THE INTERROGATIVES Back when I was learning grammar, we learned the importance of using the question words: who, what, when, where, how and why.

As our nation prepares to respond to the terrorists’ attacks, we have spent a great deal of energy asking: who did this and how were they able to accomplish such evil? These are critical questions, for if our government is ever going to provide its citizens the safety and security we desire, we must make sure that our military response strikes at the true source of terror. Within the framework of our constitution, we must also make it reasonably difficult for such attacks to ever happen again. So our leaders are also seeking answers to other questions: what will we do in response? And where and when will we strike to assure justice?

The other critically important question that must be asked is why did this happen? Our failure to answer this question will mean that we will lose the aid of reasonable people in the Islamic world. For most of the last fifty years, American foreign policy has failed to reach out to many parts of the Islamic world. We have supported oppressive leadership, imposed our will for the sake of cheap oil and we have not tried to understand the culture of almost a third of the world’s population. All this has bred a great deal of anger and resentment.

If we are truly intent on ridding the world of terrorists, we need to also seek to be just in our dealings with the Arab world. As Pope Paul VI said: "If you want peace, then work for justice." We need to work with many nations to broker a just and secure peace for both parties in the Holy Land and to support leaders who are more devoted to serving their own people. Our failure to seek answers to why this happened will only mean that we are creating an environment that will breed more terrorists.

SOME STRAIGHT TALK As we begin Three Minutes More on the Liturgy and our religious education program, it is important to review why Catholics are obligated to participate in the Sunday Liturgy.

This view is different from other Christian communities, but this is because we have a very different view of why we gather on Sunday. With other Christians, we believe that it is important for Christians to come together in prayer and worship. That is how we support and encourage each other to follow Christ more faithfully. It is also essential that we come together to reflect on the Gospel: what has it meant to our ancestors, what does it mean to us and how can we live it out in our daily living.

Unlike other Christians, since the days of the apostles, we have believed that the bread and wine we bring to the altar are transformed by the Holy Spirit into the Body & Blood of Christ, the risen Lord. That is what Jesus promised us. In the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus told us that He would give us His flesh to eat and His blood to drink! (If you analyze the original Greek of John, you would recognize that this not a figure of speech, but very concrete language.)

In the Eucharist, the Savior gives Himself to us, continuing His saving work within us!

One cannot accept Jesus as Savior and at the same time reject the manner in which the Lord Jesus has chosen to give Himself to us. Since the third century, the Church has taught that to purposely stay away from the Sunday Liturgy is to reject Christ, and this rejection is seriously sinful.

While there are so
atholics who believe that they do not need to participate regularly in the Sunday Eucharist, I want to tell you that they are seriously wrong. We cannot be faithful to a Gospel we don’t hear and we cannot accept Jesus as Savior, unless we accept Him on His terms.

Fr. Dave Howell

GATHERING Some people are uncomfortable with greeting each other at the start of the Liturgy because many of us were trained as youths to enter church silently, show reverence for the Lord who is present in the tabernacle by genuflecting, then kneel down and pray. The focus was strictly on the true and real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. While this focus is still very important, it ignores the other realities of Christ’s presence to us. From the earliest days of the Church, the building was a gathering place for the community and the focal point of all community life. People greeted each other as they entered, quietly exchanging the news of family and friends before the Liturgy. It was natural and normal, and recognized the other real presence of Christ, in His Body, the Church.

Being asked to speak to each other when we enter is not normal, but it is a necessary measure until it becomes natural. To ignore the brother or sister who sits near us, is to ignore Christ! In the late fourth and early fifth centuries, the deacons would gather the faithful from the seven hills of Rome and move in procession with them to the basilica, singing a psalm as they went. Then the pope and other clergy would process from the papal palace to the place of Liturgy as well.

By the eighth century, the faithful would assemble on their own and the clergy would vest in the back sacristy. When all was ready, the cantor and choir would begin the entrance psalm or Introit. The clergy would pray at the foot of the altar, then reverence the altar with a kiss and proceed to the chair for the Opening Prayer.

By the ninth century, local parish churches had developed. Each had its own baptismal font and daily Liturgy. Sacristies were located near the altar so the grand processions were gone except for papal Masses. In France the use of hymns began to take the place of the psalms.

Please remember in your prayers Greg Duff and family in the death of Greg’s father, Paul Duff, Mike Coleman and Family in the death of Mike’s brother, Chuck, and Donna Price and Family in the death of Donna’s grandmother, Adeline.

Religious Education classes start this week with an OPEN HOUSE for parents and children! We will start out in church with a blessing, move into the class rooms to meet the catechists/aides and then have a parent meeting with the Formation Ministry Team to give out the new family handbooks. Please plan on attending with your child(ren); time will be given to visit each class.

Sunday, October 7, is the first day for our Kindergarten classes, and Family Program. Grades 9 & 10 start up Sunday evening!

Catechists/Aides are reminded to get your registration in for Souper Saturday, October 6. Call Mary if you need more information.

Mark your October calendars:

14 - 10^th grade Rite of Enrollment 11 am. Liturgy

21 — 9^th grade Parent Meeting 5:30 pm.

24/25 — First Penance Parent meeting during class

(Family Program parents may attend any one)

Thank you to all who donated your empties to help and support the youth attending NCYC. Your support is greatly appreciated.

November 3 is Jamboree! It is a diocesan wide daylong event that takes place in Lansing. It is a joyfilled, God filled day. If you would like more information, call me at 227-7937. It is truly worth your time to participate. Any adult who wishes to chaperone please contact me. The cost is $35 for workshops, lunch, dinner, and the dance. I will need your registration and money by the end of September. Any later and the cost is $40.

October 13 and 14 we are holding a bake sale to benefit the NCYC participants. Any and all donated bake goods will be appreciated.

St Mary Magdalen Council 12295 Knights of Columbus is pleased to announce the return of the ever famous Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday October 20th, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Dinner includes spaghetti (meat or meatless sauce), salad, bread sticks, ice cream, and beverages. All for a very reasonable $6 per individual, $18 family, $3 children 10 and under, and $5 for seniors). Please note that future dinners are scheduled for 11/17, 1/26, 2/23, and 3/16, so mark you calendars accordingly. We hope to see you there!

LIFECHAIN 2001 It’s not too early to mark your calendar for Respect Life Sunday, October 7, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Life Chain is a peaceful way to witness the gospel message of Jesus in the Brighton area Communities across the state also join with us — extending the Life Chain from Detroit to Grand Rapids. St. Mary Magdalen parishioners will gather on the grassy easement area of West Grand River in front of National City Bank (next to Gordon Food Service). Please join us for one hour of silent prayer for the unborn. Sign-up in the back of church.

Come walk or sponsor a walker to help stop world hunger at the 21^st Annual Brighton CROP WALK Sunday, Oct. 14, at 2:00pm. The 3.1-mile walk through downtown Brighton begins and ends at the 1^st United Methodist Church 440 E. Grand River. 25% of the money raised is donated to LACASA, Livingston Community Food Bank and St. Vincent DePaul to fight hunger locally. The remainder of the money helps fight hunger worldwide. Sponsor envelopes are available in the Gathering Area. Call CROP Recruiters: Maureen Crowell (810) 227-3734 or Tammy Ritter (810) 227-2145 for more information.