While Ordinary Time is much simpler than seasons of Advent & Christmas or Lent & Easter, it is a season that is far from ordinary. The term ordinary time, in this sense, does not mean common but counted! It comes from the Latin word for counted: ordines; because we are now into the counted or numbered Sundays of the Church Year.

Stylists call this the "retro look" – a design that harkens back to another age from our past. This style or look not only influences the design of cars, but you can also see it in new homes and furniture in the Victorian style and in other aspects of our popular culture.

For some folks this attraction to the past, a desire for the "retro look", is simply a matter of preference, much in the same way a person might prefer brown to green. For other folks, it is not merely an attraction or a preference; it is a conscious need founded in fear.

Some look to the future with a genuine fear, in much the same way people feared the problems of Y2K. Some people sought to protect themselves from the possible disaster of Y2K by creating shelters and stocking them with necessities. Because they dread the future, these folks want to shield themselves and their families from it by retreating to the past for shelter.

Over the last number of years I have also noticed the "retro look" in religious people as well. Some are Catholics who would like to return to the Church of my youth: the Church of Latin, clearly defined rules and structure and strict adherence to the law. In my experience, many of those who are enamored of the past ignore many of the Church’s real treasures and cling to desire to control the future through rigid conformity. Moreover, they are quite prone to tell other Catholics who don’t share their view just how wrong they are!

Common sense dictates that one should never embrace the future nor discard the past uncritically. History is littered with stories of those who foolishly discarded the wisdom and treasures of the past, dooming themselves to commit the mistakes of the past. But neither can we live in the past. Any attempt to do so only creates an illusion, a smoke screen, which will never provide any shelter from the struggles and difficulties of living in this world.

This is more than common sense; however, it is the wisdom of the Gospel. Jesus told us that those who are trained for the kingdom of heaven are like "the householder who can bring from the storeroom the new as well as the old." [Mt 13.52]

It is a wisdom that suggests that while retro may make a nice car design, it is important to make sure that all the mechanical parts are contemporary.

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Judy Scharf, Chris Vogel, Tony Pasienza, Diana Jax, Bill Janke, Vladimir Jandasek, John Colombo, Ken & Erin Colombo, Louise Churches, Kathy, Jack Mekjian, Martha Rushak, Laura Matthews, Paul Duff, Carol, Gregory, Norman VanDerBrouck, Toni Brenneman, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Donna Caldwell, Bev Cermak, Jillian, Dottie King, Dave, Derrick Day, Katelyn ,Dante, Raynald Raymond, Rita Long, Joe, Bonnie Doty, Lottie Machowski, Bob Johnson, Frank Gondek, Lane Kombs, Virginia Williams, Ralph Helmer, Joanne Fournier, Bev Zizka, Barry Wilkinson, Maryanna, Fr. Terry Dumas, Kyle Ward, Lee Alstott, Fr. Gil Rahrig, Vincent Kramer, Mike, Linda Nagle, Judy, Thomas Payne, Joan Becker, Danielle Snowgold, Bud Newberry, Bishop Povish, Roe, John Pepa, Margaret Resconich, Rose Kumler, Joanna Bloese, Maureen, Russ Gardner, Susan, Ann Polcyn, Pete, Cornelius Smits, Matt Even, Ellen Columbo, Adeline Smith, Larry Cecil, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, Jeanette Wood, and Donovan.

Please remember in your prayers Bob Thomas and family in the death of Bob’s father, Robert Thomas; and Carol Franczak and family in the death of Carol’s mother, Yvonne Kuchta.

Just a reminder! – There is NO Religious Education on January 21,24 & 25.

We also had our first Formation Ministry Team meeting last Monday! The Formation Team will be focusing on the faith formation of our youth and children here in the parish, while at the same time supporting the on-going faith journey of the parents. We will be in the process of developing the goals established here in our parish Voices session and determining who and what we are as a team. Our next meeting will be on a Monday in February, watch the bulletin for the date and time. All parishioners are invited to attend.

This week I leave you with a thought on the Parables by Joshua, 3^rd grade, "The kingdom of God is special like my family, and is even bigger than the sun." Have a good week.

It’s not too late to start the New Year out with a little wisdom! Thursday, January 11, began our study of The Book of Wisdom. It may very well have been the last book of the Old Testament written and the only one written in Greek. It gives us a window into the mindset and philosophy present during the time of Christ. Our study begins at 10:00 a.m. and includes daycare. Sign up sheets are available in the gathering area.

Our Retirees’ Brunch with Fr. Dave fell victim to the bad weather. It is now rescheduled for Tuesday, January 16 after the 9:00 a.m. liturgy. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate this time!

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

Sunday, Jan. 14 Beth Economou

SKI TRIP If you are interested in participating, see me this weekend after Mass. We’ll ski at Nubs Nob the weekend of February 16. The cost for two nights stay and meals is $70.

Next Sunday there is a Young Neighbors in Action general information meeting at 6pm in the youth room. Please plan to attend if you are interested. It will last about an hour.

Next weekend begins our week long canned food drive for the poor in Detroit. Bring in your food donations all week long and drop them off in front of the alms box.

January 27 and 28 we will celebrate our own Souper Bowl Sunday. After all the Masses we will be standing by the exits wearing soup kitchen hats and aprons, holding cooking pots to collect money. All the money will go to the poor. In conjunction with this collection, we will be having a canned food drive. You can drop the cans off at church or have your children bring them to religious education the whole week of January 21. On Sunday January 28, we will take the food downtown.

The retreat I mentioned last weekend has been rescheduled for April 7 & 8.

Many of you will be taking midterms this week, so bring your study stuff to youth group. We will be studying.

Tuesday, January 16, we will be going to West Hickory Haven Nursing Home in Commerce Township to visit with the residents there. The sign up sheet is in the gathering space.

Margaret Callaghan

The next Spaghetti Dinner will be next Saturday (January 20) from 5:00–7:00p.m. in the Social Hall. If you haven’t ever tried this popular dinner, now is the time! The menu includes pasta, homemade meat and meatless sauces, fresh garden salad, church-baked breadsticks with garlic butter, vanilla and spumoni ice cream and beverages. There will also be a door prize raffle, balloons for kids and Italian music. Admission is $5.00 for singles, seniors $4.00, children $2.50 and families $15.00.

FREE THROW COMPETITION, sponsored by the K of C is scheduled for Saturday, January 20, at Hilton Elementary. Registration and warm-ups will begin at 9:30am. Competition is from 10-12:00 noon. There is no cost to participate.

A Complete Approach to Physical Fitness will improve Your Endurance, Strength & Flexibility and Can:

• strengthen your cardiovascular system
• improve your cholesterol profile
• lower your blood pressure
• control your blood sugar
• promote weight loss and/or weight maintainance
• curb insomnia
• facilitate digestion
• delay the disabling effects of arthritis
• increase bone density to help prevent osteoporosis

With these benefits in mind, join us Blood Pressure weekend January 20 & 21, after all three Masses to learn more about planning your own fitness program (aerobic exercise, resistance training, target heart rate etc.) Also, come and check out the computerized fitness appraisal. Learn your fitness quotient!

This class teaches the symptothermal method as well as highlighting Catholic teaching. It will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Hamburg. The course includes four class sessions scheduled for February 10, March 17, April 14 and May 12 from 10am-12pm. The cost is $60.00 this will cover all supplies and class materials. Information is available in the pamphlet rack explaining Natural Family Planning and Catholic teaching regarding birth control. Call Heidi to register at (810) 229-8741

Monday, January 15, the Office of Black Catholic Ministry is sponsoring a Blood Drive, called "Blood of the Martyrs" In Honor of Christian Martyrs and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day". The blood drive is being held at various sites throughout mid-Michigan, in the cities of Lansing, East Lansing, Flint, Burton, Jackson, and Howell. If you need more information, please call the Diocese of Lansing (517) 342-2440

LIVINGSTON 2001 presents noted performer Madelyn Porter. Madelyn will weave a tapestry of dreams in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. in honor of Martin Luther King Day using costumes and words of famous African American figures from history and literature. She has performed with Missouri Repertory Theatre, Detroit Attic Theatre, Fox Theatre, Greenfield Village, Music Hall etc. Other participant: Methodist Bell Choir, and top area students. Date: Sunday, January 14, 2001. Time: 4 p.m. Place: First United Methodist Church of Brighton, 400 E. Grand River, Brighton. Come and enjoy this outstanding program.

If you would like to have a Liturgy celebrated for a special intention, calling the parish office can make arrangement. A contribution is usually made to pay for the cost of the bread and wine and all the other items that are needed for the celebration of the Liturgy.

A very special marriage encounter weekend is in store for you and your "Valentine" at Maryville Retreat Center, February 16,17,18,2001 This weekend begins at 7:30pm Friday and ends at 5pm Sunday. Your room reservation and all food is covered in the cost of the weekend. Registration is $50.00. A goodwill offering is taken at the end of the weekend to cover expenses-thus you set the expenditure for the weekend as decided by the two of you and your ability to give. Contact Larry & Shelley Isaacson (810) 695-2983 for more information.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Ann Arbor Credit Bureau

Jesus, whom God called "my beloved Son," is also the "servant" of whom Isaiah speaks in the first reading. We who are baptized in Christ must follow His example and use our time and resources in the service of God and neighbor.

Bishop Mengeling will celebrate Mass with all Adult singles (35-55) and Young Adults (20’s & 30’s single & married) on January 21, 2001 at 12:00noon at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing. Lunch will follow in Madonna Hall. To register, call Adult Singles & Young Adult Ministry (517) 342-2494.