St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church
Jottings from Fr. J.J.

We have had some wonderful things happen here at St. Anastasia in 2011 (Art for God’s Sake, new members joining, new ministries, new staff . . .).  For me personally, 2011 had some really rough patches (one, being the death of my Dad).  Because of these experiences, as I opened up my many Christmas Cards this year, I began to try to read them in a new way.  I asked myself what God might be trying to express to me as I carried around a lot of raw emotion.

Part V: Commentary on various phrases in the new Roman Missal, 3rd Edition

Merry Christmas!!  May God bless you on this most holy celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ!  Today, we will continue to look at the new translation of the Nicene Creed.  Once again, all of this comes directly from the Magnificat Roman Missal Companion, edited by Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P., with the commentary written by Professor Anthony Esolen, 2011. (if you so desire to order this companion or subscribe to Magnificat, which is a great Catholic publication that contains the daily readings from Mass for each day along with meditations from Saints and Catholic writers visit: http://www.magnificat.com/romanmissal/roman_missal_companion.asp )

Merry Christmas…
Jesus Christ is Born

If it weren’t for his life, we wouldn’t be celebrating his birth. If it weren’t for the way he lived his life, then the story heard at the Christmas Vigil, that proclaims his genealogy and the story of Joseph’s dream and act of faith about the Emmanuel to be born, would fall on deaf ears. Were it not for the witness he gave and the   actions he did during his ministry in Galilee, there would be no midnight hymns and songs of praise, and the stories of the gathering shepherds would not make a difference. It would just be another night and just another baby born in an overcrowded town.

We remember his birth because of how he lived among us. We celebrate  his birth and his coming again by our very lives. Every day could be Christmas if we allowed the Christ child to be born where we walk, where we eat and drink, where we mix with people – family, neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies.

Everywhere we walk, we carry Christ. Everywhere we go, Christ goes with us and is born again and again in those loving and messy  relationships between the beloved children of God, the brothers and sisters of Jesus, the heirs of God’s loving promises. His life is what gives us reason to celebrate his birth. Take Him with you in your life – and celebrate it!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! Deacon Ron Cook

Part IV: Commentary on the new Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
I hope you have a holy fourth Sunday of Advent! Now we will look at some of the language from the words that the priest and deacon say before proclaiming the Gospel and when either of them kisses the Gospel after proclaiming it. Also, we will look at the beginning of the Nicene Creed. All of this comes directly from the Magnificat Roman Missal Companion, edited by Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P., with the commentary written by Professor Anthony Esolen, 2011. (if you so desire to order this companion or subscribe to Magnificat, which is a great Catholic publication that contains the daily readings from Mass for each day along with meditations from Saints and Catholic writers visit: http://www.magnificat.com/romanmissal/roman_missal_companion.asp )

A little girl and her grandfather.

A little girl sat on her grandfather’s lap. Looking up into his face, she touched his wrinkled old cheek. Then she touched her own smooth cheek and asked, “Grandpa, did God make you?”

“Yes,” he answered, “God made me a long time ago.”

Then she asked, “Did God make me too?”

Grandpa replied, “Yes, of course he did honey. But God made you just a little while ago.”

Checking her own smooth face once again, the little girl said, “God’s getting better at it, isn’t he?”

In today’s Gospel, Mary learns that she will give birth to the Son of God. She will soon be privileged to look upon her newborn child and to let her lips be the first to kiss the perfect cheeks of the face of God.

God bless,
Deacon Ron

What a Ball
Last weekend, a large group of St. Anastasia parishioners, some of our pals from St. Aloysius, and several new attendees had a great time at this year’s St. Anastasia Charity Christmas Ball. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who helped with this year’s event. There were so many folks who shared their gifts to make this night a success. It is a beautiful witness of our faith when so many different people come together to give of their time, talent and treasure. One of the committee said that the spirit of the night just keeps getting better and better each year. Many were helped and many had fun.  We will pass along the nights tally once we get the final numbers, but I have a feeling that many a homeless individual will be helped. 

There’s a banner hanging in the lobby of a local high school that reads: Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.  It bugs me.  I suppose the message is well-intentioned, to remind our young adults that they each have dignity and worth.  And they do, of course; we all do!  What’s irksome to me is its reminder of our modern propensity to erase any sense of just order.

Would you like to come and meet other Moms of the parish?

In January (1/23) we are going to start a Mom & Tot Play group in Meeting Rm B @ 10am.

We have toys and space, and would like to provide an environment for Moms and Tots to share fellowship. (And we have a leader, thank you!!)

If you are interested in participating, please call Kim Houseman at 248.689.8380 x112.

Troy Beaumont & St. Anastasia is looking for help for the No One Dies Alone program. Approximately 3-4 people a month die in the hospital with no family or friends to attend them at the end of life. NODA is volunteer program to provide a reassuring presence to dying patients who would otherwise be alone. With support of nursing staff, volunteers offer patients a caring bedside presence providing one the most valuable of human gifts: a dignified death. If you are interested in being a patient companion or a dispatcher for this program, please contact Mark Garascia 313-805-5918 or e-mail E-Mail. Training is provided.

Then He said to them,

“My soul is sorrowful even to death.

Remain here and keep watch with me.”

Matthew 26:38

Are you available to pick up Giving Tree items for St. Aloysius from local parishes and deliver downtown?

If you have a SUV or a Van, call Mike Carstens at 313-309-1277.

Peace and Goodness to you!

St. Aloysius is also seeking a Food Service Manager to work at the Berkley location. You would need to be licensed and have experience in the Restaurant or school industry. The position is for weekends and evenings. If you are interested please call Mike Carstens at 313.309.1277