HAINES CITY  |  Bishop John Noonan joined Father Alfonso Cely, pastor of St. Ann Parish, for the blessing of two buildings renovated to better serve the Lord and His people.

On Aug. 9, 2026, the congregation of St. Ann participated in the celebration of Mass, then followed Bishop Noonan, Father Cely, parochial vicar Father José Luis Ortegano and other clergy to the newly renovated buildings.

“Bless the work of our hands that these buildings may be a place where they encounter your Son, gain knowledge of your will and the seeds of the faith will grow,” Bishop Noonan prayed.

They first blessed the Transfiguration building. St. Ann was originally named Blessed Sacrament Mission Chapel as a mission of St. Joseph Parish in Winter Haven. In 1962, the name changed to Mission of the Transfiguration. It achieved parish status June 28, 1969, and retained its name as Transfiguration Parish until 1975, when it was renamed St. Ann in honor of Mary’s mother by Bishop Thomas J. Grady.

The outside remains intact, but the inside now showcases new parish offices, originally located in the St. Joachim building that had no breakroom and only one bathroom. Father Cely conserved two original pews, one sits in his office as a reminder of how much the parish has grown.

Father Cely explained the old parish office building is named St. Joachim, after the father of the Virgin Mary. He added there is a music room and another room named “The Child Mary,” which will serve as a gathering place for youth groups and other ministries.

After the blessing, Bishop Noonan asked the Lord to bless the use of the buildings and those who worked to make the renovations possible, both physically and monetarily. He then blessed all the staff present.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, August 14, 2026