For centuries, today’s feast was more important than Christmas! Advent was almost like Lent, a time of fasting and penance. All of that came to an end on Christmas Eve and the next 12 days were days of feasting.

In many places in the world gifts were not exchanged until today. For while Christmas celebrated the birth of Christ, He was not known or "given to all the world" until the Feast of Epiphany [a word that means manifestation].

When I was growing up, this feast was called Little Christmas. We didn’t do anything to celebrate it, but it did mean that it was time to take down the Christmas decorations.

PARISH RETREATS In just two weeks, we will have the first of our Parish Retreat Weekends: January 18-20. I am both very pleased and excited because several folks have already signed up.

These retreats are based on the Scriptures and the challenge the Lord Jesus extends to all of us to live as his disciples in the midst of the world and all its concerns. Each weekend is composed of talk, time for personal reflection and the opportunity for faith sharing.

Please remember me, the other retreat leaders and all those who will be participating in these weekends. It is my prayer that all those who make the retreat will truly experience a deeper appreciation of our faith.

Those who would like to make one of the three Retreat Weekends are invited to sign up in the Gathering Area.

MANY THANKS!! I think I have finished all my thank you notes…however there were a few gifts separated from cards. I want to sincerely thank all those who were so kind to me and to my sister and nieces. We had a "ton of sweet things" and a "mountain of gifts". Thank you to all of you who were so kind to us!

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Dean, Joseph Hommel, Sr., Don Camden, Robert Grace, Nancy Lymangrover, Alicia Miller, Evelyn, Shannon Knapp, Peter Bumpus, Julie Hogland, Sam Marino, Pat Huhn, Madalyn, Mary, Monica, Bill, Marissa Provine, Craig Livingston, 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.

Sunday, Jan. 6 Christine Reid, Barbara Lee

Monday, Jan. 7 Mary Ellen Magon, Peter Kelly

Tuesday, Jan. 8 Lisa Arthur, Judy Terns

Wednesday, Jan. 9 Kathy Carney, Deb Ruf

Thursday, Jan 10 Lisa Klein, Pamela Evancho

Friday, Jan. 11 Jim Chevalier

Saturday, Jan. 12 Carol McGrath

CHARITY & JUSTICE is in need of a new or gently used dresser. It is needed by the week of 19th of January. If you can help please call Ann Fraser 517-545-9279or Karla Korvath 810-227-4706.

M.O.M.S. GROUP is starting an 8-week Bible study. The Courageous Love Bible study will start February 6 and finish right before Easter. Put a motherly focus into your Lent and come join us. MOMS meet from 9:30 to 11:30 every Wednesday morning. Childcare and coffee are provided! Call Ann Kehn to sign up or with questions, (810) 231-4343.

BLOOD DRIVE is this Friday, January 11, 1-7:00pm. Sign up sheets are in the gathering space for anyone wishing to donate blood or volunteer to help.

Singles (35-55) & Young Adults (20s & 30s) — Celebrate Mass and lunch with Bishop Mengeling Sunday, January 20, 2002, at St. Mary Cathedral, 219 Seymour Street, Lansing, beginning at 12 noon. The bishop will speak after lunch and answer questions of interest to singles and young adults. Cost is $15 (scholarships are available) Call 517-342-2494 to register.

Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed your break! Classes will resume TODAY for Kindergarten, Family Program, and 9^th grade. The rest will resume this Wednesday and Thursday.

Parents of our 9^th grade Confirmation Students are reminded of the Parent/student meeting in Church on Sunday, January 13 at 5:30 pm. You will be working with your child during parts of this meeting, so be sure to mark your calendars!

First Penance families are reminded to be working on your child’s cross to be presented to Fr. Dave at the Rite of Enrollment on Sunday, January 20, at the 9 am Liturgy.

Catechists/aides are asked to mark your calendars for Wednesday, Jan.30 (gr. K-4), and Thurs. Jan. 31 (gr.5-10) for an evening of reflection. Invitations were mailed out so if you have not received it, please call Josie or Mary in the office.

As we begin this New Year, I would like to take the time to thank all our parents and families for all you do in the formation of your children! In our classes the catechists and I are constantly amazed at the thoughtful questions and how eager the children are to learn! (Now I know you are saying, "not my child," but in class they are shining!) Keep up the dialog with your children; encourage them to talk about class and what they are learning!

Thanks! Mary

Our first meeting back is tonight. This will be my first meeting back since early November. I am looking forward to being with the teens again. It was nice to be home with my family but I am ready to be busy with our youth again.

Ski trip; money is due no later than January 20. All necessary paper work should be turned in also. If you are interested in going but cannot attend a Sunday evening meeting, please call me at 227-7937.

Our annual Souper Bowl Sunday collection will be the weekend of January 26. We will be standing out in the gathering area with pots and pans wearing aprons and soup kitchen hats. All the money will be donated to charity. Last year we collected $2,000. As has been proven in the past, we collect more money each year. Please help us to raise even more this year, thank-you!

Tom and I would like to wish everyone a happy New Year. A year filled with God’s love so present in your life you can feel his presence with you in everything you do from driving to work, to tucking your children into bed.

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

Friday, January 25, we have scheduled an activity night for the students. It will be held from 7-10 pm here in the social hall. Sign up sheets are out now. Any adult who would like to volunteer their time to be with us, please sign up.

Margaret Callaghan

We are starting off the new year with our first information meeting for anyone interested in working on the ground floor of our Renew 2002. This Core Team inquiry session will be Monday, January 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory basement. Renew 2002 will be one of our key programs this year as we strive to maintain our sense of community while our parish population increases. Renew is a parish structure which encourages people to join small parish groups to share faith and fellowship. Please place Renew on your prayer list this year.

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.

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 at 10:00 a.m. Daycare will be available. Sign up sheets are the gathering area.

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

Caravans of Camels

Isaiah 60:1-6 "Arise, shine; for your light has come."

About those camels-we're not too sure about them. Yes, every nativity scene shows the Magi seated on stately dromedaries, or leading their beasts of burden by bit and rein. But, honestly, the story of the Magi never tells us how they got there. They could have traveled on foot, in chariots, or by camel, on horseback, even on elephants-but we just don't know.

The reason we keep putting them on camels in our art is because of Isaiah's prophecy. He predicted that caravans of camels would fill Jerusalem, and that people from the East would come bearing gold, frankincense and myrrh. "Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem!" he proclaims. "Your light has come."

In Matthew's story, the magi realize that Jerusalem's light has come. They follow the star and bring their gifts of gold frankincense, and Myrrh, too. By telling about these gifts, Matthew turns our attention back to Isaiah. Reading that prophecy, we Christians recognize the light Isaiah mentions as the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.

When we see the Magi seated on camels, we are remembering Isaiah. When we remember Isaiah, we remember the light that came to shatter the darkness of our world. Those camels carry hope.

I would like to thank all of you for your thoughtfulness to me during this Christmas season. This was a very difficult Christmas for me since it was the first one without my Mom. Your thoughtfulness, kindness and remembrance helped me a great deal. You certainly are a wonderful family for me. I am truly grateful.

Sister Maryetta

EFFECTIVE FATHERS AND GRANDFATHERS SEMINAR — Make a New Year’s Resolution to be a better Father in 2002. Plan now to attend! The seminar will be held January 11 and 12, 2002 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Ann Arbor with John Ream, Author of "Velvet and Steel." Discover "How to make time for your kids," "Improve your relationship with your spouse" and "How real men can express tenderness." To register call Charline List, (734) 821-2125. Cost is $35 for food and materials.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER — Keeping in Shape? Are you exercising and dieting, jogging, swimming, and playing tennis to stay fit and trim. What are you doing to keep your marriage in good shape? Why not try a Marriage Encounter weekend? The next weekend is January 25-27, 2002. Please call Tony & Kay Haines toll free, 1-888-628-7433, for more information or to register.

M.O.M.S. GROUP is starting an 8-week Bible study. The Courageous Love Bible study will start February 6 and finish right before Easter. Put a motherly focus into your Lent and come join us. MOMS meet from 9:30 to 11:30 every Wednesday morning. Childcare and coffee are provided! Call Ann Kehn to sign up or with questions, (810) 231-4343.