For clarification purposes since there seems to be some ongoing confusion.
Saint Anne Shrine of Fall River is not a parish church. The parish of St. Anne’s was suppressed and closed as a canonical parish in 2018 by the Ordinary of Fall River, and under the terms of our agreement with the Diocese, we reopened as a SHRINE in July of 2019.
We operate as a Catholic shrine, which is a defined sacred place for pilgrims and the faithful to visit, pray, light vigil candles, and to enrich their Catholic faith outside of a parish setting. As a shrine, we offer opportunities for community worship, devotions, and events that support the goals of the ministries we’ve developed since our reopening.
We DO NOT offer a “regular” weekly Holy Mass schedule at the present time. Any Masses that are celebrated at St. Anne Shrine shrine are subject to, and with the generous permission of, the Diocesan Bishop, under whose permission we function. As such, we can not accept stipends for specific Mass intentions, since we can not guarantee fulfillment of the obligation on the part of a celebrant at a specific time. We do offer enrollment in a Purgatorial Society and/or prayer guild to have your intention or loved one remembered as part of these pious societies at our scheduled services and devotions.
Currently:
-We offer a monthly Healing Mass celebrated by Fr. Edward Murphy, the shrine chaplain, typically on the third Thursday of every month unless otherwise announced. (Except during June, July, and August)
-As directed by the 1983 edition of Canon Law, we are required to celebrate a Mass commemorating the Dedication of the Upper Church each year on or near July 4th, and a Mass commemorating the Feast of the Patroness of the Shrine, Good Saint Anne, on July 26.
-The sacrament of Confession is provided at least twice a month. It is offered one half hour before the Healing Mass and again during the Monthly Divine Mercy Holy Hour which usually is held on the second or third Sunday of the month.
-Confessions may be offered as announced and upon the availability of a validly ordained priest.
-All other allowed Masses and activities such as Vespers, Novenas, and other devotions are held as announced on our social media site (https://www.facebook.com/savesaintannes) as well as here on our calendar of events.
We hope this clears up any confusion.