About St. Anastasia Catholic Church · Troy, Michigan
St. Anastasia Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Detroit serving the city of Troy in southern Oakland County, Michigan. Established on June 28, 1968 as a mission of Guardian Angels Parish in Clawson, the parish has grown from 199 families and seven bachelors in its first year to a thriving community that, in its 50th anniversary count, had celebrated more than 6,500 baptisms, 1,600 weddings, 4,100 confirmations, 10,100 first Communions and 1,850 funerals. The parish is known for its monumental 15-foot bronze cross — 689 smaller crosses joined to a single main cross — commissioned by founding pastor Fr. William Davidson in 1989, and for its diverse liturgical life that includes a weekly Spanish Mass, a contemporary Worship Band Mass, and a full program of faith formation for children, teens and adults.
- Established
- 1968
- Patron
- St. Anastasia
- Rector
- Rev. Steve Wertanen
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
Why belong here
St. Anastasia offers a full Catholic life in southern Oakland County: weekend Masses in English and a twice-monthly Spanish Mass, daily Mass Monday through Friday, a robust OCIA process for adults entering the Church, religious education from kindergarten through high school (including a Confirmation program and the T.A.G. middle-school youth group), adult faith formation and small groups, a Music Ministry with traditional choirs and a 5 PM Sunday Worship Band, and a wide array of parish groups — Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Married Couples Ministry, Christian Family Movement, Respect Life Committee, Our Lady of Guadalupe Group, and a parish food pantry. The parish welcomes visitors and newcomers year-round with the motto 'Always Loved, Always Welcome.'
Mass times at St. Anastasia Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays at 6:00 PM
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at (248) 689-8380
Parish History
St. Anastasia Parish was canonically established on June 28, 1968 by Archbishop John F. Dearden of Detroit, who appointed Rev. William B. Davidson as founding pastor. The new community began as a mission of Guardian Angels Parish in Clawson, holding liturgies in the Susick School gymnasium before the parish outgrew that arrangement. The original church (8,600 sq ft, 400-seat) was dedicated June 22, 1970 at a cost of about $304,000. The present church was dedicated December 7, 1980, and the original building was converted into an activity center. Subsequent building campaigns added the Parish Center wing in 1987, the Pastoral Center under Fr. Ken Kaucheck in October 2003, and the Divine Mercy Chapel under Fr. John Riccardo in 2006. On June 24, 2018 the parish celebrated its 50th anniversary with Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, surrounded by founding pastor Fr. Davidson's iconic bronze cross.
- Founded: June 28, 1968
- Founding pastor: Rev. William B. Davidson
- Archbishop who established the parish: John F. Dearden
- First church dedicated: June 22, 1970
- Present church dedicated: December 7, 1980
- Parish Center wing opened: August 15, 1987
- Pastoral Center dedicated: October 2003
- Divine Mercy Chapel added: 2006
- William B. Davidson Activity Center named: June 1996
- 50th anniversary celebrated: June 24, 2018
Patron Saint — St. Anastasia
The parish takes the name 'Anastasia,' a Greek word meaning 'resurrection.' Archbishop Vigneron noted at the 50th anniversary Mass that the name itself is a proclamation of the saving power of Christ and of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The parish continues to honor St. Anastasia as its patroness.
- Name meaning: 'resurrection' (Greek)
- Feast day traditionally: December 25
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Steve Wertanen as Pastor and Fr. Colin Fricke as Associate Pastor, with Permanent Deacon Tom Caporuscio assisting. A team of parish staff coordinates Religious Education, Music & Worship, Evangelization & Parish Life, Youth Ministry, Sacramental Preparation and the parish offices. Fr. Wertanen prefers phone calls over email — parishioners are invited to call the Parish Office to be connected.
- Rev. Steve Wertanen — Pastor (ext. 100)
- Rev. Colin Fricke — Associate Pastor (ext. 153)
- Rev. Mr. Tom Caporuscio — Permanent Deacon
- Anna Swope — Director of Religious Education (ext. 106)
- Joshua Ross — Director of Music & 5 PM Sunday Worship Band
- Marie Coules — Worship & Liturgy Coordinator (ext. 133)
- Lisa Harrison — Pastoral Associate (ext. 109)
- Ella Ward — Religious Education/Sacrament Prep Coordinator (ext. 120)
- Grace Lallmann — Confirmation & High School Youth Ministry (ext. 108)
- Brenda Kozlowski — Director of Evangelization & Parish Life (ext. 103)
- Molly Serzo — Religious Education Office (ext. 111)
Becoming Catholic — O.C.I.A.
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (O.C.I.A.) is the parish's process for adults interested in learning about the Catholic faith or becoming Catholic. The program welcomes new members year-round, with no pressure — meetings are described as friendly and welcoming. Catechumens (unbaptized) and Candidates (already baptized) are invited into several preparatory Rites during Sunday Mass and are dismissed after the homily to reflect on the readings. Those entering the Church receive the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist — at the Easter Vigil Mass. Meetings are held on Mondays from 6:30–8:30 PM in Meeting Room B.
- O.C.I.A. Sponsor ministry: journey with and mentor a candidate or catechumen
- For: unbaptized adults, baptized non-Catholics, and baptized Catholics needing Eucharist/Confirmation
- Meetings: Mondays 6:30–8:30 PM (Sept–April)
- Entry into the Church: Easter Vigil
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
The Religious Education Office offers faith formation for parish children, including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. T.A.G. (Teens and God) is the parish's middle-school youth group for 6th–8th graders, meeting once a month on Tuesday evenings for fellowship, faith-sharing and fun. The Confirmation & High School Youth Ministry program, led by Grace Lallmann, supports teens preparing for the sacrament and continuing in discipleship. Adult Catechists and teen Catechists, as well as Substitute Catechists and Children's Liturgy Leaders, are recruited year-round.
- Religious Education (K-8) — Director Anna Swope
- Sacrament Prep Coordinator — Ella Ward
- Confirmation & High School Youth Ministry — Grace Lallmann
- T.A.G. (Teens and God) Middle School Ministry — monthly Tuesday evenings
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — weekly during 10 AM Mass
Music & Liturgy
The parish's Music Ministry is led by Director of Music Joshua Ross and includes both a traditional choir and a contemporary Worship Band that leads music at the 5 PM Sunday Mass. Marie Coules serves as Worship & Liturgy Coordinator, supporting liturgical preparation across the parish's English and Spanish celebrations.
- Choir / traditional music ministry
- 5 PM Sunday Worship Band (contemporary)
- Worship & Liturgy Coordinator: Marie Coules (ext. 133)
Adult Groups & Small Faith Communities
St. Anastasia has a wide variety of adult groups organized around prayer, fellowship, family life and service. The Married Couples Ministry, Teams of Our Lady and Christian Family Movement (MFCC) help couples and families pray together and grow as disciples. The Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus and Respect Life Committee extend parish life into the wider community. Springs in the Desert offers support for those suffering after abortion. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Group (Guadalupanas) is a Spanish-language prayer and fellowship group for women. The 55 & Up group serves the parish's older members. The parish also runs Small Groups for adult faith formation.
- Knights of Columbus
- Legion of Mary
- Christian Family Movement (MFCC)
- Married Couples Ministry
- Teams of Our Lady
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Group / Guadalupanas
- Respect Life Committee
- Springs in the Desert
- 55 & Up
- Small Group Leaders in Adult Faith
Outreach & Evangelical Charity
The parish operates a Food Pantry (housed in the 1987 wing of the Parish Center) and supports a variety of service opportunities. Volunteers must complete the Archdiocese of Detroit's Safe Environments certification and background check before serving in any ministry. The Evangelization Committee works creatively on ways to 'Unleash the Gospel' at St. Anastasia, in line with Archbishop Vigneron's pastoral letter.
- Parish Food Pantry
- Evangelization Committee
- Volunteer Safe Environments certification required (AOD)
Sacraments
Parishioners seeking the sacraments are directed to contact the appropriate staff member. Infant Baptism inquiries go to Lisa Harrison (Pastoral Associate). School-age children needing a sacrament (First Reconciliation, First Communion, Confirmation) should contact the Religious Education Office at ext. 111. Adults interested in becoming Catholic are directed to Fr. Colin Fricke and the O.C.I.A. process. Mass intentions, marriage preparation, anointing of the sick and funeral arrangements are coordinated through the Parish Office at (248) 689-8380.
- Baptism (infant) — Lisa Harrison, Pastoral Associate
- Sacraments for school-age children — Religious Education Office (ext. 111)
- Marriage — Parish Office
- O.C.I.A. — Fr. Colin Fricke
- Mass Intentions — Parish Office, $10 suggested donation, arranged ≥2 weeks in advance
Buildings, Facilities & Campus
The parish campus at 4571 John R includes the present church (dedicated 1980), the original 1970 church now repurposed as the William B. Davidson Activity Center, the 1987 Parish Center wing (with offices, classrooms, social hall, library and food pantry), the 2003 Pastoral Center (multi-purpose room, 14 classrooms/meeting rooms, staff offices and the new rectory) and the 2006 Divine Mercy Chapel. The most recognizable interior element is the 15-foot bronze cross with 689 individual crosses, commissioned by Fr. Davidson in 1989.
- Present church (1980)
- William B. Davidson Activity Center (original 1970 church)
- Parish Center wing (1987)
- Pastoral Center (2003)
- Divine Mercy Chapel (2006)
- Iconic bronze cross (1989)
Getting Involved
The parish publishes a Ministry Opportunity Book with detailed descriptions of every ministry, organized by charisms (God-given gifts and talents). Prospective volunteers are invited to browse the book, fill out a Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet (online or in the Parish Office), and complete the Archdiocese of Detroit's Safe Environments certification and background check before beginning service. The parish notes that 'many ministries are in full swing … and are in various stages of development,' and welcomes both participation and leadership.
- Step 1: Browse the Ministry Opportunity Book
- Step 2: Complete Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet (online or in the office)
- Step 3: Complete Safe Environments certification and background check (AOD)
- Contact: Brenda Kozlowski, Director of Evangelization & Parish Life (ext. 103)
Contact, Location & Directory
St. Anastasia Parish is part of the Northwest Region / South Oakland Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Detroit, in the 'Northwest South Oakland 1' Family of Parishes. The parish office is staffed Monday–Friday and is the first point of contact for Mass intentions, appointments with the pastor, sacramental inquiries and general parish business.
- Address: 4571 John R, Troy, MI 48085
- Phone: (248) 689-8380
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stanastasia.org
- Archdiocese of Detroit directory listing confirmed
- Vicariate: South Oakland
- Region: Northwest
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William B. Davidson1968–?
Founding pastor, appointed by Archbishop John F. Dearden; commissioned the bronze cross in 1989
- Fr. Ken Kaucheck
Led the building of the present Pastoral Center, dedicated October 2003
- Fr. John Riccardo
Guided the addition of the Divine Mercy Chapel in 2006
- Fr. J.J. Mech
Former pastor; concelebrated the 50th anniversary Mass in 2018
- Fr. Greg Piatt
Former associate pastor; concelebrated the 50th anniversary Mass in 2018
- Fr. Jim Grau
Former associate pastor; concelebrated the 50th anniversary Mass in 2018
- Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron1980 (briefly)
Briefly served as associate pastor at St. Anastasia in 1980 before later becoming Archbishop of Detroit