A CATHOLIC CATECHUMENATE The process by which adults become Catholic is called the Catechumenate. It begins with the Inquiry stage, when people ask questions and learn of the fundamental principals of faith. When they believe they know enough about us to make an informed decision to pursue this relationship further, they enter into the Catechumenate. That Rite of Acceptance will be celebrated with several of our Inquirers next Saturday (4:30).
Over the years, many folks have watched those going through this process and expressed a desire to share their experience. As part of our Holy Year observance, we would like to offer you that opportunity.
Beginning Tuesday, January 18, there will be a series of similar sessions for "cradle Catholics". Each session will begin with time to "ask the questions you've always wanted to ask." Then there will be a teaching on some aspect of our Faith and a chance for the group to reflect on it. The session will close with prayer. Each session will run from 7:30 to 9 pm. Either I or one of the other staff will facilitate the session and do the teaching.
My hope is that this Catholic Catechumenate will provide the "cradle Catholics" a genuine opportunity to grow in faith and understanding. AN OBSERVATION (A warning: some may find what follows will make them uncomfortable!)
The Sunday after Christmas, someone asked me where were the crowds of Christmas? Obviously many did not return on Sunday to celebrate Liturgy. Some, I am sure were ill and others had to work: both good reasons for not coming to Mass.
Others, however, were too tired, too busy, off to make returns or to shop the bargains to make the time on Sunday morning to celebrate the gift of a Savior and receive Him. So, like the present left abandoned and forgotten under the tree the day after Christmas, THE GIFT of Christmas was ignored by some the day after, too.
My concern is what we teach our children, who listen more closely to our actions than
they do our words. What does it teach them about the importance of receiving the Savior in
Communion?
Fr. Dave Howell
Sun., Jan. 10 Dennis Wagener, Debbie Happley
Mon., Jan. 11 John Bellanti, Joyce Muchler
Tues., Jan. 12 Kathy Clark, Shirley Caster, Pat Spindler
Wed., Jan. 13 Barb Colley, Pam Hornsberger
Thurs., Jan. 14 Laura DeLaMarre, Mary Cavanaugh
Fri., Jan. 15 Colleen Atwood, Christine Camden
Sat., Jan. 16 Cindy Sultana
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Louise Churches, Lena, Jenny Brown, Joe Dinser, John Pepa, Joanna Bloese, Margo Twork, Cheryl Franks, Susan, Richard Sixbery, Raynald Raymond, Pete, Al & Ann Polcyn, Miriam Marker, Matt Even, Eileen Auld, Cornelius Smits, Keith Kovach, Ellen Colombo, Emerson Brown, Adeline Smith, Larry Cecil, Anna Cecil, Dottie King, Ken Carson, Norman Moon, Shirley Brake, Karen (Pat Spindler's daughter), Laurie Deirlein, Ron Schaar, Jeannette Wood, Merle, Ed, Keith Freel, Tom Cavanaugh, Timothy Richards, Edith Reagan, Miren Mohrenweiser, Donovan, Mary Swift, Valerie Black, Joanne Fournier, Jerry Bettens, Russ Gardner, Gene Geiger, Orville Pelfrey, Roe, Janice McHeish, Lorraine Reagen, Rose Kumler, Margaret Resconich and Dennis.
For next Thursday's meeting, we have invited Carol Rostar from the Livingston County Department of Mental Health to join us and provide an overview of the programs available in the county and the state, such as where we can obtain resources for a fee and at no fee to assist in the daily care of our loved ones. We invite you, your family members, friends and neighbors to join us. We'll be meeting in the lower level of the rectory at 7:30pm. For further information call Arlene Callaghan, 810-220-1693.
Sunday, January 9 - Baptism of the Lord
Is 42:1-4,6-7/Acts 10:34-38/Mk 1:7-11
Monday, January 10
1 Sm 1:1-8/Mk 1:14-20
9:00 a.m. Communion Service
Tuesday, January 11 Elizabeth Ann Seton
1 Sm 1:9-20/Mk 1:21b-28
9:00 a.m. Evelyn Mengeling
Wednesday, January 12 John Neumann, bishop
1 Sm 3:1-10,19-20/Mk 1:29-39
7:00 p.m. Dennis VanBuskirk
Thursday, January 13
1 Sm 4:1-11/Mk 1:40-45
9:00 a.m. Fr. Dan Wunderlich
Friday, January 14
1 Sm 8:4-7,10-22a/Mk 2:1-12
9:00 a.m. Mary Kay Davis
Saturday, January 15
1 Sm 9:1-4,17-19; 10:1a/Mk 2:13-17
Sunday, January 16 Baptism of the Lord
1 Sm 3:3b-10,19/1 Cor 6:13c-15a,17-20/Jn 1:35-42
4:30 (Vigil) Joseph J. Kronk
9:00 a.m. Harry Nicholas Scharf
11:00 a.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Fiscal Year runs from July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2000
Total income for the week of January 1/2, 2000:
Approximately 1091 people participated:
Sunday Stewardship envelopes.............$ 12,712
Christmas Collection.....................$ 865
Building Fund Pledge payments............$ 27,710
Other....................................$ 2000
Total receipts...........................$ 43,958
Weekly expenses..........................$ 16,682
+/- for week.............................$+27,276
+/- year-to-date.........................$+72,157
Thank you for your Gifts
Monday, January 10
7:30 p.m. Worship Meeting (Conference Room)
7:30 p.m. E-Team Meeting
Tuesday, January 11
6-9 p.m. RCIA Retreat
7:00 p.m. Recovery Group (Room 9)
7:00 p.m. BeFriender (Rectory LL)
7:30 p.m. Charity & Justice
Wednesday, January 12
9:30 a.m. M.O.M.S. (Adult Formation)
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:30 p.m. Finance Council (Conference Room)
Thursday, January 13
10:00 a.m. Book of Job (Adult Formation)
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:00 p.m. Young Neighbors in Action Orientation (Youth Room)
7:30 p.m. RCIA Team Meeting (Conference Room)
7:30 p.m. Care Givers (Rectory)
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
Friday, January 14
No Activities Planned
Saturday, January 15
K of C Free Throw Contest (Tent)
4:30 p.m. RCIA Rite of Acceptance
4:30 p.m. Blood Pressure Screening
Sunday, January 16
9:00 & 11:00 p.m. Blood Pressure Screening
9:30, 11 & 5:45 Religious Education
7:00 p.m. Youth Group
CHARITY AND JUSTICE TEAM'S next meeting is Tuesday, January 11, in the Church Social Hall. We will be planning a project for Lifechoice Pregnancy Center and the Easter Tree of Life. Please join us. For more information, please call Mary Korch, 810-227-8384.
The Giving Tree was a huge success! Thank you to everyone involved; purchasing gifts, sorting gifts, and especially delivery. Over 500 gifts were distributed to six different charities. All of you made a difference! Thank you.
Now I know how George Bailey felt in the story "It's A Wonderful Life!" Most often we are not
aware of how deeply we impact the lives of others. During my recent illness I was privileged to
experience your prayers for myself and my family; your time and energy spent in visits, calls, and
cards gave witness to your love, care, and friendship. All of these are the true and precious gifts
of this season in a world that places great importance on material gift giving. It is with humility
and gratitude that I accept these gifts that you have so freely given. I thank you for the privilege
of being one of you and the opportunity you give me to serve you. Thank you for the way YOU
have changed me.
Deacon Dave
Dental Health is an essential component of overall wellness. Next Weekend at our Blood Pressure Screening, the Parish Nurse Ministry will feature Family Dental Care. Come and check out the latest literature on dental hygiene, gum disease prevention, and a dental friendly diet. A dental health professional will be available to answer any questions you may have. Preserve that "Smile...Jesus Loves You!!"
All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship. The competition will be held Jan. 22, 2000, at Hilton Elementary School. Registration and warm-ups will begin at 9:30am, with the competition beginning at 10:00am.
This Championship is sponsored annually with winners progressing through local, district, and state competition. Last year nearly 232,000 sharpshooters participated in 3,814 local competitions. Entry forms are in the gathering area, so take a minute and pre-register after Mass. For additional information contact John Reineke at 810-225-2040.
There will be a meeting tonight at 7pm in the youth room. Plan to join us for the evening as we reflect on what the holiday celebrations have meant to us this year. Don't forget to bring your empty bottles and cans this weekend to the barn. This Thursday, Jan. 13, there is an orientation meeting for teens interested in the Young Neighbors program. Parents are encouraged to come as well.
In response to our 24-hour food fast for Catholic Relief Services, we are planning our own Souper Bowl Sunday celebration. We will be running a canned food drive the last week in Jan. On Jan 30 we will also be collecting change at all the entrances of the church after the Masses. That afternoon we will be taking the food and money downtown for those who are in need.
There is an area-wide Christian gathering Jan. 15 from 7-9pm. It will be held at Brighton Nazarene Church. Please call and let me know if you would be interested in going. In April, our Diocese will be the host of the first-ever State Wide Youth Rally. It will be a weekend to gather and worship with teens from all over the state. Registration forms are available now. The cost is $25 for those who register early. The money is due by Jan. 21. There will be a meeting for any adult parishioner who is interested in helping with upcoming events. The meeting will be in the youth room on Thursday, Jan 20, from 7-8pm and will include descriptions of any events you might volunteer to help with. Please call me at the parish offices should you have any questions. Thank you.
Friday, Jan. 21, we will be putt-putt golfing at Golf-O-Rama on Old US 23. We have reservations from 7-9:30pm. The cost is $4.50 for a round and $2.50 for a second round should you want to golf more, plus the cost of pizza. A sign up sheet is available for you to sing up. Any parent willing to chaperon is asked to sign up as well. Should you have any questions about this event, please call me at the parish offices. Thank you. Margaret Callaghan
JUBILEE YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE at St. Thomas the Apostle in Ann Arbor will be on March 17-18, 2000. Spend a Friday evening and Saturday growing in your faith and making new friends. The topic will be based on the Jubilee theme of the Holy Trinity. Peter & Debbie Herbeck will be guest speakers. Call Glenn Smith 734-761-8606 to register.
The children in the Penance program will present their names to Father Dave for the Rite of Enrollment on Sunday, January 23, at the 11:00 liturgy. The children in the 6th grade will be going to a synagogue on Sunday, February 20, at 4 o'clock. Permission slip and drivers will be needed. If you would like to participate, please call the office. Sister Maryetta
Next Saturday at the 4:30 Liturgy ten adults and three children will take their first formal step toward becoming Catholic. The Rite of Acceptance or Welcome marks the end of one's initial inquiry and the beginning of the formal study centered around the gospel readings and doctrines of the Church. It marks their commitment and our responsibility to engage them in the life of the Church - the social, the apostolic (service) and the spiritual - with the final result being that we are all changed, all called to a deeper understanding of our baptismal promise. We are blessed to have them in our midst and will hopefully pray for them daily.
BOOK OF JOB If you've ever felt like nothing was going right in your life and tried to figure out why, our study of the Book of Job may help, beginning Thursday, Jan. 13, at 10:00 a.m. (day-care will be available). Our second winter offering is an opportunity to experience the catechumenate in a special way. Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Fr. Dave will host a "Neo-Catechumenate" for those who were baptized "a while ago" and would like to join the catechumens in their journey to Easter. RETIREES Our January Retirees lunch will include an opportunity to do something new with your old glass Christmas bulbs. Bring them (with the paint removed) and a sack lunch on Monday, January 17, at 12:15 in the Social Hall for an informal gathering. Dessert and coffee will be provided. For more information, call me at 229-8624. Yours on the Journey, Marilyn
SPIRIT 2000 is the theme for the all parish retreat, February 6-9, here at St. Mary Magdalen. All other activities in the parish will be suspended so we can participate in these four days of spiritual renewal.
Fr. Rudy Papes will be preaching at all the weekend Masses and then begin the retreat Sunday evening at 7:30. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday there will be reflections in both the morning after the 9:00 a.m. Liturgy and a different presentation in the evening at 7:30pm. We will have refreshments, day-care and an opportunity to socialize after both sessions. Please mark your calendars for these four special days in the life of our parish. If you would like to help the "E" Team on any of these days, call Marilyn at the parish office (229-8624).
Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. The US bishops' pastoral on stewardship reminds us that Baptism gives all of His disciples a share in His priestly work and calls them "to offer up the world and all that is in it especially themselves to the Lord of all."
Nursery News If you have not considered offering your time in our "Toddler" Nursery, please do. For some in our Parish Family this is our only chance each week to be in a peaceful place and think Godly thoughts. For others who may not have a spouse who will take care of the children at home during Mass, our Nursery situation is the highlight of the week. Please, whether you have small children or not, offer to do Stewardship in this Ministry. The children and parents will always remember and appreciate you for this valuable time you give.
All Cursillistas interested in becoming future team members - Leaders school will begin again Jan. 18, 2000, at 7pm at St. Mary's in Adrian. Please contact Maria Jaimez 517-265-2720 for more information.
BEGINNING EXPERIENCE OF LANSING will offer a spiritual weekend for widowed, divorced, and separated persons February 4-6,2000, at the St. Joseph Center in Jackson. Designed to help those among us who are wounded by loss of a spouse, the weekend is gently guided by a trained team of peers. It is a time for working through grief and moving on to a new beginning in life. Pre-registration is required. For more information, please call Mary Jo, 810-229-0040.
Biblical Tour of Turkey & Greece-July 6-27,2000 The tour will be one week in Greece (Athens, Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki, and Phillippi) and two weeks in Turkey (Ephesus, Cappadoccia, Antioch, Tarsus, and Istanbul). Biblical and Historical lectures will be given by Barbara Reid, OP, Professor of New Testament Studies, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL. For more information, contact Jan, 616-454-1241.
AVE MARIA FOUNDATION FIRST FRIDAY BREAKFAST CLUB is held monthly at Domino's Farms in the Ulrich Conference room off Lobby E. Mass at 7:00am, with breakfast at 7:40 and speaker at 8:10. Next event is scheduled for February 4 with Dr. Ronda Chervin as the speaker. Call (734) 930-3596 for more details.
Vision Statement | Sacraments | Ministries | Weekly Bulletins
Parish Staff | Religious Education | Miscellanous Information | Special Events
