As I write this at the end of January, there is still no clear evidence of Iraq’s failure to comply with the UN resolutions. The inspectors have found nothing, yet the administration keeps insisting Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, it is just that the inspectors have failed to uncover them.

No court in America would condemn someone without concrete evidence. Yet without clear and convincing evidence, our government seems determined to make war against the people of Iraq (who have already suffered greatly under both their dictator and international sanctions).

Then there is North Korea, which seems to be judged by another standard of behavior. They have clearly indicated that they have weapons of mass destruction, yet the administration is willing to use diplomacy there, while it threatens Iraq.

Israel is also a contradiction. There are many UN resolutions against Israel which have been ignored by both our government and Israel for the last 50 years.

This double standard is very clear to most of the world, especially to the Moslem world. It only convinces many that America is anti-Moslem.

The administration claims all of this to be a part of a war on terrorism. The sad reality is that it will only deepen the anger of those who threaten us and plant the seeds of more extremism.

As Pope Paul VI said, peace can only come when justice prevails.

I would like to thank the priests from St. Louis Home for covering the Saturday evening Liturgy and Fr. Gil Rahrig for taking the Sunday Liturgies. Next weekend, Msgr. Bill Fitzgerald will be taking all three Liturgies.

I will be back for the Liturgies on the weekend of February 15\16.

Fr. Dave Howell

Paul’s enemies frequently criticized him for the least little thing. At a time when most teachers received compensation from those they instructed, Paul refused financial support from the community. Because of this, they discredited him as not being a legitimate apostle. Today we hear his response.

Jesus told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also". Jesus wasn’t one to remain in one place and bask in the glory of his accomplishments. The power that was given to him, he gave away freely. Many of us find it hard to give anything away. The freedom to give away what we have comes from the deep assurance that we are provided for. Do we believe God always provides?

Presentation — When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, they offered a sacrificial gift "in accord with the dictate in the law of the Lord." An offering of a specific size or kind is not "dictated" when we bring our gifts to the altar at Mass. Is my gift reflective of the many blessings I have received?

The Finance Council

Take a look around at your fellow parishioners — we are not strangers here at St. Mary Magdalen, but we sometimes forget someone’s name or cannot place a name with a face. Therefore, we have made the decision to start the process of organizing our NEW Olan Mills Directory for St. Mary Magdalen Parish. In order to make this project a success we need several people to coordinate our new directory. Our first meeting will be Tuesday, February 4 at 7pm. Please call Kay at the parish office (810) 229-8624 if interested in joining this group.

Next weekend our 3^rd grade Religious Formation classes will be having a bake sale to raise money for Catholic Relief Services to aid in assisting people in Africa to have food and clean water. Please call Sue Hlavaty if you would like to donate baked goods. Please help our youth raise money to aid those who are in desperate need.

Our Formation Ministry Team meets Monday, February 10, 7:30 PM in Room 3. All are welcome to attend!

Check your calendar: There will be no classes for Religious Ed/Formation Feb. 16 - 22 due to the mid-winter break. Classes will resume on Sunday, Feb. 23 for the Kindergarten and the 9^th grade classes. There will be classes on Feb. 26-27.

Just a reminder about snow days from the Parent Handbook: If Brighton area schools are cancelled due to bad weather our Faith Formation classes will also be cancelled. In case Religious Education is cancelled during the school day, we will notify the radio station WHMI (93.5 FM) and we will try to call the local schools. We will also notify your child’s catechist and aide and they will try to call your home. (It may be a good idea for you to have the phone number of your child(ren)’s catechist at home. Contact me if you have any questions.

People who share things with others, who have become their friends, gain confidence in those shared things. In this case, sharing your thoughts and beliefs with friends helps you to grow ever stronger in this wonderful community of caring people. These small groups that meet once a week for 6 weeks help to make our growing parish here at St. Mary Magdalen seem smaller and more personal. So, participate! Plan on making Renew a part of your Lenten offering. Sign up for RENEW begins this weekend and continues for 3 weeks. The season of RENEW begins March 2^nd. Don’t wait, and don’t miss out!

Thank you for your generosity last weekend for Souper Bowl Sunday collection. We raised just over $2,000 for CRS & Habitat for Humanity. Together we can help make a difference.

The teens that are participating in NCYC and their parents need to mark their calendar for Tuesday, February 11, at 7:30pm. We will be going over more details about the trip and scheduling dates for fundraisers.

January and February tend to be dreary months. Many people suffer from cabin fever and boredom. This past week I have been without a car. The walls of my home seem to have moved inward and the boys’ energy has greatly increased. I have been blessed with a loving husband and great friendships that have kept me sane in these gray days. I pray everyday in thanksgiving for these bright spots in what can seem like endless, colorless days. What are you thankful for?

The diocesan Middle School Rally will be March 1 in Jackson. The day consists of a keynote speaker, music, workshops, dinner and over 500 middle school students from across the diocese. Spend the day with your friends embracing God’s love for us!

Margaret Callaghan

All "adult" Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ministers of Hospitality, and Music Ministers are invited to attend Monday, Feb 24 from 7 - 9pm beginning with prayer in the church. Please mark your calendars and sign up in the gathering area.

Yours is a share…

M.O.M.S. The St. Mary Magdalen M.O.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) group gets together weekly for fellowship, laughter, and spiritual growth in a supportive fun environment. Childcare is provided for a nominal fee. Feb. 5 and Feb. 12 we will be praying the rosary. During Lent, we will be praying the Stations of the Cross with the booklet. "A Mother’s Way of the Cross." All gatherings are open for newcomers so please feel free to join us at anytime.

Sr. Joyce

The word "ministry" is defined as the act of serving others. Our task, within our faith, has grown with the increased involvement of the laity in the church. The BeFriender Ministry seeks to reach out to others beyond the traditional setting of the Sunday Mass. This is not a ministry of professionals but members of the family of Christ reaching out to help others within the family. If you are troubled or seeking help with a problem, please contact Judy Scharf, 229-8624.

Stroke (BrainAttack) Awareness — did you know that only 16% of Americans are able to name one sign/ symptom of a brain attack (stroke)? Help us improve this statistic! Take note of the following warning signs of stroke: Sudden severe headache with no known cause; sudden numbness or weakness in the face or an extremity; especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. Brain Attack, like a heart attack, is a medical emergency — Call 911. Receiving treatment within three hours greatly reduces the risk of permanent damage.

For Pain’s Sake — meets Friday, February 7, from 1-3pm in the Adult Formation Room. This is a support/discussion group for individuals coping with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or arthritic conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to participate. Please contact Mary Kay Foley for more information (517) 545-9462.

Parish/Congregational Nurse Preparation Course through University of Detroit Mercy at St. Joseph Mercy Canton Health Center will begin March 11-May 13 on Tues. evenings from 6-9pm. The cost is $415.00 (36 CEUs). Please call J. Gonda (810) 632-7961 for more information. The registration deadline is February 24.

This event starts at 6pm at Lake Point Manor, 5768 East Grand River, Howell. The evening includes cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, comments from special guest Senator Valde Garcia, and dancing. Cost is $40 for a single or $75 per couple; this includes a complimentary photo. For sponsorship and ticket information call (517) 540-9000

REFRESH weekend for Single Young Adults (21-35) March 21, 22, 23 2003 St. Joseph Retreat House, 1000 Porter St., Jackson MI. Hear a dozen presentations from the hearts of your peers on their experience of God, family, friends, the opposite sex, and more. Meet new friends. Have some laughs. Cost is $90, for more information call Young Adult Ministry at (517) 342-2495.

Will offer a spiritual weekend for widowed, divorced, and separated persons February 7, 8, 9, 2003 in Jackson, MI. at the St. Joseph Center, 1000 E. Porter Street. Designed to help those among us who are wounded by the 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. Contact Mary Jo, 810-229-0040, for more information.

Retrouvaille is helping couples put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships. If your marriage is tearing you apart, if there is little or no meaningful communication, if you are considering separation or divorce, we believe Retrouvaille can help. The next weekend is Feb. 14-16 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. For further information, call 517-669-6631.

If you would like to have a Liturgy celebrated for a special intention, please call the parish office to make arrangements. A contribution is usually made to pay for the cost of the bread and wine and all the other items that are needed for the celebration of the Liturgy.

Dr. Phil Fleming will speak of his journey to become a pro-life OB-GYN physician on Monday, February 10. Learn how one person of faith can make a difference in the lives of others, particularly the unborn. Join us from 6:15—7:30pm in the church. Call Linda 552-0818 for more info.