It may well be months and perhaps years before we fully know the truth of what happened. I only hope that any response is thoughtfully considered, measured and just.

When I heard the news and saw the collapse of the NY Trade Center Towers, my first thought was a prayer that we have prayed in the face of death: "Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all those who have died, rest in peace."

JOE WEIS Last Sunday one of our parishioners, Joe Weis, left for Acapulco, Mexico. The purpose of his departure was not a vacation. Rather, he went there to live simply and to teach young men and women who have chosen to dedicate themselves to the missionary work of the Church.

Joe and his wife, Monique, have been very active over the last few years in several spiritual and charitable efforts in a number of places overseas. However, this year long commitment is the biggest yet.

Joe will teach math for the coming year and Monique will join him for many months over the next year and teach as well.

This mission work is not a paid position but rather they are financing this effort out their own resources. So the parish will be sending a "little extra" from time to time to support their work.

I mention this so that we might support them with our prayer and a "little extra."

Fr. Dave Howell

Please remember in your prayers Tony Bordo and family in the death of his father John Bordo.

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Angela Cooney, Audrey Snyder, Kathy, Donald Schommer, Bonnie, Jack Bogos, Ed Stephens, Sophie Martin, June Bennett, Steve, Shirley Brake, Jaylee Doremire, Brad Heinitz, Jan Geiger, Kathy Rakoczy, Jean Killen, Steve Thuss, Joyce Fraser, Ethan Montague, Micah Zielinski, Dave Sharpy, Harold Stewart, Rosemary Duffy, Priscilla Davis, Tom Johnson, Carolyn Johnson, Mary Johnson, Chuck Horka, Patti Conahan, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mel Oja, Elsie Whetter, John, Adam Weitzel, Mary Beth, Mary Lou Colgin, Joey Boyd, Merrick, Paul Duff, Kateri Sullivan-Golbiw, Mike, Linda Nagle, Bishop Povish, Joanna Bloese, Ellen Colombo, Karen, Laurie Deirlein, and Donovan.

Thank you to all the wonderful people at St. Mary Magdalen for the love and support you have given our family during a very difficult time. The donations were much appreciated. Thank-you again.

The family of Beverly Gardner

One goal of the Finance Council this year has been to increase our communications with parishioners concerning the financial status of the parish. We hope we have created an awareness that as our Building Fund Pledges are fulfilled, we need to rely on increases in stewardship commitments from existing parishioners and new members as we grow, to meet our budgeted expenses. Your weekly stewardship commitment will have an increasing impact on the funding of parish operations.

Prayerfully consider the needs of our parish, and through stewardship of your time, talent and treasures, returning to God a sacrificial portion of all blessings received.

We can hear God is speaking to us today in the words of the father to his elder son: "You are with me always, and everything I have is yours." What is my response to such remarkable generosity? Do I give joyfully and generously as God gives to me?

7:00 pm Children’s Inquiry (Rooms 1 & 2)

7:30 pm RCIA Inquiry (Adult Formation Room)

7:30 pm Formation Team (Room 3)

7:30 pm K of C (Rectory)

7:30 pm Properties Team (Workroom)

7:00 pm BeFriender Training (Room 1 & 2)

9:30 am MOMS Group (Adult Formation Rm.)

7:00 pm BeFriender Training (Room 1 & 2)

7:30 pm National Catholic Youth Council (Youth Room)

7:30 pm Richard Strife (A.D.D.) (Social Hall)

7:30 pm Pastoral Council (Adult Formation Room)

10:00 am Bible Study (Adult Formation Room)

7:30 pm Music Ministry

11:00 am Senior Appreciation Picnic (St. Mary’s Pinckney)

7:00 pm Catechist Formation (Social Hall)

7:00 pm Basic Catholic Teaching (Adult Formation Room)

7:30 pm Women’s Prayer Group (Room 3)

4:30 pm Catechumenate Dismissal

7:00 pm Youth Group

The parish office has upgraded their computer system to Church Mouse. Therefore at this time we would also like to update our Census/Roster. If you are registered in the parishioners your Census Form can be located in the gathering area. Please fill out and return in the box or mail by September 30.

Between Jobs, laid off, fired? Need a friend, a prayer, someone to talk to? Come and join us, Monday, September 24, at 7:30 in the lower level of the Rectory. We would like to begin a group to assist the transition from what has been to what is now. We need your help. Give us a try; help us to put something together. Please contact Maryetta Churches, Dave Scharf or Anne Williams (810) 229-8624 if you want to join us or if you know someone who should join us.

Our lock-in last weekend was just the beginning of many new friendships to be formed and opportunities to have fun. We are looking forward to seeing new faces each week as the year continues.

Last week some our youth leaders and adults participated in Directions 2002 and signed there vision statement. I am so proud of the youth leaders we have. They are ambitious, energetic and committed to making the church their own. They are being called! I believe they hear Him and are responding loudly!

We need all the people we can get to help with the Haunted House. If you are not able to make all the Monday meetings, you are still welcome to participate the weekend of October 26 & 27.

This weekend and next, the teens going to Indianapolis for the National Catholic Youth Conference will be collecting bottles and cans in the barn after all the masses. All of the money collected will go toward their trip.

Friday September 28 we will be going to Howell to make our way through The Maze! A corn maze located off Burkhart Road. Read the flyers and the information located in the gathering space.

So often we take our spouses for granted. We assume that our marriages will survive with little to no attention while we tend to the immediate challenges of family life. Beginning Tuesday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m. we will start REFOCUS. REFOCUS is an opportunity for couples to come together in small groups to share and discuss the various issues of married life. Join us for our first meeting in the Social Hall. For more information call me at the parish office 229-8624.

Sign up sheets are out now for the Story of David, our fall Thursday morning scripture study. Beginning September 20, at 10:00 a.m. in the Adult Formation Room, we will explore the First and Second Books of Samuel to learn more about this historical biblical figure whose life helped set the stage for the birth of Christ. There is a daycare program available during our sessions.

Richard Strife, Director of Diocesan Office for persons with disabilities, will be here on Wed., Sept. 19, at 7pm in the Social Hall, to talk to parents and catechists about Attention Deficit Disorder and give us ways to help our children in the classroom setting. Reservations can be made by calling 229-8624.

Livingston County Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers for the 11^th Livingston County home. Building is scheduled for Sept 22/23, 29/30 and Oct. 6/7, and is located in the Hickory Hills subdivision off M-59 in Oceola Township. You must be at least 15 years of age, 18 to use power tools, to help with the building. Volunteers are also needed to provide food for the workers on those weekends. For more information call (810) 220-9986 or just sign—up on the sheets in the Gathering Area.

Thinking of looking into the Catholic Faith? Inquiry, the first phase of the Rite of Christian Initiation meets on Monday evenings. The Children’s Inquiry meets from 7-8:30 pm in Rooms 1 and 2, with the Adult Inquiry meeting in the Adult Formation Room

THE BEGINNING EXPERIENCE will offer a spiritual weekend for widowed, divorced, and separated persons Sept. 28-30, 2001 in Jackson at St. Joseph Center. It is designed to help those who are wounded by loss of a spouse. It is a time for working through grief and moving on to a new beginning in life. Call Pam 248-486-0924 for more information.

The Third Order Carmelite. A meeting on Friday, September 21 will be held at Holy Spirit Church in Hamburg. Confessions/adoration at 4:00pm, Mass at 5:30pm with refreshments and talk by Fr. Don Brick, OCD to follow. All welcome. Call Denise (248) 437-7334.

ELEVENTH ANNUAL CCHD "CELEBRATION OF JUSTICE" DINNER to recognize those who work for greater social justice is being held Thursday, Nov. 8^th. The dinner will be at St. Michael Parish in Flint beginning at 6:30pm. Tickets at $10 each are available by calling 517-342-2463 by October 19^th.

Sponsor of the Week

Weingartz

• Catholic Church’s Understanding of Marriage as a Covenant
• Types Of Cases The Tribunal Handles
• Misinformation About Invalid Marriages
• Opportunity For Questions

For more information, call Virginia at (734) 994-9194 or Sr. Jean at (734) 761-8606 ext. 212.