Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Jonathon Forbes, Jim Rhadigan, Marie Touchette, Sue Ferris, Wilma Scott, Jennifer Hextall, Joseph Hinkle, Raymond Clark, Myra Gauger, Carole Jones, Shirley Peddicord, Barbara Daniels, Eric Truhn, Pam Davis, Judy Woughter, Stella Paweski, Jeanne Carpenter, Cheryl Stecewicz, Marcella, Fletcher Armstrong, Andrew Doyle, 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, Judy LaGrow, Becky Wilson, Mike Beauchamp, George Sierant, Bradley Stevens, 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.

Like the sensible bridesmaids in today’s parable, good stewards make sure that they, and whatever gifts are theirs to share, are ready to serve when the Master calls.

NEW CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES For the remaining month of December and the upcoming year of 2003 will be in the gathering area next weekend, November 17/18. PLEASE PICK UP YOUR CONTRIBUTION PACKETS.

Special Collections:

Loaves & Fish (November 3)-LCCSS

Human Development (November 24)-Diocese

Retired Religious (Dec. 8)-Diocese

Parishioners are urged to support this year’s special fundraising appeal "Loaves and Fish" for Livingston County Catholic Social Services. LCCSS offers professional and confidential counseling, information and referral services, special assistance for area seniors and disabled adults, and family life education programs for all county residents regardless of financial circumstances. For more information, contact the LCCSS office in Howell at 517.545.5944. Thank you for your prayers and financial support!

Please remember in your prayers Bob Shepard and family in the death of Ruth Sommerville, Bob’s aunt.

All youth interested in helping proclaim the Gospel at 6:00 Liturgy on Christmas eve in the Nativity reenactment are encouraged to attend the first rehearsal this Wednesday, Nov. 13^th, from 6-6:30 pm in the church. High School youth needing service hours are encouraged to come too!

Parents of youth who want to prepare for the Sacrament of Eucharist are reminded to mark their calendars for the parent meetings being held next week during the 4:30 and 6:30 sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. This important meeting will help you understand the process, Rites, and requirements for this important Sacrament! If you have any questions please call the office.

Please continue to pray for our Confirmation youth as they make final preparations for the Sacrament to be celebrated Nov. 30^th.

There will be no classes Nov. 24-30^th. Classes will resume for Kindergarten and the Family Program on Sunday, December 1 (remember, no 9^th grade classes this day).

SENIOR MINISTRY You are invited to a luncheon and talk Tuesday, November 12, in the Adult Formation Room. The time will be 12:00-2:00 pm. Kathy Rigley, an occupational therapist, will present us with "Fall Prevention". Learn how to avoid falling and prevent accident, injury and unnecessary fractures. She will give new tips for safety and body mechanics. Please RSVP to me if you plan to come.

We are still in need for persons to give an hour of their time on the first Monday, fourth Monday and fifth Monday of each month to check the kitchen to be sure it is up to code. Many groups use the kitchen, and so to be knowledgeable about how it is to be inspection-ready is important to us.

Thank you for giving this some thought.

Sister Joyce

BAPTISM: I would like to make a correction from last week’s Bulletin of those who were Baptized in the month of October. Mitchell Jacob Fedewa was Baptized. He is the son of Tina and Eric Fedewa.

Keep us in your prayers next Saturday as we travel to Lansing for the Diocesan Jamboree. We will be with one thousand other teenagers to celebrate our love for the Lord as we listen to speakers, participate in workshops and attend Liturgy presided by the bishop. It will truly be an amazing day!

If you are interested in attending the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) scheduled for December 13-16, 2003 in Houston TX, then plan to come to our meeting Sunday, December 1, at 8pm and join us for snack as usual. There will be an informational meeting regarding the specifics of NCYC. I will be asking for a $50 deposit to reserve your spot due December 8.

Thank you to the people who donated baked goods last weekend for our bake sale. We collected $38 and donated it to the Catholic Relief Services. Thank you.

This Tuesday fifteen of our MUD students will be volunteering their time at the Livingston County Food Pantry in Brighton. They will be helping stock the shelves with food for the poor of our county.

Those students and their parents, who are participating in the Spring Hill weekend retreat, are asked to attend a meeting on Monday December 2 in the social hall at 7:30pm. It should only last an hour.

All single young adults, age 21 —35 are invited to the REFRESH Weekend, Nov. 22 thru 24, 2002. Step back from your daily routine and "REFRESH" your relationship with God, family and friends. Hear presentations from the hearts of single young adults in a trust-filled atmosphere. Cost $90 (financial aid available). To register, call Maureen 734-677-1823 or Young Adult Ministry 517-342-2494.

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR? For the next two weeks there will be a basket in the gathering area to collect your reasons for thanking God. Please write down why you are thankful and place the note in the basket by November 24. All will be read at our Thanksgiving Mass on November 28. This is a very beautiful part of our Communion reflection; so please share your thoughts with us.

On by half of the members of Community Life I would like to extend a big thanks to all of you that contributed candy and your time at the Halloween Party. Over 120 children were in attendance.

On Friday December 6th at 7:00pm Community Life is inviting you to join us at "Advent By Candlelight" an advent celebration focused on prayerful reflection, fellowship and song. We ask that you please register in advance for this event since seating is limited. Sign-up sheets are in the gathering area. We are also looking for volunteers to assist us in the performance of "Heavenly Angels". If you are interested, please contact Donna Sixbery at (810) 227-3541

Mark your calendars for November 16 @ 10:00am for learning CPR. We will have fun learning both adult and pediatric CPR. You will leave with the confidence that one day, if needed, you may save a life. Please call the church office at (810) 229-8624 to register. This course does not fulfill any requirement needed for employment in a health-related field.

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

RIGHT TO LIFE HOLIDAY CARDS will be available for purchase this weekend after all Masses. All proceeds will benefit Right to Life. Contact Corrine Bielicki, 810-220-2387 or Barb Toth, 810-225-0807 with inquiries.

This year we are entering a float in the Howell Festival of Lights Parade. We are going to need a lot of help! Work has begun 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. Also, we are looking for the costumes from the last float. There is a container in the gathering space to accept your donations of lights and/or the costumes that are missing; please bring them anytime, as we will be starting soon. For more info, contact Barb Colley, 810-225-0052, or Bob Barclay, 810-227-6245.

Come join us for the Father Gabriel Richard High School 19^th Annual Dinner Auction, "Fiesta De Navidad". It will be held at Washtenaw Community College in the Morris Lawrence Building on Sat., Nov. 16 at 5:00 PM. Tickets cost $100 and include dinner, bar, live and silent auctions. If you cannot attend consider donating a gift. Please contact FGRHS Development office at 734-662-4719 for information or to purchase your ticket. Thank you.

Sunday, Nov. 17

12:00 — 4:00 PM

The Basilian Fathers, teachers, and students of Catholic Central invite you to attend the annual CC Open House. This special day allows you to tour the school, see exhibits, meet the students and faculty, and much, much more. Come and experience the spirit and tradition of Catholic Central High School!

All 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Grade Boys & Parents welcome. For more information, call 313-534-1310 or visit our website at www.catholiccentral.net

Once again, our Christmas Giving Tree will be set up in the gathering area on the First Sunday of Advent. It will have 700 tags on it representing seven very worthwhile charities, including Catholic Social Services, LaCasa, Maxey Boys Training Center, St. Anne’s Church in Detroit, Brown Evangelical Missions, Pregnancy Helpline and St. Agnes in Flint.

Please join us on Monday, November 11, at 6:30 (in the social hall) to help make tags for the tree. If you have any questions, call Chris Kovanda (810) 632-5077 or Donna Jones (810) 632-6517.

THE NEXT SPAGHETTI DINNER will be Saturday, November 16th, 5:00 — 6:30 P.M. in the social hall. Menu includes spaghetti, meat and meatless sauces, breadsticks and garlic bread, garden salad, ice cream and beverages. $18.00 per family, $6.00 singles, $5.00 seniors, $3.00 children 10 yrs. and under. Door prizes and balloons for the children. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

An Annulment Workshop sponsored by Family Ministry and the Diocesan Tribunal will take place on Sat., Nov. 23, from 8:30 AM — 1:45 PM at the Diocesan Center, Lansing. The workshop is for anyone who is thinking about submitting a case to the Tribunal. Eileen Jaramillo, JCL, a Tribunal Judge and Canonical Consultant, will speak on marriage as a covenant, invalid marriages, and what is involved in submitting a case to the Tribunal. A question/answer session, lunch, and prayer service will round out the day. For registration information, call Linda Kolanowski, Catholic Charities, (517) 342-2465.

A support group for divorced and separated meets every 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of the month at 7:30pm at St. Thomas Parish Center in Ann Arbor. Topics of discussion: the five stages of grieving, helping children cope, legal issues, and spirituality. Call Virginia Mikola (734) 994-9194 for more information.

Diocesan Assistance Program is a service provided by the Bishops’ Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs to assist you with substance/abuse referrals, speakers, and program resources. Call toll-free pager 517-340-2920.

ST. VINCENT HOME FOR CHILDREN is in dire need of a new facility. In this regard, Coldwell Banker Hubbell Real Estate Company is endeavoring to aid this project by hosting a variety show fundraiser Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Lansing Center, beginning at 6:00pm. Tickets are $10 per person. 100% of the proceeds will benefit St. Vincent Home for Children. Call 517-321-1000, ext 235 for more information.

Give the Gift of Life — Organ & Tissue Donation information can be found in the pamphlet rack. Please explore this life giving choice and consider adding your name to the Michigan Organ & Donor Registry. Today, transplantation is a routine practice that can improve and even save the lives of those suffering with organ failure, bone defects, burns and blindness. Donating organs is an act of charity, fraternal love, and self sacrifice. John 15:13 reminds us that "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends". ref. Gift of Life Agency.

The ARC of Livingston County, an agency serving persons with developmental disabilities, needs volunteers to help with social events, transporting people to work, doctor appointments, church, shopping, social and sporting events. Also needed are people to help out in the office, answering phones, mailings, etc. Call Sandy Bader 5170546-1228, with questions or to volunteer.

OLHSA — Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency is currently looking for Respite Workers interested in working with our seniors. Duties include: Companionship, Light Housekeeping, and Meal Preparation. Interested persons should contact Linda Michele-Dobel — Senior Services Coordinator 517-546-8500. Flexible Hours, and Training Provided.

Currently OLSHA provides a monthly support group for Grandparents/Acting Parents in need of information, referral and support on topics like, Legal Issues, Adoption/Guardianship, Alcohol & Substance Abuse, Stress Management, Health Issues, etc. Meetings are the 2nd Thurs. of each month at 6:30 PM, Livingston Cty. East Complex Building. 2300 E. Gr. River, Howell. For more information call 517-546-8500.