WHEN WILL IT END? Over the last couple of weeks I have been asked about the end of the world. The question is sparked by some fundamentalist Christians who believe that the world will end in the year 2000.
This erroneous and misguided belief is very different from the way Catholics have been approaching the millennium. Almost four years ago, Pope John Paul II invited Catholics (and all Christians) to prepare for year 2000, not as an end, but as the beginning of the third millennium of Christianity. We view the year 2000 as a door to the future rather than a wall that marks the end. The holy father has called us to prepare with joyful anticipation rather than fear.
Reconciliation is the major theme for this final year of preparation. That is part of the reason for the Lenten articles on the Sacrament of Penance. This Sacrament is especially important to believers who seek to open themselves more fully to the love and mercy of the Father.
Eucharist will be the major theme for the year 2000. It is a call to recognize how the Savior shares with us the great gift of Himself, so that we can live His life more fully. So what can be said to those who urge us to approach the new millennium as the end? These folks have misinterpreted the Scriptures, especially the book of Revelation, coming to the conclusion that Christ will return 2000 years after He first came. If that is true, then the Lord is a bit late.
Christians first began to use the birth of Christ to divide time during the early Middle Ages. Everything before Christ was B.C. and everything after Christ was A.D. (which stands for Anno Domine a Latin phrase meaning in the year of our Lord). Thus this year is 1999 A.D.
The problem was that the monk who figured out the date of Jesus' birth was just a bit off by anywhere from 3 to 6 years. So if Jesus was going to return 2000 years after His first coming, it should have happened sometime between 1994 and 1997. So the Lord is late for His return.
Lastly, I would also refer you to the words of Christ in Acts 1.6 ff. When the apostles asked the risen Lord if He was going to restore the kingdom now, Christ told them only the Father knows when. So beware of anyone who thinks they know more than Christ.
Fr. Dave Howell
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Keith Dunn (son of Carol
Jandasek), Karen (Pat Spindler's daughter), Nancy Spears & unborn child (daughter of Sandi
Howe), Paul Allberry, Barb Buwa, Brenda, Ron, Eileen Auld, Marilyn (mother of Steve
Crowell), Mary Wagener, Debbie, Nancy, Steve, Jeanette, Bob, Vivian, 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, Irene McElligatt, and
John.
Youth Grades 6-7-8 on Tuesday, March 16, at 7:00 p.m., we invite all students and parents who are interested in a youth group for Grades 6-7-8 to attend this meeting. We will be planning two activities for this year, thinking of a name for the group and brainstorming for next year. If youhave any questions, contact
Sue Wagener (810) 229-9592.
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 28th at 12:30 p.m. 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. Yours on the journey, Marilyn
The children in the Penance program participated in a retreat with their parents and did a magnificent job; praying, reflecting and sharing with their parents what the sacrament means to them. The parents learned many things from them about the sacrament which has helped them to grow in this sacrament.
First Eucharist meetings for parents will be Thursday, March 18 and Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Sister Maryetta
Follow Me small group reflections for teens is going very well. It is not too late to still be part of the reflections. The meetings take place at my home every Monday during Lent at 7:30p.m. Kathy Rigley and I will be leading the reflections. I strongly encourage you to participate if you can. Juvenile Diabetes Foundation is the charity we will be supporting for the month of March. You can donate money in the alms box and a portion of that will be donated to this charity. If you wish to learn more about this charity, feel free to pick up an information pamphlet in the gathering space.
SKI TRIP Everybody had a great time last weekend on our ski trip. We all made it home safely and in one piece. Despite the fact that it was only a weekend, we did alot! We skied all day Saturday, then saw a movie and then went bowling! Sunday morning came early with 10:00 a.m. Mass in Petosky. With the snow Saturday night, we decided to ski again on Sunday. It was a jam-packed weekend and everyone had a great time. I cannot thank the chaperones enough for all they did for us, without your support it would not have been a successful weekend.
Youth Meeting Tonight I will need twelve (12) teens to participate in the Passion Play for Good Friday. If you are interested, be sure to come tonight to get a copy of the script. There will be a special meeting later this week (I will announce the day and time tonight) for all those interested in participating after having had a chance to read it over.
Margaret Callaghan
Saint Mary Magdalen Parish Library is open for circulation everyday and most evenings. Stop in to peruse the selection of religious books and videos. Need help with prayer, meditation or scripture study, but can't find the time to attend classes? Looking for something uplifting? Looking for light reading with a religious theme? Check it out at the Parish Library.
"Whatever became of Sin?" This question was the title of a book by the noted psychologist, Dr. Carl Menninger. It is also a question that forms part of a confusion that surrounds the Sacrament of Penance. As youngsters, sin was simply defined as an act which broke the Law of God or the Church. It was a list of do's and dont's. As we grow older, life becomes more complicated and that simple definition is less helpful. Moreover, it does not look at the roots of sinfulness itself.
The greatest commandment Jesus gave His disciples was, "Love one another as I have loved you." The love Jesus spoke of was not an emotion, but actions and the attitude that is the basis of our actions. Love is self-giving which enhances the life of another.
By contrast to that command, sin can be defined as a conscious failure to love. Sins are conscious actions arising from my own self-centeredness. It is a choice to do what is wrong or to fail to do something that is good.
Looking beyond our actions, sin is an expression of attitudes deep within us that motivate our actions. These sinful attitudes are self-centeredness or self-interest, false pride (a dishonesty with myself), and a failure to take responsibility for my life; a blaming of others for my actions or inactions. It is from these "roots" or attitudes that sin grows in our lives.
In the Sacrament of Penance, the penitent first looks at their life in the light of the Gospel. St. Paul told us, "Your attitude must be that of Christ." (Phil. 2:5) Then he goes on to remind us of Christ's self-giving. The penitent looks deeply into him or herself to find the ways their attitude has been less than, or even contradictory to Christ's. This preparation for the Sacrament motivates the penitent to seek not only forgiveness, but a healing of these sinful attitudes. In this way, the penitent seeks to be strengthened, to turn away from sin (self-centeredness) and to be more like Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance we seek to follow the desire of St. Paul, "It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me." (Gal. 2:20)
Traditionally, the origins of the Sacrament of Penance are found in the Resurrection account of John's Gospel. The Risen Lord appeared to His Church, the apostles, breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them..." (Jn 20:21-22) From her earliest days, the Church saw this as her mission - to bring reconciliation to the world. The first way this was accomplished was through Baptism. In this sacred washing, a person was cleansed of sin and reborn as a child of God. Since most were baptized as adults after a long conversion process, most lived this new life faithfully.
The worst persecution of Christians occurred during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian in the third century. Many were imprisoned and martyred, but some renounced their faith. As a result, an intense debate raged when the persecution ended and these unfaithful ones repented. Some folks said there was no forgiveness for these penitents; others thought there was a need for a whole conversion process again ending in re-baptism.
Being unforgiving was not acceptable, neither was re-baptism since we already believed in "one baptism for the forgiveness of sin." The need for repentance leading to a deepening of their conversion was accepted, and the Sacrament of Penance evolved out of this. A ritualized form of conversion evolved.
This ritual began with a confession of sin to the Bishop. Lengthy disciplines or penances were imposed to help strengthen the penitent. These penances lasted from months to years. Often they included wearing sackcloth as a sign of penitence, fasting, prayer and works of charity. The severity of the penance depended on the severity of the sin. Three great sins--adultery, denying the faith and murder--required this new ritual form of conversion. Only after the penitent completed their penances were they re-admitted to Communion.
This form of the Sacrament could only be celebrated once in a lifetime! Because of this, the severity of the penances and fear of their own relapse into sin, many people waited until they were near death to seek absolution. In the ninth century a new form of the Sacrament began to evolve. It was brought to Europe by Irish missionary monks who came from monasteries where they had sought to fully live the Gospel. As monks they had regularly confessed all their sins, even the smallest, to the abbot who gave them a penance. In this new form, the Sacrament of Penance could be celebrated many times in one's life. This form of the Sacrament is the one that has continued to our time.
Stewardship Report Last weekend approximately 1287 people participated in the Liturgies. These folks contributed $11,794.82 to the parish. Last year on this Sunday the contributions
totaled $10,822.59.
Sacrificial Giving presently we have 710 families registered in the parish and 376 families have returned their stewardship commitment. If you have not filled out your stewardship commitment card yet, please pray about the sacrificial giving you will be making weekly/monthly and return the card either by mail or place in the commitment card box in the gathering area. The Finance Council
Diocese of Lansing "THIRD ANNUAL ROSE MASS" for Catholic Health Care Workers will be held Sunday, March 14, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Patrick's Church, 5671 Whitmore Lake Rd., Ann Arbor. The principal celebrant and homilist will be Bishop Carl F. Mengeling. Mass will be followed by a luncheon and speaker, Dr. Charles E. Rice, JD, LLM, JSD, who will speak on "The Hippocratic Oath and Natural Law." The cost for the luncheon is $25.00 per person, $15.00 for students. There is no charge for clergy and religious. For reservations contact Mary Carol Fromes, M.D., (734) 668-7283.
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.
The sessions will take place at St. Patrick Parish in Brighton, beginning on April 17 and will be held for the next six Wednesday evenings thereafter from 7:30-9:00 p.m. - completion of this will lead up to the celebration of Confirmation here at St. Mary Magdalen on Pentecost Sunday, May 23. To register for the program, call our parish office 229-8624.
A Support Group for Divorcing Women A four week program designed to provide hope for recovery and rebuilding a new life following divorce, and to address issues of guilt, anger, common feelings, and failure related to divorce. This program will start March 31 in Brighton.
From Profession to Pacifiers is a four-week support group for mothers who have left their jobs or professions to stay home with the children. The program starts Wednesday, March 31, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Brighton. Any questions contact Edith at LCCSS (810) 227-2151.
THE EASTER TREE OF LIFE remains in the gathering space. Take a tag and help an area senior. Gifts should be returned by the weekend of March 20/21 with the tag attached. Anyquestion contact Kathy Kolpacki at (810) 229-0258.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to deliver the food you contribute every Sunday to St. Anne's and Mary Lou Brown's Mission in Detroit. Directions will be provided. If you can help, there is a sign-up sheet in the gathering space. Please give prayerful consideration to signing up for this very worthwhile ministry. For more information contact Irene Cappuccilli (517) 546-5035.
Calling all Catholic prayer warriors of the Lansing Diocese willing to offer one hour of adoration per week for the intentions of Bishop Mengeling. He will be offering Mass and blessing the participants at 12:00 p.m., St. Marys Cathedral, Lansing, on March 16. For more information, call Barb Yaich (517) 224-6766 or e-mail rodney@voyager.net.
We are Christ centered Catholic Christians (20's and 30's single & married) who commit ourselves to regular prayer and good works. We strive to provide young adults an experience of community within the church. This organization has been gathering for more than a decade for good times; but also to search, to support each other and to serve in a variety of ways. A number of young adult groups meet regularly around the Diocese. Please call the Diocesan Young Adult Ministry Office (517) 342-2495 for more details.
FREE Childcare Join a new babysitting co-op being formed among the Livingston County Catholic churches. If you have children and need babysitting and are also willing to sit for other children, join our co-op. Save money on childcare and leave your children with responsible adults. A fee of $2.00 per month is charged to cover costs. If interested please call (517) 548-2204 for more information.
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.
Beside encouraging family and parish pilgrimages in the "Year of the Father" 1999, the Diocese of Lansing is promoting pilgrimages within the diocese and abroad. Trips to points of interest within the Diocese and outside the United States abound throughout the year. If you are interested in looking into one of these pilgrimages a brochure is available in the parish office for your perusal.
OBERAMMERGAU 2000 - THE PASSION PLAY in the Bavarian Alps of Germany; Visit France, Germany and Switzerland with Fr. George C. Michalek from September 11-22, 2000 for $2,929 from New York and see the famous Oberammergau Passion Play. For more information, contact Pat McGregor (517) 627-8350.
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.
Keeping in Shape??? Are you exercising and dieting, jogging, swimming, and playing tennis to stay fit and trim? What are you doing to keep you marriage in good shape? Why not try a Marriage Encounter weekend? Weekends are scheduled for April 16-18 and September 24-26. Contact John & Michelle Macari (313) 572-8952 or toll free (888) 628-7433, for more information.
If you would like to have a Liturgy celebrated for a special intention, arrangements can be made by calling the parish office (229-8624). 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.
Sunday March 7 - Third Sunday of Lent
Ex 17:3-7/Rom 5:1-2,5-8/Jn 4:5-42
Monday, March 8
2 Kgs 5:1-15a/Lk 4:24-30
9:00 a.m. Communion Service
Tuesday, March 9
Dn 3:25,34-43/Mt 18:21-35
9:00 a.m. Victor Hlavaty
Wednesday, March 10
Dt 4:1,5-9/Mt 5:17-19
7:00 p.m. Jenny Holden
Thursday, March 11
Jer 7:23-28/Lk 11:14-23
9:00 a.m.Eleanor Schwab
Friday, March 12
Hos 14:2-10/Mk 12:28b-34
9:00 a.m.Theresa Walsh
Saturday, March 13
Hos 6:1-6/Lk 18:9-14
Sunday, March 14 Fourth Sunday of Lent
1 Sm 16:1b,6-7,10-13a/Eph 5:8-14/Jn 9:1-41
4:30 (Vigil) St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
9:00 a.m.Lynn Howell
11:00 a.m. Mildred Radke
Monday, March 8
7:00 p.m. Evening Prayer (Church)
7:00 p.m. BeFrienders (Social Hall)
7:30 p.m. Art & Environment (Room 3)
7:30 p.m. E-Team (Conference Room)
Tuesday, March 9
7:30 p.m. Inquiry/Journey
7:30 p.m. Charity & Justice (Soc. Hall)
Wednesday, March 10
7:30 p.m. Finance Council (Conf. Room)
Thursday, March 11
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 50+ Retreat
6:30 p.m. Scripture Rosary
7:00 p.m. Fir