Dear Parishioners of Saint Anastasia Parish and Friends in Broomall and Newtown Square,
Preparing to retire from Saint Anastasia Church, where I have served as Pastor for the last fourteen years and where I was Assistant Pastor for fourteen years prior, I am filled with gratitude and joy, recalling a large part of my life spent among some wonderful and amazing people. As I remember the many milestones and events, large and small, that I have shared together with so many of you, to say it is overwhelming would be a gross understatement.
I’m reminded of a quote that is familiar to many of you. It is often, and erroneously, attributed to Doctor Seuss but was actually penned by an obscure
German poet named Ludwig Jacobowski. Jacobowski wrote something like this. “Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.”
My first recollection of Saint Anastasia was when I was a young boy growing up in West Chester. My father’s family lived in West Philadelphia, and many a Sunday dinner was at their home. Riding home on West Chester Pike (yes, there were trolley tracks) after those dinners, seeing the silver, stainless-steel steeple of Saint Anastasia Church was a comforting sign to this little boy that we were almost home. Little did I know at that time, but that steeple would be my home many years later!
And what a home it has been! From the first day, I was welcomed, embraced and accepted by so many, many loving members of this community. I was privileged to share very intimate moments of your lives with you. Your joys and sorrows became my joys and sorrows. The lessons you taught me over the years taught me what it means to love and to follow the path the Lord set before me.
At my priestly ordination, my parents gifted me with a chalice that I use every time I celebrate the Eucharist. On that chalice I had inscribed words that Jesus spoke to his disciples at the Last Supper. He had just washed the feet of his disciples as a sign of humility, of service, of love. His mandate to them was simple, direct and challenging – “As I have done, so you must do.” These words still inspire and motivate me to be of service to God’s people.
As I bid farewell, I pray that my time serving here has been as much a blessing for you as it has been for me! May God bless you!
Sincerely,
Father Michael A. Colagreco
Publishers Note: My wife Jean and I became parishioners of St. Anastasia Parish 32 years ago, before becoming parents to our four sons who each attended St. Anastasia School and participated in St. Annie’s CYO Sports and Boy Scouts. Our married vocation has paralleled the long years of service Father Colagreco has ministered to our family and thousands of other families, couples and singles across Marple Newtown and across his two assignments here, first as an Assistant Pastor in 1980-90s, and then returning as Pastor. We’ll miss you and your ministry. We miss seeing you walk Sage along West Chester Pike. But we will not forget your many years of priestly service in our community which wishes you many years of happy retirement.
Ad Multos Annos.
~ Bob Blaisse