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03-26-00 ALL THINGS CONSIDERED LENT: PART II As we come to the Third Sunday of Lent, the rhythm and intensity of the season increases. These days are meant to be a time of "purification and enlightenment" for those preparing for the Easter Sacraments and a season of renewal for those of us "who have been around for a while". The Church gives the parish the option of using the Scriptures from cycle B with the Gospel of Mark or those from cycle A with the Gospel of John. The readings from John are especially intended to be a profound part of the purification and enlightenment of Lent. For the three Gospel passages of this second part of the season invite us to ask ourselves the fundamental questions of faith. As we enter into this second part of Lent, I truly hope that our lenten journey will lead us all to look more critically at our lives and to deepen our response to Christ. THE "GARDENING" ANGELS Now that spring is officially here, the temperatures have begun to warm up. That means that things will begin to grow again. Soon we will be looking for people to help with the spring clean up, the grass cutting and the trimming. This year, we would like to start a new group called the "Gardening Angels". These volunteers would take on the responsibility for caring for our existing flower beds and for the creation of a couple new ones. These new flower beds would dress up the property but also provide a spiritual space as well. One of the suggestions has been that we create a garden that would have "Biblical" plants (sorry, Adam, no tree of good & evil) and shrubs. We also have parishioners who are willing to donate a bench and a statue of Mary to place in the garden so that folks could find a quiet place to sit and pray. Sign up for our "Gardening Angels" will be coming soon to a Gathering Area near you! Fr. Dave Howell SACRAMENT OF THE SICK On Wednesday, March 29, during the 7pm Liturgy, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick. All with serious or chronic illness are especially invited. In Memoriam Please remember in your prayers Chuck Erger and family in the death of his father, Charles; and Harold Reihl and family in the death of his father, Joe. Stewardship by the Book When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of water, He opened the door for a life-changing relationship with Him. Scripture says her testimony drew many others to Him as well. We, too, must be ready to respond whenever and wherever the Lord speaks to us and be prepared for it to change our lives! Celebrating Liturgy Sunday, March 26 Prayer List Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Scott Flowerday, Lou Lawrence, Lloyd Rupp, Joan & John Becker, 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, Russ Gardner, Maureen, Orville Pelfrey, Roe, Janice McHeish, Rose Kumler, Margaret Resconich, Rosalie Fradette, John, Jerry and John Sweeney. Ministers of Prayer Schedule Sunday, March 26 Diane Kubus Gifts from God Fiscal Year runs from July 1,1999-June 30,2000 Dates to Remember Monday, March 27 Daylight Savings Time begins next Sunday! Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour. Religious Education The children in the Eucharist program are preparing for and studying
about the Eucharist. There will be a retreat for them and their parents
on Saturday, April 29 from 10-2. Please plan to attend. We are still in
need of baptismal certificates and chalices. Mark Your Calendars "JOURNEY
WITH JESUS" this summer, July 31-August 4. Sister Maryetta Women's Retreat:
August 11-13 at DeWitt. For more details contact ON THE JOURNEY Seder 2000 Sign up sheets will be available the weekend of April 2 for this year's Seder on Wednesday, April 19 at 6:00 p.m. Bring your family and a dish to pass. If you are available to help set up or bake bread at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18 or would just like more information contact Kathy LaTarte 227-7994. We are also looking for donations of empty Paul Masson wine carafes for use that night; if you have any, please leave them in the box provided in the gathering area. We are limited to 250 for the dinner, so please register early. The next three Sundays are designated as Scrutiny Sundays for the catechumens andcandidates preparing for the Easter sacraments. It is a time for the m to examine their lives in the light of God's word and ask the entire Christian community to pray that whatever is weak and sinful within them may be eliminated and whatever is good and holy may be affirmed. As Father Dave places his hands on each of their heads in an ancient sign of forgiveness, healing and empowerment, may we join with them in spirit and in prayer as we move closer to the renewal of our own baptismal commitment. Yours on the journey, Did you forget? Did you promise yourself you would do some spiritual reading this Lent? It's not too late! Stop at the St. Mary Magdalen Library near the office. You're sure to find something that is perfect. Youth Group Tonight we are welcoming Justina Laginess who will be visiting us to speak a little bit about the Spanish Culture in preparation for our trip to St. Anne's in Detroit. She speaks Spanish fluently and is familiar with the culture. She will be going with us this Friday evening to St. Anne's, for which I'll need permission slips. If you are unable to attend tonight's meeting, but are interested in going permission slips are available in the parish office. We will leave St. Mary Magdalen's parking lot at 6pm and return by 10pm. Deacon Dave Scharf, Nancy Olzack, Bill Ross and Justina Laginess will be the chaperons and drivers. Young Neighbors in Action all participating in this work camp mark your calendars Thursday, April 12. There will be a meeting at 7:30pm at St. Mary Magdalen. It is important that you attend. Lenten Season I hope that everyone is having a very meaningful Lenten season, which is more than just giving up something. It is the Church's way of giving us a time-out in our busy everyday lives to slow down and evaluate the direction our lives are going. Make time in your schedule to attend: Monday at 7pm evening prayer; Thursday at 7pm Kathy Rigley's reflections group; Friday at 7pm the Stations of the Cross. No matter how you choose to spend Lent, may your relationship with God become stronger and more loving. Candy Drive Next weekend April 1/2 our candy drive will begin and will end on 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. M.U.D. NEWS Spaces are filling up for the baby-sitting clinic. If you are interested, please sign up, you can register at the parish office. The cost is $35 and is due when you register. Ashley Court Permission slips and sign up sheets are in the gathering space for our trip to Ashley Court, Tuesday, April 11. We will be putting candy in plastic eggs for our Easter Egg hunt and some will be left for the residents to decorate and help celebrate the season of Easter and Spring. Our chaperons are Liggie Perkins and Sue Wagener. Margaret Callaghan 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 CHARITY & JUSTICE UPDATE: Many thanks to all who participated in the Baby Dresser project for Life Choice Pregnancy Center. The overflowing dresser was delivered to the center earlier this month. They send a heartfelt thank you to the parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen for the generosity and love that is shown time and time again to their ministry. REMINDER: Knights of Columbus "GOLF OUTING" Plans are being finalized for the day at Ironwood Golf Club in Howell, Saturday, May 20. The $75 fee will include 18 holes of Scramble Golf (cart included), continental breakfast, buffet dinner, door prizes and a chance to win a car with a Hole in One. Funds raised will be used to build a picnic pavilion near the barn. Registration forms are in the gathering area or call Dennis Wagener 229-9592 or Dave Guidos 229-4728. M.O.M.S. meet every Wednesday from 9:30-11:30am. (childcare provided). Some areas of interest include crafts, CPR classes, Women of Prayer and also friendly conversation with other women. For more information on this ministry, please contact Colleen Jayne (810) 632-3084. NURSERY COORDINATOR! Our thanks to Maureen Ostrom who has so ably coordinated the staffing of our Nursery for the Sunday Masses. However, because of time constraints, Maureen must give up this position and is looking for somebody willing to take over. Please give this your prayerful consideration and contact Maureen (810) 227-6357 if you can coordinator this ministry. The Fourth Annual Diocese of Lansing's Rose Mass for Health Care Workers will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2pm at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing. Mass will be followed by a dinner and a speaker, James Keating, Ph.D., who will address "The Physician as a Moral Pastoral Educator." All Catholic Health Care Workers are invited. Dinner is $25 per person (students $15). Please contact the Catholic Medical Association for reservations (734) 930-7480. American Bishops' Overseas Appeal The 2,000th anniversary of our Savior's birth is a special moment in time that offers us a year of the Lord's favor. It is a time when we should make a commitment to justice and peace and solidarity with our less fortunate brothers and sisters around the world. Next weekend, you'll be asked to make a donation for the American Bishops' Overseas Appeal. Donations help fund the work of Catholic Relief Services, the Holy Father's Relief Fund, and the U.S. Bishops' Migration and Refugee Services and international peace and justice programs. Your support of this collection is one way that you can participate meaningfully in the Great Jubilee. The American Bishops' Overseas Appeal puts into action the new commandment of charity that unites love of God and love of neighbor. Please give as generously as your means allow. JUBILEE 2000 PILGRIMAGES (Diocese of Lansing) Beside encouraging family and parish pilgrimages in the "Year of the Father" 1999, the Diocese of Lansing is promoting pilgrimages within the diocese and abroad. Trips to points of interest within the Diocese and outside the United States abound throughout the year. If you are interested in looking into one of these pilgrimages, a brochure is available in the parish office for your perusal. 50+ PILGRIMAGE 2000/Lenten Retreat is planned for Thursday, April 6, at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Church in Howell. We will be gathering at 10:00 am at the little church with a presentation by Rev. George Michalek. Mass will be at 11:00 am in the worship center, followed by lunch and speaker Steve Rahl, Director of Social Ministries. Cost of $7 covers lunch. Call Betty Polaske 810-227-5370 for tickets. PILGRIMAGE TO IRELAND Sponsored by St. Joseph Catholic Church of Owosso and Rev. David Fisher is on the agenda for September 12-23, 2000. Cities to be visited include Limerick, Dublin, Waterford, Killarney, and Galway. Cost is $2,185 per person. For more information contact Nancy DeFrenn, 517-725-5215. MARRIAGES IN DIFFICULTY Is your marriage tearing you apart? Retrouvaille is helping couples put the pieces back together and rebuild loving relationships. Retrouvaille weekends are scheduled at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt on May 19-21, and August 25-27. Follow-up sessions are hosted on six consecutive Sunday afternoons following the retreat at the Retreat Center. For further information, call 517-669-8321, Ext. 36. |
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