We always give thanks to God for all of you
and mention you in our prayers, constantly…
1 Thessalonians 1:2
Although it’s true that I will never, here, be able to thank you each enough for your love and cheerful teamwork as we have labored together in God’s vineyard, I will still say thank you now. My time with you – whether decades or days — has been a tremendous, profound blessing. Your discipleship and friendship have shaped me into a better disciple and friend. Thank you.
As I leave, I wish to say to you what I hope I have always said to you: Jesus loves you. YOU. Personally, passionately, purposefully. Perfectly. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, we can know it because He has proven His love for us in His incarnation, earthly ministry, passion, death, descent into hell, and triumphant resurrection. And in the gift of His holy word, the Bible. And in His abundant life given to us in the Holy Spirit, the Eucharist, the other sacraments, and the people around us. How we choose to respond to that Love is a matter of eternal life and death. Please, I beg you: Daily choose Life!
Through all my reading and work here and at the archdiocese, including my view of the strong, authentic leadership with which St. Anastasia will continue to be blessed, I am convinced that this parish stands on the brink of true greatness. And that is really good news! But the difficult paradox is that true greatness often looks very much like death. We see evidence of that in the lives of our first responders, our military, our finest heroes, our saints, and most especially in the cross of Christ.
I am more aware than ever that we have three choices in our response to that cross. We can run away in fear or denial; we can faint at its base (as artists have depicted); or we can stand right there, firmly, a strong companion at the Lord’s feet. It takes a remarkable backbone to stand there – rebuking all kinds of mockery, storms, threats, and inner frailties. It takes supernatural grace to welcome the shock and blessing of having Jesus’ holy blood coursing down over our own lives. It takes wisdom to know that such a stance is the only one worth taking, and it takes great courage to endure. I pray for these graces for each of us, now and every day. May we stand our ground. Together.
In His love,
Marian Bart
Parish Catechetical Leader