A new pastor at St. Anastasia Church

The Rev. Michael Keane to lead the church for the next six years HARRIMAN — A priest with roots in nearby Rockland County has now taken over the stewardship at St. Anastasia Church in Harriman. The Rev. Michael Keane was named pastor last month, taking over for Msgr. Joseph Reynolds, St. Anastasia’s long-time pastor who retired to an Archdiocesan residence in Riverdale in Westchester County. Keane, who likes to be known at “Father Mike,” was most recently affiliated with Holy Name of Mary Parish in Croton-on-Harmon, where he served as an administrator and then pastor since 2002. Keane now has a six-year appointment at St. Anastasia which is renewable. Keane, who graduated from the North Rockland School District, taught at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie and St. Joseph By-The-Sea High school in Staten Island. He is also experienced as a guidance counselor and as a chaplain/campus minister. “The community has been extremely welcoming, and it’s a wonderful diverse community too,” said Keane. “It’s been great.” Keane said it’s a bit quiet at St. Anastasia during the summer months, but he knows the parish will become busier when school resumes. “I’m looking forward to September,” he said. “The problem with a summer transfer is that a lot of people are away. I’m looking forward to meeting the younger families when religious instruction resumes. I’ll be reaching out to them and seeing how I can help.” About 1,300 families are St. Anastasia parishioners and Keane said about 900 of them attend weekend masses during the summer months. “This has been a great opportunity to meet and greet people,” Keane said of the weekend masses. “That’s when you see all these connections. I’ve met a lot of people here who grew up in Rockland County like me and are now living here. I’ve never seen that with any of my other assignments. It’s been so pleasant.” Keane also looks forward to being an active member of the Monroe Clergy Association, which is on its summer hiatus and meeting with officials from the Monroe-Woodbury School District to see how he may be of service. Among Keane’s initial plans are to query parishioners about their long-term vision for St. Anastasia for at least the next five to 10 years. He’s also planning to revitalize the parish’s bereavement ministry. He’s also looking to get a bus donated to assist Hispanic parishioners who have no transportation so they can attend Mass. Keane’s Spanish is somewhat limited and while he studies the language with his Rosetta Stone DVDs, he’s getting help from the Rev. Eder Tamara, who offers Mass in Spanish there and at St. Patrick’s Church in Highland Mills. Also on tap for Keane, as well as for all Catholic priests, is the introduction of the new translation of the Roman Missal --- the ritual text containing prayers and instructions for the celebration of the Mass --- effective this November. “This is 'The Year of the Mass,’” said Keane. “I want to reconnect people with the liturgy and to learn the new language of prayer and to pray together. There are new words that people use in prayer. The people’s part has definitely changed.” In the meantime, Keane continues to get settled into his new role and looks forward to making a positive impact within the greater community. “I hope to bring a very welcoming spirit and to invite people to get to know the liturgy,” said Keane. “This is going to be a great experience.” - Nancy Kriz