ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

THAT ALL MAY BE ONE These words of Jesus, spoken at the Last Supper (Jn 17:21), were also the last words of Pope John XXIII.

Perhaps the greatest scandal of Christianity is the fact that Christians are divided. Our failure to proclaim the Gospel with a unified voice makes it difficult for Christians to make the Gospel believable.

Next weekend, we take a step in the right direction. Members of the First United Methodist Church in Brighton will join us for the 11 am Liturgy to bring a prayer for reconciliation and members of St. MM will be present for their 11:30 service, bringing the same prayer.

Please join in the worldwide prayer for Christian unity next weekend and welcome them with open arms!

ONLY A MONTH AWAY It seems hard to believe, but as we heard at the end of the Liturgy last weekend, Ash Wednesday is now only a month away (Feb. 13). So I have taken down the Christmas decorations, including the poinsettia flag at the front door. In its place, I have hung my Mardi Gras flag! It came from a friend from New Orleans, where Mardi Gras is not only a big event, its almost another industry!

Technically, Mardi Gras means "fat Tuesday" and it refers to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. People would feast on that day, in preparation for the forty days of fasting that would start the next day.

When I told Mel that we have a Mardi Gras Party the Saturday before Lent starts, he sent it to me "so that I could get ready".

Throughout southern Louisiana and southern Alabama that’s exactly what they do — big time. Christmas decorations are replaced with Mardi Gras wreaths, banners and more, right after January 6. Almost every bakery sells "King Cakes" from early January until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. These coffeecake confections honor the wise men or kings of the Epiphany (last Sunday’s feast). And each contains a small statue of the baby Jesus for someone to find! People celebrate Mardi Gras with costumes, parades, parties, food and drink.

While our celebration of Mardi Gras is much simpler, it is based on the same idea: a party to celebrate before Lent begins.

Our Mardi Gras will take place Saturday, February 9 from 7 — 10 pm in the social hall. Everyone is invited to come and have a good time! You can wear special costumes or your everyday clothes. Come, eat, dance and enjoy!!

Fr Dave Howell

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Women’s Retreat (August 16-18, 2002) at the Weber Center in Adrian, MI. This is a time to reflect, share stories, pray, and be together.

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Brandon, Taryn & Carrie Simon, Shannon McKay, Dean, Joseph Hommel, Sr., Don Camden, Robert Grace, Nancy Lymangrover, Alicia Miller, Evelyn, Shannon Knapp, Peter Bumpus, Julie Hogland, Sam Marino, Pat Huhn, Madalyn, Mary, Monica, Bill, Marissa Provine, Craig Livingston, Joyce, Helen Jones, Larry Piesko, Bill Kottke, MaryAnna, Colette Bertrand, Carole, Larry Stanley, Rachel Holthus, Bob Brookins, Laura Drittler, Angela Cooney, Donald Schommer, Sophie Martin, June Bennett, Steve, Shirley Brake, Steve Thuss, Ethan Montague, Micah Zielinski, Carolyn Johnson, Mary Johnson, Patti Conahan, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mel Oja, 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.

Please remember in your prayers Rick Fraser and family in the death of Joyce Fraser, Rick’s mother.

NEEDED BY THE CHOIR — High School Youth to perform duties of sound technician. Job requires the setting up and taking down of microphones before and after Mass, as well as mixing the sound during Mass. For further information, please contact Steve Schulte at 810-225-0072.

For Your Good Health

Make A Daily Multi-Vitamin Your New Years Resolution! They contain numerous essential vitamins as well as vitamin B9, or Folic Acid. 400mcg of folic acid contained in a standard vitamin can reduce the risk of brain and spinal birth defects by up to 70%! The secret is that it must be taken prior to conception. Folic acid has also been cited to reduce heart disease and colon cancer. Some evidence suggests that it may even lessen one’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease! Please consider this preventive measure for you and your family this year. Blessings!

An International Bazaar is coming to SMM February 16-17. This sale of crafts from seventeen different countries will benefit the third world artisans and Catholic Relief Services.

M.O.M.S. GROUP is starting an 8-week Bible study. The Courageous Love Bible study will start February 6 and finish right before Easter. Put a motherly focus into your Lent and come join us. MOMS meet from 9:30 to 11:30 every Wednesday morning. Childcare and coffee are provided! Call Ann Kehn to sign up or with questions, (810) 231-4343.

Last Sunday our Family Program helped Barb Toth make almost 600 sandwiches for Brown Evangelistic Ministries in Detroit. This food will help many people during a transition time of their lives. Thank you to all the children and parents who worked so hard to assemble, wrap and bag all the sandwiches!

Parents (or Sponsors) of our 9^th grade Confirmation Students are reminded of the Parent/student meeting in Church Tonight, January 13 at 5:30 pm.

First Penance families are reminded your child’s cross is due next week to be presented to Fr. Dave at the Rite of Enrollment Sunday, January 20, at the 9 am Liturgy.

Catechists/aides are reminded to mark your calendars for Wednesday, Jan.30 gr. K-4, and Thursday Jan. 31 gr.5-10 for an evening of reflection. If you have not received your invitation please call Josie or Mary in the office. Make sure you RSVP!

Just a reminder about snow days from the Parent Handbook, if Brighton area schools are cancelled due to bad weather our Faith Formation classes will also be cancelled. In case Religious Education is cancelled during the school day, we will notify the radio station WHMI (93.5 FM) and we will call the local schools. We will also notify your child’s catechist and aide.

Money for the ski trip is due by Jan. 20. All necessary paper work should be turned in also. If you are interested in going but cannot attend a Sunday evening meeting please call me, at 227-7937.

Our annual Souper Bowl Sunday collection will be the weekend of Jan. 26. We will be out in the gathering area with pots and pans wearing aprons and soup kitchen hats. All the money will be donated to charity, last year we collected $2,000. As has been proven in the past, we collect more money each year. Help us to raise even more this year.

Our spring retreat is March 22-24. We will be staying at Pine Hills retreat center in Hamburg. More information about this retreat will be available soon.

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

Feb. 23 is a day-long retreat to be held in the basement of the rectory with guest speaker Phil Leonard.

Looking further ahead, March 2 is the Middle School Rally diocesan wide event, with guest speaker and entertainer Steve Angrianso! I highly encourage you to take a registration form and plan to attend the rally. High school seniors will be coming to talk to you during your Religious Ed. classes this month.

Friday, Jan. 25, is our activity night full of games, movies and music. It will be held from 7-10 pm in the social hall. Sign up sheets are out now. Any adults, who would like to volunteer their time to be with us, also sign up. Thank you.

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.

Women of the New Testament, our new video series will give us an opportunity to reflect and discuss the impact some of these biblical women have had in sharing the Good News. It is scheduled to begin January 17^th at 10:00 a.m. Daycare will be available. Sign up sheets are the gathering area.

On Tues. Jan. 15 from 10 - 3 pm, come join us in making much needed prayer quilts. Bring a lunch!

BAPTISMS: During the month of December we celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism with Austin Allen Grimes, son of Shawn and Jeri Grimes; Reid Danielle Lickfold, daughter of Daniel and Michelle Lickfold; Jennifer Louise Scharton, daughter of Jason and Julie Scharton; and Olivia Rose Sprys-Tellner, daughter of Gregory and Jennifer Sprys-Tellner.

We congratulate their parents and godparents and offer them our prayers and continued support as they accompany them on their journeys of faith.

The Spirit of Justice Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7

The last line of today's gospel refers to the first line of today's first reading. When Jesus was baptized, a voice proclaimed, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Isaiah opens his prophecy today with the voice of God proclaiming, "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased."

Oh, to please God! What marvelous joy!

Isaiah envisions that God takes joy in the chosen one. God's choice of a people started the whole story of salvation. When the covenant worked well, the chosen people responded like good servants, stewards of the word of God. God put upon the people the spirit. That spirit is sent to help the people bring forth justice to the nations.

For Christians, all the baptized are God's chosen people, those chosen by God for union with Christ. Upon us God has given a spirit, God's Holy Spirit, to help us bring forth justice to the nations. God's Spirit is anxious to use you to make the world a fairer place.

Have you opened your heart? Can you hear God speak of you; "Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased"?

Drivers Needed — Please sign up to deliver our parish food contributions to St. Anne’s Catholic Church (SA) or Brown Evangelical Mission (BEM) in Detroit. Weekly deliveries are made on Sundays, after the 11 a.m. Mass. The sign up schedule for the months of February through April will be in the Gathering Space. If you have questions please call Marilyn Farrington 810-229-2871. The hungry of Detroit thank you!

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday is January 20^th. There will be a memorial service held at Brighton Christian Church at 6:30pm. In addition, the Livingston County Right to Life will be offering Free memberships to their organization next weekend. Look for a sign-up flyer in the gathering space.

Community Life - Mark your calendars and be on alert for further announcements regarding this years special Mardi Gras celebration, The party will be at the church social hall on February 9 from 7 until 10 pm. You definitely don't want to miss this years event! Sign up sheets are in the back of church.

Free Throw Championship is for all boys and girls ages 9 — 14, on January 19, 2002. Warm-ups and registration are at 9:30 am. The competition will begin at 10:00am. at Hilton Elementary School, 9600 Hilton Rd. The K of C Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually with winners progressing through local, district, and state competition. The competition promotes health, fitness and good sportsmanship among the youth of our community. For entry forms or additional information contact John Affatati at (810) 225-4735. Give it a shot!!!

The St. Mary Magdalen Knights of Columbus, will be hosting their Spaghetti Dinner Saturday, January 26, 5:00 - 6:30 in the parish social hall. The menu includes pasta, meat and meatless sauces, garden salad, bread sticks, ice cream, and beverages. $6.00 singles, $5.00 seniors, $3.00 children 10 yrs. and under, or $18 per family. Door prizes and balloons for the kids.