THE NEED FOR PRAYERS Our Parish Retreat is only two weeks away. It is important that we begin earnestly praying that these four days will be truly beneficial to all who participate.
So, I would ask that you remember Fr. Rudy, who will be leading us and all those who share the experience in your daily prayer! With that kind of support, I am sure that this four day retreat will be a grace-filled experience that will affect our community for many months to come! WHO IS GOD? This question may seem to be simple enough, but wait. For most, their understanding of God was formed while in childhood when life was much less complicated. Re-visiting that question and developing a more mature image of God is an important part of developing a more mature faith to nurture us in adulthood.
How would you answer that question? A person's understanding of God affects how that person responds to God, the way they pray, his or her relationship to the Church, etc.
That is why this was the first topic for our new Catholic Catechumenate. Our first session gave participants the opportunity to reflect on who God is -- and who God isn't.
Each week, we will list the topic for the Catholic Catechumenate so that even if you cannot participate in all the sessions, you might come for those which would be most helpful. MOVING INTO THE PRIMARIES The Iowa Caucuses and the New Hampshire Primary election are not far off (thank God). Then by early March, the presidential nominations should be settled.
While the media has given a great deal of attention to the race for this office, I would like to remind you that there will also be elections for the federal and state legislative offices and many local offices as well.
The temptation is to ignore it all, but I would urge you to resist that temptation. The people elected next fall to every political office from the township to the president, will have an effect on the future direction our community, state and nation. Those elected to federal offices will affect the role our nation will play in a world which looks to the U.S. for leadership.
Listen to what the candidates have to say. Ask yourself how their positions relate (or diverge) from the Gospel. Is what they have to say good news or bad news? Will a candidate help create a more just and honorable society or detract from it? Will the poor and defenseless be lifted up or put down?
It may seem a long way off, but in 10 months you will be asked to cast your vote. Paying a
little attention to what is happening in the world of politics now, will help in casting an informed vote
that is rooted in good conscience.
Fr. Dave Howell
Mon., Jan. 24; St. Francis de Sales, Bishop, Doctor of the Church. Born in the family's castle in Savoy, France. He studied at Paris, France and Padua, Italy, and received his doctorate in law at the age of 24. Offered a brilliant secular career, Francis studied for the priesthood despite the opposition of his family. Ordained in 1593, he became the provost of Geneva, Switzerland, where he brought eight thousand Calvinists back to the Church. He became the leading figure in the Counter-Reformation, and was famed for his wisdom and learning. He was called "the Gentle Christ of Geneva" while he lived and was revered in death. His beatification was the first formal beatification to be held in St. Peter's Basilica. He is the patron of the Catholic press, writers, and journalists. Fri., Jan. 28; St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Doctor of the Church. Dominican Doctor of the Church and one of the greatest theologians and philosophers in the history of the Church. Ranked with St. Paul and St. Augustine as a pre-eminent Christian theologian, Thomas was responsible for synthesizing Aristotelian thought with Christian dogma and for rendering theology into a science. He is especially known for harmonizing reason and faith, while maintaining a precise distinction between the two. The massive body of theology which Thomas formulated came to be called Thomism and is considered the crowning achievement of Scholasticism. He is the patron saint of Catholic schools, colleges, and universities.
Fiscal Year runs from July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2000 Total income for the week of January 8/9, 2000:
Approximately 1524 people participated:
Sunday Stewardship envelopes.............$ 14,863
Childrens Envelopes......................$ 32
Building Fund Pledge payments............$ 2,263
Other....................................$ 770
Total receipts...........................$ 18,565
Weekly expenses..........................$ 16,682
+/- for week.............................$ +1,883
+/- year-to-date.........................$+74,040
Thank you for your Gifts
Sun., Jan. 16 Duke Davis
Mon., Jan. 17 Kathy Stegmaier, Carol McGrath
Tues., Jan. 18 Jeanette Martin, Mary Ellen Magon
Wed., Jan. 19 Patti Conahan, Becky Even
Thurs., Jan. 20 Russ Gentner, Susan Fragosa
Fri., Jan. 21 Joyce Gonda, Lisa Klein
Sat., Jan. 22 Jan Baldinger
Sunday, January 23
Jonah 3:1-5,10/1 Cor 7:29-31/Mk 1:14-20
Monday, January 24 Francis de Sales, bishop, doctor
2 Sm 5:1-7,10/Mk 3:22-30
9:00 a.m. Col. Richard Wiles
Tuesday, January 25 Conversion of Paul, apostle
Acts 22:3-16/Mk 16:15-18
9:00 a.m. Quinn Vincent Bills
Wednesday, January 26 Timothy and Titus, bishops
2 Tm 1:1-8/Mk 4:1-20
7:00 p.m. Harry Machowski
Thursday, January 27
2 Sm 7:18-19,24-29/Mk 4:21-25
9:00 a.m. Catherine Schumont
Friday, January 28 Thomas Aquinas, presb., doctor
2 Sm 11:1-4a,5-10a,13-17/Mk 4:26-34
9:00 a.m.Robert Brown
Saturday, January 29
2 Sm 12:1-7a,10-17/Mk 4:35-41
Sunday, January 30
Deut 18:15-20/1 Cor 7:32-35/Mark: 1:21-28
4:30 (Vigil) Leo W. Grace
9:00 a.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
11:00 a.m. John & Irene McElligatt
Monday, January 24
7:30 p.m. Parish Nurse Ministry (Adult Formation)
Tuesday, January 25
7:00 p.m. Recovery Group (Room 9)
7:00 p.m. BeFriender Training (Rectory LL)
7:30 p.m. Inquiry (Adult Formation)
7:30 p.m. Neo- Catechumenate (Social Hall)
Wednesday, January 26
9:30 a.m. M.O.M.S. (Adult Formation)
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:30 p.m. BeFriender Co-ordinator (Conference Room)
Thursday, January 27
10:00 a.m. Book of Job
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
6:30 p.m. Art & Environment (Conference Room)
7:30 p.m. Baptism Workshop (Adult Formation)
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
Friday, January 28
No Activities Planned
Saturday, January 29
5:00 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner (Social Hall)
5:00 p.m. Youth Group Collecting Change
Sunday, January 30
9 & 11:00 Youth Collecting Change
9:00 a.m. Baptisms
9:30, 11 & 5:45 Religious Ed.
7:00 p.m. Grief Support (Rectory LL)
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Louise Churches, Lena, 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, Ken Carson, Norman Moon, Shirley Brake, Karen, 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, Rose Kumler, Margaret Resconich, Rosalie Fradette, John Sweeny and Dennis.
Sunday, Jan. 23 Jack Hornsberger
Monday, Jan. 24 Sue Weir, Mary Ellen Magon
Tuesday, Jan. 25 Sue Monroe, Synthia Bisoski
Wednesday, Jan. 26 Lynn Gentner, Lisa Arthur
Thursday, Jan. 27 Ken Gentner, Josie Doucette
Friday, Jan. 28 Mary Ziel, Jan Altermatt
Saturday, Jan. 29 Beth Monte, Janice Cherry
Fiscal Year runs from July 1,1999-June 30,2000 Total income for the week of January 15/16,2000 Approximately 1369 people participated:
Using Stewardship envelopes.................$ 15,832
Using Children envelopes....................$ 67
Loose Collection/other...................... 664
Stewardship Total........... 16,563
Weekly Expenses/Including Mortgage.......... 16,682
+/- for week without Building Fund Pledges.. - 119
Building Fund Pledge Payments............... 3,622
+/- for week................................ + 3,741
+/- year to date without Building Pledges $ - 60,412
+/- year to date with Building Pledges $ + 77,072
Thank you for your gifts
Family Sweetheart Dance Yes...that means everyone, your mother, father, daughter, son, singles, divorced, widowed. We at St. Mary Magdalen are your family and would like to extend to you an invitation to join in on this social to be held Saturday, February 12, from 7-11pm. The cost is $5 per family and tickets will be sold after all the masses on the following weekends, January 22/23, January 29/30 and also February 5/6.
THE FIRST SPAGHETTI DINNER of the new year will take place on Saturday, January 29, in the social hall from 5:00-6:30pm. The menu includes meat or meatless pasta, fresh baked garlic toast, tossed salad, ice cream, coffee, tea, soda and wine. Admission is $5.00 for singles, $4.00 for seniors, children $2.50 and families $15.00. Door prizes awarded! Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
On Wednesday, January 26, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick during the 7pm Liturgy. All who have serious or chronic illness are especially invited.
We will begin our canned food drive this weekend, and will continue all week long. On "Souper" Bowl Sunday, the Sr. High youth will take the food down to Detroit along with the change we collect after all the Masses.
This Sunday evening we will be studying during our regular meeting time, but note the meeting will last until 9pm. Tommy and I want to wish everyone good luck with their finals. Some of you have taken them already and we hope you did well.
Registration forms are available now for the State Wide Youth Rally, a weekend designed to gather and worship with teens from all over the state. The cost is $25 for those who register early. The money is due to me as soon as possible to qualify for early registration. Make checks payable to St. Mary Magdalen.
Our annual ski trip has been set and is scheduled for March 10-11. If you are interested in going, please let me know. We will be going up to Nubs Nob, and we will again be staying in local chalets within walking distance of the hills. Call me at the parish offices should you have any questions regarding anything mentioned above.
If you have not already received one, I have handed out via the religious ed classes and
provided for you in the gathering space, a list of the M.U.D. activities we have planned up through
March. Our next event will be Thursday, Feb. 10. We will be going to Ashley Court again, this time
to help residents with Valentine cards and heart shaped cookies. We will leave SMM at 3:30 and
return at 5pm. Afterwards, we will have pizza, pop and discussion here at the church until 6pm.
There will be a sign up sheet in the gathering space next weekend. Any parent willing to chaperon
is asked to sign up also.
Thank you.
Margaret Callaghan
Come light a candle in remembrance of the 270 children aborted last year in Livingston County at the annual Memorial Service 7:00pm today Sunday, January 23 at Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Hilton Road. Special guest speaker will be Tina Torry. Featured by Focus on the Family radio program and magazine, Tina will inspire you to stand fast in your defense of life! For more information, contact Right to Life 810-227-5788.
There is a certain urgency in today's Gospel as Jesus calls His first disciples - Andrew and Simon, James and John. Each one follows Jesus immediately, unhesitatingly abandoning nets and boats and father and fellow-workers. To what is Jesus calling me - at this moment, in these circumstances? What will I need to abandon in order to follow Him?
We congratulate the children who presented their names for the sacrament of Penance. Please pray for these children as they pray, discern and study to receive the sacrament.
The BLAST for all 6-7-8 graders will be Saturday, February 5, at St. Patrick's, Brighton. Please plan on attending for a fun evening.
The sixth graders are going to the temple on Sunday, February 20, leaving at 3:00pm. All are expected to attend. We need drivers, and we would hope that the parents would accompany their children.
The First Penance Retreat is Saturday, February 26, 9:30-11:30am. If you have any
questions, please call me (229-8624).
Sister Maryetta
If you have ever struggled with finding the right words to express to a friend as they experienced a loss in their lives or if you have been the recipient of the wrong words during your own loss, this Thursday's session on the Book of Job may give you a better understanding of compassion and grief.
While Job struggles to cope with his losses, his friends seem to make things worse with their
lack of empathy. Chapters 11 through 18 are the heart of this week's session and offer many insights
into this area. Even if this is the only one you can make, feel free to join us in the Adult Formation
Room at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 27 (daycare will be available).
Yours on the Journey,
Marilyn
Preparations are underway for Spirit 2000, 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 special days of spiritual renewal. Fr. Rudy Papes, a Redemptorist missionary, 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 7:30. We will have refreshments, day-care and an opportunity to socialize after both sessions. Please mark your calendars for these four days in the life of our parish. If you would like to help the "E" Team or bring snacks to share on any of the retreat days, there are sign up sheets in the gathering area.
The Charity & Justice Ministry Team continues to ask you to save your VG's receipts and return them in the container provided in the Gathering Area. Through these receipts organizations can collect 1% of the receipt total. Our parish received $301.35 from the receipts turned in. These funds will be used to help those in need in our parish.
Attention all scouts (boys/girls) a scout recognition Mass has been scheduled at St. Mary Magdalen on Sunday, February 13, at the 11:00 Mass. If you wish to participate, please come in uniform on that Sunday and meet at 10:40am in the Gathering Area. Contact Lillie Chont for details 227-5963.
What Can Reason Do & Not Do For Faith? is a presentation by Author/Professor Peter Kreeft on Sunday, Feb. 6, 5:30pm Lansing Catholic Central High School Auditorium. In light of Pope John Paul II's recent encyclical, Fides et Ratio, Peter Kreeft asserts that reason can give our faith a dimension of great substance. Admission is free, Seating is limited. Call 517-267-2115 for reservations.
January is National Eye Care Month The Parish Nurse Ministry is collecting old or broken glasses which will be donated to Dr. Edwards of Fowlerville who is a member of the Volunteer Ophthalmology Service to Humanity. This organization travels to the third world countries to do eye exams and distribute the recycled eyeglasses. A basket will be in the Gathering Space for your donations.
AHA heartsaver course will be offered February 15 & 22 from 6-9pm. A sign up sheet will be in the gathering area Jan 29/30 - also at the KofC Spaghetti Dinner, Jan.29. Class is limited to 10 participants, materials will be forwarded to you prior to class.
The Holy Family Men's Club will host a Vegas Night on Saturday, Jan. 29, in the Father Bush Parish Center, South Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, beginning at 7:00pm. All proceeds will go to support Holy Family School Athletics. All winnings are paid in cash, with a $500 limit. Admission is free when you present your Parish Bulletin with this ad. A cash bar is also available. Please join in for a fun-filled evening.
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