The editor castigated Cardinal Maida, Detroit’s archbishop, for his pastoral letter on Pro-Life Sunday (Oct 6). He had called upon Catholics, including those in political office to respect and protect the sanctity of human life: from conception to natural death. The editorial condemned the archbishop for including politicians in his letter, stating that he had no right to make such moral statements because of the sexual abuse scandal, that has deeply shamed the Catholics of this nation.

There is no group of people more ashamed and angry about what less than 400 of our brothers have done, than the over 40,000 priests and bishops of this country who serve its Catholic communities. Many bishops have done what the bishops of the Diocese of Lansing (which includes Livingston County) have done for the past 15 years: they have cooperated fully with law enforcement officials in every case involving criminal sexual behavior. The few bishops who have failed to do this have greatly added to this disheartening scandal by their silence.

Our local editor suggests that the archbishop (and by inference all bishops and pastors) should now remain silent. Preachers and teachers should not apply the Gospel of Christ to present day situations because some have failed to do so in other situations. It is illogical to demand silence while condemning such silence in the past.

I do sympathize with politicians who must serve a diverse nation with its many different opinions and beliefs. The cardinal did not demand that "politicians rubber stamp" the Church’s teaching (as the editor suggested). He did say that actions should be consistent with beliefs. If someone professes to a personal moral conviction, then that conviction should influence what is done in the public arena, including the legislative process.

Whether they are leaders in the Church, in business or in government, the leaders I most respect are those who are people of integrity, character and moral conviction.

The editorial of Oct 14 was illogical, angry and antagonistic. I suspect that our local press was used as a pulpit to preach personal prejudice. A little of the soul searching the editor recommends for others ("Church needs to look inside its own walls") might truly benefit the editorial writer, too.

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Myra Gauger, Dave E. Scharf, Lauren & Denise Putnam, Shirley Peddicord, Andrew Paielli, Barbara Daniels, Andrea Cooper, Eric Truhn, Pam Davis, Judy Woughter, Stella Paweski, Jeanne Carpenter, Cheryl Stecewicz, Joyce Gosbeth, Marcella, Fletcher Armstrong, Andrew Doyle, Pauline Jones, Marianne Quada, Helen List, Jan Jandasek, Emilee Ritter, John Matta, Ray Willis, Joanne Corey, Virginia Johnson, 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.

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick during the 7pm Liturgy. All with serious or chronic illness are especially invited.

We fulfill the commandment to love our neighbor when we exercise good stewardship-joyfully sharing our gifts of life, abilities, and resources to meet our neighbor’s need.

Would you like to see more marriages succeed and fewer broken families?

Would you like to help children grow into responsible Christian adulthood?

St. Francis Retreat Center will be hosting a facilitator-training weekend this winter for Footsteps, The Parenting Journey. Footsteps Facilitators serve a three-year ministry and present the program once a year to local engaged and younger married couples, and receive a stipend for their work.

Individuals or couples interested in learning more about Footsteps are invited to join Fr. Larry Delaney and other parenting and child development specialists at any of the three information meetings scheduled throughout the Diocese. All meetings are 7:30 - 8:30 pm with light refreshments. For directions please call the parish office listed for each location.

November 4^th, St. Pius X, Flint, Bishop Povish Room, (810) 235-8574

November 5^th, St. Gerard School, Lansing, (517) 323-2379

November 12^th, St. John, Ypsilanti, Library, (734) 483-3360

Sister Joyce

REMINDER: NO CLASSES THIS WEEK! Classes will resume on Sunday Nov. 3!! Have a restful week off.

Please keep all the Ecclesial Lay Ministers in your prayers on Wed., Oct. 30, as we will come together for the day in prayer and reflection on our various ministries while meeting at St. Mary’s in Chelsea.

Parents of First Penance children are reminded of the Rite of Acceptance next Sunday, Nov. 3 at the 9am Liturgy. This Rite is the first step in their journey towards Penance. The children will learn of the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness in the celebration of this sacrament. As parents, catechists, and a parish as a whole, we will promise to be examples to these youth on their journey!

Have a good week!

We need someone 1 hour a week who can check for very overdue, forgotten items and notify those who checked them out We also need someone 1_ hours a week who could write book reviews or publicity articles for the Bulletin. For more information, please call Barbara Lanigan (810) 225-0962.

ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT is scheduled for Saturday, Dec., 6, 7:00pm this year. Join us for prayerful reflection, fellowship and song. Sign-up sheets will be in the gathering area next weekend.

Thank you to the teens that worked on the haunted barn. Special thanks to Bill Ross who also devoted personal time to spend with the teens and donated lights and special effects. Their time spent working was well worth it. Thank you!

The youth are sponsoring a bake sale as the Work for Human Hands is going on next weekend. Our proceeds will go toward this organization. If you would like to donate baked goods, bring them to the social hall before you attend Mass.

There is no meeting tonight. We will be spending the afternoon cleaning up from the haunted house, beginning at 10am until the job is done.

It’s hard to believe how fast a year can go by and all that can happen. Brian will be a year old next weekend already. God has given us the gift of memory so that we can look back in time and cherish the precious moments we spend with family and friends. As we celebrate Brian’s first year, we will be sharing that gift with our friends and family. Take a minute with your loved ones and share some favorite memories you have with each other.

As you and your friends and family celebrate Halloween, remember to stay safe. Also remember that candy is best when shared. I will have basket in my office if you want to share with me.

Minister of the Word: Angela Schifko, Dan

Schifko, Sr. Joyce Hoile

Ministers of the Eucharist: Jan Geiger, Theresa

Burt, Shirley Caster, Kathy Reichardt,

Maureen Hillman, Bill & Sue Frank

Ministery of Server: Veronica Burt, Ryan Burt

Kevin Mahar

Ministry of Hospitality: Measel Family, Paul

Schifko Family, Turzewski Family, Debbie

Barker, Dynetta Cadaret

Frank, Jim Kronk

Ministers of the Eucharist: George Cofield, Tom

St. Clair, Judy Kronk, Winnie & Ron Godek,

Cathy Goettsche

Ministry of Server: Samantha Fraser, Jacob

Fraser, Jennifer Slack

Ministry of Hospitality: Neitzke Family, Chabot

Family, Frank Family

7-Eleven

LCCSS Livingston County Catholic Social Services is committed to their role in making Catholic Social Teaching present in our community. During the most recently completed program year, LCCSS experienced a 24% increase in the number of persons served, now exceeding 2,000 Livingston County residents. The Counseling program increased the hours of couseling provided from 952 to 1423 in this same period, a 49% increase. Across all programs and services, a 6% increase in the hours of service provided was registered. For additional informathin about the programs and services at LCCSS, to refer yourself, a family member or friend, call (517 545-5944.

Come and enjoy a free contemporary Christian concert performed by "Simple Message" on Saturday, 7:00pm, at the Coffee Beanery, in the Hartland Town Center Mall at Old 23 and M-59. Half of all donations received will go to Livingston County Catholic Social Services. For more information, call (248) 889-3344.

Send a letter or card to veterans once a month thanking them for their service to this country and for your freedom! There are over 900 veterans living at these Veteran’s homes. Most of these Veterans are residents of Michigan. Many of them are 70-80 years old. A letter or card a month makes their lives worth living.

Letters or cards may be sent to:

To A Veteran, Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, 3000 Monroe Ave., N.W., Grand Rapids, MI 49505, (800) 642-4838, or:

To A Veteran, D. J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans, 425 Fisher St., Marquette, MI 49855, (800) 433-6760

As the warm breeze becomes a cold wind, we in the Charity and Justice Committee begin to look for help with the WARM THE CHILDREN program. If you can spare an hour to help a young family pick out warm coats, gloves, etc at Meijers in Brighton, please call Carol McGrath at 517-546-7053

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. 2-1/2 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.

This year we are entering a float in the Howell Festival of Lights Parade. We are going to need a lot of help! Beginning Nov. 1, work will begin in the barn. We have a lot of work to do and a very short amount of time to do it. Please consider coming for an evening or two or a weekend and pitching in. It will take about 15,000 lights to cover the float. We are asking for donations of white, yellow and blue lights. There is a container in the gathering space; please bring them anytime, as we will be starting soon. Anyone interested in sewing costumes or for more info, contact Barb Colley, 810-225-0052, or Bob Barclay, 810-227-6245.

The arts & crafts offered at this sale are purchased at fair market value and aid the poorest to rise above their poverty.

The Faith and Friendship Small Group here at SMM is excited about providing this Bazaar for you. Please join us next weekend.

ATTENTION ALL SCOUTS: All area boy and girl scouts from any level of scouting are invited to attend the 11:30am Mass on November 3 at St. Pat’s in Brighton for Scout Sunday. Please arrive 20 minutes before Mass begins and report to the main lobby with your uniform on.

ALL SOULS DAY MEMORIAL MASS will be celebrated Saturday, November 2, 10:00am. We invite all parishioners to attend. We especially invite those who have lost a family memberor friend within the last year. If you cannot attend, please submit names of family and friends who have died this year to the office for inclusion in the prayers.

During the month of November the Book of Remembrance will be displayed in the Gathering Area. If you would like a family member or friend who has passed away remembered in prayer, please list their name in the book, even though they have been listed in previous years.

Old St. Patrick’s Council of Catholic Women welcomes all to their 18^th Annual Holiday Craft Show Saturday, Nov. 2^nd, from 9:00am-4:00pm at the Parish Activity Center at 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd. Featured will be an array of wreaths, toys, flower arrangements, basketry, ceramics, country crafts. There will be breakfast treats for the early shoppers, luncheon and a bake sale are also planned for the day. Call (734) 662-8141 for additional information.

St. Joseph Catholic School in Owosso is having a Fall Craft Fest & Bake Sale, Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9:00am — 3:00pm. For information, contact Mary at (989) 743-3313.

St. Mary of Pinckney welcomes all to their Char-Broiled Beef Dinner Sunday, November 10^th, 1:00-5:00pm. Cost is Adults $8, Seniors $7, 12 & Under $3, Family $25.