St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church
Let Us Prepare

This commentary from Fr. Barron provides an excellent explanation of the need for the translation now in use.

Please check this page often to continue to learn about the eternal, ever-new liturgy.

Over and over again, our God lets us know that we need to put Him first.  We hear this message in the first Commandment given to us through Moses; we hear it in this week’s Gospel; we hear it when we attempt to live it and come to understand its glorious effects.  Putting God first in our hearts – and, literally, in our days – creates the kind of relationship with the Divine that He wants for us. As a good friend of mine stated recently, “A disciple is someone who wakes up every morning wondering how the Lord is going to use him.”

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the USCCB, sharply criticized the decision by the Obama administration in which it “ordered almost every employer and insurer in the country to provide sterilization and contraceptives, including some abortion-inducing drugs, in their health plans….Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This shouldn’t happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights.” Please use this site to write to Congress now.

Dolan is urging Catholics and the public at large to speak out in protest. Please take action today. More information can be found here.

Please also read Archbishop Allen Vigneron’s official statement.

Reminders are Good for Us All:
The Proper Reception of Holy Communion

Next week I will continue with the commentary on the new translation, but I think it would be a good idea for us to refresh our memories on how to properly receive the Eucharist. It is very easy to forget things or to fall into bad habits since we are not perfect, so reminders are always helpful! This is for all of us, so there is no need to feel you are being singled out.

The Experience of Grief and Loss

Together we learn about the experience of grief and loss,

And find comfort as we journey through grief.

St. Anastasia Church in conjunction with St John Hospice is offering a five- week series about the experience of grief and loss.

The purpose of this five-week series is to provide support and an understanding of what we may experience as we grieve the death of a loved one.  Through sharing, education, and mutual support members learn how to cope with grief and begin the process of healing in a group setting.
The contents of each week’s sessions builds upon the previous week, so participants benefit most by attending all sessions.

“Healing the Heart” is offered as community service, and there is no charge.

Wednesday Evening Group

March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4

6:30p.m.-8:00p.m.
For further information or registration call:

Kim Houseman at 248 689-8380 x 112

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