I invite you to come celebrate this special day in our parish life. The Anniversary Liturgy will be celebrated at 7 pm in the church.

Less than 25% of the present membership has been a part of the parish since the beginning. So let me tell you a little of the story.

Over the first five years of the parish, we have moved our day chapel where daily Mass is celebrated five times. We have moved the offices four times and I have moved four times as well.

Almost all the members of our staff have experienced personal loss or moments of health crisis in their own lives and in the lives of close family members. Our community has experienced the deaths of significant members; we have bid farewell to special people who have moved away; and we have said goodbye to some members who chose to leave our community.

All things considered, I would have to say the last eight years have been the most intense years of my life. They have also been among the most rewarding years of my life as well.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE What does the future hold? Certainly no one knows. BUT, if the commitment to stewardship continues to grow among our people, we should be able to pay off our $1,940,000 debt near the end of 2005.

Our original growth projections have continued to be rather accurate and we now number 886 families. By this time next year we should be close to or over 1,000 families.

In a couple more years, we will outgrow our present facilities. We will need more space for religious education, gatherings and groups. (We already argue among the staff about who gets to use what when.) We will also need more room to enable our people to participate in Eucharist.

What I am saying is: If things continue as they are presently, by 2004, we will probably need to begin the planning for future construction!

For those who may be wondering about my personal plans for the future: my younger niece will be entering high school next fall. So that pretty well settles where I am going to be for the next several years!

Fr. Dave Howell

Is 49:1-6/Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66,80

9:00 am V Dorothy King

9:00 am No Mass

7:00 pm Solemnity of Dedication of Church

Thursday, June 28 Deb Happley, Sue Bumpus

The Senior Summer Scripture Days are scheduled for August 7-9 at St. Francis Retreat Center, Dewitt; & August 21-23 at Weber Center, Adrian. "Great Letters of Paul: Messages For Today" will be taught by Jean Schaub, Pastoral Associate, Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish, Jackson. Scriptural presentations will be combined with liturgies, creative activities, prayer, recreation and fun. Contact Catholic Charities, 517-342-2458, for brochures and registration information. Scholarships are available. If you are interested in excellent scripture study, these days are for you. Please register in advance.

9:00 am Catechumenate Dismissal

9:45 am New Parishioners Mtg. (Social Hall) 1:00 pm Baptisms

COUPLE TO COUPLE LEAGUE will be offering two separate series of classes for engaged and married couples who want to learn some practical aspects of living a chaste and holy life within their marriage covenant. Beginning Sunday, July 15, at St. Thomas in Ann Arbor, from 2-4:00 pm. Final three classes are August 12, September 9, and October 7. Call 734-944-1172 for more information. Beginning Saturday, August 4, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti from 10-12:00noon. Final three classes are September 8, October 6, and November 3. Call 734-973-3173 for more information.

There is a nationwide ministry available to traveling Catholics providing free information on the location of the nearest church and times of Masses on weekends and holy days. This service is available to all parishes by calling 1-800-627-7846

This week was very exciting for my family and I! My brother came to visit us. He not only came as my baby brother, he came as Major Tom Sharpy, Military Aide to the Vice President! He was in charge of the VP’s visit, including the helicopters that were buzzing over Hartland and Brighton last weekend. Our family got to meet and hang around members of the Secret Service, tour Air Force Two (the VP’s plane), check out the limos for the motorcade and meet the Vice President! These are memories we will share forever! Stop in if you want to see the pictures!

Registrations for Religious Education can be filled out in the parish office between 9:30-3:30 this week. Catechists and aides are needed for all sessions, especially every other Sunday in our Family Program. We also need help on Sundays during Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Call the office if you can help!

This Sunday, June 24, our Young Neighbors in Action will be at the little Caesars' Pizza place in Howell, helping to sell pizza's, in an effort to raise money for our upcoming trip to Chicago in July. One medium pepperoni pizza will sell for $3.99, of which one dollar will be donated toward our trip. Come and support our effort today.

This upcoming Friday is our pool/BBQ/bonfire party at the Magon's. Call me if you should need directions. Please note that I am working from home now. I can be reached there at 227-7937. The best time to get a hold of me is in the mornings and mid-afternoons.

July 7th is our annual bottle and can drive. We will be going to the neighborhoods, however, you can also bring your bottle returns to the barn after the Masses that weekend.

M.U.D (6, 7 and 8 graders)

The sign up sheet is in the gathering space for our annual car wash. Please take a minute to sign up for part of this fun event.

Margaret Callaghan

It’s come to our attention that we have a significant number of law enforcement personnel in our parish family. If you have been or are currently involved in this field and are interested in meeting with other parish members with the same occupation please contact Gary Prise at 229-5481.

Our Grief Support group continues to meet on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. If you have lost someone close to you recently, please feel free to join us in Room 4. For more information call Marilyn or Sr. Maryetta at 229-8624.

ATTENTION: Wednesday, June 27^th will be a picnic planning meeting in the adult formation room at 7:30pm. All previous chair people and anyone interested in assisting this year is invited. For more information, call me, 229-8624.

Yours on the journey, Marilyn

The St. Mary Magdalen MOMS (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) group will be starting a 6 to 8 week journal series on September 12 from 9:30 to 11:30. The group gets together for fellowship, laughter, and spiritual growth in a supportive and fun environment. Childcare is provided for a nominal fee. Snacks and coffee are always provided free of charge. On August 26 and Sept 9, MOMS will be in the gathering space after all Masses with information and registration forms. If you are a Mom of any age or experience, please join the group and share yourself with the rest of us.

WE C.A.R.E. Communication and Relationship Enhancement Program (a marriage preparation program) sponsored by the Diocese of Lansing Family Ministry, Catholic Charities and Catholic Social Services will be held at various times throughout the year at St. Pat’s and Livingston County Catholic Social Services in Howell. Call 517-545-5944 for more information.

Give a year of service to the Church as a lay volunteer: Mercy Volunteer Corps, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, provides opportunities for people over the age of 21 to serve for one year. Possibilities include teaching, nursing, working in homeless shelters, social service agencies and more. The emphasis of the program is service, community and prayer. Room, board, medical insurance and a small stipend are provided. Loan deferments are available. Placements start in May with service beginning in August. Call 215-641-5535 for more information.

FRIENDS A support group for divorced and separated meets every 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of the month at 7:30pm at St. Thomas Parish Center in Ann Arbor. Topics of discussion: the five stages of grieving, helping children cope, legal issues, and spirituality. Call Virginia Mikola (734) 994-9194 for more information.

Sponsor of the Week

Wilson Marine

SOMEONE NEEDS YOU: The Interfaith Volunteers Caregivers Program (IVCP) needs volunteers for their Respite program. Respite volunteers provide short-term relief to a caregiver by providing in-home supervision and companionship to a chronically ill or disabled family member. If you have three or four hours a week to spare on a regular or occasional basis, please call Darlene Fraley, Catholic Social Services, (517) 545-5944.