SUNDAY MASS ATTENDANCE

There are many subjective reasons for not attending and they are all good reasons, because they are your reasons. There will always be "goods" to choose between during weekends (sports, leagues, travel teams. scholarship opportunities, and churches that are closer to your home). There will always be "needs" that require your attention (work commitments, unexpected issues or items that arise without notice that have "priority" written all over it, legal arrangements with parents that can be inconvenient, and much more). Why attend Mass weekly? It is the Third Commandment from God, "Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day" (Ex. 20:8FF). If your family is asking for financial help through subsidy support from St. Anastasia Church, your church community needs your consistent presence and involvement; so too your children need your help and modeling during their formative years. If parents do not make church a priority now the children will have a difficult time later, making church a priority. (See Catechism of the Catholic Church #2180-2183) 

MINISTRY

Your whole family must be actively involved with one or more church ministries at St. Anastasia Church while registered with St. A's Church and receiving financial help through subsidy assistance. Why? The church and school mission support parent's responsibilty to raise their children in the practice of the faith. As parents you are responsible for your child's soul. Parents and Godparents made this promise to God at your child's baptism. "You are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?" The parent's response is "We do" . Without your family's involvement in the church, we create something other than a Christian Community or healty parish family. Active and involved parishioners within the ministries assist in nourishing and sustaining our Christian Community. 

TITHING

So why thithe? In general the Scripture in the Old and New Testament encourages each person to make tithing a conerstone in one's life. A few examples: "all tithes of the land, whether in grain from the fields or in fruit from the trees, belong to the Lord, as sacred to him..." (Leviticus 27:30). Also, we are reminded, "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with first fruits of all our produce, then will your barns be filled with grain, with new wine your vats with overflow" (Proverbs 3:9-10). Your tithing should reflect your prayerful discernment of giving back to God; and it often reflects the commitment a family has with their church. For many of our families, the frequency of their tithing has been for a few months before and after subsidy forms were due. This habit promotes confusion for the church (with budgeting; if a family is still interested or involved in the church; or attending and supporting a different church, etc.). It also raises concern about a family's commitment to St. Anastasia, in which we are supporting your family. Your tithing must be generous by being consistent with your first fruits rather than taking a chance with what might be left over. When God is put first everything else will fall in right order (we must have trust and have faith). 

This is objectively measured from the date of our first tithe of 12 consecutive uninterrupted months of giving. Why? This provides a family one full year to assimilate into the church community and establish a rhythm, pattern and habit of involvement and participation in the church. It is important to have your family's information registered in our records to better serve you. It will provide a minimum history on your family for the sake of new administration (when the time comes). When your family is registered at another church and you are asking for subsidy help from St. Anastasia Church your subsidy will be terminated. Why? If a family is asking for financial subsidy help from St. Anastasia Church it is only just and right to exercise fidelity, generosity of time, talent and treasure to the place who is helping and supporting your family.