ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

Today, with waving palm branches we entered Jerusalem with Jesus. Although the Liturgy begins in triumph and shouts of hosannah (hurrah!) the mood quickly changed as we heard the Passion story.

The drama unfolds in the Liturgy of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Not three liturgies, but one, celebrated over three days.

On Holy Thursday, our church becomes the upper room where we gather around the Last Supper table of the Lord Jesus. Feet are washed and after sharing at His table, we leave to wait and watch with Him until midnight

On Good Friday, our church has been transformed into Calvary and we gather to witness the crucifixion. (Not only will we hear the story, but we will see it, thanks to our youth, who will be dramatizing the passion and death of the Lord Jesus.)

On Holy Saturday, our church has become the dark tomb of the Lord. We enter it with the light of the Risen Lord. The story of salvation is told in a series of readings leading up to the Gospel, the good news of the Resurrection. Then we baptize our catechumen into the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and all of us who are already baptized, renew our baptismal promises. After this, we bring the newly baptized and those who were received into the Church forward to be Confirmed. Finally, we join them in the Eucharist and together with these new members of the Church, we share the Body and Blood of the Risen Christ.

During the week that follows (Easter Week), we celebrate each day as if it were Easter. We are seeking to better understand and live the new life we have received.

If you have never been a part of the Liturgy of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, I truly feel sorry for you. You have been cheated of the best part of our faith experience; the richest part of Liturgical traditions. If you have been there, you know what I mean. If you want to be a part of this year, all three evenings the service starts at 7:30 pm.

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Jan Jandasek, George Sierant, Jim Pfeifer, Bradley Stevens, Kathy Rakoczy, Elizabeth Barclay, Maurine, Ruth, Ginther, Marcella, Paul Domsic, Cindy Sultana, Larry, Charlie Brenner, Ashley Horning, Kathy, Alexandria Nelson, Jessica Wolfe, Janet Hucke, Debbie, Jon Hancock, Diane Lickfold, 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.

The Finance Council

"Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!" shout the crowds in today’s Gospel. May we be always ready to share our blessings when we are sent in His name!

The first of our Prayer Quilts were put out recently for you to help tie. Each tie not only helps to hold the three layers of the quilt together but is also an opportunity for us to pray for the recipient of the quilt. Please take a moment and help us in this special way of remembering and praying for those injured or sick in our community.

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 give me a call in the parish office. Yours on the journey, Marilyn

July 14-21 our teens will participate with an the National Relief Network, an organization committed to bringing volunteers to 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.

Walk with Jesus, our yearly 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 about our Lord’s passion. Sign up at our meeting tonight or by calling me at 227-7937.

March 30 is our annual Easter egg hunt. 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 welcome to join us in putting on our annual Easter egg hunt Saturday, March 30. Just come to the barn at 10am. Margaret Callaghan

Water For Body & Soul - Unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise we challenge you to drink EIGHT 8oz. glasses of water daily. If you are interested in having your water tested call Livingston County Health Department.

March is Parenting Awareness Month — check out the new publication -Livingston Parent Journal! It is free at your local library and contains family based articles as well as information regarding area events and resources for parents and families.

Safety Helmet Sales Kick Off — at the Easter Egg Hunt on Holy Saturday, March 29. Bring your "Brain Bonnet" (any safety helmet!) to decorate for the Easter Parade!! Order forms will be in the Gathering area from April 13- 28. Are your helmets in good condition? Do they fit properly? This is a non-profit sale and extremely affordable.

Mark Your Calendars! Coping for Mind & Body, a two part mini series re. illness, forgiveness & spirituality will be presented by Elaine M. Tripi, PhD, a new parishioner and counseling psychologist in the private sector. Sessions will be held directly following the Healing Masses April 24 & May 29 for 45 minutes. We welcome all folks who wish to address these important topics.

Last week Laurie Cooper sewed together the first two prayer quilts made by the families in the Family Program. Each family took home a square and decorated it as a family project and was then able to see the finished quilt and tie the knots with a family prayer. Their next project is collecting money for the REACH program, as things are needed last minute by the workers.

I would like to thank the parents of our First Penance children on the wonderful work you did preparing your children for this Sacrament. As the primary sharers of faith they watch and learn from your example and words. I would also like to thank our Catechists/Aides for all the hard work they did, not only in class, but at our services as well. Our 4^th grade catechists/aides are: Diane Neitzke, Patti Nouhan, Pauline Flowerday, Cathie Osdras, Josie Hoisington, Gary Prise, Denise Putnam, Donna VanBuskirk, Debbie Happley, Jennifer Morley, and Joan Kramer. A special thank you to Dorothy and Brittany Walsh for their special participation.

Have a good week! Mary

Mystery Theater - The Knights of Columbus, St. Mary Magdalen Church, is presenting a special "adult evening out" of dining and the live presentation of the "Mystery of the Forgery Fortune" (formerly known as "Murder of the Millennium) by Will Taylor Productions on Saturday, April 20. A tale of intrigue, false identities, and plenty of plot twists and turns promise to make this a mystery to die for! The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall. Dinner will be catered by Perriez Custom Catering of Milford. (Note: This production includes audience participation and simulated gunshots!). The cost is $25 per person, a table of six for $150, or a table of eight for $190. There is limited seating, RSVP by April 10. Call 810-229-2045 for information or see the poster in the gathering space.

Ministers of the Word:

Anne Williams, Becky Even, Ruth Beyer

Ministers of the Eucharist:

Joyce Gonda, Marilyn & Jack Bitterle, Pat

VanBuskirk, Jack & Pam Hornsberber Ann

Marie Conlisk, Marianne & Jeff Quada, Tony

Smith

Ministry of Server:

David Bussey, John Quada, Joey Hommel

Ministry of Hospitality:

Jennifer & Beth Slack, Debby Feger,

Turzewski Family,Rachel & Diane Kubus

Ministers of the Word:

Devon Wolfe, Linda Nagle, Jeff Reinhard

Ministers of the Eucharist:

Beccie & Ed Govan, Gary Prise, Kathy LaTarte, Andrea Nashar, Larry Andree, Mary Korch, John Clonan, Chris Kovanda

Ministry of Server:

Scott Kovanda, Katy Kovanda, Taylor Tuthill

Ministry of Hospitality:

Corrine & David Bielicki, Kevin Kovanda,

Anne Tucker, Don Terns, Kolpacki Family

Ministers of the Word, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers: RCIA Team

Ministers of Hospitality: Arthur Family, Monte Family

Telephone: (810) 229-8624

Fax: (810) 229-6471

Office Hours: Mon-Fri — 8:30am-4:30pm

Fr. David F. Howell, Pastor

Sr. Maryetta Churches, OP,

Pastoral Minister

Mary Mahar

Education & Formation of Youth

Marilyn Rhadigan

Formation & Evangelization of Adults

Anne Williams, R.C.I.A. Coordinator

H. David Scharf, Deacon

Kay Thurmon, Secretary & Bookkeeper

Josie Doucette, Secretary, Religious Education

Tom & Margaret Callaghan, Youth Ministry

Leo Camden, Custodian

Steven H. Schulte, Musician

Weekend Liturgies:

Saturday — 4:30pm

Sunday — 9 & 11am

Weekday Liturgies:

Monday & Tuesday; Thursday & Friday—9:00am

Wednesday Evening — 7:00 p.m.

Saturday — 11:30 a.m. — 12:00 noon

We have a regular schedule for Infant Baptisms.

Contact Marilyn Rhadigan to make arrangements.

REACH HOMELESS PROGRAM

If you would like to donate food for the REACH PROGRAM, please call Ann Fraser 517-545-9279 or Jan Carpenter 810-227-5269.

A unique look at the lives of St. Peter, St. Paul, & Judas. "St. Peter: The Rock" will air on Sat. March 30 at 8PM., this 90 minute program will examine the legacy of St. Peter’s leadership and explores the mystery of his final resting place. "The Apostle Paul: The Man Who Turned The World Upside Down" on Sat. March 30 at 9:30 PM. This visually exciting program feature was filmed in Turkey, Greece, Israel and Rome, and "Judas: Friend or Traitor?" looks at the conflicting views of Judas’ relationship with Jesus, on Tues. April 2 at 8PM.

Skills required: Basic computer competency

Education: College degree preferred and/or appropriate experience

Special Duties: Supervise outreach worker; Supervise Secretary

Experience required: Knowledge of Deaf Culture

Skills required: Basic computer competency; ability to communicate in American Sign Language

Education: College Degree preferred and/or appropriate experience

Special Duties: Supervise Chaplain of deaf community; supervise secretary

For information on the above Diocesan positions, please contact Msgr. Michael D. Murphy (517) 342-2450. Application and inquiry deadline is April 15, 2002.

Pastoral Music/Associate Position Medium size parish in Lansing area is looking for a Directory of Music and Pastoral Associate. It is possible for this position to be one full time position or two part time positions depending on interest, background and availability. Send resume and inquires to: St. Michael Parish Search Committee, 345 Edwards St., Grand Ledge, MI. 48837.

1 Full Time Grade 6 Teacher may be required to teach some Grade 7 & 8 classes.

1 Part Time Science Teacher for Grades 6,7,8

Requirements: State of Michigan teaching certification, Catholic preferred — willing to take catechist classes

Please send resumes, references, a copy of college transcripts, and State of MI. teaching certification to the following address by April, 2002.

St. John School

Sister Patricia Fischer, O.P.

514 Lincoln Street, Fenton, MI. 48430.

In earlier times, Christians would celebrate Easter with communal feasts. As we grew in numbers, it was harder to celebrate all together, so Catholics bring baskets filled with their special Easter meal to church for a common blessing. The first meal eaten on Easter morning will be these blessed foods. This breaks the fasting and abstinence of the six weeks of Lent. We will be blessing Easter Food next Saturday, March 30, 2:00pm. Some examples of foods brought for this blessing and their meaning are indicated below:

Easter Eggs symbolizes new life and for Catholics and Christians re-birth. Eggs were forbidden during Lent, and so eggs gathered during that time were boiled and saved until Easter. They were decorated to represent a joyous revitalization and are symbolic of the tomb from which our Lord burst the bonds of death.

Kielbasa, Ham or Pork, expressly forbidden under the covenant of the Old Testament, represents the new replacing the old since Jesus came to fulfill and exceed the law, making these formerly forbidden dietary items now acceptable.

Horseradish and/or Pepper symbolize the bitter herbs of the Passover and the Exodus, signifying the bitterness of spiritual exile, the bitterness of the sufferings of Jesus, and a reflection upon our human sufferings.

Salt, used as a commodity, a medium of exchange, barter in trade throughout history, is the most fundamental of all spices and preservatives. It reminds us that as a result of our baptism in Christ, we are, by His words, the "salt of the earth".

Bread symbolizes the bread of the Eucharistic Meal and declares that Christ is known to us in "the breaking of the bread" as He was to the disciples at Emmaus.

Paschal Lamb Butter — The lamb is central to the Catholic/Christian faith. Christ is referred to as the Lamb of God, or the lamb being led to the slaughter. Our Lord proclaimed: "I am the Good Shepherd". The lamb is often featured carrying a red banner imprinted with a cross. The sacrificial animal of ancient times is now portrayed as Christ victorious.

Wine is often added to the menu, reminding us of the blood of the sacrifice, which Christ spilled for us on Calvary.

St. Mary’s Church in Pinckney, will host Monica Clark, in her one woman drama performance, "A Little White Flower", The Story of Saint Therese Lisieux, Sunday, April 28, at 7:30 pm. Families encouraged. No cost to attend, donation appreciated.