Lent is the season of purification and enlightenment for the catechumen. It is a season of grace that invites those preparing for the Easter Sacraments to look more deeply at their lives, to ask themselves some of the fundamental questions of Christian life and to discipline themselves to live that life more fully.

The Gospels of these Sundays come from John and tell of three encounters with Christ which fundamentally altered the lives of those who met Him. This Sunday tells the story of the nameless Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at Jacob’s well. Next Sunday, we will hear of Jesus cure of the nameless man who was born blind. On the Fifth Sunday, the Gospel will tell the story of the resurrection of Lazarus (a Hebrew name meaning the helpless one.)

Again, in each of these encounters, the lives of those who met Jesus were forever changed. It was not just a cure, even the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. Those who experienced Jesus in these events were never the same.

These stories of a nameless woman and man and even Mary, Martha and Lazarus enable us to fill in the "blank", to give the characters of the Gospel our own names. Ultimately, what we are asked to do is to recognize ourselves and what the Lord offers to us.

I hope we will join our catechumen and candidates in their Lenten journey and join them in meeting the Lord at the well next weekend.

The Fire Department called last fall asking for permission to erect one on our property. It will be a welcome addition to the safety of our neighborhood and a genuine service to the local community.

Louise was a remarkable person in many ways. After raising five daughters, she returned to college and obtained both a bachelors (at age 59) and a masters degree (at age 64). Besides being dedicated to her family and her faith, she was dedicated to helping seniors recognize their dignity, value and purpose at a time in their lives when some are tempted to withdraw. Even in the last months of declining health, she spoke to her doctors about the way in which seniors ought to be treated.

Ever since Sr. Maryetta came to St. Mary Magdalen, Mrs. Churches was a regular visitor. She touched the lives of many of us here and she will be greatly missed.

Fr. Dave Howell

9:00 am U Milton Perry

9:00 am U Robert McGrath

9:00 am U Robert J. Thomas

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: John, Lanore Chisholm, Adam Weitzel, Elmer VanWagner, Mike, Vi Hibbeln, Matthew Holthus, Mary Beth, Mary Lou Colgin, Dennis Seefelt, Jason Summers, Ann Proffitt, Ayla Hill, Jerry Veatch, Ray White, Thomas Dimaggio, Debbie Carlton, Yvette Lagimodiere, Beverly Spiess, Joey Boyd, Bill & Anne Hare, Merrick, Jack Bitterle, Julianne Camilleri, Tony Pasienza, Diana Jox, Bill Janke, Vladimir Jandasek, Ken & Erin Colombo, Jack Mekjian, Laura Matthews, Paul Duff, Carol, Gregory, Norman VanDerBrouck, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Toni Brenneman, Derrick Day, Dante, Bonnie Doty, Lottie Machowski, Lane Combs, Ralph Helmer, Joanne Fournier, Bev Zizka, Barry Wilkinson, Tyler Ward, Lee Alstott, Mike, Linda Nagle, Thomas Payne, Danielle Snowgold, Bud Newberry, Bishop Povish, John Pepa, Margaret Resconich, Joanna Bloese, Maureen, Russ Gardner, Ann Polcyn, Pete, Cornelius Smits, Matt Even, Ellen Columbo, Adeline Smith, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, Jeanette Wood, and Donovan.

Please remember in your prayers Sr. Maryetta and family in the death of her mother, Louise Churches, and Joan Gondek & family in the death of her husband, Frank.

When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of water, He opened the door for a life-changing relationship with Him. Scripture says her testimony drew many others to Him as well. We, too, must be ready to respond whenever and wherever the Lord speaks to us and be prepared for it to change our lives!

Sunday, Mar. 18 Diane Kubus, Jim Cubr

11:00 am Catechumenate Dismissal

9, 11 & 5:45 Religious Ed.

Family Program Religious Education

7:00 pm Youth Group Meeting

Jesus said to his disciples on the eve of his condemnation and crucifixion, "Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Mt 25:40). The work of the agencies involved in the Church’s international social ministry expresses our love for Christ and manifests our Catholic Christian call to action for the least among us without consideration of borders and origins.

To help you grow together in faith during Lent, bring your family for Monday evening prayer, Wednesday evening Mass, or come pray the Way of the Cross on Friday evenings. These prayer opportunities are at 7:00 pm in the Worship area.

I would like to thank Cathie Osdras and Gary Prise for all their help during our First Penance Retreat and also thank all the wonderful parents and children who attended the retreat. (Pay no attention to the man behind the brown door!) Parents and children were given time to reflect together and talk about First Penance.

March 21,22-There are parent meetings during the class times. All parents must attend. Parents of children at St. Pat’s or in the Family Program may attend any of the sessions.

On Sunday, March 25 our 6^th grade students have the opportunity to attend the Temple Beth Eneth. Parents watch for the permission slips.

Take some time this Lenten season to be with God. Plan to participate in the Stations of the Cross every Friday evening at 7pm. Afterward we will have a reflection until 9pm.

You can still sign up for our spring retreat this week. Just contact me at the offices. The cost is $20 for two nights, and food, along with an evening at the Family Fitness Factory, swimming and playing basketball.

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is scheduled for December 6-9, 2001, to be held in Indianapolis. I will be taking names and a nonrefundable deposit of $50 to reserve your spot. The money is due to me by April 1st. Take a look at the pictures hanging in the hall by the youth room of our first NCYC held in St. Louis.

This weekend we will be celebrating Mass at St. Anne’s in Detroit. After mass the youth group will be hosting a potluck lunch for us. Our past events together with them have been fun and we are expecting nothing less of this gathering.

I hope you are all taking time to be with God this Lenten season praying more often, being kind to others, spending time with loved ones, or praying before every meal. Margaret Callaghan

Sign up sheets will be available the weekend of March 25 for this year’s Seder on Wed., April 11 at 6:00 pm. Bring your family and a dish to pass. If you are available to help set up or bake bread at 10:00 am. on Tues., April 10 or would just like more information contact Kathy LaTarte at 227-7994,or Carolyn Jandasek at 227-3999.

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

Chronic Illness and What Our Faith Has To Offer: will be the topic of discussion on Tues., March 20 at 7:00 PM at St. Mary Magdalen. Marie Kuykendall, a fellow parishioner and Spiritual Care Counselor with Hospice of Michigan, will share her knowledge and experience to enlighten us on our spiritual journeys. Please join us!!

Safety Helmet Sales begin March 17 & 18!! You will find order forms and a drop box in the Gathering Space. Please take a folder of Safety Helmet Information and be Safety Wise! Design-A-Helmet entries can be placed in the basket located in the Gathering Area.

"People Who Care About Kids", a coalition seeking to repeal Public Act 381 (Michigan’s New Concealed Weapon Law) wants to place this issue on the November 2002 Ballot. Using the referendum process, petitions are circulated, signatures are collected, and must be submitted by March 27,2001 Submission and certification of signatures postpones the effective date of the enacted law until the people of the state vote on the issue in November 2002.

Registration forms are in the gathering area. For more information, call John Reineke (810) 225-2040 or Dave Guidos (810) 229-4728.

Sponsor of the Week

Walter’s Appliance

CHARITY OF THE MONTH Throughout March we will be collecting for the School of the Holy Family, outside of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Please read the article in the March 2001 Visionary titled EMMANUEL by Carol McGrath for more information. See pictures of the Church in the Gathering Space.

A support group for divorced and separated meets every 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of the month at 7:30pm at St. Thomas Parish Center in Ann Arbor. Topics of discussion include, the five stages of grieving, helping children cope, legal issues, and spirituality. Call Virginia Mikola (734) 994-9194 for more information.