On Wednesday evening, as our Jewish sisters and brothers celebrate the fourth day of Passover, we will gather to celebrate a Seder Meal, too. We will hear the story of how God once saved His chosen people, when long ago their homes were marked with the blood of the Passover lamb. That night when the angel of death passed over, all who were inside those homes marked with the lamb’s blood were spared death.

On Holy Thursday, our worship area becomes the upper room where we gather to celebrate the new Passover of the Lamb of God. The Last Supper began that night as an observance of the ancient Seder Meal, but Jesus transformed it into the great revelation of His love. He became the bread broken and it was His life’s blood that would be poured out to mark us as those destined for eternal life. As the Mass of the Lord’s Supper draws to an end, we leave with the Lord to spend time in prayer and watching. Holy Cross Chapel (near the offices) will be transformed into our garden and from approximately 9 pm until midnight, we are invited to come and pray. (Our ministers of prayer and Eucharistic ministers are especially encouraged to come to "watch & pray".)

On Good Friday, our worship area has become the streets of Jerusalem and that dreaded place: Golgatha (the place of the skull). We gather in silence, to pick up where we left off the evening before when our watching in the garden ended with the arrest of Jesus. During the Good Friday Service we watch as Jesus is condemned and crucified. (Our Youth will act out the Passion so that we can experience it more fully.)

On Holy Saturday, our worship area is transformed into the tomb. In the twilight, we will gather around the Shrine of the Fire (near the main entrance). The new fire will be blessed and then it will be used to light the Easter Candle — symbolic of the Risen Lord. This light will be carried into the "tomb" where we will begin celebrating the resurrection. We will hear the Good News of how we share this new life. New members will be Baptized, Confirmed and finally become one with us through the Eucharist, the Bread of eternal life. I truly hope you will be able to "come to Jerusalem" with me during this week. Come and experience the great saving moment of our salvation!

The SACRAMENT of PENANCE Traditionally, Lent is the season to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance. It ritualizes our efforts to turn away from sin and live the Gospel more faithfully. It also opens us to the new life that we celebrate at Easter. Our Communal Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance will take place on Monday evening at 7:30 pm. Additionally, there will be individual opportunities on Tuesday from 11 am — 12 pm and from 7 — 8:30 pm; and on Wednesday, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. I hope you will take advantage of one of these opportunities to prepare for the great feast of our redemption!

Fr. Dave Howell

9:00 am V James Anischenko

9:00 am V Myrna Mahoney

7:30 pm St. Mary Magdalen Parish

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Alex Thome, Michael, Pat Spindler, John, Lanore Chisholm, Adam Weitzel, Elmer VanWagner, Jim Manetta, Vi Hibbeln, Matthew Holthus, Mary Beth, Mary Lou Colgin, Jason Summers, Ayla Hill, Jerry Veatch, Ray White, Thomas Dimaggio, Debbie Carlton, Yvette Lagimodiere, Joey Boyd, Bill & Anne Hare, Merrick, Jack Bitterle, Julianne Camilleri, Tony Pasienza, Diana Jox, Bill Janke, Vladimir Jandasek, Ken & Erin Colombo, Jack Mekjian, Laura Matthews, Paul Duff, Carol, Gregory, Norman VanDerBrouck, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Toni Brenneman, Derrick Day, Dante, Bonnie Doty, Lottie Machowski, Lane Combs, Ralph Helmer, Joanne Fournier, Bev Zizka, Barry Wilkinson, Tyler Ward, Lee Alstott, Mike, Linda Nagle, Thomas Payne, Danielle Snowgold, Bud Newberry, Bishop Povish, John Pepa, Margaret Resconich, Joanna Bloese, Maureen, Russ Gardner, Ann Polcyn, Pete, Cornelius Smits, Matt Even, Ellen Columbo, Adeline Smith, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, Jeanette Wood, and Donovan.

"The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue that I may know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them," says Isaiah in today’s first reading. The gifts God has given us are likewise given for the good of others. How am I using my gifts?

Ministers of the Eucharist:

Deb Romanelli, Maureen & Steve Crowell,

Bridget Crowell, Joe & Rosanne Carron,

Jocelyn Denzer, Jan Denzer, Al & Donna Rushak

Ministry of Server: Luke, Zach, & John-Paul Carron

Ministry of Hospitality:

Ministers of the Eucharist:

Mike & Casey Clabby, Sandy Oliver,

Corrine Bielicki, Kristin Turner, Ted &

Lisa & Jennifer Schifko, Monte Family

Ministers of the Word, Eucharist & Server: RCIA Team

Ministry of Hospitality: Magon Family, Gubert Family,

Carey Family

Brighton, Michigan 48114

Telephone: (810) 229-8624

Fax: (810) 229-6471

Fr. David Howell, Pastor

Sr. Maryetta Churches, OP

Education & Formation of Youth

Mary Mahar, Religious Education Coordinator

Marilyn Rhadigan,

Formation & Evangelization of Adults

Ann Williams, R.C.I.A. Coordinator

H. David Scharf, Deacon

Kay Thurmon, Secretary & Bookkeeper

Josie Doucette, Secretary, Religious Education

Tom & Margaret Callaghan, Youth Ministry

Leo Camden, Custodian

Steven H. Schulte, Musician

Saturday — 4:30 p.m.

Sunday — 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri.—9:00 a.m.

Wednesday evening—7:00 p.m.

Saturday — 11:30 a.m. — 12:00 noon

We have a regular schedule for Infant Baptisms. Arrangements can be made by calling Marilyn Rhadigan

Sunday, Apr. 8 Beth Economou

I would like to thank our 7^th grade Catechist, Joanne Pasienza for arranging the visit of Dr. Richard Charlick to all our Religious Ed classes. He brought slides of all his journeys and showed us hundreds of people he serves as a missionary dentist. He reinforced our need to brush as those people he visits have terrible teeth from no brushing. Just as importantly, Dr. Charlick is a living example of the mission, service and compassion we are called to by Christ. Vocations are now something our youth can see and understand thanks to his visit. I do think they were most impressed with the blowgun he shot at the target to show us how some Native Indians hunt for their food! Thank you for sharing your message of love and service with the youth of our parish!

I would also like to congratulate the Family Program for collecting $198.15 to help feed the homeless!

There are no classes April 8-19; they will resume on Sunday, April 22.

This Holy Thursday evening, our teen leaders will be leading a Walk With Jesus reflection. Our time together will begin at 10 pm in the chapel with one hour of adoration. At 11 pm we will leave and go to the rectory basement where we will be led through the events of the night as Jesus experienced them. Consider joining us!!

Next Saturday is our annual Easter Egg hunt from noon to 2 pm on the back property, weather permitting. Come and enjoy the fun.

As we celebrate Holy week, may we keep Jesus in our hearts in all that we do. There are many events taking place this week to help us do that. What God gave to us was the gift of life, love, forgiveness, and hope, just to name a few. What have we given back in return? Take some time for God this week and join us in the Seder meal, Holy Thursday Mass, adoration, our Walk with Jesus Reflection, and the Passion Play service on Good Friday. The Easter season would not be the same without full participation in all these celebrations.

The sign up sheet for our April activity, along with the directions, are in the Gathering Area. Please take notice.

Margaret Callaghan

Waiting for the Resurrection: Living with Loss is an evening of reflection and sharing for those experiencing grief during this Easter season. This special Holy Week program will take place in the Adult Formation Room on Tuesday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. If you would like more information, please call me at the parish office, 229-8624. There is no pre-registration necessary. On Sunday, April 8, at 7:30pm, a speaker series will be presented by Pat Christie on information about Healing the Children . Please join us in the Adult Formation Room.

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

For the next two weeks, Community Life Team will be collecting candy for our annual Easter Egg Hunt to be held on Saturday, April 14, from 12-2:00pm on the church grounds. Please donate individually wrapped candies to fill plastic eggs.

Try a little spiritual satisfaction. The SMM Library has a number of audio tapes for loan. Topics cover prayer, meditation, hot topics, and health. Find them grouped together near the videos.

Choose an inspirational video for Holy Week. Not everyone can get to Church but the SMM Library has books and videos to bring the Spirit to you.

Sponsor of the Week

KC Cookery

Reservations are now being taken for the 2nd Annual St. Mary Magdalen Golf Outing. The outing is scheduled for May 19, 2001, at Ironwood Golf Course on M-59, Howell. Funds raised will be used to pay off the picnic pavilion near the stable and for other parish/community programs. The $75 fee includes 18 holes of scramble golf with a cart, continental breakfast, steak dinner, door prizes and a chance to win a car with a Hole-in-One. Registration forms are in the gathering area. For more information call John Reineke (810) 225-2040 or Dave Guidos (810) 229-4728. This event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.