DIOCESAN SERVICES APPEAL Next weekend, all 95 parishes across the Diocese of Lansing begin the annual Diocesan Services Appeal or DSA. The monetary pledges and gifts collected in this appeal fund over 30 different services offered by the larger, diocesan Church.

Many of these services are larger than any individual parish could accomplish. Among these are the support of the Catholic Social Service agencies in every region; the training of pastoral ministers, deacons and future priests; the strategic planning for the future of the diocese; ministry to Hispanic and Black Catholics; Catholic Campus ministry programs and even ministry to prisoners.

There are also many services that help parishes accomplish their missions. There is the Office of Education, which helps parishes in their mission to offer quality faith formation to our children and positive youth ministry to our young people. The diocese also helps parishes create marriage and family ministry programs as well as outreach to young adults and to divorced Catholics.

All of this and much more is supported by our financial support. This year our goal is $51,850. I ask all of us to be as generous as our means allow. Thanks!

MOVIN’ on DOWN Those who read our monthly financial report in the Visionary, have noticed a steady decline in our parish debt.

When we began our building project five years ago, we had saved over $250,000 for the project out of our weekly collections. Our fund drive to Build our Spiritual Home raised over $1.6 million. When our construction project was completed, the total cost for the purchase of our property, construction and furnishing our spiritual home was $4.5 million.

At the end of March, our monthly financial report listed our debt at $2,000,527. Not only have we surpassed the "half way" point, but we have done so in a remarkable way.

Thanks to the generosity of our people each weekend, over $900,000 of the almost $2.5 million of repaid debt has come out of regular Sunday stewardship. Slowly but surely, we have decreased our debt and the interest on our loan (we pay 6% simple interest). We have also been able to operate our facility and increase our service to people.

We need to congratulate ourselves for a job well done!

Fr. Dave Howell

9:00 am V Dorothy King

9:00 am V John Gergel

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Elsie Whetter, Linda Lambert, John, Lanore Chisholm, Adam Weitzel, Elmer VanWagner, Jim Manetta, Matthew Holthus, Mary Beth, Mary Lou Colgin, Jason Summers, Thomas Dimaggio, Yvette Lagimodiere, Joey Boyd, Bill & Anne Hare, Merrick, Jack Bitterle, Tony Pasienza, Diana Jox, Ken & Erin Colombo, Jack Mekjian, Paul Duff, Carol, Gregory, Norman VanDerBrouck, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Toni Brenneman, Derrick Day, Dante, Bonnie Doty, Lane Combs, Ralph Helmer, Joanne Fournier, Bev Zizka, Tyler Ward, Lee Alstott, Mike, Linda Nagle, Thomas Payne, Danielle Snowgold, Bishop Povish, John Pepa, Margaret Resconich, Joanna Bloese, Russ Gardner, Pete, Cornelius Smits, Matt Even, Ellen Columbo, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, Jeanette Wood, and Donovan.

"Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed," Jesus says in today’s Gospel. For those who have not seen to believe, however, we must be good stewards of our faith, living it joyfully, and sharing it generously. Then, in our time too, "men and women in great numbers" will be "added to the Lord."

On the evening of April 28, Pastoral Council and our Knights of Columbus Council will be co-hosting an Appreciation Night for the clergy and staff of St. Mary Magdalen Parish. The evening will start with dinner, featuring hand carved roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetarian lasagna, green bean casserole, broccoli and cauliflower salad, fresh baked bread, assorted beverages and dessert. Immediately following dinner, there will be brief testimonials honoring our dedicated clergy and staff. The Appreciation Night will be held at our own parish activity center, starting at 6:30pm. Tickets will be on sale for $10.00 each after Mass on a first-come basis. Unfortunately, the legal capacity of our activity center is limited so get your tickets early. Come and show your appreciation to Father Dave and his staff. Net proceeds for the evening will be given to the Pastoral Council. Come and give your own thanks to those who have touched our families’ lives in such positive ways!

DSA Weekend

9, 11 & 5:45 Religious Education

9:45 am New Parishioner Meeting

1:30 pm K of C 1^st Degree (Chapel & Room 3)

7:00 pm Youth Group

Bicycle Safety Fair Monday April 30th at 6PM at St. Mary Magdalen, Brighton! Please bring your bikes, helmets, friends and relatives!! Trooper DeVries from the Michigan State Police will be here with Safety Tips and The Knights of Columbus will be conducting Bicycle Safety Check-ups!! Practice your bicycling safety skills on a mock course. Enter the free raffle and enjoy refreshments and fellowship. Hope to see you there!!! Any questions please call the Parish office, (810) 229-8624.

Join us for Fitness & Fellowship!! Come to walk, jog, or roller blade (fitness modality of your choice!) at Kensington Valley Metro Park, at 9AM every Saturday in May (except May 11th). We will meet at the East Boat Launch off the Kent Lake exit. Let's develop healthy behaviors for life and experience community in the process! Please call Tammie Gless with any questions (810) 229-3392.

This Easter, may Jesus set your hearts afire with His love, and may you be filled with the joyful news of His Resurrection!

Classes resume today for Religious Education. All those preparing for First Eucharist need to make sure you are registered for the retreat this Saturday, from 10-2pm. Baptismal certificates and Chalices for the altar cloth are due at this time! First Eucharist is being celebrated the weekend of May 5,6. Please remember to keep all of our candidates in your prayers! If you have one of our First Communicants as your prayer partner, you can call the office to find out which Liturgy they will be attending.

Our last Religious Ed classes are the week of May 3.

Thanks! Mary

Please note there will be no youth group meeting due to the REACH project. Thank you to the teens who participated in hosting our guests this weekend and to Maggie Rife who helped coordinate the evening with our teens.

Our teens are involved with the 24 hour Relay for Life Cancer fundraiser. It takes place at Brighton High School’s track, starting on May 18, at 6pm thru May 19, at 6pm. If you are interested in being part of our team, please let me know. We set up camp and spend the full 24 hours there. It‘s a lot of fun!

Our Young Neighbors in Action team will be participating in an overnight retreat May 4 & 5. We will be preparing for our trip this summer learning about justice and service. We will be doing service Saturday morning. If you are an interested adult, wanting to be a part of this wonderful experience, call me so we can talk about your involvement.

Our leadership team did a great job leading our Walk with Jesus Reflection Holy Thursday evening. I am very proud of the work they do for our youth group members.

This Friday is our Movie Popcorn night at the Slacks’ home. Plan to join us for fun and friendship! There is no cost

Margaret Callaghan

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION completes our initiation into the Catholic Church. Adults who have not yet been Confirmed are invited to participate in six Thursday evening sessions which will lead up to the celebration of Confirmation here at the 4:30 Liturgy on June 2, Pentecost Weekend. The sessions will take place here at St. Mary Magdalen beginning on April 26 (from 7:30 to 9pm). To register call the parish office at 810-229-8624.

On The Journey: This time after Easter was traditionally spent helping the newly baptized to fully understand the meaning of the mystery they had experienced at the Vigil on Saturday. The homilies during the next six weeks were directed specifically toward them and what living the Gospel was all about. It is a beautiful time for us to spend reflecting on some of the same questions and renewing our commitment to live Christ-like lives.

Beginning May 3, we will have an opportunity to look at Paul’s letters and the message they brought to an early Church as well as today’s. This 9 week study of the "Captivity Letters" will begin at 10:00 a.m., daycare is available. Sign up sheets are in the gathering area. Please consider joining us.

On Monday, May 14, Sr. Maryetta and I will facilitate the first of a six week program on grief entitled, "A New Day". If you or someone you know has recently lost someone close to them, please consider joining us in Bethlehem chapel at 7:30 p.m.

Yours on the Journey, Marilyn

Richard Renko Gloria Delong

Edna Letkowski Richard Malkiewicz

Fielek & Shantz Families Mary & Carl Wojewodzki

Margaret & Jeanne Jandasek Keith Dunn

Thanksgiving Charles Reid

Barb Dichtel & John Doyle John Loveland

Bennedict Gustitus Frank L. Gondek Jr.

Marty & Diane Deater’s Parents Frank L. Gondek Sr

Florence Szanti John Szanti

Charles Tuthill Richard J. Waldeck

Jack Duffy Dennis & Annette Blanzy

William L. Gerber Anthony Aiello

Margaret Rhea Carney Lorraine Caron

Mr. & Mrs. Bruno Lezon Dennis VanBuskirk

Donald & Kathryn Newman Mary & John Zupko

Siegfried Gomer Ruth Blanchette

Frank & Ruth Waddington Betty Suppes

Paul Turner Helen & Frank Dinda

Margaret & Stanley Lickfold Robert & June Chilton

Thomas Chalmers Leo & Audrey Grace

Eugene Geiger M/M David W. Sousa

Mr. & Mrs. William Tierney Mr. James Q. Goudie II

M/M Pasquale Dalessandro Mr. Francis P. Fodale

Dennis Todd Korfonta Mr. & Mrs. Clare Sigler

Anthony & Antoinette Grieco Mrs. Lee Alward

Andrew Jacob Cooper Our Music Ministry

Deceased Members of Sixbery Family

Mr. & Mrs. Clayton King Joanne Lintzenich

Norm, Ruth & Doug Hagler Todd & Bonnie Bancroft

Julia & Raymond Zabkiewicz Chester Sochacki

Fred Wyatt Henry Ulrich

Tina Bommarito Alma & George Higgins

Helen & Lawrence Baldinger Sr. Father Carlson Robideau

Larry Barazsu John & Barbara Greilach

Charity of the Month: LACASA may lose a $400,000 challenge grant awarded from the Kresge Foundation to help build a $2.5 million shelter for children/adults who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. LACASA has already raised $1.4 million and must raise $624,000 by June 1 to meet the challenge grant deadline. More information is in the Gathering Area along with pledge cards and envelopes. In addition 25% of the April Alms monies will go to this cause.

Community Service Project: The Livingston County Catholic Home School and Girl Scout Troop 911 are collecting soiled/damaged flags or unwanted religious items. The flags will be burned in a respectful ceremony by the V. F. W. Post 3671. The religious items will be burned or buried by Father Dave in a reverent ceremony. There will be boxes in the Gathering Area from April 23—May 23. For more information call Kate Oliveri at (517) 546-4091.

Sponsor of the Month

Approved Plumbing & Heating

St. Pat’s School Enrollment First Graders may be registered May 1-2, from 8:30 am—3:00 pm. Registrations will be accepted in the following order: first, brothers & sisters of current students and then new family student registrations will be processed according to date family registered in St. Pat’s Parish or St. Mary Magdalen Parish, and in accordance with school policy. Do not let your decision to enroll be guided by hearsay. Last year everyone was accepted. New first graders will be invited to visit St. Pat’s, Thurs. May 31, from 9:30 —11:00 am, there will be a parent meeting, in the evening at 6:30 pm in St. Pat’s Activity Building (gym). Registration for grades 2-8 are accepted anytime, and processed in order of receipt, parishioners of St. Pat’s and/or St. Mary Magdalen Parish will be given first priority.