Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Alicia Miller, Evelyn, Shannon Knapp, Peter Bumpus, Julie Hogland, Sam Marino, Pat Huhn, Madalyn, Mary, Monica, Bill, Marissa Provine, Craig Livingston, Barry, Joyce, Helen Jones, Larry Piesko, Bill Kottke, MaryAnna, Colette Bertrand, Carole, Larry Stanley, Rachel Holthus, Bob Brookins, Laura Drittler, Angela Cooney, Donald Schommer, Sophie Martin, June Bennett, Steve, Shirley Brake, Steve Thuss, Joyce Fraser, Ethan Montague, Micah Zielinski, Carolyn Johnson, Mary Johnson, Patti Conahan, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mel Oja, John, Adam Weitzel, Mary Beth, Mary Lou Colgin, Joey Boyd, Merrick, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Mike, Linda Nagle, Bishop Povish, Joanna Bloese, Ellen Colombo, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, and Donovan.

Our Book of Blessings: Blessings extol the goodness of God and indicate the Lord’s favor and protection. For all our parishioners who will be traveling to visit friends and relatives during this Christmas season, Our Book of Blessings would be a wonderful spiritual companion for your journey. The Blessing for Travel/Journey, one of the many blessings, is an opportunity to call upon the Lord, to guide and protect us on our travels. May we extend God’s love to all we meet

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Sacrificial Giving: Presently we have 910 families registered in the parish and 424 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.

Sunday Dec.16 Ken Wilkinson, Claudette Wilkinson

Monday Dec. 17 John Bellanti

Tuesday, Dec. 18 Kathy Riccardi

Wednesday Dec. 19 Pat Huhn, Patricia McRae

Thursday, Dec. 20 Timothy Parcella

Friday, Dec. 21 Jeanette Martin

Saturday, Dec. 22 Marie Touchette

Sunday, Dec. 23 Diane Kubus

Monday, Dec. 24 Diane Boudah, Ginger Smith-Hauck

NEEDED BY THE CHOIR — High School Youth to perform duties of sound technician. Job requires the setting up and taking down of microphones before and after Mass, as well as mixing the sound during Mass. For further information, please contact Steve at 810-225-0072.

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.

We all have our own "if onlys." If only my hands didn’t shake. If only my knees were stronger. If only I weren’t afraid. If only we had enough rain. If only I could see more clearly. If only I could hear as I used to. If only I didn’t feel trapped

God understands. Even though life is not perfect, and even though our property and bodies deteriorate, God promises a restoration of all that is beautiful, all that is good. The struggles of this life cause us to yearn for another, more glorious life.

Isaiah prophesies a day when God’s glory will come. "Here is your God," Isaiah says. "God comes to save you." These words brought hope to those in exile, a people powerless and poor.

When Christians hear this text, we hear a promise that echoes all the way to the birth of Jesus. Jesus, whose name means Savior, is coming, and all will be made new in him.

Every time we strengthen the weak, help the needy, water the plants, or shovel the snow, we remove someone’s "if only." Eyes are opened. Ears are unstopped. We help people witness the coming of Christ.

Congratulations to our youth who were Confirmed this weekend at the 9am Liturgy by Father Dave! (Last week these students were at the National Conference for Catholic Youth with thousands of other youth from around the country!) They and their families were treated to a special brunch by the Family Program to help celebrate this day!

Many of our teens who have been confirmed are already using their gifts in our parish community. We have teens helping and sharing their gift of faith with our younger brothers and sisters in the Religious Ed classes as catechists and aides, some have become Ministers of the Word, Ministers of the Eucharist, some are in the Ministry of Server and Hospitality, and others are very involved in the youth group as leadership. It is good to see all of them taking an active role in the parish life, being the light of Christ to others. They are also encouragement for all our children to see that youth can make a difference. Please take the time to thank all those involved in ministry here at SMM for their gifts they bring to our parish.

This season of Advent, we have the opportunity to share with our families various prayer opportunities being offered here at the parish. 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 opportunities for you and your family to spend quiet time with the Lord in preparation for His coming!

Our Christmas gathering will be Fri., Dec. 28 at the Rife’s home. Please bring a dish to pass, Subs and drinks will be provided. That is our only gathering following tonight’s meeting until Jan. 6.

Last weekend, 17 teens and 4 adults traveled to Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference. . All made it home safely, both excited and exhausted. It’s overwhelming the number of teens that gather together in faith and in worship!

Of the 17 teens, five of them are sophomores who were to have made their Confirmation last weekend, but have made the sacrament this Sunday instead. Tom and I congratulate them on being the fine young adults they have become and pray that they also will keep God in their lives.

I would like to thank the Knights of Columbus for their monetary support. Half of the breakfast money raised last weekend was donated to the youth. Thank you for all that you do.

Our annual ski trip will take place Feb. 15-17 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, plan to attend the Jan. meetings, I will then have all the necessary information.

M.U.D (6, 7 and 8 graders)

Our next event is scheduled for Friday January 25. It will be an activity night held at St. Mary Magdalen.

While the Christmas season usually brings a wealth of memories and family traditions, it can also be a very difficult time if you are coping with the loss of someone close to you. We have collected some materials that are available in the office dealing with "Coping with Grief during the Holidays". Please feel free to contact Sr. Maryetta or myself to obtain a copy.

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 Scripture and Stitches meeting will be Tuesday, December 18th at 10:00 a.m. It will be a potluck brunch at my house. If you have a completed Quilt for the Cure block, please bring it with you. For more information or directions call me at 229-8624.

While we have just completed our study of David, our next Scripture Study will be Women of the New Testament. This new video series will give us an opportunity to reflect and discuss the impact some of these biblical women have had in sharing the Good News. It is scheduled to begin January 17^th at 10:00 a.m. Daycare will be available. Sign up sheets are in the gathering area.

The December Charity of the Month will be the St. Louis Center. The St. Louis Center is a caring, residential, family living and learning environment providing for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of boys and men with developmental disabilities. Remember that 25% of the Alms monies collected this month will be sent to the St. Louis Center in Chelsea, Michigan.

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.

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? 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. Call Jillane Job at (517) 342-2595 or log on the FAITHmag.com.

ARE INVITED TO A New Years Eve Dinner & Dance in an Italian Café at St. Joseph Church, 440 E. Washington St., Howell, on Dec. 31, 6:30 pm to 1:30am. Cost is $35 to Dec. 10, $38 to the 25^th, and $40 afterwards. Call 417-342-2494 to register.

PLASTIC MILK CARTONS NEEDED — The Art & Environment Ministry needs empty one-gallon plastic milk/water jugs. If you can donate (this week only), please bring them to the storage area near the kitchen during office hours. Thank you!