Father Hugh Dolan remained at Saint Anne until 2000 at which time he was transferred to Pensacola where he retired.

Father Pat Foley arrived shortly thereafter. Under his Pastorship, many physical improvements were made; The Church was repainted, new carpet was installed, the floor was redone and landscaping around the Church was accomplished. Father Pat was transferred to Saint Joseph Parish in Pensacola in June, 2002.

Father Paul White became our Pastor on July 7, 2002. Two houses were purchased; one across the street from the Church was purchased and renovated (Sister Rachel Elias and Sister Kathleen Garrity moved into the new convent in February, 2003). The second house adjacent to the new convent, but facing Kelson Street became the new Rectory. The old Rectory was renovated to be used for Church offices and a conference room.

On July 29, 2001, Sister Rachel Elias and Sister Kathleen Garrity, Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania arrived. They moved into the convent located next door to the Church Rectory at 3007 Fifth Street. (Later they moved across the street to a newly renovated home). Sister Kathleen's activities included work among the poor and Sister Rachel assisting both in Marianna and Chipley parishes was involved in many parish activities. Sister Kathleen, who worked a lot with the poor of the area, left for Washington, D.C. on May 11, 2003 to work with the poor there.

A few members of the parish (i.e. Bob DeGroot, Jerry Lebica) approached Father White with the need for and help to start a charitable outreach program. At first, it seems to fizzle out, but then, by the Grace of God, two families moved to the parish (Laverne and Boots Ayo and Carol and Bill Connelly). One family had experience working at a thrift store and the other had the ability to organize (since he was an international trouble shooter for the State Department). The former building located on Second Avenue was now designated as the new Saint Vincent de Paul Society building. Bill Connelly, Boots Ayo, and Bob DeGroot worked six days a week painting, doing necessary carpentry work, cutting steel and making shelves and racks to get the building ready. Laverne Ayo, Carol Connelly, Fred Ince, Bob Asselin and Jack Long also gave a lot of assistance. The Thrift Store was blessed on February 1, 2004 and opened its doors to customers on February 3, 2004 with Laverne Ayo in charge and receiving assistance from Carol Connelly, Nina Roney, Joan Foor, Sister Rachel and Regina. The former garage was thoroughly remodeled for the food pantry which opened on August 12, 2004 with Bill Connelly in charge. (Actually, Bill Connelly was in charge of the entire operation). About once a week or so, two retired men from Destin would bring us excess bread and other foods from a large store there. We (members of Saint Vincent de Paul) would distribute it among the the poor with some also going to the Garcia family to distribute in Malone and an A.M.E. Church south of town.

Another need was a religious goods store. After some work repainting and putting in some shelving, the religious goods store opened with Bob DeGroot and Boots Ayo in charge. Father Paul also wished to establish a youth ministry which never came to realization before he received notice from the Bishop that he was to be transferred. On June 28, 2005, he was appointed Pastor of St. Peter in Mary Esther.

Father Sean Knox arrived on July 1, 2005 to assume his role as Administrator of Saint Anne and Saint Joseph the Worker in Chipley. During this time, emphasis was placed on youth development. Soon, a youth minister was appointed. The former convent was now to be the youth minister's house. Miss Elizabeth Nelson was appointed as the first youth minister. After being specially trained, she took over this task and youth activities began in ernest. Over the following years, they attended Christian rock concerts, retreats and other exciting events.

Father Sean wished to express his faith in the Eucharist and bear witness to the Catholic Faith with a Eucharistic Procession. Thus, on the feast of Corpus Christi, we had a special procession to Hwy U.S. 90 and back. This being Saint Anne's second but definitely largest procession the Church has ever had. (The first was on December 12, 1997 on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe).

Our beloved Religious Sister, Sister Rachel Elias, passed away on May 16, 2008 at her Order's Mother House In New Jersey. She was such a great blessing to the Church. She helped out wherever she was needed and she visited the sick , worked in both Marianna and Chipley parishes, set up needed activities (such as starting and maintaining the prayer chain), assisted at the Thrift store and helped wherever she saw a need. With a smile, she brought Christ's love to all!

Bob DeGroot

May 2008

Note: Notice that I only mention the names of the first people who began and were with any group when it was first started. People who joined afterward are not mentioned lest it reads like a telephone book. I am trying to keep the story interesting or else nobody will bother to read it.