There are eight communal Penance Services scheduled during the season of Advent:

Tues, Dec 10 at 7:30 pm at Holy Spirit, Hamburg

Wed, Dec 11 at 7:30 pm at St. Mary, Pinckney

Thurs, Dec 12 at 7:30 pm at St. Agnes, Fowlerville

Sat, Dec 14 at 9 am at St. Pat, Brighton

Mon, Dec 16 at 7:30 pm here at Mary Magdalen

Tues, Dec 17 at 7:30 pm at St. Joe, Howell

Wed, Dec 18 at 7:30 pm at St. Augustine, Deerfield

Thurs, Dec 19 at 7:30 pm at St. John, Hartland

Besides, these communal Penance Services, there are opportunities for individual celebrations on Saturdays from 11 am to 12 noon and additional times at the close of Advent are also scheduled.

Our catechists, the parents and our DRE (Mary Mahar) are responsible for the formation of these young people! Our special thanks for all you have done!

Fr. Dave Howell

The last part of the book of Isaiah contains the words of a prophet who preached after the Jews returned from exile. They found their temple destroyed and the city leveled. In today’s reading the prophet describes how God called him to encourage the people in this desperate time.

Today’s passage comes at the end of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. Just as a parent might give last-minute instructions as their child heads out the door, so Paul has a list of last minute-instructions for these people whom he loves.

John’s account of the Baptist makes it obvious that John the Baptist is absolutely determined to deny any role greater than that of a voice crying out: "Make straight the way of the Lord." John knew that his only function in life was to "testify to the light" and to prepare the way for the Lord. The messiah spoken of for centuries is about to come.

The Finance Council

John the Baptist’s call to repentance is echoed in the U.S. bishop’s pastoral letter on stewardship. "Christians must beg God for the grace of conversion: the grace to know who they are, to whom they belong, how they are to live — the grace to repent and change and grow, the grace to become good disciples and stewards."

MOTHER THERESA ON STEWARDSHIP

Most of us would not associate Mother Teresa with raising money, yet she easily could be the "patron saint" of development and fund-raising - especially in a religious setting. Her words explain the core Catholic values behind the concept of stewardship. For example... "it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving." "Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them." "When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed."

Please remember in your prayers Stephanie St. Clair and family in the death of Ann Helmer, Stephanie’s mother; also remember Sue Hinkson and family in the death of Charles Talbot, Sue’s father.

I have a few more to thank from Confirmation! A big thank you to Jimmy Mahar and Meghan Hillman for shoveling the walks so everyone could come into Liturgy safely and to Tom Zuyus, Anne Goudie and her mom for staying and cleaning up after the reception (sorry about your cake being lost Tom!). With the help of so many, our celebration was complete!

A very special thank you to all the Confirmandi for the beautiful crucifix that you got for me. I will treasure it always.

If you are interested in having your child prepare for the Sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist or Penance and did not attend a parent meeting you need to call 229-8624 to set up an appointment to meet with me. Preparation has begun, the children have their books from Fr. Dave to work on with their parents at home, and packets have been given out to the parents to help you to understand the requirements, Rites, and process for the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation!

Mark your calendars for this Monday evening! We will have an evening of prayer for advent at 7:00 in the Church. I urge you to bring yourselves and your children to experience this special form of prayer together!

All youth interested in helping proclaim the Gospel at 6pm Liturgy on Christmas eve in the Nativity reenactment are reminded rehearsal is this week on Wed. Dec. 11, from 6-6:30 in the church.

During the season of Advent, the Wed. and Thurs. formation classes will begin their class time by gathering in Church for the lighting of the Advent wreath. Parents are welcome to stop in as you drop your children off for class!

THE CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE is located in the Gathering Area. If you would like to help those who are less fortunate, please take a tag(s) from the tree. Each tag designates a Christmas gift/item to purchase, wrap and place under the tree (no bows please). Make sure the tag is taped securely to the package. Gifts can be placed under the tree anytime before Dec. 15.

The Giving Tree is a great way to involve the entire family in a very worthwhile project over the holidays. If you can donate any time to sorting and delivering gifts, please contact Chris Kovanda 810-632-5077 or Donna Jones 810-632-6517.

Advent is a time for us to prepare for the birth of Jesus. I remember planning for the birth of my two boys. What fun it was painting their rooms and buying new things! I had baby showers and received many gifts. I look back and remember the anticipation of each baby, each new life.

It took time and careful preparation for the new additions to our family. We saw the babies’ faces and our hearts grew with love and adoration at God’s blessings to us. Tom and I give of ourselves each day to make them happy, to help them learn and to teach them to be good people.

I think now about preparing for Jesus’ birth. How am I giving of myself each and every day to show Jesus how much I love him? What are the blessings I receive in my life now and how am I sharing them with others? God gave his only son for us. What do I give in return?

Take these next few weeks of preparation time and reflect how you are preparing for the birth of Jesus in your life.

December 10 we are caroling at the Village at Woodland in Brighton from 5-7pm.

Margaret Callaghan

We will be creating a lovely memory book for Father Dave’s 25^th anniversary. If you would like to write a letter or a note to Father Dave to thank him for his ministry or what his ministry has meant to you and your family. I would ask that you place them in the basket in the gathering area and we will compile them; and present them to Father Dave on his anniversary. They must be in by the weekend of January 4-5. Contact Sr. Maryetta 810-229-8624 if you have any questions or concerns.

Our parish will be celebrating Father Dave’s 25th Anniversary of his Ordination on Sunday. January 19, we will have a special Liturgy at 5 pm, followed by a reception in the social hall. We will be asking for elegant hors d’oevres & desserts. Sign up sheets will be in the gathering area starting in January. Please call Char Turowski 517-545-4521 or Sandi Phillips 810-229-7861, with questions or suggestions.

Attend during your pregnancy, Tuesday, December 10, 7:30 p.m.

Baptism Instructions: Includes: practice, Godparents welcome, Childcare provided, Tuesday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.

December 11 and 18 from 12:00 noon—1:30pm in Adult Formation room. Bring your lunch and we will discuss the Infancy Narratives to prepare us for the birth of Christ. Everyone welcome.

MOMS & Christmas Stories: Wednesday, December 11, at 9:30 a.m. the Moms group meets and will be sharing their favorite Christmas stories. If you plan to come, bring your story to share.

Spiritual Direction: A Spiritual Director takes your experiences seriously, *meets with you regularly, helps you to clarify issues, generates alternatives, *knows Christian tradition & will help you apply its wisdom to your own experience, encourages you to see God acting in your life, invites you to a deeper relationship with God.

Catholics Returning Home: St. Mary Magdalen parish in cooperation with other area parishes will offer a six-week series entitled "Catholics Returning Home" beginning January 6^th, 7pm at St. Joseph Church in Howell. The sessions are for non-practicing Catholics who are seeking answers to questions about returning to the Church. If you know someone who has left the Church, please invite them to join us. For more information, call Sister Joyce 810-229-8624.

One of the most wonderful women in our parish is going to Medilodge for some recuperation for a few weeks to gain strength. This woman is Betty Polaske and I am asking you to send her a cheery card or note as she recuperates. If you would be willing to do this, please send the card to

Ms. Betty Polaske

Medilodge

1333 W. Grand River

Howell, Michigan 48843

Thank you for your caring and sharing.

THE FLOAT!! We wish to thank all those who helped design and build our float for the Fantasy of Lights Parade; our float received the second place award for "The Spirit of Christmas."

O’Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home

Advent Blessings from The Wellness Ministry for Body, Mind & Spirit! Praise God for our Senses! Through them we see, hear, taste, smell and touch His creation. We know His presence and His love and become aware of our needs and the need of others. In this season often wrought with commercialism, may we all be prayerfully challenged to give with the Heart of Jesus responding to the true needs of others. Through Him our gifts will become more "sense"-ational, healing and nurturing the Body, Mind & Spirit!

"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 in the Gathering Space.

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Linda Lambert, Joan Hutchison, Patricia Brown, Corrine Reineke, Ann, Betty Prise, Carson and Koski Family, Dick Demmings, Jamie Leugers, Betty Polaske, Karen Zapalski, Kelly Rocha, Margo Twork, Mark Ruf, John Morrison, Beth Hersog, Joe Lopez, Jonathon Forbes, Marie Touchette, Sue Ferris, Wilma Scott, Jennifer Hextall, Joseph Hinkle, Raymond Clark, Carole Jones, Barbara Daniels, Eric Truhn, Pam Davis, Judy Woughter, Stella Paweski, Jeanne Carpenter, 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, 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.

At the Thanksgiving Day liturgy we collected and delivered 687 pounds of food for the Livingston County Food Pantry AND we gave St. Vincent DePaul a check for $377. A large thank you to all of you in remembering those who have less.

St Francis Retreat Center is located

703 East Main Street

DeWitt, MI 48820

Young Adults 20’s & 30’s (single & married)

Singles 35-55

6:30pm-1:30am, December 31, 2002

St. Joseph Church, 440 E. Washington St. Howell,

Sponsored by Diocese of Lansing,

Single & Young Adult Ministry

Celebrate the New Year with singles and young adults from around the diocese, Dinner, Music & Dancing. There will be a champagne toast at midnight with prayers for the New Year. Continental breakfast served after the toast.

There is a nationwide ministry available to traveling Catholics providing free information on the location of the nearest church and times of Masses on weekends and holy days. This service is available to all parishes by calling 1-800-627-7846.

St Joseph Church in Howell presents their 2002-2003 speaker series for your spiritual development. Advent is our focus with Marcy Keefe-Slager on Monday, December 9 from 6:20-7:30. Birthing God’s Love is her topic. She will explore how we, the Church (the Body of Christ) are also called to give birth to God’s love in our lives. All are welcome. Bring a friend! We meet in the church. Call Linda 517 552-0818 for more info.

NATIONAL NIGHT OF PRAYER FOR LIFE AND AMERICA will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Hamburg on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 9:00pm till 1:00am Monday morning. Over 800 Catholic churches nationwide will be participating in this night of prayer and adoration in reparation for the murder of the innocent unborn and helpless ones in our society. Throughout the evening we will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a 15-decade rosary, pro-life prayers, Adoration and Benediction. Please join us at any time throughout the night as we bow down in unison (12 to 1) across the Nation in continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

Looking for a fun holiday experience? Come and support some of our St. Mary Magdalen parishioners Dan Frederico, Philip Gubert, Jimmy Leonard, Nikki Nystrand, Scott Osdras, and Cameron Watson are all cast members in the Encore Youth Theater production of Bah, Humbug! Scrooges’s Christmas Carol. Directed by parishioners Michael and Julie Leonard. Tickets are available for the performance on Sunday, December 8 at 2pm. The cost of admission is $5. Please join us at the Hartland Music Hall and share in a heartwarming story of generosity. For more information or ticket sales, call (810) 632-5849.

The Milford office of Hospice of Michigan is looking for volunteers to serve as visiting companions to the ill in our local area. For an opportunity to share a brief visit with someone in need of a smile or a listening visitor, contact Ann Christensen at (248) 685-1333. You will find it a rewarding, personal experience.

Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.