St. Anne

Parish Welcome

St. Anne Parish extends a warm welcome to visitors and prospective members. According to the parish's own words: 'We hope that you will find our website informative, our parish celebrations inspiring and our community welcoming… Fed in Word and Sacrament during our weekend liturgies in such a way that you will want to be a part of our community, whether for a weekend or a lifetime.' The parish describes itself as 'a vibrant community, first and foremost because of the many people like you who give of themselves and make the lives of others richer,' inviting newcomers to take the next step from visitor to full, active member through the gift of time, talents, and treasure.

History of St. Anne Parish

St. Anne's story stretches back to 1893, when Hampstead's Catholics still traveled to Plaistow's Holy Angels Church — Mrs. Daniel Emerson of Hampstead donated the bell for that original church, a bell that still stands in front of the present Hampstead parish. In the early 1960s, Bishop Ernest J. Primeau of Manchester established a new Holy Angels Church on Route 121; growth in Hampstead and surrounding towns made a separate mission necessary, so St. Anne's was founded in 1966 as a mission of Holy Angels, built on land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Dana and Ann Stratton and dedicated by Bishop Primeau on September 11, 1966. The 1990s brought a major expansion that roughly doubled the facility (completed 1996), and on June 22, 1979 Bishop Odore J. Gendron erected St. Anne's as an independent canonical parish. Msgr. Richard O. Boner of Holy Angels is remembered as the driving force behind the Hampstead and Newton foundations.

• 1893 – Mrs. Daniel Emerson donates the bell for Holy Angels in Plaistow
• 1965 – Construction begins on land donated by the Strattons
• 1966 – St. Anne's dedicated Sept 11 by Bishop Ernest J. Primeau as a mission of Holy Angels, Plaistow
• 1996 – Parish addition completed, roughly doubling the facility
• 1979 – St. Anne's erected as an independent parish by Bishop Odore J. Gendron

Eucharist and First Communion

The parish's Eucharist page explains that the Real Presence of Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread and wine is the source and summit of the Catholic Church's life. First Eucharist is traditionally celebrated in Third Grade, and while various preparation options exist, all Catholic and public-school children are prepared within the parish community and must participate in the Second-Grade First Eucharist preparation. The usual celebration of First Eucharist is in the month of May; further details are available through the parish's Director of Religious Education.

Faith Formation (Religious Education)

St. Anne's Faith Formation program serves children from Kindergarten through Confirmation, following the Restored Order of Sacraments. Children in Grade 2 prepare for First Reconciliation; Grade 3 combines preparation for Eucharist and Confirmation, and post-grade options are offered for older students. In-class sessions are offered Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 4:00–5:00 PM, a Home Program is available for all grade levels, and Youth Ministry meets on Fridays from 5:30–7:00 PM for Grades 4–7 and 8–12. The registration fee is $75 per student with a $200 family cap.

• Kindergarten – Grade 12 Faith Formation
• First Reconciliation (Grade 2)
• Eucharist & Confirmation combined (Grade 3)
• Youth Ministry (Gr. 4–7 and 8–12, Fri 5:30–7:00 PM)
• Home Program option for all grades
• Interim Director of Faith Formation (Gr. 1–4): Mrs. Marie Mullen
• Rel. Ed. Facilitator/Records: Mrs. Cheryl Gottwald

Music and Liturgy

Music ministry at St. Anne's is led by Mr. Eric Sinitski, who serves as Interim Director of Music and directs the Adult Choir, Youth Choir, and Children's Choir. Livestreamed Masses are covered under One License #401028-M.

• Interim Director of Music / Adult Choir: Mr. Eric Sinitski
• Youth Choir: Mr. Eric Sinitski
• Children's Choir: Mr. Eric Sinitski

Parish Ministries and Lay Roles

The parish's Directory lists a wide range of lay-lead roles under the umbrella of parish ministries, giving parishioners concrete ways to participate in liturgy, formation, and outreach.

• Altar Servers — Mrs. Gretchen Vaillancourt
• Baptismal Preparation — Deacon Bill Mullen
• Eucharistic Ministers — Ms. Joan Lannon
• Lectors — Mr. Sal Gioe
• Ushers — Mr. Jim Molloy
• Greeters — Mr. Jim Molloy
• Hospitality — Mrs. Bev Faro
• Safe Environment Coordinator — Mrs. Maureen Johnson

Outreach: Food Pantry and Heaven's Kitchen

In keeping with its mission to be 'the hands, voice and face of Christ' to those in need, St. Anne's operates a Food Pantry/Outreach Ministry along with Heaven's Kitchen, coordinated by Mr. Jim Carey. The ministry serves not only parish members but also individuals in the local community.

• Food Pantry / Outreach / Heaven's Kitchen — Mr. Jim Carey

Knights of Columbus

The St. Maximilian Kolbe Council #9058 of the Knights of Columbus was founded in 1985 in the cellar of St. Anne's Church and remains an active part of parish life — singing in the choir, serving coffee, and supporting the parish through charitable fundraising. The Council reports about 110 members, with 8 currently on the parish council and 4 on the finance committee.

• Grand Knight: Mr. Victor Antolini
• Council #9058, founded 1985
• Activities: choir, coffee service, charitable fundraising

Parish Staff and Directory

The parish's Directory page lists the full staff and lay-lead ministry contacts, organized under the Pastor, with a Retired Priest Assistant, two permanent deacons, and parish staff handling administration, faith formation, music, youth ministry, maintenance, and safe environment.

• Pastor — Fr Marc Gagne
• Retired Priest Assistant — Fr John Carroll
• Pastoral Associate — Deacon Bill Mullen
• Permanent Deacon — Deacon Terry Sullivan
• Administration & Human Services — Mrs. Paula Smith
• Youth Ministry — Mr. Danny Jacques
• Interim Director of Faith Formation (Gr. 1–4) — Mrs. Marie Mullen
• Rel. Ed. Facilitator/Records — Mrs. Cheryl Gottwald
• Secretary of Pastoral Services — Mrs. Maureen Johnson
• Building and Grounds — Mr. Paul Comeau
• Interim Director of Music / Choirs — Mr. Eric Sinitski

Livestream and Online Presence

All Masses at St. Anne's are live-streamed and an archive of past Masses is available on the parish website under the 'Livestream & Videos' page, which notes there is 'no substitute for in-person participation at Mass, however, live-streaming is made available to accompany those who are unable to be with us.' Online giving is also available through the site for those without a collection box at home.

• Livestream: saintannechurchnh.org/livestream
• Music licensing: One License #401028-M