03-19-00

A LETTER from the BISHOP

My dear Friends in Christ; It is a joy for me, as Bishop, to share good news with you, especially news like this.
Last weekend, I celebrated Mass with the leadership of the Knights of Columbus of our diocese at St. Francis, our diocesan retreat center in DeWitt, MI. After Mass, the Knights announced the start of their historic campaign to support the construction of Bethany House - a new spiritual life center for young people of our diocese and beyond. This new facility will be built on the grounds of the retreat center for retreats, spiritual formation programs and special events for youth.
When I first spoke to our Knights about Bethany House at their annual convention last spring their response was an enthusiastic "yes"! They immediately recognized the critical need for Christ-centered youth programs and the need for a facility to host them.
Since that time, the leadership of the diocese and the Knights have been working very hard to make this project a reality. Plans for Bethany House are in final design stage. The Knights have pledged to undertake a $3 million fund raising program to assist in the construction.
As bishop, I am grateful to the Knights of Columbus for their partnership in this endeavor and thank them for their generous support of our youth. I am truly inspired by their generosity and willingness to take on this effort which is the single, largest fund raising effort ever undertaken by the Knights in any diocese.
I am grateful to the Knights of Columbus in our diocese and ask each of you to express your own, personal gratitude to the Knights in your parish. Because of their hard work and dedication, the Diocese of Lansing will be able to build a facility that will change the lives of young people in the decades to come.
Thank you and God bless you!
Carl Mengeling Bishop of the Diocese of Lansing

ON THE LOCAL FRONT
CENSUS 2000

We received a reminder from the Michigan Catholic Conference that we should fill out and return the forms for the census. "An accurate count is an important part of good government." Thanks!

LISTENING SESSIONS

Our Pastoral Council has discussed the continuing growth of our parish since even before our building was constructed. Knowing that growth will be a reality, our concern has been how do we "grow well". What do we do well, what could be done better, what could we do that we are not doing... These and other questions constantly arise.
Rather than try to answer these questions alone, we have decided to gather people together as was done almost seven years ago. By listening to the collective wisdom of our people, we believe we can formulate plans that will help us "grow well". So when your Pastoral Council contact invites you to come to one our Listening Sessions, I hope you will respond!
Fr. Dave Howell

Celebrating Liturgy

Sunday, March
19 Gn 22:1-2,9a,10-13,15-18/Rom 8:31b-34/Mk 9:2-10
Monday, March 20 - Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary
2 Sm 7:4-5a,12-14a,16/Rom 4:13,16-18,22/Mt 1:16,18-21,24a
9:00 a.m. Roy Miller
Tuesday, March 21
Is 1:10,16-20/Mt 23:1-12
9:00 a.m.
Norman Hagler
Wednesday, March 22
Jer 18:18-20/Mt 20:17-28
7:00 p.m. Margaret Coe
Thursday, March 23
Jer 17:5-10/Lk 16:19-31
9:00 a.m.
Kathleen Farmer Friday,
March 24
Gn 37:3-4,12-13a,17b-28/Mt 21:33-43,45-46
9:00 a.m. Special Intention
Saturday, March 25 - Annunciation of Our Lord
Is 7:10-14;8:10/Heb 10:4-10/Lk 1:26-38
Sunday, March 26
Ex 20:1-17/1 Cor 1:22-25/Jn 2:13-25
4:30 (Vigil) St. Mary Magdalen Parish
9:00 a.m. Tim & Will Holden
11:00 a.m. Harry Machowski
Mon., March 19, St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. A "just man", he was the foster father of Jesus. He was a descendant of David and was betrothed to Mary when he learned that she was expecting a child. He was present at the Incarnation in Bethlehem, and having been warned about King Herod, he took the family to Egypt until Herod's death. He devoted himself to the raising of Christ and was last mentioned in Scripture when he sought Jesus in the Temple at Jerusalem. It is believed that he died before the Passion of Christ. Special veneration to Joseph began in the Eastern Church, and spread to the West in the fifteenth century due to the efforts of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Teresa of Avila. He is the patron saint of workers and carpenters; also of Austria, Belgium, Bohemia, Canada, Mexico, Peru and South Vietnam.
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Lou Lawrence, Lloyd Rupp, Joan & John Becker, Scott Flowerday, Katie Barazsu, Danielle Snowgold, Thomas 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, Al, 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, Donovan, Valerie Black, Russ Gardner, Maureen, Orville Pelfrey, Roe, Janice McHeish, Rose Kumler, Margaret Resconich, Rosalie Fradette, John, Jerry and John Sweeney.

Gifts from God

Fiscal Year runs from July 1,1999-June 30,2000
Total income for the week of March 12/13,2000
Approximately 1520 people participated:
Using Stewardship envelopes................$ 13,832
Loose Collection/other.....................$ 842
Using Children envelopes...................$ 35
Stewardship Total........... 14,709
Weekly Expenses/Including Mortgage......... 16,682
+/- for week without Building Pledges...... (-1,973)
Building Fund Pledge Payments............... 2,113
+/- for week.............................. (+ 140)
+/- year to date without Building Pledges$ (-57,077)
+/- year to date with Building Pledges $ +76,473
Thank you for your gifts

DATES TO REMEMBER

Monday, March 20
7:00 a.m. Eucharist Meeting (Social Hall)
7:00 a.m. Evening Prayer/Reflection (Church)
7:30 a.m. E-Team (Adult Formation)
7:30 a.m. Property Team (Room 3)
7:30 a.m. K of C (Rooms 5 & 6)
Tuesday, March 21
7:00 p.m. Recovery Group (Room 9)
7:00 p.m. BeFrienders (Rectory LL)
7:30 p.m. Catholic Catechumenate (Social Hall)
7:30 p.m. Inquiry/Catechumenate (Adult Formation)
Wednesday, March 22 - Deadline Visionary
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:30 p.m. Parish Council Small Group Meeting (Rectory LL)
Thursday, March 23 10:00 a.m. Passion Narratives (Adult Formation)
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:00 p.m. Community Life (Conference Room)
7:00 p.m. Youth Group Reflections
7:30 p.m. K of C Golf Meeting (Adult Formation)
7:30 p.m. Parish Council Small Group Meeting (Rectory LL)
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
Friday, March 24
7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross (Church)
Saturday, March 25
7:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast (Rectory LL)
5:00 p.m. K of C Spaghetti Dinner
Sunday, March 26
9:30, 11 & 5:45 Religious Education
12:00-5:00 p.m. Family Retreat (Social Hall)
7:00 p.m. Youth Group
No "How to Pray the Scriptures"

Religious Education

There will be a meeting with all parents who have children in the Eucharist program on Monday, March 20, at 7pm in the parish hall. Please plan to attend. Family Lenten Retreat Sunday, March 26, from 12-5pm Please call the office to register. It is a wonderful time to share faith, learning and celebration together during this season of lent. There is an Education meeting planned for Thursday, March 30, at 7pm. If you have any questions, please call the office (229-8624).
Sister Maryetta

ON THE JOURNEY

This weekend our catechumens and candidates meet with Bishop Mengeling at St. Pat's to celebrate the Rite of Election. They are: Brad Borgeson Rick Fraser Scott Oakes Kim Heaman Don Oliver James Luce Benjamin Hoisington Maryanne Trudeau Christopher Hoisington Lee Ann Lovely Jesse Hoisington Joe Curcuru This important step in their journey signifies their readiness for the Easter sacraments. Please continue to keep them in your prayers.
Yours on the journey, Marilyn

CANDY DRIVE

We will be having a candy drive April 1/2 & April 8/9. Please donate a bag of individually wrapped Easter Candy for Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Individual candies need to be able to fit in a 2" plastic egg. There will be a large basket in the gathering area the weekend of April 1/2 & April 8/9 in which you can place your donated candy. EASTER EGG HUNT All children are welcome to come join us for Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt, April 22 from 12-2pm right here on the parish grounds. We will gather promptly at 12 noon back by the barn. The children will be separated into age groups for the egg hunt. They will also enjoy a visit from Peter Cottontail and there will be face painting, punch and cookies. If you have any questions regarding the candy drive or the Easter Egg Hunt, please contact Mary Ann Trudeau (517)552-0819 or Vince Wolterman (810) 227-7131.
Community Life & the Youth Group

Youth Group

Kathy Rigley has begun facilitating a small faith sharing group for Sr. High teens every Thursday. Any high school student is invited to join from 7-8:30 in the youth room.

SKI TRIP

Well, from what everyone tells me, the ski trip was a success. Everyone had a chance to ski, and most everyone tried at least once to snow board. Everyone also told me that the meeting with the local youth group was awesome! Mass was celebrated, food was eaten and games were played! Denise, the youth coordinator, and her youth were very welcoming and treated our teens and chaperons like royalty. I cannot thank the chaperons enough for giving of yourselves and of your time to spend with the teens. Sherry Kunkel, Nancy Olzack, Marty Deater, Ron Huston, John Yanok and Bill Ross, thank you! Without you, this trip would not have been possible. I have permission slips for our meeting set 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. If you are a Sr. High student interested in going, please let me know soon. The purpose of meeting the youth is to break down barriers and develop a rapport to learn from each other.

M.U.D. NEWS

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. Spaces are limited, so be sure to sign up soon in the offices at the front desk. The cost is $35. We will be offering more of these sessions in the future. Last weekend, one adult and 3 students went to the Lansing Middle School Rally held at Lansing Catholic Central. They had a good time. The food was good, the speaker was entertaining and the dancing was great! I look forward to sending more M.U.D. students next year and I thank the ones that went this year. Special thanks to Sue Wagener who was the adult chaperon.
Margaret Callaghan

Last Chance to register for Family Retreat Day

Next Sunday, March 26, families will be gathering at the 11:00am Liturgy to begin a day of prayer, study, activities, and socializing. In addition to four sessions on the theme, "The Body of Christ: The Family of Christ", participants will have the opportunity to see examples of music and videos which offer alternatives to the popular fare. Baby-sitting will be available for children under 6 years old. Registration forms are in the gathering area.

Stewardship by the Book

Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. St. Paul reminds us that God Himself "did not spare his own Son." Are my gifts to the Lord - my resources, my time of myself - also sacrificial?

Prayer

Ministers of Prayer Schedule
Sunday, March 19 Jack Hornsberger
Monday, March 20 Sue Weir, Mary Ellen Magon
Tuesday, March 21 Sue Monroe, Synthia Bisoski
Wednesday, March 22 Lynn Gentner, Lisa Arthur
Thursday, March 23 Ken Gentner, Josie Doucette
Friday, March 24 Mary Ziel, Jan Altermatt
Saturday, March 25 Beth Monte, Janice Cherry

THE EASTER TREE OF LIFE is laden with tags representing the needs of seniors at Brighton and Hartland Senior Centers, Catholic Social Services, and Medilodge and Greenery in Howell. We will be preparing Easter Baskets for them. Please take a tag and return your gift with the tag securely taped on it. All gifts must be returned by April 9. We will be delivering the gifts before Easter. If you would like to help deliver gifts, please call Mary Korch (810) 227-8384.

GOLF OUTING

The Knights of Columbus at St. Mary Magdalen are finalizing plans for the golf outing to be held on Saturday, May 20. Funds raised will be used to build a picnic pavilion near the barn. The event will be held at Ironwood Golf Club in Howell. The $75 fee will include 18 holes of Scramble Golf and a cart, continental breakfast, buffet dinner, door prizes and a chance to win a car with a Hole in One. Registration forms are in the gathering area. For more information, call Dennis Wagener (810) 229-9592 or Dave Guidos (810) 229-4728.

SPAGHETTI DINNER, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, is set for Saturday, March 25, from 5-6:30pm in the social hall. The menu includes meat or meatless pasta, fresh baked garlic toast, tossed salad, ice cream and beverages. Admission is $5.00 for singles, $4.00 for seniors, children $2.50 and families $15.00. Door prizes will be awarded. (No sign-up required)

VG's RECEIPTS

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. Thanks to your support, a check for $315.21 was recently received. These funds will be used to help those in need within our parish.

Singles Saturday JUBILEE (Living as Christian Singles) Celebrate the Jubilee at an ecumenical gathering of adult singles Sat., April 8, 10-3:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Ann Arbor. This event is co-sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church and First Methodist Church of Ann Arbor and the Diocese of Lansing. The cost is $15 by April 3rd. Child-care is available. For information (517) 342-2494.

Lansing Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Biannual Convention will be held at Holiday Inn Convention Center in Lansing, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 4-5, 2000. Entitled "In Celebration of Jubilee Women: Strong, Loving, Wise". The convention begins with Mass at 9:00am on Tuesday and ends with Mass at 1:00pm on Wednesday. All ladies of the parish are invited to attend. Call 1-800-333-8123 with any questions.

A part-time position is open for Secretary of Religious Education and Adult Formation at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dexter. Basic secretarial and computer skills are required. For more information or questions call (734) 426-8483.

CARE is a Comprehensive Arthritis Recovery and Education Program developed by Drs. Ed Loniewski and James Dowd. They will be presenting their program which is a holistic approach to the management of arthritis. It aims to empower the individual to better address the effects of arthritis on the body, mind and spirit with a comprehensive treatment plan. This is a free program offered through the Parish Nurse Ministry of St. Patrick Church of Brighton. It will be held March 27 from 9:30-11:30am. Please register by calling the church office at 229-9863.

MERCY CORPS is accepting applications now. Are you interested in giving a year of service to the church in the U.S. as a lay volunteer? Mercy Corps is a lay volunteer program for women and men over 21 sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. Volunteer possibilities include teaching or nursing, working in homeless shelters, social service agencies and more, in urban or rural settings. Room, board, medical insurance and a small stipend are provided. Loan deferments are available. Placements start in May for service beginning in August, 2000. For more information call Mercy Corps Office (215) 641-5535.