ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

This is meant to be more than just a ritual start to Lent. It meant to be the attitude that characterizes the whole season of forty days.

The Sacrament of Penance is an important part of Lent because it celebrates more than a turning away from sin; it celebrates a release from sin.

In these last two weeks before Easter, there will be several opportunities for us to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance. Five Communal Services will be celebrated across the county.

Mon. Mar. 18, Holy Spirit in Hamburg (7:30 pm)

Wed. Mar. 20, St. Mary in Pinckney (7:30 pm)

Thurs. Mar. 21, St. John in Hartland (7:30 pm)

Sat. Mar. 23, St. Patrick in Brighton (9:00 am)

Mon. Mar. 25, St. Mary Magdalen (7:30 pm)

I hope that all of us will make the time to celebrate this Sacrament of God’s mercy — and open ourselves up to the life Christ offers to us!

The damage done to the victims is devastating. We cannot undo the great harm, but it is important that the Church ask for forgiveness for these sins and make some restitution to the victims. That might at least be a start of their healing.

But the damage goes beyond the actual victims and their families. What has happened has done great harm to the priesthood and the whole Church.

Last week I had occasion to talk to several other priests of our region. One said that all these stories make it embarrassing to go out in public and others spoke of how depressing it has become.

Fr. Dan McKean, the pastor of St. Pat’s spoke about it at the end of the Liturgies he celebrated recently. He said many of the same things I have said in this column over the last two weeks.

But he told his parishioners that while all these stories are embarrassing, he was also very proud to be a priest. He added that he and the other priests who served St. Pat’s felt very supported by the people of his parish.

I would like to echo his sentiments!

Thank you for all your support and encouragement. I am proud to be a priest and honored to be your pastor!

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Kathy Rakoczy, Ruth, Maurine, Ginther, Marcella, Paul Domsic, Cindy Sultana, Victor, Larry, Charlie Brenner, Ashley Horning, Pauline Jones, Kathy, Alexandria Nelson, Jessica Wolfe, Janet Hucke, Debbie, Jon Hancock, Bob Szajnecki, Ralph Bennett, Taryn Simon, Shannon McKay, Joseph Hommel, Sr., Robert Grace, Don Camden, Evelyn, Alicia Miller, Shannon Knapp, Peter Bumpus, Sam Marino, Bill, Craig Livingston, Joyce, Bill Kottke, Colette Bertrand, Larry Stanley, Laura Drittler, Bob Brookins, 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, Bishop Povish, Joanna Bloese, Ellen Colombo, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, and Donovan.

If you would like to have a Liturgy celebrated for a special intention, please call the parish office to make arrangements. A contribution is usually made to pay for the cost of the bread and wine and all the other items that are needed for the celebration of the Liturgy.

Sacrificial Giving: Presently, we have 891 families registered in the parish and 555 families have made their stewardship commitment. If you have not returned your commitment card, please pray about the sacrificial giving you will be making weekly/monthly and return the card (which is in your yearly Sunday Contribution packet — the first page) either by mail or the collection basket on Sunday.

When Jesus heard about the illness of His friend, Lazurus, He responded, "This illness is not to end in death; rather it is for God’s glory, that through it the Son of God may be glorified." Every aspect of our lives — our gifts as well as our sufferings — can, if surrendered to Christ, lead to blessings for others and ourselves.

Friday begins our weekend retreat at Pine Hills in Hamburg. I enjoy the opportunity getting to know everyone better as we journey through the retreat together. Please keep us in your prayers this weekend.

July 14-21 our teens will participate with the National Relief Network, an organization committed to bringing large numbers of volunteers to state and federally declared disaster areas for the purpose of helping families in their efforts to rebuild their homes, communities and their lives. April 14, Scott, from NRN, will be here to talk to us about the trips he plans and the work NRN does. He will be traveling with us in July. I invite you and your parents to come and join us that evening from 7-9pm in the youth room. He will be able to answer any and all questions. Please plan to come.

Walk with Jesus, an overnight retreat held Holy Thursday evening, will be held in the rectory basement. Come and reflect with us about Jesus’ last hours. Come to grow in faith and understanding. Mark your calendars for this wonderful opportunity to spend with God.

March 30 is our annual Easter egg hunt. Alll donations of candy and empty plastic eggs are appreciated. There are baskets in the gathering area.

If you enjoy face painting and animal balloon making, you are welcomed to join us in putting on our annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 30. Just come to the barn at 10am.

Margaret Callaghan

Our Confirmation Candidates and their parents (or sponsors) are reminded about the Lenten activity tonight at 5:30pm in the Church!

I would like to take this time to thank the children from all of our Religious Formation classes who participated in the various roles of ministry during our RE Liturgies over the last 2 weeks. The catechists were able to explain different parts of Liturgy to our youth as all of our grades 1-8 had a role in the planning process! Grade 1 were greeters and gave out songbooks before Mass, Gr.2 were hospitality, they collected song books and cleaned up the church after Mass, Gr.3 wrote and read our intercessions, Gr.4 were ushers during communion, Gr.5 read the Responsorial Psalm, Gr.6 wrote and read the introduction, Gr.7 were Lectors for the readings, and Gr.8 picked songs for the Liturgies.

This was the first time the children have been able to be a part of the ministries during Mass. Thank you to all the parents for helping them practice at home and for bringing them up to practice. One session was even a part of the Sacrament of the Sick Liturgy and prayed with those being anointed. I was very proud of all our children for the prayerful experience they helped provide during our Liturgies!

Have a good week! Mary

Our spring scripture study will begin Thursday, April 11^th. We will be exploring the last of the Gospels-- The Gospel of John. Written later than the three synoptic gospels, it has a style and imagery that is both unique and thought provoking. Whether this is your first bible study or one of many, this should be challenging and exciting. Registration forms will be in the gathering area next weekend.

Prayer Quilts were put out recently for you to help tie. With each tie we ask you to say a prayer for the recipient. Please join us in this special way of remembering and praying for those injured or sick in our community.

Winter weather has always been challenging in Michigan,just a reminder Adult Programs (MOMS, Scripture and Stitches, Scripture Study, etc.) are cancelled when Brighton area schools are cancelled.

As more and more parents call me with twins to register for baptism I’ve begun to question whether we should be starting our own Parents of Twins Support Group. If you are the parent of twins and might be interested, please call me.

Yours on the Journey, Marilyn

ST. JOSEPH ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL, 425 E. Washington St., Howell is offering open registration, beginning Monday, March 18, 2002, 8am — 4pm. Areas of Specialty Education K-8 include: Art, Computer, Library, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish. Extra-curricular activities include: Athletics, Band, Choir, Computer Club, Scouts, Ski/Snowboarding Club, and Student Council Yearbook. Call 517-546-0090 for more information.

RELAY FOR LIFE St. Mary Magdalen will host a team for the upcoming Livingston County Relay for Life, May 17-18, 2002, at the Brighton High School Track.

Reclaiming our Jewish roots is an important part of our understanding of Christ’s life and passion. Each year we as a parish family celebrate a Seder meal during Holy Week. This Seder is a combination of specific Jewish prayers, ritual, foods and reflection on Israel’s liberation from the enslavement in Egypt called the Passover.

Sign up sheets are available in the gathering area for this year’s Seder, which is on Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 pm. Bring your family and a dish to pass. If you are available to help set up or bake bread on Tuesday, March 26, or would like more information contact Carolyn Jandasek at 227-3999 or Kathleen LaTarte at 227-7994. We are limited to 250 for the dinner, so please register early.

Unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise we challenge you to drink EIGHT 8 oz. glasses of water daily. If you have any concerns re:your water supply or are interested in having your water tested call Livingston County Health Department, or access the web: www.epa.gov/ost ; www.deq.state.mi.us ; www.1chd.org. Remember the words of Jesus, "…whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life: (John 4:13)

Safety Helmet Sales Kick Off — at the Easter egg hunt, on Holy Saturday. Sales will continue for the first three weeks in April. Are your helmets in good condition? Do they fit properly? This is a non-profit sale and extremely affordable.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you see a minister? Probably you don’t. Most of us would say, "I’m not a saint; I’m just an ordinary person." But ask yourself these questions. Do I believe in the goals of the Gospel? Am I a caring person? Am I respectful of other’s ideas or experiences? Am I a good listener? Am I responsible? These are qualities of a BeFriender?

The goal of BeFriender Ministry helps the BeFriended make wise choices based on their own inner wisdom. If you are interested or curious about this ministry, please attend our information night, April 16, 7PM, in the social hall. For questions call Judy Scharf, 248-889-0274.

WE CARE Communication and Relationship Enhancement Program is a marriage prep program sponsored by the Diocese of Lansing, Catholic Charities and Livingston Catholic Social Services. It teaches how to communicate, how to resolve conflict and reduce arguments, how to solve problems, how to keep intimacy a part of your relationship, how to develop skills to maintain commitment and understanding. The next one scheduled is at St. Pat’s, Brighton, April 22 & 23, 2002, from 6:30-9:30pm. Call Margaret Henne at 810-229-9863 for information.

Newly Divorced — Separated ?????? This day of enrichment is being offered for the divorced and separated of all ages. Offering emotional and spiritual recovery from the wounds of a broken marriage. We will meet at St. Mary’s Parish in Pinckney, on Saturday, April 6 from 9:00 AM — 3:00 PM. Please join us. To register call the parish office at 734-878-3161.

Will be on Saturday, March 23, from 9:30 am — 3:30 pm. at St. Joseph Catholic School, located at 811 E. Oliver St. in Owosso, Mi. For more information call Mary Kelpinski 989-743-3313.

Catholic Legislative Day, Wednesday, April 17, 2002, hosted by the Diocese of Lansing will take place at St. Mary’s Cathedral Hall, 228 N. Walnut Street, Lansing, Mi. Take the opportunity to gather, discuss issues and meet with your state legislators. The day begins at 9:30am and ends at 2:30pm. Call 517-342-2466 for more information.

well as interesting articles and discussions are part of the site.

St. Louis DeMontfort Consecration: All are invited to begin the 33-day preparation as found in "True Devotion," on Feb. 20. Pope John Paul says this consecration changed his life and he renews it each year. A Mass will be celebrated Monday, March 23 —12noon at St. Marys Cathedral, Lansing, Fr. Gerald Gawronski presiding. For more information call Barb Yaich (517) 719-6754.

ST. JOSEPH ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL, 425 E. Washington St., Howell is offering open registration, beginning Monday, March 18, 2002, 8am — 4pm. Areas of Specialty Education K-8 include: Art, Computer, Library, Music, Physical Education, Spanish. Extra-curricular activities include: Athletics, Band, Choir, Computer Club, Scouts, Ski/Snowboarding Club, Student Council, Yearbook. Call 517-546-0090 for more information.

MOM’S-TO-MOM’S SALE will be held at St. Pat’s in Brighton on Saturday, March 23, from 9am to 1pm. Admission fee is $1.00. Tables may be rented for $25 and you may keep all profits from your table sales. If you are interested or have any questions about renting a table or attending the sale, contact Cathy Britz, 810-231-6391.