St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church
From the Deacon’s Desk

Birth is a miracle from God. Every mother of a newborn can look down with awe at the new life she cradles in her arms. She might ask her child, “Where did you come from, little one?” She might say the words of poet Maureen Hawkins: “Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were here an hour, I would give my life for you.”

Today’s Gospel from Luke describes this in one sentence: “Mary treasured all these things and reflected on them in her heart.” We    marvel at Mary, the Mother of God, a teenager from Nazareth. She gave birth to a tiny baby who was also God. It is a miracle within a  miracle.

Happy New Year,
Deacon Ron

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

I hope you all had a great Christmas with your families. Happy New Year, and more importantly, Happy Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mother of God! Today, we will continue to look at the new translation of the Nicene Creed. 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. (You may 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 )

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

We now look at the prayers which occur just before the preface (e.g. “may the Lord accept…”) and the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy). 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.

Knights of the Round Tables?
If you have had a meeting in the Davidson Center recently and have gotten splinters in your elbows, you knew we were sorely in need of new tables.  Well, thanks to our illustrious Knights of Columbus Council, we have all new, yes you read that right, all new tables. “Thank you” to my brother Knights for your generosity and for all you do to make St. Anastasia such a great place.

P.S. The Knights are willing to remove any splinters at no cost (as long as you were not sitting on the table!?!) 

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

I’m back! I was on a silent retreat last week, which was great, but now let us continue the series on the new Roman Missal by looking at a phrase from the Apostles’ Creed (the one which is shorter than the Nicene Creed), and then we will look at the new translation of the “Blessed are you…”.  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 desire to order this companion or subscribe to Magnificat, which is a 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 number of folks have asked for a photo display of our recent Christmas season decor, so here it is! A big thank you to our Art And Environment Committee for the awe-inspiring transformation of the church; Betty Merdian, Jackie Carmona, Erica Roberts and Marie Clancy led the efforts. Assistants were Tina Licari, Diana Kozlowski, Caitlin Merdian, Bill Scally, and the entire St. Anastasia maintenance staff.

It was a storm-cloud kind of day.   I was annoyed.  Frustrated.  Irritated.  Over-taxed.  But, when asked to help a newcomer to our country with his email difficulties, I went.  Kneeling next to his desk, fiddling with the keyboard and mouse, I noticed the name of a dear friend in the email inbox.  “You know this man already?” I asked in wonder.  “I love him!”

“Ah, yes,” was the reply.  “He loves you too.”

Mystery Giver
On New Year’s weekend, some very generous person dropped off a basket of cookies & candy, treats for Jerry, a cake, and some juice and left it in the parish office. It was a great surprise and it was delicious, but we do not know who to thank. So if the mystery giver would please notify me, that would be appreciated, so a proper thanks could be offered! That would be very much appreciated. 

Epiphany

Through the centuries, a variety of interesting legends have grown up around this feast of Epiphany.   Although the magi from the east are not named, described or numbered in the scriptures, most legends agree that there were three of them. One particular legend, told to world explorer Marco Polo on a trip to Persia (Iran), seems to describe Balthazar as the youngest of the magi, Casper in the middle and Melchior as the oldest. (The travels of Marco Polo). In this legend, when the three travelers arrive in Bethlehem, each goes separately into the cave to visit the one they seek, and encounter no one there but a man his own age. Later, the magi take their gifts and go back to the cave together. When they enter, they find inside a 13 day infant.

The Persian legend does not go into detail about their conversations, but we can imagine what the three travelers might have talked about with the man in the cave. Perhaps when young Balthazar entered, he met a young prophet with whom he shared his thoughts on reform and promise. Casper met a middle aged teacher with whom he talked passionately of leadership and responsibility. When Melchior entered, he saw an old man like himself, with whom he was quite at ease, and they shared memories of days gone by.

Jesus understands and speaks to every person at every age. Those with the maturity of old age hear the call to integrity and wisdom. The middle aged hear the call to responsibility and service. The young hear the call to find their way toward intimacy with God and to the unique identity that will shape and direct their lives.

And you?  Who do you meet as you come bearing  the gift of yourself to offer to God this day? To what is God calling you? How will you use the gift of the new year that lies ahead? Like the magi of old, we too are on a journey, searching along the way for some manifestation of God and grace. 

May God bless you on your journey,
Deacon Ron

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

Happy Epiphany when the Magi came bearing gifts for Our Lord Jesus Christ!  We will now look at the rest of the Nicene Creed, which got skipped over before.  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 )