NEW LEADERSHIP! A few weeks ago, we prayed to the Holy Spirit and asked that He select the right individuals to fill in three ad hoc positions that were vacant on our Parish Council. Seventeen individuals volunteered to throw their names into the hat. I am happy to announce that Jim Collison, Erwin Coronel, and Mike Wullaert were selected. They will begin when we pick up with our regular meetings at the end of the summer. Thank you to all of you who offered your names. I am sure that we will utilize your gifts in some unique way. 
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Jottings from Fr. J.J.
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
GREAT NEWS!: Our music minister, Dr. Christine Chun, announced something pretty spectacular last week. As you already know, she has a very special talent. We are not the only ones to recognize this. Dr. Chun is honored to be only one of ten people in the entire world to be selected; yep I said the “entire world.” Selected for what, you ask? I thought it might be nice for her to explain what this is all about, so read on.
God bless,
Fr. J.J.
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
STOP, DROP, AND ROLL OUT THE BURGERS: Last week we had our annual Parish Council Barbeque. I am not the greatest cook, but I can handle a grill pretty well, or so I thought. After setting up the tables, pulling out all of the folding chairs, getting the music ready, cleaning the rectory, shopping for all the supplies, dicing up all of the onions, setting out the condiments and drinks, precooking the bratwurst and making about 30 hamburger patties, I woke Fr. Mark from his daily nap and gave him his freshly laundered shorts and shirt I had just ironed. We were ready for our guests, or so I thought. People had arrived and were enjoying themselves in the backyard. The ice was running low so I asked Fr. Mark if he would watch the grill. He did not want to get up from his lounge chair since he was enjoying his fourth or fifth beer and did not want to lose his seat, so I handed the utensils to one of the employees (who asked to go nameless). A few minutes later someone yelled into the rectory, “Father, Father, do you have a spray bottle?”
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
NEW BLOOD AT THE PARISH: We just packed up Fr. John Dumas after his ordination and sent him on his merry way to a new assignment. The oils on his hands are not even dry yet, and we are already inviting in a brand new “man in formation”: James Houbeck. As I have said before, it really is a privilege to be a part of someone’s journey to the priesthood. I would like to invite you to do two things. First, pray for James (if he can survive Fr. Mark, he will survive anything priesthood can throw at him). Second, welcome him. If you see him around campus, introduce yourself. James is a very gregarious man and is very excited about serving the Lord. He will be doing various things here at St. A’s to wet his whistle and get some experience of what parish life is like. I asked James to write a little something about himself so you could get to know him.
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
HEY FADA!: This weekend we honor our Dad’s. My Dad was in the hospital about a week and a half ago. He went into emergency for pneumonia and stayed for congestive heart failure. My Dad is home now and happy as a clam (mostly because he does not have to eat the low sodium cardiac diet they were feeding him). Both he and I really want to thank you for your prayers. Please keep ‘em coming, we always need them. Love you, Dad!
Jotting from Fr. J.J.
WISDOM TO GO: This is the season for graduations, commencement addresses and inspiring words given to graduates. If you were to dispense advice to someone who has completed a phase of their life and are moving on into the future, what might you share with them? What advice might give them a firm foundation to deal with our modern day situation?
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
CONGRATULATIONS FATHER JOHN: Yesterday, Archbishop Vigneron called down the Holy Spirit on this Pentecost weekend and ordained seven men to the Catholic priesthood, six of them for the Archdiocese of Detroit, and one for the Archdiocese of Douala in Cameroon.
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
SOON TO BE “FATHER” JOHN: This is the Year of Priests. Pope Benedict XVI has declared a “Year for Priests” which began with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19, 2009.The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father from June 9-11 of this year. With the announcement of this year for priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his death. Our own Dcn. John Dumas and seven others will be ordained to the priesthood on May 22 (next Saturday) at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament at 10 a.m. He wrote me a note that said, “Please let the entire St. Anastasia parish family know that they are all invited to my ordination – I can’t send invitations to everyone, unfortunately.” If you have never been to an ordination, (my favorite liturgy, but I am biased) this is your chance to attend. In the mean time, please pray for him (and all priests). The U.S. Bishops suggests the following prayer:
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
MOTHER’S DAY: A little trivia: The celebration of Mother’s Day dates back all the way to ancient times, although the idea of the celebration was first kicked around in 1872. Julia Ward Howe, author of the words to the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” proposed Mother’s Day as a day dedicated to peace.
Jottings from Fr. J.J.
ENDINGS AND BEGINNININGS: As the calendar gets closer and closer to summer, things are rolling down to a close. The 2009-2010 Religious Education classes for our young people is coming to an end so you now will see First Communions starting up this weekend, and hopefully families continuing to come to the Sunday liturgies. Our BASIC BASH is this weekend. That is not only a big bonfire, but is also where the teen program rolls into its summer (i.e. lighter) Sunday night programs.