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04-02-00 ALL THINGS CONSIDERED A PILGRIMAGE OF FAITH Pope John Paul has returned to Rome after his historic pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Officially, it was a personal journey of faith where, as he told the people, "God has pitched His tent". His intent was a personal encounter with the Holy, yet I am moved by the many ways his journey affected the peoples of that very divided land. The stage was set when the holy father celebrated Liturgy over the tomb of St. Peter and begged God's forgiveness for the sins of our last millennium. This action was deeply profound because there is nothing like it in the history of our Church since the days of St. Peter himself. (When Paul confronted Peter about his unwillingness to eat with Gentile-Christians, Peter admitted that it was wrong for Christians of Jewish origin to remain separate from the others.) The second reason that Liturgy at St. Peter's basilica was so profound is the example it gave to us all. Genuine reconciliation is possible only when we recognize our sin, accept responsibility for our action and then ask pardon. While there are some who thought the pope could have said more, his purpose was not to ask forgiveness for any one person's sin, but rather to ask pardon for the collective sin of the Church (in what we have done and what we have failed to do). With that wonderful and profound Liturgy as the background, the holy father went to that strife torn land. In speech and action, he continued to speak of forgiveness and reconciliation, while at the same time, he spoke passionately for justice and peace. Having seen the pope when he was strong and vigorous, his declining health is very apparent. Despite his slurred speech and halting steps, he seemed to have gained strength and intensity on this trip. It truly made his personal pilgrimage a mission of reconciliation and peace for us all. This journey and the Liturgy which preceded it, together were a profound statement. I cannot help but think, that they are the most important events of Pope John Paul's effort to make this a truly holy year for us all. REMEMBER TO VOTE There is an important election this Tuesday for those who live in the Hartland School District. I strongly urge all registered voters to make sure they take the time to vote in the election. The outcome of this election will determine the quality of education in the Hartland Schools for many years to come. Fr. Dave Howell Please remember in your prayers the John Murphy Family in the death of John's sister, Mary Ellen Stachowiak. Celebrating Liturgy Sunday, April 2 - Laetare Sunday Prayer List Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Yvette, Donna, Jason, Linda Nagle, 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, Judy, John, Jerry and John Sweeney. Ministers of Prayer Schedule Sun., April 2 Dennis Wagener, Debbie Happley Gifts from God Fiscal Year runs from July 1,1999-June 30,2000 Dates to Remember Monday, April 3 Tuesday, April 4 Wednesday, April 5 Thursday, April 6 Friday, April 7 Saturday, April 8 Sunday, April 9 STEWARDSHIP BY THE BOOK The blind man in today's Gospel was willing to let Jesus minister to him and willingly did all Jesus asked of him. The Pharisees were more resistant to His message, spending their time and energy to disprove the miracle. Which am I more like, the man born blind or the Pharisees? 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. We are planning for JOURNEY WITH JESUS this summer. The dates are July 31-August 4. MARK YOUR CALENDARS. Women's Retreat: August 11-13 at DeWitt. Any questions, contact me at 229-8624. The Family retreat was a wonderful experience for all those who participated.
Thanks to all those who made the day a 10! ON THE JOURNEY Seder 2000 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 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. the day before or would just like more information, call Kathy LaTarte at 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. Yours on the journey, Marilyn Care Givers Often Face Tough Decisions In caring for a loved one, a caregiver must make difficult decisions whether it is for the care of a parent, elderly relative or a child. Sometimes others in our family do not agree with our choice, which adds to our emotional turmoil. Guilt, lack of information and family income are all factors that enter into the final outcome. Please join us along with other family members, friends and neighbors. To hear Joanne Pasienza's real-life struggle with many tough decisions in caring for her son, Joel. We gather on the first Thursday of each month in the lower level of the rectory. The next meeting is April 6 at 7:30pm. No reservations are necessary. For additional information please contact Fr. Dave or Arlene Callaghan, 810-220-1693 or arlenec@htonline.com. P.S. Joanne's story has a wonderful ending. Youth Group Well, if you are reading this article this weekend, that means that Tom and I have had our little Baruch. Since I have written this a few weeks before the big event actually happened, I cannot comment on the experience. I can say that I will be off on maternity leave for the next six weeks, which is not to say we won't be around in a few weeks. I just will not be in the office. As I have stated before, I have full confidence in our leadership team to conduct the Sunday evening meetings, and the events already planned will go on as scheduled under the supervision of adult volunteers. The space taken up here in the bulletin will continue to be filled with our activities written and summarized by members of the leadership team. Tom and I have been blessed with many riches in our life and we count the community of St. Mary Magdalen as one of them. We have had such support from our family here, and we cannot thank you enough for all that you do for us and the teens of our community. Thank you. We look forward to introducing all of you to our new little one soon. On a youth group note, please turn in any permission slips for scheduled
events to the church office. As with any event, you will not be able to
participate without the necessary paper work. Thank you for your cooperation.
Candy Drive 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 is a large basket in the gathering area in which you can place your donated candy. We have over 300 eggs to fill, so please drop off your bag of candy by April 9. M.U.D. NEWS Ashley Court - permission slips and sign-up sheets are in the gathering
space for our trip to Ashley Court on 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. Please join us by meeting at the church at 3:45pm and afterwards,
we will return to the church hall for pizza & pop! SINGLES SATURDAY JUBILEE Celebrate the Jubilee at our ecumenical gathering of adult singles. Co-sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, First Methodist Church of Ann Arbor and the Diocese of Lansing, it will be held Saturday, April 8, 2000, 10:00am-3:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ann Arbor. Cost is $15 by April 3. Childcare is available. Call Adult Singles Ministry, 517-342-2494, for information. Looking for counseling? Need help with stress, marital, parenting, or children issues? Livingston County Catholic Social Services has no waiting list! Call for an appointment at 517-545-5944. 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 SMM/K OF C GOLF OUTING Saturday, May 20, 2000 Ironwood Golf Club, Howell 18 holes of Scramble Golf with cart Continental Breakfast Buffet dinner $75 per player. Form your foursome and register by April 22. Registration forms are available in the Welcoming Area. REMINDER: Catholic Classics Book Sale The Ave Maria College Library, in conjunction with the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, is having a Catholic Classics Book Sale. Thousands of Catholic books, duplicates and extras from the College and Sisters' libraries, are on sale from April 1 to April 7, 9-5:00 in the Ave Maria College gymnasium in Ypsilanti. Proceeds will be used to benefit the College and the Sisters of Mary. AMERICAN BISHOPS' OVERSEAS APPEAL Few of us will ever experience the gratification that comes from welcoming a family of refugees into our home, going to a foreign land to aid earthquake or flood victims, or working with farmers in a Third World country to life themselves out of poverty; but we can help support those agencies of the Catholic Church that accomplish these things and more. Funds collected for the American Bishops' Overseas Appeal 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 gift will help give hope to numerous people in despair and in need around the world and help welcome newcomers to our shores. Please be generous. Couple to Couple League will be teaching a four-part natural family planning series at St. Joseph Mercy in Ann Arbor beginning Sat., May 6, 10:00am. For information, call Albert & Becky Faraj, 734-973-3173. SOMETHING FUN Bullseye Donkey Basketball Game will be held Sunday, April 9, at the Dombrowski Field House, Orchard Lake Schools-St. Mary's. Time is Set for 4:00pm. Admission is $5, children under six-free. This is a fund raiser for the Orchard Lake Ladies Auxiliary Chapter 19. LENTEN RETREAT, A SPECIAL PILGRIMAGE 2000, for all Christian men and women age 50+ will take place at St. John the Baptist Church in Hartland. Starting at the little church at 10:00am with Mass at 11:00 in St. John's Worship Center, followed by Lunch. There will be presentations by Rev. George Michalek and Steve Rahl, Director of Social Ministries. Cost of $7 covers lunch. Call Betty Polaske, 810-227-5370 for information. MASS INTENTIONS 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. |
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