SPECIAL THANKS Our sincere thanks goes to our Community Life Team for all of their efforts to make last weekend’s Parish Picnic such a wonderful success. Even the weather, which was beyond their control, cooperated with them! Although it was warm, we have never had a brighter, clearer day.

SAINT SIGNUP Some of the folks in our neighboring parishes have jokingly referred to us by this name because there always seem to be sign up sheets around here. This weekend is no exception!

This weekend we begin recruiting folks for special ministries. Last spring we recruited people to serve in the planning ministries. These groups are responsible for the planning, organizing and promoting their ministries’ activities.

Now we recruit folks for task-oriented ministries. These are the ones who do the work. These people are especially important because they are the ones who make things happen around here.

Once more I would ask you to prayerfully consider your gifts, talents and time commitments and consider sharing some of these with our community. Remember, it can’t happen without you!

SEPTEMBER 12 During this past week I have read and heard a great deal about September 11. But one thing that particularly struck me was a comment from a woman widowed in the terrorists’ attacks of last year. She was speaking about all of the media coverage of the anniversary and especially the often-repeated video of the attack and collapse of the World Trade Center towers. Her comment was very simple: I am waiting for September 12.

I thought her comment was both very poignant and insightful. She was weary of constantly reliving the events, which took her husband’s life. She also felt a deep need to move on.

Anyone who has experienced a great loss in their life can understand. For a time, we "stay" in the event of loss; time seems to stand still; we experience overwhelming pain. But then we need to move on with life; partly because life’s everyday needs force us to and partly because it truly seems that if we "stay" in that painful moment, we will lose our mind. (That’s one of the reasons why a meal after a funeral is one of the most ancient and universal customs associated with death.)

Moving on to Sept 12 does not mean closure. It only means that one learns to live with the loss, to live differently. Sept. 12 only means that one begins the slow and necessary task of learning how to continue life’s journey without my loved one.

Somehow, it struck me that all of us and our nation needs to move on to Sept 12.

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Jan Jandasek, Martha Rushak, Myra Gauger, Emilee Ritter, John Matta, James Scharf, Ray Willis, Joanne Corey, Virginia Johnson, Joel Pasienza, Nikki Nystrand, Bob Stecewicz, Mary Galleher, Joe Weis, Megan Grech, Kathy Sayles, Jerry Neaton, Genevieve Rupp, George Rutton, Robert, Dennis Seefelt, Don Schommer, Pat Cote, Tom Clark, Abigail Line, Bridget, Alec Schalhamer, Eileen, Nancy, Cheryl Franks, Scott Delplace, Laura, Pat Fuller, Jessica, Ninfa Aragona, Judy LaGrow, Becky Wilson, Mike Beauchamp, George Sierant, Bradley Stevens, Ruth, Marcella, Ashley Horning, Alexandria Nelson, Jessica Wolfe, Debbie, Ginther, Ralph Bennett, Robert Grace, Evelyn, Bill, Craig Livingston, Colette Bertrand, Laura Drittler, Sophie Martin, June Bennett, Ethan Montague, Matt Even, Jimmy Sexton, Mary Lou Colgin, Mary Beth, Bishop Povish, and Donovan.

This is a day to celebrate and affirm the men who dedicate their lives to the Lord and to the Church through their commitment to the sacrament of Holy Orders. It is a time to focus thanks, affirmation, love and support to our priests. GOD BLESS YOU, FATHER DAVE!

Stewardship is not optional! "None of us lives as his own master and none of us dies as his own master," says St. Paul. "While we live we are responsible to the Lord, and when we die we die as his servants."

Please remember in your prayers Fred Young and family in the death of Fred’s brother-in-law.

We still have some classes without catechists and aides. The High School, Family Program (meets 2x per month) and Thursday 4:30 sessions all need catechists. You can see which grades on the poster, or on the class lists hanging in the Gathering area. These classes are in danger of being cancelled if we do not find leaders for them. We have training going on now. Please call the office to volunteer as soon as possible!

Registration: Registration can be made in the office. If you need an evening appointment, please call me.

Please keep our 10^th grade Confirmation candidates in your prayers this weekend as they are on retreat in DeWitt. This important retreat is part of their final discernment process in their journey towards this final Sacrament of Initiation.

Confirmation Interviews: Interviews start Thursday, Sept. 19 and will be held in the office with Fr. Dave. Sign up sheets are in the Gathering Area. Each Candidate must meet with Fr. Dave before Confirmation.

Catechists/Aides: Our next meeting is tomorrow night, Monday, September 16 at 6:30. Other parishes will be joining in this evening of Enrichment, as we are training all grade levels of catechists and aides in effective methods for working with children in classes!

Practical Implications of the

What does the Church teach about Social Justice?

Dr. Liberato has extensive experience in dealing with the political system and issues of Justice.

What does the Church’s teachings of Social Justice have to do with Public Policy?

I want to thank everyone who helped with our annual lock-in last weekend. The leadership team and youth group members worked hard to make it a success and with the help of parents and adults, it was just that. Thank you to everyone!

Jamboree. Sign up now for this annual diocesan event! You will not want to miss out on this diocesan wide event that expects to have 1000 teens in attendance. Mark your calendar for Saturday November 16, 2002. It will take place at the Lansing Center. Keynote performers will be Steve Angrisano and Jessica Alles-Smith. The cost is $32 and will cover workshops, lunch, dinner, liturgy, and a dance. Contact Margaret Callaghan for more information.

Haunted House. If you would like more information, including meeting dates, as they will not be every Monday evening, please contact Margaret Callaghan in the office.

There is a meeting tonight from 7-9 pm. Any student in the 9-12 grades is welcome to come. Bring a friend and come check us out!

Our next activity is community service work at the Mary Lou Brown Mission in Detroit. A sign up sheet is in the gathering area.

Margaret Callaghan

R.E.A.C.H. Homeless Shelter

Grab your spot! Volunteer sign-up has begun for R.E.A.C.H. St. Mary Magdalen will be hosting the area's homeless from October 28th through November 4th. Volunteer positions include driving, chaperoning, and providing meals. The sign-up sheets will be coming soon in the gathering space. You may also call Ann Fraser (515-545-9279) or Jan Carpenter (810-227-5269) with questions or to volunteer.

This year’s picnic was a sizzling success due to an abundance of sunshine, great food, games and of course ice cream. Many hours of planning and preparation went into this event along with generous donation of supplies, monies and time. Thank you to the following families for their donations to a successful picnic:

Jan Baldinger

Jerry & Karla Bettens

Tom & Margaret Callahan

Jan Carpenter

Anne Marie Conlick

Carlene Demers

Eileen Denhard

Laura Drittler

Fred Goettsche

Kevin & Theresa McDevitt

Jerald & Helen McMillan

Tom & Jenny McSweeney

Jeri & Phyllis Neiman

Theresa Poisson

Deb & Mark Ruf

Kathy Runstadtler

Daniel Schmitt

Dan & Marilyn Van Tiem

Matt & Kristine Weber

Gayle Zawisa

Vanessa Zvosoc

Terry Didyk

Angela Conwell

Eric & Sharon Linck

Also we would like to thank and acknowledge and patronize the following community businesses for their sponsorship:

And last but not least, a special thanks to all the sub-committee leaders, volunteers and their families for giving their times and talents.

The Community Life Committee

To start us off for RENEW, Father Jerry Vincke will lead us in MISSION RENEW, Sunday, September 22 and Monday, September 23, at 7:00 p.m. Everyone, please plan to attend.

TODAY, would everyone please sign the Renew sign up cards (yes or no) found in the Gathering area to join in a small Christian community of 8-10 people, You will then meet once a week for 6 weeks following the Mission. This week a phone call will be made to all registered parishioners who have not responded. We don’t want anyone to miss out on this grace-filled opportunity

Stressed? Difficult Life Situations? Merrill Lundgren’s seminar "Your Four Lives Can Be A Ten" will help one to creatively manage these difficult life situations by using 10 American values that are accepted in all cultures. He also uses 6 positive rules for living touching on bringing new energy and conviction to the Spiritual, Family, Work, and Re-creation aspects of your life. This 4-hour workshop will be here at St. Mary Magdalen Saturday, October 19, 9a.m. — 1p.m. It is limited to 20 people and the cost is $20.00 per participant. Pre-register soon.

A panel of legal experts will be addressing the issue of relatives other than parents raising children. A community resource table will be available on site. Child Care available. Please call 517-546-8500 To Reserve Your Spot.

Brighton Auto Service

Thank you for making last year’s American Evangelization Appeal a success. Even during the tragic aftermath of September 11, you generously gave to the evangelization efforts of (St. Mary Magdalen) and our diocese. Thank you for answering Christ’s call to evangelize. The appeal raised $157,718.64 — a portion of which went to national evangelization efforts. However, the bulk stayed right here — making our own local evangelization efforts, like FAITH Magazine and the television Outreach Mass, possible.

Bishop Carl Mengeling believes that FAITH has been an important part of our evangelization plan. FAITH is sent to your home and every Catholic home each month by our parishes and diocese. Many of our fellow Catholics have become disconnected from the life of the Church and Bishop Mengeling believes that FAITH Magazine has been the best way to reach out to them. In addition to FAITH, our diocese continues to evangelize with interactive Web sites, weekly television Masses, the U.S. bishop’s national efforts and local parish initiatives. By supporting the American Evangelization Appeal, you will help us continue to answer Christ’s call to reach our with the Gospel message.

• Once every six days in Michigan, a domestic violence homicide occurs.
• 60% to 80% of children living in domestic violent homes are also abused.
• Every nine seconds a woman is battered in the United States.

Please join us and bring your family and friends on:

If you would like to have a Liturgy celebrated for a special intention, please call the parish office to make arrangements. 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.

Every Monday evening, RCIA INQUIRY sessions provide a pressure free forum where participants can ask questions and, as a group, explore answers to any issues relating to the faith, and to explore and dispel many of the stereotypes and misunderstandings. The sessions are a comfortable environment to raise and explore many topics, some controversial and complex, a chance to really question and begin to understand what it means to be Catholic.

IF you decide the Catholic faith is the path to further nurture your spiritual growth, and decide to continue the RCIA journey to become a member of the Catholic Church, the next step is the Catechumenate, with the Rite of Acceptance on November 24. However, at any time, one can decide the time is not right and there is no pressure to continue the process. The journey is what is right for you, we are here to support and guide your journey, whichever direction it may take you.

WE welcome all who are seeking to Inquiry sessions Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. for Adults, 7:00 p.m. for Children and Youth. Join us on September 16, and the following Mondays to explore the Catholic faith. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Anne Williams, at 229-8624 or email me at rcia1@ismi.net.

Specialized tracks for the faith community,animal care professionals, human services,businesses, youth, and adults who care about youth.

8:00-4:00 pm Professionals and Community

5:00-9:00 pm Youth and Adults Who Care

To register, call Natalie at 810-227-5086. $60 for day program; $20 for adult evening program; youth enter free.

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.