The first is that celebrating Jesus as king seems rather strange and even confusing because we live in an age when there are few kings or queens. Yet, when the feast began, most of the world was still governed by kings and queens. Some of these had their power limited by councils and parliaments. But many still held absolute power over their subjects: the power of life & death.

Today there are few kings and queens in our world. Most are simply figureheads, with no power (like the British monarchs). Some still serve a constitutional executive role. Although his\her role is limited, the monarch actually serves as a functional part of the government. Finally, there are a couple of kings in the world who still hold absolute power.

My first point is the question: what kind of king is Jesus in our lives?

My second reflection on next Sunday’s celebration comes from the Gospel for the feast (Mt 25:31-46). It is filled with startling questions, which are often overlooked by many Christians.

The Feast of Christ the King celebrates our faith that "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." Next Sunday’s Gospel gives us the questions on the Final Exam.

The donors are Kirk & Jacci Dunn. Since they came to the parish, Jacci was received into the Church, both were Confirmed and finally, we celebrated their marriage. The encyclopedia is their "thank you gift" to our community.

Besides thanking them for their kindness, I also want you to know that you can find a world of information — especially about "Catholic things" right in our parish library! You’ll see when you walk in!

The Community Thanksgiving will take place at 7 pm in the Brighton Performing Arts Center at Brighton High School. I hope you will join us!

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Mark Ruf, John Morrison, Beth Hersog, Joe Lopez, Jonathon Forbes, 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.

Good stewards are like the industrious and reliable servant in today’s Gospel, prudently using and multiplying the gifts and entrusted to them by God.

Special Collections:

Loaves & Fish (November 3)-LCCSS

Human Development (November 24)-Diocese

Retired Religious (Dec. 8)-Diocese

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. 20^th, from 6-6:30 pm in the church. High School youth needing service hours are encouraged to come too!

Please continue to pray for our Confirmation youth as they make final preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation to be celebrated here next Saturday, 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).

We are still in need for persons to give an hour of their time on the First 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

Thank you to Peggy Weingartz, Stasia Eisenhut, Janice Bordo, and Gary Prise for spending the day with us last weekend in Lansing for the Jamboree. We took our biggest group yet of 28.

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 a snack. There is an informational meeting regarding the specifics of NCYC. A $50 deposit, due December 8, will reserve your spot.

Our Next event is December 12. We are Christmas Caroling at the Woodland Manor from 5-7pm. Come wearing your favorite holiday sweatshirt, hat and jingle bells. A sign up sheet is out as are directions.

Also we are scheduled again at the Livingston County Food Pantry for Tuesday, November 26, from 4-5pm. A sign up sheet is out for this also.

Spring Hill participants are asked to attend a meeting on Monday, December 2, in the social hall at 7:30pm. It should only last an hour.

Understanding the Gift of Sexuality, a continuing education (CME) conference hosted by the Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Association, will be held Saturday December 7, 2002 at the University of Michigan Towsley Center in Ann Arbor. 6 CME credits (6 CEU for nurses) will be provided through joint sponsorship with the Michigan Medical Society. Topics include: Theology of the Body, Post Abortion Complications, Same Sex Attraction, Addicting Drugs and Sexual Behavior Sexually Transmitted Diseases & Condom Ineffectiveness, Parental Rights vs. Adolescent Autonomy. For more information, contact the Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Assoc. at cmlansing@rc.net, 734-930-7480 o0r visit www.cmalansing.org. Pre-registration required.

"For Pain’s Sake" - Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Discussion & Support Group will meet Friday, December 6^th from 1-3PM here at St. Mary Magdalen, We welcome family and friends. Come to learn and to share. For more information call Joy Sullivan at (810) 227-6372.

BP Screening November 24/25 in the Chapel after every Mass: You can change this cardiovascular risk factor! Many of our parishioners have successfully controlled their blood pressures through diet, exercise, stress management and/or weight loss. Others are now medicated and under a physician’s care. We congratulate all of you! Blood pressure is the "silent killer" Please have your Blood Pressure monitored regularly.

Waldecker

Last week’s response to our annual Loaves and Fish Appeal has been wonderful! If you haven’t yet had the chance to participate, it’s not too late. Just drop your Loaves and Fish envelope in next week’s collection basket or simply mail a check directly to Livingston County Catholic Social Services at 2020 East Grand River, Suite 103, Howell, MI 48843. Your prayers and thoughtful support will help LCCSS minister to those county residents who are hurting or seeking direction and fulfillment in their lives. For more information, contact LCCSS directly at 517.545.5944.

This year we are entering a float in the Howell Festival of Lights Parade. We need a lot of help! Work has begun in the barn and there is a lot to do in a very short amount of time. 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. 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. For more info, contact Barb Colley, 810-225-0052, or Bob Barclay, 810-227-6245.

WARM THE CHILDREN

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

ORGAN DEDICATION CONCERT will be held at St. George Lutheran Church in Brighton this afternoon at 4:00pm. All are invited to this free concert and to enjoy the refreshments afterward!

Advent by Candlelight If you are interested in joining us for this wonderful advent celebration that is focused on prayerful reflection, fellowship and song, please add your name to the waiting list in the gathering area. You will be notified if openings occur. Please contact Donna Sixbery at (810) 227-3541 with any questions.

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.

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.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pinckney, MI is seeking a qualified person qualified in Catholic Liturgical Music. The position includes experience in both planning and directing at mass and other liturgies, proficiency in piano/organ, conducting, and recruitment of new musicians. We are a growing parish of 1,100 families, currently building a new worship/education complex. To inquire, call 1-734-848-3161.

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.

As of this writing, we have not finished our accounting, but it appears you purchased about $5000 worth of arts and crafts created by cooperative groups throughout the world. We thank all of you for your financial support.

We also want to thank all who supported us in the background with their flexibility and support. As in all projects here at SMM, "Human Hands", hearts, and voices came together for the building of God’s Kingdom.

The Faith and Friendship Community

Thank you to all those walkers or sponsors of CROP Walk 2002. St. Mary Magdalen walkers raised $1665! A special thanks goes to Weingartz Lawn and Snow Equipment Company and Fenton Tire and Auto (both owned by St. Mary Magdalen parishioners)for their generous support as two of the six sponsors of this years event. Funds raised at the CROP Walk help stop hunger both globally and locally within our own county.

We wish to thank all the parishioners who donated food, drinks, and other items for the homeless shelter. All items that were left over were sent to the Salvation Army, Gleaners Community Food Bank, and to families in the parish. With all your donations you were able to serve in Christ for those in need. Our guests were very appreciative of all they received. God Bless.

Jan Carpenter & Ann Fraser

St. Mary’s Rosary Altar Society of Pinckney will hold their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, from 10 AM till 4 PM. the event will be held at St. Mary School, 551 E. Hamburg in Pinckney, MI. Over 100 crafters selling wood items, wall hanging, Christmas items, sweatshirts, jewelry, candles, soaps, sleigh photo Christmas cards of your child created on site plus many more unique gifts. To receive an application to rent a table to display your items call Mary at 734-878-6563 or Barbara at 810-231-2904.

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.

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.

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.