Even though I have written about a few of the issues and controversies that surround some of the candidates, I want to make it clear that no candidate gets the endorsement of any archbishop, bishop or pastor (including me). Despite the efforts of some to "demonize" people they oppose, those running for major office are good and decent people. None of them espouse all the principles that I hold dear, so now it becomes my task to thoughtfully choose the candidates who would best represent or uphold my convictions. That is the task of each of us!

You have two more days to look beyond the rhetoric (and the advertising) to choose the candidate that most reflects what you hold dear.

While I never tell anyone how to vote, I am emphatic in telling all of our registered voters to cast their ballot on Tuesday. Voting is not a privilege, it is a moral obligation. (And don’t forget to vote the judicial ballot and the state and local issues!!)

In the Protestant tradition, the focal point of the church is the pulpit and lectern. The lectern provides a place for the reading and the pulpit provides a place for the preaching of the Word. In the Catholic tradition, the focal point of the church is the two altars. The larger one is where Eucharist is celebrated and the smaller (called an ambo) serves as the altar for the Word.

From now on, only the proclamation of the Scriptures, (occasionally) the homily and the Intercessions which conclude the Liturgy of the Word will take place from the ambo. Announcements and other talks will be given from the cantor stand.

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Jennifer Hextall, Nancy Dean, Joseph Hinkle, Myra Gauger, Dave E. Scharf, Lauren & Denise Putnam, Carole Jones, Shirley Peddicord, Andrew Paielli, Barbara Daniels, Andrea Cooper, Eric Truhn, Pam Davis, Judy Woughter, Stella Paweski, Jeanne Carpenter, Cheryl Stecewicz, Joyce Gosbeth, Marcella, Fletcher Armstrong, Andrew Doyle, Marianne Quada, 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.

We fulfill the commandment to love our neighbor when we exercise good stewardship-joyfully sharing our gifts of life, abilities, and resources to meet our neighbor’s need.

SENIOR MINISTRY

You are invited to a luncheon and talk Tuesday, November 12, in the Adult Formation Room. The time will be 12:00-2:00 pm. Kathy Rigley, an occupational therapist, will present us with "Fall Prevention". Learn how to avoid falling and prevent accident, injury, and unnecessary fractures. She will give new tips for safety and body mechanics. Please RSVP to me if you plan to come.

Baptized during the month of October were: Winchell Jacob Fedewa whose parents are Tina & Eric; Andrew Carl Pfaff, son of Brian & Kay; Larson Bryce Bukowski, son of Claudine & Scott; Daniel Vincenzo Maura, son of Stacey & Romolo; Sophia Ryane Oakes, daughter of Holly & Scott; Jacob William Turner, son of Kristin & Scott; and Ethan Robert Walters, son of Izabela & Richard.

Please remember in your prayers Dick Walker and family in the death of Ruth Warner, Dick’s sister; and Pete Lintzenich and family in the death of Pete’s brother, Bill Lintzenich.

During the month of November the Book of Remembrance will be displayed in the Gathering Area. If you would like a family member or friend who has passed away remembered in prayer, please list their name in the book, even though they have been listed in previous years.

ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT is scheduled for Friday, Dec., 6, 7:00 pm this year. Join us for prayerful reflection, fellowship and song. Sign-up sheets are in the gathering area.

Our classes will be practicing the ministries that are needed for Liturgy this week, and next week on Nov.13 and 14 all parents are invited to join us for Liturgy at 5:00 and 7:00pm on both evenings! (There will be no 9am Liturgy on Thursday) Fr. Dave will be celebrating with the youth in our formation classes to help them learn about and become more involved in Liturgy. Please join us!

Please continue to pray for our Confirmation youth as they make final preparations for the Sacrament to be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 30^th.

Mark your calendars for November 16 @ 10:00 am for learning CPR. We will have fun learning both adult and pediatric CPR. You will leave with the confidence that one day, if needed, you may save a life. Please call the church office at (810) 229-8624 to register. This course does not fulfill any requirement needed for employment in a health related field.

The Haunted house was a huge success. All the teens who devoted time and energy to creating it should be very proud of themselves. Thank you to the parents who were supportive of their time there. Of course, without Bill Ross it would not have been so successful! Thank you. We raised over $500 that night; thank you for supporting our youth! It was an awesome night.

The youth are sponsoring a bake sale as the Work for Human Hands is going on this weekend. Our proceeds will go toward this organization. If you would like to donate baked goods, please drop them off in the social hall before you attend Liturgy.

Our meeting will be held in the Rectory at the regular time from 7-9 pm Sunday evening. See you there!

Our leadership will be meeting with St. John’s leadership team in Hartland this month to plan for some activities that our groups can do together. The hope in doing this is that we grow in friendship with the surrounding community.

Our Spring Hill weekend retreat scheduled for March 14-16, 2003 has 39 participants signed up. At this time I cannot guarantee any more spaces but I will start a waiting list. You can contact me in the parish offices.

ADULT FLU CLINIC will be presented at St. Mary Magdalen by St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Home Care on Saturday, Nov. 9, 5:30-7:00 PM, and Sunday, Nov. 10, 10:00am — 1:00 PM. Cost is $15 unless you have Medicare/Medicaid. Call 517-540-9000 with questions.

NOVEMBER PANCAKE BREAKFAST sponsored by the K of C will be Sunday, November 10, in support of our Youth Ministry. Serving will begin at 9am in the Social Hall.

Mercy High School

The Basilian Fathers, teachers, and students of Catholic Central invite you to attend the annual CC Open House. This special day allows you to tour the school, see exhibits, meet the students and faculty, and much, much more. Come and experience the spirit and tradition of Catholic Central High School!

All 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th Grade Boys & Parents Welcome. For more information, call 313-534-1310 or visit our website at www.catholiccentral.net

Come join us for the Father Gabriel Richard High School 19^th Annual Dinner Auction, "Fiesta De Navidad". It will be held at Washtenaw Community College in the Morris Lawrence Building on Sat., Nov. 16 at 5:00 PM. Tickets cost $100 and include dinner, bar, live and silent auctions. If you cannot attend consider donating a gift. Please contact FGRHS Development office at 734-662-4719 for information or to purchase your ticket. Thank you.

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.

RIGHT TO LIFE HOLIDAY CARDS will be available for purchase the weekend of November 9/10 after all Masses. All proceeds will benefit Right to Life. Contact Corrine Bielicki, 810-220-2387 or Barb Toth, 810-225-0807 with inquiries.

This year we are entering a float in the Howell Festival of Lights Parade. We are going to need a lot of help! Beginning Nov. 1, work will begin in the barn. We have a lot of work to do and a very short amount of time to do it. 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; please bring them anytime, as we will be starting soon. Anyone interested in sewing costumes or for more info, contact Barb Colley, 810-225-0052, or Bob Barclay, 810-227-6245.

Help to build a world without poverty by purchasing gifts, home or Christmas décor at the Bazaar before and after all Masses. Compared to large manufacturers, a significant portion of the price of Work of Human Hands products is returned directly to the cooperatives of artisans and farmers who produce the goods we take on consignment for our sale. This means the people can afford food, clean water, shelter, basic healthcare, and education for their families. With a stable income, they are able to pull their families out of poverty’s strong hold.

You will be pleased by the variety, quality and pricing of over 200 different items from 26 countries. Make this your first Christmas shopping stop.

An information meeting for people who are considering adoption will be held at 7 PM, Tues. Nov. 12, 2002, at Adoption Associates, Inc., 26105 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 301, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.

Information will be shared on building families through both domestic (US) and international (China, Russia, Guatemala, Moldova, Ukraine, Poland) adoption. We are the only agency in Lower Michigan that is accredited to work with Russia. Come meet some of our staff!

A family altar can alter a family

Come and enjoy a free contemporary Christian concert performed by "Simple Message" on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 7:00pm, at the Coffee Beanery, in the Hartland Town Center Mall at Old 23 and M-59. Half of all donations received will go to Livingston County Catholic Social Services. For more information, call (248) 889-3344.

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 about the programs and services at LCCSS, to refer yourself, a family member or friend, call (517 545-5944.

St. Patrick’s Church has a social group for adult singles (30+ single, divorced, widowed) for the purpose of meeting other single adults in a local establishment to enjoy good food, fellowship and fun while planning group activities. This is not a dating service. We meet on the 1^st & 3^rd Monday of each month a E.G. Nick’s Restaurant on Grand River from 6:30-9pm. Dues: $2 per person/per night. For more information call Lynn at St. Pat’s Parish Office at (810) 229-9863.

Please watch your mail for a special opportunity to participate in the helping ministry of Livingston County Catholic Social Services (LCCSS). LCCSS offers professional and confidential counseling and other services to Livingston County families and older adults regardless of financial circumstances. This year’s Loaves and Fish Appeal will take place on November 9-10, 2002. Please give generously. Your prayers and financial support are sincerely appreciated! Thank you.

Will host a Char-Broiled Beef Dinner on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 1:00 — 5:00 PM. Dessert, Coffee, Tea, and milk will be included. Hot dogs for children on request. Adults $8, Seniors $7, 12 & under $3, 5 & under FREE, and family $25.00.

A two-day retreat for couples preparing for marriage where one or both have been previously married. A team of remarried couples facilitates the weekend with a variety of backgrounds specially trained in this ministry with assistance from the Office of Family Ministry. Topics covered are: Christian Marriage; Communication; Family of Origin; Resolving Past Relationships; Stepfamilies; Intimacy & Sexuality; Cohabitation; and Legal Concerns & Financial Planning. The dates for the Remarriage Seminars are Nov. 9 & 10, 2002; Jan 25 & 26, 2003; March 8 & 9, 2003 and May 17 & 18, 2003. The retreat starts at 8:30 AM Sat. and ends at 1 PM on Sunday. For more information, call the Family Ministry Office at (517) 342-2471.

There is a need for qualified interpreters for liturgical services in the Genesee Region. Please contact Rose Smith, Catholic Deaf Ministry 517-342-2500.