St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church
Here’s What’s Up:

Please Respect Life, Even If I’ve Confused Your Socks Off – I apologize for any confusion about the request for your participation in the 40 Days For Life Campaign. It’s true that we’re supporting two different events during that lonnnng (Like the Flood! And Lent!) timespan. First, from our Respect Life group, there was an opportunity to commit to an hour of prayer in the chapel or at home back on February 27. Now, there is a chance for you to sign up for an hour to pray for life on the days our Knights of Columbus have “adopted,” March 14 and 15. Anyone who would like to still volunteer for that, please contact Tom D’Alio at 586-925-1451.

I have this idea.  It’s been percolating around my brain for about two years now.  It must be good idea, because it’s a bit intimidating (“Are You sure, God?”) but it won’t go away (“Yes, I AM sure.”).  So today I am going to propose it to you, dear friends, and see what happens next.

“Love your neighbor,” God pokes me.  I flinch, and duck my head.

“But she’s so difficult!” I groan.  ”I know she loves You, and You love her. (Chuh! She talks about it all the time!) Isn’t that enough?  What do You need ME for?  I’d just be a third wheel. Besides, I need to get to work now.  At… um, Your church.”

“Love your NEIGHBOR!” He insists.

Over a year ago, I stumbled across a Christian website with a Q&A feature. The question that caught my eye – and made me feel a bit queasy – was, “How can Catholics call themselves Christians?” The instructor replied that, well, Catholics do believe in Christ. (Did you KNOW that people are surprised by that? How must you and I personally make our faith more evident?)  He then added his opinion that the major divergence between Catholics and other Christian faiths is in what we believe about the conditions of our salvation: that Catholics believe that both faith and good works are necessary for salvation, whereas other Christians believe that only faith is needed.

What is Mary’s Mantle?

Mary’s Mantle will be a Catholic residential home for expectant mothers that are in need of shelter and support. The home will serve women of all faiths that are at least 18 years old. Our hope is that by immersing them in an environment rich in love, compassion, faith, and positive role models they will grow in self confidence and self knowledge, and will work towards a better way of life for themselves and their babies. Our desire is to open the doors this spring.