Today Saint Anne Shrine remembers in prayer the longtime pastor Reverend John R. Folster, S.T.L. Father Folster’s ministry at Saint Anne’s began in 1978 when the then parish of Saint Anne was transitioning over from Dominican administration to Diocesan Administration. Father Folster was no stranger to the parish, since he had grown up at Saint Anne’s and attended the parish school. In addition to his parochial duties he was also the chaplain to the Fall River Fire Department. Many remember him racing to the scene of many fires and emergencies in his fleet of Fire Department rescue vehicles. In 1994 after 17 years at St. Anne the then Bishop Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap transferred Father Folster to be pastor at Saint Louis de France parish in Swansea. Father Folster’s ministry at in Swansea was short lived, as he was soon diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Father Folster died on September 12, 1995 he was 64 years old. Requiescat in pace +
Author: Michael Antaya
Saint of the Day
Today the Church honors Saint Peter Claver. He was a Spanish Jesuit priest and missionary who due to his life and work, became the patron saint of slaves, the Republic of Colombia, and of African Americans. In this time of racial and political unrest in this nation, let us ask St. Peter Claver for guidance and strength. St. Peter Claver, pray for us.
Nativity of Mary
Today the church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let us take a few moments to honor Our Blessed Lady today on her birthday. Let us also pray that she remains with us and this troubled world. Mary, mediatrix of all graces, pray for us.
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Friends, today we celebrate the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In today’s gospel, Jesus reminds us that “wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there I shall be.” Let us take a moment to reflect and to meditate upon these words. Have a blessed Sunday!
First Saturday
It has always been the pious practice of the church to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday. However, in 1925 Our Lady once again appeared to Lucia dos Santos of Fatima at her convent in Pontevedra, Spain. There, Our Lady requested the institution of the Devotion of the Five First Saturdays in reparation to her Immaculate Heart. Our Lady made a great promise to assist those at the hour of death, all the graces necessary for salvation if on the first five consecutive Saturdays they: 1.) Go to sacramental confession. 2.) Receive Holy Communion. 3.) Say five decades of the Holy Rosary. 4.) Meditate for at least five minutes on the twenty mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Stay close to Our Lady.