Since 1998, stewards of our community have hoped to build a Church. It was decided in 2001 that the sanctuary was to be dedicated to seeking the intercessions of St. Anna. Thanks be to God, each day we make more progress, bringing this vision to reality (visit and then scroll down on our homepage, www.saintanna.org to view the latest progress). At some point next year, we’ll be celebrating services in our beautiful Shrine Church.
I’ve included the word “Shrine” above because this was not part of our original vision; it was however a blessing that was bestowed upon us. It distinguishes our community. It distinguishes our ministry. It distinguishes our holy space.
In approximately 2008, we began studying how a Church honoring Saint Anna, that possessed her relics (and with those of St. Joachim), that was also dedicated to the sanctity of marriage and family, might communicate these blessings through sacred space and iconography. It was a lengthy study that included travel to several monasteries, included the input of theologians, clergy, laity, artisans, and some of you. Thanks be to God, we have a plan!
Thanks be to God, Massimo Melinni and his artisans, together with Francesca Lofaro, have brought this vision to reality. As you watch the video prepared for our parish, I would encourage you to:
Be prayerful! This is an offering to God that will inspire generations.
Be overwhelmed! The Church will be simply stunning!
Be humbled! It will cost a lot and may not get done for a generation, but that’s okay. Others may have to finish the work we begin.
Be joyful! God is good and our matron saint is worthy of our honor as she continues to intercede on our behalf.
Be trusting! God will provide through our prayers, through our efforts, and through our offerings.
Ultimately, our efforts are not simply about the structure or the iconography or any of the furnishings (the plan for the woodwork should be ready in about a month though), it’s about salvation! This project, like our stewardship, is an expression of our love for Christ, our hope in the Resurrection, and our willingness to offer His love to all those who come into our midst here in Roseville.
May God be well pleased with our efforts.
+fr. Christopher