was truly had by all.
Dueling Pianos is an event put on by the Parent’s of Life Teen annually. Guests this year enjoyed a delicious sit down dinner, complimentary adult drinks, and sweet desserts with coffee. All funds raised from ticket sales for this event, the silent auction, and, tips for the talented performers, support the Life Teen program at St Ann. The goal of Dueling Pianos: raise enough money to offset the financial cost of the Life Teen Ministry so Life Teen ministry team can focus on the important work of leading teens closer to Christ.
It’s not too late to donate and support your wonderful life teen program! To find out how, contact StAnnLifeTeenEvents@gmail.com
All the joy and spontaneity of live music makes Dueling Pianos at St Ann an event not to miss. If you have never been to Dueling Pianos, go! Mark your calendar for 2026 and support Life Teen while having a wonderful time.
New La Salette Laity Group Forming
Have you ever wondered what makes St. Ann’s unique among other parishes?
Could it be because we are served by the Missionaries of La Salette? A new group is forming for parishioners wanting to learn more about what it means to be a La Salette parishioner and curious about taking steps to become La Salette Laity.
St. Ann director of liturgy and La Salette Laity member, Joanne Simpson, hosted an informational meeting for curious parishioners this past week. If you were unable to attend the meeting, it is not too late to get your free books before the first session on September 9th. All are welcome. The time commitment is about the same as reading the weekly Faith In Action Newsletter. The weekly sessions and daily reflections are an invitation - not a commitment - to move forward. Talk to a friend who has become a member of the La Salette Laity in our parish and pick up books in the office or in the Narthex any time. Start learning more about La Salette: the message, mission, and the spirituality that began with Mary's appearance to two children long ago in the mountains of France.
Sanctuary Carpet and Seating Improvements
August 2025
The sanctuary at St. Ann’s looks very different during the week. Five at a time, sections of pews on the main floor are gone exposing the clean newly installed carpet squares beneath. That’s Monday to Friday. Come the weekend, the pews are back – looking better than before – and the cycle will begin again with a new section of pews next week and on for the next 10 weeks or so.
To be clear, the sanctuary will remain open during this entire process. There will be times when carpet and pew removal and installation will occur.
With any renovation project, delays are possible. This week, for example, the returned pews are roped off until the finish cures on the wood. If things happen and one weekend “your spot” is missing, we are confident you will be able to participate in the Mass from a slightly different vantage point.
Caring for Our Common Home:
A Parish‑Wide Zero‑Waste Initiative
As a faith community, we are called to care for God’s creation in every aspect of our lives. Inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, our parish is embracing a new Zero‑Waste Initiative—a commitment to rethink, reduce, and responsibly manage what we use and dispose of.
This effort invites every ministry and group at St. Ann to join together in reducing our environmental footprint. It’s more than composting and recycling—it’s a shift in culture that reflects our faith’s call to stewardship, justice, and care for future generations.
👉
Read the full letter from our pastor
👉
View our Zero‑Waste policies
Let’s work together, with God’s grace, to make a lasting difference!
June 2025 La Salette Laity Summit (Day 1)
This past June, the La Salette Laity Summit brought congregants, clergy, and lay people from around the world to the Atlanta area La Salette churches. The summit called Pilgrims of Hope connected the theme Pope Francis gave to the universal church this year to the La Salette gathering which only happens every third year. The parish of St Thomas the Apostle hosted the opening day of prayers, speakers, and, for the inaugural youth track, play as the teens spent the day at Six Flags!
St. Ann Launches Zero Waste Initiative
As stewards of God’s creation, we’re excited to take the first steps toward becoming a Zero Waste parish, beginning with the La Salette Laity Summit the weekend of Sunday, June 8.
The Zero Waste initiative focuses on reducing what we send to landfills by rethinking how we use and dispose of materials. At the summit, you’ll notice some meaningful changes aimed at sustainability.
Our goal is to cut our overall waste haul in half—a bold and hopeful step toward more faithful care for our environment.
Here’s how we’re making it happen:
- Goodbye Disposable Plates: We’re phasing out single-use paper, plastic, and foam. Instead, you’ll see reusable or compostable options, including washable plates and bamboo cutlery.
- Composting Waste: We’re introducing compost bins for food scraps, liquids, and other biodegradable materials. Volunteers will be available to help guide you on what goes where.
- Recycling Right: Clearly marked bins will be available for aluminum, plastic (until our current supply runs out), paper, and cardboard—helping us dramatically reduce landfill waste.
- Hydration with Purpose: We’ve installed five filtered and cooled water filling stations across campus to reduce single-use plastic bottles. You’ll find them in the parish office hallway near the restrooms, in front of La Salette Hall, in the Launch area, the gym, and the narthex. We’ll also be selling $5 reusable aluminum water bottles—made from recycled materials—to encourage everyone to fill up and stay sustainable. (They’ll be available at the Parish Festival on Sunday, May 18).
These changes may seem small, but they reflect a larger commitment to care for our common home, as Pope Francis urges in Laudato Si’. By launching this effort, we hope to build awareness and establish habits that will grow across all parish events.
As a head start, we’ll be introducing some of these Zero Waste practices at the Parish Festival. Our team will be available to answer questions, help with sorting, and share how you can bring these sustainable practices into your own home.
Let’s celebrate together—faith, fellowship, and a future that respects and protects God’s creation. This is just the beginning.
Columbarium Construction Underway — Sales Open May 12
We are pleased to announce that construction of the Saint Ann Columbarium has officially begun. This sacred space will serve as a peaceful and prayerful resting place for the cremated remains of loved ones within our parish community.
Sales will officially open on May 12, and will be available by appointment only. If you are interested in purchasing a niche, please contact Linda Walsh, Pastoral Care Director, at 770-552-6400 ext. 6019 to schedule your appointment.
Our columbarium is available for active, contributing parishioners of St. Ann.
Before making an appointment, we encourage you to review the eligibility guidelines and regulations, available at www.st-ann.org/columbarium, to ensure you qualify for purchase. This is a significant step in continuing to serve our community with dignity, compassion, and care. We thank you for your prayers and support as this project comes to life.
New Flag Depository Box Placed Near Parish Office
We are pleased to share that a new American flag depository box has been placed in the hallway near the parish office. This box provides a respectful and convenient place for parishioners and community members to retire worn or tattered U.S. flags.
The depository was built and donated by Sam Haydock as part of his 2025 Eagle Scout project with Troop 1134. We are deeply grateful for Sam’s craftsmanship, thoughtfulness, and dedication to honoring our nation's symbols with dignity.
Thank you, Sam, for your meaningful contribution to our parish and community!
Gas Leak Resolved After Ongoing Reports from Parishioners
We are grateful to the many parishioners who reported the smell of gas around in the garden area between the Carroll Center and the Church. Your observations helped us take action to ensure the safety of our community.
Following the repair of a gas leak in December of last year, a second leak was identified due to defective pipes. 130 feet of pipe has been replaced and the issue is now fully corrected. Final repairs were completed on Tuesday, April 15, and we are pleased to share that the problem has been resolved. The safety of our parishioners and staff remains a top priority, and we will continue to monitor our facilities closely.
Thank you again for your attentiveness and continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the parish office.
Parish Surveys Complete: Next Steps for a Five-Year Pastoral Plan
After weeks of gathering valuable feedback, our parish surveys have officially concluded. The Pastoral Council will now begin analyzing the collected data to develop a five-year pastoral plan, shaping the future direction of our parish community.
This plan will focus on key areas identified through parishioner input, ensuring that our ministries, outreach efforts, and spiritual growth opportunities align with the needs and aspirations of our faith family.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated—your voices are essential in guiding the path forward. Stay tuned for updates as the planning process unfolds!
Annual Town Hall: State of the Parish Updates - August 2024
On August 14th 2024, our parish family gathered in La Salette Hall for a special state of the parish meeting. Father Jim, our beloved pastor, and Dave Smith, our dedicated parish administrator, took this opportunity to reflect on the past year and share exciting news about recent changes and developments within our parish community.
The meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the various initiatives and improvements that have taken place over the past year. Father Jim and Dave offered insights into the progress made, highlighting the ongoing efforts to enhance our parish life and strengthen our community bonds.
As we look back on the past year, we are grateful for the collective efforts of our parishioners and the many ways in which we have grown and evolved. The evening was a meaningful reminder of our shared journey and the continued commitment to our parish’s mission.
We encourage everyone to stay engaged and involved as we move forward, embracing the spirit of renewal and community that defines our parish. Thank you to all who attended and for your continued support and dedication to our parish family.
Take a look at the presentation here.
Click on the icon for our weekly newsletter containing highlights, pictures and more on what's been going on in the parish.
Click on the icon for our one and only parish blog. There you will find meditations around the calendar year, news about parish happenings and more.