PRAYER FOR CHRISTIANS A community coming together to pray Evening Prayer is nothing new. In fact, the practice is as old as the synagogue. Not long after our Jewish ancestors started the first synagogues to study the Scripture, they began coming together in the morning and evening to pray the Scriptures too.

After we were excluded from the Jewish synagogue, we formed our Christian communities, and soon after, we too began to meet to pray Morning and Evening Prayer as a community. While these gatherings for communal prayer have continued to thrive in monasteries, it’s only in the last 25 years that parishes have begun to celebrate Morning and Evening Prayer too.

We have celebrated Evening Prayer here many times, usually during Advent and Lent and on special feasts. But on Sunday, October 13, we will be celebrating a very special form of Evening Prayer, which is simply known as Taize Prayer.

Taize is a religious community in France, which was started after World War II as a community of reconciliation and healing. What makes Taize unique is that it is a monastic community made up of both Catholics and Protestants. Because of its unique composition, it also needed to develop unique forms of morning and evening prayer.

While it is based on the Jewish traditions and those of the early Church, their form of communal prayer tends to be contemplative and almost mesmerizing. As a result, Taize is the most visited monastic community in all of Europe.

On Sunday, October 13, we are hosting Evening Prayer in the Taize tradition at 7pm. We have invited all the churches of our area, Protestant and Catholic, to come and join us. I sincerely hope you will too!

GOD BLESS THE PETS!! The other event I would like to highlight is the Blessing of Pets next Saturday. Last year was the first time we did the blessing and it was a wonderful event, with a wide variety of animals respectfully in attendance.

The blessing is our way of praising God for the gift of these animals in our lives and to thank God for the joy that they bring to us. (I add this because I think some came last year hoping for an exorcism.)

This simple prayer service will begin at 11 am in front of the church. We owners pray over the pets and then the pets are sprinkled with holy water (although last year it seemed a bit redundant to sprinkle the fish.) Hope to see you & your pet!

Fr. Dave Howell

Please pray that the sick will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Joyce Gosbeth, Marcella, Pauline Jones, Marianne Quada, Helen List, Paul Sharpy, Jan Jandasek, Martha Rushak, Myra Gauger, Emilee Ritter, John Matta, Ray Willis, Joanne Corey, Virginia Johnson, Nikki Nystrand, Bob Stecewicz, Mary Galleher, Megan Grech, Jerry Neaton, George Rutton, Robert, Don Schommer, Pat Cote, Tom Clark, Abigail Line, Bridget, Alec Schalhamer, Eileen, Cheryl Franks, Scott Delplace, Laura, Ninfa Aragona, Judy LaGrow, Becky Wilson, Mike Beauchamp, George Sierant, Bradley Stevens, Ruth, 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.

Please remember in your prayers Jim Baumgart and family in the death of their grandmother, Anna Baumgart.

The first son in today’s Gospel said he would do his father’s bidding, but did not. The second son balked at first, but then repented and did as he was asked. What service is God calling me to do? Which son am I more like?

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.

9:30 a.m. Rosary (Worship Area)

Open House for 9^th grade Parents is tonight at 5:30pm. Be sure to accompany your youth to class tonight! 10^th grade parents are asked to just stop in and meet their catechists!

We are excited about the start up of our new year! The children are all in classes (hopefully the right ones!) The catechists and aides are all prepared and ready - all 112 of them! The calendar is set, and classes have begun! Thank you to all the parents who attended the open houses; if you were unable to attend, please make a point to meet your child’s catechist and aide for this year.

The catechists are working very hard attending training workshops and formation classes for their certification from the Diocese of Lansing and to help them work with your children! They have been meeting as grade level teams to best serve the learning styles of all of our youth! If you have a concern, be sure to communicate it to them.

I would also like to thank the Formation Team for all their help for this new year! They planned the open house, put together the family handbooks, helped with teacher sign ups and registration! Thanks for all your hard work!

Confirmation Interviews: 10th grade candidates are reminded of your interviews with Fr. Dave!

Have a good week!

Sunday, Oct. 6, an hour of silent prayer will be held along Grand River Ave and throughout our nation. St. Mary Magdalen will join many other churches to ask God’s intervention to protect the lives of unborn children. We will also pray for the children in need of Foster Care families. Our parish has been assigned to stand near Debra Way (near Gordon Food Service). If you would like to join us from 2:30 until 3:30, please sign-up in the Gathering Space.

The next blood drive is Friday October 4th from 1-7 pm. There will be a sign up sheet in the gathering area starting this weekend. Sign up will be there for donors as well as volunteers.

If you desire to grow in your relationship with God and want to reflect on the weekly readings, then Renew is just for you. Kathy Rigley will be leading a teen group designed just for teens. I encourage you to become involved and to grow more deeply in your relationship with Him.

This fall we are sponsoring a school supply drive for the children of the St. Vincent home in Lansing. We are collecting trapper keepers, backpacks, pencils, paper and pens. You can drop off items in the youth room until November 3^rd.

There is a meeting tonight from 7 — 9 PM. All students in grades 9 - 12 are welcome to join us.

October 5 is our Cornmaze and Bonfire Fun Fall Night Out. We will meet in Howell at the farm at 6 pm, then head over to the Perkins’ home for a bonfire. The sign up sheet and directions are out in the gathering area.

Margaret Callaghan

Come walk or sponsor a walker to help stop hunger at the 22^nd Annual Brighton CROP WALK Sunday, October 13 at 2 PM. The 3.1 mile walk through downtown Brighton begins and ends at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 710 Rickett Rd. 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 St. Mary Magdalen CROP Recruiters: Maureen Crowell (810) 227-3734 or Tammy Ritter (810) 227-2145 for more information.

Because of the amazing growth of our parish community, the Samaritans need to re-organize the ministry. We are in need of someone to help in coordinating our various ministries, especially the funeral luncheons. It is no longer a job that two can handle. Please look into your hearts and consider giving us a hand. For more information call Kathy Clark 227-3099 or Karen Alfanos 229-9914

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

Livingston Center of Allergy, Sinus & Asthma, P.C.

National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, October 10 The World Health Organization has cited major depression as the 4^th leading cause of worldwide disease causing more disability than either heart disease or stroke. Even more alarming, 50% of cases are not recognized or treated. St. Joseph Mercy Woodland Center at 7575 Grand River, Brighton is hosting a National Depression Screening Day event from 2 — 6 PM, Thursday, October 10. No registration is required. Information and Free Screenings given by professional mental health therapists will be offered. Light refreshments and a children’s activity center are available. Call 517-545-6360 for more information. Depression is treatable!

You are invited to attend a support group at St. Mary Magdalen on Oct. 4, from 1:00 — 3 PM.

Anyone with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or Rheumatoid Arthritis and family members who are interested in learning more about autoimmune disorders, is welcome.

Topic this month: University of Michigan News Release — "Fibromyalgia pain isn’t all in patient’s head, new brain study finds first objective measure of mysterious ailment, provide road map for future study." Faciliators will be Joy Sullivan CRNA, and Mary Kay Foley, RN. Any questions call the parish office 229-8624.

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 28 through November 4. 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 4-hour workshop can help you to manage difficult life situations that are quite stressful to you. Do you need to get rid of stress? Do you need to re-energize your marriage or your outlook on life? Do you need to change your work attitude? Merrill Lundgren’s Seminar is based on six positive rules for living, bringing new energy and conviction to the Spiritual, Family, Work, and Re-creation aspects of your life. This workshop will be here at St. Mary Magdalen Saturday, October 19, 9:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. The cost is $20.00 per participant. Childcare will be provided

***Note: A few of you have indicated to me that you are interested and have not yet registered. Please do so soon. We still need 5 more people.

As our library grows, I find I am having difficulty doing the cataloging and labeling as well as controlling the loans and publicizing our facility and books. Please join me in this worthwhile project. We need someone who can check for very overdue, forgotten items and notify those who checked them out. Time commitment: 1 hour a week. We also need someone who could write book reviews or publicity articles for the Bulletin. Time commitment: 1_ hours a week. If you would like more information, please call Barbara Lanigan (810 225-0962.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CANDLELIGHT VIGIL sponsored by The Livingston County Domestic Violence Prevention Council and LACASA, will be held Tuesday, October 15, 7:00pm on the county courthouse lawn in downtown Howell to raise public awareness and show support for the effort against domestic violence. Bring family and friends!

Children’s Program: Monday, Sept 30, 9:30 am.

Slowly illuminated in the darkened church, the Divine Mercy image peers through the image of the Shroud of Turin. The merciful words of Jesus conveyed to St. Maria Faustina come to life as the Mercy of God is seen pouring forth from the Passion and Death of Jesus.

AWESOME! POWERFUL!

A great reflection for the entire family!

Special Guest: Fr. Joseph, MIC, Director of the Association of Marian Helpers. To bind us closer in prayer and works of charity, Fr. Joseph welcomes the opportunity to meet those dedicated to spreading the message of God’s mercy in their families, workplaces and communities. Receive a special blessing with a first class relic of St. Maria Faustina, the first saint of the new millennium. Don’t miss this special evening of wonder, prayer, and fellowship!

Please join us on Oct. 5, at 6:00 PM as we unravel clues throughout Livingston County to get us to the final destination where dinner is served. Registration forms are available by contacting Rich at (810) 231-3966.

St. Joseph’s Church in Howell will host the Couple to Couple League’s four-part Natural Family Planning series beginning on Saturday, October 5 at 9:00 PM. To register, call Brandon & Corrine Rogers at (517) 552-9302.

Senior Parishioners Appreciation Week will be celebrated throughout the Diocese from Oct. 7 —11. This time is set aside to honor and recognize senior members of our parish communities. Elders in Livingston County are cordially invited to attend a Mass for this purpose at St. Joseph, Howell on Thurs, Oct. 10 at 11:00 AM. Lunch and entertainment will follow the Mass. Donations accepted. Please make your reservation by Oct. 3, by calling Betty Polaske, 227-5370. Transportation arrangements can also be made at this time."

Taize Prayer

The community of Taize in Burgundy, France was founded at the end of World War II by Brother Roger and seven brothers that committed themselves to making every day a day of reconciliation between Christians. Their creed was simple. "Kindness of heart would be lived out very concretely and love would be at the heart of everything." Brothers went all over Europe to live quietly in disadvantaged places where people were suffering.

From the end of the fifties, the number of young people coming to Taize began to grow substantially. It became a place of personal healing after the ravages of the war. They embraced the prayer known simply as Taize.

The community of Taize today is composed of about a hundred brothers from various Protestant and Catholic backgrounds. They come from more than twenty-five nations. By its very existence, it is a concrete sign of reconciliation between divided Christians and separated peoples. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of young people have come to Taize, to reflect on the theme "inner life and human solidarity."

The Taize community has launched a "pilgrimage of trust on earth" to stimulate youth to be bearers of peace, of reconciliation and of trust in their towns, where they work, in their churches, in communion with all generations. Pastors and bishops from many denominations have been welcomed at Taize.

Plan to celebrate this unique Taize prayer form that speaks of the hope of peace, reconciliation, communion, and the expectation of a springtime among Churches. The prayer is comprised mostly of music with repetitive congregation response, while allowing time for petitions, and quiet reflection. All are encouraged to participate.