A Note from Fr. Robert Schlageter
My Heart Aches
Whenever I read or hear about the report of the Pennsylvania Attorney General I am so very sad and heartbroken. My heart breaks for each and every victim. My sorrow is real, and I admit I feel ashamed of my brother priests who hurt our little ones and just as ashamed of those who did not do everything they could to stop the abuse and protect the vulnerable. I want to cry out, "Have mercy on us Lord, please have mercy." I spoke with our Diocesan Director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection and she informed me that even though the report is so very sad, it is important to note that two of the 1000+ cases listed in the report happened after the VIRTUS training or programs like it were instituted in every Catholic institution in the US. This would seem to indicate our efforts are bearing some fruit. I take little consolation in this fact. As far as I am concerned, even one victim is way too many. In light of all of this sad, tragic news we will immediately begin a Parish/School- wide review of our compliance of the VIRTUS program which is designed to help us protect our young people and vulnerable adults wherever they may be. I would ask that the head of each and every ministry contact Kimberly or Tonya in the Parish Office and make sure that your members are in compliance with this important program. The entire Parish Staff and administrators of our school met last week with Joan Altmeyer, our Diocesan Director of Safe Environment Training, to help us accomplish our review. Please, please join me in praying every day for anyone, anywhere who was a victim of sexual assault.
As Christians, we know that God's image in each person, and God's call to holiness forms the basis for human dignity. Our duty is to protect this human dignity, especially in the most vulnerable among us, our children. It is essential that they find a safe environment in our homes, in our schools, in our worship communities, and in the general community. Sexual abuse of a minor is a sin and a criminal act, which causes enormous pain, anger and confusion. To report sexual abuse in the Diocese of Savannah, please call the Victims Assistance Hotline at 888-357-5330.
Please Leave a Message
If you have an after-hours emergency, simply call the parish at 706-561-8678 and press one. There will be a pause, then the phone call will be passed to the phone of the friar on duty. PLEASE be sure to leave a message when prompted to do so no matter what message you hear. Our emergency on-call system does not give us your caller ID information. Last week several people pushed one for an emergency, but did not leave a message. When this happens it worries us and all we can do is pray for you. We have no way to call you back.
Peace in Christ,
Fr. Robert
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Ongoing Education
Series on Sanctity of Human Life
In light of the 50th Anniversary of Pope Paul VI's encyclical
Humanae Vitae, St. Anne Church will offer a six week series to discuss current issues related to the sacredness of human life. The series begins August 30th and runs through October 4th, preparing our Catholic community for Respect Life Sunday on October 7th. Sessions will be held on Thursdays from 7 until 8 p.m. in Visitation Hall. Come join us and share in learning more about the sanctity of life!
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Stewardship Spotlight
Viking Outreach Leadership Team
St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School's newly-formed Viking Outreach Leadership Team (VOLT) met for an on-campus retreat on August 17th at the Knights of Columbus house. They planned ways to educate, inspire and mentor our school community about the needs of St. Anne Community Outreach clients.
All VOLT members volunteered a minimum of 12 hours at Outreach over the summer and rotated through working in the clothing room, observing client interviews and helping in the food room. They all found the experiences to be very impactful and have a greater appreciation for the needs in our community. One member remarked, "These people are just like us. They have just fallen on hard times."
VOLT's mission is to:
INSPIRE the St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School community to provide assistance to the families in crisis that visit St. Anne Community Outreach.
EDUCATE peers, family members and other youth in the greater Columbus community on the scope of poverty in the region and how time, talent and treasure can be shared with those in need.
MENTOR fellow students, providing opportunity for spiritual growth and deepening of faith, through St. Anne Community Outreach related projects and activities.
The founding members of VOLT are Javonte Bowen, Clare Carrigee, Bradley Dalelio, Natalie Davis, Olivia O'Shields, Ian Poole, Anna Ranieri and Isabel Sillitto.
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Mark Your Calendar
 Youth Groups Kick Off September 9th
It's time to register for St. Anne Church's Youth Groups! Our parish's Middle & High School Youth Groups are open to all 6th-12th graders who are Catholic or interested in learning about the Catholic faith. We use Decision Point and LifeTeen, Catholic middle school and high school youth ministry programs, to provide a safe, fun place for youth to experience fellowship, get answers to questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way.
Our parish's Youth Groups typically meet in Visitation Hall on the 2nd and 4th Sundays from September-May. Dinner is provided during the meetings. Please register your child(ren) to participate in 2018-19 Youth Group(s) by completing the online registration form found at www.stannecsg.com/youth-groups. The first meetings of the new school year will be on Sunday, September 9th.
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Save These Dates
BINGO
Sun., Aug. 26
2-4 p.m.
Visitation Hall
Memorial Service for Aborted Children
Sat., Sept. 8
11 a.m.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Sunday School Begins
Sun., Sept. 9
9:15-10:15 a.m.
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