Dear Beloved Parishioners,  

My first year as pastor has been a good year for me, largely due to the unwavering support and dedication of every one of you. I look forward to deepening my relationship with all of you and continuing to grow, ensuring our vibrant community of faith for the future. 

Anniversaries are a time to reflect on the past and look to the future, and as I marked my first anniversary here, two thoughts came to mind. First, over the past year, I have presided over many funerals, including those of remarkable individuals from St. Anne - outstanding members of our community and devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. I also recalled a question posed by Father Victor Ivers during his last Mass at St. Joseph in Libertyville. Removing his shoes and placing them on the altar, he asked, “Who will fill these shoes?”

As I reflect on the future of St. Anne, this question resonates with me.

First, I want to affirm the deep faith that has been nurtured in our parish since its founding in 1884. Generations have dedicated themselves to building something beautiful here: a sanctuary of hope, love, and faith. It is a legacy that we honor and cherish, and one that calls us to continue growing together.

Sixteen years of ministry in Africa underscored a powerful lesson for me: the importance of listening to the community. In building many faith communities, listening to people's perspectives was crucial. As the stories unfolded, I witnessed how sharing brought people to life, fostering a profound sense of ownership among them. Through this open dialogue, we were able to nurture faith, create vibrant ministries, and cultivate communities that truly reflected the heart of Christ. 

Today, I’m delighted to introduce “Reignite St. Anne: Honoring the Past & Building the Future,” a new initiative from the Parish Pastoral Council focused on renewal and strengthening the bonds within our parish community. As part of this effort, we will be launching a parish-wide survey in September. This survey is not just a questionnaire, but an invitation to listen to one another and discern God’s call together. Your insights will be essential in shaping the future of our parish.

The survey will be conducted in a way that ensures your privacy and confidentiality. Individual responses will not be shared; they will be aggregated and analyzed collectively. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of data security and privacy.
The initiative will unfold in several phases:

• We will reflect on our parish history and highlight the contributions of our lay leadership.
• September to October: An official parish-wide survey will be conducted to gather your insights and ideas. 
• November: We will release the survey results, sharing what we have learned from you. 
• December: We will develop an action plan for 2026, based on the feedback received.

I look forward to your participation in the survey. Even five minutes of thoughtful feedback can make a significant difference in shaping our community’s future. Your voice matters, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.

As we embark on this journey together on behalf of our shared home, in the spirit of unity, one of my favorite African proverbs comes to mind: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Let us walk together, listening and discerning as one body in Christ.

May the Holy Spirit Re-Ignite Saint Anne,
Fr. John Trout, Pastor Saint Anne Catholic Church