Old Bulletins

December 26/27 1998

All Things Considered

THE PROMISE OF 1999 Usually, the changing of the calendar doesn't mean a great deal to me. That's partly because the new Church year already started on the First Sunday of Advent. Another reason is that I've never been able to muster much enthusiasm for the parties that surround New Year's Eve.

This year is different for several reasons. The first is that this will be the last year of this decade, century and millennium. I hope that it will truly bring to a close the hatred, anger, acrimony and evil that has been so much a part of the history of these years. The world has become "too small" and people too inter-connected to allow this to continue.

The second reason is that the Holy Father has proclaimed 1999 to be a year of reconciliation, a time when we honestly admit our failings and reach out to forgive each other. I truly hope that this new year can promote forgiveness, reconciliation and healing: in our personal lives, our homes, our Church, our government and the world.

A third reason is that this year will be the threshold of the new millennium. It opens new possibilities to humanity, enabling us to begin to act in ways that will shape a better future. By lessening the self interest that has so characterized the past and by seeking the common good, perhaps humanity can begin to realize the Creator's intent for us.

In many ways, we need this new year to prepare for the next. It is my sincere hope that we will make the effort to do just that. STARTING WITH PRAYER I would like to invite us all to begin the new year with prayer, asking the Lord to help us fulfill the promise of 1999. The New Year's Liturgies will be celebrated at 6 pm on the eve and at 10 am on the day.

Maybe its the mess in Washington, the bombing of Iraq, the continuing genocide in Africa, the unwillingness to make peace in the Holy Land, pain carried in the hearts of many, the suffering inflicted by our sin; but this year more than any other, I sense the real need to begin the new year with Christ! Fr. Dave Howell

PRAYER LIST

Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Ron, Eileen Auld, Marilyn (mother of Steve Crowell), Cinnamon Reichardt & child, Debbie, Nancy, Steve, Tessa St. Louis, Jeanette, Bob, Pete, Vivian, Jane, Timothy, Zora, Mary Kay, Wayne, Ed, Merle, Tom, Keith, Ruth, Mary, Karen, Victor, David, Kenneth, Robert (Joanne Pasienza's uncle), and Roland.

THE STAFF

Fr. David F. Howell, Pastor
Sr. Maryetta Churches, OP
Education & Formation of Youth
Marilyn Pence
Formation/Evangelization of Adults
H. David Scharf, Deacon
Kay Thurmon, Secretary/Bookkeeper
Josie Doucette, Secretary, Religious Ed.
Tom & Margaret Callaghan, Youth Ministry
Steve Schulte, Musician

ON THE JOURNEY

I just received a card from a dear friend which reads, "May the gentle, peaceful spirit of the Holy Family be with you" Today, particularly, we are given a small glimpse of just what peace and faith existed in that family. What a beautiful model for all of us as we strive to promote harmony in our own families! God's blessings to you and your family on this special feast day. Yours on the journey, Marilyn

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

I would like to thank all who contributed to the mittens, scarves, hats, socks and gloves drive. Many children from the Head Start Program will have a warmer winter due to your thoughtfulness. Religious Education will resume the week of January 10th. Sister Maryetta

YOUTH NEWS

So many of us receive gifts we never use, or put away for a special time. The gift of the Baby Jesus is one we should never put away or save only for special occasions. Jesus was given to us so we might share His love all year long. I am so grateful for that gift! May the Spirit of Christmas live within your hearts all year long!

Our Christmas party is tomorrow, Dec. 28, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at our house. Call (810) 227-7937 for directions. Also note the Promise Party Sunday, Jan. 3. Please do not forget permission slips. Margaret Callaghan

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Young Adult NEW YEAR'S EVE Dinner & Dance will be held at St.Thomas, Ann Arbor on December 31, from 6:30pm-1:00am the cost is $30. For more info call (517) 342-2494.

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE OF LANSING

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE OF LANSING will offer a spiritual weekend for widowed, divorced, and separated persons Jan. 22, 23 & 24, 1999 in Jackson at the St. Joseph Center, 1000 E. Porter. Designed to help those wounded by 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. Call Mary Jo (810) 229-0040 for more information.

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Last weekend approximately 1353 people participated in the Liturgies. These folks contributed $10,343.61 to the parish. Last year on this Sunday the contributions totaled $9,334.20.

PLANTS GIVEN FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

PLANTS GIVEN FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON in memory of:
Anna Marchin
Frank Varilone
Alice Keegan
Ric Witt
Tim Hauenstein
Gerritt Vandenberg
Noreen Schenck
Rita & Berl Winn
Grandma Boutain
Charles Reid
Frank L. Gondek
Ruth McAdam
Gladys Diesing
Mrs. Alma Higgins
Norbert Malak
Wyotha Biondi
Sophie Maketa
Barbara M. Longo
Mary & Carl Wojewodzki George J. Okey
John Loveland
John Loveland
Eugene Didyk
Marshall Beauchamp
Fred Dietz
Clayton King
Joanne Lintzenich
Jim Kemp
Dorothy Deater
Frank & Sophie Sharnowski
In honor of Polcyn Family Members

CELEBRATING LITURGY

Sunday, December 27 Fourth Sunday of Advent The Holy Family
Sir 3:2-6,12-14/Col 3:12-17/Mt 2:13-15,19-23

Monday, December 28 Holy Innocents, martyrs
1 Jn 1:5 - 2:2/Mt 2:13-18
9:00 a.m. Edward Howell

Tuesday, December 29
1 Jn 2:3-11/Lk 2:22-35
9:00 a.m. Lynn Howell

Wednesday, December 30
1 Jn 2:12-17/Lk 2:36-40
7:00 p.m. Laura Grimson

Thursday, December 31
1 Jn 2:18-21/Jn 1:1-18

6:00 a.m. Our Families and Friends

Friday, January 1 Mary, Mother of God
Nm 6:22-27/Gal 4:4-7/Lk 2:16-21
10:00am St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners

Saturday, January 2 Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, bishops, doctors
1 Jn 2:22-28/Jn 1:19-28

Sunday, January 3 Epiphany of the Lord
Is 60:1-6/Eph 3:2-3a,5-6/Mt 2:1-12
4:30 (Vigil) Larry Barazsu
9:00 a.m.Antoinette & Anthony Grieco
11:00 a.m. JSt. Mary Magdalen Parishioners

LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE

NEW YEARS EVE, DECEMBER 31,

6:00 pm LITURGY

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

1 SOLEMNITY OF MARY, JANUARY 1,10:00 a.m. LITURGY

Minister of the Word:
Marilyn & Tom Farrington

Ministers of the Eucharist:
Jack & Pam Hornsberger, Jim & Pam Connor, Mike Christie, Joy Sullivan, Sally Miracle, Cathy Goettsche

Ministry of Server:
Nate Thomas, John Reineke

Ministry of Hospitality:
Michelle & Jim Yokum, Marty Daniels, Donna Clark, Mary Ansbro, Lisa & Charlie Klein, Katie Connor

Weekend of January 2 & 3

4:30 p.m. Saturday

Minister of the Word:
Stephanie St. Clair, Maura Giardina

Ministers of the Eucharist:
Bob & Mary Weyand, Laura Drittler, Doris Jones, Steve & Pat Hancock

Ministry of Server:
Gabrielle Witt, Kristy Hancock

Ministry of Hospitality:
David Witt, Wagener family

9:00 a.m. Sunday

Minister of the Word:
Rhonda Barclay, Bill Turowski

Ministers of the Eucharist:
Ed & Beccie Govan, Jim & Kathy Rigley, Pete LIntzenich, Gary & Linda Kinneer, Irene Cappuccilli, Laura DeLaMarre, Lisa Burridge

Ministry of Server:
Charles Philips, Andrea Cappuccilli, Erik Gubert

Ministry of Hospitality:
Terns family, Kovanda family, Hancock family, Sadowski family

Nursery:
Susan Paielli & Bridget Schaap

11:00 a.m. Sunday

Minister of the Word:
Diane Kubus, Russ Gentner

Ministers of the Eucharist:
Jim & Linda Chevalier, Maryann Hargrave, Sue Hlavaty, Allison Gentner, Kimber Kunkel, John Spalding, Katie Francis, Jean Weishaar, Josie Doucette

Ministry of Server:
Jeff Kubus, Nicholas Barker

Ministry of Hospitality:
Margaret & Tom Callaghan, Youth Group

Nursery:
Need

Advent Wreath Lighting:
Ed Gawronski Family

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday, December 28
7:00 p.m. Youth Christmas Party (Callaghans)

Tuesday, December 29
No Inquiry/Journey

Wednesday, December 30
7:00 p.m. Sacrament of the Sick

Thursday, December 31
6:00 p.m. Liturgy
Office Closed

Friday, January 1
10:00 a.m. Liturgy
Christmas Day - Office Closed

Saturday, January 2
No Activities Scheduled

Sunday, January 3
12:30 p.m. Infant Baptism
6:30 p.m. Youth Group Promise Party S. Lyon
7:30 p.m. Grief Support (Rectory LL)