THE STORY OF MARY MAGDALEN This weekend, we will host Thelma Jones who will perform MAGDALENE, a play in two acts by Michael Johnson. The hour long play will be performed this Sunday at 3 pm. (There is no charge, but a freewill offering will be taken up afterward).
In addition to the play, Frank DeLaMarre will perform some songs of praise for 20 minutes beforehand. Both the play and Frank should be a wonderful celebration of the resurrection. Please, invite your friends, family and neighbors!
"THERE ARE DIFFERENT GIFTS, but the same Spirit; there are different ministries, but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone. To each person, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Cor 12. 4-7)
Beginning this weekend and throughout the Easter Season, we will be taking a few minutes at the end of the Liturgy to reflect on the different ministries which are a part of our parish community.
The purpose is two-fold. First, to create a greater awareness of the different ministry teams and the work they do. The second reason is to invite you to consider where your gifts and talents might best serve the common good. The goal is to connect your gifts and talents to the ministry team where those gifts might flourish and bear fruit.
Over the next weeks, we will not be asking anyone to "sign up". You are invited to listen to the team members explain their ministry and read a further explanation that will be found in the bulletin. The team member will also be available in the Gathering Area to answer any questions you may have. Then give what you have heard and read some real thought and prayer.
On Pentecost Sunday, we hear Paul remind us that there are different gifts, ministries and works but the same Spirit who accomplishes them all. Then you will be invited to sign up for the ministry team where your gifts will best serve.
I hope these next seven weeks will provide an opportunity for all of our members to seriously consider what are their own gifts and talents. Give it some prayer. Then see where these abilities might best serve the mission of Christ. Thanks!
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Ian Dunworth, Dottie
King, Dennis, Jake, Shirley Brake, Keith Dunn, Karen (Pat Spindler's daughter), Nancy Spears &
unborn child, Paul Allberry, Nola Mitchell, Brenda, Ron, Eileen Auld, Marilyn (mother of Steve
Crowell), Debbie, Nancy, Steve, Jeanette, Bob, Jane, Timothy, Zora, Mary Kay, Wayne, Ed, Merle,
Tom, Andrew, Keith, Ruth, David, Kenneth, Robert, Cheryl, Laurie, Baby Keegan, Evan Snowgold,
Barb, John, Chouinard Family, Catherine, Anna and Larry.
Come Celebrate!! Fr. Gilbert Rahrig, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Howell will be celebrating his 50th Anniversary of priesthood on Sunday, April 25. All are invited to attend a thanksgiving mass at 4:00pm Bishop Carl Mengeling and other priests from the diocese will join Fr. Rahrig in this special celebration at St. Joseph, Howell. A reception will follow in the Rahrig Center. Everyone is invited!!
While the details around the life of Mary Magdalen are few and far between often a combination of conjecture and apocrypha we can combine our knowledge of the period and culture with the facts that we do have to form a picture of this very special woman who became known as the "apostle to the apostles." Her prominence when listed among Jesus' followers verifies her importance to Him and to us today as a role model of faith and discipleship. This weekend we are honored to have Thelma Ann Jones here to present a play in two acts entitled, Magdalene. She will be performing on both Saturday and Sunday; please join us as we share in her reflections on our patron saint. Yours on the Journey, Marilyn
Will be held May 21 through May 23 at Weber Center in Adrian, Michigan. The theme for the weekend is "Being Fed by the Lord." It is a wonderful opportunity to share your faith and love of the Lord and others. Sr. Maryetta will be directing the weekend, and the cost is $105. If you are interested, please call her at 229-8624.
The children in the Eucharist program and their parents will be participating in a very special retreat on Saturday, April 24 from 10:00am - 2:00pm. We are still in need of many baptismal certificates and chalices with your child's name on them, so that they can be placed on the altar cloth. If you have any questions please call the office. ROLLER-RAMA today, Sunday from 4-6. Please join us! Sister Maryetta
Our Cedar Point trip is scheduled for June 28, so mark your calendars now! Hard to believe it's almost that time of year. We will be going with St. Pat's by chartered bus, leaving at 7am sharp! Cost is $40 per person, which includes transportation, ticket and continental breakfast of bagels and juice. Checks made payable to St. Mary Magdalen are due to me by May 2. Our first bake sale will be Sunday, May 16, between the 9 and 11am Masses. We're thrilled to finally be able to set a date for this! Anyone who can help with the sale by baking, setting up, taking down or any other way, please call me in the evening at (810) 227-7937. There is a meeting tonight at 7pm to continue our discussion on youth and justice. Thanks to Kimber Kunkel and John Spalding for a job well done on the meeting last week! Congratulations to all our teens who will be inducted into the National Honor Society this afternoon. We are all be very proud of you for the work you do and for the people you are. Keep up the good work! You should still be collecting money for our Relay for Life team. The money should be turned in to me by May 2. Our goal is to have everyone collect at least $100. Set your goal high and go for it! The money will be put to great use.
Our adult ed presentation this spring is with Deacon Dave. A continuation of the adult education programs examining the documents of Vatican II, this seven week series is an excellent opportunity to update your understanding of Catholicism. Scheduled to begin on April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the adult formation room, the sign up sheets are out now. For more information contact Deacon Dave or Marilyn at 229-8624.
DSA - This weekend signals the beginning the 1999 Diocesan Services Appeal. We, as Catholics, have a shared responsibility to support the services and ministries provided throughout our 10 county diocese. We would ask you to support these programs in several ways. First, please pray for the men and women throughout the diocese who are involved in ministry and service to others. Many of these men and women are members of St. Mary Magdalen. The work of the Permanent Diaconate is made possible because of your gift to the DSA. Secondly, please take some time and learn about the services provided by the Diocese of Lansing. You cannot really be supportive of programs you know nothing about. We, along with Bishop Mengeling, have provided information detailing how your gift to the DSA will be used. Finally, if you have not made a decision about your gift to the 1999 DSA, set aside a few minutes to pray about your gift. God has given us all different blessings; please share those blessings with others through DSA.
Stewardship Report Last weekend approximately 1140 people participated in the Liturgies. These folks contributed $10,666.63 to the parish. Last year on this Sunday the contributions totaled $13,001.67.
Next Sunday, April 25 it is a day when the Holy Father invites all Catholics to pray that many will respond to God's call to be priests, sisters, brothers, deacons, and lay ministers. Please take a few moments today to pray for an increased response to this call.
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR, Wind and Fire will be held at St. Patrick's beginning Friday, April 23, and continuing for the next six Fridays, in McCann Hall from 7:30-9:30pm. It is a journey into a deeper prayer life, a growth in personal holiness and a closer relationship with Jesus through the reawakening in Christian experience of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit given to each of us at Baptism and Confirmation. A team trained by the Detroit Catholic Charismatic Renewal Center will give it. For more information, contact Carl Schoemer (810) 229-2955.
STEP FAMILY SOLUTIONS is offering a 4-session educational workshop on step families for adults in a step family or planning to be in one. The series will run consecutive Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:30pm beginning May 5, at the Chelsea Partial Program Bldg. H, Ann Arbor. Please contact Chris White, MSW @ 669-7202/Stepfamily@mediaone.net to register.
Families Experiencing Divorce is a six-week support program for children whose parents are separated or divorced which starts Tuesday, April 20, at 7:00 pm in Howell. This series is designed to assist youngsters ages 5 to 14 discuss the painful aspects of divorce and ease the transition in their lives. Parents also participate attempting to discover how best to help their children through this crisis.
ENROLLMENT FOR ALL NEW FIRST GRADERS AT ST. PAT'S SCHOOL will take place May 3 and 4 between 8:30am and 3pm in the school office. Registrations are accepted in the following order: all brothers and sisters of currently enrolled students will be accepted first. New family student registrations will be processed according to the date of the family's registration in St. Patrick and/or St. Mary Magdalen Parishes and in accordance with the St. Patrick School admissions policy. New first graders will be invited to visit St. Pat's present first grade Thursday, June 3, from 9:30-11am. There will be a parent meeting in the evening at 6:30 in the St. Pat's Activities Bldg. (gym) Registrations for grades 2 through 8 are accepted anytime and processed in order of receipt with parishioners of St. Pat's and/or St. Mary Magdalen given first priority.
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD LEADERS As Catholics, we believe the Holy Spirit governs the Church. So all of our leaders need councils or groups to help them discern the will of God for their part of the Church. This is a requirement for the pope and all bishops, pastors and pastoral ministers. That is the first and most important task of the Pastoral Council: to help the pastor discern the will of God for the parish. Together with the pastoral staff, they share the responsibility for bringing the community closer to achieving its Vision. We are seeking nominations for the council. If you are willing to serve on council, or believe another parishioner would be a good candidate, please write the name on the sign-up sheet that will be available on Pentecost Sunday. Members of the present council will meet with all nominees to explain the role of council and elicit their willingness to serve. The names of the willing candidates will then be placed in a container. Four names from the nominees will be chosen to serve on Council after a prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Please give this your prayer and serious consideration.
Presented by St. John's K of C, will be at St. John's on Friday, April 23 - 6pm. The evening includes a swiss steak buffet dinner and features the Hartland High Jazz Band with a special appearance by Thomas Hoppe playing "Rhapsody in Blue. Ticket prices are $15-adults, $12-seniors and students. For information contact Elmer at 517-548-0431.
Olan Mills will be taking pictures for our NEW PICTORIAL DIRECTORY June 1 through June 16. You need to sign up for a time slot for having your picture(s) taken. Sign-up sheets will be out in the Gathering Space beginning next week after all of the liturgies. Take the time this week to look at your schedules and be prepared to "put your name on the dotted line" next week. This project is being chaired by Marty and Diane Deater; if you would like to assist them, call Deacon Dave at the office (810) 229-8624.
We have reserved ROLLERAMA II for St. Mary Magdalen Parish today from 4-6pm. Bring the whole family! Proceeds will benefit the Middle School Youth Group. Find out what events we have planned for the 6, 7 and 8 Graders. See you there! ST. GEORGE PRE-KINDERGARTEN, a Christian based pre-school program, is now accepting applications for the 1999/2000 school year. They have 3, 4 and early 5 classes. For more information, please call (810) 229-0010, or (810) 229-6661.
As in the past, volunteers are needed to help cut grass, trim, weed, etc. Some new equipment is on order...a commercial string trimmer, blower and push mower. The men who operate the big mower for the majority of the work will have a new 72" deck mower to make the job easier and faster. Volunteers will be grouped into teams and assigned weeks to work. With enough volunteers, each team will only be assigned 3 or 4 weeks throughout the season. Family efforts are greatly appreciated! Please consider helping out and sign up in the gathering area of church next weekend.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS final spaghetti dinner of the season is next Saturday, April 24 from 5-6:30pm. Profits realized from these dinners help the local community. Cost: $4.50-adults, $3.75-seniors, $2-children, $13-family. Support the work of the K of C and enjoy a delicious meal at the same time!
PARISH LIBRARY IS NOW OPEN FOR CIRCULATION If you haven't stopped in the Adult Education room to visit our new library, please do so. We now have over 150 items for check out. More is being added each week and listings by author, title, and subject are coming soon. Meanwhile, browsing the shelves is sure to turn up something of interest to your or your family.
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING will be having Ministry Formation classes this summer
as follows:
Religious Study 315 Church History Monday thru Friday 9:00am-4:00pm June 7-18 Lansing, Diocesan Center. Betty Gaiss, O.P., will facilitate
Religious Study 320 Sacramental Theology Monday thru Friday 9:00am-4:00 pm, June 21-July 2 Lansing, Diocesan Center Jean Schaub will facilitate.
The registration deadline for both classes is April 30, 1999. If you are interested, contact Mary Tardif at the Diocese of Lansing, 517-342-2512.
This journey from Easter to Pentecost will be held at St. Patrick's Church, McCann Hall, beginning Friday April 23 and continuing for the next six Friday evenings, from 7:30-9:30 pm. Refreshments, Christian fellowship and an opportunity for private prayer will follow, as well as a time for questions and instructions. These seminars are held: To help those attending to yield to the action of the Holy Spirit in their lives so they can begin to experience His presence working in them. To help those who attend to establish a deeper personal relationship