July 4, 2000 - DECATUR

On July 4, Bishop David E. Foley announced to the parishioners of St. Ann Church in Decatur and Holy Family Mission in Hartselle the name selected for the new consolidated Catholic Parish in Morgan County. Bishop Foley stated at the Vigil Mass at St. Ann, “In my position as Bishop of the Diocese, I chose the name which will proclaim the future of the united parish for Morgan County. Your community will be named - The Church of the Annunciation.” The school will remain St. Ann’s School, and the new life center will be Holy Family Life Center.

In making the announcement, Bishop Foley reminded the parishioners that, “Together you have shared the charisma that long has enhanced St. Ann’s Parish. You have seen the gifts of the Holy Family community.” He further commented on the sacrifice that both communities are making and emphasized that, “recent months have brought you to a positive awareness that life is changed, not ended; and that you need to be brought together in a new parish home.”

Bishop Foley, in a letter to the families of St. Ann and Holy Family, wrote, “As churches, you each carry with you your history and your identity into a new future, where mourning will be turned into joy over not just a new location but a new community in Christ.”
Father Joe Culotta, pastor of St. Ann and Holy Family stated, “It is especially hard to let go of the past when plans for the future remain incomplete. Yet, piece by piece plans for our new parish community are beginning to take shape. The parishioners of these two churches should be commended for sacrifices that both have made in giving birth and nourishing this new Catholic community which will serve the growing population of Morgan County and the surrounding areas.”

After three years of study and deliberation, the Long Range Planning Committee in February made the following recommendation which was approved by the St. Ann and Holy Family parish councils and Bishop Foley: “After examining the long-range needs of Morgan County,. the available facilities and space at St. Ann’s Parish and Holy Family Mission, and having determined that the future growth, development and expansion of facilities in Morgan County to serve the Catholic community should be focused at a central location, it is the recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee that the long-range plan for St. Ann Parish and Holy Family Mission be amended to provide that the Parish, Mission, all facilities, programs, and services will be consolidated in one, new parish community at a new location.”

Several parcels of land are being considered, and an architect has been engaged to develop a master plan for the parish. Plans are to build a new church, a new school,. and a Parish Life Center with. a gym on a campus of at least 25 acres.

Bishop Foley chose The Church of the Annunciation from a list of six names submitted by a task force of the joint parish councils of St. Ann and Holy Family. These six names were chosen from numerous names submitted by parishioners. Linda Burns of St. Ann Parish in suggesting the name to the task force explained; “The Annunciation marks the day that Our Lady was told that she would be the Mother of God. At that point, she was both part of the family of Joachim and Ann and on the threshold of being part of the Holy Family of Joseph and Jesus. The occasion marks a transition in her life, just as the building of our new church marks a transition in the lives of Catholics in Morgan County. “As the announcement of Our Lord’s birth was heralded, so too should our announcement as Catholics be heralded in Morgan County. The Annunciation was the beginning of Mary’s marriage to Joseph and life with Jesus. Naming our new parish Annunciation marks the marriage of St. Ann’s Church with Holy Family and heralds our life as a parish community together with Jesus”

Father Culotta reminded the parishioners that, “Mary was blessed by the announcement she received from the Angel Gabriel that she would be the Mother of Jesus. We, too, are blessed in the reception of this new name. Our church community shall announce to a new generation and to a new millennium the Name of Jesus.” Serving on the Long Range Planning Committee were the following parishioners from both St. Ann and Holy Family:. chairman Tommy Loyd, Tom DiGiulian, Sister Janet Flemming, Pat. Follin, Jan Gile, George Harvey, Johanna Horton, Mark Jacobs, Tim Kyle, Gene Lyons, Richard Lyons, Phil Mazzuca, Ellen McDaniel, Sue Mitchell, and Skip Schumitsch.

© 2003 Annunciation of the Lord Catholic Church