2nd Annual Cookout draws 140 parishioners

The Second Annual Parish Cookout was held Saturday July 25th at the church hall and grounds. Over 140 attended the event held by the hospitality committee. The event followed the 4pm Mass and was free to all. Many parishioners contributed by bringing side dishes and deserts. The hospitality committee works hard to create an atmosphere of community and inclusion for all of the parish, and this event was another example of their good work. See photos of the event on the church web site http://www.stanthonyfitchburg.net/Photos/PhotoMain.cfm .

Pastoral Planning Update

The Pastoral Planning Group for the Fitchburg parishes met on Wednesday, July 15, at St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School library. Five priests as well as two lay representatives from each parish met with members of the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee.

We continued to discuss what our goals are for the Church in the entire City of Fitchburg, not just each parish. Although at times it might have seemed tedious, at the end of the second meeting we began to see the direction we were heading in and how well thought out the process has been.

Over the past six months or so, several proposals have been submitted with suggestions for the reconfiguration of the parishes. Of course, every parish’s plan includes themselves as a future parish center. How to get beyond our natural instinct of self-preservation?

Our assignment for this month is for each parish’s Focus Group to meet and develop a plan for Fitchburg as if our own parish never existed! In other words, we focus on everyone else’s good points, and let others look for ours. This removes the Focus Group’s concern for our own parishes and focus on the larger picture.

Our Focus Group will meet on Wednesday, August 5, at 7:00 PM in the Church Hall. That gives us two weeks to think about plans before the meeting and another two weeks to refine our plan until the next citywide meeting, which is August 19.

Our Focus Group members are: Jim Adams, Linda Allaire, Kevin & Kristine Caravella, John & Kathy Cullinan, Ellen DePatie, Debbie & Tony Mercadante, Cyndi & Pete Merrill, Rosalyn Piro and John & Vicky Zarrella, with Father Bob and Deacon Sal.

Summer Cookout Scheduled for Saturday July 25th!

Our 2nd Annual SUMMER CELEBRATION COOKOUT, hosted by the Hospitality Committee will be held on Saturday July 25th from 5 - 7 pm in the Church Hall and grounds. The last day to sign up is Tuesday July 20th by signing up in the back of the church or calling Amy Walsh at 978-502-5540. If you are bringing a dish and/or utensil you would like back please write your name on it. All items you are contributing to the event should be dropped off between 3 and 4 pm on Saturday July 25th. We had a lot of fun last year and hope you will join us for this year's event. If you are signed up and have to cancel for any reason, please let Amy know.

Praying for sun, but either way we will make our own fun!

Parade float wins Mayor's Award!

The St. Anthony School float "Discover St. Anthony's" was awarded the Mayor's Award yesterday at the Civic Day's Parade. A well represented group of students accompanied the float as it cruised through the parade route. The float based on Columbus discovering America was adorned with Italian flags as well as the traditional American flags. Students tossed candy and fired the onboard water cannons to the delight of the crowd that gathered. See the photo section for the website http://www.stanthonyfitchburg.net/Photos/PhotoMain.cfm for more pictures of the day.

School float will participate in Civic Days Parade

The 50th Annual Civic Days Parade will again have an entry from St.
Anthony School. This will be the 5th year the school has shown its
community spirit. This years entry is titled "Discover St. Anthony's"
and is a nautical theme reminiscent of Christopher Columbus
discovering the new world. Many school families have been working and
planning for months to create this years float. Be sure to head down
to the parade to check it out!