St Anne's Centennial Anniversary 2026

A celebration for St Anne's 100 year anniversary in 2026 is in coming!   

Watch this space for updates, photos, history, and other memories.

The St Anne's Centennial Committee is still requesting and accepting items related to our Church and School from days gone by.  Any photos, memorabilia, or artifacts would be greatly appreciated.  Our beloved school held numerous pageants, plays, May crownings, and other events that maybe you, your children, or grandchildren partiipated in - we would love to see photos of them!  If you don't want to give them up, we can scan/photograh them and give them back to you.  Please call the parish office at 908 789 0280 to arrange a time for drop-off.  Please include your name and address with the items so we can get them back to you.  (One specific item we are looking for is any photos of the bowling lanes that were in the basement of the Church.  Everyone remembers them, but no one seems to have a photo).  Check your photo albums!

2026 Church of St. Anne’s Centennial Celebration

(A whole year celebration highlighting every month the important milestones in the life of the parish)

January 11 2026, Launching of the Church of St. Anne Centennial Celebration

         Holy Mass at 12 noon, Remembering the Founders and all Benefactors. Praying for their souls. 

February 22, 2026, The Commemoration the First Wedding at Church of St. Anne.. 

Holy Mass at 12 noon with Blessing of Jubilarians 10th, 25th , 50th  and 75th Anniversary and Blessing of all those married at St. Anne’s.  

March 8, 2026, Commemoration of the First Baptism March 1, 1930.

           Holy Mass at 12noon on March 8, 2026. “Catching up with Parents’ Baptismal Promises.” 

Organizers: Jackie and The Pre-Jordan Team

April 5, 2026, Commemorate the Transfer of Property from Catholic Club of Garwood to Church of St. Anne. 

Easter Sunday Mass at 12 noon on April 5, 2026, and Acknowledgement of Catholic Club of Garwood

May 15, 2026, Commemoration of the First Mass and Dedication (May 1, 1927) and First Confirmation (May 15, 1932)

             FIRST COMMUNION is scheduled on May 3, 2026, Sunday

CONFIRMATION is scheduled on May 15, 2026.  Friday

June 28, 2026: Commemorate the Purchase of School and Convent Lots on June 1929. 

GRAND ALUMNI HOMECOMING on June 28, 2026

             Holy mass at 12 noon Sunday for the Living Members of the Bernardine sisters, teachers, staff and students. Deceased members will be remembered at Mass.

July 26, 2026: Feast of St. Anne and Commemoration of the Laying of the Cornerstone (July 25, 1926) and Food Truck Festival. 

            Thanksgiving Mass at 12 noon, and Commemoration of the Laying of the Cornerstone (July 25, 1926) Procession of the Statue of St. Anne, Food Truck Festival

August 16, 2026: Ministry and Heritage Month Celebration

            Sunday Mass at 12 noon, BINGO (Spanish Community) and Youth VBS        

September 13, 2026 , Commemoration of the Formal Establishment of the Parish of St. Anne (Sept. 9, 1930) and Installation of Msgr. Walsh as First Pastor. 

Holy Mass at 12noon Sunday. Inviting a bishop and all priests who were assigned to St. Anne to concelebrate. Deceased priests will be remembered. 

Welcoming and recognizing the newly registered members of the parish at mass. Refreshment follows. 

Organizers:   Knights of Columbus

October 18, 2026, Commemoration of the Incorporation of the Church of St. Anne (Oct. 24, 1925), and ST. ANNE’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY AFTERNOON GALA

              Sunday 12 noon mass 

             AFTERNOON GALA CELBRATION on October 18, 2026 1:30PM to 5:30PM

Tonight, we recognize the founders, benefactors, donors, sponsors, the oldest, antiques and the vintage. 

Inviting the Cardinal as KEYNOTE SPEAKER. 

November 2, 2026, Parish Memorial Mass (Remembering the past, the loved ones,the benefactors and the Forgotten Souls) 

Bells will be rung, and candles will be lit for the souls. A bouquet of flowers will be offered for them, too. 

December 2026, Christmas in our Heart. Homebound Visitation and VIATICUM. Food for Adopted Families. 

After all the centennial celebrations from January 2026 to November 2026, some members of the parish family could not attend due to health reasons. The Church will knock at their doors to bring them Jesus, sing Christmas Carole, and bring gifts. 

             The Homebound Visitation, Viaticum, Anointing of the Sick and Confession (when needed) Coordinate with the family. Gifts will be given by the parish. Christmas CAROLE singing. Healing Mass will be celebrated. (TBA) Five Loaves Food Pantry will deliver special Gifts for the Adopted Families. Christmas Bags of Food. 

Thank you from the Centennial Committee.

The Church

October 24, 1925,   The Church was Incorporated.

April 28, 1926 Transfer of property from the Catholic Club

July 26, 1926,    Laying of the Corner Stone

May 1, 1927,  First Mass was celebrated.

September 9, 1930,  St. Anne became a Canonical Parish

September 13, 1930,  Fr. John M. Walsh was appointed First Pastor.

The Grotto

September 1944,               Purchase of lot (site for the grotto)

1951   Grotto/Shrine of Our Lady Lourdes was built.

  (donated by the Fontenelli Family)

The School

March 15, 1950,  Purchase of Property site of St. Anne’s school.

October 15, 1950,           School construction begun.

September 6, 1951,       Arrival of the six Bernadine Sisters to staff the school.

September 10, 1951  First classes (Margaret Augustine as among the first students)

The Convent  

October 20, 1951   Laying and blessing of cornerstone of both school and convent.

The Rectory

March 1969,  Rectory administration building was erected.

December 8, 1969      Groundbreaking

November 1, 1970      New rectory was formally opened.