MARDI GRAS We just took down the wreaths and disposed of the poinsettias — and now its Mardi Gras.

The English word for it is Fat Tuesday but it sounds much more fun in French. The festivities and feasting provided an opportunity to use up the last of the fats and other foods that would not be eaten during Lent.

Our Mardi Gras is only one evening. Even though it will be much calmer than ones held elsewhere, I know our Community Life folks have planned an event that will be fun for the whole family.

I’ll look forward to seeing you!

INTERVIEWS This week I begin interviewing our twenty-four catechumen and candidates for entrance into the Church.

Over the last several months these men and women, girls and boys have been preparing for the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Some of them will be baptized and others will renew their baptismal promises because they are already baptized in another denomination.

My purpose in interviewing them is to see if they are ready to join us. It’s not a matter of how much do they know — my hunch is that many already know more factual information about our beliefs than many adults in our community. What I am asking them is how much of what they have learned has affected their attitudes and actions.

That’s always the heart of it. Real conversion calls for a change of attitude and a change in the way I live. It’s easy to "change pews". Our prayer has been, and continues to be, that these catechumen and candidates will experience a change of heart!

St. Paul explains it best in his letter to the Philipians: Your attitude must be that of Christ…[Phil 2:5]

LENT–ONLY DAYS AWAY Ash Wednesday is Feb 13. I would like to suggest that we all take some time to consider how each of us will spend Lent? It would be wonderful if we would join the catechumen and seek that change of heart.

It’s not too early to give some thought to how we can make the most of Lent!

Fr Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Jessica Wolfe, Caitlin Capitinini, Janet Hucke, Jon Hancock, Debbie, Sue Evancho, Diane Lickfold, Bob Szajnecki, Ralph Bennett, Taryn Simon, Shannon McKay, Joseph Hommel, Sr., Nancy Lymangrover, Robert Grace, Don Camden, Alicia Miller, Evelyn, Shannon Knapp, Peter Bumpus, Sam Marino, Pat Huhn, Mary, Monica, Bill, Marissa Provine, Joyce, 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, Ethan Montague, Micah Zielinski, Carolyn Johnson, Mary Johnson, Patti Conahan, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mel Oja, 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.

Total income for the week of Jan 26/27, 2002

Approximately 1446 people participated:

Using Stewardship envelopes $17,553

Loose Collection/other $884

Using Children envelopes $30

Stewardship Total $18,798

Weekly Expenses/Including Mortgage $18,798

+/- for week without Bldg. Pledges $-331

Building Fund Pledge Payments $375

+/- for week $+44

+/- year to date without Building Pledges $+23,380

+/- year to date with Building Pledges $+48,667

COMMITMENT CARDS the Finance Council would like to receive back from parishioners their commitment card, which can be found in your Sunday Envelope Packet, the very first card. As of ___January 27_______we have received (483) commitment cards, which is 56 % of our parish families of 862. Please pray about your yearly commitment and return the card either by mail or the Sunday Collection Basket.

STEWARDSHIP BY THE BOOK The Gospel today reminds us that our lives and our deeds must serve as examples to others, pointing the way to the Father. Not for our own benefit do we labor, but so that others may see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven.

Our Retirees’ Lunch Meeting for Feb. will be an ethnic potluck with a presentation on finding your family roots and making a family tree. We will begin about 12:15p.m. (Adult Formation Room) on Tues., Feb. 12. If you have a copy of "A Time for A Scripture Based Life Review", we will be discussing session three--- The Importance of Things Handed Down from the Past. (If you need a copy of this journal please let me know!)

Our Scripture and Stitches team is meeting every other Tues. — the machines are humming and the fabric flying as they work on prayer quilts, finish Bible blocks and prepare for their first quilt show in the barn this June. If you are an experienced quilter or someone who has never attempted a quilt but would like to learn, join us for prayer, friendship and fun from 10 -12 pm. in the Adult Formation Room. The next meeting is Feb. 5

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

LITURGICAL MINISTERS (AND ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING) There will be an evening of Reflection on Monday, Feb. 25, starting at 7:00pm with Evening Prayer. Please sign up in the Gathering Area.

If you are in grades 6,7,or 8, make sure you sign up for the BLAST going on next Sat., Feb. 9^th from 5:45-10 PM at St Pat’s School in Brighton! This is an evening just for you! There will be pizza, music, activities, and, workshops on Friendships, Music, Art, and lots more! Parents make sure you talk to your youth about this fun evening that was designed just for this wonderful age group! Registrations were sent home in Rel Ed classes or can be found in the gathering area! REGISTER NOW!

Just a reminder: First Eucharist families are reminded your child’s chalice is due next week to be presented to Fr. Dave at the Rite of Enrollment Sunday, Feb. 10, at the 9 am Liturgy.

As Ash Wednesday approaches, parents are reminded that they may join their child’s class as they attend either the 5:30 Scripture Service with the 4:30 session, or the 7pm Liturgy with the 6:30 session.

Our Formation Ministry Team meets Mon., Feb. 11, 7:30 in Room 3. All are welcome to attend!

Check your calendar: There will be no classes for Religious Ed/Formation Feb. 17-23 due to the mid-winter break. Classes will resume on Sunday, Feb. 24 for the Kindergarten, Family Program and the 9^th grade classes. There will be classes on Feb. 27-28. The Wed 6:30 session children will be helping with the ministries for the Sacrament of the Sick Liturgy at 7 pm on the 28th.

The date for our spring retreat is March 22-24. We will again be staying at Pine Hills retreat center in Hamburg. Our retreat theme will be God in nature. We are pleased to announce that the youth from St. Anne’s youth in Detroit will be joining us.

St. Anne’s youth will be joining us for 11am Mass on Feb. 10. I would like to welcome them with open arms and plenty of food for lunch. So, if you like to cook and would be willing to share your talents with us, I am looking for donations of food for the luncheon afterward in the social hall. Call me at 227-7937 if you are interested in helping with this.

If you have seen some teens and the staff wearing gray sweatshirts that have St. Mary Magdalen embroidered on them and would like one, you will get your chance to purchase them soon. The youth group will be selling them for $25 as a fundraiser for their summer workweek program.

If you are planning to attend the diocesan Middle School Rally please turn in your money and forms this week. This is the last chance to do so for early registration. There is a special mailbox in the office for you. Thank you,

Margaret Callaghan

We know that by the early second century the Church stood to hear the Gospel. The deacon, meaning servant, was appointed to proclaim the Gospel since he was considered to be the exemplar of Christ, the true Servant of the Father. (A priest still reads the Gospel only in the absence of a deacon.)

The Romans revered their emperor as a god and when he appeared in public his divine status was symbolized by candles and incense that preceded his entrance. The Church took over these symbols as signs of respect for Christ, the true king of the universe. As the Gospel was carried from the altar to the ambo, candles and incense (a sign of divinity) preceded the Gospel Book.

THE HOMILY In the synagogue service, the three readings were concluded with an explanation given by the local rabbi (meaning teacher). The early Church followed the pattern learned from the synagogues with the readings leading to the homily.

Writing about the year 150, St. Justin the Martyr gave an explanation of the Liturgy in his day. He explained that after the readings, which ended with the Gospel, the bishop instructed and exhorted the people to imitate the things they had heard. By the end of that century it was customary in parts of the East for all the priests present to preach and then finally the bishop himself.

In the Middle Ages, both the Liturgy and the Scriptures were in Latin and not understood by the people. Preaching degenerated as a result and the homily was replaced by a sermon which was often unrelated to the readings of the day and tended to be an instruction.

The reforms of Vatican Council II restored the homily. Again, its purpose is to explain the readings in a way that makes them relevant to our day and applicable to our lives.

On Sunday, Feb. 3, BeFriender Ministers were commissioned. BeFrienders are your parishioners and friends, who through their Baptism have heard the call to serve. Through training and prayer they exemplify the presence of God in someone’s life. BeFriender Ministers have been learning the skills of listening, the value/ importance of confidentiality, and the respectfulness of mutuality. During a time of loss, BeFriender Ministers can be the presence of Christ for those who need a safe place to share their story. If you have questions, or would like to talk to a BeFriender Minister, contact Judy Scharf at (248) 889-0274.

FOR YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Women Face A Special Threat with Heart Attacks!! They are the #1 killer of women. Each year more than 11 times as many women die of heart disease than breast cancer. Michigan women rank 2nd highest nationally for these cardiovascular risk factors: obesity, diabetes and smoking! In ‘99, 700 more women than men died of heart disease in Michigan. Women’s symptoms can differ greatly from men’s; women may experience: chest tightness, mistaken for indigestion; extreme, unusual fatigue; difficulty breathing at night; dizziness, lightheadedness or blackouts; swelling of ankles and/or lower legs: nausea and sweating. Because these symptoms are not perceived as "typical", women do not seek or receive medical attention quickly enough. If you are a woman don’t downplay your symptoms. Act Immediately! We challenge everyone to identify and address your CV risk factors. Be proactive and communicate your symptoms to your health care provider.

Ref.: Living Healthy (BCBS) and www.women.americanheart.org/

Community Life - Mark your calendars for the special Mardi Gras party to be held in the social hall on Feb. 9 from 7 - 10 pm. You definitely don't want to miss this year’s event! Sign up sheets in the back of church.

A POLISH FEAST (Fat Tuesday) will be held at St. John’s in Hartland on Friday, February 8, 2002, from 4:30-7:30pm, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Meal includes Sauerkraut & Kielbasa, Stuffed cabbage, Pierogi, smoked and fresh Kielbasa, and Paczki. Cost Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children 8-12 $6 (under 8 $3), Family Plan $35. Call St. John’s parish office 517-546-7200 for more information.

Home School Conference Third Annual Curriculum Fair Livingston County Catholic HomeSchool’s Fair. Mark your calendar for Feb. 9, 9-1 p. m.,at the Howell Church of Christ (across from McPherson Middle School). The fair will feature speakers, current curriculum as well as used curriculum to view and purchase. Call Cass Weber 810-220-4810, to reserve your spot.