Many thanks to the large number of teens and adults who made it a joyous event. Although it only lasts a week, it takes a great deal of planning and preparation. Thanks to all those who made the Bug Safari possible.

One thing that was new this was year was the inclusion of many folks — children, teens & adults - from St. John in Hartland. I am delighted that we could do this together!

While I admire their beauty, I am also grateful because they remind me of how the gift of Easter needs to blossom again and again in our lives!

There was a couple sitting behind some friends, who were also there for the Liturgy that Sunday. It seems that throughout my homily, those sitting behind my friends disagreed with what I was saying about St. Mary Magdalen and voiced their disagreement to each other.

Actually, I laughed about it when they told me (what else are you going to do?). There are times when all of us (me included) hold on to a point of view that suits our purposes. The danger is, that a viewpoint not formed by truth, will end up holding us captive. Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Jerry Neaton, Genevieve Rupp, George Rutton, Robert, Dennis Seefelt, Don Schommer, Pat Cote, Tom Clark, Abigail Line, Margaret Wenzel, Bridget, Alec Schalhamer, Eileen, Nancy, Cheryl Franks, Scott Delplace, Marie Seagel, Laura, Pat Fuller, Jessica, Ninfa Aragona, Nancy Sharpy, Judy LaGrow, Becky Wilson, Kyle Happley, Bob Stecewicz, Mike Beauchamp, George Sierant, Bradley Stevens, Ruth, Marcella, Ashley Horning, Alexandria Nelson, Jessica Wolfe, Debbie, Ginther, Ralph Bennett, Joseph Hommel, Sr., Robert Grace, Don Camden, Evelyn, Bill, Craig Livingston, Joyce, Colette Bertrand, Laura Drittler, Sophie Martin, June Bennett, Ethan Montague, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mary Lou Colgin, Mary Beth, Bishop Povish, and Donovan.

Please remember in your prayers Fred Goettsche and family in the death of Virginia Goettsche, Fred’s mother; and Carolyn Gagacki and family in the death of Paul Domsic, Carolyn’s father.

"The hand of the Lord feeds us," sings the Psalmist; "He answers all our needs." Often, though, it is with the open hands of generous stewards willing to share His many gifts that God’s people are fed and their needs met.

This is a very special week for all the Adrian Dominican Sisters. All of us have been invited back "HOME" to reflect, share, and enjoy each other and to focus on the future. I am rather excited about going HOME and am looking forward to renewing friendships, being together and sharing our vision. I ask that you keep all of us in your prayers.

I would also like to tell you that another group of Dominican sisters are thinking of joining our community and they also will be with us to discern our future together.

Please pray for all the Adrian Dominicans and know that you will be remembered!

Sister Maryetta

Congratulations and Welcome to those baptized in July: Nathan Joseph Gentner, son of Richard and Leslie (Savik) Gentner, Erin Renee Poliquin, daughter of Duane and Megan Poliquin, and Carson James Mack, son of Jim and Tracy Mack.

Tues., Aug. 6 is the Evening of Awareness for first time parents having their child baptized. The class is 7:30 pm — 9:00 pm in the Adult Formation Room. It is very good to attend this class early in your pregnancy because it has information you may want to use before the birth of your child.

The Baptism Instruction evening is Tues, Aug. 20, 7:30 - 9:00 pm. in the Adult Formation Room. It is suggested that this class be taken in the month of the Baptism and just prior to it as this class includes instructions about the Baptism itself. Childcare is provided for the second session. It is good if you contact me before attending a class so I know how to prepare and to verify that childcare is actually needed.

For weeks now I have been telling you about the Bug Safari here at St. Mary Magdalen. Well, as of Monday we had 175 children registered, 55 helpers in gr. 6 and up, and over 40 parent volunteers! All of this is due to the hard work of Peggy Weingartz and her family! They work countless numbers of hours to register, re-register, figure out the t-shirt orders, schedule, make name tags and so on! Then we have Diane Neitzke and her family in the kitchen making quick snacks for 270 people! In church we had Kim Cauley and kids leading us in song, raising the roof (sorry Fr. Dave-I know it’s new) and dancing in praise! Outside we had Robin Shepard and Corrine Bielicki in the 90-degree sauna leading our kids in games! In the theater we had Marilynn Myszkier entertaining them! Patti Mohrenweiser’s family helped them to create buggy crafts out of all kinds of things! Thank you to all the St. John helpers and children who attended this year too!

Registration for the Fall Formation classes can be made on Wednesdays in August from 9:30am-4pm in the office. If you need an evening appointment, please call me at 229-8624. We still have families that have not registered and some classes are filled, so you may not get your first choice.

Can you help? Catechists, Aides, Hall monitors are some of the ways we need you to help throughout the year starting in September. Please help us further the vision of St. Mary Magdalen Parish and get involved!

Formation Team members mark your calendar for our first meeting on Monday, August 19 at 7:30pm!

Catechists/Aides mark your calendars for 6:30 Tuesday, August 27 for our first meeting!

A float was built two years ago by a large group of our parishioners, and our float won 1^st place in the parade (our 1^st place plaque is hanging in the gathering space). To do this again, we need carpenters, electricians, engineers, costume workers, and anyone who likes to have a good time and meet fellow parishioners. NO experience needed. We will also be collecting Christmas lights and other materials, more info on that will be coming. The first organizational meeting will be Thurs., Aug. 8, at 7:30pm. There is a sign-up sheet in the gathering space. For more info, contact Barb Colley, 810-225-0052, or Bob Barclay, 810-227-6245.

Monday, August 12, we are planning to spend the day at Cedar Point. Adult chaperones and drivers are needed. This trip is intended for students starting tenth grade in the fall through those students in the twelfth grade.

It’s amazing how time flies. Before I had Jack, people would tell me that he’ll grow up before you know it. I have learned that to be true, not only with my two boys, but with the teens Tom and I have seen grow. Many of them have just received their license and quite a few will be leaving for college! For four years, we journey with them through tough times and share in their joys. We will miss the teens going off to college and we pray for the ones who just recently became licensed to drive!

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

Our annual car wash is Saturday August 24 at Walters Appliance on Grand River. Sign up sheets are in the gathering area.

Margaret Callaghan

Taking God to School Retreat, Is it hard sometimes to live out your faith in school? Bethany House is hosting a retreat for high school youth on how to be a Catholic every day in high school, August 16-18. For registration information, please call 517-668-3747 or visit us online.

I am happy to introduce the formation of the Wellness Ministry Team. Befrienders, Samaritans and the Health Ministry have joined as one body to serve the Body of Christ. We are excited about this collaboration! For more information, call me at 810-229-8624.

Sr. Maryetta

RESPITE CARE

The Wellness Ministry Team. (The Befrienders, Samaritans and Health Ministry,) would like to invite you to a Respite Care Meeting. Respite refers to an interval of rest or relief for a caregiver or care receiver. Darlene Fraley from Livingston County Catholic Social Services will present information regarding respite care. All are welcome to attend this meeting on Monday, August 19, 10-11:30 a.m. here at St. Mary Magdalen. For additional information, call Sr. Maryetta at 229-8624.

There is a critical need for blood during the summer months. Please consider donating. The next blood drive is Friday, August 9, from 1pm-7pm in the Social Hall. We also need volunteers to work. Please sign up in the gathering area

An information meeting for people, who are considering adoption will be held at 7:00 PM., Tuesday, August 13, 2002, at Adoption Associates, Inc. 26105 Orchard Lake Rd., Suite 301, Farmington Hills, MI 48334. Information will be shared on building families through both Domestic (US) and international (China, Russia, Guatemala, Moldova, Ukraine, Poland) adoption. We are the only agency in Lower Michigan that is accredited to work with Russia. Come meet some of our staff! Please R.S.V.P. to 248-474-0990.

Parish Picnic - It’s hard to believe it’s been 9 years since the inception of St. Mary Magdalen. On Sunday September 8, 2002 we will be celebrating our 9th annual parish picnic, beginning with an 11 am outdoor liturgical celebration next to the barn. So mark your calendars, brush up on your favorite recipes and get ready for a day filled with fun, food and fellowship. This year’s picnic will be focused on more traditional activities like watermelon eating contests, egg and water balloon tossing, horseshoes, volleyball and many more activities with great prizes.

In order to make this year’s picnic a success, we are looking to you for some assistance. If you work for a generous employer or know someone that would be in a position to donate monies or picnic supplies, please fill out the donation form in back of church or call Pat Christie at (810) 229-7557 (home) or (586) 873-0265 (cell). If you are interested in volunteering your time on one of the various sub-committees, please sign-up on the sheets provided in the gathering area.

Summer Collection: Many people in our community can't afford basic personal care items such as shampoo, toothpaste, soap, brushes and facial tissues. Starting in mid-July we will be collecting these types of items in the Gathering Space. They will be donated to the Salvation Army of Livingston County. Laundry baskets labeled for the "Summer Collection" will be available for any items you are willing to purchase for these people in need.

Travel-sized Items are also greatly appreciated by the Brown Evangelical Mission in Detroit, which we support with our food donations. Look for a large clear barrel for any donations you may have of small shampoo, etc. that you don’t need. Thank you so much!!!

Opportunities are available for:

Summer camp counselors: 18 years of age + (3-9 week stay)

Church groups: 18 years + (week-long stay)

Individuals: Short-term 18 years + (3 week minimum stay)

Long-term 21 years + (9 months — 1 year)

There are over 25 programs serving the needs of children, teens, elderly, housing, job readiness, crisis intervention and much more! For additional information contact www.chrisapp.org or call 1-800-755-5322

Some of the projects we’ll be doing include: Sprucing up parks and area recreation facilities. Making minor home improvement projects at senior citizen’s homes. Holding a school supply drive at area stores. Assisting area non-profit organizations with various projects and facility improvements. Beautification and clean up projects at area schools. Working with residents in area nursing homes. Holding food and supply drives for area food banks and other assistance organizations. Assisting with beautification projects in our downtown. Various other community-service projects

For more information, or to help on the Day of Caring, call the Livingston County United Way at 810-494-3000 or e-mail jclum@lcunitedway.org.

Join us for this Will Taylor Production of

"Mystery of the Forgery Fortune"

On Thurs. Aug 22 at 7 PM, at the GRILLED TOMATO RESTAURANT, located at 106 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon, MI., R.S.V.P. by Aug. 20. Or on Sat. Aug. 24 at 6 PM, at the LA SENORITA RESTAURANT, located at 2706 Lake Lansing Rd, Lansing, MI., R.S.V.P. by Aug. 22. Cost for the show is only $10 per person. For further information, please call (810) 513-7247.

Monday, August 5^th, The Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Rome. Following the declaration of Mary as Mother of God (Greek: Theotokos, God-bearer) by the Council of Ephesus in 431. A major basilica is a principal papal church in Rome. Major basilicas are of ancient origin and have served as places of pilgrimage. St. Mary Major, also known as Santa Maria Maggiore, is one of Rome’s four major basilicas. Founded in the fourth century by Pope Liberius on the Esquiline Hill, the present church was built by Pope Sixtus III in the fifth century. Relics of Christ’s manger are reputed to be held in the basilica. The feast commemorating its founding was formerly called Our Lady of the Snows because, according to legend, the Blessed Virgin left her footprints on the site during a miraculous snowfall one August evening and the pope built on a site where snow fell.

Tuesday, August 6^th, Transfiguration of the Lord. Celebrated by the East Syrians in the 5^th century this feast was inserted into the general calendar in 1457 by Pope Callistus III. Numerous interpretations of the episode have been proposed. Some view is as a misplaced account of a resurrection appearance; others as a report of a mystical experience that Jesus’ disciples had in his presence; others as a symbolic account devised by the first Evangelist or the tradition on which he relied. What ever its origin, the episode serves as a literary device to place Jesus on the same level at the Law and the Prophets. He is the authentic source of divine truth for those who would listen to him.

Thursday, August 8^th St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers. The son of a noble and Blessed Joan of Aza he was born in Spain in 1170. He began studying at the University of Palencia, becoming a Franciscan. In 1203 he accompanied Blessed Diego deAzevedo to southern France to preach against hearsay there and to reform the local monasteries. Pope Innocent III subsequently started a crusade to put an end to the heresy. Dominic accompanied the army to preach to the heretics without success. At a castle given to him at Casseneuil, Dominic and six companions founded the Order of Preachers. At the Fourth Council of the Lateran, in Rome, the Order was denied approval, but the next year Pope Honorius II granted his approval and blessings. Dominic spent the rest of his life organizing the Order throughout Italy, Spain, and France. The Dominicans relied upon the usual religious customs and traditions but provided intellectual pursuits that attracted great scholars. The Dominicans also observed the ascetical spirit of the era, as well as genuine zeal in reaching the common people. With the Franciscans, founded by St. Francis of Assisi, the Dominicans formed the "Mendicants," a daring venture that broadened the Church’s appeal.