LAST CHANCE The last opportunity to prepare for Christmas by celebrating the Sacrament of Penance is scheduled for Monday. I will be waiting for you in the Reconciliation chapel from 11 am to 12 noon and from 7 to 8:30 pm.

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS I know many of you have made your plans for Christmas Eve already, but for those of you who are still making up your mind, I would like to offer a few thoughts.

The first Liturgy of Christmas Eve at 4 pm is crowded to the point of over crowded and often I get the sense that many have their focus on what will happen afterward.

The second Liturgy of Christmas Eve at 6 pm is very different for a couple of reasons. The first is the involvement of our children, who will dramatize the Christmas story at the start of the Liturgy. The second reason is that it will be less crowded and it seems more prayerful (from my vantage point).

The primary celebration of Christmas is the Mid-night Liturgy, which we celebrate at 10 pm. Based on the fifth century Liturgy of St. Ambrose, it includes a thanksgiving for Christ, the Light and two extra readings from the Old Testament, which speak of the promise of a Savior.

The last Christmas Liturgy will be celebrated on Christmas morning at 10 am. Called the Mass of the Shepherds, it commemorates those people, who lived on the fringe of society and were the first to meet their Savior.

Fr. Dave Howell

All of us who share ministry with you want to wish all the blessings of the Christmas season!!

Sr. Maryetta Churches

Mary Mahar

Sr. Joyce Hoile

Anne Williams

Margaret & Tom Callaghan

Kay Thurmon

Josie Doucette

Leo Camden

Dave Scharf

Steve Schulte

Fr. Dave Howell

May the Twelve Days of the Christmas Season enable you to discover the joy, the hope and the promise of these holy days!!

In ancient Near Eastern culture, it was thought essential to have a male descendent to carry on the family line and inherit all that his parents had worked for. But the elderly Abraham and Sarah were still childless, which seemed to contradict God’s earlier promise to them. Today’s passage will tell us how the problem is solved.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews frequently held up the Old Testament heroes as models of faith. He did this because he was writing to a community whose faith was wavering. Today he presents, as examples, Abraham and Sarah whose faith had survived severe testing.

This year we hear the story of Jesus being presented in the temple as fulfillment of ancient Mosaic law dictating that every firstborn male was to be dedicated to the Lord. Simeon and Anna tell us a great deal about what this divine child means to human history. They represent the good and faithful servants whose faith in God enables them to endure the trials of life and trust in the fulfillment of God’s promises.

In the first reading, God promises King David that his house and his kingdom will endure forever. It is through Mary’s "Yes" — "I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say." - that the promise finds fulfillment.

Trust In God Is the Basis of Stewardship

Stewardship comes from a relationship with God that is based on trust and gratitude. Trust allows us to rely on the Lord. God becomes our security and we no longer need to find something material that will give us that feeling of security. In fact, material possessions can never give us a "true" feeling of security. Gratitude allows us to accept God's unconditional love. Once we accept His love, we realize that all we are and all we have are gifts from God. In gratitude, we must return a portion of our blessings back to God as a way of saying "thank you" for the gifts that He has given us.

The Finance Council

Telephone: (810) 229-8624

Fax: (810) 229-6471

www.saintmarymagdalen.org

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Fr. David F. Howell, Pastor

Sr. Maryetta Churches, OP Pastoral Minister

Mary Mahar Education & Formation of Youth

Sr. Joyce Hoile,OSF Formation & Evangelization

Anne Williams, R.C.I.A. Coordinator

H. David Scharf, Deacon

Kay Thurmon, Secretary & Bookkeeper

Josie Doucette, Secretary, Religious Education

Tom & Margaret Callaghan, Youth Ministry

Leo Camden, Custodian

Steven H. Schulte, Musician

Saturday 4:30p.m. Sunday 9a.m. & 11a.m.

Monday & Tuesday; Thursday & Friday - 9-.00 a.m. Wednesday evening, - 7:00 p.m.

Sacrament of Penance: Saturday 11-30am-12noon

We have a regular schedule for Infant Baptisms. Arrangements can be made by calling Sr. Joyce

Last Sunday some 94 people from the family Program traveled over to the Gleaners Food Bank for our service project. All of us, young and old, sorted, stacked, made boxes, tore down boxes, and worked to help stock the food pantry shelves! It was moving to see so many hands working for those less fortunate. The Gleaners are in need of meat products, for more info call 225-8337.

Please join us on Christmas Eve as some of our youth here at St. Mary Magdalen make the Gospel come alive in a reenactment at the 6pm Liturgy! Erin Wolfe has worked very hard with the children to help them proclaim the story of the birth of Jesus! Come here our angels sing!

Christmas Break for the Religious Ed classes will begin Sunday, December 22 through January 5. Classes will resume on Wed/Thurs, January 8/9. The Sunday classes, including the Family Program, and a parent meeting for the 9^th grade confirmation candidates will resume on Sunday, Jan 12. Parents, please be sure to mark your calendars!

During the months of December and January the Family Program will be collecting travel size toiletries to build hygiene bags for the less fortunate. There is a collection box located in the gathering area. If you have questions please call Barb Toth.

This is a season of many candles. Our Advent wreathes, Christmas centerpieces, the luminaries we will put out on Christmas eve, the windows of our houses (look at Fr. Dave’s), and Worship area are just a few of the places that candles burn brightly lighting the way for the Christ child. As we tell our children, we are the light of the world! This Holy Christmas Season, may Christ Jesus light the way for you and may your light shine to all those around you! Have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy time with your families!

January 17-18, our youth will be participating in a Hunger Awareness Retreat. We will spend 24 hours fasting as we learn about poverty and join in solidarity with them as we go without food for 24 hours.

If you are interested in our annual ski trip, the cost will be $60 for lodging and food, plus the cost of ski rentals and lift tickets. We will be going to Harbor Springs February 14-16. Contact me in the parish offices for more information regarding either event.

There are no meetings for the next two weeks. It is our prayer for you to enjoy the season of Christmas with family and friends. Christmas is special in so many ways celebrating not only the birth of Jesus, but the love we share for each other. Keep your eyes open this season for the miracle of kindness, selflessness and love. The newness of a baby is awesome as is the love of our God.

Thank you to those who Christmas caroled at the Village at Woodland senior apartments. It was a good time visiting with the seniors. We all enjoyed the company.

Margaret Callaghan

Our parish will be celebrating Fr. Dave’s 25^th Anniversary of his Ordination on Sunday, January 19, beginning with a special Liturgy at 5:00pm and a parish reception following. We will be asking for elegant hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Sign-up sheets will be in the gathering space starting early January. Please contact Char Turowski, 517-545-4521, or Sandi Phillips, 810-229-7861, if you have any questions or suggestions.

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. We will present them to Father Dave on his anniversary. They must be in by the weekend of January 4-5. If you have any questions, please contact Sr. Maryetta at 810-229-8624.

Spiritual Direction: For the past few weeks you have read definitions for spiritual direction and who may be seeking this help in one’s growing relationship with God. You now have the opportunity to be introduced to those who are active spiritual directors in this parish. You may ask any questions you may have at that time. We will meet Saturday, January 11, 3-4:15pm in the Adult Formation Room.

Psalms II will be offered on 6 consecutive Thursdays from 10am—11:30am in the Adult Formation Room. The fee is $9.00 and childcare will be available if needed. Registration Forms are in the Gathering Space and on the Bulletin Board near the Office entrance.

Overview of the New Testament will be offered the same days from 6:30pm—8pm in the rectory lower level. Fee is $9.00 and childcare is available if requested. Registration Forms in the gathering area and on the Bulletin Board near the Office entrance.

Sister Joyce

Advent Blessings from The Wellness Ministry For 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 area.

Belanger Builders Inc.

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Wilber Emery, William Modic, Tom King, Kelly Ferencz, Steven Zacharias Al Asfour, Josephine, Linda Lambert, Joan Hutchinson, Patricia Brown, Corrine Reineke, Ann Grimsom, Dick Demmings, Jamie Leugers, Betty Polaske, Margo Twork, Mark Ruf, Beth Hersog, Joe Lopez, Jonathon Forbes, Marie Touchette, Sue Ferris, Wilma Scott, Joseph Hinkle, Raymond Clark, Carole Jones, Barbara Daniels, Eric Truhn, Pam Davis, Judy Woughter, Stella Paweski, Jeanne Carpenter, Marcella, 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, Pat Cote, Tom Clark, Bridget, Alec Schalhamer, Eileen, Cheryl Franks, Scott Delplace, Laura, Judy LaGrow, Becky Wilson, 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.

For reservations, call St. Francis Retreat Center at 517-669-8321,

Toll free at 866-669-8321 or visit their web site www.stfrancis.ws.

Offering a spiritual weekend for widowed, divorced, and separated persons February 7, 8, 9, 2003 in Jackson, MI. at the St. Joseph Center, 1000 E. Porter Street. Designed to help those among us who are wounded by the loss of a spouse, the weekend is gently guided by a trained team of peers. It is a time for working through grief and moving on to a new beginning in life. Pre-registration is required. For more information, please call.

• Spring OPEN HOUSE has been RE-SCHEDULED for Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003 1:00pm to 4:00pm. At our new building site at 4333 Whitehall Dr., Ann Arbor, 48106. Directions: Plymouth Rd. to Earhart (Dominos Farms), right on Whitehall
• Admissions entrance exam scheduled for Feb. 8, 2003. Time: 8:00am — 12:15pm. Location: 530 Elizabeth St. Ann Arbor. Please call the school office at (734) 662-0496 to register.
• Application Process: Availability of positions is dependent on the date of receipt of the student’s application. Application packets are available through the main office.
• Scholarships are offered on a NEED Basis. Processed through Private School Aid Service (PSAS) of Westlake, Ohio. Applications for aid may be picked up from the school office. The completed application must reach PSAS in Ohio by Feb. 14, 2003.