This year is a fantastic one of anticipation for a family of faith in Teaneck, New Jersey. 2008 marks the Centennial Jubilee of Saint Anastasia Parish in the heart of Bergen County. Carmelites from this province have ministered there in the Archdiocese of Newark since 1869. Saint Anastasia Parish itself maintains a commitment to lay involvement which extends forward from the community’s very foundation. These two elements: Carmelite presence and lay involvement would combine to forge a partnership of faith and ministry throughout the past ten decades.

In 1962 Catholic bishops opened the Second Vatican Council; there they would affirm the leadership role of the laity. Fifty years earlier in Teaneck, New Jersey one person seemed to anticipate the need for lay involvement locally establishing the actual foundation of what she envisioned as a flourishing faith community.

In 1908, Mrs. Anastasia Kelly, an immigrant from County Wexford, Ireland, already in her eighties, knew the absence of a Catholic parish in Teaneck would become an issue in the years to come. Today, Teaneck is the third largest town in Bergen County with a population of over 40,000 people.

This past January, after many months of preparation, an opening Mass was held to begin a whole year of centennial events. Due to the scale of the liturgy, suitable facilities were found at a local hotel ballroom. As one parishioner, Mr. George Stahl, described the day, “It was a huge celebration of the parish and a great way to kick off the year.” Attendance for the event was only held back by the hotels capacity of 700 people.

One hundred years ago, Mrs. Kelly sought the support of her son-in-law, Mr. Walter Selvage. He provided her a tract of land on what was then the edge of town. At that location, a small stucco-walled Catholic chapel was built. Though Kelly herself would not see the completed house of prayer due to failing eyesight and her eventual death, Anastasia’s own faith, hope and love for her neighbor provided vision.

As with many parishes throughout the United States, Saint Anastasia began as a mission church of an established parish. On August 2, 1908 the Carmelites of the Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, located at Saint Cecelia Parish in nearby Englewood, were given administration of the mission church by Bishop John O’Connor of Newark.

The “mission spirit” embedded in the foundation of a humble church structure by a Catholic lay woman and the Carmelite investment in this plan, is the legacy lived out by today’s community there. Beginning with spiritual support for local Catholics, eventually including a proud tradition of Catholic education for half a century, the ministry of this vibrant parish would reach outward.

Father Daniel O’Neill, O.Carm., Pastor of Saint Anastasia since 2002, notes that the parish and the surrounding community has undergone many changes through the years. This is a progressive community, a multicultural congregation, with Saint Anastasia as one of the larger Christian houses of worship in the area. This local flavor gives every day meaning to a “larger world of Christian service” which parishioners engage.

A crown jewel in the parish’s Christian service began in 1980. Under the leadership of the late Father Cecil Pickert, O.Carm., parishioners began a ministry to the less fortunate residents of the Bowery, a small neighborhood in south Manhattan, New York City.

For nearly three decades parishioners meet Friday mornings to prepare over 200 sandwiches, lovingly simmer a large volume of soup and sort donated clothing. Twenty-four hours later, a number of volunteers load hot coffee and other provisions into a van. Their destinations were to be specific men’s and women’s shelters. Several parishioners rotate Saturdays while other men and women from Teaneck have made the Bowery ministry a primary focus of their energy.

Mrs. Kelly’s legacy of lay leadership in action was also evident with the advent of the Parish Pastoral Council (P.P.C.). In 1971 the Archdiocese of Newark selected Saint Anastasia to test the feasibility of the lay consultative body which would directly advise the pastor of a parish. Today the P.P.C. structure serves the 230 parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark.

Father Joel Schevers, O.Carm., three-term pastor of Saint Anastasia through the 1970’s, twice named “Citizen of the Year” by the Town of Teaneck for his ministry, remarked on the uniqueness of the parishioners: “One of the things about the town and also the parish, was that it was catholic is the sense that it [is] universal.”
Schevers would serve on several civic boards in Teaneck while both pastor and member of the arch-diocesan administration. In 1972, Saint Anastasia was a successful advocate for the construction of housing for seniors which continues to benefit from parish support to this day.

“One of the things that I enjoyed tremendously about the parish was the lay people being involved not only in the parish but also the town,” said Schevers. While stationed at Saint Anastasia, Father Joel encouraged parishioner interest in both ecclesial and civic affairs. His “servant leadership” was evident to the parish: once lay men and women were in place to lead, he would step back in order to support their efforts.

Recent efforts in ministry outside the four walls of the church include more than one trip to the Carmelite Missions in Sicuani, Peru. Long-time parishioner Elizabeth Larson was moved by the witness given in September 2003 by Cara Moothart and Molly Moriatity, two women returning from mission outreach in Peru.

Larson heeded Father Dan O’Neill’s frequent challenge to parishioners: “Live in the Larger World.” Larson consulted her pastor, then planned and carried out a ministry endeavor which she described as, “blessed … The cost was minimal… the abundant payment was, and still is beyond comprehension.”

Mrs. Larson was bid a warm farewell by family, friends and parishioners during a mass of “going forth” in September of 2004; departing for Peru within days. A portion of her travels included over a month’s stay in Bolivia to learn about language and culture that would aid her mission work. For over eleven months in the mountains of Peru, Larson ministered, learned, laughed, prayed and cried with the people throughout the Cusco Region.

During this time, a contingent of Carmelites and parishioners paid a visit to Larson in support of the mission. Though Larson returned to Englewood, New Jersey, in October, 2005, seven months later she would lead fellow parishioners on a brief return to the area, fortifying valuable relationships with the native Quetchua people.

The particular identity of Saint Anastasia has developed and changed in the past century. The ministry and mission have remained constant, while cultural diversity has developed.

Every mass at Saint Anastasia finds parishioners from each of the four ethnic groups within the sanctuary joined in praise. The parish benefits from the African American, Filipino, Caucasian and Hispanic families who each bring gifts to the table.

It was this diversity that attracted George Stahl and his wife to become active members of Saint Anastasia Parish nine years ago. Today Stahl is a member of the Parish Pastoral Council and the planning committee for the Centennial Jubilee.

In this sanctuary the altar is in the center of the space, therefore everyone gathers around the table. “Not only are you looking at the altar and seeing all that goes on there, but you can see the people behind the altar”, says Stahl. There the face of the parish is evident, “you are all sitting in the round and when you do that you notice the diversity of the community”, notes Stahl.

Throughout the centenary year, social events are combined with spiritual reflection and jubilee liturgies all focused on marking sacred time and sacred space for the 1200 families of Saint Anastasia.

In September, 2008 a Centennial Jubilee mass will be celebrated by John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark. Carmelites who have contributed to the parish’s ministry have received invitations and at the moment several men have committed to attend.

To augment parish facilities, a Centennial Capital Campaign is currently underway, writing a new chapter in parish stewardship. Capital improvements funded by this collaborative effort will see the choir, organ and additional music ministry equipment move down from the choir loft to a stage on the level of the rest of the congregation. In addition, a newly repainted sanctuary interior will see the current seating replaced with adjustable pews that can be rearranged for both liturgical and social needs.

In a faith community where their lay partners are appreciative of the Carmelite history of Saint Anastasia, Father Dan O’Neill, associate pastor Father William O’Malley, O.Carm., and resident priests, Eugene Bettinger, O.Carm., and Emmett Gavin O.Carm., are truly engaged in parish life.

Looking forward from the centennial milestone, Father Dan sees a “sustaining ministerial presence” to be a realistic and viable goal for the future. In the context of good works and fitting celebrations of the Centennial Jubilee, he notes that the parish leadership maintains great hope, “that these efforts will enhance our church and its commitment to being one faith filled community of the body of Christ in Teaneck for another 100 years.”

For more reading on the ministerial life of Saint Anastasia Parish:
•  “She Wanted A New Church ” Carmelite Review, Vol. 43 #2, May, 2004
•  Saint ‘As’ Mission Outreach ” Carmelite Review, Vol. 44 #1, May, 2005
•  “God Calling…Here I am, Lord! ” Carmelite Review, Vol.44 #3, November, 2005
•  Sicuani Revisited ” Carmelite Review, Vol. 45 #2, Summer, 2006
•  “Ministry on the Road: The Bowery ” Carmelite Review, Vol. 45 #3, Fall, 2006