July 18,19 1998

All Things Considered

by Fr. Dave Howell

THE SHRINE OF THE FIRE I am hoping that this special shrine is completed or soon will be. As far as I know, it is unique to our spiritual home - you will not find anything like it at any other church! Some parishes have special places for the lighting of the new fire on Holy Saturday. This rite at the beginning of the Easter Vigil is the first announcement of the resurrection. But no place that I know of preserves this fire.

In ancient times, people would take the flame to their homes to rekindle their hearth fires. These had been allowed to die out on Holy Thursday. Up until this century, the Pascal Candle which was lit from this fire on Holy Saturday was left burning throughout the forty days of the Easter Season.

Our Shrine of the Fire revives this custom. The flame will be lit from the new fire and burn continuously until the following Ash Wednesday. After we light the palms to burn them to ashes, the flame will be extinguished. In the meantime, it will be the constant reminder of what we were told when we first received the Light of Christ at our Baptism: "Walk as children of the Light, keeping the flame of faith alive in your hearts. And when the Lord Jesus returns to us in glory, may you go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom."

JOANNE LINZTENICH was very active in many different aspects of our parish: the Construction Task Group, the Worship Team, Building & Grounds Team and many other activities. Joanne was killed July 23 in a car accident and her funeral was the first to be celebrated in our new building. After the funeral, her body was cremated and her ashes were buried next to the Shrine of the Fire at the entrance.

Wedding Bann

II. Julie Hawkens/Fred Linahan

PRAYER LIST

Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: June (mother of Donna Rushak), Timothy Richards (brother of Judy Davis), Mary Kay Davis (mother of Mark Davis), Adeline, Mike, Roland, Allie, Karen, Rene', Donavan, Danny, Walter, Robert, Marilyn, Jim, Carol, Laurie and Barbara.

A Weekend Retreat for Married Couples

July 31-August 2, 1998 A time apart, a time together, for Married Couples. This weekend is designed to encourage communication, praying together, and building intimacy. It is a GIFT you can give yourselves and your family. Facilitator will be Fr. Larry Delaney. Call St. Francis Retreat Center (517) 669-8321 for more information, or to register.

A Weekend Retreat for Singles

August 7-9,1998 this weekend experience is meant to deepen the faith of those who journey toward the Kingdom as a single person. The time will afford you the opportunity for prayer, input, and community. Facilitators will be Fr. Larry Delaney and Fr. J. Munley. Call St. Francis Retreat Center for more information or to register (517)669-8321.

TIMES OF REFLECTION FOR WOMEN

Weekend retreat for women on August 2-3,1998. When we open ourselves to our own creativity we open ourselves to the Creator at rest within.. Within each of us is a mirror, reflecting something of the life giving energy of the Creator. Come enjoy this opportunity to explore your creativity and allow it to lead you deeper into the mystery that is God. Facilitator will be Sharan Egan. For more information, or to register call St. Francis Retreat Center (517) 669-8321.

ON THE JOURNEY

The placing of our dedication stone in the gathering space, this weekend is one of the last formalities inaugurating our new spiritual home. It summarizes our mission to visitors and will serve as a reminder to each of us that we are called to "witness to the resurrection" in eveything that we do.

I found myself reflecting on the possibility of having dedication stones in our own homes. What would it be like, as "domestic churches" to have a statement of our family's mission at the doorstep to our home? What would it say and would we live up to it or just learn to step over it absent-mindedly? (I guess its all conjecture as it would involve us all arriving at some consensus and actually agreeing on one phrase!) Yours on the journey, Marilyn

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

We are preparing for a wonderful week in August with a JOURNEY WITH JESUS, August 3-9 from 9:30a.m. - 12:00 noon. There are almost 100 children registered and we have room for lots more. Please call to register. We need the following items for the program if anyone has them. They are fabric scraps, old puzzles, tacky glue and 1/3 and 1/4 inch satin ribbon. Please call me if you can donate any of the above.

Registration for religious education is still taking place. If you have not registered your children, please call the office for an appointment. Sister Maryetta

Woman of Hope Pilgrimage

National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington,D.C. The pilgrimage is September 4,5,6,1998 and the cost is $95.00 which includes round trip bus fare, meals and housing at Trinity College across the street from the shrine. For an itinerary of trip please call (517) 342-2496. Deadline for reservation is Monday, August 17th

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Last weekend approximately l,019 people participated in the Liturgies. These folks contributed $10,061.36 to the parish. Last year on this Sunday the contributions totaled ($9,424.26).

Youth News

The can drive last weekend was a success. We raised $550.00. Thanks again to everyone who helped and donated cans. There is no gospel reflection today, Sunday, July 19, but we will meet next Sunday, July 26 between the Liturgys. NO youth group meeting tonight, July 19. We will be meeting on July 28 at 7:30pm to organize our dance. Anyone interested in helping us to plan, decorate or volunteer, please plan to attend!

VG's RECEIPTS

The Charity & Justice Ministry Team continues to ask you to save your VG's receipts and return them in the container provided at the back of church. Through these receipts organizations can collect 1% of the total. These funds will be used to help those in need within our parish.

CELEBRATING LITURGY

Sunday, July 19 Mary Magdalen, disciple of the Lord

Sg 3:1-4/2 Cor 5:14-17/Jn 20:1-2,11-18

Monday, July 20 Mi 6:1-4,6-8/Mt 12:38-42

9:00 a.m. +Rose Marie Longuski

Tuesday, July 21 Mi 7:14-15,18-20/Mt 12:46-50
9:00 a.m. +Gene Glynn

Wednesday, July 22 Wednesday, July 15 Jer 1:1,4-10/Jn 20:1-2,11-18
7:00 p.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners

Thursday, July 23 Jer 2:1-3,7-8,12-13/Mt 13:10-17
9:00 a.m. +Melanie Hiob

Friday, July 24 Jer 3:14-17/Mt 13:18-23
9:00 a.m. +Jerry Pence

Saturday, July 25 James, apostle 2 Cor 4:7-15/Mt 20:20-28

Sunday, June 26

Gn 18:20-32/Col 2:12-14/Lk 11:1-13

4:30 (Vigil) Carl Nosal, Sr.
9:00 a.m. Virginia Howell
11:00 a.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners

LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE

Weekend of July 25 & 26

4:30 p.m. Saturday

Minister of the Word:
Jim Kronk, Jean Feterl

Ministers of the Eucharist:
Paul & Kathy St. Louis. Joanne Pasienza, Judy Kronk, Steve & Kathy Reichardt

Ministry of Server: Robert Green, Patrick Green

Ministry of Hospitality:
Katie Barazsu, Kathy Petrocella, Mary Janke, Diane Morrison, Bob & Ruth Green

9:00 a.m. Sunday

Minister of the Word:
Ruth Sadasivan, Steve Stegmaier

Ministers of the Eucharist:
Mary Ellen Magon, Jane Skerritt, Joyce Gonda, Ken Urbanski, Kyle & Randy Wilson, Judy Scharf, Chris Kovanda, Tammy Ritter Ministry of Server:
Jacqueline Wilson, Keith Colley, Kris Colley

Ministry of Hospitality:
Gonda family, May & Harry Dreckmann, John & Jan Denzer, Al & Cheryl Beaudet

Nursery: Jeanette Martin

11:00 a.m. Sunday

Minister of the Word:
Dan Schifko, Barb Buwa

Ministers of the Eucharist:
Duke & Priscilla Davis, Donna & Al Rushak, Maureen Graham, Steve&Maureen Crowell, Kay Thurmon, Kyle&Renee Geran Ministry of Server: Angie Schifko, Colleen Holden

Ministry of Hospitality:
Lisa Schifko&family, Jahrling family, Hurn family, Kubus familyLisa Schifko&family, Jahrling family, Hurn family, Kubus familyer

Nursery: Mary Cavanaugh