TWO ANNIVERSARIES When I wrote last week's column I overlooked several anniversaries of note which occurred last weekend.
The first pair are the anniversary of my youngest sister's death ('62) and the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court verdict which created abortion on demand in 1973. My youngest sister, Virginia Alexandria, died during a very difficult labor. Despite the fact that we never held her, my parents and family always mourned her, and we were always aware of her absence from the family.
Yet, the Supreme Court ruling 11 years later would declare her a non-person. Only if Virginia had actually come out of the womb alive would she have had any of the rights every other human being enjoys. The ruling declared that infants are human beings only if the child is wanted. What the Supreme Court ultimately declared was that the only thing that determines who is a human being is the very subjective opinion of another: if someone "wants" the child, it is a person; if the child is declared "an unwanted fetus", it can be destroyed. Only if a person survives pregnancy does he or she have any value or rights. It is very difficult to comprehend the reasoning of the Supreme Court which denied a fundamental truth from a "higher court".
Last weekend, I thought of my family's loss. But I truly mourned the greater loss our whole nation has experienced ever since our national legislators accepted the premise that the value of human can be determined in so subjective a manner. TWO OTHER ANNIVERSARIES Another pair of anniversaries were also on my mind last weekend: the twenty-second anniversary of priestly ordination for myself and my classmate and best friend, Dave Doepker. The date of our ordination would also have been the fiftieth birthday for the "other Dave". (I use the phrase "would have been" because Dave died of cancer in August of '92.)
To celebrate the occasion, I talked with Dave's mom, as usual. But I also went up to Lansing and took Bishop Povish out to dinner. Since he was the bishop who ordained me, it seemed appropriate. It turned out to be a very enjoyable evening of reminiscing.
I would invite you to keep our retired bishop in your prayers. He began treatment for a
recurrence of cancer this past week. It appears to be in its early stages and the outlook appears
good. He is very hopeful, but I know he would appreciate the prayers.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE K of C on the very successful Free Throw contest they ran
last weekend. About 50 kids participated! Thanks to John Reineke and other members of the
Knights, all seemed to have a good time!
Fr. Dave Howell
Sunday, January 30
Deut 18:15-20/1 Cor 7:32-35/Mark 1:21-28
Monday, January 31 - John Bosco, presb.
2 Sm 15:13-14,30; 16:5-13a/Mk 5:1-20
9:00 a.m. +Charles Swenders
Tuesday, February 1
2 Sm 18:9-10,14b,24-25a,30 - 19:3/Mk 5:21-43
9:00 a.m. +Kathleen Farmer
Wednesday, February 2 - Presentation of the Lord
Mal 3:1-4/Heb 2:14-18/Lk 2:22-40
7:00 p.m. +Catherine Schumont
Thursday, February 3
1 Kgs 2:1-4,10-12/Mk 6:7-13
9:00 a.m. +Roy Miller
Friday, February 4
Sir 47:2-11/Mk 6:14-29
9:00 a.m. Those making our Parish Retreat
Saturday, February 5 - Agatha, virgin, martyr
1 Kgs 3:4-13/Mk 6:30-34
Sunday, February 6
Job 7:1-4,6-7/1 Cor 9:16-19,22-23/Mk 1:29-39
4:30 (Vigil) +Audrey Grace
9:00 a.m. +Anthony & Antoinette Grieco
11:00 a.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
Wed., Feb. 2; The Presentation of Our Lord. The Presentation of Our Lord has a Christmas theme but falls outside of the traditional Christmas Season. The other name for this feast is Candlemas which is celebrated forty days after Christmas Day. It could be considered the closing of the season of lights so evident during Christmastime. The gospel for this feast proclaims the words of Simeon that the infant Jesus will be "a revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of your people Israel"(Lk 2:32). This feast was celebrated in Jerusalem as early as the fourth century. Though originally called "Day of St. Simeon", it became a commemoration of the purification of Mary. In accordance with Jewish law, forty days after Jesus' birth: "When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought him up to Jerusalem so that he could be presented to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord.'" "They came to offer in sacrifice a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons, in accord with the dictates in the law of the Lord" (Lk 2:22-24 and Leviticus 12:6-7). By the end of the 7th century, this feast was celebrated in Rome on February 2 with the addition of a candlelight procession. This procession seems to have originated as a substitute for a similar pagan torch procession of expiation around the city walls. A hint of the penitential and expiation theme continued until recent times with the wearing of purple vestments. The day eventually received the popular title of Candlemas (Candle Mass) because candles were blessed before the Mass and procession. Today this feast is called the Presentation of the Lord. Candles are still blessed and some form of procession may be held.
Fiscal Year runs from July 1,1999-June 30,2000
Total income for the week of January 22/23,2000
Approximately 1426 people participated:
Using Stewardship envelopes.................$ 12,562
Using Children envelopes....................$ 89
Loose Collection/other...................... 672
Stewardship Total........... 13,323
Weekly Expenses/Including Mortgage.......... 16,682
+/- for week without Building Pledges...... -3,359
Building Fund Pledge Payments............... 735
+/- for week.............................. -2,624
+/- year to date without Building Pledges $ (-45,429)
+/- year to date with Building Pledges $ 74,448
Thank you for your gifts
Monday, January 31
7:30 p.m. E-Team (Conference Room)
7:30 p.m. K of C 1st Degree Training Practice (Rectory LL)
Tuesday, February 1
7:00 p.m. Recovery Group (Room 9)
7:00 p.m. BeFriender (Rectory LL)
7:30 p.m. K. C. Plan Golf Outing (Conference Room)
7:30 p.m. Catholic Catechumenate (Social Hall)
7:30 p.m. Journey (Adult Formation)
Wednesday, February 2
9:30 a.m. M.O.M.S. Group (Adult Formation)
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:30 p.m. Worship (Conference Room)
Thursday, February 3
10:00 a.m. Book of Job (Adult Formation)
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
7:30 p.m. Elder Care Group (Rectory LL)
Friday, February 4
Saturday, February 5
Sunday, February 6
NO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
9:30 a.m. New Parishioner Meeting
12:30 p.m. Baptism
7:00 p.m. Parish Retreat begins
NO YOUTH GROUP
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, $2 individual. Tickets will be sold after all the Masses this weekend, January 29/30, and February 5/6.
MARDI GRAS will be March 4 from 6-10pm so mark your calendars and prepare your costumes (optional). We will have a parade of costumes along with food and fun. It will be a pot luck dinner (sign up sheets will be in the gathering area in the future).
Community Life Committee(Fun & Games) if you would like to join Community Life Committee (Fun & Games) and help plan our social activities, call Kay at the parish office (810)229-8624.
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Bishop Povish, Winnie, Bud Newberry, Evelyn, Louise Churches, 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, Romaine & Chuck Colombo, Emerson Brown, Adeline Smith, Larry Cecil, Ken Carson, Norman Moon, Shirley Brake, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, Ron Schaar, Jeannette Wood, Merle, Keith Freel, Tom Cavanaugh, Edith Reagan, Miren Mohrenweiser, Donovan, Mary Swift, Valerie Black, Jerry Bettens, Russ Gardner, Maureen, Orville Pelfrey, Roe, Janice McHeish, Rose Kumler, Margaret Resconich, Rosalie Fradette, Carol Gadwell, and John Sweeny.
Attention all scouts (boys and 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. Please contact Lillie Chont with your questions or if you wish further information (810) 227-5963.
Sunday, Jan. 30 Diane Kubus
Monday, Jan. 31 Kathy LaTarte, Laura Meader
Tuesday, Feb. 1 Christine Reid, Kathy McKay
Wednesday, Feb. 2 Lisa Konieczka,Chris Kovanda
Thursday, Feb. 3 Betty Polaske
Friday, Feb. 4 Pam Hurn, Sandi Phillips
Saturday, Feb. 5 Leo Camden, Pete Happley
There is no meeting tonight. Tom and I hope to see you at the Parish Retreat. We encourage you to participate and to take time for God. We want to thank all of you who made our first Souper Bowl Sunday fundraiser a success by donating food over this past week and by dropping your extra change into our soup cans this weekend after Mass. We appreciate your support for the projects we do to help the poor and needy. Re
gistration forms are still available for the State Wide Youth Rally, a weekend designed to gather and worship with teens from all over the state. The cost is $25. The money is due to me as soon as possible. I had many of you sign up but who still have not paid me. Please do that as soon as possible. Make checks payable to St. Mary Magdalen.
I would like to thank the parents that came to my meeting last Wednesday evening to find out about our planned events. These events cannot be confidently planned without the your support. For those who could not make it, I will mail you the information I handed out and went over this week. Call me at the parish offices with any questions regarding anything mentioned above.
Those who participated at our Putt-Putt Golf outing had a good time. It was nice to be inside the warm building with friends playing golf, video games and eating pizza. Thank you to the parents who volunteered.
Our next event is scheduled for Thurs., Feb. 10. We will again be going to Ashley Court
to help the Alzheimers residents make Valentine Cards and decorate heart shaped cookies. A sign
up sheet is in the gathering space. Be sure to also take a
permission slip at the time of sign up. 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. Any parent
willing to chaperon is asked to also sign up.
Thank you. Margaret Callaghan
LANSING CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL is sponsoring an open house! If you're interested in a Christian High School education, come check out your options at the Rahrig Center of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Howell on Tuesday, February 8, 7-8:30 pm. Catholic Central is a school that promotes shaping the future through Faith-Centered Education by strengthening faith, serving others, building excellence, and honoring tradition. For further information, contact Phil LaVoy at 517-546-9520.
Are you looking for counseling? Need help with stress, marital, parenting, or children issues? Livingston County Catholic Social Services has no waiting list! Call for an appointment at 227-2151.
The BLAST for all 6-7-8 graders will be Saturday, February 5, at St. Pat's. 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, 9:30-11:30. If you have any
questions, please call.
Sister Maryetta
There are six days left until the Parish Retreat - Spirit 2000. Beginning next weekend, Fr. Rudy Papes will be preaching at all the Liturgies, 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, a Redemptorist missionary, will begin the retreat Sunday evening at 7:00. 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 7:00. 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.
See you February 6th - to Catch the Spirit!
Yours on the journey, Marilyn
The next Grief Support meeting will be Sunday, February 20, in the lower level of the rectory. The meetings start at 7:30 p.m. and are open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one through death. For more information give Marilyn a call at the parish office, 229-8624.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 2,2000, at St. John Parish, 2099 Hacker Road, Howell. The meeting will be from 10:00am to 12:00 noon. Mass is at 9:00am. All 50+ Catholics are invited to attend.
(Healing of the Family Tree) Sponsored by the St. John Intercessory Prayer Group, this Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 3, at 7:00pm at St. John the Evangelist Church, 600 N. Adelaide Street, Fenton, MI. Celebrant will be Fr. Dennis Howard, chaplain of Mt. Zion Pastorial Center. For more information call 810-629-6993.
Stewardship by the Book - Moses told the people, "A prophet like me will the Lord, your God, raise up for you from among your own kinsmen." God still provides among His people the gifts and talents necessary to continue the work of His Church. What gifts are yours to share?
Are you trying to locate missing gloves, hats, sun glasses, jackets, vest, books, toys, etc., etc., etc.? Have you thought to look in the "Lost & Found Box" located in the hospitality room? There are numerous articles that have been found around the church that have been placed there. In addition, there are car keys and glasses in the office. If you are missing something, please check the hospitality room or the office. Articles not picked up within a reasonable period of time will be disposed of.
Compulsive Gambling Livingston County Catholic Social Services now has staff trained in the diagnosis and treatment of compulsive gambling.
A Weekend for Married Couples Offered by National Marriage Encounter February 18-20, 2000 For more information or registration contact: Larry & Shelley Isaacson 810-230-9216 or Kevin & Mary Sturgis msturgis@gfn.org
MARRIAGES IN DIFFICULTY Is your marriage tearing you apart? Retrouvaille is helping couples put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships. If your marriage is tearing the two of you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, if you are considering separation or divorce, there's a chance Retrouvaille can help you. Retrouvaille weekends are scheduled at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt on February 18-20, May 19-21, and August 25-27. Follow-up sessions are hosted on six consecutive Sunday afternoons following the retreat at the Retreat Center. For further information, call 517-669-8321, Ext. 36.
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