PRAYERFUL BEST WISHES to all the mothers of our parish. Please know that I pray for you continually. "With God, you share the privilege of giving life. In God, you nurture that life to maturity. By God, may you be blessed in every way!"
THE TWELFTH OF JUNE is the date of ordination of Jerry Vincke to the priesthood at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing. Everyone is invited! On Sunday, June 13, Fr. Vincke will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving with us at 11 am. Mark your calendars for both!
THE MECHANICS OF PRAYER Beginning this Monday, Sr. Maryetta and I will be conducting a workshop on prayer. The three evenings will explore the role of prayer in our lives and the varied forms of prayer. The goal of the workshop is help participants to have a better understanding of prayer and the rich tradition of prayer that has been a part of our Catholic way of life.
The workshop is designed especially for those who are considering becoming a Minister of Prayer, but I think all participants will benefit. The workshop will be in the social hall for the next three Mondays (10-17-24) from 7:30 to 9 pm.
RE-PAYING THE DEBT Ever since the parish began its Finance Council in 1994, we have have been supported by the income from the Sunday collection. Through the generosity of many we have been able to continually expand our service to our community and beyond. We have also been able to contribute over a half a million dollars to our building effort.
In order to qualify for the diocese's support for our building project, we were required to have a fund drive to raise a "down payment". Again, through the generosity of many (79% of our 500 families) we were able to raise over $1.5 million to begin our construction in 1996.
This July most of those initial pledges will come to an end. Over the last three years, collections have risen steadily and several of our new families have also made pledges to the building fund. But there will still be a gap - a deficit of $170,000 in the next fiscal year's budget.
Again, our projected budget for next fiscal year is $863,000. (Last week's total didn't add up because I left out part of cost of plant maintenance.)
Mortgage payment: $339,000
Salaries and benefits: $247,000
Operation & maintenance: $163,000
Programs: $114,000
MAKING UP THE DEFICIT How we will bridge the projected $170,000 gap will be up to you. Next weekend we will ask you to state your preference. Option 1: FUND RAISING This could include festivals, raffles, auctions and events that would include gambling events like Vegas Nights, bingo and others. Option 2: INCREASE STEWARDSHIP by over $3,000 per week. Option 3: ANOTHER BUILDING FUND DRIVE which would raise over $2.7 million over the next 3-5 years. Option 4 is CUT THE BUDGET.
This would probably hurt areas of parish life that have been very effective. In any case, the Finance Council will be looking to you for direction. Next weekend you are asked to state your first and second preference. Ballots will be available after the Liturgies. Please take the time to give us your guidance.
DSA Once again, Fr. Dave and the DSA volunteers of St. Mary Magdalen would like to thank all of those families who have given so generously to the 1999 Diocesan Services Appeal. Our DSA total now stands at $40,236, which is 78% of our parish goal of $51,855. Thank you for your support. We are beginning to wrap up our parish solicitation efforts for the 1999 DSA campaign. You can save us valuable time and energy by making your decision about a 1999 DSA gift as soon as possible. Please take a moment to consider how much you would like to give and then fill out a 1999 DSA Pledge Envelope. They are available in the Gathering Area.
Please pray that the sick will respond to God's healing will, especially: Richard Waldeck, Ian Dunworth, Dottie King, Jan Mazurkiewicz, Jake, Shirley Brake, Keith Dunn, Karen (Pat Spindler's daughter), Paul Allberry, Nola Mitchell, Brenda, Ron, Eileen Auld, Marilyn (mother of Steve Crowell), Debbie, Nancy, Jeanette, Bob, Jane, Timothy, Zora, Mary Kay, Wayne, Ed, Merle, Tom, Keith, Ruth, David, Kenneth, Robert, Cheryl, Laurie, Baby Keegan, Evan Snowgold, John, Catherine, Anna, Larry, Clarke, Dennis, Adeline, John Fay, and Emerson Brown.
When we pray we present to the Lord our petitions, adoration, reparation and thanksgiving, which are types of prayer. What better way to do this than by praying the Scripture Rosary. We gather together every Thursday evening at 6:30pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
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."
This spring and summer we have several different adult programs in process. Currently on Sunday nights, Deacon Dave is offering a continuation of the Vatican II series entitled, Holiness - Who Me? On Wednesday evenings and again on Thursday mornings, I'm facilitating our study of the Book of Revelation. Also, beginning in June we will offer our fifth summer of Scripture and Stitches with a new quilt and lively discussion of scripture. Include some spiritual enrichment in your R & R this summer. Please call for more details. Yours on the Journey, Marilyn
If you would like to have a Liturgy celebrated for a special intention, arrangements can be made by calling the parish office. A contribution is usually made to pay for the cost of the bread and wine and all the other items that are needed for the celebration of the Liturgy.
The Religious Education Program is in need of dynamic women and men who live their faith and are able to pass on the message of Jesus. Have you ever thought of teaching? Please think and pray about this decision. We need catechists, aides, hall monitors and people willing to make our program more dynamic!
Reaching Out To Littleton You will never believe what happened last week! I was going through the mail and found a letter for the teachers and children at Saint Mary Magdalen Parish. I opened it up, and it was from the UPS driver who delivered our 30-foot banner to the community in Littleton, Colorado. He said that he watched as our banner was unrolled and how thrilled the people were to receive the kind words and thoughts of our children. We also received a phone call from a gentleman living in Colorado who is from Michigan. His son was in that school the day of the tragedy. He also was truly grateful for our thoughtfulness. What a little act of kindness can do!! Sister Maryetta
We will be holding our first bake sale next Sunday between the 9 and 11am Masses. Donated goods will be accepted beginning at 8:15am. Anyone who can bake something or help in any way, please call me, 227-7937. You should have already turned in your Relay for Life money this week. If not, please get it to me ASAP. Next Sunday at 6:00pm we'll be decorating t-shirts in the youth room. Please plan to attend this gathering because we'll also be discussing the decorating of our tents. Please bring your own boldly-colored t-shirt and any fabric paint you might have.
Informative Meeting will be held in the youth room after the 7:00pm Mass on Ascension Thursday, May 13th, for any adults who would be interested in chaperoning the senior high youth group events. These include camping, our high school dance, our bottle and can drive, the Cedar Point trip, our lock-in, and service projects that we are setting up for the summer. You will learn in more detail of the activities we do and the fun that we have; and at that time we'll ask you to volunteer your time and support for specific activities.
Tommy and I would like to wish all of the mothers a very blessed Mothers' Day. We hope that today you are able to spend real quality time with the people who love you most. Mothers are very special people, and I believe God created them so every human being could see His face in our everyday lives. For those of you who have lost a mother, may you be blessed today with all the warmest memories of her that you can fill your heart with. Have a happy and blessed day!!
There is no meeting tonight, so you can have the day to spend with your family and loved
ones. We truly hope you take the opportunity to do so. Life is precious. Take the time to
treasure the joy and love in it.
Margaret Callaghan
Stewardship Report Last weekend approximately 2160 people participated in the Liturgies. These folks contributed $13,921.64 to the parish. Last year on this Sunday the contributions totaled $11,991.00.
YOU ARE INVITED to attend Pinckney St. Mary's Knights of Columbus Council #11761 deluxe spaghetti dinner on Saturday, May 22 from 5-7:00pm in the Church Hall, corner of D-19 and Hamburg St. Pasta with meatballs or meatless sauce, garlic toast, dessert, and beverage are included. donation is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children.
DIOCESAN YOUNG ADULT PICNIC will be held at Patriarche Park, East Lansing on June 12. This is for all single young adults in their 20's and 30's. Come for a fun and relaxed day and meet young adults from around the diocese. Bring a dish to pass. For information, call (517) 342-2494.
The Eucharist is our fullest prayer in which Christ's faithful love makes us one. By the Eucharist the power of Christ's sacrificial love transforms us into His real presence in the world." The Worship Ministry Team brings together musicians, members of the Art & Environment team, and the liturgical ministries to plan and coordinate the liturgies, feasts, and seasons of the church year. We seek to plan and coordinate prayerful, reflective, uplifting liturgies that transform our daily lives. We invite all people to a full, conscious, and active participation and involvement in the liturgy and strive to strengthen and support all Ministers of Liturgy through training, education, and spirituality. We also seek to enrich people's understanding of liturgical celebration; of prayer, ritual, origin, purpose, and beliefs. We strive to maintain our gracious customs and traditions. In bringing the honored of times past into the life of our church today, we seek to provide for all people, at different levels of faith, a variety of opportunities for prayer, reflection, inspiration, and renewal. Our hope is to foster paths of peace, understanding, and growth. Through all the elements of liturgy, our vision is to create an environment of noble simplicity; a haven of peace and joy where all people may minister to and sustain one another, as one Body in Christ. The Worship Ministry Team meets on the first Wednesday of the month, with a total of about 10 meetings a year. There is additional work done in between by individuals or small groups. The commitment to this ministry is for one year.
50'S DANCE is next Saturday, May 15, from 7:00-10:00pm. Kids of all ages - start brushing up on your hula hoop and limbo skills! Bring a snack to pass. Sign-up sheets are in the Gathering Area. Please sign up so we will know how many people to expect.
CAREGIVERS' ISSUES, a presentation for those who care for aging parents/loved ones, will be the topic of discussion at two different locations. Take your choice of June 23 at the Howell Rec Center or August 19 at Hazel Nut Apartments in Fowlerville. These will be presented by Darlene Fraley, Livingston County Catholic Social Services. Call (810) 227-2151 for more information.
A MONTHLY CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP will be dealing with the issues and concerns associated with caring for your parents/loved one when it becomes a reality. This will be facilitated by Darlene Fraley, Livingston County Catholic Social Services, and will take place monthly at various locations around the county. Call (810) 227-2151 for more information.
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.
BLENDED FAMILIES WORKSHOP explores answers to questions about raising children/stepchildren and preserving and strengthening marriages/families. It will be held May 20 and 27, 7-9:00pm at Livingston County Catholic Social Services. Fee is $20. Space is limited so call (810) 227-2151 to register.
SUCCESSFUL SINGLE PARENTING, sponsored by Livingston County Catholic Social Services, is a four-week workshop held in Howell, and designed for single parents who wish to enhance their parenting skills in an informal and supportive environment. Workshops will be held on Thursdays, July 8, 15, 22 and 29, 7-9:00pm. Fee is $40. Call by July 1 at (810) 227-2151 to register.
SISTER LORETTA MELLON RETURNS to St. John's, 600 N. Adelaide, Fenton, May 19 at 7:00pm. Sister Loretta, an Adrian Dominican, is a dynamic speaker and has a powerful healing ministry. Prayer for those desiring so will be available after her talk. Come for a Blessed evening!
FRIENDS, a support group for divorced and separated individuals, meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7-9:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor. The May 18th meeting in School Room 8A will have as guest speaker, the Honorable Arthur Lombard, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge, who will speak on "a view from the bench."
DID YOU KNOW? That Holy Spirit in Hamburg has a Book and Gift Shop that is open weekdays 9:00-5:00 and and before and after weekend Masses? Call 810-231-6784 for more information.