THE HINGES The ancient fathers of the Church described our entry into the Divine as a passing through a door. They said that this door had three hinges that made it possible for this door to open to believers: fasting, prayer and almsgiving.

Fasting is the creation of a physical hunger by eating less. We imitate Jesus who fasted for forty days in the desert and remember His words: "It is not by bread alone that one lives, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." [Mt 4:4] The believer creates a physical hunger that is turned into a hunger for God. That hunger is prayer.

Prayer, the second hinge, is both personal and communal. We passed out the "little black books" to assist with individual prayer during Lent. We also have three different opportunities for communal prayer.

MONDAY EVENING PRAYER When Jesus was growing up in Nazareth, He didn’t just go to synagogue on the Sabbath, but probably went every day both in the morning and in the evening. Communal morning and evening prayer connected the people far from Jerusalem with the sacrifice that was offered in the morning and evening.

The early Church continued the practice when it formed its own assemblies. Morning and Evening Prayer have been consistent parts of communal prayer since our earliest days. Down through the centuries it was a part of the daily life of monasteries, convents AND many parish communities. In fact, it wasn’t until the rise of industrial society in the mid nineteenth century that the practice of communal daily prayer came to an end in most parishes.

Monday Evening Prayer is based on the long tradition of the Church. It uses the psalms, song, silence and readings to lift us up into the mystery of God as we offer a sacrifice of praise. Monday Evening Prayer takes place in the church at 7 pm.

WEDNESDAY LITURGY For the first four centuries of the Church, we only had Morning & Evening Prayer. In the 5^th century we began having Liturgy on the Wednesdays of Lent to "feed those who were fasting with the Bread from heaven." Over the next century it gradually spread to every day throughout the year.

Here at St. Mary Magdalen, we have Liturgy every day in our day chapel. On Monday & Tuesday, Thursday & Friday it is celebrated at 9. But for those who work during the day, we have Liturgy at 7 pm on Wednesdays. During Lent, the Wednesday evening Liturgy will take place in the church.

FRIDAY STATIONS of the CROSS St. Francis of Assisi made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and wanted to share the experience with folks back home. He organized nativity scenes to help people visualize the wonder of Christ’s birth. He also created the Stations of the Cross to help people experience the last journey of Jesus to His death.

Each Friday during Lent at 7 pm, we offer people the chance to come together and prayerfully reflect on the meaning of Christ’s death and to join Him on that life-giving journey that brings us salvation.

INDIVIDUAL PRAYER For those who would like to join their personal prayer with the prayer of the Church beyond our communal prayer, I invite you to come to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at any time — day or night. The back entrance is always open 24\7!

ALMSGIVING is the third hinge. It is the sharing of my money, my "things" and my time and talent through service of others. Almsgiving is a necessary and even a critical part of Lent because it helps keep both our fasting and prayer "honest". Giving away what I "fast from" helps those who have less. If I am truly "in touch" with God through prayer, then I share God’s concern for others.

There are lots of options. I hope they will "open the door" of Lent for you!

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Joan, Kathy, Alexandria Nelson, Jessica Wolfe, Caitlin Capitinini, Janet Hucke, Jon Hancock, Debbie, Sue Evancho, Diane Lickfold, Bob Szajnecki, Ralph Bennett, Taryn Simon, Shannon McKay, Joseph Hommel, Sr., Robert Grace, Don Camden, Alicia Miller, Evelyn, Shannon Knapp, Peter Bumpus, Sam Marino, Monica, Bill, Joyce, Bill Kottke, Colette Bertrand, Larry Stanley, Rachel Holthus, Bob Brookins, Laura Drittler, Sophie Martin, June Bennett, Shirley Brake, Steve Thuss, Ethan Montague, Micah Zielinski, Carolyn Johnson, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mel Oja, Mary Beth, Mary Lou Colgin, Joey Boyd, Merrick, Linda Nagle, Bishop Povish, Joanna Bloese, Ellen Colombo, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, and Donovan.

The Finance Council

What’s That? You may recognize them by the maroon and gold pin they wear, the BeFriender Ministers. The pin displays clasped hands, a symbol that represents this ministry and the wearer’s desire to reach out to those in need who are going through a difficult time. The goal of the Befriender Minister is to help the Befriended come to a better understanding of their situation through Gospel values. The key to this ministry is mutual respect and confidentiality. Those commissioned to serve you in this ministry are: Theresa Burt, Shirley Caster, Jim Chevalier, Laura Drittler, Betty Endebrock, Becky Even, Jeanine Hommel, Sandy Howe, Sherry Kunkle, Kathleen LaTarte, Laura Meader, Shari Moore, Peggy Reihl, Maggie Rife, Donna Rushak, Mary Korch, Anne Williams, Judy Scharf.

YOUTH NEWS

Mark your calendar for our spring retreat on March 22-24. We will again be staying at Pine Hills retreat center in Hamburg. Our retreat theme will be God in nature. The cost for the whole weekend is only $15.

Thank you to everyone who helped make St. Anne’s youth feel welcome and full when they left last weekend from their visit here. Our time was spent getting to know each other before our weekend retreat together in March. It was an afternoon full of food, friendship, fun and laughter, all in God’s name.

Annual Ski Trip keep us in your prayers as we travel up north for our ski trip. We will be spending time with the youth group at Holy Childhood Church of Jesus in Harbor Springs. It has always been great fun to get to know the teens and adults.

No Youth Group Meeting tonight, beginning Feb. 22, the youth will meet every Friday during lent for Stations of the Cross and an hour of reflection.

Thanks to Mike Christi for volunteering his time to DJ our M.U.D. activity night in January. This coming weekend is our day-long Salt & Light Retreat. If you have not signed up and are still interested in participating, call me 227-7937 to register.