St. Ann Catholic Church at 6529 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN 38134 US - Ministries, Education, and Social Services

Spiritual and Sacramental Formation

Infant Baptism Sacramental Preparation helps parents come to a fuller awareness of both the gift and responsibility they have received in being called to raise their child as a baptized member of the Body of Christ.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a multifaceted ministry for the initiation of adults, teens, and children (7 and older) into the Catholic Church. This process consists of three phases: the Precatechumenate or Inquiry - a time of introduction to Gospel values where one is helped to develop the beginnings of faith; the Catechumenate - a period where a catechumen or candidate learns about the Catholic faith by actually being helped to live it within the parish community through various catechetical sessions and the celebration of various liturgical rites; finally, the Mystagogia - a period following ones initiation or acceptance into full communion with the Catholic Church. During this time, the new Catholic, or neophyte, is invited to deepen his/her faith by reflecting upon their personal experience of the Paschal Mystery.

Children & Youth Religious Education helps children and teens recognize the importance of developing a firm understanding of and relationship with Christ and His Church. Four year old to 12th grade children/youth are provided with the opportunity to learn about their Catholic faith on an age-appropriate level. To enter the Parish Religious Education (PRE) program, children must be 4 years old by September 1 of the year enrolled in addition to being toilet trained. Classes for pre-school through 8th grade are held on Sunday mornings in the school. Students, who do not attend the parish school or another Catholic school, and will be receiving First Communion or Confirmation must be enrolled in the Sunday morning program the year before and the year they receive the sacrament.

Adult Religious Education challenges parishioners to reach for and to acquire an informed adult knowledge of scripture, doctrine, morality, and spirituality following the teaching of the Catholic Church. Adult religious education courses are offered throughout the year at various times.  The Diocesan Office of Catechetical Ministry offers catechetical certification courses and faith enrichment programs.  Courses on liturgy are offered through the Liturgical Institute under the Diocesan Office of Worship. Click the link on the left side of the page for information and class schedules of courses offered at St. Ann and through these diocesan offices

Our Parish Community offers a variety of opportunities for service to our church through participation liturgical and music ministries: Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Mass Coordinators, Sacristans, St. Leo Altar Society, Ushers, Adult Choir, Cantor Ministry, Hand Bell Choir, Children’s Choir and the Contemporary Ensemble.

The Ministry of Altar Server is open to all boys and girls who have completed the 4th grade. There is a yearly workshop for all servers. Altar Servers in grade 5 who attend St. Ann School have the opportunity to serve for daily masses, as well as weekday funerals and special events. Servers in 6th grade or older have the opportunity to serve Saturday morning masses, Sunday masses, and special events.  Master of Ceremonies is a part of the ministry of Altar Server, this group consists of handpicked high school aged servers who have shown responsibility and dependability in their ministry as Altar Servers. These experienced boys and girls help direct the other Servers at Sunday masses and holy days including Christmas and Easter. Many are also recommended to serve at Diocesan liturgies. Adults can also volunteer to be parish Masters of Ceremonies. They work closely with the pastor and coordinate the servers for special liturgies. School

Also known by the name of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, Eucharistic Ministers aid in the distribution of Holy Communion on Sundays, weekdays, and Holy Days and to the sick and homebound. Training sessions are held throughout the year for new ministers and for those who have moved from another parish and would like to continue their service here.

Lectors have the distinct honor of proclaiming the Word of God at mass. Training sessions for new lectors, or for lectors transferring from another parish, are held throughout the year. Lectors also serve at Holy Day masses and special celebrations of the Liturgy of the Word and at the Liturgy of the Hours.

Mass Coordinators are responsible for ensuring liturgical ministers are present before each mass. Service in this capacity requires previous experience as lector, Eucharistic minister, or sacristan.

The Sacristan is the person who is responsible for making sure that all is in order before a liturgy, and that all is back in place following the liturgy. These responsibilities include preparing the sacramental wine and hosts, making sure that the vestments are in order, and putting out the goblets, patens, and purificators before mass. Sacristans are also needed for funerals and other liturgies that are celebrated throughout the year.   Training is provided periodically and can be provided on a one-to-one basis.

St. Leo Altar Society is a group of dedicated people who have the honor of taking care of the environment of the church as well as various objects used in our worship. The St. Leo Guild is responsible for the decor and many preparations needed for the various liturgical seasons. From vestments to liturgical books, the St. Leo Guild enables the liturgy to flow because of the work done beforehand and behind the scenes.

Ushers are responsible for caring for the assembly during mass. This ranges from welcoming people as they arrive for mass, to distributing bulletins. The Ushers are also responsible for taking up the collections and helping people find a seat. All are invited to take part in this ministry, especially couples or organizations. Training is provided.

The St. Ann Choir prepares the liturgical music for the 11:00 a.m. (11:30 a.m. effective July 6) Sunday mass. The choir is open to anyone, high school and older.  Previous choral experience and ability to read music are not required, simply a desire to serve through music. The St. Ann Choir also provides the music for Midnight Mass, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday as well as other parish celebrations and events.

The Cantor Ministry is one of singer and leader of sung prayer. Potential Cantors are chosen and invited to take part in the parish Music Ministries. Ongoing training is provided in the various areas of the Cantor ministry. Cantors lead the singing at Sunday masses, Holy Day masses, and celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Open to all children in grades two through six, the Children’s Choir provide members the opportunity to learn about music. They sing for school masses and occasionally for Sunday masses.

The Contemporary Ensemble consists of instrumentalists and singers who provide music for the 5:00 p.m. Mass.   The Contemporary Ensemble is open to anyone from students in the seventh grade all way to senior citizens.  The Ensemble leads the assembly in singing more contemporary music. Intermediate to advanced ability is needed from instrumentalists, while singers do not need to have any previous choral experience or ability to read music. 

The Hand Bell Choirs  provide beautiful accompaniment to the music at masses and offers inspiring music at different times of the year.

Gifted Organists/Accompanists are always needed for the wide variety of musical activities in our parish (for serving at the Sunday masses to accompanying rehearsals and various parish celebrations). Our parish is always in need of organists, pianists, and keyboardists.  Whether the instrument is a reed, string, percussion, or brass, Instrumentalists are needed to provide that special touch to our music for worship. All are encouraged to offer their talents.

Programs For Children and Youth 

Teen Ministry Programs offer opportunities for children/youth of the parish to come together in a casual setting to enjoy supervised fun, learning, and fellowship within a faith-oriented context.  The program provides church-oriented activities for our children and teens that will help them to experience membership of a caring Catholic community of faith that wants and needs to benefit from their growing abilities and talents.   The Junior High Youth and Senior High Youth Groups usually meet on Wednesday or Sunday nights during specified periods of the year in the Parish Youth Building. 

Parents Day Out offers short-term care for children between the ages of 15 months and 5 years in a safe, loving, Christian environment. Care is offered on a first come, first served basis to parish families, and then to families in the surrounding community. Care is provided 2 days a week from September through mid-May.  An age-appropriate curriculum is provided, including math, art, science, religion, and outside free play.  To register, or for more information on the program, please contact Mrs. Eva Rousseau, director, at 387-1619.

St. Ann Parish School fulfills its role as a ministry of St. Ann Parish,  to facilitate strong academic development and to nurture a lifelong commitment to Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church in a way that promotes the spiritual and educational growth of each student, so that all students become responsible, productive and faith-filled citizens. The school was established in 1960 with an enrollment of 150 students and 7 faculty members.  Today the school boasts of an enrollment of over 600 and a staff of over 40 certified teachers, a full-time guidance counselor and an administrative team.  The school has 30 classrooms, a library, computer and science labs, art room, music and band rooms; out-door classroom, gymnasium and a full-service cafeteria. The school is approved by the Tennessee Department of Education and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  Information on the school can be obtained by clicking the "School" link on the left of this page or calling the school at 386-3328.

The Extended Care Program provides short-term before and after school care for students of St. Ann School.  The program also offers a summer camp for all children of the parish.  To register and for information on fees and hours, please call Ms. Karen Otts, Director at 382-3370.

Athletics are organized and developed by the St. Ann Athletic Committee, making sure that they carried on in a manner consonant with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the rules of the Diocese of Memphis Parochial Athletic Association.   Membership consists of a commissioner from each sport and representatives appointed by the pastor.  Sports teams and activities include: Boys baseball (K-8) and football (5-8); girls softball (5-8), volleyball (5-8) and cheerleading (8); basketball (K-8), cross country (5-8), golf (7-8) and soccer (K-8) for both boys and girls.  The parish has two gymnasiums and an athletic field on the campus.

The Boy Scouts strengthen values, promote citizenship, and enhance mental and physical fitness. Boy Scouts earn badges, plan, participate and attend camp outings, jamborees, and sponsor service projects.  Tiger Cubs -open to all boys ages 6 and 7 who are in the 1st grade; Cub Scouts - open to all boys ages 7 through 10; Boy Scouts - open to all boys ages 11 through 18.

Girl Scouts is the world’s largest organization devoted specifically to girls. Through the leaders, parents, and the girls working together, Girl Scouts helps girls learn to succeed and to make a difference in this world by providing resources and opportunities to achieve the highest ideals of character, conduct, and service.  Daisies - open to all girls in Kindergarten; Brownies - open to all girls in grades 1 through 3; Juniors - open to all girls in grades 4 through 6; Cadets - open to all girls in grades 7 through 9.

Reaching Out To Our Community In Service 

Journey of Hope is a six-week adult workshop to support those grieving the loss of a loved one. Professional speakers present weekly sessions: Stages of Grief, Dealings with Feelings, Anger, Loneliness, Working through Annual Reminders, and Growth with New Horizons.

Divorced and Beyond is a seven-week workshop for adults suffering from the grief of separation and divorce. During the program, professional speakers discuss topics such as: the Process of Divorce, Self Esteem, Stress, Anger, Loneliness, Working through Annual Reminders, and Growth with New Horizons.

Habitat for Humanity  joins with other churches and community organizations to assist families in acquiring safe and secure housing at an affordable cost through Habitat for Humanity.  Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 under the leadership of President Jimmy Carter.  The Habitat family commits to providing 500 hours of sweat equity into their own and to other Habitat homes.  The family pays a 20 year no interest mortgage.  Volunteer labor, such as that provided by St. Ann parishioners, considerably lowers the cost to the family.

Members of the Society of Vincent DePaul are part of an international Catholic organization of lay persons who seek, in a spirit of justice and charity and by person-to-person involvement, to help those who are suffering and in need by providing direct material assistance.

Professional Personal and Family Counseling is provided through referral to professional counseling services offered by Mrs. Cindy Pease, a private service provider.  Individuals needing a referral for counseling should call the parish office for an appointment.

Emergency Response Team is designed to train and coordinate church staff members and ushers to assist those in need and for emergencies.  The ministry is also exploring working with the American Red Cross to determine whether St. Ann facilities could be used as a community center in the event of weather or other disasters.

The Parish Health Ministry is made up of volunteers interested in promoting a healthy life-style among parishioners and an understanding of the relationship among lifestyle, faith and well being. Among many activities are monthly blood pressure screenings, an annual health fair, and periodic blood drives.

Through the Wheels Ministry volunteer drivers assist parishioners who are in need of transportation to Mass on the weekends.  Parishioners are volunteers are matched according to mass time and area.  Drivers also provide transport for appointments.

The Parish Prison Ministry consists of parishioners called by the Holy Spirit to serve and spread the word of God to the inmates at the Shelby County Corrections Facility.  Through a joint effort of laity and clergy volunteers, the prison ministry seeks to provide worship and prayer services and other forms of support.  Roles are available for those who do not wish to visit the prison.

The Helping Hands Ministry is comprised of parishioners who cook for fellow parishioners who have experienced a death or a birth in their immediate family.  Currently, about 100 parishioners make up teams of 5 to 15 people.  A meal is provided for the family.  Additional meals are provided, if needed.

Through the AA Solutions Group St. Ann hosts regular AA meetings each Monday, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm in the St. Matthew room on the second floor of the Family Life Center. The “AA Solutions” group helps those throughout the community and at St Ann suffering with this disease, an opportunity to start a new way of life.

Al-Anon helps when someone’s problem with alcohol affects you. Meetings in the St. Mark II room 2nd floor of the Family Life Center Mondays 7-8pm and Fridays 8-9pm.

The St. Ann Special Olympics Fun Day began 15 years ago, with former associate pastor Fr. Eric Peterson organizing a small group of parishioners to minister to the physically and mentally handicapped citizens of our community.  Over 100 special athletes competing in various track and field events including wheelchair events, Frisbee throw, softball throw, 25- and 50-meter races, long jump and a soccer event.  Helping out are over 250 volunteers, some of whom will be angels for the participants, making sure they are at each of their events throughout the day, cheering them on during their events, and giving their parents or guardians the opportunity to sit back and watch and enjoy their child as he or she participates in the events.  Other volunteers help with set up and clean up, registration, opening ceremonies, track and field events, cheerleading, hugging, giving ribbons and medals to the participants, and much more.  Volunteers come from our own parish organizations, individual parishioners, college Greek organizations, the Al Chymia Clowns, the “Balloon Man,” Memphis Light, Gas and Water, the Memphis Fire Department, and the medical community.