Saint Ann Catholic Church Naples FL

THE SAINT ANN VISION

To be a spirit-filled people who Live Jesus, in a community of stewardship, welcoming all to the presence of God.

THE SAINT ANN WAY

Transmitting the Gospel, as the Christian community has received it, understands it, celebrates it, lives it, and communicates it in many ways.

THE SAINT ANN COMMUNITY

An inclusive and passionate group of parishioners who welcome you to our flock with open arms.

THE SAINT ANN MISSION

As the wellspring of Catholic faith in Collier County, our Parish family continues to offer welcome and living water by sharing the Word of God, celebrating Christ in the Eucharist, serving others with the gifts of the Spirit, and practicing faithful stewardship.

 

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https://www.naplesstann.org/  

 

 

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The beginning of the Catholic Community in Naples can be traced back to 1939 when visiting priests would celebrate Mass in the Solarium of the Naples Beach Hotel, located then on Gulf Shore Boulevard at 12th Avenue South. During those early years it is estimated that there were about nine resident Catholic families in this little sleepy, fishing village of Naples. This number would swell during the winter season with visitors from the north.

By 1942, during the war years, the number of the faithful attending Sunday Mass grew so large that the Naples Theatre had to be used to accommodate the increase. Father Charles Curran traveled from Ft. Myers weekly to celebrate the Liturgy.

In that same year a Church Building Fund Committee was established and land was purchased at the corner of 3rd Street South and 9th Avenue South, in the heart of what would later be known as "Old Naples". Father O'Reardon was delegated by Archbishop Joseph Hurley of St. Augustine to make this purchase. There were approximately 100 families who worshiped each week.

At this time it should be noted that the town of Naples was the southern boundary for the Diocese of St. Augustine, established in 1870. No other diocese in Florida had yet been established.

Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Griesedieck of St. Louis and their daughter Ann were among the early parishioners. Ann was a student at Barry (College) University in Miami Shores. She was tragically killed in an automobile accident. As contributors to the building fund her parents respectfully requested that Saint Ann, the grandmother of Jesus, be considered as the parish name.

In August 1950 permission was granted by Archbishop Hurley to develop plans for a church building. In November of that year, plans were completed and permission was given to name the parish in honor of Saint Ann. It was the first Catholic Church in Naples. This building now serves as our Parish Hall.

Archbishop Hurley dedicated the building on Palm Sunday, 1950 and the parish was established as a mission of Saint Francis Xavier in Ft. Myers. Father Michael Fogarty celebrated the Palm Sunday Liturgy.

Until 1954 Saint Ann remained a mission of Saint Francis Xavier. On January 30, 1955, Saint Ann was officially established and its boundaries set by the Vatican as a parish. It was the first and only parish in Collier County.

Archbishop Hurley appointed Father Timothy Geary as its first pastor. Father Geary came to Naples from Immaculate Conception Parish in Jacksonville.

Everything at Saint Ann grew, including the city of Naples. By 1968 it was apparent that the church building could no longer contain the number of weekly worshipers, thus, plans were drawn for a new church building.

The concept of a worship space that placed the altar, the focal point of the building in the center, was not in itself new but was very much in line with the revised liturgical instructions of Vatican II (1962-1964). The complete attention of the worshiping congregation should be an unobstructed view of the altar. The new plans met this objective well.

The cornerstone for the new church building was blessed and ground was broken on March 22, 1968. Father Laurence Conway had been appointed the Parish Administrator. The completed Saint Ann Church was dedicated by the Archbishop of Miami, Coleman Carroll on March 14, 1970.

By 1990 the church building was in need of repair and expansion. Andrea Clark Brown, architect, is responsible for the renovation and remodeling of the present building. Chris Scala, sculptor, based in Orlando, created the "Corpus" and the Stations of the Cross. The present church was dedicated on January 22, 1995 by the Bishop of Venice, John J. Nevins.

Pastors of Saint Ann Parish

1954 – 1959 Rev. Timothy Geary 1959 – 1961 Rev. Bernard McGrenehan 1961 – 1963 Rev. Gerard J. Manning 1963 – 1965 Rev. Bernard L. Hickey 1965 – 1967 Rev. Rene H. Gracida (Administrator) 1967 – 1971 Rev. Laurence C. Conway (Administrator) 1971 – 1990 Rev. Thomas Goggin 1990 – 1992 Rev. Charles K. Sullivan 1992 – 1993 Rev. Arthur Hannaway (Administrator) 1993 – 1996 Rev. Arthur Hannaway 1996 - 2007 Rev. Robert D. Tabbert 2007 - 2008 Rev. Barry R. Strong, O.S.F.S. 2008 - 2009 Rev. John O’Neill, O.S.F.S. 2009 - 2010 Rev. Michael Christopher Vannicola, O.S.F.S. (Administrator) 2010 - Present Rev. Michael Christopher Vannicola, O.S.F.S.