ST. ANN CATHOLIC CHURCH

MISSION
Serving at God’s altar helps the individual grow in their understanding of their faith and are drawn more deeply into the mystery of God’s love. It’s a ministry which is a privilege as well as a service to the entire community. St John Paul II stated that we draw from the very fountain of God’s kingdom when we are of service at His Holy Altar.
Altar Servers serve the people of God and at God’s Holy Altar by being attentive, prayerful, and reverent. Our commitment is to assist the priest and deacon at Mass, as well as at other liturgical devotions (benedictions, weddings, funerals, and Stations of the Cross).

TRAINING
There are eight training sessions during the summer. In the practice sessions, the trainee learns liturgical terminology, Church history, and the ceremonies of the different rituals. 

MEMBERSHIP
All adults, adolescents, and youngsters, who have received their First Communion are eligible to become servers.

CONTACT
Bernabe Robledo - 210.344.4958

MISSION
Members of this committee minister to grieving families by helping them with funeral arrangements and to find some healing in the loss of a loved one.

ACTIVITIES
Lead a rosary at the funeral home, assist the family in finding lectors and gift bearers for the funeral Mass. For All Souls Day, the commitee organizes a memorial mass for all the families whose loved ones were buried from St. Ann during the year.  In addition to this ministry, after the funeral, the commitee contacts a family member inviting them to host a rosary in memory of their loved one in their home (Valley of Tears).The ministry continues by offering the family the opportunity to attend a monthly support group (St. Ann Support Group for the Bereaved). Once a year they hold a Holiday Workshop to help survivors through the holidays.

MEMBERSHIP
Anyone who feels the call to serve those who are having to deal with the loss of a loved are welcome to join.

CONTACT
Virginia Villarreal - 210.643.4196

MISSION
The Catechists are a group of parishioners who share their faith with the school children of St. Ann in our religious education program. School children from Pre-K to 12th Grade receive a weekly hour and a half of religious education on Sunday Morning. Classes are available in English and Spanish. Classes are followed by Mass. In addition, a weekly Children’s Bulletin is provided after Mass for the family to pray together. As parents are the First Teachers of their children in the ways of the faith.

ACTIVITIES
Religious Education Classes are provided from September through May each year. A two-year course is provided for children preparing to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Adult Faith Formation classes are also available to parents and parishioners wanting to renew their faith and grow in understanding the Church’s catechism.

TRAINING
The Archdiocese offers online or in-person classes for Catechists to recieve their certification. Volunteer catechists receive on-going training through yearly retreats and conferences.

CONTACT
Sr. Blanca Hinojosa, HCG - Director or Religious Education - 210.734.6687

MISSION
Extraordinary Ministers help the priest in the distribution of the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ to members of the congregation during Mass. They also bring Holy Communion to the homebound and sick of the parish. 

ACTIVITIES
Serve at special celebrations throughout the year. 

MEETINGS
As required by either the Pastor or the Minister Coordinator to administer training.

MEMBERSHIP
Any single, practicing Catholic 18 years and older that has received the sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, & Holy Communion) or is married by the Church.

CONTACT
Gabe Ruiz - 210.275.1449

MISSION
Lectors proclaim the Word of God during liturgical celebrations using their gifts and talents to effectively communicate the meaning of God’s Word to the Christian faithful. 

TRAINING
Lectors are trained on an individual basis or as required by the Pastor or the Ministry Coordinator.

MEMBERSHIP
All parishioners 18 years and older are welcome to participate in this most important ministry.

CONTACT
Angie Cortez 210.736.1837

MISSION
A year long catechesis of individuals interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about their Catholic faith is done for the purpose of making disciples of Christ, bringing them to a profession of faith in everything Christ taught and the Church continues to teach, and initiating them into the fullness of Catholic life through an encounter with the communion of believers and with Christ the Teacher, who now teaches through the catechist and who leads them “to love the Father in the Spirit” and to “share in the life of the Holy Trinity.”

ACTIVITIES
St. Ann RCIA begins in September and continues through the feast of Pentecost in May but culminates in the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion) at the Easter Vigil. Converts and catechists participate in a variety of informational classes as well as spiritual formation through retreats, scripture study, and prayer groups. Click here to read more about RCIA and hear from others who have gone through this beautiful process of initiation to the Church.

MEETINGS
RCIA sessions are held weekly on Sundays from 10:30 am – Noon in the Peña Center.

CONTACT
Daisy Milnes - 210.733.9095

MISSION
To praise God in song is to pray twice. St. Ann musicians and choir members learn about the history of sacred music and its wide variety of styles that are incorporated into the liturgy at St. Ann parish. From Gregorian chant and English hymnody to the Mariachi and Mexican traditions of liturgical music, all manner of music, which is directed to lifting up our hearts to the Lord is practiced and performed.

ACTIVITIES
St. Ann’s has four choirs serving the Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:30p, the Sunday 8:30a, 10:30a (Spanish) and 12:30p Masses. 

REHEARSALS
Rehearsals for the Saturday Vigil Mass are on the last Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Choir members have a final preparation 20 minutes before the beginning of Mass.

MEMBERSHIP
All parishioners including children are welcome to participate in this most important ministry and encouraged to come to practice and rehearsals to get better acquainted to the liturgical music and the musicians.

CONTACT
Martha Bailey (5:30p Choir) - 210.735.9777
Michael Cruz (8:30a English) - mcruz@stannsa.org
Jerry Solis (10:30a Spanish) - 210.275.7355
Nick Gonzalez (12:30p English) - 210.249.6945

MISSION
Sacristans do all the immediate preparation of Mass by readying the cruets, chalices, ciborium, linens, oils, and candles. 

ACTIVITIES
The Sacristan helps with the distribution of Holy Communion and checks in the Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, and Altar Servers for the Sunday Masses. 

MEETINGS
New Sacristans are trained individually. There are ocassional meetings with all the Eucharistic Ministers.

CONTACT
Gabriela Valdez - 830.456.9178

MISSION
Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (StVDP) put their faith into action. The Vincentians, as the members are called, follow Christ by serving those in need of food, clothing, and assistance and so bear witness to Christ’s compassion for the poor and broken-hearted. Through person-to-person, Vincentians give their heart and friendship to those they serve. 

HISTORY
StVDP was founded in Paris in 1833 by a group of young catholic lay people under the direction of Frederic Ozanam. St Ann’s Conference is the second oldest in San Antonio formed in 1931. 
Through donations of food, clothing, and cash, Vincentians help the needy of our parish community making lunches for homeless, assisting with utilities, and providing clothes to those in need. The Vincentians also host an annual picnic for the homeless and provide Christmas baskets for the needy of the parish.

MEETINGS
Hours of Operation: Wed. & Fri. from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
First Monday @ 11:00 a.m. in the SVDP office.

CONTACT
Chris Powers - President
Office number: 210.734.5404

MISSION
Greet parishioners before and after Mass, assist with seating, take up the collection, and distribute bulletins.

CONTACT
David Cortez - 210.373.9144