FROM THE COLLECTION Along the way, I gather stories, poems and articles that are thought provoking and insightful. Many of these are sent or given to me, but some I have gathered in my own reading. Here are two from among the many:
HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH? A man rose to speak at the funeral of a dear friend. He began by stating the date of her birth and, then tearfully, the date of her death. "What mattered most" he said, "was the dash between those dates."
For the dash represented all the time she spent on this earth and only those who loved her truly knew how much that short, little line is worth. Numbers don't matter: whether they are dates, our best scores, our bank account or even the number of things we once owned. What matters most is how we have lived and loved: how we have spent our dash.
We do not know how long or short that dash may be, so think long and hard about how you spend it. Are there things to re-arrange? How we use our time and with whom we spend it?
Be less quick to anger, show appreciation more; and love the people in our lives, like we've never loved before.
Remember that, at the end, your life they will rehash; so live now the things you'd be proud to hear about how you spent your dash!
OUR LITTLE CHAPEL Each month, I go to the Greenery, a nursing home in Howell, to celebrate Liturgy with the patients there. This is part of a poem by Ida Prince, one of the residents who participates.
There are churches large and elegant, with windows of stained glass, where crowds are assembled, to attend a formal Mass.
But there is an airy room I know, where we line up our wheelchairs, to listen to the Word of
God. We meet our neighbors there, and bow our heads in prayer. We sing our hymns of peace and
joy, our songs ring through the air. We view God's beautiful scenery, it's our "little chapel" in
B-lounge at the Greenery!
Fr. Dave Howell
Wed., Nov. 10-Leo the Great, pope As pope he defended the faith against heresy and in 443 convoked an assembly to expose the errors of the Manicheans. He opposed the Nestorians, who had been condemned by the Council of Ephesus in 431, the Priscillianists, and the Arians who had invaded northern Africa. In the second period of his pontificate Leo defended the doctrine of the Incarnation through the Council of Chalcedon(451). His activities extended into various fields: liturgy, politics, preaching and writing. He is without doubt the most influential personage of the fifth century. Thurs., Nov. 11-Martin of Tours, bishop. He was born in Hungry to a Roman official and was educated in Italy. He enlisted in the imperial guard and it is said that he gave half of his cloak to a beggar in 334 and later Christ appeared to him in a dream, wearing the same cloak. He was baptized in 337 after spending six years as a catechumen. Martin is one of the best loved and most popular saints. He is the first non-martyr with an annual feast in the Western Church and is the patron of soldiers, winegrowers and of France.
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Margo Twork, Cheryl Franks, Bea, Mary, Susan, Fr. Dan Wunderlich, Richard Sixbery, Erik, Raynald Raymond, Pete, Al & Ann Polcyn, Miriam Marker, Matt Even, Eileen Auld, Cornelius Smits, Keith Kovach, Ellen Colombo, Emerson Brown, Adeline Smith, Larry Cecil, Anna Cecil, Dottie King, Catherine Schumont, Ken Carson, Norman Moon, Shirley Brake, Keith Dunn, Karen (Pat Spindler's daughter), Laurie Deirlein, Ron Schaar, Jeannette Wood, Merle, Ed, Zora Kolef, Keith Freel, Tom Cavanaugh, Timothy Richards, Mary Kay Davis, Edith Reagan, Miren Mohrenweiser, Donovan, Jessie, Mary Swift, Valerie Black, Joanne Fournier, Jerry Bettens, Russ Gardner and Dennis.
Even before the Halloween masks were out of sight, the Christmas decorations made their appearance. In the midst of all the holiday preparations consider giving yourself three mornings to reflect on the true meaning of the season. The Advent of the Savior is a study of the Infancy Narratives of Jesus. We will be meeting on Thursday mornings beginning December 2 at 10:00. Child care will be provided. Sign up sheets are in the gathering area - consider making this the real beginning of your holiday preparations.
If you have a family member or friend who has been away from the Church, please consider inviting them to "Take A Second Look". We will be meeting in the adult formation Room at 7:30 p.m. starting this Monday evening, November 8. For more information please call me at 229-8624.
Our grief support group will begin meeting this Sunday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory lower level. If you have experienced the loss of someone special in your life, please consider joining us. There is a cost of $10 for the New Day Journals. If you have any questions or want to register, call me at 229-8624. Registration sheets are available in the gathering area.
If you are retired and interested in coming together with other members of the parish during
the day to share lunch and a favorite hobby, please consider joining us on Monday, November 15, in
the Social Hall to discuss the possibility of forming a group which would meet on a regular basis.
Katie Barazsu has offered to demonstrate gift wrapping at the first meeting which will begin about
12:15 p.m. Yours on the Journey,
Marilyn
We continue to pray for all the children who are preparing for sacraments this year. We especially pray for the children who will receive the Sacrament of Penance this year.
There will be a meeting for parents with children in the Eucharist program on Monday,
November 15, at 7:00pm. If you have any questions, please call me.
Sister Maryetta
There is a meeting tonight from 7-8:30. It is this time of the year that I am grateful for so many things. Most importantly the love of my family and friends.
Take a moment this month and just tell those close to you how much they mean to you. It could make all the difference in the world to someone who really needs to hear it.
Yesterday, November 6, ten of our teens participated in the Jamboree. I was not able to attend this year, but from past experiences I know they all had a great time. It was a day spent making new friends, being with old friends, dancing, singing, praying and learning together in various workshops.
Our plans for the Hunger Awareness Retreat scheduled for Dismember is underway. For 24 hours we gather together an fast. We learn about hunger around the world and how we can make a difference. We will be going down to the Gleaner's food bank in Detroit to help at their food pantry. There is a planning meeting Thurs.,November 11 from 7-8:30pm. Anyone interested in helping the meeting will be at St. Mary Magdalen. If you have any questions about this event please call me.
Advent Candles & Wreaths will be sold by the parish youth the weekends of November 13,20 and 27. The cost for candles/wreath $7; just a wreath $4; and for a set of candles $3.
In case you missed last week's article our new name stands for Magdalen's Unique Disciple's.
Our next event is a trip downtown to Capuchin Soup Kitchen to help serve the poor and hungry on Friday,November 12. A sign up sheet is in the gathering space there are still spaces available. We will serve dinner from 4-6pm. However, we will need to leave about 3pm and will return about 7:30. Neither Brighton or Hartland school districts have school that day.
On Monday, December 6 from 4-5pm we will participate at an Alzheimer's care facility in
Brighton called Ashley Court. We will help residents create Christmas cards for their families. It will
be a challenging, but very rewarding afternoon. Call if you have any questions.
Margaret Callaghan
Fiscal Year runs from July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2000
Total income for the week of October 30/31, 1999:
Approximately 1227 people contributed:
Using Stewardship envelopes..............$ 14,870.00
Loose collection.........................$ 1,094.00
Building Fund Pledge payments............$ 2,755.00
Other....................................$ 242.00
Total receipts...........................$ 18,961.00
Weekly expenses..........................$ 16,682.00
+/- for week.............................$ +2,279.00
+/- year-to-date.........................$ +7,501.00
Thank you for your Gifts
Sacrificial Giving Presently we have 775 families registered in the parish and 313 families have made
their stewardship commitment. If you have not returned your commitment card, please pray about
the sacrificial giving you will be making weekly/monthly and return the card either by mail or the
collection basket on Sunday.
The Finance Council
Dear Fr. David,
Thank you very much for your generosity in supporting our mission work here in Manila,
Philippines. On behalf of the poor to whom we minister here in Quezon City, Metro Manila, I
express our sincere gratitude to you and your parishioners.
May the Lord bless and reward all of you!
With grateful prayers,
Fr. Luigi
ADOPT-A-FAMILY Would you like to share your blessings with a needy family this Christmas? The Charity and Justice Ministry Team is making applications for the Salvation Army's Adopt-A-Family program available to you. This is a change from last year when parishioners signed up and we submitted the application as a group. This year you can pick up an application in the gathering space and send it directly to the Salvation Army. Hopefully this will result in you receiving the information on the adopted family in a more timely manner. You will choose the size family you wish to adopt and will receive a list of ages, sizes, and needs and requests of family members, as well as guidelines on what to provide. Since costs average $100 or more per family member you may want to team up with other families to adopt a family. Any questions contact the Salvation Army (5l7) 546-4750.
During the month of October, we celebrated the sacrament of Baptism with Jason Tyler Gigliotti, son of Nancy and Peter Gigliotti; Nicholas Graham Henning, son of Catherine and Christopher Henning; Kaden Lawrence Staley, son of Annette and Kevin Staley; Chelsea Adair Bielicki, daughter of Corrine and David Bielicki; and Gabrielle Alexus Bielicki, daughter of Corrine and David Bielicki.
We congratulate their parents and godparents and offer them our prayers and support, as they accompany them on their journeys of faith.
VOLUNTEER NEEDED to take over the leadership of the Coffee & Donut Ministry here at SMM. Also needed are six coffee & donut families for the 11:00 Mass on Sunday and three for the 4:30 Mass on Saturday. Please give this your consideration and call Joanne Pasienza, 220-0491, or Dave Scharf, 229-8624, with questions.
All Euchre Players A Euchre Card Party will be held at St. Mary Magdalen on Saturday, Nov.13 promptly at 7pm and ending around 10pm. Single Adults or couples-you don't need a partner to participate. Refreshment/beverages will be provided. Please sign the sheet in the gathering area if you will be attending or contact Paul Schifko (810) 632-5546 after 6pm. The Community Life Team (Fun & Games)
The Michigan Catholic Conference, with the approval of all the bishops of Michigan, needs to collect valid signatures from 302,711 registered voters to place their proposal on the November, 2000 ballot. Each parish without a school is to collect signatures equal to 20% of their registered base. With the approximately 1600 possible voters in our parish, our goal is 320 signatures minimum. If adopted the proposal will establish a PBA pupil funding guarantee; require regular testing of all teachers in academic subject areas; provide a quality education guarantee; eliminate prohibition on indirect aid to support attendance at non-public schools; a private school who accepts a child from a qualified school district would receive a voucher of about $3000 for tuition expense; testing of all public school teachers and all non-public school teachers whose institution accepts vouchers would be required; no additional regulations are placed on non-public schools.
Your signature is not an endorsement nor a rejection of the proposal. All registered voters will decide that issue if it is placed on the ballot. Petitions will be signed in the gathering area at all Masses the weekends of Nov. 13/14 & 20/21.
Ken Wilkinson is coordinating this project with the assistance of the K of C. Any questions or volunteers to assist can call Ken at 229-5354.
CLOTHING DRIVE - HELP!! RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING!! We still need help sorting and delivering clothing to Mary Lou Brown Mission in Detroit. ANYONE - If you can help us by sorting clothing or delivering the clothing - Please sign up on the SHEETS PROVIDED in the gathering space. YOUR HELP IS GREATLY NEEDED!!
1999 A.D. Please watch your mail for a special opportunity to participate in the helping ministry of Livingston County Catholic Social Services. LCCSS offers professional and confidential counseling and other services to Livingston County families and older adults regardless of financial circumstance. This year's Loaves & Fish Appeal will take place on Nov. 13-14. Please give generously. Your prayers and financial support are greatly appreciated.
The Diocese of Lansing, Office of Pastoral
Planning is seeking membership for the Diocesan Planning Commission. Qualifications include
experience in ministry and/or strategic planning. Members will be chosen through an open application
process and will serve as volunteers for three years. Please contact:
Sister Rita Wenzlick, Director
Office of Pastoral Planning, Diocese of Lansing
300 West Ottawa
Lansing, MI 48933
FLOAT UPDATE: Come be part of the fun! Many hands are still needed to work on our float entry for the "Fantasy of Lights Parade" on November 26. No special skills required. The Barn will be open every evening. Come as often as your schedule will allow. Bring the whole family and staple guns if you have them.Still needed Lights, especially white, and farm-type animals that would walk in the parade with our float. Contact Barb Colley, 227-7108, or Laurie Cooper (248)328-0338 for more information.
Retreat - What can I do with my life? This retreat weekend being offered at Weber Center in Adrian will give single women, ages 18-45 a chance to connect with others, who like themselves, are exploring all aspects of religious life. It will be held Nov. 12-14. For reservations or to receive additional information call Sr.Joann Plumpe,OP(517) 266-3533.
All Euchre Players A Euchre Card Party will be held at St. Mary Magdalen on Saturday, Nov.13 promptly at 7pm and ending around 10pm. Single Adults or couples you don't need a partner to participate. In order to plan accordingly please sign the sheet in the gathering area or contact Paul Schifko (810)632-5546 after 6pm. The Community Life Team (Fun & Games)
Sunday, Nov. 7 Diane Kubus
Monday, Nov. 8 Kathy LaTarte, Laura Meader
Tuesday, Nov. 9 Christine Reid, Kathy McKay
Wednesday, Nov. 10 Lisa Konieczka,Chris Kovanda
Thursday, Nov. 11 Betty Polaske
Friday, Nov. 12 Pam Hurn, Sandi Phillips
Saturday, Nov. 13 Leo Camden
Prayer Intercessions may be filled out each weekend and placed in the basket located between the inside glass doors in our Gathering Area.
Before each weekend Liturgy begins, there is a three minute explanation of a segment of the Mass. This column offers additional information.
The dismissal by the deacon was common in almost all ancient Liturgies, borrowed from an older Roman usage. When an assembly of the people had been called by the emperor or his official, they would stand before him to listen. After he had finished, he left the assembly and the people would be dismissed by an underling with the phrase Ite, missa est. The sense was, that now the important person is gone, now you can leave. This concept was easily adapted to the Liturgy. With the Holy Eucharist having been consumed by the assembly or having been taken out to the sick and imprisoned or taken away to be reserved in a small chapel, the deacon dismissed the assembly, which could now leave. The response, thanks be to God! was not a reaction to the dismissal, but rather an expression of gratitude for the whole gift of the Liturgy.
In Medieval France, the Roman formula was replaced with another. Before the blessing the presider would say, "Let us bless the Lord!" to which the assembly responded, "Thanks be to God!" Then the priest would reply with, "May almighty God bless you..." This form came to be included in Roman usage as well, so that there were different forms of the dismissal used. Ite, missa est was used on festive occasions and the other form in less festive times or when another service followed immediately.
In the east, the dismissal followed a more Scriptural theme, inviting the assembly to depart in peace (see Mark 5:3). Today the dismissal takes place after the blessing and includes the concept of departing in the peace of Christ.
THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE is displayed in the gathering space throughout the month of November. If you have loved ones that you would like remembered in prayer during the month, please list their names in the book.
Sunday, November 7
Wis 6:12-16/1 Thes 4:13-18/Mt 25:1-13
Monday, Novenber 8 All Saints
Wis 1:1-7/Lk 17:1-6
9:00 a.m. +Kathy Roux
Tuesday, Novenber 9 Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Ez 47:1-2,8-9,12/1 Cor 3:9c-11,16/Jn 2:13-22
9:00 a.m. +Larry Barazsu
Wednesday, Novenber 10 Leo the Great, pope, doctor
Wis 6:1-11/Lk 17:11-19
7:00 p.m. +Paul Allberry
Thursday, Novenber 11 Martin of Tours, bishop
Wis 7:22 - 8:1/Lk 17:20-25
9:00 a.m. +Helen Poltawsky
Friday, Novenber 12 Josaphat, bp., relig., martyr
Wis 13:1-9/Lk 17:26-37
9:00 a.m. +James W. Clement
Saturday, Novenber 13 Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin, relig. fdr., missionary
Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9/Lk 18:1-8
Sunday, Novenber 14
Prv 31:10-13,19-20,30-31/1 Thes 5:1-6/Mt 25:14-30
4:30 (Vigil) St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
9:00 a.m. +Sophie Sharnowski
11:00 a.m. +John Zupko
Monday, Novenber 8
6-9:30 p.m