THANKSGIVING While we tend to think of this holiday as uniquely American, the fact is ancient Judaism had two thanksgiving celebrations: one when the first fruits were gathered in late spring and the second at the final harvest in late fall. So when the Pilgrims planned their Thanksgiving, they were only following what they believed to be a divine instruction. They viewed themselves as people of a new exodus, a chosen people who had been brought by divine intervention to a new promised land.

Since very few of us rely on farming, the agricultural basis of this holiday is lost to us. While we know many struggles, our livelihood and even our very existence is no longer dependant on the harvest as it was to others down through the centuries.

All of this should make us even more grateful and determined to "return to the Lord to thank Him for all that He has done for us."

While every Eucharist is a thanksgiving celebration, (that is the meaning of the word), the one on the holiday morning is one of my favorite. I hope you can join us to celebrate Thanksgiving\Eucharist with the 9 am Liturgy. (You are invited to bring food for the poor.)

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING Next Sunday evening, the Christians of the Brighton Area will gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. It is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to come together in common prayer and thanks.

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!

CONFIRMATION Next Saturday, Bishop Mengeling will preside at the 4:30 Liturgy to confirm 39 of our young people. With the laying on of hands, the bishop will call down the Holy Spirit to come strengthen these young men and women with the wonderful gifts that flow from the Spirit. (That is what the word confirm literally means — to make strong with!) Then he will seal them in the life of the Church, anointing them with sacred Chrism.

If you are unable to join us for the celebration, I ask that you keep them in your prayer!!

COME, LORD JESUS! Next weekend, we begin the new Church Year with the season of Advent. We look for the Lord Jesus to come and finish what He began. While it is no longer a season of fast and abstinence, it is a season of "invitation".

I hope all of us will use some of these 25 days before Christmas to open our hearts and invite the Lord Jesus to come live there more fully!!

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Margo Twork, 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, 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.

On Wednesday, Nov. 27, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick during the 7pm Liturgy. All who have serious or chronic illness are especially invited.

When the son of Man comes in glory, may we be among those who have fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, and clothed the naked. For Jesus tells us clearly that it is those who have demonstrated good stewardship by sharing their gifts with the less fortunate who will receive God’s blessing and inherit the kingdom.

In your packet (the first page) you will find your commitment card, please take time and prayerfully discern what your stewardship will be for the upcoming year and fill out the card and return it in the box provided in the gathering area.

Special Collections:

Loaves & Fish (November 3)-LCCSS

Human Development (November 24)-Diocese

Retired Religious (Dec. 8)-Diocese

Confirmation Rehearsal has been moved to 7:30 pm in church on Friday, Nov. 29.

All youth interested in helping proclaim the Gospel at 6pm Liturgy on Christmas eve in the Nativity reenactment are reminded there is no rehearsal this week. Rehearsals will resume on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 6-6:30 pm in the church.

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

I would also like to wish you the best Thanksgiving this year! We are a strong, growing community and can be thankful of who we are to each other here at St. Mary Magdalen Thank you for all you do for me!

During the months of December and January the Family Program will be collecting travel size toiletries to build hygiene bags for the less fortunate. Look for examples and a collection box in the Social Hall near the donuts and coffee.

If you are interested in attending the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) scheduled for November 13-16, 2003 in Houston TX, plan to come to our meeting Sunday, December 1, 8p.m. There is an informational meeting regarding the specifics of NCYC. I will be asking for a $50 deposit due December 8 to reserve your spot.

There is no meeting tonight, as we will be taking a holiday break. Tom and I wish you and your families a Thanksgiving Day filled with love, laughter and togetherness with family and friends. We have been blessed with many things in our lives. Take time to slow down and truly enjoy them. God Bless.

Please note that our next event is Tuesday, December 10, not 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 in the gathering area.

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

This weekend, at the 9am Liturgy, the Rite of Acceptance celebrates the readiness of six children and seven adults to continue their journey of faith into the Catechumenate. Each is supported, in their journey by his/her sponsor, a member of St. Mary Magdalen.

Kimberly Duncan Patricia McRae

Courtney Grant Pam Curcuru

Carol Lally Cathy Kolpacki

Larry LaTarte George Schultz

Don Monroe Joe Hommel

Eric Poisson Ben Evans

Melissa Poisson Debbie Barker

Sarah Poliquin Dynetta Cadaret

Bob Stecewicz John Dorset

Gordon Sproul Ray Lickfold

Lori Sproull Diane Lickfold

Alexandra Weston Donna Price

"Sense"-ational Giving! Recycle your Eyeglasses and Hearing Aides! This Advent you can help bless the life of someone struggling with a sensory loss by donating your old eyeglasses and hearing aides. A basket will be provided in the gathering area.

The staff at St. Mary Magdalen would like to Thank All Of You for the blessing you are in our lives. Have a blessed and bountiful Thanksgiving.

The parish office will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, because of the holiday.

We thank the Moms Group for having a Toy Party and purchasing toys for the Nursery. Castle Marbleworks, Castle Kingdom, Three-in-One Play Center, and Fascination Station will be enjoyed by the children in the Nursery. Thank You for your kind and generous donation.

Sister Joyce

On Friday December 6 at 7pm Community Life is inviting you to join us at "Advent By Candlelight" an advent celebration focused on prayerful reflection, fellowship and song. Sign-up sheets are in the gathering area if you would like to be added to the waiting list. If you have any questions, please contact Donna Sixbery at (810) 227-3541

Please remember in your prayers John Lenik and family in the death of Eugene Lenik, John’s father.

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".

St. Mary’s Rosary Altar Society of Pinckney will hold their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, from 10am till 4pm. 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.

When: Sat. Dec. 7, 2002

Where: St. Mary’s Church, 201 N. Westphalia, Westphalia, MI.

5:40 p.m. Doors Open

6:00 p.m. Rosary Begins

6:40 p.m. Visit of our Lady to Ivan

7:00 p.m. Celebration of the Holy Mass

8:00 p.m. Talk by Ivan

For more information call the Rectory at (989) 587-4201 or Lynn Strong (989) 587-3131.

Old St. Pat’s in Ann Arbor will be hosting the Regional Meeting on Dec. 5, 2002. Kay LaVern will be the guest speaker. She is also the former NCCW President.

9 a.m.— 9:30 a.m. Registration

10 a.m. Key note Speaker, Kay LaVern speaking on "Women Embracing Women"

11 a.m. Question and Answer Period

11:15 a.m. Break

11:30 a.m. Mass

12:15 p.m. Lunch, Bring a Dish to Pass

A Free Will Offering will be taken.

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. If you have any questions, call Chris Kovanda (810) 632-5077 or Donna Jones (810) 632-6517.

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.

LCCSS Livingston County Catholic Social Services is committed to their role in making Catholic Social Teaching present in our community. During the most recently completed program year, LCCSS experienced a 24% increase in the number of persons served, now exceeding 2,000 Livingston County residents. The Counseling program increased the hours of counseling provided from 952 to 1423 in this same period, a 49% increase. Across all programs and services, a 6% increase in the hours of service provided was registered. For additional information call (517 545-5944.