"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 last 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. Additional information will be in the bulletin and the person who gives the talk will also be in the Gathering area to answer questions.
We will not be asking anyone to "sign up" until Pentecost Sunday, when we will hear that passage from Paul's Letter to the Corinthians. Most of all, I hope that everyone will consider their own circumstances. What are your own gifts, talents, abilities and interests? What kind of time do you have to share with the parish? Where do you think God would have you serve? This kind of discernment - a prayerful consideration - is as important as anything we might share with you.
MINISTERS OF PRAYER is one of the new ministries to be introduced this year. While it is the simplest of ministries, it is also one of the most important that we will have. A Minister of Prayer commits him or her self to praying for the needs of our parish and our people for one hour a month in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel. While the prayer can take any of several forms, it is first and foremost, intercessory prayer.
Every weekend, our folks will be invited to place their "prayer requests" in a basket in the Gathering area. After the last Sunday Liturgy, this basket will be placed in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. When a Minister of Prayer comes for their hour of prayer, he\she will take a few of these prayer requests from the basket and pray for them during the hour. They will take the requests when they leave - continuing to pray for them until the next time they come back.
The ministers will be expected to sign up for a set time each month, like the morning of the third Tuesday of each month. If something makes it difficult to keep this appointment, you can come in the afternoon or the next morning, etc. That is what makes this ministry the most flexible of all. The primary commitment is to pray one hour a month in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for other's needs.
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.
MANY THANKS to everyone involved in last weekend's presentation of MAGDALENE. I especially want to thank the members of the E (Evangelization) Team for their hospitality to all who came and for the preparation of the reception afterward.
Thelma Jones, who presented MAGDALENE was very appreciative of her time with us. She was touched by the responsiveness of the audience and by the generosity of those who attended. Finally, I want to thank the K of C for their financial support to help us bring Thelma from Iowa to Brighton!
Fr. Dave Howell
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Ian Dunworth, Dottie
King, Jake, Jan Mazurkiewicz, Shirley Brake, Keith Dunn, Karen (Pat Spindler's daughter); Nancy
Spears & unborn child, Paul Allberry, Nola Mitchell, Brenda, Ron, Eileen Auld, Debbie, Marilyn
(mother of Steve Crowell) Nancy, Jeanette, Bob, Jane, Timothy, Zora, Mary Kay, Wayne, Ed, Merle,
Tom, Keith, Ruth, David, Kenneth, Robert, Cheryl, Laurie, Baby Keegan, Evan Snowgold, Barb,
Chouinard Family, Catherine, Anna, Larry, Clarke, Dennis and John.
THE CHARITY & JUSTICE MINISTRY TEAM provides opportunities whereby the members of our parish community can bring to reality and live our parish goal to "nurture our Christian community through expanded communication and involvement." The projects we have available attempt to allow each and everyone of us the opportunities to live the teachings of Christ. These are accomplished through our sub-committees: Crop Walk, Habitat for Humanity, Pregnancy Helpline, Giving Tree (Christmastime), Jail Ministry, Samaritans Befrienders, Right to Life, Vg's Receipt Collection, Senior Citizens Easter Projects, Food Collections, and Distribution (St.Ann's etc.) We also help coordinate the humanitarian projects of our Youth Group: Charity of the Month, alms collection and Livingston County relay for Life 24 hour Cancer walk. We meet once a month to plan upcoming projects and discuss new ideas. A particular sub-group may have an additional meeting or two whenever one of their projects is coming up. We remember the message of Charity and Justice from the prophets, Amos and Hosea, the words and teachings of St. Paul about our responsibilities to the poor and hungry, the naked and the homeless, to the imprisoned and the lonely. And above all, we must remember the teachings of Jesus to "Love one another as I have loved you."
It's nearly impossible to go a whole day without hearing something about Y2K or the
approaching millenium. Much of the fear and consternation comes from misplaced or misinterpreted
passages from the Book of Revelation. Our Catholic understanding of this book of the Bible focuses
on its message of hope and consolation. Beginning the first week in May, we will be exploring this
book on both Wednesday evenings after Mass( about 7:45 p.m.) and Thursday mornings at 10:00
a.m. with child care. If you are interested in learning more about this last book of the Bible, there are
sign up sheets in the gathering area. If you have any questions, please call me at 229-8624.
Yours on the Journey, Marilyn
Holiness - Who Me?... will be the title of the Sunday evening presentations this spring with Deacon Dave. A continuation of the adult ed 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.
The children in the Eucharist program are preparing for their very special day next weekend.
Eighty-five children will be receiving the sacrament and sharing in the Eucharist in a very special
way. Please pray for these children and their families. This is the final week of religious education.
It has been a year filled with much growth and many blessings.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Journey with Jesus August 2-6 9:30-12:00. If you would like to
help in anyway please call me.
Sister Maryetta
Just a reminder that the Cedar Point trip money is due to me by next Sunday, May 2. Make checks payable to St. Mary Magdalen. We will be chartering a bus with St. Pat's and leaving at 7am sharp on June 28; so mark your calendars! Cost of $40 per person includes transportation, ticket and a continental breakfast of bagels and juice. Anyone interested in chaperoning, please call me evenings, 227-7937. If you like to bake, we have the perfect event coming up for you. Our first bake sale takes place Sunday, May 16, between the 9 and 11am Masses. Anyone interested in helping out with the baking, setting up, taking down, or just helping out with the sale, please call me. There is a meeting tonight at 7pm to continue our activities on youth and justice. Please note there will be a special half hour meeting next Sunday after our regular meeting for all who are signed up to participate in the Walk for Life Relay. We will discuss in detail the day's events and gather ideas for decorating our tent. You should still be collecting money for the relay. Turn the money in to me no later than May 9. The goal is for everyone to collect at least $100. The money will be put to great use. On behalf of Sue Wagener and those who helped plan the skating party last Sunday, I would like to thank all who participated. Everyone who came had a good time. I must say I was impressed with those on rollerblades! Some of you are quite good! Those who couldn't join in the fun will have another opportunity in the future. Thank you to all who put in the time and effort planning this event. Margaret Callaghan
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 As of April 18, the families of St. Mary Magdalen have pledged a total of $16,120 toward the 1999 Diocesan Services Appeal. This represents approximately 31% of our parish goal of $51,855. Fr. Dave and all of the DSA volunteers would like to express our appreciation to all of those who have given so generously. We would like to begin wrapping up our 1999 DSA campaign. If you have not yet made a decision about your gift to the DSA, please take a moment to consider how much you would like to give. DSA Pledge Envelopes are available in the Gathering Space.
Stewardship Last weekend approximately 1321 people took part in the Liturgies. These folks contributed $12,540.42 to the parish. Last year's contributions on this Sunday totaled $8,136.44.
MOMS TO MOMS SALE Saturday, May 1, 9am to 1pm in St. Patrick's Activity Building, 711 Rickett Rd. Admission is $1.00. Good quality kids items from birth to pre-teen will be sold, including toys, clothing, books, baby equipment/furniture, and maternity items. For information call Cathy (810) 231-6391.
Thousands of moms across the United States meet weekly to pray for their children and the schools they attend. Join the interdenominational groups and see what God will do in our children's lives, and in the schools they attend! If you have any questions, call Barb at (810) 229-5778.
TODAY WE CELEBRATE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS. We invite you to be grateful people - grateful for the special way we each live out the call we have received whether that is married or single life, religious life or ordained ministry. Be grateful for those who have ministered and continue to minister in our community.
OLAN MILLS will be taking pictures for our NEW PICTORIAL DIRECTORY June 1 through June 16. This project is being chaired by Marty and Diane Deater, (810) 227-8628, or Carol Mitchell, (810) 225-9330. If you would like to assist them, sign-up sheets for volunteers will be out in the Gathering Space this weekend after all the liturgies. During this week take the time to check your schedules and be prepared to sign up next weekend for a time slot to have your picture(s) taken.
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.
On Wednesday, April 28, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick during the 7pm Liturgy. All who have serious or chronic illness are especially invited.
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES is hosting a presentation on Caregiver's issues. Topics to be addressed include physical change related to aging, chronic diseases, depression, substance abuse/medication, practical referrals suggestions/medicare benefits, options for help, taking care of the caregiver. Your choice of two presentations remains: June 23, 6:30-8:00pm at the Howell Recreation Center, and August 19, 10-11:30am at Hazel Nut Apartments in Fowlerville. Please call Catholic Social Services, 227-2151, to register. MONTHLY CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP, sponsored by Livingston County Catholic Social Services, will begin meeting on a rotating basis in the county. The first meeting is scheduled from 10-11:30am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hamburg on May 4th. For more information, call 810-227-2151.
Thursday, May 6, 7:30-9:30pm at Spiritus Sanctus Academy, Ann Arbor. Facilitated by Joe Tabors. For further information, call 734-995-3433.
GET INVOLVED WITH AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S 24 HOUR RELAY FOR LIFE, a community celebration to honor and remember those who have battled cancer. Teams of family, friends, co-workers and neighbors collect donations prior to the event and then dedicate 24 hours to camping out with teammates and taking turns walking or jogging around a track. There will also be games, contests, prizes, a Cancer Survivors' lap and luminary ceremony to pay tribute to those who have been touched by cancer. Outback Steakhouse is to provide the Cancer Survivors' Dinner and lunch at the Relay. For more information on getting involved, please call Cammie Gaubatz (810) 225-8590.
LAWN CARE = MAINTENANCE As in the past, volunteers are needed to help cut grass, trim, weed, etc., our parish grounds. Some new equipment is on order...acommercial string trimmer, blower and push mower. Those 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.
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