PRAY FOR VOCATIONS   Even though you may not be able to take the Chalice home with you, please read the following letter, let it inspire you to pray and dialogue with your children.  This letter accompanies the chalice being passed among our parish families.

January 9, 2005

Dear Friends in Christ,

 Peace be with you!
 Thank you for your prayers for vocations.  Today, our Church is in need of many men and women to say, "Here I am, Lord…" in answer to God's call to vocations within the priestly and religious ministries.
 In 1936 our Uncle, Fr. Simon Stark - answered God's call, and became a religious order priest for the Congregation of the Holy Ghost.  As a "Spiritan" for 30 years, until his passing in 1966, Fr. Stark's ministry took him from Detroit - to Ohio, Connecticut, Africa, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and back to Michigan.  The work of the Holy Ghost Fathers is to make God's presence known through evangelization, especially to the poor, through prayer, works, and being present in the world - on His behalf.
 For 30 years, this Chalice you have before you, held the sacred blood of Jesus.  For 30 years, this Chalice brought the hope of our risen Lord to tribal villages in Africa during WWII and to African-American communities in the segregated South, during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's. 
 For 30 years this simple cup held Jesus himself, living and present in a true, real, and substantial manner through His body and blood, soul and divinity - and made Him present for God's people.  Quite literally, God knows how many souls have been brought to His heavenly banquet - through His graces bestowed from within this cup.
 For nearly 40 years now, since Uncle Simon's passing, this cup has remained dormant.  As members of a faith community, our prayers are bringing this Holy Chalice back to work.
 Our hope is that through the intercession of the many families of St Anastasia Parish, the prayers of Fr. Stark and his family, St Anastasia, and our Blessed Mother, Mary - that men and women of our Parish will answer God's call to a life of ordained ministry, or religious community.
 As you bring this Chalice into your home, we ask that you reserve for it an appropriate place of honor.  We also ask - for each day that this chalice is entrusted within your care - that your family will earnestly pray for vocations on behalf of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and the Roman Catholic Church.
 Faith and Vocations start at home.  As you pray for your children, ask God that your children will be open to God's will in their lives - whatever that may be.   As members of the greater community of faith, pray also for all the men and women of our Church - that those who have a calling, will courageously embrace God's good will for their lives.
 
 Most sincerely yours - in fellowship and in faith,

  The Stark Family