Ever since the cycle of the Christmas season began in the fourth century, the feast of the Epiphany was considered the more important celebration. While Christmas celebrated the coming of the long-hoped for Messiah of the Jewish people; Epiphany celebrated the day when the gentiles (you & I) received the gift of a Savior. The song The Twelve Days of Christmas celebrated the season but also spoke of how it kept growing toward the twelfth day.

The continuing celebration offers all of us the opportunity to ponder the meaning of THE GIFT of Christ in our lives.

One of the Gospel passages read on this feast is from Luke. It is the story of how Mary & Joseph search for young Jesus, who had remained behind in the temple of Jerusalem after the rest have begun their return trip to Nazareth.

One of my favorite Christmas Carols is based on this story. The name of the carol is Mary Would Go A’wandering and like many of the old carols, it connects the birth of Jesus with His redeeming mission. The words are:

May your family truly find Him!

Fr. Dave Howell

The last part of the book of Isaiah contains the words of a prophet who lived after the Jews returned from exile. They found their temple destroyed and the city leveled. But with great faith the prophet envisions a wonderful future for Jerusalem.

The Ephesians were a community in which Jewish converts to Christianity lived side-by-side with Gentile converts. The author of this letter confirms that God’s saving grace is available to everyone, whatever their background.

Matthew’s purpose for telling this story is the same one that governs his entire Gospel: to demonstrate that every prophecy and promise of old has come to fulfillment in Christ.

The rich splendor of "Herod’s city" Jerusalem stands in sharp contrast to the lowliness of Bethlehem, just as Herod’s jealousy is the opposite of the humility of the Gentile maqi. Clearly, this child brings into the world a new dimension of the inevitable struggle between good and evil.

God's giving doesn't stop. He is always adding to our bountiful gifts. Sometimes this takes the form of additional material wealth. Other times it may be an additional opportunity to use our talents to care for those around us or just another day to enjoy the company of our family and friends. Whatever form these gifts take, the giving is continual. Since God's giving is continual and all encompassing, our expression of gratitude should be continual and all encompasssing.

In a very real sense, Christ's message is that our entire lives should be offered up as prayers of trust and thanksgiving to God. By dedicating portions of our time, talent and treasure to doing good, we are offering God a symbolic expression of how we are using our lives to care for ourselves, and others. This giving helps us to focus on the deeper meaning of our lives and relationships with the Savior.

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.

STARTING the NEW YEAR January 1 is a holy day on which we are obligated to participate in the Eucharist. It is the feast of Mary the Mother of God and a day of prayer for world peace. Begin the New Year with Christ and pray that the peace of Christ will fill the whole year!

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

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 Hoile, O.S.F.

Religious Education

I would like to send a BIG THANK YOU to Erin Wolfe, Stephanie Wayman, Ann Kehn, Beth Monte and all our little angels for all their hard work for the Gospel reenactment on Christmas Eve. This truly helped children and adults alike to be involved in and moved by our Liturgy! Along with the wonderful music by our music ministers, this was a beautiful celebration to welcome the Christ Child into our lives!

Enjoy your Christmas break! Classes will resume on Jan. 8 & 9. The Sunday programs will resume, January 12 for Kindergarten, Family Program, and 9^th grade.

Parents of our 9^th grade Confirmation Students are reminded of the Parent/student meeting in Church on Sunday, January 12 at 5:30 pm. You will be with your child during this meeting, so be sure to mark your calendars!

First Eucharist families should be working on your chalices to be presented to Fr. Dave at the Rite of Enrollment, Sunday, January 26, at the 9 am Liturgy.

First Penance families are reminded to be working on your child’s cross to be presented at the Rite of Enrollment, Sunday Jan. 26 at the 11am Liturgy.

Catechists/aides and CLW Leaders are asked to mark your calendars for Wednesday, Jan. 29 (grades K-4), and Thurs. Jan. 30 (grades 5-10) for an evening of reflection over at the rectory.

I would like to thank all of you for the cards, gifts, prayers and good wishes you have given me this Holiday Season and throughout the year! Your encouragement helps me realize even more how blessed I am to serve and work with the families of St. Mary Magdalen!

During the month of 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.

Sunday, Dec.29 Diane Kubus

Monday, Dec. 30 Ginger Smith, Richard Hauck

Betty Horka

Tuesday, Dec. 31 Christine Reid, Kathy Riccardi

Wednesday, Jan. 1 Ron Clark

Thursday, Jan. 2 Sharon Linck

Friday, Jan. 3 Kim Keller, Cindy Sultana

Saturday, Jan. 4 Theresa Wolterman, Andrea

Nashar

Youth News

Happy New Year! Starting something new is great cause for renewed goals and reflection of what has been. Take a minute with your family and reflect on the gifts you have been given this past year and how you might include Him in the future.

Money for the ski trip scheduled for February 14-16 is due by January 12. The cost includes lodging and food for the weekend; lift tickets and ski rental is additional. If you are not a skier, there is a winter park with sledding and ice-skating.

We will be participating in a Hunger Awareness Retreat, spending 24 hours fasting as we learn about poverty. The program is sponsored by Catholic Relief Services. A portion of the money collected from our Souper Bowl Sunday collection on January 25 and 26, will be donated to CRS. If you are interested in joining us or would like more information, contact me at the parish office.

January 11 from 7-9pm there will an evening of social time together planned. There will be music, food and games.

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 in the office at 810-229-8624

Baptism Evening of Awareness is Tues., January 7, at 7:30 pm. We encourage parents in their early pregnancy to attend these classes.

Baptism Instruction is Tuesday, January 21. beginning at 7:30 pm. Childcare is provided. Godparents are invited to come if possible.

Were you raised Catholic but do not come or seldom come to Church anymore? Are you a Catholic who now feels separated from your Church? Would you like to know more about the Catholic Church as it is today? Would you like to feel at home in the Catholic Church again? No matter how long you have been away and no matter the reason, we invite you to consider renewing your relationship with the Catholic Church. St. Augustine, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph’s along with St. Mary Magdalen are presenting a 6-week segment to hear your stories and help you feel comfortable to come back. It begins Monday, January 6^th. 7pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Howell. If you have any questions call (810)-229-8624.

Sister Joyce

Publicity Helps!! To spread the word: Preparations have begun for the next season of Renew. We are looking for creative individuals who would like to work on a publicity team; whose main focus will be to make Renew a household word. If you are interested in P.R. and can help, please contact Cary Schmidt at 229-1788 or Laura Rector at 220-3720.

Preview Properties

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

St Francis Retreat Center is located

703 East Main Stree

Dewitt, Mi. 48820

COMING SOON! -The Body, Mind and Spirit Wellness Program. A six week program facilitated by Wellness Ministry members Bernie Edwards, RN (810) 227-5306, Maureen Crowell, RD (810) 227-3734 and Laurie Cortez RN (734) 449-0250 begins Wednesday, January 22 from 6:30 - 8 pm. Learn how to make 2003 your healthiest year ever! More details in future bulletins.

THANK YOU to all who donated plants in memory

or in honor of loved ones.

Al Stankewicz

Tony Stankewicz

Harold Jones

Kenneth Evancho

Charles Reid

Ruth Warner

Joseph & Mary Biga

Paul Plaza

The Sixbery Family

The LeClaire Family

Dennis Vanbuskirk

William Gerber

Helen & Frank Dinda

Margaret & Stanley Lickfold

Charles J. Horka

Bob Bock

Dennis Bozman

Richard Waldeck

Joseph Pasienza

Anthony Pasienza

Rosalie Pasienza

Nina Marie Pasienza

Charlotte & Lester Gust

George & Alma Higgins

Larry & Helen Baldinger

Edward Connor

Sam Viviano

Dorothy King

Clayton King

Joe & Betty Dery

Audrey Cramer

Al Zirkelbach

Frank Dietrich

Edna Dietrich

Robert Bock

Forrest Bernia

Mark Poisson

Beverly J. Gardner

Jeanette Wood

Marvin & Patricia Fielek

Ann Helmer

Mary Mousseau

Ethel Phillips

Bob & Camilla George

The Grace Family

Donald & Kathryn Newman

Jack Keough

Brian Keough

Norman VanDenbrouck

Keith Dunn

Joyce Fraser

Willard Fetzer

Kirk Fetzer

John & Mary Zupko

Norm, Ruth, Doug & Anna

Mary & Carl Wojewodzki

Margaret & Jean Jandasek

Keith Dunn

Deater & Sharnowski Family

Peter & Lucy Fabris

Brian Keough

Jack Keough

Paul Duff

Helen Strand

The Dietz & Beauchamp Families

Bob Chilton

June Chilton

Will offer 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, pleas call Mary Jo, to 810-229-0040.

EMPTY PRINTER CARTRIDGES WANTED!

sponsor us by turning in their cartridges! For more information call Ann O’Reilly at 517-546-4091.

We set the sail; God makes the wind.

Carolyn FitzGerald, Diocesan Publications Representative, will be at the parish soon. She will be renewing present advertisements and seeking new ones. If interested, please call the parish office. We feel this is an excellent service and that sponsors get good coverage with their ads. Thanks to you and Diocesan Publications, the bulletin is published weekly at no cost to the parish.

If you would like to have a Liturgy celebrated for a special intention, please call the parish office to make arrangements. A contribution is usually made to pay for the cost of the bread and wine and all the other items that are needed for the celebration of the Liturgy.