A NEW DEACON Next Saturday, Bishop Mengeling will ordain seven men to the order of deacon. Among these is our own Jim Chevalier.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Ordination Liturgy at St. Mary Cathedral on Saturday, May 10 at 10 am. The cathedral is located one block north of the state capitol building in downtown Lansing.

Jim has been in formation for several years, preparing not so much for ordination but for service to God’s people.

While most only see the deacon in his Liturgical function, it is only a small part of his role. Most of all, the deacon is responsible for making sure that the community is faithful to the Church’s mission to charity and justice. (The Scriptures call this role diakonia, the Greek word that is the origin of our term: deacon.)

Fortunately, Jim will be assigned to our parish where he will have a wonderful "older brother" in Dave Scharf. Our two deacons will work together on some things but each will also have their own separate concerns.

SENDING JIM to the BISHOP On May 7, during Wednesday evening’s Liturgy at 7 pm, we will celebrate a Rite of Sending for Jim. In this short ritual, we will pray over Jim and "send him with our blessing" to Bishop Mengeling. I hope all of us who have been a part of Jim’s formation over these years, will be a part of the prayer!

DSA 2003 The Diocesan Services Appeal is an annual collection that supports over 75 different services offered by our larger, diocesan Church. Our support makes it possible for the "Catholic Church" (you & I) to more effectively witness to the resurrection.

Last weekend, 25 households contributed $6,310 to support these services. I hope others will join us in making a gift to DSA!

FIRST COMMUNION This weekend we will celebrate a special moment in the lives of almost 80 of our younger sisters and brothers as they receive the Eucharist for the first time.

I want to congratulate them as they enter into a deeper union with the Lord and with the rest of us in the Catholic faith.

I also want to congratulate their parents and catechists who helped prepare them for this Sacrament. I know Mary Mahar (our DRE), our catechists and the parents have worked very hard to prepare them for this day. Thanks!!

Fr. Dave Howell

Early in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter and John healed a lame man who used to sit begging each day at the gate of the temple. This miracle led to their arrest, and they were brought before the Sanhedrin. In today’s passage, we hear Peter speaking boldly about Jesus to these Jewish leaders. In these few sentences, Peter presents the very heart of the Christian message.

During this Easter season, we are reading from the first letter of John. Today’s reading reminds us about something both John and Paul emphasized: Jesus has made it possible for us to be God’s sons and daughters, not just in some future life, but here and now.

Of all the images of Jesus throughout the ages, none shows His tenderness and compassion more than the Good Shepherd. The dramatic and startling degree of love and concern is so great that the shepherd is willing to die rather than abandon His flock. If there are sheep outside the fold (even sheep excluded by the fold itself) the good shepherd must go to them, bring them in so there will be one flock under one shepherd. The motivation is love.

The disciples in today’s Gospel came to know Jesus in the breaking of the bread. When we share what we have with those who are in need, we, too, will discover Jesus in our midst.

I know that some families can afford to give generously and others will have to make smaller gifts, but I would encourage all of our registered families to consider a gift to the DSA. I would also ask each of you to pray for the success of the DSA, because of the many ministries and programs that the DSA funds every year. This once-a-year appeal asks all of us to consider making a small sacrifice in order to support our many diocesan ministries.

Our goal was $53,818 last year and St. Mary Magdalen raised $73,493 for DSA. Our goal this year is $58,577.

Last week, we had 25 families of our parish make a gift to the DSA. Their gifts total $6,310.00. If you have not made a decision about your gift to the 2003 DSA please set aside a few minutes to pray about your gift. God has given us all different blessings — please share those blessings with others through DSA. Your can either bring your gift card to the parish office or place it in the collection basket.

from our parish is scheduled to be

ordained as a permanent Deacon on

May 10, 2003 for service to the

Diocese of Lansing.

Anyone knowing a serious reason which impedes his ordination should make this known to Deacon William Sirl, Director of Permanent Deacons, Diocese of Lansing, 300 West Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933, no later than May 5, 2003.

Mother’s Day Carnation Sale: Carnations will be available for your moms after all of the Masses on Mothers Day. Donations for the flowers will benefit the Livingston County Right to Life.

This weekend we are witness to 78 youth receiving Eucharist for the first time! As when their parent(s) presented them for Baptism, they are also bringing them forward to share in the joy of the resurrection as they receive the Bread of Life for the first time! Thank you to the Catechists and Aides who worked so hard helping the children and families in this preparation journey.

Please keep all our catechists and aides in your prayers this week as we will be offering an appreciation dinner on Thursday to thank them for all the time, effort, love and commitment they have put into sharing the Word of God with our youth this year. I have over 20 of our Confirmation and Youth Group youth signed up to help serve these wonderful people. I am in need of adult help in many different ways, from set up on Wednesday to preparing and overseeing the HS youth on Thursday. Can you find the time to help me thank all of them? Please call me at 229-8624 ext.#15 ASAP and let me know!

We are still looking for adults to take on leadership roles for JWJ (our summer vacation Bible school) and for Leaders for Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Please call me for more information!

Thursday, May 8 Helen McMillan

Saturday, May 10 Diane Kubus

It has been said that what we are as individuals with gifts, talents and abilities is God's gift to us. What we make of ourselves is our gift to God. By sharing with others the gifts and talents God has given to us is our expression of our gratitude to God! Over the next couple of weeks, take a quiet moment…Where might you share the gift of yourself with others? More information on the ministry teams will be available in the gathering area next weekend.

Fri-Sat, May 16-17 is the "Relay for Life" cancer fund raiser. You can sign up to be a part of the team after all the Masses again this weekend or by calling me.

If you are interested in participating in the National Relief Network program, call me so I can talk with you. I am in need of adult chaperones also. We will be gone July 14-20. There is no limit to how many people can participate. Family participation is encouraged, but everyone must be at least 13 years old.

Sunday, June 2 is our annual senior breakfast for the graduating class of 2003. You should come to the 9 am Mass wearing your cap and gown and stay for breakfast in your honor. A sign up sheet will be in the gathering area next weekend. Registration is a must.

M.U.D (6, 7 and 8 graders)

The pink arrows are out again and that can only mean one thing, there are many things going on that you need to be aware of and sign up for. For instance, May 18, we are going to the Mary Lou Brown mission to volunteer our time. Sunday June 23, we are going to a Lugnuts game at Olds Park in Lansing. You can sign up and turn your money into the office. Any questions, call me at 810-227-7937.

Margaret Callaghan

This is one of the many prizes available to

win at the 4^th Annual Parish Golf Outing. It

will be held May 17 at Ironwood Golf Club

located on M-59 in Howell. Reservations

are being taken now. Funds raised will be used for various parish/community programs. The $80 fee ($300 per foursome) will include 18 holes of golf with a cart, continental breakfast, chicken/roast beef dinner, door prizes and a chance to win a car with a Hole-in-One! To register, call John Reineke (810) 225-2040 or Dave Guidos (810) 229-4728.

THANK YOU!

**NOTICE** Food Banks often run low on food in summer months due to the increased demand because school programs are not operating. Remember to leave non-perishable food items on or near your mailbox on Saturday, May 10. Your Postal Carrier will pick up your donation and it will go to our local food banks

Thursday, May 22, 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Opening prayer will be in the Church, followed by a presentation on the theology of prayer. Participants will then have an opportunity to join a smaller group to choose 3 of 4 areas of prayer that will be presented. Deacon Dave will give an overview of prayer, Father Dave will present liturgical prayer, Sister Maryetta will present various ways for mental prayer, Mary Mahar will present family prayer, and Sister Joyce will give a presentation on the Rosary and devotions. Closing prayer will be in the Church for Evening prayer together. Older children may participate if they so desire. Childcare will be provided as needed. Sign up sheets and agenda are in the gathering area.

Reserve a weekend for just the two of you.

The next weekend is June 27-29. For more

information or to schedule a weekend call

Jerry & Gail Allen toll free at (888) 628-7433

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Jodi Orrick, Brad, Jean, Karen, Pat Dalgleish, Irene Bonnee, Colleen Whelan, Timothy Lee, Grace Wagner, David, Eileen Auld, Janet Lemannski, Jean Campeau, Michael Robertson, Glenda Spicer, Patricia Ritter, Dora Demarais, Veronica Maher, Carol Sitkauskas, Sophia Martin, Alyssa Roney, Margaret Renaud, Mary Thomas, Dorothy Duffy, Tammie Kramer, Kay Barrett, Don Schommer, Tim Vedder, Joan Monforton, Wilber Emery, William Modic, Kelly Ferencz, Joan Hutchinson, Jamie Leugers, Mark Ruf, Jonathon Forbes, Joseph Hinkle, Raymond Clark, Carole Jones, Barbara Donner, Pam Davis, Eric Truhn, Judy Woughter, Stella Paweski, Marcella, Andrew Doyle, Emilee Ritter, John Matta, Bob Stecewicz, Megan Grech, George Rutton, Pat Cote, Tom Clark, Bridget, Laura, Becky Wilson, Bradley Stevens, Alexandria Nelson, Debbie, Ralph Bennett, Evelyn, June Bennett, Ethan Montague, Matt Even, Bishop Povish, and Donovan.

Many of you participated in our parish VOICES sessions several months ago. From the valuable data collected during the many VOICES sessions conducted throughout the diocese, seven goals were formulated and the diocesan pastoral plan was created. Bishop Carl Mengeling officially promulgated the Diocesan Pastoral Plan at the Common Conference 2001 and presented it at the Chrism Mass 2002. These seven goals can be seen on the diocesan web site: www.dioceseoflansing.org and also on the Office of Pastoral Planning web page. Based on the seven goals, a parish assessment tool (PAT) has been developed by the Diocesan Strategic Pastoral Planning Committee. Our parish is using the PAT to assess how our parish aligns with the seven diocesan goals. Reflecting the results of implementing the parish assessment tool, our specific parish goals for the next few years will be formulated. Our parish pastoral council is coordinating this phase of parish planning.

Please sign up to deliver our parish food contributions to St. Anne’s Catholic Church (SA) or Brown Evangelical Mission (BEM) in Detroit, or Shared Harvest (Gleaners Community Food Bank of Livingston) in Brighton Township. Weekly deliveries to Detroit are made on Sundays, after the 11 a.m. Mass; deliveries to Shared Harvest will be made during the week or on Saturday. The sign up schedule for the months of May through July will be in the Gathering Area. Any questions or need to change your scheduled date of delivery, call Marilyn Farrington at 810-229-2871. The hungry of Detroit and Livingston thank you!

THE REMARRIAGE SEMINAR, Building Bridges is a two-day retreat for couples preparing for marriage where one or both have been previously married. A team of remarried couples facilitates the weekend with assistance from the Office of Family Ministry. Topics covered are: Christian Marriage, Communication, Family of Origin, Resolving Past Relationships, Stepfamilies, Intimacy and Sexuality, Cohabitation, and Legal Concerns and Financial Planning. For more information call the Family Ministry Office 517-342-2471.