+

Lenten Mission @ Saint Ann – This Week

2023 Lenten Mission

2023 Lenten Mission

Beauty Will Save the World”

presented by Fr. Albert Forlano

Wednesday and Thursday evenings

March 15 & 16, 2023 @ 6:30 p.m.

On each evening we will begin with prayer, followed by Father Al’s spiritual meditation and a period of silent reflection during which the sacrament of Confession will be available.

On Wednesday evening we will conclude with a communion service in lieu of the Presanctified Liturgy normally celebrated at St. Ann on Wednesdays during Great Lent.

On Thursday evening we will conclude with a communal prayer service.

Visitors are welcome – please join us at 181 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury CT

+

Congratulations to Our Own Nicole Borello!

Congratulations to Nicole Borrello, daughter of Dr. Nicholas and Barbara Borrello, who was honored recently by the United States Department of Justice for her work with the Department’s Criminal Division and for her outstanding service working with the most vulnerable victims of crime, particularly victims of child exploitation and trafficking.

Nicole received the department’s prestigious Lois B. Bundy Exceptional Service Award for Administrative Support during an awards ceremony in Washington on January 19.

The award recognizes a DOJ Criminal Division employee whose administrative support has made a lasting contribution by best exemplifying the commitment, dedication, interpersonal skills, sensitivity, keen judgment, and enthusiasm that the award’s namesake consistently displayed during her distinguished thirty four years of service.

Read the whole thing here: https://www.newtownbee.com/…/nicole-borrello-honored…/

Nicole is an inspiration to us all. Aim big … do great things. Don’t wait for someone else to change the world. Be the hero who changes someone else’s world.

+

Study the Epistles of Great Lent with us during this spring’s Bible Study

Photo of Fr. Tom Davis with participants in the Journey Through the Old Testament Bible Study, February 2023.

Saint Ann’s Winter bible study concluded last week as Father Tom wrapped up our Journey Through the Old Testament in preparation for the start of this year’s Lenten Bible study, which will examine the Epistles of Great Lent on Saturdays starting March 4.

This week’s session covers Hebrews 1: 10-14, 2:1-3 (Sunday of the Holy Relics) and begins at noon; most other Saturdays we will meet from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Everyone is welcome, any time – for any session or for all. Join us!

+

Services Tonight & Tomorrow for the Feast of the Encounter of the Lord in the Temple: Feb. 2

The Feast of the Encounter of Our Lord (often referred to as the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple) is Tuesday, February 2, 2023. St. Ann will celebrate Vespers for the Feast tonight, February 1, at 5:30 p.m. and will also celebrate the Divine Liturgy for the Feast at 5:30 p.m. Please join us!


Icon of the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple

Now you shall dismiss your servant, O Lord, according to your word in peace: because my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to the revelation of the Gentiles and the glory of your people, Israel.


Hail, O full of grace, Virgin and Mother of God, from you has arisen the Sun of Justice, Christ our God, enlightening those who stand in darkness. You, too, O just Elder Simeon, rejoice for you carry in your arms the Redeemer of our souls, who grants us resurrection. (Troparion of the Feast)


You can read more about the Feast here and here.

La présentation au Temple Macha Chmakoff
+

A Christmas Gift to All: Candlelight Christmas Concert Sunday Dec. 18 at Saint Ann

St. Ann invites families, neighbors and friends to a complementary Candlelight Christmas Concert featuring The Larry Deming String Quartet performing a collection of classical and popular Christmas compositions celebrating the birth of the Messiah.

Evergreen branch, tree ornamebt and sheet music

Join us for a this celebratory introduction to Christmas week – the concert begins on Sunday, December 18th @ 6:00 p.m., and will be followed by a wine and cheese reception in the Parish Hall. No reservations needed.

This is the second annual Christmas offering in the Edmond Nahom Memorial Concert Series, made possible through the generosity of the Nahom Family Foundation.


Saint Ann Melkite Catholic Church, 181 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, CT


+

Holiday Goodness coming your way this weekend! St. Ann’s Middle Eastern Food Festival & Holiday Bazaar begins Friday night

Our annual bazaar is fast approaching – join us on Friday November 4 (5:00 to 9:00) and Saturday November 5 (11:00 am to 8:900 pm) for a good time among friends and family, feasting on our delicious, savory Lebanese wraps and platters along with our famous assortment of parish made pastries and cookies.

The Bazaar will also feature handmade crafts, vendor booths, and more.

More info – including our fantastic kitchen and pastry menus – is available here.

Fatayer meat pies…just one of the delicious house made foods available at the Bazaar
A sample of the fine craft items available at the Bazaar this year
+

St. Ann’s Middle Eastern Food Festival & Holiday Bazaar, Nov. 4 & 5, 2022

Join us for our annual Bazaar on Friday November 4 (5:00 to 9:00) and Saturday November 5 (11:00n am to 8:900 pm) for a good time among friends and family, feasting on our delicious, savory Lebanese wraps and platters along with our famous assortment of parish made pastries and cookies.

The Bazaar will also feature handmade crafts, vendor booths, a tag sale and a raffle.

More info – including links to online kitchen & pastry order forms – available here!

The flavor and quality of our traditional baked goods is legendary!
Fatayer meat pies…just one of the delicious house made foods available at the Bazaar
A sample of the fine craft items available at the Bazaar this year
+

St. Ann’s Middle Eastern Food Festival & Holiday Bazaar is Nov. 4 & 5, 2022. Online and phone pre-orders are open now!

Our annual bazaar is fast approaching – join us on Friday November 4 (5:00 to 9:00) and Saturday November 5 (11:00n am to 8:900 pm) for a good time among friends and family, feasting on our delicious, savory Lebanese wraps and platters along with our famous assortment of parish made pastries and cookies.

The Bazaar will also feature handmade crafts, vendor booths, a tag sale and a raffle.

More info – including links to online kitchen & pastry order forms – available here!

Fatayer meat pies…just one of the delicious house made foods available at the Bazaar
A sample of the fine craft items available at the Bazaar this year
+

Holiday Bazaar: November 4 & 5, 2022

Some of the hand made crafts featured at this year’s Bazaar

Online ordering opens today for St. Ann’s annual Holiday Bazaar, featuring fabulous house made Middle Eastern food and sweets, a tag sale, raffle, and handmade crafts.

This year’s kitchen menu brings back some old favorites, and also features new plant-based combination platters and sides, including fatayer (meat & spinach), kibbe, chicken and kafta kebabs, stuffed grape leaves, tabbouli, and so much more. Our baked goods include delicious mahmoul, date fingers, ka’ak, graybee and baklawa, along with nut or cheese knafee.

Hours are Friday, November 4 from 5: 00 to 9:00 pm, and Saturday November 5 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Find more information and online ordering here.

+

Celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration

We offer this primer of the Feast of the Transfiguration, with links to music of the feast. Enjoy!

We will celebrate the feast on Saturday morning, August 6, immediately after the baptism and chrismation of David Adam Tijanic, which will begin at 9:30 a.m.

It is traditional to bring fruit to to church be blessed on the feast. All are welcome and encouraged to bring a basket or tray of fruit, which should be left on the tetrapod set up before the icon.

The feast captures a decisive moment in the mission of the Messiah. It occurs just as Jesus is setting out on his final journey to Jerusalem. It commemorates his metamorphosis on Mount Tabor when he appeared in divine glory, his face shining like the sun and his garments white as light. The apostles Peter, James, and John had been specially chosen as witnesses and they observe Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah about the “exodus” he will undergo in the Holy City. Peter offers to build three booths for them, a reference to the Feast of Tabernacles, suggesting that the events coincided with the ancient feast. It may also suggest that Peter, hearing of the “exodus” that Christ must undergo, sought to delay the inevitable. Suddenly, a bright cloud, the Shekinah, overshadows them and the voice of the Father is heard, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The glorious light of the Resurrection was revealed to strengthen the disciples for the trials that they were soon to experience when Jesus offered himself up or the life of the world.

The event of the Transfiguration is recorded in three of the four Gospels: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36.

Icon of the Feast

Christ appears in a dominant position in the icon, within a circular mandorla. His right hand is raised in blessing, and his left hand contains a scroll. The mandorla with its varying shades of blue represents the divine glory and light. The halo around the head of Christ is inscribed with the Greek words ΌώΝ, meaning “The One Who is.”

Elijah (Elias) and Moses stand at the top of separate mountain peaks to the left and right of Christ. They are bowing toward Christ with their right hands raised in a gesture of intercession towards him. They represent the Law and the Prophets

The three Apostles show by their posture their response to the transfiguration. James has fallen over and is raising his hands to cover his eyes. John in the center has fallen prostrate. Peter is kneeling and raises his right hand toward Christ in a gesture expressing his desire to build the three booths. The garments of the Apostles are in a state of disarray as to indicate the dramatic impact the vision has had on them.

The feast points to the great and glorious Second Coming of our Lord and the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God when all of creation will be transfigured and filled with light.

Hymns of the Feast

Troparion of Transfiguration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPpIr809GLw

Another Version: https://saintannorg.files.wordpress.com/…/39-7th-tone…

Kontakion of Transfiguration: https://saintannorg.files.wordpress.com/…/40-7th-tone…

Hirmos of Transfiguration: https://saintannorg.files.wordpress.com/…/53-hirmos-for…

Kinonikon of Transfiguration: https://saintannorg.files.wordpress.com/…/54-kinonikon…

On the mountain You were transfigured, O Christ our God, and Your Disciples saw as much of Your glory as they could hold, so that when they should see You crucified, they would know that You suffer willingly, and would proclaim to the world that You are the Splendor of the Father. (Kontakion of the Transfiguration)

+

Sign up now! Free live music & dancing with the incomparable Clark Eno Orchestra, Saturday June 18

The Clark Eno Orchestra offers the best in live dance music with a classic mix of Rock, Pop, Big Band, Swing, Motown & hits from the 70s, 80s 90s and beyond – and Saint Ann invites our friends to join us on Saturday, June 18, 2022 for music and dancing with this fantastic band.

Doors open at 6:00 pm. Music in two sets from 7:30-10:30.

Tickets are free at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/332453917617

Free will offerings may be made at the door.

If you love great music, good times & dancing, this night is for you!

The Clark Eno Orchestra is led by composer/drummer Clark Eno.   Clark Eno is a well-respected band leader in Fairfield County and New York City. His ensembles have been selected to perform at such highly esteemed events as The Bushnell Theater For The Performing Arts Gala for 6 consecutive years, First Night New York City at The New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, The Midsummer Night Swing Series at Lincoln Center on several occasions and the 80th birthday party of dance legend Frankie Manning, the originator of the Lindy Hop. Clark Eno’s compositions have been featured on TV and radio, his songs Come Out Swinging and King of Swing have been part of Major League Baseball’s promotions for decades. His bands have entertained at weddings and corporate events from Maine to DC.

More videos of past performances!

+

Coming to Saint Ann June 18 – free live music & dancing with the incomparable Clark Eno Orchestra

The Clark Eno Orchestra offers the best in live dance music with a classic mix of Rock & Pop, Big Band, Swing, Motown & hits from the 70s, 80s 90s and beyond – and Saint Ann invites our friends to join us on Saturday, June 18, 2022 for an evening of music and dancing with this fantastic band.

Doors open at 6:00 pm. Music in two sets from 7:30-10:30.

Tickets are free!

Advance registration is available to parishioners through May 29.

Tickets will be available to the public on Eventbrite starting on May 30.

If you love great music, good times & dancing, this night is for you!

The Clark Eno Orchestra is led by composer/drummer Clark Eno.   Clark Eno is a well-respected band leader in Fairfield County and New York City. His ensembles have been selected to perform at such highly esteemed events as The Bushnell Theater For The Performing Arts Gala for 6 consecutive years, First Night New York City at The New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, The Midsummer Night Swing Series at Lincoln Center on several occasions and the 80th birthday party of dance legend Frankie Manning, the originator of the Lindy Hop. Clark Eno’s compositions have been featured on TV and radio, his songs Come Out Swinging and King of Swing have been part of Major League Baseball’s promotions for decades. His bands have entertained at weddings and corporate events from Maine to DC.

More videos of past performances to get your dance moves ready!