ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

FEAR September 11 left many people grieving. While, thankfully, the numbers seem to continue decreasing, there are still a significant number of people who died in the terrorist attacks. In the weeks that have intervened, there have been other assaults on the US through the mail system. The events of 9\11 seem to have moved to the back pages and the new scare of mailed anthrax now fills the front pages and the news reports.

Perhaps what those who have brought terror to these shores want most of all is to create a climate of fear: a fear that paralyzes; a fear that breeds mistrust; a fear that makes ordinary security impossible.

Although I have heard few people express such fear or anxiety, I know that some do suffer from it. It usually comes out in conjunction with another having to go on a trip that involves air travel.

No matter what the source of it may be, fear can be a debilitating emotion. As I have read or heard of the new scares or concerns, my mind keeps returning to a passage in Luke’s Gospel. In chapter 12, Jesus speaks of fear. First, He tells us not to fear those who can harm the body, but rather the One who can harm both body & soul. (In the second sense, Jesus means fear in terms of a reverential awe, not that we should be afraid.) [Lk 12.4-5]

But the passage that has been recurring in my mind and prayer is later in the chapter. After telling us how precious we are to His Father, we are reminded of how the Father takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. Finally, He says: "Do not live in fear, little flock, it has pleased the Father to give you the kingdom!" [Lk 12.32]

Knowing that our lives and even our destiny, is in the hands of God enables us to let go of the fear, surrender the anxiety and to trust the One who loves us. "Do not live in fear…" has become the constant refrain of my prayer for all of us in this country.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT CARDS I want to thank the many of you who have picked up your new Stewardship envelopes. Both for the sake of convenience and economy, our Finance Council decided to change to envelope packets rather than continue the practice of mailing envelopes every other month. As you will note, the envelope is a mailer, so that it can be returned to the parish through either the mail or the collection.

We also have included the annual commitment card in the packet. Because the Finance Council needs to prepare a realistic budget, based on a reliable income, we need everyone to fill out the card and return it.

If you have not done so yet, please take some time this week to look at your giving pattern, ask yourselves what you can do, pray about it and then fill out the card and return it. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

GOOD NEWS Does Stewardship pay off? It certainly has here at St. Mary Magdalen. We were recently informed that by the end of September, our mortgage was paid up through December 2003! Because of the success of our Sacrificial Giving Program and the faithful commitment of our people we are over two years ahead on our debt. This is especially important, since at the present rate, we will probably outgrow our building by 2005.

CONGRATULATIONS, JIM: On Monday evening, Jim Chevalier will be installed as a permanent Reader. The ceremony will take place at St. Mary Cathedral, in Lansing.

This is the next ceremonial step in Jim’s preparation for ordination to the diaconate. On behalf of us all, I offer Jim our warmest congratulations!

THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE will be in the gathering space throughout the month of November. If you have a loved one that you would like remembered in prayer during the month, please list their name in the book.

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Marissa Provine, Julius Sharpy, Barry, Joyce, Jennifer Hextall, Helen Jones, Larry Piesko, Bill Kottke, MaryAnna, Colette Bertrand, Carole, Larry Stanley, Rachel Holthus, Bob Brookins, Laura Drittler, Angela Cooney, Kathy, Donald Schommer, Sophie Martin, June Bennett, Steve, Shirley Brake, Steve Thuss, Joyce Fraser, Ethan Montague, Micah Zielinski, Dave Sharpy, Harold Stewart, Tom Johnson, Carolyn Johnson, Mary Johnson, Chuck Horka, Patti Conahan, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mel Oja, Elsie Whetter, John, Adam Weitzel, Mary Beth, Mary Lou Colgin, Joey Boyd, Merrick, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Mike, Linda Nagle, Bishop Povish, Joanna Bloese, Ellen Colombo, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, and Donovan.

Please remember in your prayers Robert Gustitus and family in the death of Robert’s grandmother, Angela Cafferty; and Ron Vincent and family in the death of Ron’s father, Philip Vincent.

SUNDAY CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES: Please pick up your envelope packet for the full year, Nov. 2001, to Nov. 2002. they are in the gathering area.!!!

Tues., Nov. 13, our Retiree’s Lunch Bunch will host St. John’s Senior Group for lunch. Join us in the Social Hall at noon for this afternoon of food and fellowship, which will include a special yoga presentation by Lee Ann Louis-Prescott. For more information call me at the parish office–229-8624.

We congratulate their parents and godparents and offer them our prayers and continued support as they accompany them on their journeys of faith.

Each weekend, a segment of the Liturgy is explained three minutes before the Liturgy begins. This column will offer further explanation and background on that segment.

THE PENITENTIAL RITES The Eucharist is one of four Sacraments by which we are reconciled to God. (Baptism, Penance and the Sacrament of the Sick are the other three.) In the Liturgy, we celebrate the saving death of the Lord by which we are set free from sin. This concept was clearly understood by the end of the first century. A document called the Didache was written about the year 98, about the same time as the Gospel of John. This document indicates that there was some sort of penitential rite as part of the first century Liturgy. "On the Lord's Day people are to come together to break bread and to give thanks after first confessing their sins so that their sacrifice will be pure." We do not know the early forms of this "confession of sins" since the first formal penitential rite does not appear in any ancient liturgical books until the time of Pope Leo the Great (795-816).

The Penitential Rites at the beginning of the Liturgy are based on this same concept. We gather in the presence of the Lord and we are aware that the daily reality of the last six days has not fully expressed the love we celebrate in the Eucharist. The contradiction between our daily lives and the love, leads us to once more call for God's mercy.

The earliest form of a penitential rite in the Roman Liturgy was a profound silence. The presider approached the altar, stopped before it and prostrated before it in humble recognition of our need for God's mercy. After a profound pause, he would rise and pray the opening prayer. This earliest form of the penitential rite still remains in the Liturgy of Good Friday.

In the fourth century, the Church moved from the subdued Liturgy of the persecuted into the great basilicas of freedom. The new, grander space brought many changes as our worship became very public. Once everyone was assembled, a litany borrowed from the Church in the east, replaced the profound silence. This litany was a series of short verses sung by a deacon. The verses were usually biblical in origin and ended in either Kryrie elieson or Christe elieson. The Greek words mean: "Lord, have mercy" or "Christ, have mercy". The assembly repeated these phrases. It was during this litany that the clergy processed to the altar.

Pope Leo the Great further enlarged this form of the rite. He developed a series of prayers that were prayed by he and the other clerics during their procession to the altar. It began with a dialogue using verses from the psalms: "I go to the altar of God" "The God, who gives joy to my youth" (Ps 43.4). After this dialogue, he prayed the Confiteor. This prayer, composed by Pope Leo, is still used today: "I confess to Almighty God..." It expressed a general confession of sin and was followed by a prayer of absolution: "May Almighty God have mercy..."

This form of the penitential rite essentially remained the same for centuries. The private prayers of the clergy were called the prayers at the foot of the altar and the Kryie litany, though considerably shortened, remained the penitential rite of the assembly. In the reforms of 1969, three different forms of this rite were created from the original one. Significantly, all of these forms became the prayer of all who were assembled not just the clergy.

If you have any questions be sure to e-mail me at mmahar@parishmail.com. Thanks! Mary