It starts with Ash Wednesday, when our foreheads are marked with ashes as we make the commitment to "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel".

That first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, is a day of fast and abstinence (from meat) for all who are able. Then each of us chooses her or his own penances that will be undertaken during the rest of the forty days. The purpose of our penance is to simplify our lives, in a sense, to create our own wilderness where the Lord can speak their hearts and minds.

Before you come to one of these services, I would especially invite you to consider how you will simplify your life over these next forty days so that the Lord can "speak to your heart".

While I am skeptical of such a schizophrenic morality; I also strongly object to those who want to drive her or any Catholic out of the Church. They remind me of those Pharisees, who thought that Jesus should not be eating or talking with people they considered "outside the law".

Although it was embarrassing to reverse itself, I believe the administration of Mercy High did the right thing in accepting the governor’s offer.

Jim will serve as deacon at the 4:30 Liturgy that evening and followed by a dinner for his family, friends and supporters. If you would like to help plan the event, sign up next weekend in the Gathering Area! Fr. Dave Howell

This reading reminds us that just as Noah was saved through the ark, we are saved through Baptism. Early Christians believed that those who died before the coming of Jesus awaited redemption in a shadowy existence described here as a prison. When we say in the Apostles Creed that "Jesus descended into hell", we are saying that Jesus went to announce to those waiting in that "prison" that they had been saved.

The First Sunday of Lent always presents us with the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Although Mark’s Gospel is extremely brief, a great wealth of traditional Hebrew history is clearly hinted at in Mark’s economy of words, and well-chosen images.

St. Paul tells the Corinthians that they are living letters, "known and read by all." What does the letter of my life reveal to those who read it? Can they tell by the way I live that I belong to Christ and that all I am and have is his?

The Finance Council

Dennis Wagener, Mary Ann Hargrave, Jan & Rob Carpenter, Jan & Larry Baldinger, Cary Schmidt, Jim Walters, Jan Denzer, Mara DeBoer

Sara Wagener, Katie Weir, Lauren Putnam

Jayne Family, Flaherty-Biggs Family, Peter & Maryanne Kelly, Lillian Chont, Mary Ansbro

First Penance Parent/Child retreat on Saturday, March 8: parents are asked to register by calling the office. It will be held in the Social Hall from 10-1:30. Parent(s) are asked to attend with their child for this day of reflection and interaction!

As a part of the curriculum all 6^th grade classes will be attending Temple Beth Eneth on Sunday, March 23. These youth have studied the Old Testament this year and we will reinforce what they have learned about our Jewish Heritage. Then on Thurs., Mar. 27 at 6:00 pm Fr. Dave will complete this lesson by meeting with these classes in Church comparing it to the Temple and our traditions today! Information and permission slips have been mailed out. If you did not receive them in the mail please call me in the office.

On Wed. the Formation classes will attend either the Scripture Service or the Liturgy for Ash Wednesday. Parents are welcome to join us!

Parents please mark your calendars for March 19 & 20 for the RE Children’s Liturgies. Come celebrate with your family!

Many are already asking about JWJ our summer vacation bible school. The dates are July 28-Aug. 1. If you would like to be on the planning committee, please call the office or Peggy Weingartz.

If you have any questions be sure to e-mail me at mmahar@parishmail.com. Thanks! Mary

Wide choices are available for Lenten reading. For some, the work of those who have lived their life consciously seeking the Kingdom of God are inspiration to do likewise. A recent addition to our Biography section is Mother Teresa, a Simple Path.

Take a stand for the message and mission of Jesus on the steps of the State Capital. Pray with people from all over the state of Michigan for greater justice and peace. You can do this and more at Faith Explosion, a state rally for young adults and youth. Contact me in the parish offices to register for this awesome event.

In my bulletin article last week, I mis-wrote. The teens participating in the National Catholic Youth Conference next fall will be selling Little Caeser’s Pizza kits. Not the teens signed up for the National Relief Network summer program. This group however does have a spud night coming up March 29 following the liturgy. Stay tuned to find out just what that means. The proceeds from both these fundraisers will help reduce the cost of the trips.

If you are interested in participating in the reenactment of Good Friday’s Passion, plan to attend a meeting Monday March 3 at 7:30pm. Richard Switzer will be directing. Note that he was the same director for the Advent Tea angel skit.

The Rite of Sending this weekend at the 11:00 Liturgy, provides our parish community the opportunity to give witness to the formation and readiness of the catechumens and candidates for the Rite of Elect (March 8). Their sponsors, members of this community, give testimony, stating evidence of "conversion in mind and action, development of a sufficient acquaintance with Christian teaching and a spirit of faith and charity. With deliberate will and an enlightened faith, they have the intention to receive the sacraments of the Church ". We, the assembly, affirm the testimony, with the promise of our own continued prayer, guidance support and lived example of the faith.

During the month of February: we celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism with Nicholas Michael Morley, parents are Michael & Jennifer, Evan Patrick Fleck, parents are Adam & Samantha, Grace Marcel Sargeant, parents are Spencer & Alyssa, Olivia Kaye Stecewicz, parents are Ryan & Kelly. We congratulate their parents and godparents and offer them our prayers and support, as they accompany them on their journeys of faith.

M.O.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing)

Mothers of infants & small children are welcome to attend. All sessions are Wednesdays, 9:30 am —11:30 am. Childcare is provided for a small fee

March 5 thru April 16 - A Mother’s Way of the Cross.

Dinner & Improv Entertainment "Adults Night Out" hosted by St. Mary Magdalen Knights of Columbus on April 26, at 6:30pm in the social hall. This event includes a catered buffet dinner and the "Chicago Style Comedy" of Planet Improv, for a very affordable charge of only $25 per person. There is no need to drive to Chicago to enjoy the best in improvisational theater! Planet Improv, based out of Howell, has provided laughter to audiences all around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. Their actors have trained and performed in the best improv theaters in the world, including The Improv Olympic and The Second City. Rservations are on a "first come — first serve" basis. For more info., call (810) 229-2045. Make checks payable to: K. of C. Council #12295, and mail to: Planet Improv Dinner, 5328 Daniel Drive, Brighton, MI 48114.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Republic Bank John M. Peterson

Who Will Decide?? Advanced Directives/ Durable Power of Attorney and long-term care options will be presented TONIGHT, SUNDAY MARCH. 2 from 7- 8:30pm at St. Mary Magdalen. If you become incapacitated or confronted with the need for mechanical life support, what decisions do you want your family and physician to make for you? Conversely, what decisions do your loved ones want you to make for them? Fr. Dave, Dr. Mark Zawisa, Erin Mulvihill MSW and Janina Szajnecki RN will be our panelists for this workshop. Come and begin the process of Advanced Directives and Durable Power of Attorney. Sign up in the gathering area or just show up!

CATHOLIC LEGISLATIVE DAY: To be held at the State Capitol, Sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Michigan, "Faithful Citizenship in Action" on Wed, April 2, from 9:30am to 2:00pm at St. Mary Cathedral Hall, 228 N. Walnut Street, Lansing. For Registration information contact: Deacon Dave (810-229-8624). The registration deadline is March 12.

St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, Pinckney, corner of D-19 & M-36. On all Fridays during Lent, from 4:30 pm to 7 pm, in the School Activity Center. Choices of baked fish or fried, baked, scalloped, or French fries, coleslaw, rolls, & dessert. Carry outs available.

Old St. Patrick’s Church, Ann Arbor located at 5671 Whitmore Lk Rd will sponsor Fish Fries on all Friday’s of Lent, starting Fri, Mar 7 through Fri Apr 11. (Good Friday excluded) from 4:30-8 pm in the Parish Center. Fried Fish, choice of potato, salad bar, roll, and beverage. Carry outs available.

SOCIETY OF ST. JOSEPH Calling all prayer warriors of the Lansing Diocese willing to offer an hour of prayer per week (adoration, private prayer, or offering up of daily duties) for the intentions of Bishop Mengeling. He will be offering Mass on Monday, Mar 10, at 12pm and blessing participants at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lansing. For more information call Barb Yaich 517-719-6754 or e-mail: byaich@ chartermi.net.

Premiering on Hallmark Channel March 9, 2003

Every Sunday beginning

Pray … Don’t give God instructions…

just report for duty !

March Speaker Dr. Mark Menestrina will speak on Drug & Alcohol addiction and the spiritual growth possible during recovery. Join us Monday, Mar 3 from 6:15-7:30 pm at St. Joseph Parish in Howell and learn how faith can make a difference. Call Linda 517-552-0818 for more info.

The Church’s National Collection for Black and Indian Missions in the United States will be taken at all Masses next weekend. The annual appeal is a vital part of the Church for the Year 2003. The Funds are needed to continue present Evangelization programs and to begin or upgrade programs for the New Evangelization era stressed by Our Holy Father. Because of the generosity of the people of this parish and parishes around the U.S., last year, over eight and one half million dollars were contributed at the collection and 98 cents of every dollar was distributed. The support went to some of the neediest people across the United States; from the inner cities to the rural South, from the deserts of the Southwest to Alaska’s cold wilderness- 134 DIOCESES RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THE COLLECTION. Through your gifts, you will join your sacrifice to Christ by helping those who sacrifice daily to lead others to Christ.

MOMS-TO-MOMS SALE will be held at St. Patrick’s Activity Building in Brighton on Sat, Mar 29 from 9am to 1pm. Admission is $1.00. Sale features good quality kids items from birth to pre-teen (toys, clothing, books, baby equipment/furniture and maternity items). Table reservation forms or more information may be obtained from Cathy Britz, 810-231-6391.

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.

Adoption Associates, Inc. is offering an information meeting for people considering adoption, 7pm on Tues, Mar 11, at their Farmington Hills location. Topics covered include the process of building families through US adoption, or through our international programs. To RSVP call 248-474-0990.

We hope to see you there!