St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, extends an invitation to anyone who wishes to attend its virtual Advent programming, sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 7000.

Set to take place each weekend of Advent, the programs are designed to help prepare hearts of the faithful for Christmas.

“Our first event this past Sunday had over 200 views, and 45 people stayed online afterwards for the Zoom meeting,” said Mike McCormick, parishioner and parish organist for 18 years.

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Three events remain for Advent, some of which is prerecorded, while others are live with discussion period afterwards. The virtual format, McCormick said, is something the parish has come to use with regularity over the pandemic.

“It’s new for everybody this year – but we’ve been trying,” he allowed. “The main initiative at first was livestreamed Masses. Now we have a whole tech committee and volunteers involved in making sure it happens each week.”

As for Christmas, “All the things everybody looks forward to doing – concerts, retreats – we can’t do any of that [in person] this year,” McCormick continued. “We have 3,000 registered families; we need to be able to be there for them and support them.”

All of St. Ann’s ministries have responded with virtual options for participation, including the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Rosarians. The Advent programs came out of a newly-formed “We Love St. Ann’s Committee,” which began meeting monthly during the pandemic.

“These Advent programs are part of that committee’s initiative, and an outreach to our parishioners, and anyone who wants to join us and share a little Christmas spirit,” he said. “We need to work to keep people engaged, and make sure they identify with St. Ann’s as their parish family.”

The committee intends to look into further programming with small groups for Lent, not unlike the Renew program of years past.

“We learn as we go and we make the best of it, watching to see what other parishes are doing that we can bring over to St. Ann’s. People tune in to things that spiritually motivate and uplift them.”

St. Ann Parish Virtual Advent Programming

Dec. 5, 7 p.m. • Prepare the Way – Father Leandro Dela Cruz, pastor of St. Ann Parish, and his guest, the Rev. J.M. Manolo A. Punzalan, STL-MA, pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Mahwah, share an Advent message with faith, hope and encouragement as we look towards a Christmas unlike any we have known.

Dec. 13, 7 p.m. • Mother Teresa’s Lessons of Love & Sanctity – What’s it like to live and work with a saint? Susan Conroy will tell us about her years at Mother Teresa’s side in Calcutta, India. A special live presentation filled with Christmas spirit!

Dec. 20, 7 p.m. • Lessons & Carols – Hail Mary, Full of Grace – Presented by parishioners and featuring St. Ann’s music ministry, the traditional nine lessons and carols tell the Christmas story.

Registration is requested at https://churchofsaintann.net – scroll down to the Advent program flyer and click for a live registration link. The link for each program, and live discussion afterwards, will be sent two days before each program.