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LENT It's hard to believe, but Lent is only days away! Next Saturday is Mardi Gras - the pre-Lenten fling. Ash Wednesday is Feb 17. The word Lent comes from the old English word meaning spring - the season of new life and growth. The real value of our fasting, prayer and good works throughout Lent comes from how these practices help us grow in faithfulness to the Lord. So let me offer some ideas on how you might make this Lent a real "spiritual spring".
This year the Worship Team has updated and reprinted its booklet: Ashes to Exaltation. It is filled with meditations, family activities and prayer services to enable folks to make their Lent a time of real growth.
The Follow Me groups offer both our teens and adults the opportunity to come together and share their faith and Lenten journey. There were many who participated last year and their evaluation of the series was very positive. So it is my real hope that as many as possible will join in.
Jesus Solves the Puzzle is the name of the family retreat scheduled for Saturday, Feb 20. Many of those who have participated in the Penance or First Eucharist retreats know what a positive experience they were. This retreat brings the whole family together to grow in their faith.
Next week, I'll mention more opportunities for prayer and reflection. We want to provide several different possibilities for people to grow through Lent. Few would be able to participate in all, but I hope everyone will find something that will make Lent a spiritual spring!
COMMUNITIES OF HOPE Our diocese is creating a new program to train people in each parish to be resource people for those caught in the web of alcohol and drugs. The training program will take place on March 5-6. If you would like to take on this ministry in our community, please let me know.
When I was in another parish several years ago, we had a couple of folks who provided a similar type of ministry. I can't tell you how invaluable it was to several in the community.
Give it some thought - and prayer. If you sense that the Lord is calling -- call me.
Fr. Dave Howell
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Barb Buwa, Ron, Eileen,
Marilyn, Carolyn, Debbie, Nancy, Steve, Jeanette, Bob, Pete, Vivian, Jane, Timothy, Zora, Mary
Kay, Wayne, Ed, Merle, Tom, Keith, Ruth, Mary, Victor, David, Kenneth, Robert, Cheryl, Laurie
and John.
PALM RECALL - You are invited to return your blessed palms from last year on Feb. 14. They'll be used to create the ashes which will be used on Ash Wednesday.
ON THE JOURNEY It isn't too late to sign up for the "Follow Me" small faith groups. This lenten program is designed around the Sunday lectionary readings with time for prayer, discussion and reflection. Most of the groups meet in individual homes and offer a casual, friendly atmosphere to meet your neighbors, laugh a little and deepen your understanding of Scripture. The times and locations of our small groups are listed in the gathering area please consider making this one of your Lenten practices this year. Any questions call me 229-8624. Yours on the journey, Marilyn
Children who will be receiving the Sacrament of the Eucharist are invited to participate in the Rite of Enrollment on Sunday, Feb. 14, at the 11:00 liturgy.
Plan to participate in the Family Retreat for Lent on Saturday, February 20, from 1-7 pm. Please call the office to register.
The history of Penance and role play of the sacrament will take place for parents on Thursdays, February 18 and March 4, at 7:00 pm. First Penance is either Thursday, March 11, or Saturday, March 13.
Sister Maryetta
Congratulations to our men's basketball team on their 49-31 win Monday!! For information on the games contact Chuck Erger (810) 227-2546.
Our teens are encouraged to participate in "Jesus Solves the Puzzle" family retreat on Sat.,
Feb. 20, 1:00-7:00pm, with 4:30 liturgy and dinner.
Please note: Those going on the ski trip need to turn in their money by tomorrow-February 8.
National Youth Conference meeting Feb. 23 at 7:00pm for parents and teens. Any questions
contact Margaret evenings (810) 227-7937.
Margaret Callaghan
Marriage Difficulty Retrouvaille is helping couples put the pieces back together. Retrouvaille weekends are held at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt on February 12-14, 1999 and May 21-23, 1999. For further information call (517)669-8321, Ext. 36.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD it's not what you think! Mr. James Sedlak, Director of STOPP, will be at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Hamburg on Friday, Feb. 12, at 7:00 p.m. to inform concerned individuals on what Planned Parenthood stands for and how to prevent them from opening an office in Livingston County. All are welcome.
Parenting Workshop starts February 11 for four weeks 7-9 pm for parents of adolescent children in Brighton. Support Group for Divorcing Women starts Feb. 10 for eight weeks in Brighton. For more information on above programs and to register call Edith Mayer, (810) 227-2151.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP? There will be a meeting here at church on Monday, February 15, 7:00 p.m. for parents who want to promote 6, 7 and 8 grade Youth Group activities. Any questions, contact Sue Wagener, 229-9592.
Last weekend approximately 1338 people participated in the Liturgies. These folks contributed
$10,998.37 to the parish.
During the month of January, we celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism with Theresa Marie Flammersfeld, daughter of Mary and Paul Flammersfeld; Dylan Jacob Anderson, son of Judy and Miro Anderson; Jordyn Taylor Chouinard, daughter of Felicia and Tom Chouinard;Benjamin Alexander Dumond, son of Judy and Tom Dumond;Kyle James Luce, son of Christina and James Luce;and Dalton James Payne, son of Victoria and Tom Payne. We congratulate their parents and godparents and offer them our prayers and support, as they accompany them on their journeys of faith.
Sunday, February 7
Is 58:7-10/1 Cor 2:1-5/Mt 5:13-16
Monday, February 7
Gn 1:1-19/Mk 6:53-56
9:00 a.m. Communion Service
Tuesday, February 9
Gn 1:20 - 2:4a/Mk 7:1-13
9:00 a.m. Jack Duffy
Wednesday, February 10 Scholastica, virgin, relig. fdr.
Gn 2:4b-9,15-17/Mk 7:14-23
7:00 p.m. William J. McKeon
Thursday, February 11
Gn 2:18-25/Mk 7:24-30
9:00 a.m. Mary & Carl Wojewodzki
Friday, February 12
Gn 3:1-8/Mk 7:31-37
9:00 a.m. Mildred Radke
Saturday, February 13
Gn 3:9-24/Mk 8:1-10
Sunday, February 14
Sir 15:15-20/1 Cor 2:6-10/Mt 5:17-37
4:30 (Vigil) Tom Callaghan
9:00 a.m.Frank J. Howell
11:00 a.m. St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
Minister of the Word:
Laura Drittler, Barry Wilkinson
Ministers of the Eucharist:
Joanne & Pete Pasienza, Joan & Bob Monforton, Ken Anderer,
Maura Giardina, Dena Sulkowski
Ministry of Server:
Amanda Pasienza, Ashley Crabbe
Ministry of Hospitality:
Bill Spindler, Kathie Anderer, Larry Herzinger, Chabot Family
Minister of the Word:
Lee Ann Louis-Prescott, Dan Ahearn
Ministers of the Eucharist:
Laura Meader, Mary Korch, Al & Barb Lanigan, Suzanne Neaton,
Mike & Karen Polcyn,Bill Colley, Marie & Bill Kuykendall
Ministry of Server:
Andy Wolterman, Romaine Witt, Nate Thomas
Ministry of Hospitality:
Deater Family, Didyk Family
Nursery:
Tom & Felicia Chouinard
Minister of the Word:
Diane Kubus, Jim Panning
Ministers of the Eucharist:
Jack & Pam Hornsberger, Mary Ann Hargrave, Kim & Tom
Sochacki, Nancy & Tony DiValentin, Judy Scharf, Sally Miracle, Juanita Rivera
Ministry of Server:
Ben Panning, Rachel Kubus, Jessica Beyer
Ministry of Hospitality:
Brent & Carrie Simon, Bill & Dixie Senchuk, David & Margaret
Wenzel, Mike & Karen Hostnik
Nursery:
Kristine Sobczak
Monday, February 8
7:00 p.m. Liturgical Ministry Evening of
Spirituality & Commissioning (Social Hall)
Tuesday, February 9
7:30 p.m. Inquiry/Journey
7:30 p.m. Charity & Justice (Social Hall)
Wednesday, February 10
7:30 p.m. E-Team (Work Room)
7:30 p.m. Finance Council (Conf. Room)
Thursday, February 11
10:00 a.m. Women of the Old Testament
6:30 p.m. Scripture Rosary
7:30 p.m. Parenting Class (Adult Formation)
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
Friday, February 12
No Activities Planned
Saturday, February 13
7:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast (Rectory LL)
8:30 a.m. Journey of Faith Retreat
4:30 p.m. Infant Baptism
6:00 p.m. Mardi Gras
Sunday, February 14
10:15 a.m. Facilitator Mtg. (Adult Form.)
7:30 p.m. Church History
7:30 p.m. Grief Support (Rectory)
Before each weekend Liturgy begins, there is a three minute explanation of a segment of the Mass. This column offers additional information.
THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - As the Eucharistic Prayer continues, we ask Heaven to act! We thank the Father for the gift of the Son and we ask the Father to continue to give us the gift of a Savior by sending the Holy Spirit upon the bread and wine to transform them into the Body and Blood of Christ.
During the second part of the prayer we ask for the same Holy Spirit to come down upon these gifts of bread and wine. This calling down of the Holy Spirit, known by its Greek name epiclesis, is a critical element of the transformation. For it was the Holy Spirit that overshadowed Mary enabling her to conceive the Lord Jesus. It is the same Spirit that overshadows the bread and wine enabling the Church to conceive the gift of Christ. The presider symbolizes this coming down of the Holy Spirit with the imposition or extension of his hands over the bread and wine.
Together with the words which the Lord Jesus spoke at His Last Supper, we believe that a wondrous change takes place. While the bread and wine continue to look the same, we believe that the inner reality is different. No longer bread and wine, they have become for us the Body and Blood of Christ in order to fulfill the promise of Jesus to give us His flesh to eat and His blood to drink (see John 6:52-56).
Just as Jesus appeared to be human in every respect to His outer appearance, we know by faith that the inner reality was much more than human, for He was the very presence of God among us! In a similar way the outer appearance of the bread and wine remains the same, but the inner reality has been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit to become for us the Body and Blood of the risen Christ. It was St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) who used the word Transubstantiation to describe this transformation of the inner reality.
Vision Statement | Sacraments | Ministries | Weekly Bulletin
Parish Staff | Religious Education | Miscellanous Information | Special Events