ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

Over the next few weeks, there will be several opportunities for us to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance. Seven Communal Services will be celebrated across the county.

St. Agnes in Fowlerville

St. Augustine in Deerfield

Holy Spirit in Hamburg

St. Mary in Pinckney

St. John in Hartland

St. Patrick in Brighton

St. Mary Magdalen

I hope that all of us will make the time to celebrate this Sacrament of God’s mercy — and open ourselves up to the life Christ offers to us!

Pedophilia is much more than a character flaw; it is a psychological disorder. But because the bishops have tended to treat it as character flaw, men have been reassigned to positions were they could continue to prey on children. As a result great harm has been done to innocent children, the Church and the priesthood.

Some have suggested that if Roman Catholic priests were not longer required to make a vow of celibacy, the problem would end. The sad truth is most pedophiles are married; they are coaches, scout leaders, youth pastors… They tend to gravitate to positions that give them easy access to children.

Any story about someone purposely hurting a child bothers me. But the continuing story about priests who have committed these criminal sins has been very depressing. I wish I knew how to undo the harm.

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Cindy Sultana,Victor, Matthew Evancho, Larry, Charlie Brenner, Ashley Horning, Pauline Jones, 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.

Please remember in your prayers Bev Cermak and family in the death of Bev’s brother Kenneth Atzinger

Thank you from Linda Gury and family, with deep appreciation for your kind expression of sympathy in the death of Jessie Turowski, Linda’s mother.

Thank you to our parish family, for the tender care you provided us during the time of my brother Gary’s death. We so appreciated the hugs, kind words and especially your prayers. Larry LaTarte and family

The Finance Council

The blind man was willing to let Jesus minister to him and willingly did all Jesus asked of him. The Pharisees were more resistant to His message, spending their time and energy to disprove the miracle. Which am I more like, the man born blind or the Pharisees?

March 12 is the Retirees’ St. Patrick’s Day Lunch. We will be playing a little Irish music as we share some helpful hints over our sack lunches. Join us for green dessert and coffee at 12:15pm.

This week will have 73 of our youth celebrate the Sacrament of Penance for the first time. Please pray for them as they experience God’s forgiveness and mercy. They and their parents attended a retreat last Saturday to explore family life in God’s love and discovered how each brings gifts to each other through forgiveness in our families. Please continue to pray for all our parish family members who are on their journey towards the Sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation.

Our Confirmation Candidates and their parents (or sponsors) are reminded about the meeting Sunday, March 17 at 5:30pm in the Church.

Last weekend I spent time with my family in Washington. We had so much fun celebrating family! My parents tried to remember why they had so many kids with all 11 of us relating family stories that they had forgotten about! Between all of us that could make the trip, there were a total of 38 family members! With the funeral of my sister-in-law’s father only a few days before, and several serious illnesses in my family this past year, we all thanked God for the gifts he has given us in each other. We realize how truly blessed we are for moments together. I urge each of you to do something with your family this Lent. Reach out to one member you may have differences with. Spend time in prayer with your spouse or children. Examine your life in relation to the Gospel.

Thanks, Mary

Encore Youth Theatre

Please join us Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 pm in the Hartland High School Performing Arts Center for a fun filled night of singing and dancing as the cast of Encore Youth Theatre brings you "Annie Jr." Based on the popular comic strip, Annie Jr. tells the story of a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents. Included in the cast are four of our own younger brothers and sisters. Philip Gubert as a policeman, Jimmy Leonard as Bert Healy, Nikkii Nystrand as an orphan, and Scott Osdras as Sandy the dog. Tickets are $5.00 for children and adults and can be purchased at the door. Any questions contact Kathy Osdras at 229-7568.

July 14-21 our teens will be participating with the National Relief Network, an organization committed to bringing large numbers of volunteers to state and federally declared disaster areas for the purpose of helping families rebuild their homes, communities and their lives. As quoted from their web site, NRN.org. Sunday April 14, Scott, from NRN, will be here to talk to us about the trips he plans and the work NRN does. I invite you and your parents to come and join us that evening from 7-9pm in the youth room. There he will be able to answer any and all questions. Please plan to come.

Permission slips are now available for our spring retreat scheduled March 22-24. You can pick one up either at the meetings or by calling me. If any parent is interested in spending some of their time with us, call me and we can talk. It would be worth your time

Tonight Marilyn Pence-Rhadigan will be again teaching us about the book of Revelations. Bring a Bible and come prepared to learn about this very interesting book.

March 28, we will again be hosting our evening of reflection, Walk with Jesus. Mark your calendars for this wonderful opportunity to spend with God.

Three of our teens participated in the Diocesan wide Middle school rally. The music was great and the games were fun! Thank you to Elizabeth Slack and Sue Wagener for spending the day with us.

1-800-MASS TIMES — A nationwide ministry available to traveling Catholics provides information on the the nearest church and Mass times on weekends.

SOCIETY OF ST. JOSEPH — Calling all prayer warriors of the Lansing Diocese willing to offer an hour of prayer per week for the intentions of Bishop Mengeling. He will be offering Mass and blessing participants on Tuesday, March 19, 12pm Mass, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Lansing. For more information contact Barb (517) 719-6754.

Water for Body & Soul — We wish you refreshment from the "Fountain of all Holiness" - Jesus our Lord! If you have any concerns re. your water supply or are interested in having your water tested contact the Livingston County Health Department or access the web: www.epa.gov/ost ; www.deq.state.mi.us ; www.1chd.org .

Blood Pressure Screening Next Weekend March 16^th & 17^th — High Blood pressure is a controllable risk factor of cardiovascular disease.

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 are available in the gathering area for this year’s Seder, which is on Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30 pm. Bring your family and a dish to pass. If you are available to help set up or bake bread on Tuesday, March 26, or would like more information contact Carolyn Jandasek at 227-3999 or Kathleen LaTarte at 227-7994. We are limited to 250 for the dinner, so please register early.

If you are a business owner, or just a loving person at heart, consider a donation to the Silent Auction for Pregnancy Helpline. Their annual banquet and auction will be held April 18 at Bakers in Milford. This is the major fundraising event for the ministry which serves mothers and their children, born and unborn. Any type of donation, product or service can be given for use in this auction. Your generosity can help Pregnancy Helpline to continue to do God’s work with these families. Please call 810-632-5656 for more information on how to donate or contact Denise Shifko 810-632-5546.

MOM’S-TO-MOM’S SALE will be held at St. Pat’s in Brighton on Saturday, March 23, from 9am to 1pm. Admission fee is $1.00. Tables may be rented for $25 and you may keep all profits from your table sales. If you are interested or have any questions about renting a table or attending the sale, contact Cathy Britz, 810-231-6391.

This is a retreat for seniors to be held Thursday, March 14, 2002 at St. Agnes Church in Fowlerville by the Rev. Karl Pung. It runs from 9:30am-2:00pm. The cost of $9.00 covers speaker and lunch. Call Catholic Social Services, 517-545-5944 for more information.

ST. JOSEPH ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL, 425 E. Washington St., Howell is offering open registration, beginning Monday, March 18, 2002, 8am — 4pm. Areas of Specialty Education K-8 include: Art, Computer, Library, Music, Physical Education, Spanish. Extra-curricular activities include: Athletics, Band, Choir, Computer Club, Scouts, Ski/Snowboarding Club, Student Council, Yearbook. Call 517-546-0090 for more information.

The Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency provides Home Chore Services for low income senior citizens in Livingston County. This includes snow removal, one time heavy house cleaning, spring and fall clean up as well as summer lawn mowing. The services are available to seniors 60 and over who are unable to perform these tasks, have no family members to help, and are on a limited income. Volunteers or anyone with questions may call 517-546-8500 for more information.

Catholic Legislative Day, Wednesday, April 17, 2002. hosted by the Diocese of Lansing will take place at St. Mary’s Cathedral Hall, 228 N. Walnut Street, Lansing, Mi. Take the opportunity to gather, discuss issues and meet with your state legislators. The day begins at 9:30am and ends at 2:30pm. Call 517-342-2466 for more information.

Understanding Islam presented by Fr. Thomas Baima will be offered Friday, 3/15, 9-11:30 or Saturday, 3/16 9-11:30am at St. Agnes, Fowlerville. Call 517-342-2509 for information.

well as interesting articles and discussions are part of the site.

well as interesting articles and discussions are part of the site.

St. Louis DeMontfort Consecration. All are invited to begin the 33 day preparation as found in "True Devotion," on Feb. 20. Pope John Paul says this consecration changed his life and he renews it each year. A Mass will be celebrated Monday, March 23 —12noon at St. Marys Cathedral, Lansing, Fr. Gerald Gawronski presiding. For more information call Barb Yaich (517) 719-6754.

Diocesan Assistance Program is a service provided by the Bishops’ Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs to assist you with substance/abuse referrals, speakers, and program resources. Call toll-free pager 517-340-2920.