by Kim Houseman • January 26, 2011
Project Linus Update
We will be hosting the next Project Linus Blanket making party on Saturday, March 5th from 9 am to 2 pm in the Davidson Activity Center. In the past year we have given away more than 1,700 blankets to 15 agencies.
We are in need of 2 1/2 yards of pre-washed flannel, 1 3/4 to 2 yards of fleece (print and coordinating solid) and satin blanket binding to match the flannel. We are always in need of baby soft yarn. If the thought of going to a fabric store is overwhelming we will be happy to accept donations and do the shopping for you.
If you are planning to come and work at the blanket party please call or e-mail your reservation to Allyson Wyckhuyse, 248-828-7511, E-Mail
by Franz Hoffer • January 21, 2011
We received some very good news from the Archdiocese, we have not only reached our CSA goal but we have exceeded it. The exact amount is currently being tabulated and we won’t have that for a couple weeks, but the preliminary results are that we are in the black. Remember, any amount over the CSA assessment is returned to St. Anastasia tax free. Between the huge Christmas collection and now this good news on the CSA, it truly is turning out to be a good new year…maybe this is a harbinger of better things to come for everyone. Perhaps the economy has finally turned and those seeking work will be able to find a job. A good sign is the record numbers attending the Auto Show the last couple of weeks…I’m sure there is a lot of pent-up demand out there for large ticket items. With the new administration in Lansing it will be interesting to see their ideas for addressing the budget shortfall and stimulating the economy in Michigan. Whatever their ideas are, I ask you all to pray for our state, our country, our church, and for each other. 
by Father Mark Prill • January 21, 2011
It is hard to believe we are in the first few weeks of Ordinary Time in the Church year. The excitement of Christmas is over. All the decorations are down. It almost feels a little deflating to be in Ordinary Time. That is one of the things to remember, Ordinary Time is not ordinary. The joy of Christmas is still in our hearts as is the joy of Easter. We have to remember that Jesus calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things. We have to be open to the Spirit and let God work in our hearts. We live in the mindset that someone else will do it. I encourage you during this time before Lent to look at your lives. Are you one who is living out the love of Christ, or someone who only does it when it is convenient? Jesus followed the Father all the time to save us. Shouldn’t we return the favor?
by Rev. Mr. Ron Cook • January 21, 2011
Something to think about!
At the Indianapolis Speedway, they say, “Gentlemen, start your engines.” Usually we begin a race by saying, “Ready, set, go!”, or calling out, “One two three!” In today’s Gospel story, Jesus begins His ministry with a “one two three” series of actions. First He goes to Capernaum to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy. Next He calls the first four disciples to join Him. Then He sets out on a preaching and healing tour of the region.
The years of His ministry will similarly pass: one, two, three. Those with Him at the end will count the crosses: one, two, three. Two thousand years later we will begin every time we worship with, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” One, two, three.
Deacon Ron
by Marian Bart • January 21, 2011
Catechists, please join others in the vicariate for a special Catechist Evening of Reflection. (Details are provided on the .pdf)
by Father J.J. Mech • January 21, 2011
MMMM, MMMM, MMMM GOOD – The Capuchin Order will be with us in the Narthex this weekend. They will be selling baked goods from the “On the Rise Bakery.” The bakery is staffed by seven men who have been incarcerated or who have completed an addiction program. The goal of “On the Rise Bakery” is to have the participants learn a marketable skill while continuing to become men of greater integrity.
by Franz Hoffer • January 15, 2011
O.K., the holidays are over and it’s nice to get back to some semblance of normalcy, although the older I get the more I am of the opinion that there is no “normal” out there anymore. Much more was made of the theft from the Eucharistic Chapel than was needed (I chalked it up to a slow news day), but in the process a good message went out from not only St. Anastasia but from Catholic Churches in general. We have not yet replaced the stolen box with a new one but have re-installed an older one from our “inventory”. We will be purchasing a new theft proof box (that last one was supposed to be theft proof!) shortly. The 24 hour Eucharistic Chapel is something that distinguishes St. Anastasia and there are no plans to change that. But we will do all we can without being intrusive of the worship space to ensure security, not only for the money left in the donation box but for the parishioners that utilize the chapel. We also want to point out and thank the quick reaction of the Troy Police Department; they continue to try and solve the case and have been in touch through the entire process.
by Father J.J. Mech • January 15, 2011
ARE YOU GIFTED? – I attended a vicariate meeting this past week and something interesting happened. The conversation among the priests became very heated over a particular subject: having to do more. Let me remind you that these men are very dedicated and hard working servants, all of whom I respect very much. As I drove back to the parish, I was sad. They expressed an almost helpless feeling of being overwhelmed. This experience made me think of you and inspired me to write this article.
by Marian Bart • January 15, 2011
Just the other day, my young son and I were trying to plow through a Cub Scout badge requirement list together. I tried and tried to have him answer what I considered to be this simple question from the book: How do you practice your faith? He couldn’t tell me. Even though I reworded it, gave hints, cajoled, and begged, he absolutely could not say one single thing about his beliefs. Argh!
Now, my child’s silence might not come as a surprise to those of you who know children with a small (?!) stubborn streak or those of you who, like my boy that day, find that they just cannot put their faith into words. But the thing is: he can. You can. We all can. Here’s how I know.
by Marian Bart • January 14, 2011
The late Pope John Paul II is now a major step closer to sainthood following the approval of a decree attributing a miracle to him. Pope Benedict XI will preside over his predecessor’s beatification ceremony on May 1 at the Vatican. “The news,” Archbishop Vigneron says, “brings joy to the whole Church.” Detroit’s Archbishop Allen Vigneron, who served at the Vatican for a brief time during Pope John Paul II’s 27-year papacy, comments:
“The news that Pope Benedict XVI will beatify the Venerable John Paul II on May 1 brings joy to the whole Church. All of us have our own particular fond memories of this great pastor, our beloved father in Christ – many of them coming from his visit to the Archdiocese in September 1987. In his days among us he showed us the face of Christ. As we venerate his memory, he still does us that service from the Father’s house in heaven.”
Statement from
Archbishop Allen Vigneron
Archdiocese of Detroit