A CHURCH PERSON This Saturday morning, our director of Religious Formation, MARY MAHAR, became an Ecclesial Minister during a special Liturgy at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing.

Although such ceremonies are relatively new in the Church, it has many similarities to ordinations. Like ordinations, this ceremony takes place at the Cathedral. Since the Church has been involved in their education and formation for ministry and, now, it is the bishop who calls these new ministers to serve in the name of the Church. That is why we call these folks Ecclesial (Church) Ministers. In a very real sense, they now become "Church people."

I hope all of you will join me in offering Mary our sincere best wishes and congratulations. While Saturday morning’s ritual does not outwardly change anything Mary is doing among us, it does give her ministry among us a new depth, a new purpose and a new intensity.

BRIAN CALLAGHAN For those who have not yet heard, our youth minister, Margaret Callaghan and her husband Tom, gave birth to their second child on Nov 2. Brian (who will also be known as Habbakuk Callaghan) made his appearance very quickly early Nov 2. Mom, dad and both boys are doing fine.

ANOTHER MILESTONE It was one of those dreaded "firsts’. Kay, our bookkeeper, brought in a couple of checks for me to sign last Monday morning. Usually, all checks are signed on Friday so the Monday morning checks caught me by surprise.

When I asked about it, the answer was simple: we had to wait until after Sunday’s collection to pay these extra bills!

With most of the building fund pledge finally complete, that "little extra" is now gone. That’s another reason why the Stewardship Commitment Card is important to us.

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. You cooperation is greatly appreciated!

Fr. Dave Howell

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: Monica, Bill, 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.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? For the next two weeks there will be a basket in the gathering space to collect your reasons for thanking God. Please write down why you are thankful and place the note in basket by Nov 18. All will be read at our Thanksgiving Mass on Nov. 22. This is a very beautiful part of our Communion reflection, so please share your thoughts with us.

In today’s second reading, St. Paul prays that the Thessalonians may be strengthened "in every good deed and word." May we, too, be strengthened and empowered to use our time and talents for the good of others.

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 GLORIA is an early Christian hymn, which originated in the Eastern Church, most likely in Syria. It was written sometime in the second century and was modeled on the psalms and canticles of the Bible. Having gone through many revisions, it entered the Liturgy first in the Eastern Church as a part of the Easter and Christmas celebrations. By the sixth century, it was also incorporated into the Roman Liturgy, but only when the bishop presided. It was not until the eleventh century that it became a standard part of every Sunday celebration, except during Advent and Lent.

The Gloria is also called the "greater doxology" meaning the greater giving of praise. This title distinguishes it from the Glory Be, which is the simple doxology. It begins with the words of the angels announced at the birth of the Savior. Primarily, the Gloria is a hymn, which praises the saving work of Christ, the Redeemer, the Lamb of God.

Because it is meant to be a joyful proclamation of our praise, its use is restricted to the Sundays of Christmas, Easter and the Church Year. Since Advent and Lent are more somber by their nature, the Gloria is not used during these seasons, which makes its re-appearance at Christmas and Easter even more joyful.

Last Monday evening our family got home from Cathy’s Cross Country and Jimmy’s Football banquets, and our eyes were turned to the skies. At 10:00pm we piled into the car and went up to a hill by the cow farms up the street from where we live. Some of us were in our pajamas as we got out and watched the beautiful scenes dancing across the night sky. (We are sure the cows were wondering what was wrong with those silly humans?) I am talking about the Northern Lights of red and green that illuminated the sky! We watched in awe as they played in the dark sky and reached all over with wisps of color. At one point they seemed to all converge to a center right over us as we watched in silence. It reminded us of how God reaches out to all of us all over, and yet He is still our center. The beauty and majesty of the night was a rare treat for all of us to share.

For the last couple of weeks I have been asking for prayers for the various youth in our parish as they prepare for various Sacraments. God reminds us that He is our center, and I ask again that you pray for their families as well so that they may share with their children the beauty of our faith and share the wonder of God and all His works. Have a good week! Mary Mahar

Yesterday, many of our teens spent their afternoon in service surprising the elderly of our parish by raking their yard. It was a good experience to serve God’s people. Thank you to the Willis family who provided a bonfire afterward.

Nov. 23, our youth will be offering a babysitting drop off center for those who like to shop the day after Thanksgiving. We will be available from 9-4pm. The cost will be $20/day or $10/four hours and donations will also be accepted. Please bring a bagged lunch munchies will be provided. Children will be busy with Christmas crafts and movies. Registration is a must. There is a sign up sheet in the gathering area.

A special thank you to Kelly Murphy, Kyle Wilson, Jan Bordo and Hillary Mason for volunteering their day to be with the youth last weekend at Jamboree, a good time was had by all.

The month of Nov. is a time of thanksgiving, and as I will be gone this month on maternity leave, I am grateful for new life and the simple everyday little things that are sometimes easily overlooked.

M.U.D (6, 7 and 8 graders)

Any student wanting to help with the babysitting drop off is welcome. The sign up sheet for this is on the youth room bulletin board. Please take the time to sign up there.

The community service project for Livingston Community Food Bank has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Nov. 20, 4-5pm. Call Jan Carpenter, 227-5269, if you have any questions.

Margaret Callaghan

While we are engaged in project "Enduring Freedom", we at St. Mary Magdalen would like to keep our active military family members and friends in our prayers. In order to do this, we will have a book available in the gathering area for you to place their names. We will also be starting a military support group in the parish for those with family members on active duty during this period. There will be a separate sign up sheet for those interested in joining this group in the gathering area.

We are looking for a few good men and women who are willing to commit to an ongoing Kitchen Committee. This group would meet at least quarterly to thoroughly clean and organize our parish kitchen. Our first meeting will be Mon., Nov. 12 at 10am. It will be a working meeting, so bring your bucket and a sponge. At 7pm Paul McElligatt will be offering a certification session for all those using the kitchen in our parish. If you or a group uses the Mary Magdalen kitchen, it is important that you attend one of these meetings.

Tuesday, November 13, our Retiree’s Lunch Bunch will host St. John’s Senior Group for lunch. Join us in the Social Hall at noon if you would like to participate in this afternoon of food and fellowship that will include a special yoga presentation by Lee Ann Louis-Prescott. For more information call me at the parish office 229-8624.

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

Our Livingston County Food Bank is experiencing a shortage of food because donations are being diverted to other agencies involved with the September 11 events in New York and Washington.

Can we make an extra effort to supply some of these items over and above the MLB and St. Anne’s food collection? It means digging a little deeper, but we can do it

The additional food, and items listed below may be put in Dave Scharf’s office during the next two weeks and he will deliver it during the week.

As of today the following items are in great demand:

Peanut Butter Toilet Paper

Canned Fruits

Toothpaste & Tooth Brushes

Canned Beef Stew Laundry Detergent

Canned Chili w/meat Soups (hearty one’s)

Canned Spaghetti Sauce with meat

Nov. 17 from 5-6:30pm in the parish social hall. The cost is $6 per person, $3 children (10 and under), $5 seniors, $18 per family. Dinner includes spaghetti with meat or meatless sauce, bread and bread sticks, salad, ice cream, and beverages. Come share a meal with your church family.

Clothing Drive A men's wear clothing drive for the Mary Lou Brown Evangelistic Ministries. They are looking for contributions of men's pants (size 32 and 34), Shirts (size M and L), new underwear and socks, all will be greatly appreciated. The clothing will be collected the weekends of Nov. 10/11 and Nov. 17/18. There will be baskets in the gathering space. Thank you for your generosity. If you have any questions: please feel free to call me at work, (248) 427-7722 Judy Gentner.

Friday, Nov. 16 Cindy Sultana, Debbie Barker

Saturday, Nov. 17 Mary Jo Cubr, Donna Cayuela

MANY DISHES REMAIN in the Social Hall from funeral lunches, parish picnic, etc. Please know we are very grateful for your generosity whenever these occasions arise. If you brought a dish for any event here recently and have not picked it up, please take the time to stop in the social hall and pick up your dish.