1st Saint Anna Blood Drive a success!

Our 1st semiannual blood drive was a success! I want to thank you and let you know that our donors are deeply appreciated for their support and the role they played in making this blood drive a success.

The results from the June 6th blood drive, in addition to those who give regularly: 

  • Projection/Outcome: Successful WB Procedures: 12

  • Number of First-time donors: 7. CONGRATS!! This is a huge accomplishment! 

  • Total Red Cell Units: 12

  • With these units collected, over 25 patients will receive blood products to meet their health care needs.


Because of the blood donation, St. Anna’s is now planning to host another blood drive on November 21st, the Feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple (Orthros at 8 AM). In keeping with the spirit of giving, let’s make this an even bigger success! The week of Thanksgiving falls during “Critical Days” for blood centers and hospitals. More details will follow. Please mark your calendars!

Founders' Hall Deep Cleaning (Volunteers needed, July 19)

We are so blessed to have an exceptionally beautiful parish home - the Sanctuary, Founders’ Hall, and our grounds. For those newer to the parish, phase one of our construction - the utilities, parking lot, and auxiliary building - was completed in 2006. This is our twentieth anniversary on site! The building, affectionately named “Founders’ Hall” after Fr. Demetrius and Presvytera Ellie Dogias, of blessed memory, and all the founders of our community, has seen several modifications and upgrades over the years. We expanded upstairs, added classrooms, converted our worship space into a fellowship hall and library, and added a covered patio. We have also considered expanding our kitchen, adding more shade over the balcony (overlooking East Roseville Parkway), and adding more meeting spaces and classrooms. Founders’ Hall has provided us with so much and continues to do so.

To keep our parish looking and feeling welcoming, and in preparation for our Feast Day (July 25), we will host a cleaning party on July 19 after Divine Services. Some of our tasks include: powerwashing tables and chairs, wiping down walls, cleaning windows, and deep cleaning. Many volunteers and hands are needed to make light work of it! We have a power washer at the church, but we’re looking for a few more to speed up the work.  

For more information about our Parish workday, please contact Sara Jurrens at sarajurrens@gmail.com or 916-296-6465.  

First Annual Clothing Swap

The clothing swap is scheduled for after summer/before school starts, intended to help families refresh their wardrobes with church-appropriate attire for men, women, and children. Any clothing that is not taken in the swap will be donated locally.

First Annual Parish Blood Drive (June 6)

Christ is Risen!

Saint Anna’s first annual blood drive is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th. It will be held in Founders’ Hall from 9 am to 1 pm. Jim Alfred with Vitalant will call each person who signed up as a donor. Vitalant also encourages everyone to download their app. There is a lot of information on their site that you may want to review.

After your blood is processed, donors will receive their blood type, blood pressure, cholesterol results, and more. Vitalant serves 111 hospitals across California. Local patients need more than 1,000 pints of blood each day! About 25% of the blood is directed to cancer patients for ongoing treatment. Our blood drive can potentially help 100 patients! And it doesn’t cost a thing, only a bit of yourself!

On behalf of all those in need, thank you! And, if you have further questions or would like to sign up, please contact me at your convenience, IBPENGUIN@aol.com 

May our efforts be blessed and bring healing to others, 

Marci Pelka

Saint Innocent Orphanage Update - 2026 Casa Cuna Tour

Christ is Risen! Hello, family and friends at Saint Anna's! My time at Saint Innocent's has been as challenging as it has been fulfilling. My time at the orphanage will be limited during my final semester of school so I can complete my clinical practice and graduate. Then it’s back with the children. As mentioned in my video update, the current major needs at the Casa Cuna are:

  • A few bicycles for 3-5 year olds with training wheels

  • A second vehicle

If you or someone you know would like to donate a bike or send money to our second-vehicle fund, please contact me at my email address: Isabellaeve99@gmail.com 

Our current wishlist

Rather than submit a written report, I thought I’d provide a video update from Saint Innocent Orphanage and a tour of Casa Cuna. 

Again, thank you for your love, prayers, and support. 

With continued gratitude and prayers, 

- Isabella Pucilowski


Beautification of the Sanctuary continues!

On Bright Monday, Fausto returned to our community to begin installing the mosaics of Saint Luke the Evangelist and St. John of Kronstadt. Again, Massimo’s work is simply stunning! Next week, he will be joined by our iconographer, Michael, who is traveling from Athens with two co-workers to install our first painted icons. Much of the remaining wood-carved fixtures, including the iconostasis, are en route from Thessaloniki! May the beautification of our Holy Sanctuary and our offerings to fund the project be pleasing to God!