The Sacrament of Penance is a very important part of that preparation. The Sacrament celebrates not only the forgiveness of sin, but a whole openness to the healing power of God’s love. In the Sacrament of Penance, we welcome the merciful gift of a Savior more fully into our lives.

There are few remaining opportunities for us to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance during this last week of Advent. There will be a Communal Celebration here at St. Mary Magdalen on Monday evening at 7:30. Individual celebrations are scheduled for:

Wednesday from 4-5 pm and 7:45 to 9 pm.

Thursday from 5-6 pm

Saturday from 11 to 12 noon.

I hope you will take advantage of one of these opportunities to prepare yourself for the coming of Christ!

So we will gather around the altar twice within a space of 24 hours, celebrating the mysteries of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection!

On Christmas Morning, the Mass of the Shepherds will be celebrated at 10 am.

The schedule for next weekend means I will be celebrating seven Liturgies with you within the space of about forty hours! It will be a lot, but I know that it will be worth it!

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: John Colombo, Ken & Erin Colombo, Madalyn Barr, Louise Churches, Kathy, Jack Mekjian, Martha Rushak, Laura Matthews, Paul Duff, Carol, Gregory, Norman VanDerBrouck, Toni Brenneman, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Donna Caldwell, Bev Cermak, Fr. Bill Carolin, Jillian, Dottie King, Dave, Derrick Day, Katelyn ,Dante, Raynald Raymond, Rita Long, Joe, Bonnie Doty, Lottie Machowski, Bob Johnson, Frank Gondek, Lane Kombs, Virginia Williams, Ralph Helmer, Joanne Fournier, Bev Zizka, Barry Wilkinson, Maryanna, Fr. Terry Dumas, Kyle Ward, Lee Alstott, Fr. Gil Rahrig, Vincent Kramer, Mike, Linda Nagle, Judy, Thomas Payne, Joan & John Becker, Danielle Snowgold, Bud Newberry, Bishop Povish, Roe, John Pepa, Margaret Resconich, Rose Kumler, Joanna Bloese, Maureen, Russ Gardner, Susan, Ann Polcyn, Pete, Norman Moon, Cornelius Smits, Matt Even, Ellen Columbo, Adeline Smith, Larry Cecil, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, Jeanette Wood, and Donovan.

Please remember in your prayers Sue Paielli & Family in the death of Sue’s brother, Richard (Earl) Painter.

Today’s gospel provides a blueprint for good stewardship: "Let the man who has two coats give to him who has none. The man who has food should do the same."

Last weekend we had the Rite of Acceptance for First Eucharist. We have 70 of our youth beginning the journey in their preparations for this Sacrament. Please pray for them and their parents as they begin this meaningful preparation process! There will be an important parent meeting during the classes on January 10&11. Parents of children in older grades, in our Family Program, or at St. Pat’s School are invited to attend any one of the session meetings, call the office if you have any questions.

Every Sunday we have Children’s Liturgy of the Word for our younger children. If you would be interested in occasionally leading a session please call the office.

Parents, during this time of "preparing" the way for Christ, it is a good time to model the Sacrament of Penance for and with your family. For our youth in preparation for this sacrament, take them with you to one of the communal celebrations listed in the bulletin, or bring them with you Monday, December 18 at 7:30pm here at St. Mary Magdalen. Those parents who missed the meeting last week need to see me for the parent guide needed to go along with your child’s workbook.

Help is still needed in the office approximately 2 Sundays a month for 1 hour. It is perfect for any high school student needing service hours. Please call Mary in the office if you can help.

Mary Mahar

As the holidays surround us, more of our friends and relatives will be coming to Church with us. If someone you know will be attending Mass for the first time in a long time, please look for the special editions of Our Sunday Visitor: Coming Home for Christmas in the gathering area. This special issue will be available in the middle of December and focus on reuniting alienated Catholics and encouraging forgiveness and harmony within families affected by conflicts and separation. It includes articles on the "Top Ten Reasons to Come Back to Church as well as "Making this Christmas a True Family Reunion." If you would like a copy sent to someone, please leave their name and address with me; and the "E" Team will see that they receive one.

For your information: Anytime of the year that you are aware of someone who has been away from the Church and might benefit from a note or a call please let me know. I maintain a series of leaflets entitled "Another Look" and would love to include them in my mailing list.

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

Thank you to everyone who donated bake goods for our bake sale last week and to those who bought our goodies! Special thanks to Maggie Rife and Bill Ross who organized the sale.!

Mark your calendar for our Christmas gathering on Wednesday, December 27 from 7-10pm in the rectory basement. We gather together to eat, play and reflect on the birth of our Savior. There is a $10 donation that we ask for, and all the money is donated to the less fortunate.

Our ski trip has been scheduled for February 16-18. We will be going up to Nubs Nob located in the Harbor Springs area. I am looking for chaperons for this event. Please call me for more information. I will be available after all the Masses January 13 and 14 so you can sign up and pay. We ask that you be involved in our youth group meetings and activities so we can get to know you better before we spend a weekend together.

Permission slips are available for our Mary Lou Brown Mission community service project. They are located with the sign up sheets. Call me if you have any questions.

Margaret Callaghan

St. Mary Magdalen’s retreat date for the men of the parish is scheduled for the weekend of January 12-14, 2001. The theme for the retreat is "Packing for the Journey". This weekend retreat will look at some necessities for our suitcase on our faith journey, and suggest ways for us to continue the journey with vitality and dedication as Christian persons, contact Deacon Dave at the parish office, (810) 229-8624, if you are interested.

Give the Gift of FAITH this Christmas! FAITH Magazine makes a great Christmas gift to friends and family. Use the cards in the tract rack located by the drinking fountain to order them. Attached to the order card is a complimentary Christmas card to announce your gift. It’s a great way to remind them that you care and that they are a part of something — the Catholic Church.

Tuesday, Dec. 19 Ron Clark, Russ & Judy Gentner

Wednesday, Dec. 20 Mary Ann Hargrave, Patti Conahan

Thursday, Dec. 21 Leo Camden, Mary Cavanaugh

Friday, Dec. 22 Cindy Sultana, Debbie Barker

Saturday, Dec. 23 Mary Jo Cubr, Donna Cayuela

The Parish Nurse Ministry with the pastoral staff and congregation participates in the ongoing transformation of our faith community into a source of health and healing. This ministry views health as a dynamic process encompassing the spiritual, psychological, physical and social dimensions of each unique person. Because we believe spiritual health is the central to well being and that health is a reflection of body, mind and spirit, we also believe that we can be whole and not be physically cured!

We offer preventive health screening, education and promotion in response to the needs of the parish. Our goal is to empower individuals to become more active partners in the management of their health resources. We also assist individuals and families to obtain support from within our parish and from community health resources. All nurses and allied health professionals are invited to join us. We welcome your gifts and talents!

If you are interested in delivering food from the Sunday food collection to the Mary Lou Brown Mission or St. Anne's Church in Detroit, a new sign-up schedule is in the Gathering Area.

PLEASE SIGN UP. We especially need someone to drive Christmas week to the Mary Lou Brown Mission. If you have any questions, please call Jan Carpenter, 227-5269 or, Jan Denzer, evenings at 229-7852. Thank you for your willingness to serve.

Charity & Justice Ministries

A pilgrimage to Medjugorje, accompanied by a spiritual director, will take place, leaving Detroit on April 23 and returning to Detroit on May 2 for a cost of $1,315. The reservation deadline is January 19, 2001. Call Joe or Monique Weiss (810) 227-4664 for further details.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

SUBURBAN FAMILY CREDIT UNION

Is there a couple that has influenced your life? Thank them in a special way by nominating them for Couple of the year. Nominations should include a 100-250 word essay titled: "How the Love of this Husband & Wife has influenced My Life". Include your name, address and phone number as well as those of the nominees. Prizes include free registration to World Marriage Day Dinner & Dance (Saturday, Feb. 10, 2001). The couple must be married and able to attend the dance. Send entries by Jan. 5, 2001 to: Couple of the Year, PO Box 22, Fenton, MI 48430. Call 888-297-9477 for more information.

In response, Holy Spirit in Hamburg has dedicated every Wednesday to a Morning for Life for the sanctity of life and the conversion of our nation. Beginning at 9am and ending at noon, Mass will be offered, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, fifteen decades of the Rosary for Life and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You are welcome to participate in all or part as your schedule permits. For further information, call Judy Johnson at 810-231-6049.

Livingston County Catholic Social Services is in need of a part-time contractual psychiatrist. If interested, please fax resume to 517-545-7390.