St. Anastasia

History of the Parish

St. Anastasia was founded in 1985 as a mission church on Anastasia Island. Early Masses were celebrated at the former Sheraton-Anastasia Inn at St. Augustine Beach. The community grew rapidly and was formally established as a parish in 1988 under Msgr. Joseph Dawson. The present church was dedicated on September 26, 1999, by Bishop John J. Snyder, and the parish now numbers more than 1,600 member families. In 2018, Bishop Felipe Estévez blessed the St. Enda of Aran Formation Center, adding nine classrooms, a nursery, three meeting rooms, a choir rehearsal room, and the St. Jude Celebration Hall to the campus.

Campus, Architecture & Buildings

The 57-acre campus centers on a 26,000-square-foot church with seating for 1,569, clad in coquina, Spanish tile, and decorative stone to echo the Spanish heritage of St. Augustine. A 57-foot bell tower holds one of about 200 carillons in the United States; the interior holds 36 chandeliers, 22 stained-glass windows in the nave and adjacent rooms, and 44 clerestory stained glass windows. Other amenities include 835 parking spaces (28 handicapped), two columbaria with 320 memorial places each, the St. Enda of Aran Formation Center, the Gift Shop, and a sealed time capsule in the altar platform intended to be opened in 2049.

• Coquina exterior and Spanish tile roof
• 57-foot bell tower with carillon
• Resurrection rose window above the tabernacle
• Beveled-glass angel window between altar and tabernacle chapel
• 36 chandeliers, 22 nave stained-glass windows, 44 clerestory stained-glass windows
• Two columbaria (320 niches each)
• St. Enda of Aran Formation Center with St. Jude Celebration Hall
• Time capsule in altar platform (to be opened 2049)

Clergy & Staff

The parish is led by Rev. Timothy M. Lindenfelser, J.C.L., V.F., installed as the fourth pastor on Christmas Day 2012 by Bishop Felipe J. Estévez. He is assisted by Parochial Vicar Rev. Praveen Pasala and Deacons Steve Kassebaum, Bryan Ott, and Dr. David Mach. Lay staff include Theresa Greenwood (Pastor's Assistant & Parish Secretary), Lori Adelfio (Administrative Assistant, Bulletin Editor, Webmaster), Beth Allen (Bookkeeper), Dr. Brian Schoonover (Director of Business Administration & Community Outreach), Denise Pressley (Director of Faith Formation), and a Director of Music & Liturgy.

Faith Formation, Youth & Music

Faith Formation for children, youth, and adults is directed by Denise Pressley and operates out of the St. Enda of Aran Formation Center, which has nine classrooms, a nursery, three meeting rooms, a choir rehearsal room, and St. Jude Celebration Hall. The parish also has a dedicated Youth & Young Adult Ministry. Liturgical music is led by the Director of Music & Liturgy and supported by a volunteer choir that rehearses in the new formation center.

• Children's Faith Formation / Religious Education
• RCIA (adult initiation)
• Youth & Young Adult Ministry
• Choir and Music & Liturgy program
• Formation Assistant (Dierdre Boese)

Parish Mission Programs (PMP) & Outreach

Following Pope Benedict XVI's call to a 'New Evangelization,' the parish's PMP office helps parishioners find a missionary role suited to their gifts. Locally, parishioners volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in St. Augustine and with Somebody Cares – St. Augustine, the parent organization of CareFest. Internationally, the parish supports Fr. Ho Lung and the Missionaries of the Poor in Haiti and Jamaica through SAMOPS (St. Anastasia Missionaries Of the Poor Supporters), and parishioners have helped run medical clinics in Tanzania, Honduras, Liberia, Jamaica, and Haiti through Friends of the Mission, Inc., and Mission Honduras. Bereavement and grief-support groups are also offered.

• Habitat for Humanity
• CareFest / Somebody Cares – St. Augustine
• SAMOPS — Missionaries of the Poor support (Haiti & Jamaica)
• Friends of the Mission, Inc. (Tanzania, Liberia)
• Mission Honduras
• Bereavement / Grief Support ministry
• Dr. Brian Schoonover, Director of Missions and Parish Operations

Sacraments & Columbarium

The parish prepares members for and celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments: Baptism (including RCIA for adults), First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral liturgies. Two columbaria on the campus, each with 320 memorial places, are available for the inurnment of cremated remains — a meaningful option given the parish's location on Anastasia Island.

• Baptism & RCIA
• First Reconciliation / First Communion
• Confirmation preparation
• Marriage preparation
• Anointing of the Sick
• Funeral Liturgies
• Two columbaria, 320 niches each

Devotions & Community Life

Beyond Mass and Adoration, the parish cultivates a rich devotional and social life. Devotions include a weekly Cenacle for the Marian Movement of Priests during Holy Hour of Adoration, regular Rosary devotions, and extended Thursday-night Adoration from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. Community groups meeting on campus include Sons of Italy (in St. Anthony's Hall), weekly Mah Jongg (in St. Anthony's Community Center), Ageless Grace (senior exercise), and Grass Roots AA (in the outdoor courtyard). The Gift Shop and San Antonio Room are open during office hours.

• Cenacle for the Marian Movement of Priests (Thursday)
• Rosary Devotions
• Thursday extended Adoration 7:00 p.m.–midnight
• Sons of Italy
• Mah Jongg
• Ageless Grace
• Grass Roots AA
• Gift Shop (904-471-0806)

Visiting St. Augustine & St. Anastasia

St. Anastasia Catholic Church sits on Anastasia Island at A1A South and Weff Road, just south of downtown St. Augustine — the nation's oldest city. The parish notes that 'a visit to St. Augustine is not complete without a visit to our island place of worship.' Visitors are welcome at every Mass; the Gift Shop and San Antonio Room are open during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).

• Anastasia Island, A1A South & Weff Road
• Office: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Gift Shop: 904-471-0806
• Across the Bridge of Lions from historic downtown St. Augustine