It is important that now we turn to prayer for those who will be in harm’s way: those who serve in our armed services; and the women, children and other innocents who will be caught between the combatants.

We will be collecting the names of the men and women who will be in harms way. These will be placed in the "prayer basket" for the special attention of our ministers of prayer. The names will also be posted in the Gathering Area as a reminder to us all to include them in our prayer.

Lastly, every Wednesday evening, we will pray during the 7 pm Liturgy especially for all those who are in harms way.

Many think of this Sacrament only in terms of being forgiven, but it is much more than that. It is about a whole openness to God and being restored to the holiness of our Baptism.

Over the next three weeks, there will be eight communal Penance Services in our region:

For those who would like to celebrate the Sacrament individually, I am available in the Reconciliation Chapel from 11 am — 12 noon on the Saturdays of Lent. (Other times will be scheduled near Holy Week.)

I sincerely hope that it will be possible to make our Lenten penance complete by celebrating this Sacrament of God’s mercy.

Fr. Dave Howell

It is about 1000 B.C., 250 years after Moses brought God’s people from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. It took a long time for these people from different tribes to unify as a nation. The turning point came when David became their king. The story of how he was chosen is told in today’s reading. Samuel was a venerable old prophet. Jesse was a resident of Bethlehem who had eight sons, the youngest being David.

Ephesus was located on the western coast of what today is Turkey. The Christians there existed in a society dominated by pagan values, which today’s reading equates with darkness.

This gospel reading is a short story with situation, conflict, resolution, and so on. It is literally and figuratively, about not seeing the light, being afraid to see the light, seeing the light, and refusing to see the light because we are convinced we already do! We are struck in this story by the degree of resistance to something wonderful. Do we find the Good News too good to be true or a threat to one’s position?

"You shall not covet" is perhaps a difficult commandment to keep in our consumer society. But as Christian stewards, we know that we are the recipients and caretakers of God’s many gifts. May this understanding that all is gift help us be less resentful of the gifts of others.

The Finance Council

Andrea Nashar

Please remember in your prayers Bob Drittler and family in the death of his wife, Laura, and Donna Cencer and family in the death of her sister, Judy LaGrow.

Sign-up sheets for Pastoral Council Nominations are now in the gathering area. This is a three-year commitment. You may nominate yourself or another (with their permission).

The 4th Annual St. Mary Magdalen Parish Golf Outing will be Sat., May 17 at Ironwood Golf Club. 18 holes, breakfast, lunch, dinner and prizes! Talk to your family, friends and neighbors to get your team together. More information will be coming soon or you may call Dave Guidos (810) 229-4728.

Lent is about conversion and changing our hearts. We had many of your youth celebrate the healing Sacrament of Penance, putting their faith into action and asking God for help in changing their lives and looking at how they need to make those changes! It was very moving to see their parents walk them to the reconciliation room and then greet them with a hug as they finished! I would like to thank the 4^th grade catechists and aides for helping bring these youth and their families to this healing day!

This Thursday, March 27 at 6:00pm Fr. Dave will meet with all the 6^th grade classes (and parents if you would like to attend) in Church to compare the Jewish Temple to our Church. If you have any questions, please call me in the office.

Like the youth who just celebrated first Penance, we all need to take this time in Lent to look at our relationship with God. The best way to do this is through sharing in one of the many prayer opportunities offered here at Church during the week. Come share in communal prayer with us!

There are no classes this week for all grades (except grade 6 with the Temple trip today at 3:15 and the Church tour on Thursday with Fr Dave). Classes will resume next Sunday with the 9^th grade Confirmation parents or sponsors meeting with their youth in church at 5:30.

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

Our Spud night is next Saturday evening beginning at 5 pm. Help support the youth as they raise money for the summer workweek with the National Relief Network. Learn more about this organization from the teens as you eat and enjoy a loaded spud.

If you are interested in participating in the passion play this year, please contact me in the offices with questions. There is still a need for actors.

I want to thank Kathy Rigley who has been spending time with us this Lenten season in prayer, reflection and conversation through Renew. Her time and energy has been appreciated. Thank you.

Last weekend 37 students and 8 adults spent the weekend together at Spring Hill Camp in Evart. I can only say it was awesome. More took place in our weekend together than I can explain. We met new people, learned more about how God loves us and that we are never alone. The students who went are changed and better because of their experience. Thank you to all the chaperones that took their time to be with us.

Sign up for the Lugnut’s game is out in the gathering area!! Make plans to spend the day with us in Lansing. The games are fun and very family friendly.

snow piles for little wisps of green.

This month our SUSTAINABILITY series looks at the subject of tilling the earth and growing food. Most of us would probably think of the comforting picture of farmers being the most compassionate environmentalists. However, our need for the brightest and best of food and wanting it right here…right now, has changed farming.

Our featured speaker will be Merrill Clark, who with her husband John and their grown children oversees Roseland Farms in Cassopolis, Michigan. They grow organic food. Her talk, TILLING THE SOIL; TENDING THE EARTH, will give us a look at farming and food today. She will explore the complexities of this vital part of our lives. St. Paul Episcopal Church at the Millpond, will host this workshop on Sunday, March 30 at 6pm. Just by showing up, we witness to the fact that we as Christian churches are united in this belief in our God as Creator of all and our common responsibility to that creation.

Sunday, March 30, 5:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m., Sister Maryetta and Sister Joyce will host a meal, evening prayer and open discussion on Religious Life today. It will be held at 850 Lexington Manor, Apartment #6. If interested in coming, please contact either Sr. Maryetta or Sr. Joyce.

Reclaiming our Jewish roots is an important part of our understanding of Christ’s life and passion. Each year we as a parish family celebrate a Seder meal during Holy Week. This Seder is a combination of specific Jewish prayers, ritual, foods and reflection on Israel’s liberation from the enslavement in Egypt called the Passover.

Sign up sheets are available in the gathering area for this year’s Seder, which is Wednesday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m. Bring your family, or come yourself and bring a dish to pass. If you are available to help set up or bake bread on Tuesday, April 15, or would like more information contact Sister Maryetta at 229-8624. We are limited to 250 people counting the children so please register early.

Faith magazine is now on cassette audiotape for $15.00 for a year’s subscription. Contact Sr. Marlene Taylor, 517-342-2500 and ask for Faith magazine on tape.

Words and more Words. - Recently added to our collection is a special little book titled: "INWORDS: Journeying Inwards with Ecclesiastes". Fascinating in its simplicity as well as its depth, the author, Sr. Mary Kraemer, O.S.F., explores specific words in themes based on the scripture verse "There is an appointed time…." The initial meditation on the theme of "A Time to be Born" breaks down the word Welcome into we, me, co, and come. Each meditation is single page of carefully chosen, carefully arranged words in free verse, artfully placed on the page for our inspiration. It is worth the search in 242.3.

Exercise daily. Walk with the Lord !

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Welcome Home

The next blood drive at St. Mary Magdalen is set for Friday, March 28 from 1 — 7pm. The need for blood has increased. Also needed are volunteers to work the drive. If you are willing to donate blood and/or work the drive, both sign up sheets are in the gathering area.

__________________________________________

Catholics are a symbol ritual people. In the last 40 years we've come a long way in understanding the ritual. We are just beginning to explore the significance of our symbols. Symbols are not signs. They begin with a story and end with a personal journey. They are about limitations of language and immersion in mystery.

Focusing on the symbols of Holy Week, specifically the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday), this evening will be a multi-sensory experience. All adults in the parish are invited. It is especially important for those who are ministers of the Liturgy, those who are "busy" during the Liturgy, to have a quiet opportunity to "rest in the mystery", and for all of us to let God’s shining presence overwhelm and embrace us.

We will begin this evening with Evensong of Lent

in the main worship space.

St. Joseph’s School in Howell currently has openings in kindergarten, second, fourth and fifth grades. Kindergarten is a full day, every day program. The school offers a latchkey program from 6:30am to 6pm on school days. Call 517-546-0090 ext. 202 for more information or to request a registration packet.

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

St. Mary Magdalen Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Dinner & Improv Entertainment "Adults Night Out" on April 26, 2003 at 6:30pm in the church 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.

To make reservations or for information, please call Bill at (810) 229-2045. Reservations will be available on a "first come — first serve" basis! Make checks payable to: Knights of Columbus Council #12295, and mail to: Planet Improv Dinner, 5328 Daniel Drive, Brighton, MI 48114.

SPRING CLEAN UP

To all those who have pick-up trucks and all who would like to help… The Properties team has planned a clean up of the church grounds on Saturday, April 12 at 9:00am. Pick-up trucks will be needed to haul away the brush!

Lawn Care at St. Mary Magdalen: With the long awaited spring just around the corner, it is time to think LAWN CARE. We are looking for those who want to be part of the lawn mowing teams this year, and we have a need for volunteers for the riding lawn mower. It requires 5 hrs/month of your time. Most of our volunteers are retirees… this seems to work in their schedules. If you have questions, please call Leo Camden at 229-8624.

Sign up sheets for both events will be in the gathering area on Saturday. March 29. Thank you. The Properties Team

MOMS-TO-MOMS SALE will be at St. Patrick’s Activity Building in Brighton on Sat, Mar 29, 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). For table reservation forms or more information call Cathy Britz, 810-231-6391.