Since we have a waiting list for the Seder meal, I would greatly appreciate it if you would let me know if for some reason you will not be able to attend. Thank you. Sister Joyce

Telephone (810) 229-8624

Fax (810) 229-6471

Office Hours Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm

Fr. David F. Howell, Pastor

Sr. Maryetta Churches, OP, Pastoral Minister

Mary Mahar, Education & Formation of Youth

Sr. Joyce Hoile, O.S.F., Formation & Evangelization of Adults

Anne Williams, R.C.I.A. Coordinator

H. David Scharf, Deacon

Kay Thurmon, Secretary & Bookkeeper

Josie Doucette, Religious Education Secretary

Tom & Margaret Callaghan, Youth Ministry

Leo Camden, Custodian

Steven H. Schulte, Musician

Weekend Liturgies: Saturday, 4:30pm, Sunday, 9:00 & 11:00am

Weekday Liturgies: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:00am

Wednesday, 7:00pm

Sacrament of Penance: Saturday, 11:30am

until 12:00noon

Infant Baptisms: Call Sr. Joyce Hoile, O.S.F. to

make arrangements

The Sacrament of Confirmation completes our initiation into the Catholic Church. If you are an adult who has not yet been Confirmed, you are invited to participate in an area-wide Adult Confirmation Program during the Easter Season. Six Thurs. evening sessions will lead up to the celebration of Confirmation here in our own parish at the 11:00 Liturgy on Pentecost Sunday, June 5. The sessions will take place at St. Agnes Parish in Fowlerville, beginning on May 1 (from 7:30-9pm). For more information and/or to register for the program, call our parish office at 810-229-8624.

In earlier times, Christians would celebrate Easter with communal feasts. As we grew in numbers, it was harder to celebrate all together, so Catholics would bring baskets filled with their special Easter meal to church for a common blessing. The first meal eaten on Easter morning will be these blessed foods. This breaks the fasting and abstinence of the six weeks of Lent. We will bless Easter Food on Holy Saturday, April 19, at 2:00 pm in Holy Cross Chapel. Some examples of Easter food:

The Easter Egg symbolizes new life and for Catholics and Christians re-birth. Eggs were forbidden during Lent, and so eggs gathered during that time were boiled and saved until Easter. They were decorated to represent a joyous revitalization and are symbolic of the tomb from which our Lord burst the bonds of death.

Kielbasa, Ham or Pork, expressly forbidden under the covenant of the Old Testament, represents the new replacing the old since Jesus came to fulfill and exceed the law, making these formerly forbidden dietary items now acceptable.

Horseradish and/or Pepper symbolize the bitter herbs of the Passover and the Exodus, signifying the bitterness of spiritual exile, the bitterness of the sufferings of Jesus, and a reflection upon our human sufferings.

Salt, used as a commodity, a medium of exchange, barter in trade throughout history, is the most fundamental of all spices and preservatives. It reminds us that as a result of our baptism in Christ, we are, by His words, the "salt of the earth".

Bread, symbolizes the bread of the Eucharistic Meal and declares that Christ is known to us in "the breaking of the bread" as He was to the disciples at Emmaus.

Paschal Lamb Butter — The lamb is central to the Catholic/Christian faith. Christ is referred to as the Lamb of God, or the lamb being led to the slaughter. Our Lord proclaimed, "I am the Good Shepherd". The lamb is often featured carrying a red banner imprinted with a cross. The sacrificial animal of ancient times is now portrayed as Christ victorious.

Wine, is often added to the menu, reminding us of the blood of the sacrifice, which Christ spilled for us on Calvary.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Walter’s Appliance

Sustainability and Environmental Health: Hope for the Earth will be held on April 27 at 6pm at St Patrick’s Church. Tracey Easthope MPH is our featured speaker. Her role as Director of Environmental Health at the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor has taken her to more than fifty communities around the state, primarily low income, working on reducing toxic sources and addressing environmental health concerns. "Every person has a stake in environmental public health, and as environments deteriorate, so does the physical and mental health of the people who live in them," says Dr. Jackson. Come and learn from Ms. Easthope some of the issues so that each of us may be more informed on this important subject. For further information or questions call 517-546-7053.

Livingston County Catholic Social Services (LCCSS) is sponsoring this program focused on a healthy adjustment to divorce. Beneficial to children and teens 5-14 years old and their parents, the program strives to increase effective communication between parents and children. The five week program will take place Mondays, 7-8:30pm April 28-June 2 (no group on Memorial Day) at St. Joseph Church, 440 E. Washington St. in Howell. For information and to register, call LCCSS at 517-545-5944.

Bethany House is located on the grounds of St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt

Football, Faith, & Fun Camp from June 29-July 3 for young men entering grades 7-9. Jerry Hanlon, former assistant coach at the University of Michigan, will run the football camp. Coach Hanlon coached many All-American football players who went on to play professional football. Each day will combine the fundamentals of football with inspirational speakers, all while having fun. Please call 517-669-8321 or go to bethanyhouserc.org for more information.

Christian Imagination Retreat from July 13-15. Students entering grades 7-9 who are interested in learning more about Tolkein, C.S. Lewis and other brilliant minds are invited to attend. Fr. Robert Copeland, associate pastor of St. Robert’s Parish in Flushing will lead the fascinating study of these authors. Please call 517-669-8321 for more information.