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COVID 19 ELGIN Sew Strong INITIATIVE And Our Family of Parishes Response to this Need Early in this Covid-19 pandemic and with the initial shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) a group called “SEW STRONG”, in conjunction with the St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce and My FM, was formed to help supply comfort needs and supports for front line staff and essential workers, where possible. Sewers from our community responded. Since I was one of them and faced with a vast amount of materials, I put out a call through the CWLs to elicit even more support. We began with 4 CWL members, and along with several dedicated community participants, we began sewing. We were quickly joined by other CWL members and in total 18 ladies have now produced well over 2,000 masks! To date, these masks have been distributed to the staff of STEGH (1000) and every Long-Term Care home in Elgin county! These masks, most of which have been made of Halyard medical fabric (the Blue ones), are being used by staff when they are out in the community doing such things as grocery shopping etc. The thought is that if we can help prevent a staff becoming infected through community transmission, then it is less likely that the virus will be brought in to the residents in LTC while protecting staff themselves. Other essential workers, immuno- compromised individuals, the elderly and their caregivers, have also been given face masks at no charge to anyone. At the present time we are making cotton masks, lined with filters, to provide added protection for the user as well as those they are in contact with. Our CWL members (about 18 to 20 ladies) across the Family of Parishes are now concentrating their efforts on mask making for our church family, as well as responding to ongoing community needs. The support and assistance of those involved with this project is truly amazing and humbling and I thank them for not only sewing the masks, but to cutting and assembling mask kits, front porch pick ups and deliveries, and even assistance in finding the needed supplies. Moreover, the Knight’s of Columbus have offered their facility to be a sorting site if required and to pick up other donations from the community. I am sure there are many others making masks, caps, gowns etc. that I don’t even know about. Kudos to each and everyone of you. If you would like to help or if you have questions, please contact your CWL president or myself, Sandi Hoffer, at sandi.hoffer@gmail.com

From the diocese we received this Novena, and as a parish we will pray it before each of our live streamed Masses, May 22-30. We would love for you to join us.

Fr Ernie Deslippe Scholarship - Council 1467 Information on the scholarship and applications can be found on the Council Website using the following link - https://www.kofc1467.com/fed-scholarship Deadline for applications will be June 30th. Information on process and eligibility can be found at the site, along with the process for submission of applications. If anyone has questions on this process, follow the communications instructions in the guidelines document on the site, All best wishes to the applicants. Martin Evers DGK Knights of Columbus Council 1467

Fr. Keith Morrison update: Some of you may remember 2003 when St. Anne’s Parish had Deacon Keith with us; ordained in 2004 to Fr. Keith Morrison. Last year, Fr. Keith had a health set back. We are happy to report he is on the mend. While Fr. Keith continues to heal, he is residing in West Lorne with Fr. Clare Coleman. If you are interested in addressing correspondence to Fr. Keith, you can send it to 130 Main Street, West Lorne, N0L 2P0. Thank you.

Active caregivers in need of spiritual encouragement and community support.

Hello! I'd like to share with you a new initiative from FFI Pure Life Ministry. We have begun hosting Virtual Gatherings every Friday night at 7:30pm. Virtual gatherings feature music, prayer, videos (Fr. Mike Schmitz "Quick Catholic Lessons"), discussion, and Q&A. Everyone is welcome - no cost! Would you be able to share this amongst your parish community and contacts for those interested? The Gatherings are designed for those in High School and beyond, parents welcome. Follow this link on Friday to join the Webinar https://event.webinarjam.com/go/live/19/k6krluntns2s1 Or more at: https://famfi.ca/events/online-gatherings/ Let me know if you have any questions (email below has more information if you are interested). Take care, Sarah Small C: 519.319.5710 e. sarah@famfi.ca

Fr Ernie Deslippe Council 1467 of the Knights of Columbus in St. Thomas during its monthly, now virtual, meeting has released an addition $3000 to various causes in St. Thomas. This involved initial and additional funding to 6 groups. For Grace Cafe, we added $500 for a total of $2500 this year, same was done for the St. Thomas Food bank, Violence against Women Elgin and Fresh Start Maternity. We also gave $500 to Inn Out of the Cold for a total of $1500, along with an initial $500 for the YWCA Keep a roof over our heads program. These are difficult times and the local Knights of Columbus are doing it best to help our community.

Look under "About" - and -- "Photo Albums" - for updates on photos

It is with heartfelt regret that we must announce the cancellation of St. Anne's Community Festival, June 3rd to 6th, 2020. During these unprecedented times, our utmost concern is for the health and safety of those who attend "Festival", the many volunteers needed to ensure its success, and for the community at large. For 48 years, St. Anne's Community Festival has provided a time of enjoyment and family fun, for both young and old, while donating its proceeds back into the community to support many of the charities and organizations that are helping to make a difference in people's lives. During this pandemic we have and will continue to support organizations such as The St. Thomas Food Bank, Inn out of the Cold and Grace Cafe so that they can carry on their much needed work with in our community and ask you to consider doing the same during this time of crisis. St. Anne's Community Festival "Serving those in need since 1972"

Great resources for teenage years