PRAYER FOR CHRISTIANS Taize is a religious community in France, composed of both Catholics and Protestants. Because it blends two religious traditions, it has developed a unique form of community prayer.

Sunday evening, we are hosting Taize Evening Prayer at 7pm. We have invited all the churches of our area, Protestant and Catholic, to come and join us. I sincerely hope you will too!

OUR CANDIDATES for Confirmation will enter their final period of formation this weekend at the 11 am Liturgy when we celebrate with them The Rite of Enrollment. This rite officially recognizes their growth in their understanding of Confirmation and their readiness for it. We also are asking the parish to begin praying in earnest for the Holy Spirit to come and fill them with every spiritual gift.

Like our candidates for the Easter Sacraments, I have met with each of them (they also wrote a letter to me explaining why they wanted to be Confirmed.) Once more, I am impressed with their sincerity and their desire to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, not only for their own growth, but also for the good of others. I look forward to presenting these young people to Bishop Mengeling on November 30. I hope you will join me in praying for them.

ANOTHER FIRST This is our eighth class of Confirmation candidates, which means many of these young people were also in our original First Communion class. As a part of the Rite of Enrollment, they will present their names, written on white doves. These will be attached to the altar cloth with the names of the First Communion class of 1994.

TAKING IT SERIOUSLY Recently, a young man who lived near the parish took his own life. This event deeply shook several of our young people who knew him, including my younger niece. It also was the subject of several conversations with adults, some of which I would like to share.

Adolescents are much more prone to wide mood swings (as parents of teens are well aware). This means that depression and despair can touch their lives more profoundly than it does in adulthood. Secondly, some young people have little experience with overcoming adversity and need much more support to enable them to survive and even grow through the present trouble, no matter how bad it might be. I would suggest: every noticeable change in behavior should be gently questioned; signs of withdrawal and isolation should be a concern; and every suicidal comment should be taken seriously.

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Andrea Cooper, Eric Truhn, Pam Davis, Judy Woughter, Stella Paweski, Jeanne Carpenter, Cheryl Stecewicz, Marcella, Fletcher Armstrong, Andrew Doyle, Pauline Jones, Marianne Quada, Helen List, Jan Jandasek, Myra Gauger, Emilee Ritter, John Matta, Ray Willis, Joanne Corey, Virginia Johnson, Nikki Nystrand, Bob Stecewicz, Mary Galleher, Megan Grech, Jerry Neaton, George Rutton, Robert, Don Schommer, Pat Cote, Tom Clark, Abigail Line, Bridget, Alec Schalhamer, Eileen, Cheryl Franks, Scott Delplace, Laura, Ninfa Aragona, Judy LaGrow, Becky Wilson, Mike Beauchamp, George Sierant, Bradley Stevens, Ruth, Ashley Horning, Alexandria Nelson, Debbie, Ginther, Ralph Bennett, Evelyn, Bill, Craig Livingston, Colette Bertrand, Laura Drittler, Sophie Martin, June Bennett, Ethan Montague, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mary Lou Colgin, Mary Beth, Bishop Povish, and Donovan.

Please remember in your prayers Devon Wolfe and family in the death of Jessica Wolfe, Devon’s sister.

Total income for the week of Sept 6/7, 2002

Approximately 1423 people participated:

Using Stewardship envelopes $20,112

Loose Collection/other $1,042

Using Children envelopes $13

Stewardship Total $21,167

Weekly Expenses/Including Mortgage $22,971

+/- for week without Bldg. Pledges $-1,804

Building Fund Pledge Payments $350

+/- for week $-1,454

In today’s second reading, St. Paul thanks the Philippians for being willing to share in his hardships and promises that God, in turn, will fully supply all their needs. Our God truly cannot be outdone in generosity!

MINISTER OF PRAYER SCHEDULE

Due to set up for Taize prayer, the 10^th grade classes will be meeting in the Rectory Basement for class tonight at 5:30pm.

9^th Grade students will meet in their regular rooms in the hall today at 5:30pm.

Today at the 11am Liturgy, our 10^th grade Confirmation Candidates presented their names on doves to Fr. Dave. These doves will join the chalices on the altar cloth that some of these young people presented to him in 2^nd grade for their First Eucharist! This is the first group to be able to do so here at St. MM. Confirmation will be Saturday, November 30, at the 4:30pm Liturgy. We are also asking you to be a prayer partner for these young people. Their names are in the gathering area; you are asked to take a name and pray for that particular youth (as well as the others!) as they go through their final preparations for Confirmation.

First Penance Parent Meeting: All those in our parish wishing to have their child (in 4^th grade or higher) prepare for the Sacrament of Penance are asked to attend a required parent meeting on Wednesday, Oct.16, or Thursday, Oct.17, during the 4:30 or 6:30 sessions. Family Program parents and those parish families with children in private schools may attend any one of the meetings. Call me if you have any questions about these meetings.

9^th grade Parent/Student meeting next Sunday, Oct. 20, at 5:30pm in church. This meeting is to go over all the requirements in preparation for Confirmation next year.

If you signed up to serve on the Short-term Meals or the Funeral Luncheon teams, please pick up your instruction sheet or packet on the table in the Gathering area. By picking them up you will help us save postage!!

Last week I intended to finish our topic of discussion which was on the trinity. My goal this time was to talk of God the son and God the Holy Spirit. This time we talked about the fuzziness in our lives that prevents us from growing in our relationship with God. A lot was said about the everyday struggles the teens go through, especially dealing with peer pressure. It is our goal to get rid of some of the fuzziness so we can better focus on our relationship with God.

Haunted House. Meetings are Saturdays from 9 — 2 pm in the barn. All leaders of a room are required to be there these next two weekends.

We are collecting school supplies for the children of the St. Vincent home in Lansing. You can drop off items all through October in the youth room.

Sweatshirts are available for sale in the gathering area after all the Masses. Adults are $25 and children sizes are $15.

On Tuesday, November 12, we will be serving the food bank of Livingston County. Information for this event is in the gathering area.

Margaret Callaghan

R.E.A.C.H. HOMELESS SHELTER-Sign up sheets for Food Donations are in the gathering space. We especially have spots for volunteers! Morning Chaperones- Tues.10/29, Wed.10/30, Fri.11/1, & Mon.11/4. Morning Drivers - Tues.10/29, Wed.10/30, Thurs.10/31, Fri.11/1, Sat.11/2, & Mon.11/4. Evening Drivers - Thurs.10/31, Fri.11/1, Sat.11/2, & Sun.11/3. Dinner Hosts - Thurs.10/31 & Sun. 11/3. Evening Chaperones-Wed.10/30, Thurs. 10/31, Fri.11/1 & Sat.11/2. Overnight Chaperones-Females-Mon.10/28, Tues.10/29, & Thurs. 10/31, both males & females-Fri.11/1 & Sun.11/3. You can call Ann Fraser (517-545-9279) or Jan Carpenter (810-227-5269) with questions or to volunteer.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

The Equity Group

October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

St. Patrick’s Church has a social group for adult singles (30+ single, divorced, widowed) for the purpose of meeting other single adults in a local establishment to enjoy good food, fellowship and fun while planning group activities. This is not a dating service. We meet on the 1^st & 3^rd Monday of each month a E.G. Nick’s Restaurant on Grand River from 6:30-9pm. Dues: $2 per person/per night. For more information call Lynn at St. Pat’s Parish Office at (810) 229-9863.

Daytime childcare for some of the meetings held at the Church is still needed. They are usually 2-hour sessions. If you could be available on occasion, certain days (or on a monthly basis) would be helpful. At present, the times needed are 10:00 am — 12:00 noon, and noon — 2pm.

We are seeking people to come in on a Monday morning once a month to do a more thorough cleaning of the kitchen. We also would like 5-10 people to rotate coming in for an hour on Monday mornings to do a "code check" of the kitchen and see that things are in order after the weeks use.

You will be pleased by the variety, quality and pricing of over 200 different items from 26 countries. Make this your first Christmas shopping stop.

Please come and join the fun at the annual St. Mary Magdalen Halloween Party October 26th from 7pm until 10pm in the activity room. There will be games, activities and prizes for children and music, dancing and food for all. Costumes are suggested, but not required. the Community Life team will have a basket in the gathering space for those who wish to donate candy for this event.

After his baptism in the Jordan, Jesus began his public ministry to proclaim the saving power of God and offer a healing, compassionate presence. All baptized Christians are called to this same ministry. BeFriender Ministry is one way to respond to that call.

BeFriender Ministry has specially trained supervised lay persons who enter into caring, confidential relationships with others at times of special need by visiting, calling, being with, and bringing emotional and spiritual support.

Come and see… does this ministry call to gifts you possess? Come and see… what is required in time, effort, and commitment. If now is not a good time for you to enter into this ministry you will have the information required for future discernment. We promise only information…no pressure…COME AND SEE! If you have any questions concerning the ministry or the meeting, please call Judy Scharf at (H) 248-889-0274 or at 810-229-8624.

At Baptism, each of us was called — called to be a missionary; called to share our faith, yes, even to the very ends of the earth.

Next Sunday, World Mission Sunday, provides us a unique opportunity to fulfill that responsibility. Together with Catholics around the world — Catholics in the Missions as well — we will gather, at the Eucharist around the table of the Lord, and offer our prayers and our generous help so that the "Good News" of Jesus Christ may be proclaimed, in word, and deed, to the poor and the suffering in every corner of the globe.

The help offered next Sunday through the Propagation of the Faith would provide for the pastoral and evangelization work of more than 1,100 dioceses throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific Islands. Please be as generous as possible to the collection for the Propagation of the Faith. May god bless you!

St Joseph Church, Howell presents a speaker series for your spiritual development, on Oct. 14 6:15 — 7:30 PM. This month’s speaker will be Diane Seim, Pastoral Minister at St. Joe’s. She will challenge you with questions about Living your Faith. Learn the ins and outs of living your faith. All are welcome. They meet in the church. Call Linda 517-552-0818.

Expansion of services will take place with a move to Grand River in Brighton in January. Pre-natal care and testing for sexually transmitted diseases will be added to pregnancy testing and obstetrical ultrasound. Financial support is needed to achieve these goals. Volunteers are needed as lay counselors to work with young women to choose LIFE for their child, material goods, and support, as well as for special projects and events. Chastity Team members are needed to assist with presentations to church youth groups on the value of abstinence before marriage.

Pregnancy Helpline asks for your prayers to help continue in the pro-life ministry to mothers and their children. Call Pregnancy Helpline, 810.632.5656, or contact Deacon Dave for more information.

Something exciting is happening in our community! Brighton area churches and various local interest groups are combining efforts to maintain the operation of a client choice Community Food Pantry located within the Gleaners Food Bank facility here in Livingston County. Together we plan not only to maintain the existing hours of operation, but are striving to make the pantry available to those in need on evenings and weekends. But we need YOUR help! We need individuals–adults and youth–who would be willing to volunteer a small block of time (approx. 2-2 1/2 hrs/shift) on a regular basis. We ask that you prayerfully consider making a commitment to this important and much needed community resource. For more information contact Helen, the volunteer coordinator, at 810-225-FOOD (225-3663) or Deacon Dave, 810-229-8624.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CANDLELIGHT VIGIL sponsored by The Livingston County Domestic Violence Prevention Council and LACASA, will be held Tuesday, October 15, 7:00pm on the county courthouse lawn in downtown Howell to raise public awareness and show support for the effort against domestic violence. Bring family and friends!