+

Christmas Concert 11/24/2023 with Fr. Peter Hanna

Saint Ann you invites to a very special Christmas Concert featuring Lebanon’s renowned vocalist Father Peter Hanna.

In the spirit of Christmas, Saint Ann offers the gift of Father Peter’s performance to all.

A reception will be held in the Parish Hall at the conclusion of the concert.

Please reserve your seat here.

Free will offerings to Saint Ann in connection with this event help enable us to continue to offer events to the Danbury community free of charge.

+ grilled meat on white ceramic plate

Fabulous New Menu Items at Saint Ann Bazaar 11/ 10&11 /23

Come back to Saint Ann’s legendary Bazaar for your kitchen and bakery favorites on Friday, November 10 (5:00 pm-9:00 pm) and Saturday, November 11 (noon to 8:00 pm).

grilled meat on white ceramic plate

Or try something new this year – our tender and delicious filet of beef kebab dinner will be offered alongside our mainstay kibbe, kefta, chicken and vegetarian mains and wraps. As always, we offer an array of abundant sides, including tabbouli, stuffed grape leaves and other traditional Middle Eastern foods.

Also also new this year – a children’s menu – chicken nuggets and fries.

For fans of our house made, traditional baked goods – if you arrive early enough all of your favorites will be there (we sell out early!).

We hope you’ll join us.

+

Saint Ann’s Middle Eastern Food Fest returns to Danbury Nov. 10-11, 2023 – join us!

Join us at Saint Ann for our annual Bazaar – this year to be held on Friday, November 10 (5:00 – 9:00 p.m.), and Saturday, November 11 (noon- 8:00 p.m.).

Enjoy delicious Middle Eastern entrees and sandwiches, scrumptious cookies and pastries, and a good time among friends and family in our Parish Hall.

Our kitchen menu features many fan favorites, including:

  • House made, freshly baked fatayer meat pies
  • Our own lemony fresh tabbouleh
  • Kibbe patties, platters, sandwiches and trays
  • Grilled chicken kebab wraps and platters
  • Kefta kebab wraps and platters
  • House made stuffed cabbage rolls
  • AND LOTS MORE!

Our parish bakers will be offering traditional handmade Middle Eastern delectables:

  • Baklava
  • Knafee – nuts or cheese
  • Mamoul
  • Date Fingers
  • Graybeh
  • And MORE!

Kitchen items and baked goods will be available for your enjoyment in our Parish Hall – cold beverages and coffee, too.

Prefer to takeout? No problem! Simply let us know when you place your order.

Hours:

  • Friday, November 10: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 11: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
+

Blessing of the Vehicles for the Feast of St. Elias


Fr. Tom will be blessing vehicles of all types at St. Ann on Thursday, July 20 at 5:30. Bring your chariot!

Ever wonder why July 20 was chosen for this annual blessing?

July 20 is the Feast of the Prophet Elias (Elijah) the Thesbite. The great Elias, who appeared with Moses speaking with Jesus on the Mountain of the Transfiguration, was taken to Heaven in a fiery chariot.

The account appears in 2 Kings 2:2-8:

“Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the water: it divided, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Request whatever I might do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of your spirit.” He replied, “You have asked something that is not easy. Still, if you see me taken up from you, your wish will be granted; otherwise not.” As they walked on still conversing, a fiery chariot and fiery horses came between the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind, and Elisha saw it happen. He cried out, “My father! my father! Israel’s chariot and steeds!” Then he saw him no longer.”

Saint Ann will celebrate the feast with the traditional blessing of vehicles – cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, baby strollers, skateboards, even chariots!

Holy Prophet Saint Elias, pray for us!

For more on the celebration of this Feast day, see this Eparchy article.

+

Tickets On Sale for Grand Hafli 2023

Get ready for some new twists on the evening to make this a Hafli to remember!

Tickets are on sale online and through our committee

More info here!

+

Hafli 2023!

Saint Ann’s classic dinner dance returns this year with fabulous food from our own John Hanna/Hanna’s Middle Eastern Restaurant and a night of music and dancing by Nadim Abourjeili.

Join us as we celebrate summer, with cocktails and mocktails starting at 6:00 pm in our Parish Hall and on our patio.

Tickets are priced at $75/Adults ($70 early bird until July 23), $50 Students. Children 12 and under are FREE.

Tickets are for sale online, or call Randa Antous (203-501-5637), John Hanna (203-748-5713) or Josephine Nassif (203-300-7602).

For more information visit saintann.org/hafli-2023

Read about our 2023 Hafli Sponsors here – and please thank them for generously supporting our Parish.

+

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