At the end of the 11 am Liturgy, we will carry the Blessed Sacrament from the main worship area to our chapel, near the parish offices. Everyone is invited to come and to spend as much time as they are able in prayer with the Lord. At 5:30 pm the Blessed Sacrament will be carried back to the church where we will celebrate Evening Prayer.

For those who may not be familiar with it, the Church has a special vessel called a monstrance for these special times of prayer. The name comes from the Latin word for show. The monstrance allows us to look at the Holy Eucharist while we pray. It is as if the Liturgy paused just as you come forward to receive Communion, you hear the words "The Body of Christ!" and you see the Lord held before your eyes.

Again, I hope you will be able to spend some time with the Lord. Please come and pray for yourselves and for your family; come and pray for the sick and those in need within our community; please come and pray that all of us will experience a growth-filled Lent. Remember: The world hasn’t a prayer... without yours!

2,500 YEARS OLD
Evening Prayer is very ancient. It was started by our ancestors in the synagogues of Babylon almost 2,500 years ago. Their temple was in ruins, and in their exile they organized houses of study (synagogues) where they could come together and study the Scriptures. Their study soon led to prayer and a routine developed. Every morning and every evening they would gather and offer a "sacrifice of praise".

They would sing psalms, read the Scriptures and offer communal and private prayer. Morning and Evening Prayer was very familiar to Jesus and His disciples. The Gospels indicate that they often participated in prayer gatherings. After we were expelled from the synagogue during the first century, we continued the practice, which gradually took on a distinctly Christian flavor. By the fourth century, communal Morning and Evening Prayer became a regular part of daily life of the faithful. This continued throughout the Middle Ages, but two things gradually brought about an end to this practice. The first factor was the growth of monastic communities of men and women. They came together to form small Christian communities, deeply committed to living the Gospel. Morning and Evening Prayer became central to their life. While these two times of prayer were still celebrated in parishes, the monastic forms became more common. Gradually, daily Mass became the primary form of communal prayer for parishes. By the beginning of the 1900’s only Sunday Evening Prayer still remained a part of parish life.

EVENING PRAYER was restored to parish life over the last 30 years. It will end our Day of Prayer this Sunday at 5:30pm and will be celebrated on Monday evenings during Lent at 7pm. Using the psalms, Scripture readings and prayer, it has a wonderful rhythm sung, spoken and silent prayer, that is very peaceful and reflective. I hope you will be able to join us!

ONE MORE
Last week, my sister’s older daughter, Katie, joined us as well. She has already found a job and will be starting college next fall. So now we’re a family of four: the mother, the Father and "nieces" — Kayla & Kate!

Fr. Dave Howell

9:00 am V Dolores Modlinski

9:00 am V Keith Dunn

9:00 am V Yvonne Kuchta

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Elmer VanWagner, Paul, Mike, Vi Hibbeln, Louise Churches, 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, Martha Rushak, Laura Matthews, Paul Duff, Carol, Gregory, Norman VanDerBrouck, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Toni Brenneman, Derrick Day, Dante, Bonnie Doty, Lottie Machowski, Frank Gondek, 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 Tim Mahoney and family in the death of Tim’s mother, Myrna.

Today’s first reading describes the offering of first fruits the people of Israel were to present to the Lord in thanksgiving for their deliverance from Egypt and the gift of the promised land. Is my offering at today’s Mass an appropriate response to the many blessings the Lord has given me?

Thursday, Mar 8 Deb Happley, Sue Bumpus

Please help this worthy cause by taking a tag from the tree (in the gathering area) and returning it with the gift by Sunday, March 18. Please tape your tag securely to the gift. We will be delivering gifts to Brighton, Howell and Hartland Senior Centers, Catholic Social Services and Medilodge and IHS Nursing Homes.

March is a very busy time for all our youth on their journey toward the Sacraments of Confirmation, First Penance and First Eucharist. During this time of Lent we focus on our relationship with Jesus; and to aid in this, we also have a Family Lenten Retreat scheduled for Sunday, March 18 starting with the 11am Liturgy and ending with a pot luck dinner at 6pm. All families are welcome and we encourage you to take the time to share in your Lenten journey as a family.

Confirmation Parents: Sunday, March 4 at 6pm-There is an important parent meeting during class.

First Penance Dates to Remember: March 10, 10-2 pm - Retreat for parents and child, all are expected to attend. You must call the office to register by Mar.7. March 15, 7pm - First Penance for Thursday classes and St. Pat’s children. March 17, 10 am - First Penance for children in the Wednesday classes. Family Program parents need to call the office.

Lent has begun; a sort of time-out for us from our everyday life and stresses to reevaluate our priorities. Do I really include God in everything I do? Do I rely on Him as much as I should? God gave his only son for me; what have I given back? Lent gives us all the chance to make things right with God, to reflect and become closer to God.

All Sr. High youth are invited to join us for Stations of the Cross, on Friday evenings 7pm. Afterward we will have discussion and reflection as a group. It would be a great way to take time out for God and make the answer to all the questions above a YES! Consider joining us.

Spring Retreat April 6-8 with special guest speaker, Phil Leonard. The cost is $20 for two nights, which includes food, and the Family Fitness Factory. I will be available after the Masses on March 9 & 10 for sign up.

It was a good time last Tuesday as we celebrated friendship, food and the company of some Sr. High youth who shared their thoughts about Lent with us.

Margaret Callaghan

Thank you to Margaret & Tom Callaghan and the Youth Group for the Baby Shower gifts, and all your support, and prayers to our family.

Bill and Jen Ross

It’s not too late to join the Thursday morning Scripture Study. During the season of Lent we will be looking at part of the Book of Psalms.

Retirees’ St. Patrick’s Day Lunch will be held Tuesday, March 13 at 12:15pm in the Adult Formation Room. Wear your green and bring your sack lunch. Dessert and Irish music will be provided.

Scripture and Stitches will also meet on Tuesday, March 13 at 10am in the Adult Formation Room. We will be working on the blocks for our fourth Habitat for Humanity quilt. If you are interested in joining or just want more information about this group, which combines Scripture and quilting, call me in the parish office at 229-8624.

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

During the month of February, we celebrated the sacrament of Baptism with Nicholas Gerard Boschma, son of Andrew & Lisa Boschma; and Olivia Rene Oakes, daughter of Scott & Holly Oakes. We congratulate their parents and godparents and offer them our prayers and continued support as they accompany them on their journeys of faith.

Thanks to all who offered the gift of life by supporting the ARC Blood Drive. Approximately 90 pints of blood were collected.

Who Will Decide? You will!! The St. Mary Magdalen Parish Nurse Ministry is hosting a panel discussion/ workshop on Advanced Directives / Durable Power of Attorney on Sunday, March 11th at 7:30pm. In the event that you are unable to make or communicate your own health care decisions, this program will assist you to begin to discern and legally document your personal health care choices. This truly is an issue we are called to consider personally and as families. Please join us! Sign up in the gathering area.

OLD ST. PATRICK’S will be having fish fries every Friday during Lent March 2 thru April 6 (except Good Friday.). The menu is Fried Fish, potato, salad bar, roll and beverage. Carry out available. Cost: adults $6.50; seniors $6.00; children 5-11yrs. $5.00

Call (734) 662-8141 with any questions.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Faye I. Jones & Associates, Inc.

Diocesan Council on Women’s Concerns Department of Catholic Charities is hosting a retreat for women celebrating the sacred in our lives with Esther Kennedy, OP and Kathryn Christian, Saturday, March 24, from 9:00am to 3:30pm at Weber Center in Adrian. Registration deadline is March 8. Scholarships are available. Contact Ellen McKay (517) 342-2467 for more information.