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Mission Statement
We, the family of believers at St. Anastasia Parish, having been baptized into Christ Jesus, seek to develop a greater awareness of our mission as the People of God in union with our Holy Father and our Archbishop. Accepting the challenge of the gospel message and realizing that each one of us has been called by the Lord, we commit ourselves:
- To worship God in spirit and in truth, especially in the celebration of the Eucharist and other sacraments of the Church.
- To foster a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in order to welcome new members into our parish and to strengthen our local faith community;
- To proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ by word and action throughout our daily lives.
- To develop educational programs that will enable parishioners of all ages to grow in a knowledge of the truths of our faith;
- To encourage the members of our local faith community to reach out to all those in need, especially the young, the old, the disabled, the infirm and the heavily burdened.
We pray to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we may live our lives in loving service as we continue on our earthly journey towards our heavenly home.
St. Anastasia Parish Pastoral Plan
Introduction
As part of Cluster 61 of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Saint Anastasia Parish participates in the cluster pastoral planning process that has been established for eight parishes located at the western end of Delaware County. Founded as a rural parish in 1912, Saint Anastasia Parish has increased greatly in size over the past 50 years so that there are now 10,000 registered Catholics living in the parish. Presently, the parish is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary of serving the Catholic community in Marple and Newtown Townships. This anniversary celebration will take place during the 2011-12 Parish Year.
According to the Archdiocesan Office for Research and Planning, the total population of the area that lies within the parish boundaries of Saint Anastasia Parish is 20,000 people; consequently, one can conclude that Catholics living in the parish constitute 50% of the local population.
Presently, sacramental ministry is being provided for the people of the parish by a pastor, a parochial vicar, a visiting Augustinian priest, two resident diocesan priests whose primary ministry lies outside the parish, a permanent deacon and a transitional deacon. They are assisted in their pastoral ministry by the Sisters of St. Joseph, a music director, a director of religious education, extraordinary ministers of the Holy Eucharist, and many other lay volunteers,
On weekends, approximately 30% of the registered parishioners attend one the six Sunday Masses that are celebrated at St. Anastasia Church; however, some parishioners attend Mass weekly at nearby sites where Mass is celebrated on Sunday evening. Extraordinary ministers of the Holy Eucharist assist the priests and deacons in providing sacramental ministry to 70 homebound parishioners and 350 residents of the retirement/nursing home facilities that are located within the parish boundaries.
The parish school provides religious instruction for 640 students who are enrolled in the parish school as full time students. The parish school has the largest enrollment of any school located in Delaware County and, in terms of enrollment, it is listed among the top 10% of parochial schools educating children in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In the fall of 2007, the United States Department of Education gave recognition to the high level of academic achievement at St. Anastasia School by presenting the school with the Blue Ribbon School Award.
The school facilities are also used to provide religious instruction for 400 elementary and junior high level students who are enrolled in the public schools of the Marple Newtown School District. There are also 40 elementary school students from the parish who receive their religious instructions at privately operated Catholic elementary schools in the area.
On the secondary level of education, there are 200 parishioners who attend a diocesan high school (primarily Archbishop Carroll High School and Cardinal O’Hara High School); there are 100 parishioners who are enrolled in the eight privately operated Catholic high schools located in this area (e.g. Villa Maria Academy and Malvern Prep); and there are 200 parishioners who are enrolled in the local public high school (Marple Newtown Senior High School).
To meet the pastoral and spiritual needs of the people of Saint Anastasia Parish, the members of the Parish Pastoral Council have developed and continue to revise this Parish Pastoral Plan; they also seek ways in which the plan can be more effectively implemented in the future.
Goal
Since the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life,” the parish needs to develop well-planned liturgies as well as faithful attendance at Mass on Sundays and active participation in these liturgies.
Action Item
- Periodically review the parish Mass schedule for Sundays, holydays and weekdays to make certain that the schedule is meeting the spiritual needs of the greatest number of parishioners and that there is a sufficient number of priests available to celebrate these liturgies.
Person Responsible: Monsignor Philip J. Cribben
Completion Date: Continuing
- Develop a greater appreciation of the gift of the Holy Eucharist by encouraging parishioners to dress appropriately for Mass, take a seat promptly upon entering the church, maintain a respectful silence while present in church, participate in the singing at Mass, and remain in the pews until the priest has left the sanctuary. Special attention is to be given to the attire of altar servers, lectors, cantors, ushers, and Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist.
Person Responsible: Father Bernard J. Taglianetti
Completion Date: Continuing
- On some occasions, offer parishioners the opportunity to receive Holy Communion under the forms of bread and wine.
Person Responsible: Monsignor Philip J. Cribben
Completion Date: Continuing
- Celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism, the Reception of First Holy Communion, and the Anointing of the Sick at Mass on Sundays so that more parishioners would be able to experience the beauty of these liturgical celebrations.
Person Responsible: Deacon Frank Colgan, Sister Anne Bernadette, and Theresa Haggerty
Completion Date: Continuing
- Select appropriate hymns and train cantors who are able to promote congregational singing at Mass.
Person Responsible: Norbert Elberson
Completion Date: Continuing
- Select and train parishioners who will serve as “greeters” to welcome people and hand them a copy of the church bulletin when they arrive at church.
Person Responsible: To be determined
Completion Date: Continuing
- Encourage young parishioners to serve in church as cantors, lectors, ushers, greeters, and Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist.
Person Responsible: Theresa Haggerty, Sister Susan Lindinger, Dot Stipa and Norbert Elberson
Completion Date: Continuing
- Plan special liturgies at Christmas time to accommodate the large group of people who are present for Mass on this occasion.
Person Responsible: Sister Susan Lindinger
Completion Date: Continuing
- Promote the Pre-Jordan program that enables parents to become more aware of their responsibilities in raising their children in the ways of faith.
Person Responsible: Deacon Frank Colgan
Completion Date: Continuing
- Present marriage preparation programs at the parish site for engaged couples.
Person Responsible: Bob and Ruth Arata
Completion Date: Continuing
- Encourage daily visits to the Most Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel.
Person Responsible: Perpetual Salvucci and Denise Sinclair
Completion Date: Continuing
- Plan special liturgical celebrations in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary (2011-12) of the founding of Saint Anastasia Parish.
Person Responsible: Norbert Elberson
Completion Date: June, 2011
Goal
Promote activities within the parish that will enable all parishioners to realize that they are an integral part of a parish faith community.
Action Item
- Schedule spiritual, social and athletic activities and events that will enable parishioners of all ages to realize that they are a part of a vibrant and caring faith community.
Person Responsible: Sister Susan Lindinger, Thomas Gordon, and Robert Bodkin
- Designate “block captains” to welcome families who have recently moved into the parish.
Person Responsible: To be determined
Completion Date: Continuing
- Schedule a “parish fair” event or “hospitality Sundays” to enable new members of the parish to learn more about activities and organizations that are sponsored by the parish.
Person Responsible: Robert Blaisse
Completion Date: Continuing
- Develop parish-sponsored service programs for the young adult members of the parish community.
Person Responsible: Sister Susan Lindinger and Dot Stipa
- Promote instructional, spiritual, social, and service activities for young mothers who are members of Saint Anastasia Parish.
Person Responsible: Denise Sinclair
Completion Date: Continuing
- Promote spiritual and social activities for the senior members of the parish.
Person Responsible: Helen Heinerichs
Completion Date: Continuing
- Encourage the participation of all school-age children enrolled in the parish school to become involved in the athletic service, scouting, or theater arts programs sponsored by the parish.
Person Responsible: Sister Susan Lindinger
Completion Date: Continuing
- Plan special parish activities that will be held during the 100th Anniversary Year (2011-12) of the parish.
Person Responsible: Hugh and Joan Mullarkey
Completion Date: June, 2011
Goal
Develop an evangelization plan that provides for the continuing religious instruction and religious formation of all members of the parish community as well as persons who are interested in embracing the Catholic faith.
Action Item
- Extend invitation to non-Catholic members of the local community to learn more about the Catholic faith by participating in the Rite of
Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.).
Person Responsible: Sister Anne Bernadette
Completion Date: Continuing
- Initiate an “Alpha Course” that will enable people in the local community to meet weekly with other persons who are also seeking a richer faith experience in life.
Person Responsible: Theresa Haggerty and Dick Sharp
Completion Date: Continuing
- Schedule missions periodically to strengthen the faith of practicing Catholics and restore the faith of lapsed Catholics.
Person Responsible: Monsignor Philip J. Cribben
Completion Date: Continuing
- Provide continuing religious education and formation programs for active adult members of the parish community.
Person Responsible: Theresa Haggerty
Completion Date: Continuing
- Provide opportunities for men of the parish to meet monthly for the discussion of faith-related issues in contemporary society.
Person Responsible: Walter Lenard
Completion Date: Continuing
- Provide parishioners with information about respect life issues that are being integrated into pending legislation on the state and federal levels.
Person Responsible: Ted Meehan
Completion Date: Continuing
Provide religious instructional and formational programs for the students
enrolled in the parish elementary school.
Person Responsible: Brad Kohlhepp and Theresa Haggerty
Completion Date: Continuing
- Provide religious instructional and formational programs for the students
enrolled in the public schools of the Marple Newtown School District.
Person Responsible: Theresa Haggerty
Completion Date: Continuing
Goal
Promote participation by all members of the parish in some form of Christian service activity.
Action Item
- Collect food, toiletries, and clothing for persons in need who come to the “Life Center” in the 69th Street area.
Person Responsible: Sister Susan Lindinger
Completion Date: Continuing
- Collect non-perishable food items for distribution to persons who come to the Bernardine Center in Chester.
Person Responsible: Fred Bilotta
Completion Date: Continuing
- Collect frozen meals for distribution to indigent men who come to Saint John’s Hospice on Race Street in Philadelphia.
Person Responsible: Joseph and Mary Byers
Completion Date: Continuing
- Collect frozen meals for homebound persons who rely upon the food distribution program called “AID for Friends.”
Person Responsible: Cathy Grogan
Completion Date: Continuing
- Provide transportation assistance to the elderly through an affiliation with SURREY Services in Broomall.
Person Responsible: Sister Ann Bernadette
Completion Date: Continuing
- Provide social and spiritual activities for mentally challenged young adults through the programs sponsored by SPIFFY (Special People in Faith and Fraternity).
Person Responsible: Kathleen Hockhaus
Completion Date: Continuing
- Coordinate student service projects in the parish school that benefit the homeless, the homebound, and the handicapped.
Person Responsible: Sister Susan Lindinger and Diana Carpenter
Completion Date: Continuing
- Provide social contacts and sacramental ministry to homebound parishioners through the Parish Outreach Program.
Person Responsible: Sister Anne Bernadette
Completion Date: Continuing
- Provide service to the parish community by preparing the sanctuary for the celebration of Mass.
Person Responsible: Agnes Crisanti
Completion Date: Continuing
- Recruit and train adult members of the parish to assist with the coaching of athletic teams sponsored by the parish CYO.
Person Responsible: Thomas Gordon and Gene Ferraiolo
Completion Date: Continuing
Goal
Maintain parish facilities in good functional order so that they are also attractive and appealing to members of the parish community.
Action Item
- Make certain that the parish buildings are clean and that all mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems are in good working order.
Person Responsible: Robert Howe
Completion Date: Continuing
- Establish a parish facilities committee to identify and prioritize future capital improvements that the parish will need to address in future years.
Person Responsible: Mark Wilson
Completion Date: Continuing
- Develop a parish spirituality center that will include reading materials and reflection space for parishioners.
Person Responsible: Denise Sinclair
Completion Date: Deferred
- Purchase a digital organ for church that will replace the pipe organ that has expensive maintenance and repair costs.
Person Responsible: Norbert Elberson
Completion Date: 2012
- Install a handicapped accessible restroom facility near the vestibule of the church.
Person Responsible: Robert Howe
Completion Date: 2012
- Install a new sound system in the church that will enable the entire congregation to hear those who are speaking in the sanctuary.
Person Responsible: Robert Howe
Completion Date: 2012
Goal
Within the parish community, promote a greater understanding of the concept of “stewardship” as an integral part of living the Catholic faith.
Action Item
- Make use of the weekly parish bulletin, direct mailings to parishioners, and the publication of special parish and diocesan financial campaigns, to encourage parishioners to fulfill a practice of “faithful stewardship.”
Person Responsible: Monsignor Philip J. Cribben
Completion Date: Continuing
- Encourage parishioners to make a commitment of “time, talent, and treasure” to enable the parish to fulfill its pastoral mission.
Person Responsible: Monsignor Philip J. Cribben
Completion Date: Continuing
- Provide annual reports to the members of the parish concerning the revenue and expenditures for the past fiscal year.
Person Responsible: Robert Howe
Completion Date: Continuing
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