Vision Statement | Sacraments | Ministries | Weekly Bulletin
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SETTING the STAGE Music often plays a subtle but very effective role in the movies. Especially in a drama, it frequently underscores the dialogue and action, intensifying the tension as the movie builds to its more dramatic moments. If the same were true for Lent, the pace and intensity of the music would begin building with this Sunday's Gospel and finally reach its climax with the Passover of the Lord.
In John's Gospel, the raising of Lazarus is the last and greatest sign or miracle of the Lord Jesus. As a result, many come to believe in Him. It sets the stage. Soon after this event, Jesus will enter the city of Jerusalem to the shouts and acclamations of the people. The tensions rise and the leaders will look for ways to quietly arrest Jesus. By day He will teach openly in the temple area, but at night He will leave the city. Only through the treachery of Judas will they be able to finally arrest Him away from the crowds.
As we move into the final events of Christ's passover, the Church invites those preparing for the Easter Sacraments and all of us to intensify our lenten efforts as well. For the goal of Lent is not just to "get to Easter," but to grow toward Easter.
What changes do I need to make in my life so that I can live more faithfully? How can I simplify my life in order to be more attentive to the Lord? As the "drum beat" of Lent picks up its pace, moving us more quickly toward the Passover of the Lord, we are invited to intensify our efforts, so that our celebration of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter might draw us more fully into the life of Christ.
AUTHOR! AUTHOR! We are considering a professional production of a video tape that would tell the story of how we began and how we have grown over the last five years. Those of you who have helped in the many moves of the offices, the chapel, etc., know what I mean. Plus there has been all the construction and the picnics, parties, retreats, etc. Actually, a great deal has happened in our short history.
The thought is that a short video, using some of the many pictures we have collected, would help new parishioners understand our story a little better. What we are looking for is a couple of people to work on this effort. We have the professional production folks, but people to organize our pictures and write the script would help lessen the cost of such a production. If you would like to work on this effort, let me know.
NURSERY ALERT It has been suggested that parents who use the nursery might be more relaxed during the Liturgy if it was possible to easily contact them should the need arise. Evelyn Dionise has researched the possibility of purchasing a small pager system for concerned parents who use the nursery. It would cost about $1,000. If you are a parent who would find this helpful, let me know. We would like to know that there is enough of a need or interest before making such a purchase.
Thanks!
Fr. Dave Howell
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially:
Jake, Shirley Brake, Keith Dunn, Karen (Pat Spindler's daughter), Nancy
Spears & unborn child, Paul Allberry, Barb Buwa, Brenda, Ron, Eileen Auld,
Marilyn (mother of Steve Crowell), Mary Wagener, Debbie, Nancy, Steve,
Jeanette, Bob, Jane, Timothy, Zora, Mary Kay, Wayne, Ed, Merle, Tom,
Andrew, Keith, Ruth, David, Kenneth, Robert, Cheryl, Laurie, Baby Keegan,
Evan Snowgold, Danielle & Wyatt Campbell, Barb, and John.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFIRMATION The Sacrament of Confirmation completes our initiation into the Catholic Church. If you are an adult who has not yet been Confirmed, you are invited to participate in an area-wide Adult Confirmation Program during the Easter Season. Six Wednesday evening sessions will lead up to the celebration of Confirmation here in our own parish on Pentecost Sunday, May 23. The sessions will take place at St. Patrick Parish in Brighton, beginning on April 17 (from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.). To register for the program, call the parish office (810) 229-8624.
Scripture is filled with examples of Christ's concern for the physical as well as spiritual welfare of those he encountered. Spreading the Good News often meant curing the sick and feeding the hungry before his message could be heard. It is with that thought in mind that we would like to start a Parish Nurse Ministry. If you are a health care professional who might be willing to donate some of your time to health related issues here at St. Mary Magdalen, please consider joining us on Sunday, March 28, at 12:30. Mary Ann Tedman from McPherson Hospital will be here to give us some basic information about starting this ministry. For more information please call me at 229-8624.
Parents of Children in the Eucharist Program Don't forget about the meetings on Thursday, March 18, about the history of the Eucharist, and Thursday, March 25, on the significance of the Eucharist in your child's life. Both meetings will take place at 7:00 p.m. Please plan to attend both of them. Sr. Maryetta
I am keeping all of you who are considering the National Catholic Youth Conference trip to St. Louis in my thoughts and prayers. Please note, however, that I will need your answer by April 1. If you are interested or have any questions, please call me evenings at 227-7937.
Easter Egg Hunt March 27 from 10:00-12:00 noon on the parish grounds. We will need help filing the plastic eggs this Thursday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the youth room, and also on Saturday, March 27 morning 8:30 a.m.
Last week we made 20 rosaries for the missionaries. It was a great
way to get involved and help people around the world to know God during
this season of Lent. I know that the rosaries will be very much appreciated
by those people who receive them. Thank you to all who made one.
Walk for Life We are forming a team to participate in the Walk for Life
24-hour relay to raise money for cancer. If anyone is interested in joining our
team, feel free to come to tonight's meeting at 7:00 p.m. I will be passing out
the packets and showing a short video on the walk. If you are interested, but
can't make the meeting, give me a call.
Margaret Callaghan
We will be sponsoring an Easter egg hunt on March 27 here at St. Mary Magdalen from 10:00-12:00 noon back by the barn. There will be two separate egg hunts, one for toddlers thru age 6, and one for children ages 7 thru 11. There will also be face painting, and a special rabbit will be there passing out candy from his basket (be sure and bring your camera). St. Pat's is co-sponsoring this event with us. Anyone interested in helping to fill the plastic eggs, please come to the meeting Thursday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the youth room. Margaret Callaghan
Parents and students in grades 6, 7 and 8 are invited to attend a meeting Tuesday, March 16, at 7:00 p.m. about planning activities. Please bring creative ideas and suggestions for a name for this group.
II. William Olzack & Nancy Pence
So what is "new" about the Sacrament of Penance? The form of the Sacramental celebration was revised in 1976, but how is it different now from what we knew before? One aspect that seems new is that the Rite of Reconciliation can be celebrated in three forms: individually, communally and, in cases of necessity, communally with no individual confession of sins. While on the surface, the communal dimension seems new, it is in fact the older form of celebrating the Sacrament of Penance.
What is new is the attitude with which we are invited to approach the Sacrament. In former times, we came to confession with a "grocery list" of sins, seeking to cleanse our souls of the stain of sin. The Rite of Reconciliation expresses a deeper and more profound mystery celebrated by the rite. It begins by asking myself, where did I consciously fail to love in what I did wrong, or in what I failed to do? Then I ask myself why. The question why looks for patterns of sinfulness and their roots. Now as I approach the Sacrament, I seek not only to have my sins forgiven, but to be reconciled to God, to be healed even of my tendency to sin. I come as a penitent who "hungers and thirsts for holiness," desiring to live the life of Christ ever more faithfully. This new attitude is necessary whether the penitent is celebrating the Sacrament individually or communally.
The Rite of Reconciliation for the individual is similar to the way we learned as youngsters with some differences. First, the penitent may stay behind a screen for anonymity or celebrate face to face. Once in place, the confessor greets the penitent and prays for them. The penitent begins by stating the length of time since the last celebration, then goes on to confess their sins, including patterns and attitudes. An additional change is that the penitent can suggest their own penance.
The value of the individual celebration is that it allows more time for spiritual guidance. The communal celebration, on the other hand, provides for awareness of the effect of my sin on the Church, the Body of Christ; as well as the greater awareness of the forgiveness and reconciliation that comes from Christ through the Church. In either form of the Sacrament, the words of St. Paul should touch our lives: "Give thanks to the Father for having made you worthy to share the lot of the saints in light. He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son. Through Him we have salvation, the forgiveness of sins." (Col. 1:12-14)
Stewardship Report Last weekend approximately 1519 people participated in the Liturgies. These folks contributed $13,612.77 to the parish. Last year on this Sunday the contributions totaled $9,676.97. The Finance Council
FREE Childcare Livingston County Catholic churches have formed a babysitting co-op. If you have children and need babysitting and are also willing to sit for other children, join our co-op. For more details call (517) 548-2204.
Head Start Program are recruiting for their next program year. Children must be 3 years old by 12/1/99 and not age-eligible for kindergarten. Head Start is a comprehensive, FREE preschool for children who meet income and/or other eligibility criteria. If your interested in having your child in this program, call 1-517-548-2100.
Parenting Workshop for parents of adolescent age children. It is a workshop focusing on a common sense approach to raising adolescents. The workshop begins April 15, and runs four Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00 p.m., in Brighton. Contact 227-2151 to register.
Families Experiencing Divorce is a six-week support program for children whose parents are separated or divorced, and starts Tuesday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. in Howell. It is designed to assist youngsters ages 5 to 14 discuss the painful aspects of divorce and ease the transition in their lives. Parents also participate attempting to discover how best to help their children through this family crisis. Call 227-2151 to register.
The next meeting of the Washtenaw/Livingston Council of Catholic Women will be held March 24, 1999, at St. Joseph's Dexter. Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. Rabbi Robert Levi of Temple Beth Emeth will speak at 9:45. His topic will be the Jubilee Judeo-Christian Relationship in the twenty-first century. Mass, a potluck luncheon and a short business meeting will follow. For further information, call Joanne Fredal (734) 428-8010.
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 will be available this weekend for the Seder on
Wednesday, March 31, at 6:00 p.m. Bring your family and a dish to pass. If
you are available to help set up the day before or would like more
information, call Ann Meredith, 227-2986, or Karen Polcyn, 229-1728. We
are also looking for donations of empty Paul Masson wine carafes for use that
night; if you have any, please leave them in the box provided in the gathering
area.
Yours on the Journey, Marilyn
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S - 24 hour relay for life, a community celebration to honor and remember those who have battled cancer. Teams of family, friends, co-workers and neighbors collect donations prior to the event and then dedicate 24 hours to camping out with teammates and taking turns walking or jogging around a track. There will also be games, contests, prizes, a Cancer Survivors' lap and luminary ceremony to pay tribute to those who have been touched by cancer. Outback Steakhouse is to provide the Cancer Survivors' Dinner and lunch at the Relay. For more information and details contact Cammie Gaubatz (810) 225-8590.
The Art and Environment Ministry Team is ordering the Flowers of the Easter Season. As we did for Christmas, we are giving parishioners the opportunity to purchase a plant in memory of loved ones. The cost is $10.00. Please sign on the sheet in the gathering space and place a check (payable to St. Mary Magdalen) in the basket. The names of those remembered will be published in the bulletin
EASTER TREE OF LIFE Gifts for area Seniors are to be returned this weekend with the tag attached. Contact Kathy Kolpacki (810) 229-0258 if you have any questions.
The Charity & Justice Ministry Team continues to ask you to save your VG's receipts and return them in the container provided in the Gathering Area. Through these receipts organizations can collect 1% of the receipt total. These funds will be used to help those in need within our parish.
Pink lids from Yoplait Yogurt are being collected by the youth members of Charity and Justice. You may put clean lids in the box located in the gathering area.
The Knights of Columbus will be having a Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday, March 27. Dinner will be served from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the social hall. The cost is $4.50 for adults, $3.75 for seniors, $2 for children and $13 for families.
SAMARITAN NEWS We would like to thank all of the volunteers for your participation in the Samaritan group. March has been our busiest month ever! We have been busy delivering meals, providing baby sitting and other household chores for fellow parishioners. What a wonderful group of volunteers we have! One of our volunteers has been surprising our sick with flowers along with her fabulous meals. We even had a couple of people who volunteered to drive an infant to her physical therapy classes while her mother was recuperating from surgery. It is just so comforting to know that when you are in need, the Samaritans can assist you.
If you need our assistance or know someone who does, please contact Karen Alfanos at 229-9914, or Kathy Clark at 227-3099. If you would like to become a part of this caring volunteer group, please contact us for more details.
THE WELCOMING TEAM is in need of more couples or individuals on their ministry team. If you would like to help register new members into the parish, contact Theresa Wolterman, 227-7131, or Deacon Dave, 229-8624.
Sunday March 21 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
Ez 37:12-14/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45
Monday, March 22
Dn 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62/Jn 8:1-11
9:00 a.m. Helen Bezeranian
Tuesday, March 23
Nm 21:4-9/Jn 8:21-30
9:00 a.m. Joanne Lintzenich
Wednesday, March 24
Dn 3:14-20,91-92,95/Jn 8:31-42
7:00 p.m. Edward Howell
Thursday, March 25 Annunciation of the Lord
Is 7:10-14,8,10/Heb 10:4-10/Lk 1:26-38
9:00 a.m. Mary Gentner
Friday, March 26
Jer 20:10-13/Jn 10:31-42
9:00 a.m. Tim & Will Holden
Saturday, March 27
Ez 37:21-28/Jn 11:45-56
Sunday, March 28 Palm Sunday
Is 50:4-7/Phil 2:6-11/Mt 26:14-27,66
4:30 (Vigil) Jack Duffy
9:00 a.m.St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
11:00 a.m. Mr. & Mrs. Jerome Skiba
Monday, March 22
7:00 p.m. BeFrienders (Social Hall)
7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer (Church)
7:30 p.m. Pastoral Council (Adult Formation)
Tuesday, March 23
7:30 p.m. Inquiry/Journey (Adult Formation)
Wednesday, March 24
6:30 p.m. Scripture Rosary
7:00 p.m. First Eucharist Mtg.(Social Hall)
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
7:30 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt Mtg. (Youth Room)
Thursday, March 25
6:30 p.m. Scripture Rosary
7:00 p.m. First Eucharist Mtg.(Social Hall)
7:30 p.m. Music Ministry
7:30 p.m. Youth Walk Organization Meeting
(Youth Room)
Friday, March 26
7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross (Church)
Saturday, March 27
7:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast (Rectory LL)
10:00 a.m. Youth Group Easter Egg Hunt
5:00 p.m. K of C Spaghetti Dinner
Sunday, March 28
No Religious Education
12:30 p.m. Parish Nurse Ministry Mtg. (Adult
Formation Room)
7:00 p.m. Youth Group Meeting (Youth Room)
7:30 p.m. Grief Support (Rectory LL)
Vision Statement | Sacraments | Ministries | Weekly Bulletin
Parish Staff | Religious Education | Miscellanous Information | Special Events