PREPARING FOR CHRIST Advent invites all of us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ, and the Sacrament of Penance is an important part of that preparation. Over the next two weeks there will be eight Communal Penance Services across our county and many opportunities for individual Penance.

As a confessor and a penitent, I find great value in both forms of celebrating the Sacrament of Penance. The communal service offers participants the opportunity to reflect on the Word of God, to examine the reality of sin in our personal lives and in the life of the world, and to celebrate together the healing, reconciling love of Christ Jesus. Several priests are available to make it possible for everyone to confess their sin and receive absolution. The prayer, music and community of the Communal services makes them much more of a real celebration of God’s mercy and redemption. The drawback in the communal service is that the numbers of participants and the format do not allow time for penitents to spend much time with the confessor.

Those who would like to have a serious discussion with a confessor are better served by celebrating the Sacrament individually. This format allows time for talking in greater depth and to provide some spiritual direction to the participant.

During Advent most parishes increase the times for individual celebrations of the Sacrament of Penance. Here at St Mary Magdalen, the usual time is 11 am to 12 noon on Saturday, with additional times closer to Christmas.

There will be four regional Communal Penance Services this next week

INDIANAPOLIS BOUND Last Wednesday, 17 of our young people left for Indianapolis and the National Conference of Catholic Youth. Together with thousands of young Catholics from across the country, they will share their faith, celebrate and pray. I am sure that the experience will energize them and that the rest of our young people will be enriched by their participation.

CONGRATULATIONS! Saturday, forty-two of our young people were Confirmed by Bishop Mengeling. (The bishop also gave me permission to Confirm next weekend, another six who were in Indianapolis for the NCYC.) We offer them our best wishes; and now that they are gifted by the Holy Spirit, we look forward to their full participation in our parish community and the wonderful things the Holy Spirit will accomplish in their lives.

Fr. Dave Howell

Please remember in your prayers Harold Reihl and family in the death of Harold’s mother, Martha Reihl; and Betty Horka and family in the death of her husband, Chuck.

Sacrificial Giving: Presently we have 910 families registered in the parish and 416 families have made their stewardship commitment. If you have not returned your commitment card, please pray about the sacrificial giving you will be making weekly/monthly and return the card either by mail or the collection basket on Sunday.

The Finance Council

We have recently added a number of full-length feature videos. Many are based on classic books for teens; others were produced by "Wonderworks" for public TV. They are recommended for middle grade students and high school but acceptable for younger children. They would be Great for family viewing during the Holidays. A timely one is Seasons of the Heart, a story of loss and love on the western frontier. Find them in the Youth section.

If you would like to have a Liturgy celebrated for a special intention, please call the parish office to make arrangements. 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.

Congratulations to the youth who were Confirmed this weekend! Including the youth from St. John the Baptist parish. We had 49 of our youth Confirmed and are looking forward to next weekend when the 7 students who went to NCYC will be l Confirmed at the 9am Liturgy by Father Dave!

All 9^th grade students are reminded that there are no classes this evening. A BIG thank you to all who helped with the reception! The 9^th grade students, catechists and parents organized, called, shopped, cooked, set up, served, and cleaned up for this wonderful event.

This season of Advent, we have the opportunity to share with our families various prayer opportunities being offered here at the parish. Monday Dec. 10 we have Evening Prayer at 7 pm in the church. Monday Dec. 17 we have our regional Penance service at 7:30 pm and on Wednesday evenings we have Liturgy at 7 pm. in the Chapel. These are all opportunities for you and your families to spend quiet time with the Lord in preparation for His coming!

Thanks! Mary

There is no meeting tonight but there is one next weekend and then none until January. Our Christmas gathering will be Friday December 28 at the Rife’s home. Details and directions will be discussed next week at our meeting.

Congratulations to all of you who made your Confirmation this weekend. Tom and I pray that you will continue to make God a part of your everyday life and decisions. You have been given great and wonderful gifts and we pray that you fully unwrap them in your life.

I cannot believe that I am already advertising the ski trip but here it goes. Our annual ski trip will take place February 15-17 up at Nubs Nob. We have a great time skiing and spending time with the youth at Holy Child Church in Harbor Springs. If you are interested in going, please plan to attend the January meetings. I will have all the necessary information then.

On a personal note, the Callaghan household is busier than ever, but doing just fine. Baruch has taken his role of big brother just fine sharing his toys with Habbakuk only when he wants to. We are all doing fine and enjoying the time at home.

Thank you to Sue Wagener who led the carolers at Ashley Court last week. The Christmas cheer was spread to all through song and smiles. Our next event is scheduled for Friday, January 25. It will be an activity night held at St. Mary Magdalen.

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.

Our next Retirees’ Lunch meeting is Tuesday, December 11 after the 9:00 a.m. liturgy. It is our annual potluck brunch with Fr. Dave. For more information, call me in the parish office, 229-8624.

Our next Scripture and Stitches meeting will be Tuesday, December 18, a potluck at my house. If you have completed your Quilt for a Cure prayer quilt block, please bring it in. For more information call me at 229-8624.

CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE — This is the last weekend to take a tag from the Christmas Giving Tree. There are seven charities that our St. Mary Magdalen Community will be providing gifts to. If you would like to help with this worthwhile holiday project, please take a tag(s) from the tree. Gifts should be wrapped and back under the tree by Dec. 16 (no bows please). Also, please make sure the tag is securely fastened on the gift.

THE MUSIC MINISTRY is looking for someone to help prepare the sheet music for the Thursday night music rehearsals. Mary Jo Rosen currently does the job (in less than one hour), but (sadly) she is moving. This job is very important to the music ministry and the church because it keeps the choir running smoothly, and at the same time, keeps costs down. Call Steve Shulte at (810) 225-0072, if you are interested. Mary Jo will be leaving in a week.

Attn: No Charity & Justice Team Meeting — The December 11 Charity & Justice meeting has been cancelled. Our next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 3.

FLU SHOTS will be available tomorrow from 10-12:30pm. Cost is $10, Medicare recipients free.

Holy Spirit Book & Gift Shop: Is ready for Christmas with their tree full of beautiful ornaments, many gifts and books carefully chosen to reflect our Catholic faith. The shop is open 9-5:00 weekdays and before and after each weekend Mass. Call 810-231-6784 if you have any questions.

FAITH Magazine is a great way to reach out to family and friends. Send your loved ones the gift of FAITH. Do you know anyone who has fallen away from practicing the faith? Do you know a college student whose faith you would like to encourage? Do you know a neighbor who has shown interest in Catholicism? Do you know of a doctor’s office or lobby where magazines are read? If so, consider sending a gift subscription of FAITH Magazine. You’ll be glad you did. To Order: Use the gift cards in Church or in the November issue of FAITH Magazine. You can also call Jillane Job at (517) 342-2595 or log on the FAITHmag.com

Prepare for the Coming of the Lord December 10^th 6:30-9:30pm at St. John’s in Fenton. Speaker is Fr. Dan Haveron OFM. Call Sheila at 750-9878 for more information.