STOP and THANK Next weekend, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. This feast ends the 1999 Church year and reminds us that Christ will come again when this world comes to an end.
As a part of our celebration next weekend, I would like us to make this feast a special day of prayer. At the end of the 11 am Liturgy, the Blessed Sacrament will be placed in a special vessel called a monstrance, which allows us to see the Eucharist. It is as if the action of the Mass froze just as the Body of Christ was held before us as we were about to receive communion. It gives us the opportunity to thank God for the wonderful gift we receive and for all the many blessings of our lives.
So at the end of the 11 am Liturgy, the Blessed Sacrament will be carried from the altar in the main worship area to the altar of Holy Cross chapel. At 6 pm, the Eucharist will be carried in the monstrance back into the church, where we'll pray Evening Prayer together.
I would invite everyone, especially our Ministers of Prayer and Eucharistic Ministers, to come and spend some time with the Lord. It is a special opportunity for us all to stop and thank the Lord for our many blessings. ON SUICIDE A recent suicide in the community has deeply affected many people. Some have asked what the Church believes, especially about the possibility of salvation for anyone who takes their own life.
Let me begin by saying that the Church holds that it is always wrong for anyone to take a life, whether it is their own or another's. [Not even the argument of self defense can make it "right" to kill another. The dire circumstances that would require someone to takes another's life only lessens the "degree of wrong".]
BUT as our understanding of psychology has advanced over the years, we understand the victims of suicide much better. The Church is well aware that there are times when some suffer from such great emotional and\or mental pain, that suicide becomes a means to end the pain.
In many ways, the mental anguish and depression that overwhelms people is like a "cancer of the spirit" that destroys a person from within. So the Church treats the death of a victim of suicide with compassion. The funeral Liturgy has special prayers which address both the tragic circumstances as well as our hope that the deceased will come to eternal life in Christ.
PLEASE, if at any time you (or someone close to you) suffer from depression that seems to be overwhelming, DO NOT IGNORE IT. It will NOT just get better on its own!
We are wise enough to get help when our physical health is threatened; be wise enough to
reach out for help when our psychological health is threatened! I am more than willing to listen
and\or provide the names of competent professionals.
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: Joanna Bloese, 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, Gene Geiger, Gino, and Dennis.
Peace and blessing in Jesus Christ. We wish to manifest our thankfulness for your support in helping us in our apostolate among the poor here in the Philippines. Through the fruit of the parochial mission appeal carried out by Fr. Matthew Weber of the Servants of Charity, you gave us the possibility to assist a poor man, father of four children, who had to undergo an operation of the spinal column. Since he is deprived of the financial possibility, we provided for his hospitalization and operation; and everyday, we visit him, taking care of his enormous bedsore, dressing him and comforting his family.
Thank you very much for the possibility that you with your parishioners gave us to help
this poor family. Please be assured of our constant prayer for all of you.
Fr. Paul Oggioni, S.C.
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 and will begin Thursday, December 2 at 10am (childcare will be provided).
If you have a family member or friend who has been away from the Church, consider inviting them to "Take A Second Look". We meet in the Adult Formation Room on Mondays at 7:30pm.
Our Grief Support Group meets Sunday evenings at 7:30pm 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.
Sign up sheets are in the gathering area for the above programs. If you have any questions or
concerns please contact me (810) 229-8624.
Yours on the Journey, Marilyn
The parents with children in the Eucharist program are invited to participate in a meeting on Monday, November 15 at 7pm.
The catechists met this week to share insights, companionship, food and friendship. It was
a very enjoyable evening. Thank you to the Education Committee for nourishing us. It was
wonderful. Sister Maryetta
Sister Maryetta
Tonight is the last meeting for the month of November (7-8:30pm). Our next meeting will be Sunday, Dec.5. Our Christmas gathering will be Wednesday, December 22.
Last Sunday Mary Suwell talked with our youth about suicide. She helped us to understand it better and how to support our grieving friends. She talked to us about signs to look for should a friend be depressed or sad.
JAMBOREE eleven of our teens participated in the Jamboree (Nov.6). I was able to attend and had a great time! The musicians that the Diocese brought in for the day were wonderful and inspiring. They had us up out of our seats clapping and singing with all our hearts. It was awesome! Bishop Mengeling celebrated mass; he has such a way of being with our teens.
M.U.D. News In December, we have arranged for the M.U.D group to participate at an Alzheimer's care facility in Brighton called Ashley Court. Monday, Dec. 6, from 4-5pm, we will help residents create Christmas cards for their families. It will be a challenging, but very rewarding afternoon.
On November 20/21 & 27/28 the Youth Group and the M.U.D. Group will be selling
advent candles and wreaths for $7 a set, $4 for a wreath, and $3 for candles only.
Margaret Callaghan
Fiscal Year runs from July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2000
Total income for the week of November 6/7, 1999:
Sacrificial Giving Presently we have 782 families registered in the parish and 345 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
Thank you for your generosity and support of the "1999 Crop Walk." St. Mary Magdalen parishioners raised over $1,500 to help stop world hunger.
The Charity & Justice Ministry Team continues to ask you to save your VG's receipts and return them in the container provided in the Gathering Area. We have received a check from VG's for $315.86 to help those in need within our parish.
Before each weekend Liturgy begins, there is a three minute explanation of a segment of the Mass. This column offers additional information.
The last act of the presider is to kiss or venerate the altar before he departs. Again, this is an ancient custom in both east and west. Originally, it was a farewell gesture to the altar which was viewed as a symbol of Christ. In many eastern Liturgies, this farewell was accompanied by a prayer of farewell. But in the Roman Rite, the sense of departing was lost. First the priest would kiss the altar before the dismissal. After the dismissal he prayed a prayer of thanksgiving which was probably adopted from the eastern custom and added to the Liturgy in Medieval France. Then the priest kissed the altar again before he blessed the assembly. This gesture led to the interpretation that the priest received the blessing from Christ before imparting it to the people.
Unlike the Mass of 1570, where the priest kissed the altar several times during the Liturgy, the clergy only venerate the altar at the beginning and at the very end. This makes it much clearer that the veneration serves as greeting and as a farewell to the altar which is the symbol of Christ.
Parishioners are urged to support this year's special fundraising appeal for Livingston County Catholic 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 circumstance. For more information, contact LCCSS board member and parish rep, Tom Lawrence, or call the LCCSS office in Brighton, 227-2151. Thank you for your prayers and financial support.
Next weekend, we have the opportunity to participate in the annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Since 1970, CCHD has been our Church's effective and compassionate response to the needs of low-income people in our own diocese and throughout the country. CCHD funds more than 300 projects each year, helping people to work within their own communities to create jobs, provide affordable housing, ensure decent wages and organize for change. CCHD is a practical way for concerned Catholics to respond to Pope John Paul II's exhortation, "If you want peace, work for justice! If you want justice, defend life. If you want life, embrace the truth - the truth revealed by God." Please give generously next weekend.
Married Couples Retreat facilitated by Fr. Larry Delaney & Fr. J. Munley is scheduled for Dec. 3-5. Various areas of sharing in marriage will be explored, including Family, Sexuality, Finances, Emotional Intimacy, Faith Spirituality. Give yourselves the precious gift of time away together to focus on your marriage relationship. Cost is $180 per couple, including lodging & meals. Register at St. Francis Retreat Center, 517-669-8321.
The Sunday Collection is handled?
We have two teams of volunteer who take turns counting the collection. Thanks to your
generosity it has become a more time consuming task. There is ONE FAVOR we are requesting
of you, kindly use your parish envelope. Yes, sometimes you forget your envelope and put a
check into the collection. But matching your check with your envelope number so that your gift
can be recorded on your Contribution Statement has become an increasingly lengthy task! (If you
put cash in the collection basket we have no way of crediting your statement.) Using your
envelope would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
The Collection Counters
Now is your opportunity to acknowledge your thankfulness to God for your many blessings. Next Sunday slips of paper will be in the gathering area for you to jot down the things you are most thankful for. Please fill one out and place it in the basket that is provided. They will be included in the Mass on Thanksgiving at 9:00 a.m.
A Thanksgiving Prayer Meeting will be held at St. Patrick,Brighton on November 19 from 7:30-9:30pm in McCann Hall. You're invited to join them in using the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit in gratitude to our God in song and prayers of praise. Refreshments, Christian fellowship and an opportunity for private prayer will follow.
ITALIAN THANKSGIVING SPAGHETTI DINNER sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, will be held on Sat.,November 20, from 5-6:30pm in the Social Hall. The menu includes meat/meatless pasta, garlic toast, ice cream & beverage. Cost is families-$15, $5-singles, $4-seniors, children-$2.50. A sign up sheet in the gathering space is used to estimate the amount of food to purchase (not as a reservation).
Our Retired Persons who are interested in getting together to share lunch and interests, please consider joining us tomorrow, Nov. 15, 12:15pm to discuss the possibility of forming a group which would meet regularly. Katie Barazsu will demonstrate gift wrapping at our first meeting.
Our Parish Nurse Ministry will have a blood pressure screening following all three Masses next weekend, Nov. 20/21. Early detection leads to prevention!
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.
COFFEE & DONUT MINISTRY is still in need of 4 families to host coffee & donuts after the 11:00 Mass. If you are able to assist in this ministry, please call Joanne Pasienza (810) 220-0491.
Sun., Nov. 14 Dennis Wagener
Mon., Nov. 15 John Bellanti, Joyce Muehler
Tues., Nov. 16 Kathy Clark, Shirley Caster, Pat Spindler
Wed., Nov. 17 Barb Colley, Pam Hornsberger
Thurs., Nov. 18 Laura DeLaMarre, Mary Cavanaugh
Fri., Nov. 19 Colleen Atwood, Christine Camden
Sat., Nov. 20 Cindy Sultana
Prayer Intercessions may be filled out each weekend and placed in the basket located between the inside glass doors in our Gathering Area.
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 14
Prv 31:10-13,19-20,30-31/1 Thes 5:1-6/Mt 25:14-30
Monday, Novenber 15 All Saints
1 Mc 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-64/Lk 18:35-43
9:00 a.m. John Friend
Tuesday, Novenber 16
2 Mc 6:18-31/Lk 19:1-10
9:00 a.m. Ruth Blanchette
Wednesday, Novenber 17 Elizabeth of Hungary, married woman, relig.
2 Mc 7:1,20-31/Lk 19:11-28
7:00 p.m. Michael Laphan
Thursday, Novenber 18 Martin of Tours, bishop
1 Mc 2:15-29/Lk 19:41-44
9:00 a.m. Richard Waldeck
Friday, Novenber 19
1 Mc 4:36-37,52-59/Lk 19:45-48
9:00 a.m. Richard Waldeck
Saturday, Novenber 20 Frances Xavier Cabrini, virgin, relig. fdr., missionary
1 Mc 6:1-13/Lk 20:27-40
Sunday, Novenber 21 Christ the King
Ez 34:11-12,15-17/1 Cor15:20-26,28/ Mt 25:31-46
4:30 (Vigil) Mary & Carl Wojewodzki
9:00 a.m. Jerry Pence
11:00 a.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
Monday, Novenber 15
12:00pm. Senior Activity & Lunch (Soc.Hall)
7:00 p.m. Parent Meeting-First Eucharist
7:30 p.m. Properties Meeting (Room 3)
7:30 p.m. Homecoming (Adult Formation)
Tuesday, Novenber 16
7:00 p.m. Community Life (Room 3)
7:00 p.m. BeFriender Dual (Rectory LL)
7:30 p.m. Inquiry (Adult Formation)
7:30 p.m. Recovery Group (Room 9)
Wednesday, Novenber 17
9:30 a.m. M.O.M.S. Group (Adult Formation)
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
7:30 p.m. Pastoral Council (Conference Room)
Youth Group leaves for NCYC in St. Louis
Thursday, Novenber 18
6:30 p.m. Religious Education
6:30 p.m. Scripture Rosary
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
Friday, Novenber 19
No Activities Planned
Saturday, Novenber 20
5:00 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner (Social Hall)
Sunday, Novenber 21
9:30, 11 & 5:45 Religious Education
12:00-6:00 Adoration of Blessed Sacrament (Holy Cross Chapel)
6:00 p.m. Solemn Vespers (Church)
7:30 p.m. Grief Support (Rectory LL)
Youth return from NCYC
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