THE DAYS OF GRACE & MERCY The celebration of Mardi Gras this weekend means that Lent will soon be here. This season of grace and mercy begins this week with Ash Wednesday. The palm branches of the previous year will be burnt to ashes. Then we will use these ashes to publicly proclaim our determination to "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel".
The word Lent means spring because, more than anything else, Lent is an invitation to grow in the life of Christ. So we "give up" those things that are harmful or detrimental to Christian life and add more of those things that will help us grow closer to Christ. By doing with less we become more!
Traditionally, Lent is marked by three spiritual practices: fasting, prayer and works of charity. By fasting, we create a physical hunger that we turn to a spiritual hunger. "For it is not on bread alone that one lives, but on every word that comes forth from God." The hungering for God leads to prayer. Prayer leads us to share God's concern for those who have less. So we share what we have given up by fasting with those who have less. ASH WEDNESDAY The Liturgy of Ash Wednesday sets before us these three lenten practices of fasting, prayer and works of charity. We are marked as those who are determined to "do with less so that we might become more." We begin the journey of Lent: forty days of making a special effort to walk with Christ.
This year there will be two Liturgies. The primary Liturgy will be at 7 in the evening, when most can attend. An additional Mass will be celebrated at 9 am. ON FAST & ABSTINENCE Just a reminder, Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. Those who are able to receive Eucharist should abstain from meat. Those who are Confirmed should abstain from meat and fast. Fasting means eating only three (or less) simple, meals and nothing in between meals.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are the only two days in the year which the Church requires all of us who are old enough and physically able, to fast and abstain as our common penance.
Just as we celebrate the Lord's resurrection every Sunday; so every Friday, we remember the Lord's death. Already in the first century, long before Lent even began, Friday was a day of fast and abstinence. While we are no longer required to do this on Fridays, we are asked to consider keeping meatless Fridays.
No matter what penance we undertake, we should consider doing something a little special on Fridays. By being conscious of trying to abstain or whatever our penance may be, we become more conscious of remembering the Lord's death. Hopefully, this increase of consciousness will also increase our reverence. A DAY OF PRAYER! Our parish community will begin Lent with a special day of prayer next Sunday. It is an opportunity for all of us to come and spend some quiet time with the Lord.
Lent is a time when we "enter the desert" with the Lord in order to deepen our relationship with Him. This Sunday is a real opportunity to do just that.
The Blessed Sacrament will be in Holy Cross Chapel from the end of the 11 am Liturgy
until we celebrate evening prayer at 6 pm. I hope everyone will spend some time in prayer,
especially our Ministers of Prayer and our Eucharistic Ministers.
Fr. Dave Howell
Sunday, March 5
Dt 5:12-15/2 Cor 4:6-11/Mk 2:23 - 3:6
Monday, March 6
2 Pt 1:2-7/Mk 12:1-12
9:00 a.m. Communion Service
Tuesday, March 7 - Perpetua and Felicity, martyrs
2 Pt 3:12-15a,17-18/Mk 12:13-17
9:00 a.m. +Eleanor Hinsky
Wednesday, March 8
Jl 2:12-18/2 Cor 5:20 - 6:2/Mt 6:1-6,16-18
9:00 a.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
7:00 p.m. Our Families & Friends
Thursday, March 9
Dt 30:15-20/Lk 9:22-25
9:00 a.m. +Kathy Roux
Friday, March 10
Is 58:1-9a/Mt 9:14-15
9:00 a.m. +Helen Nowicki
Saturday, March 11
Is 58:9b-14/Lk 5:27-32
Sunday, March 12
Gn 9:8-15/1 Pt 3:18-22/Mk 1:12-15
4:30 (Vigil) +Winifred Flynn
9:00 a.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
11:00 a.m. +Jenny Holden
Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday officially begins Lent and the Easter cycle. Ashes from burned palms saved from the previous year are placed of the foreheads of parishioners. This custom and the wearing of sackcloth, is an ancient penitential practice common among the Hebrew people. At first receiving ashes was not directly connected with the beginning of Lent. In the early 300's local churches adopted it to temporarily excommunicate public sinners (those guilty of scandals such as apostasy, heresy, murder, and adultery). By the 7th century, the custom had expanded into a public ritual. Sinners confessed their sins privately, were presented to the bishop and joined the ranks of penitents in preparation for absolution on Holy Thursday. They lived apart from their families and community for forty days. Dressing in sackcloth and ashes identified them as penitents. Some penances required them to abstain from meat, alcohol, bathing, haircuts, shaving, marital relations and business transactions.
During the Middle Ages, emphasis was placed on personal rather than public sin. As a result, traditions of Ash Wednesday in a mitigated form were adopted by all adult members of the parish.
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Lou Lawrence, Lloyd Rupp, Joan & John Becker, Scott Flowerday, Nick Twork, Katie Barazsu, Danielle Snowgold, Tom Payne, Bishop Povish, Winnie, Bud Newberry, Evelyn, John Pepa, Joanna Bloese, Cheryl Franks, Susan, Richard Sixbery, Raynald Raymond, Pete, Al & Ann Polcyn, Miriam Marker, Matt Even, Eileen Auld, Cornelius Smits, Ellen Colombo, Romaine & Chuck Colombo, Emerson Brown, Adeline Smith, Larry Cecil, Ken Carson, Norman Moon, Shirley Brake, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, Jeannette Wood, Merle, Keith Freel, Tom Cavanaugh, Edith Reagan, Donovan, Valerie Black, Russ Gardner, Maureen, Orville Pelfrey, Roe, Janice McHeish, Rose Kumler, Margaret Resconich, Rosalie Fradette and John Sweeney.
Fiscal Year runs from July 1,1999-June 30,2000
Total income for the week of February 26/27,2000
Approximately 1551 people participated:
Using Stewardship envelopes.................$ 13,493
Loose Collection/other......................$ 963
Using Children envelopes....................$ 59
Stewardship Total........... 14,515
Weekly Expenses/Including Mortgage........... 16,682
+/- for week without Building Pledges..... (- 2,167)
Building Fund Pledge Payments............. 1,535
+/- for week.............................. (- 632)
+/- year to date without Building Pledges $(-55,069)
+/- year to date with Building Pledges $+ 73,008
Thank you for your gifts
Monday, March 6
6:30 p.m. Art & Environment Set-up
7:30 p.m. K of C (Rectory LL)
Tuesday, March 7
7:00 p.m. BeFrienders (Rectory LL)
7:30 p.m. Catholic Catechumenate (Social Hall)
Wednesday, March 8 - ASH WEDNESDAY
9:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Liturgy
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:30 p.m. Finance Council (Conference Room)
Thursday, March 9
10:00 a.m. Scripture Study (Adult Formation)
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:00 p.m. First Penance (Church)
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
7:30 p.m. K of C (Conference Room)
Friday, March 10
7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross (Church)
Saturday, March 11
7:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast (Rectory LL)
10:00 a.m. First Penance (Church)
4:30 p.m. Rite of Sending (RCIA)
Sunday, March 12
12:00 p.m. Eucharistic Day of Adoration (Evening Prayer & Closing at 6:00 p.m.)
9:30, 11 & 5:45 Religious Education
7:00 p.m. Youth Group
7:00 p.m. How to Pray the Scriptures (Adult Formation)
Many of our children participated in the Penance retreat. The children learned about
forgiveness in their lives. The children will receive the sacrament on March 9th or 11th.
We are planning a lenten family retreat on Sunday, March 26 from 11-5. Call the office to
register.
Have you dropped a note to your prayer partner?
Sister Maryetta
Our Small Faith groups begin this week. If you haven't had an opportunity to sign up for one of the Follow Me groups, please check the gathering area for times and places. Our lenten small faith communities provide an opportunity to meet with other parishioners in an informal setting to discuss the readings for the upcoming weekend and the impact they have for us.
Beginning Thursday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m. our Scripture Study will focus on the
Resurrection and Passion Narratives. May this hour and a half reflection on the suffering,
death and resurrection of Christ bring a more meaningful dimension to our lenten experience.
MARY MAGDALEN RETIREE'S come and join us on Monday, March 13 at 12 noon. Bring
a bag lunch, we will meet in the Adult Formation Room and listen to a little Irish Music and enjoy
some green dessert. We will be looking at our program for the rest of the year and scheduling
dates, times, speakers and/or activities. If you have any question call me at the office 229-8624.
Yours on the journey,
Marilyn
During the month of February, we celebrated the sacrament of Baptism with Cassidy Marie Chambers, daughter of Chuck & Lisa; Jacqulyn Suzanne Kolnitys, daughter of Crista & Richard; Leo Francis Lickfold, son of Michelle & Dan; Collin Roberts Meaney, son of Karen & Joe; Jacob Paul Neville Mendez, son of Cheryl & Angel; Vincent Gabriel Matuszak, son of Argenta & Matt; Jared William Osborne, son of Deidre & Tom; Lorraine Catherine Riffle, daughter of Cathy and Chris; and Brenden Michael Sultana, son of Tonya and Greg. We congratulate their parents and godparents and offer them our prayers and support, as they accompany them on their journeys of faith.
Sun., March 5 Dennis Wagener, Debbie Happley
Mon., March 6 John Bellanti, Joyce Muchler
Tues., March 7 Kathy Clark, Shirley Caster, Pat Spindler
Wed., March 8 Barb Colley, Pam Hornsberger
Thurs., March 9 Laura DeLaMarre, Mary Cavanaugh
Fri., March 10 Colleen Atwood, Christine Camden
Sat., March 11 Cindy Sultana
I would like to thank John Shultz for taking time to come and talk with us about the different world religions. He was very interesting and insightful. We enjoyed his visit. SKI TRIP A reminder to all of you who are participating in the ski trip: your money and paper work are due. It is imperative I have this tonight.
I would like very much for you to mark your calendar now for March 31. That is the date we have set for our teens to go to a youth meeting at St. Anne's in Detroit. As I mentioned last weekend, the purpose would be to break down barriers, develop a rapport and learn from each other.
Small Group Reflection Thursday, March 9, Kathy Rigley will be facilitating this group for the season of Lent. We will meet in the youth room from 7-8:30 on four consecutive Thursdays. There is a sign up sheet in the gathering space for any Sr. High youth who is interested in participating.
Tom and I would like to thank everyone who came to little "Baruch's" baby shower last weekend. It was fun. Tom and I so appreciate your thoughtfulness. We are blessed to be a part of such a wonderful community.
Saturday April 1 and 8, from 8am to 1pm, is a baby-sitting clinic for the M.U.D. students. It will be taught by a Red Cross instructor and the students will receive a certificate after the session is complete. There are only 9 spots available, so be sure to sign up soon by calling me at the offices. The cost is $35. We will be offering more of these sessions in the future. Margaret Callaghan
Saint Mary Magdalen Knights of Columbus GOLF OUTING Mark your calendar now for Saturday, May 20, when the Knights of Columbus will host 18 holes of Scramble Golf to raise money for a pavilion.
Easter Egg Hunt All the children of the parish are invited to participate in a Easter Egg Hunt to be held on Saturday, April 22 at 12 noon. We will meet on the parish grounds, back by the barn. Besides the hunt we will have face painting and balloon creations. There will be a sign up sheet in the gathering in the future.
Second Annual Family Retreat Day, March 26 - Sessions will include creating a family timeline, involving the family in the work and study of the church, communication and conflict resolution, and recognizing the gifts of family members. The day will begin with Mass at 11:00am and end with pizza at 5:00pm. Baby-sitting will be available for children under six years of age. Registration forms are in the front of Church.
DO YOU LIKE THE WAY YOU WERE "WELCOMED" INTO THE PARISH? Well, the Welcoming Ministry Team needs a few good people who are willing to meet new people and share the vision of the parish with others. Training is provided. Some of the welcoming team has been on for five years and they need a break. So please consider becoming a member of the Welcoming Ministry Team. Contact Deacon Dave (810) 229-8624 if you are interested.
TEACHING POSITION OPEN There is a full-time teaching position open at St. John School in Fenton for the 2000/2001 school year. Applicants are required to have State of Michigan certification. Member of the Catholic faith preferred. Experience preferred. Mail resume by March 20 to:
St. John School
Attn: Sister Patricia Fischer, O.P.
514 Lincoln Street
Fenton, MI 48430
The 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero will be taking place on Friday, March 24, 2000 at Cristo Rey Church in Lansing from 7-8:30pm, hosted by the Social Justice Committee of the Diocesan Jubilee 2000 Commission. Included will be the Way of the Cross with readings from Archbishop Romero's homilies with images of the martyrs of El Salvador, followed by a simple reception. Crafts from Central America will be on sale. For information call 517-342-2469. (Come early for the Fish Fry at 5:00pm.)
If you would like to have a Liturgy celebrated for a special intention, arrangements can be made by calling the parish office (810) 229-8624. 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.
FISH FRIES Old St. Patrick's Church in Whitmore Lake will sponsor Fish Fries on all the Fridays of Lent, starting March 10 and ending April 14 from 4:30 to 8:00pm. Prices ranging from adults at $6.50 down to free for children 4 and under, include fish, choice of potato, salad bar, roll, and beverage. Dessert is extra. For further information call 734-662-8141.
SHAMROCK SHINDIG is coming up on March 11 at St. Joseph Church in Howell. Tickets are $20 from St. Joe's or Cleary's Pub. Featured are The Sun Messengers along with their endless appetizer bar. Call (517) 223-1313 for more information.
St. Patrick: The Irish Legend will be aired on Fox Family Channel Sunday, March 12. Set in the fifth century and shot entirely on location in Ireland, the film aims to shed light on Patrick from a historical perspective. It is a two hour story of adventure, faith, miracles and discovery, all based upon St. Patrick's own writings and those of his seventh century biographers.
What is a Mom's-to-Mom's Sale? It's a huge sale of only children's and maternity items such as clothing, toys and baby equipment. The admission fee to enter the sale is $1.00 or you can rent a table to sell your merchandise for $25. Money for admission and table rentals will be donated to St. Patrick's Church in Brighton. Those renting a table price their own merchandise for the sale. You price it, you sell it and you keep all the money from the sale of your merchandise. Come pick up lots of bargains on March 25! Call Cathy (810) 231-6391 for information.
LENTEN CONCERT entitled "Journey Back to the Lord" with music by Karen Webb & Company, will be held Sunday, April 2 at St. Mary's in Adrian at 2:00pm. Come relax, listen to scripture through music. Call 517-263-4681 for more information.
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