Taize is a religious community in France, which was started after World War II. While there are many monastic communities in France, what makes it unique is that it is a community of both Catholics and Protestants. Because it blends two religious traditions, it also needed to develop unique forms of community prayer.

While it is based on the monastic tradition of the Church, the Taize form of communal prayer tends to be contemplative and almost mesmerizing. As a result, Taize is the most visited monastic community in all of Europe.

Next Sunday, 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!

Another style of business organization is the franchise model. There is a corporate, parent organization, which does the advertising, supplies the products, sets general policy, but never sells the "product" or provides service to customers. That is done by local franchise stores, which are licensed by the big company but locally owned and operated. (McDonalds is the best example.)

I offer this simplistic explanation, because many people think the Catholic Church uses the corporate model, when in fact it is a "franchise operation". The Catholic Church is a confederation of dioceses and parishes, we are all connected but semi-autonomous.

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Jeanne Carpenter, Cheryl Stecewicz, Marcella, Fletcher Armstrong, Andrew Doyle, Pauline Jones, Marianne Quada, Helen List, Paul Sharpy, Jan Jandasek, Martha Rushak, 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, Jessica Wolfe, 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 Judy Kronk and family in the death of Robert Grace, Judy’s brother; Dave Small and family in the death of Roy Wade, Dave’s grandfather; and Bill Livingston and family in the death of Ethel Phillips, Bill’s sister.

In the Gospel today, the owner of the vineyard sent messengers to collect his share of the harvest from the tenant farmers; but there was not a single good steward on the property! God is the owner, we are the tenants. What sort of stewards are we?

10^th grade Confirmation Candidates: Next Sunday, Oct. 13, we will celebrate the Rite of Enrollment at the 11am Liturgy. Parents and candidates are expected to attend! You will present your names to Fr. Dave for Confirmation, so we can send them to Bishop Mengeling!

Due to set up for Taize prayer, the 10^th grade classes will again be meeting in the Rectory Basement for class on Oct. 13 at 5:30 pm.

9^th Grade students will meet in their regular rooms in the hall on Oct. 13 at 5:30pm.

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 First 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 session meeting. Call me if you have any questions about these meetings.

Thank you to the parish picnic committee for the ice cream. All the students in the Religious Ed classes enjoyed it this past week!

Have a good week!

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!

Last week our topic of discussion was on the Trinity. My goal was to talk about all three aspects of our God at that one meeting. We talked only of God the father and nothing else. The teens are well aware of God the father in their lives, He who wants to provide all for us, even more than our Mom and Dad can. We are loved beyond anything we can even comprehend. Miracles are performed everyday in our lives, at home and in school. God the father is AWESOME!

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 the Masses. Adult sizes are $25 and children sizes are $15.

Thank you to the Perkins family who opened their home to us for the bonfire last weekend and to the parents who helped drive us there. It was a fun evening for those who participated.

Margaret Callaghan

It’s about connecting–connecting with those around the world who want to help support their families with the work of their own hands. Work of Human Hands, a program of Catholic Relief Services, brings the arts and crafts of artisans throughout the world to the markets of the United States. SMM is proud to share in this work and to give our parish community the opportunity to purchase gifts of quality jewelry, baskets, toys, and Christmas décor made by artisans of over twenty different countries. Shop the International Christmas Bazaar in the SMM hall before and after all Masses on the weekend of November 2-3. (Sponsored by SMM Faith & Friendship Community)

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!!

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Allstate

National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, October 10. The World Health Organization has cited major depression as the 4^th leading cause of worldwide disease causing more disability than either heart disease or stroke. Even more alarming, 50% of cases are not recognized or treated. St. Joseph Mercy Woodland Center at 7575 Grand River, Brighton is hosting a National Depression Screening Day event from 2 — 6 PM, Thursday, October 10. No registration is required. Information and Free Screenings,given by professional mental health therapists, will be offered. Light refreshments and a children’s activity center are available. Call 517-545-6360 for more information. Depression is treatable!

Blood Pressure Screening will take place after all Masses, October 26 and 27, at which time literature, a video and teaching tools for learning to identify a breast lesion (lump) will be available. Joanne Sasinowski R.N. will be present to answer any questions. Please stop in after Mass and take advantage of this opportunity. It could save your life!

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!!

RENEW This week begins the six weeks of small group faith sharing for the 255 and more persons who made this commitment. May God’s blessings be with each of you as you discover more of God in each other and develop friendships with those who share like values within the parish at St. Mary Magdalen. This is the building of Christian community; this is the building of the kingdom of God.

Prayers, please continue to keep your commitment to pray for the Renew of our Parish.

Today one can readily see a deterioration of character and values among youth and in families. How can you change your attitude to see the promise in every problem, big or small? Do you need to change something stressful in your work, your marriage, and your attitude? This 4-hour workshop will give you the tools to help you to manage difficult life situations, to re-energize yourself and your outlook on life.

Merrill Lundgren’s Seminar is based on six positive rules for living, bringing new energy and conviction to the Spiritual, Family, Work, and Re-creation aspects of your life. This workshop will be here at St. Mary Magdalen Saturday, October 19^th, 9:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. The cost is $20.00 per participant. Childcare will be provided

During the month of September, we celebrated the sacrament of Baptism with Abby Josephine Mendez, daughter of David & Cheryl; and Sean Richard Poliquin, son of Duane and Megan. We congratulate their parents and godparents and offer them our prayers and support, as they accompany them on their journeys of faith.

This evening of information will be held in the rectory basement on OCTOBER 29, at 7:00 PM. If you have questions please call Judy Scharf at 248-889-0274 or 229-8624.

Life Chain Sunday, Oct. 6, an hour of silent prayer will be held along Grand River Ave and throughout our nation. St. Mary Magdalen will join many other churches to ask God’s intervention to protect the lives of unborn children. We will also pray for the children in need of Foster Care families. Our parish has been assigned to stand near Debra Way (near Gordon Food Service). If you would like to join us from 2:30 until 3:30, please sign-up in the Gathering Space.

Old St. Patrick Church is having a rummage sale on Thurs. & Fri., Oct. 10 & 11 from 9 am — 5 pm and Sat., Oct. 12 from 9 am — 1:30 pm. All clothing will be $1 a bag on Sat. The church is located at 5671 Whitmore Lk Rd. Please join us. The entire proceeds are going to needy families.

Father John R. Day K of C Council 2659

Brighton Area Offers a support group and other activities. Contact Mary Jo Germaine at (810) 229-0040 or email mischiefmj@yahoo.com

Pregnancy Helpline, a non-profit Christian agency founded in 1975 and supported by donations, offers help to women in unplanned crisis pregnancies and to mothers of your children. Last year 907 Livingston County women came for material and spiritual needs. We helped over 1500 children with clothing, diapers, formula, baby food and other items. Staffed by volunteer’s who are trained for the various jobs, all services are free and confidential.

Ann Lindamood is an intern in the Spiritual Direction Program at St. Francis Retreat Center in Dewitt. An integral part of the program for her is to have several "directees". She would like to invite anyone in the parish interested in exploring a closer relationship with God to contact her at 517-552-1500 or e-mail at blindamood@prodigy.net. The rewards can be life changing.