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BUILDING TOWARD CHRISTMAS The songs and the carols of Christmas, even the nativity sets all draw our attention to the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. But the focus of Advent is the invitation to prepare for Christ, our Savior and Lord.
This becomes especially apparent if you read the daily Scripture readings found under the liturgical calendar in the bulletin. The readings of Advent invite us to reflect on who Christ is for us.
The first reading from the prophets (mostly Isaiah) tells us of the promise of the coming Messiah, and the Gospel shows us how Jesus fulfills that promise. Even more wonderfully, these readings also hint of something greater. Those who seek out Christ, who is the Christmas Gift, will find even greater fulfillment - that is the promise of Advent.
On Thursday, Dec 17, we begin the octave of Christmas, the eight days leading up to the feast. The readings now begin to focus on how the Lord first came among us. But the Church's prayer over these days speaks of our longing for Christ to fulfill in our lives what He began so long ago.
This longing is summed up in the hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." It is composed of seven short prayers that the Church uses during the closing days of Advent. Each day there is a different title for the Lord and the request for Him to come and touch our world and our lives.
It is the "count down" song, leading us from Dec 17 to Dec 24. That day we use the final verse: O come, O come Emmanuel - meaning God with us! ARE YOU READY FOR CHRIST? The season of Advent invites us to get ready for Christ. The Sacrament of Penance is an important part of that preparation. It is much more than just the forgiveness of sin, it is the Sacrament which restores us to holiness of our Baptism.
There are three communal celebrations coming up this week:
This Sunday at 3 pm at St. John on M-59
Mon, Dec 14 (7:30 pm) at Holy Spirit in Hamburg
Wed, Dec 16 (7:30 pm) at St. Mary in Pinckney
We will also join the "rest of the parishes" by having our first communal Penance Service on Monday, Dec 21 at 7:30 pm.I hope you will take advantage of one of the several opportunities for the Sacrament of Penance as a way of preparing for Christ! Fr. Dave Howell
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Marilyn (mother of Steve
Crowell) Debbie, Nancy, Steve, Ken, Becca & Tessa St. Louis, Jeanette, Bob, Claudette, Pete,
Vivian, Jane, Timothy, Zora, Mary Kay, Wayne, Ed, Merle, Mike, Tom, Keith, Ruth, Mary, Karen,
Victor, David, Kenneth, and Roland.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS families will be Christmas caroling at the homes of a few shut-ins on Saturday, December 19, after the 4:30 Liturgy. All are welcome to join in!
"Be patient until the Lord's coming..." What a simple message! And yet so hard to implement in either our secular or spiritual lives where hurry is the norm. I know that I wasn't anywhere near the line for patience when it was being distributed, and I find myself in total awe of the very few friends that I have who actually received some of it. Instead I have spent most of my life rushing for tomorrow, especially in my relationships with my children, with Jerry and with God. It wasn't until one of those tomorrows did not come that I began to realize I had missed a whole lot of todays.
Making the most of each day given us with our community, our family, our spouses and in our response to our God is part of the patience needed in our preparation for His coming. Allowing ourselves quiet time to reflect on His many gifts to us, in the midst of all the rush, is essential to appreciating the real Gift of Christmas. Yours on the journey, Marilyn
Please remember that the religious education program is doing Christmas for the children in Head Start. Any mittens, gloves, hats, scarfs would be greatly appreciated for the cold winter months. I would also like to thank all who made the Confirmation ceremony so meaningful: the children who were confirmed, the parents, catechists, and all those who helped on the beautiful reception afterwards (especially the wonderful 9th grade students) and the music ministry. May we all continue to grow in the Spirit. Sister Maryetta
Mark your calendars for the following dates:
Advent Retreat Saturday, Dec. 19, 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Christmas Party Monday, Dec. 28, 7:00 pm.
Baby Sitting available for anyone who wishes to do some shopping
on Monday, Dec. 14, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. in either the youth room or
nursery. Donations will be accepted and greatly appreciated, as some of the
money will be used for our adopted family for Christmas.
Advent Gospel Reflections will be held at the Callaghan's on Thursday evening, Dec. 17, from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Call me at 810-227-7937 if you would like to come. Remember to bring your journal folders tonight!
Congratulations to our newly confirmed teens! May He be stronger than ever in your lives and may you be blessed with the grace to feel His presence with you always. Margaret Callaghan
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE - If you took a tag from the Giving Tree, please don't forget to return your gift this weekend! Wrap the item indicated, and tape the tag securely to the gift (no bows please). Thank you for helping so many families for the holidays.
BETHLEHEM REVISITED an interactive Bible-theme adventure, takes place at St. Thomas Church, 517 Elizabeth, Ann Arbor. Spend 20-30 minutes touring the first-century marketplace, chatting with the shepherds in the fields and stopping by the stable to view a living Nativity on December 18 and 19 from 7:00-9:00 pm. Call Elizabeth Martin, 734-761-8606, ext. 207, with questions.
Stewardship Report Last weekend approximately 1580 people participated
in the Liturgies. These folks contributed $13,012.51 to the parish. Last year
on this Sunday the contributions totaled $11,449.94.
A number of items have been left in the church and have been kept in the hospitality room: sweaters, jackets, books, etc. If you've lost something, and think that it might be here at church, please check with one of our hospitality folks on Sunday.
THE CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE If you would like to help those less fortunate for the Holidays please consider taking a tag from the tree that is in the Gathering Area. Purchase and wrap the item indicated, and tape the tag securely to the gift (no bows please). Place the gift under the tree anytime on or before December 13. Thank you!
Sacrifical Giving Presently we have 712 families registered in the parish and 145 families have made their stewardship commitment. If you have not filled out your stewardship commitment card yet, please pray about the sacrifical giving you will be making weekly/monthly and return the card either by mail or the collection basket on Sunday. The Finance Council
Sunday, December 13 Third Sunday of Advent
Is 35:1-6a/Jas 5:7-10/Mt 11:2-11
Monday, December 14
Nm 24:2-7,15-17/Mt 21:23-27
9:00 a.m. Thanksgiving
Tuesday, December 15
Zep 3:1-2,9-13/Mt 21:28-32
9:00 a.m. Jack Duffy
7:00 p.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
Wednesday, December 16
Is 45:6b-8,18,21b-25/Lk 7:19-23
7:00 p.m. Cliff Shipley
Thursday, December 17
Gn 49:2,8-10/Mt 1:1-17
9:00 a.m. Frances Gutting
Friday, December 18
Jer 23:5-8/Mt 1:18-24
9:00 a.m. Joseph Churches
Saturday, December 19
Jgs 13:2-7,24-25a/Lk 1:5-25
Sunday, December 20
Is 7:10-14/Rom 1:1-7/Mt 1:18-24
4:30 (Vigil) Ruth Howell
9:00 a.m.Kathy Roux
11:00 a.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
Minister of the Word:
John Murphy, Laura Drittler
Ministers of the Eucharist:
Pat & Sheila Daul, Pat Shiek, Barb Gillespie,
Ken Anderer, Kathy Blue, Joan Monforton
Ministry of Server:
Michelle Murphy, Kari Murphy
Ministry of Hospitality:
Connie & Shannon Murphy, Bill Spindler,
Kathy Anderer, Larry Herzinger
Advent Wreath Lighting:
Mitchell Family
Minister of the Word:
Lee Ann Louis-Prescott, Dan Ahearn
Ministers of the Eucharist:
Rhonda Barclay, Debbie & Mark Ruf, Al &
Barb Lanigan, Annie Ahearn, Bill Colley, Laura Meader
Ministry of Server:
Elizabeth Atwood, Julie Crabbe, Steven
Louis-Prescott
Ministry of Hospitality:
Deater Family, Rick & Sandy Phillips, Rene'
Tierney, Didyk Family, Eagle Family
Nursery:
Need
Advent Wreath Lighting:
Lintzenich Family
Minister of the Word:
Josie Doucette, Pauline Flowerday
Ministers of the Eucharist:
Kim Sochacki, Kathy McKay, Karen Hostnik,
Nancy DiValentin, Jan Baldinger, Larry Baldinger,Jr., Margaret Wenzel, Al
& Mary Korch
Ministry of Server:
Nick Sochacki, Shannon McKay
Ministry of Hospitality:
Gene & Tony DiValentin, Magon Family, Brent
& Carrie Simon, David Wenzel
Nursery:
Lisa Klein
Advent Wreath Lighting:
Ed Gawronski Family
Monday, December 14
6:30-9:30 p.m. Youth Group Baby-sitting
7:00 p.m. BeFriender Training (Social Hall)
7:30 p.m. E-Team (Conference Room)
7:30 p.m. Baptism Class (Adult Ed)
Tuesday, December 15
9:00 a.m. Seniors Mass & Brunch w/Fr.Dave
7:30 p.m. Inquiry/Journey
Wednesday, December 16
7:30 p.m. Pastoral Council (Conf. Room)
Thursday, December 17
6:30 p.m. Scripture Rosary
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
7:30 p.m. Youth Advent Gospel Reflection
(Callaghan's)
Friday, December 18
l0:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Youth Advent Retreat
5:30 p.m. K of C Family Christmas Caroling
Saturday, December 19
7:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast (LL Rectory)
Sunday, December 20
No Youth Group
7:30 p.m. Grief Support (Rectory LL)
Vision Statement | Sacraments | Ministries | Weekly Bulletin
Parish Staff | Religious Education | Miscellanous Information | Special Events