The purpose of this is simple: the resurrection of Christ and what that means for us is so important, that we hope that by celebrating it for eight days we can begin to truly understand what it means for us and for the world.

In ancient times, those baptized and received into the Church at the Easter Vigil would wear their white garment, their Baptismal robe, all week long. They would also be the special guests at the Liturgies of Easter Week.

It is my hope that those who were joined to us at Easter will be able to participate in some of the Easter Week Liturgies, especially the evening Liturgy of Easter Wednesday (at 7 pm). I also hope that we will be able to join them — at the table of the Lord!

SPECIAL THANKS I would like to especially thank all of those who were a part of the Liturgies of the Triduum (the three days: Holy Thursday, Good Friday & Holy Saturday).

Both Diane Kubus and Steve Schulte spent long hours preparing for these services, and served us so wonderfully throughout the Liturgies.

We are very grateful for all of our Liturgical Singers and Musicians who spend so much time practicing to lead us in the sung prayer of the Liturgy! What a gift!!

Richard Switzer and our youth did a terrific job in making the Passion of Good Friday so moving. We are all grateful for the long hours spent in memorizing the Gospel of John and rehearsing the re-enactment for us.

Finally, many thanks to all those who prepared and hosted our Seder meal, to those who made our worship environment so beautiful and to those who served as Liturgical ministers!

Have a wonderful EASTER Week!!!

Fr. Dave Howell

Today and for the remaining Sundays of the Easter season, our second reading will be taken from the first letter of John. It was written about 100 AD, one of the last New Testament books to be composed. This letter was written in the tradition of the apostle John and bears his name. Today’s passage from near the end of this brief letter treats the fundamentals of Christian life: faith, love and the commandments.

Alleluia! Christ is risen and is victorious over sin and death! We are good stewards of our faith, if, like St. Paul, we share this good news whenever and wherever we can.

These 15 are an outward sign of the continuing renewal of our Church. We would like to congratulate them and their families, while we continue to offer them our prayers and support. We extend a special thank you to each of their sponsors for their commitment and willingness to share their faith.

They, who represented us, the community, over the past year are: Debbie Barker, John Bennington, Dynetta Cadaret, Pam Curcuru, Ben Evans, Derek Hogland, Joe Hommel, Cathy Kolpacki, Diane Lickfold, Ray Lickfold, Patricia McRae, Jim Panning, Donna Price, Ed Prise and George Schultz.

I would like to wish all of you a Blessed Easter! Easter is a time of new life! Look around you and see all the life in those around you and be thankful for them! This can be a time for you as families or individuals to make the changes you started in Lent become new growth in your faith life, a time to make your changes grow and flourish.

Looking for something to do with the kids in the fall? Registration for RE classes resumes on Wednesday and Thursday next week for fall classes! It is "first come, first serve" so be sure to sign up!

JWJ our summer vacation bible school will be held July 28-August 1. We are looking for new leadership to be on the planning committee this year! Please call Mary in the office or Peggy Weingartz at (810) 220-1678. Come join the team to take our youth on their summer journey! This year we’re going under the sea! Have a great week!

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 Thursday 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.

Happy Easter and congratulations to all those who are now full members of our faith! What great and wonderful gifts you have received this Easter celebration! May the joy you experience now and all of Easter season continue to grow and flourish in you. May we all experience God’s good grace and love and share with one another his love! Happy Easter everyone and may everyone travel safe for those vacationing.

Next weekend we are selling Relay for Life luminaries in the gathering area after all the Liturgies. Each bag is donated in honor of or in memory of a loved one that has been touched by cancer. The relay is from 6pm on Fri. May 16 to 6pm Sat. May17 at the Brighton High School track. Friday at 10 pm is the luminary ceremony when all of the luminaries are lit. It is honestly something to see and to be a part of. If you are interested in being a part of our team, youth or adult, contact me in the parish offices.

Next Tuesday we will be at the Community Food Pantry from 4-5pm. Sign up in the gathering area. Don’t forget to turn in your money for the Lugnuts game Saturday June 21.

Margaret Callaghan

Sunday, Apr. 20 Diane Kubus

Monday, Apr. 21 Ginger Smith, Richard Hauck

Betty Horka

Tuesday, Apr. 22 Christine Reid, Kathy Riccardi

Wednesday, Apr. 23 Ron Clark

Thursday, Apr. 24 Sharon Linck

Friday, Apr. 25 Kim Keller, Cindy Sultana

Saturday, Apr. 26 Theresa Wolterman, Andrea

Nashar

St. Mary Magdalen’s Church along with St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Hartland, St. Joseph Catholic, Howell, and St. Augustine, Deerfield Twp. will be conducting an ongoing series called Catholics Returning Home on six consecutive Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. beginning April 28. Sessions will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2099 Hacker Road. For more details, call Sister Joyce (810) 229-8624

Sister Joyce

There are still tickets available for the Planet Improv Dinner on April 26th. The evening will feature a catered buffet dinner and entertainment by Planet Improv Theatre of Howell (directed by parishioner Jim Nemeth). Tickets are only $25 per person. Contact Gary Kinneer if you would like to make reservations: 229-2045. Sponsored by the K of C.

First Communion Gifts: Missals, rosaries, rosary bracelets, charms, jewelry, medals, Bibles, gifts sets are available at Holy Spirit Book & Gift Shop, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Hamburg. Open 9am — 5pm Monday-Friday and after all weekend Masses. Phone: 810-231-9199.

The 4th Annual St. Mary Magdalen Golf Outing Sat., May 17 at Ironwood Golf course. The course is located on M-59, 3 miles west of US23. The day includes 18 holes of golf with cart, in a scramble format, continental breakfast, chicken and rib dinner, over $1000 in door prizes, and a chance to win a 2 yr lease on a new car from Varsity Ford with a hole-in-one! Proceeds support various parish and community programs/charities. Cost is $80/golfer or $300/foursome. Businesses can sponsor a hole for $100. For more information call 810-225-2040 or 810-229-4728.

St Joseph, Howell - Spiritual Development April Speaker Carol Garbacik will speak Monday, April 28 and focus on the Power of Prayer. How can individuals, couples and families find forms of prayer that will help grow their relationship with God, and ask for His help and guidance? Carol is a spiritual director and retired Director of Religious Education. She will help by sharing insights and prayers from St. Theresa of Avila and others, as well as providing tools to guide us in prayer. Join us 615-730 pm in the church. Call Linda 552-0818 for more info.

on the grounds of St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. Discernment Weekend for men college age or older who have thought about the priesthood. The dates are June 27-28. Please call Jane Sessions at 517-342-2504 for more information.