ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

The first of these groups is the Pastoral Council. Their main task is to work with me to provide the necessary leadership, which will enable our parish community to accomplish the Vision, which hangs in the Gathering Area. In a very real sense, council’s main task is to be Vision Keepers!

Their second task is to help coordinate all the efforts of the different ministry teams. Each of these teams has responsibility for a different part of our Vision. Council members meet with the ministry teams to help them remain on task.

The third task of the council is to share my responsibility for the pastoral care of our parishioners. They are "12 extra sets of eyes and ears" to listen to people’s concerns so that we can respond to the needs we see within our community.

If you would like to share in this ministry, or know of a parishioner whom you believe would be good in this ministry, sign up in the Gathering Area!

President Bush has, in my opinion, been very accommodating to the Israeli prime minister while refusing to even meet with the Palestinian president. Moreover, Mr. Bush seems quite willing to blame all the violence on Mr. Arafat.

It was Mr. Sharon who incited the violence by his provocative visit to Temple Mount. Moreover, he has made it quite clear that he never intended to negotiate any real settlement with the Palestinians.

When Israel finally withdraws from the Palestinian territories, the press will reveal the amount of destruction, terror and death suffered. As Mr. Barak, the former prime minister has stated: with this invasion, Israel has lost the moral superiority.

Again, it is my opinion that Mr. Bush has discredited the war on terrorism by his support for the state sponsored terrorism of Mr. Sharon & Israel.

ONGOING REVELATIONS It seems as if there are daily revelations of sexual misconduct by priests. This behavior is wrong, both morally and, in the case of minors, criminally. It is also very disheartening to anyone who loves the Church. Despite the continuing revelations, I was encouraged by an article buried in the back pages of both our local and metro newspapers; it stated that approximately 1.7% of priests were involved in these very sad and destructive incidents. Fr. Dave Howell

Please remember in your prayers Don Oliver and family in the death of Dan Oliver, Don’s brother; and Peter Kovalchik and family in the death of Stephen Kovalchik, Peter’s brother.

This weekend signals the beginning of the 2002 Diocesan Services Appeal (DSA). We, as Catholics, have a responsibility to share and support the services and ministries provided throughout our 10-county diocese. Please take some time and learn about the ministries programs that the Diocese of Lansing provides as a result of the DSA. You cannot really be supportive of programs you know nothing about. Bishop Carl Mengeling sent a letter to all registered parishioners detailing how our gift to the DSA will be used. Please take a minute and read the material sent to you and consider your gift to the DSA. Some families can afford to give generously to the DSA and others will have to make smaller gifts, but please consider a gift to the DSA. Also please pray for the success of the DSA, because of the many ministries and programs that the DSA funds every year. This once-a-year appeal asks all of us to consider making a small sacrifice in order to support our many diocesan ministries.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus walked and talked with Jesus all day long, but it was not until they offered Him hospitality and He blessed and broke the bread that they recognized Him. Simple acts of living kindness still reveal the presence of God in our midst.

First Eucharist: The Retreat for all Candidates and their parents is Saturday, April 27 from 10-1:30 please call the office to register; rehearsal for First Eucharist is Thursday, May 2^nd at 6:30 pm. in Church. Parents of children celebrating First Eucharist here who are interested in having First Communion pictures taken are asked to sign up for an appointment time on April 29 or 30. Sign up sheets are posted in the gathering area.

Medical forms need to be filled out, as the Diocese requires us to have medical information on file for each child in case of emergency, so please have your child's medical records available. The days and session times for Religious Formation Classes are as follows:

Kindergarten: Sunday - 9:00 Liturgy, 11:00 Liturgy

Grades 9-10: Sunday evenings - 5:30-7:00pm

Grades 1-8: Wednesday 4:30-6:00

Wednesday 6:30-8:00

Thursday 6:30-8:00

Family Program: bi-monthly (Sunday AM)

The tuition fees for 2002-2003 will remain: $55 for one child, $80 for two children and $100 for families with 3 or more children and Family Program.

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.

Our Retirees’ Lunch Bunch will be joining the St. John’s Group for lunch this Thursday the 18th at St. John’s. For more information call me at the parish office.

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

Our youth are holding a bake sale this weekend after all the Masses and will also be selling sweatshirts. The cost for sweatshirts is $25 for adult sizes and $15 for children’s sizes, from these sales, we will be donating half the money to the flag pole fund and the other half will go toward our National Relief Network (NRN) trip.

Tonight from 7-9pm, Scott Harding will be here from NRN to talk to us about the organization and the trips he plans. Plan to come with your parents if you are interested in participating. Adult participation is encouraged also.

May 17-18 is the Relay for Life cancer fundraiser. This year we are joining the Charity and Justice team. You can sign up to be a part of the team after all the Masses this weekend or by calling me at 227-7937. You can pick up your fundraising packet also this weekend.

Our next event will take place Sunday, April 21. We will be meeting at the Howell Aquatic Center in Howell for a flick-n-float. Drop off time is 1:30 and ends at 4pm. A sign up sheet and directions are in the gathering area.

Margaret Callaghan

Wellness Program- Join members of the health ministry and your fellow parishioners as we kick off a 6 week wellness program on Sunday, April 14 at 7:00pm, here at St. Mary Magdalen! Each week we will be focusing on a new healthy habit. The first week’s focus is on physical activity. Benefits of physical activity include: increased energy, reduced stress, and enhanced sleep, firmer muscles and weight loss. Receive support and encouragement to improve your health at additional weekly meetings, which will take place on Tuesdays, April 23 through May 21 at 7:30pm, or Wednesday mornings, April 24 through May 22. All ages are welcome. Any questions call Maureen Crowell (810) 227-3734, Pam Evancho (810) 227-0797 or Tammy Gless (810) 227-3392.

Two years ago we made available a parish business directory. The goal of this directory is to provide a list of services to our community of fellow parishioner owned businesses. It is not an endorsement or guarantee of the goods or services provided. However, it is a way to support the business of our fellow parishioners.

To be included in the directory, please fill out one of the information forms in the Gathering Area and drop it into the collection or give to Jim Chevalier or Deacon Dave. If you have any questions please call the office, 229-8624.

The 3rd Annual Parish Golf Outing is just around the corner - May 18 at Ironwood Golf course. Reservations are being taken now. Funds raised will be used for various parish/community programs and charities. The $80 fee ($300 per foursome) will include 18 holes of golf with cart, continental breakfast, steak dinner, over $1,000 in door prizes, and a chance to win a car with a Hole-In-One! Registration forms are in the gathering area. We are also seeking hole sponsors ($100 per hole). For information, call John Reineke (810) 225-2040/Dave Guidos (810) 229-4728.

DRIVERS NEEDED - Please sign up to deliver our parish food contributions to St. Anne’s Catholic Church (SA) or Brown Evangelical Mission (BEM) in Detroit. Weekly deliveries are made on Sundays, after the 11 a.m. Mass. The sign up schedule for the months of May through July will be in the Gathering Space. If you have questions, please call Marilyn Farrington 810-229-2871.

Walker & Doyle Families

Mary & Andrew Kalonick

VG’s RECEIPTS The Charity & Justice Ministry Team thanks you for you kindness in helping those in need within our parish. Through these receipts organizations can collect 1% of the receipt total. Our parish received $152.56 from the receipts turned in.

Sponsor of the Week

Brighton Eye Clinic

"WOMEN IN PRAISE OF THE SACRED" is a day of reflection for women of all ages. It will be held Saturday, April 20, 2002 from 9:30am to 3:30pm at St. Mary’s Church in Durand. The cost of $20 includes breakfast snack and lunch; sponsored in part by the Diocesan Council on Women’s Concerns. Registration Deadline is April 1, 2002. Any questions contact Mary Newman (810) 720-0280.

THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS meets on the third Sunday of every month from 2-5:00pm at St. Patrick, Brighton. Next gathering is April 21. All men, women and youth are invited.

DIOCESE OF LANSING (Catholic Committee on Scouting) will be having Scouting Religious Awards Presentation Sunday, April 21, at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing. Registration and reception are at 1:30pm, Ceremony at 2:30. All are welcome: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire, Catholic Committee Boy Scouts of America.

PILGRIMAGES: SINGLES: Italy Pilgrimage, June 13-20, 2002, $1899 from Detroit. Call Bob or Linda Horning at (734) 663-3862 or 1-888-830-0010.

APRIL 17 — 7 PM —Social Hall You Are Invited! BeFriender Ministry is hosting an information evening about this listening ministry of care. The purpose of this evening is to define WHAT the ministry is, and HOW it serves our community. This information will help you in determining if you or someone you know may desire the care provided, or if you feel called to explore the possibility of becoming a BeFriender.

1^st grade registrations are as follows: All brothers & sisters of current students will be accepted first. New family student registrations will be processed as of date of family’s registration in St. Patrick Parish/or St. Mary Magdalen Parish and in accordance with St. Patrick School admissions policy.

New 1^st Graders will be invited to visit St. Pat’s present 1^st Grade Thurs. May 23, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. A parent meeting will be held at 6:30 PM in St. Pat’s Activities Building (gym). Registrations for 2^nd thru 8^th Grades accepted anytime. Call 810-229-7946 for any questions.

April 20 at Little Professor Book Center from 9 AM to 9 PM. Little Professor is donating 20% of all book sales purchased on this day to the St. Patrick School Library (when using the special coupon). There will also be children’s story readings and prize drawings at the top of each hour. Our own Father Dave will be reading Horton Hears a Who at 10 AM. Please see the list of other readers on the bulletin board. Flyers and coupons will be in the gathering area. Any questions call Cyndy Meloche at 810-229-7946 or Julie Amman 810-227-8518.

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. The fee is $7.00, which includes lunch. Call Mike Liberato at (517) 342-2466 for more information and to register.

ST. JOE’S IN HOWELL is having a Spring Square Dance on Saturday, April 27, 7-10:30pm. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for 12 and under. Awesome prizes will be raffled off and there will be special Clogging Entertainment. Everybody is welcome!