PARISH MINISTRIES

PROPERTIES TEAM
This is a hands on ministry team. The Properties Team will be concerned with the maintenance, upkeep, safety and continuing development of our parish buildings and property. The efforts of this team will involve our maintenance personnel. Special projects will require the recruitment and organization of volunteers or the hiring of contractors. Besides the ongoing work of this group, team members will meet about 8 times during the year for planning. Those who sign up for this ministry are asked to make a one year commitment to it.

WELCOMING TEAM
The Welcoming Ministry Team enables new people to become full members of the parish. Team members contact those who have expressed an interest in joining and set a time and date to make a visit to the home. During the visit the member presents a welcome packet that includes our Vision Statement and other information on the parish. After explaining our parish, opportunities for involvement and answering questions, the team member fills out a registration form with the new parishioner. The team member then follows up by meeting the new parishioners at a weekend Liturgy in order to introduce them to other members of the parish. Those who volunteer for this ministry make a one year commitment.

THE "E" TEAM
The "E" Team is looking for a few good men and women interested in sharing their faith. No experience is necessary! The aim of the evangelization team of St. Mary Magdalen is to continue to build an inviting, welcoming atmosphere in our community and to reach out to those who have no religious affiliation of their own and to the inactive or alienated Catholic in our area. We would especially welcome those who have a talent for journalism, marketing or public relations who could assist us with creative ways to spread the "Good News". This ministry team meets about eight times during the school year and works on special projects. Volunteers for this ministry make a one year commitment to it.

COMMUNITY LIFE TEAM
This is a new ministry team whose responsibility is to bring our people together. In a sense, it might be called the ministry of fun and frolic! This team is committed to enhancing the social and communal life of the parish through an assortment of gatherings throughout the year, including: the September Picnic, the Hoe Down, Mardi Gras and other fun events. Those who join this ministry are asked to make a one year commitment.

CHARITY & JUSTICE TEAM
The Charity & Justice Ministry Team plans and coordinates our parish's effort to reach out to those in need by providing assistance. Over the last year they have brought food to the needy, worked with the homeless shelter, collected gifts at holiday time and collected clothes for needy infants. They also are charged with the task of working to help the needy help themselves. This Ministry Team has about 10 meetings a year (on the second Tuesday of the month). Members who volunteer for this ministry make a commitment for one year.

WORSHIP TEAM
The Worship Ministry Team plans and coordinates the Liturgical celebrations of our parish. Bringing together our Liturgical ministries, pastoral musicians and members of the Art & Environment team, they work to plan and coordinate prayerful celebrations of the Liturgy. They also strive to enrich our people's understanding of the Mass. This Ministry Team has about 10 meetings a year (on the first Wednesday of the month) and does additional work in between the meetings. Members who volunteer for this ministry are asked to make a commitment for one year.

MINISTERS OF PRAYER
Hardly a day goes by without some one asking for prayer for a special need. This new is a commitment to pray for the needs of our fellow parishioners and the parish. Ministers of prayer commit themselves to pray for one hour each month in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Our prayer requests will be placed there, The prayer minister prays for these during their hour and takes the requests with them to continue their prayer through the rest of the month.

RCIA SPONSORS
Each year we have several people who enter upon the "Journey of Faith" leading them to join our Church at Easter. RCIA Sponsors join these candidates in the fall for the rest of their journey. Sponsors participate in the Tuesday evening sessions and offer their candidate support and encouragement throughout the journey. Sponsors are people of faith who are willing to share that gift with others! Volunteers are asked to make a one year commitment to this ministry.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - CATECHISTS & AIDES
Our Vision commits us to embrace our children as our younger brothers and sisters in Christ. We envision a strong religious education program that will excite our youth into learning and sharing with us fully. St. Mary Magdalen has a dynamic program dedicated to this vision. Many parishioners have volunteered to assist in our program but many more catechists and aides are needed. Volunteers are asked to make a one year commitment to this ministry.

PARISH NURSES
A ministry of health care professionals who share their knowledge with the community in a variety of informational and service programs geared to our better health. Those who join this ministry should be a trained health care professional who will make a one year commitment to this ministry.

SAMARITANS
The Samaritans are a group, who, like the Good Samaritan in the Scriptures, tend to the immediate needs of fellow parishioners. There are four sub-groups: transportation, meals, household help and funeral luncheons. When a parishioner is seriously ill or hospitalized, the Samaritans provide short-term help of meals, transportation or other household help. Volunteers provide a dish for funeral lunches and some help serve. Transportation is provided to those who are unable to drive themselves to Mass, to medical appointments or to shop. We are in desperate need of volunteers, especially those that can help us during the day or weekdays.

BeFRIENDERS
BeFrienders offer a ministry of presence and compassionate support. They are the caring presence of God and the community to individuals struggling with a chronic illness, separation or divorce, grief, and other difficult life situations. Training for this ministry will begin this fall and last for several weeks. An information night will be held to assist in the discernment process. Those who join this ministry are asked to make a two year commitment.

LITURGICAL ART & ENVIRONMENT
The Liturgical Art & Environment Task Group works in conjunction with the Worship Ministry Team to decorate our worship space for the seasons and special feasts during the Church Year. They meet for planning but most of the work is done in small groups or by individuals. Volunteers for this ministry make a one year commitment.

LITURGICAL SINGERS & MUSICIANS
Our Liturgies are prayer, some spoken and some sung. The Liturgical Singers and Musicians lead the sung prayer of the Mass. Our Liturgical Singers and Musicians meet weekly for rehearsal. Volunteers for this ministry make a one year commitment.

YOUTH GROUP
Is a community of youth who share the common goal of spreading the word of God to all by learning to live in our faith as images of Jesus and to walk his path. It is important to meet weekly(monthly) for prayer, learning and fun, to reinforce our beliefs through our actions, discussions and reflections. It is our intention to welcome all to our group, and to reach out, as Jesus did, to provide them with hope, strength, love, respect and acceptance. High school youth group(weekly meetings) grades 9 thru 12 and Jr. high (monthly meetings) grades 6 thru 8.

Knights Of Columbus
The Knights are a Catholic fraternal organization dedicated to charity and to the Church. They seek to support the ordained and religious vocations, strengthen the family, preserve the sanctity of life, and uphold the virtues of fraternity and patriotism. Knights are committed to the support of their parish.

Ministers of the Eucharist
The role of the Minister of the Eucharist is to serve as the Assembly, the Body of Christ. This means that we serve both the people of God - the Body of Christ, as well as to distribute the Eucharist to them. Those who sign up for this ministry serve about once a month and are asked to make a one year commitment to it

Ministry of Hosts/Hostesses
The role of the hospitality is serve as the hosts/hostesses of our parish family as it assembles for the Liturgy. They welcome and assist people as they enter, they aide people to find proper seating, they gather the gifts of the assembly and they assist people as they leave. Those who sign up for this ministry serve about once a month and make a one year commitment to it.

Ministers of the Word
The role of the Minister of the Word is to serve the Assembly by bringing the Word of God to life. Since the Assembly does not have the readings, it all the more important that the minister is well prepared and lively in their proclamation. Those who sign up for this ministry serve about once a month and make a one year commitment to it.

Ministry of Server
The role of the Ministry of Server is to serve the assembly by helping the presider during the Liturgy. This ministry is open to all male and female parishioners and you must be at least ten years old and in the fifth grade. Those who sign up for this ministry serve about once a month and make a one year commitment to it.

COMMUNITY MINISTRIES

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity is an organization committed to elimination sub-standard housing. There are many areas within Habitat to become involved in: Fundraising - is an ongoing year round group raising money to buy land and building materials. Past fundraisers have included: sponsoring a golf outing, two raffles, and a annual walk-a-thon. We are always looking for new ideas. To have a successful fundraiser it takes time and effort. Construction Team - is responsible for the organization and actual construction of each home. This is a team that you can be involved in on an ongoing basis or a one time commitment. Public Relations Team - helps to get the word out through newspaper, radio, TV, and public speaking. Family Support - mentors the new Habitat families with support and help the family as many of these people have never owned a home. Family Selection - helps to screen applicants who are interested in purchasing a home. They are involved in credit reports, employment checks, and personal interviews. Then those who are qualified are presented to the board of Directors for final selection.
Contact Deacon Dave at the parish office for more information.

LACASA
Working to end domestic violence and sexual assault
If you are in a relationship that is emotionally, verbally, physically and or sexually abusive, call us. We care and want to help.
< 24 hour crisis line < individual & family counseling for all ages < support groups for survivors & their family and friends < eduactional presentations < survivor support at the police station, emergency room and courtroom < emergenct shelter < information and referral
You are not crazy - not alone - it's not your fault. This is one secret that is not safe to keep.

24 HOUR CRISIS LINES:
(810) 227-7100 (517) 548)-4228 domestic violence sexual assault
Business Office: P.O. Box 72 Howell, MI 48844
(517) 548-1350
(517) 548-3034 - fax

CROP WALK
Come rain or shine, many people gear up to join in the Brighton Area CROP WALK. Usually on a Sunday in October. The 10-kilometer walk will begins and ends at First Presbyterian Church, 300 E. Grand River Brighton, Mi. The Brighton Area CROP WALK has set a goal of recruiting 200 walkers and raising money to help stop hunger here in our community and around the world, through self-help development initiatives. A portion of the funds raised here in Livingston County will go to: St. Vincent de Paul, Lacasa, and the Livingston Food Bank. This CROP WALK is one of some 2,000 CROP WALKS that take place around the country. These interfaith, community events are sponsored by Church World Service, the relief, development, and refugee assistance arm of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. CROPWALKERS are urged to ask family, friends, and co-workers to sponsor them for this event.

PREGENANCY HELPLINE
Pregnancy Tests, Counseling, Referrals, Material Needs.
Hartland Woods Square 9560 Hartland Rd., (M59) Howell, MI 48843
(810) 632-7886 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9-4 Saturday 10-10.