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
Parish Leadership Opportunities – Sign Up for an Interview
Do you feel called to help lead our parish into the future?
We are currently seeking new members for three of our key leadership groups: the Parish Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, and the Discipleship Council and the Family Life Committee and Liturgy Committee. These councils work together to shape the mission, stewardship, and spiritual growth of our community.
Interviews for roles in these groups will be held on Sunday, June 8 and Monday, June 9. If you are interested—or know someone who might be—please sign up for an interview after all Masses at designated table in the Narthex. Leadership council members will be present to answer any questions you may have. If you need more information before committing to an interview, we will hold an informational meeting on Wednesday, June 4. Stop by the narthex table for time and location information.
We ask that all candidates be registered and active parishioners and open to prayerful discernment. Thank you for your commitment to our parish life!
Pilgrims of Hope: La Salette Laity Summit Coming to
Metro Atlanta June 5–7
The La Salette Laity Summit 2025 will take place June 5–7 at three host parishes in the Archdiocese of Atlanta: Saint Thomas the Apostle (June 5), Saint Oliver Plunkett (June 6), and the Catholic Church of Saint Ann (June 7). The triennial event brings together La Salette priests, brothers, sisters, and laity from around the world for three days of prayer, learning, and community under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope.”
Rooted in the message of Our Lady of La Salette and hosted by the Missionaries and Sisters of Our Lady of La Salette, the summit provides a unique opportunity to deepen Catholic faith through reconciliation and Marian spirituality.
Participants will explore the global impact of the La Salette mission, discover practical ways to integrate La Salette spirituality into daily life and ministry, and strengthen relationships between religious and laity.
The summit welcomes Catholics aged 18 and older, especially those from parishes served by La Salette communities. A youth track and Spanish-language track are available. Each day includes keynote addresses, small group sharing, breakout sessions, bilingual Mass, meals, and evening entertainment. The cost to attend is $30 per person, including meals.
Key Themes of the Summit:
- The Apparition of Our Lady of La Salette: understanding the message and its personal relevance
- Global Mission: how La Salette communities spread Mary's message today
- Practical Application: incorporating La Salette spirituality into everyday life
Registration is available online and via paper form. Materials and promotional support are available by request. For more information or to register, contact Valeria Longhi at vlonghi@st-ann.org.
About the La Salette Laity
Inspired by the 1846 Marian apparition in La Salette, France, La Salette Laity are Catholic men and women who live out Mary’s message of reconciliation and hope. Active in more than 25 countries, they serve in collaboration with La Salette priests, brothers, and sisters to spread the charism of healing and unity in the Church and beyond.
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.
Mass Schedule Update During Laity Summit Weekend
As we prepare to host the La Salette Laity Summit, please take note of important temporary changes to our regular liturgical schedule:
- Thursday and Friday, June 5 & 6
There will be no 9:00 AM Mass on these two mornings. Communion Services will be held at 9:00 AM instead. We encourage parishioners to attend the Mass offered at the Laity Summit as part of the summit programming. - Saturday, June 7 – Vigil Mass Time Change
To accommodate the Summit’s events, our Saturday Vigil Mass will begin at 5:00 PM, rather than the usual 4:00 PM. Please adjust your plans accordingly. - No Reconciliation on Saturday, June 7
Due to the adjusted schedule and summit activities, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will not be offered on this Saturday.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we welcome participants from across the country. Please keep the Laity Summit in your prayers—and
join us! Register today to be part of this special event.
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.
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.
Pictorial Directory coming soon!
The Pictorial Directory is now in production. Thank you for your patience. We are excited to share the final product to those who participated. Expected to arrive mid to late June. We will contact you once they have arrived.
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
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.
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