MAKING the MOST of LENT Lent begins this Wednesday. There will be Liturgies at 9 am & 7 pm and a Word Service at 5:30. Ashes will be distributed at all three.

Lent is a ninety day journey of faith. It begins with Ash Wednesday and culminates with Pentecost. Together with our catechumen and candidates, we seek to grow as disciples of the Lord Jesus. With fasting, prayer and penance we seek to purify our desire for all that Christ offers to us.

Fasting means doing with less. Usually, it means less food, but we can also "fast" from a number of things to make our life simpler and quieter, for it is only in simplicity and quiet that we truly hear the Lord.

The purpose of all fasting is prayer. Creating a physical hunger, we use it to sharpen our spiritual hunger for the Lord.

Prayer should lead to action, which is the purpose of penance. Many think of penance as "giving something up" but that’s only part of it. What is given up should be given away, so that someone less fortunate benefits. Eating less means I have more to give to the hungry; simplifying my life means I have more time to give to another and so on.

Most of all, whatever we do for Lent should help us make the necessary changes that will help us live more faithfully as disciples of the Lord!

COMMON PENANCE Just a reminder: Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. Adults are expected to eat two simple meals (usually breakfast and lunch), one main meal — all of them meatless. Fasting also means that nothing is eaten between meals.

All adult Catholics in good health are expected to fast. Usually adult is defined as 21, but I would suggest that anyone who is Confirmed, having taken on adult responsibilities in the Church, should fast.

The requirement to abstain from meat (on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent) applies to everyone in good health over 14. But again, I would suggest that everyone who has received First Communion should abstain from meat as well.

My prayer for us all is that we will truly grow well through Lent!

Fr Dave Howell

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.

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: 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., 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.

Please remember in your prayers Larry LaTarte and family in the death of Larry’s brother, Gary.

A note of information: Please watch your Sunday envelope (weekly offering) and your Special offering envelopes (trimmed in the color teal). These special envelopes are for Diocesan Collections (Human Development/Retired Religious/Peter’s Pence etc.).

How the envelope system works: Envelopes received on the weekend are posted on that Monday to your contribution sheet. Example: Received envelope on January 26/27 weekend the amount will be posted on Monday January 28. If you submit three envelopes (Jan 13,20,27) and three separate checks for $20 each. All three checks ($60) will be posted on January 28. We do not back post or forward post. If you want to contribute on a bi-weekly or monthly basis that is fine just submit one check and one envelope. Thank you

Sunday Collection Counters of St. Mary Magdalen

Stewardship involves more than just the gift we bring to the altar. Today’s readings say clearly that it is fidelity to God’s law that makes our offering acceptable.

The Livingston Area Catholic Council on Aging will host a retreat on Thurs. March 14, 9:30—2pm at St. Agnes Church, 855 E. Gr. River, Fowlerville, (East of Fowlerville Rd.), Featuring Fr. Lawrence P. Delaney from St. Francis Retreat Center. Cost of $9 covers speaker and lunch. For more information contact Michelle at (517) 545-5944. Deadline for tickets is March 4.

On Wed., March 6, at the 4:30 session, the children will be helping with a special 5 pm Liturgy. There will be no 7 pm Liturgy that evening) and on Thurs., March 7 the R.E. children will be helping with the ministries at a special 7 pm Liturgy (there will be no 9 am Liturgy that day). Parents are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions please e-mail me at mmahar@parishmail.com.