ST. MARY MAGDALEN     

Preparing For Easter We began Lent by proclaiming our determination to turn away from sin and live the Gospel. The prayer, penitential practices and works of charity helped us grow in the Gospel life. Now, before Easter we ritualize this new life in the Sacrament of Penance. On Monday, April 2, we will have a Communal Celebration of the Sacrament at 7:30 pm.

The last individual celebrations of the Sacrament of Penance are scheduled for Tuesday, April 3 ‐‐ ‐12 noon ‐ 1 pm and 7 ‐ 8:30 pm and on Wednesday, April 4 ‐ 11 am ‐ 12 noon and 4:30 ‐ 5:30 pm. 

 The  Vis i onary  APRIL 2012 

Volume XIX   Issue 4 

The Days Of Our Salvation This month we celebrate a time like no other in the Church year: Holy Week. Unlike all other days of the year, these not only celebrate, but invite us to enter into the experience of the saving event of Jesus' Passover through death to life. The whole year leads up to and away from the last three days of Holy Week, called the Triduum. These three days stand as the pinnacle of our life and our hope! On PASSION (PALM) SUNDAY we go back in time and enter Jerusalem, a city filled with expectation. We welcome Christ with shouts of "hosannah"! Then, tragically; we stand with the same crowd and cry "crucify"! The Liturgies from Monday through Wednesday recall the quiet events leading up to the Triduum. On Wednesday evening, our parish will join together for a Jewish Seder meal, the same ritual meal which was the Last Supper of the Lord. Our sharing in this meal will help us to better under-stand Jesus, the new Lamb of the new Passover. Holy Week culminates with the Triduum (which means “three days”). It is really a single Liturgy stretched over three days and three Liturgies. The pauses between these Liturgies enable us to go home and ponder what we have witnessed.

On HOLY THURSDAY, we gather as the Lord's disciples around the table of His passover. Through the symbolic washing of feet or hands, we understand the love that led the Lord to endure such a humiliating death. Then we go with Him to the garden to watch and pray until midnight, the time of His arrest. On GOOD FRIDAY, through the Gospel of the Lord's Passion, we walk with Jesus in His final hours and stand at the foot of the cross to mourn the death brought about by sin. In the second part of the service, the assembly is in-vited to come before the cross to venerate and ponder its meaning. Finally, to show that the Lord of all compassion is with us in our suffering, we conclude with a simple Communion service. On HOLY SATURDAY, we celebrate the greatest of all Liturgies, the Great Mass of the Resurrection. In our darkened worship area which was stripped the day before as it became the tomb, now we light a new fire to symbol-ize Christ's victory over sin and darkness. Then through a series of readings we recount how God saved us through the promise and gift of His Son. After this extended Liturgy of the Word, we receive adults and youths into the Church and finally we share with them our most sacred gift, the Bread of Eternal Life.

2

from the TIME AND TALENT COUNCIL

  The council met on Wednesday, March 28. We finalized plans for the Spring Ministry Fair. The council, be-cause Easter is early again this year, decided to hold the fair after Easter on the weekends of April 14\15, 21\22 and 28\29. We also decided that this year we would place the sign up tables in the Gathering Area to encourage more folks to stop by and consider signing up. The Spring Ministry Fair seeks new and renewing members for our Councils and Ministry Teams. These are the groups that provide direction to our parish efforts to realize our parish vision. We also talked about ways to recruit new members for our council.

Members of the Time and Talent Council

from the PASTORAL COUNCIL

Our Pastoral Council met on Wednesday, March 21. We began the process of creating a new Pastoral Plan for our community which would be based on our original Vision Statement. It would be a concrete plan describing what we would look like by the year 2020. Hence, the name Vision 20\20. It would be a comprehensive document that would cover the whole scope of parish life. Because of the comprehensive nature of the plan it would be important that it include the input of as many pa-rishioners as possible, so it would include hosting small groups of parishioners to share their vision of our future. Our goal is to make the final document a comprehensive statement from our whole community. The council began discussing Pierre Hegy’s book, Lazarus, Wake Up! which describes the present state of the Church in the United States. It lists several reasons for the decline of the Church and makes some suggestions for the future. The council’s initial discussion was very lively and enlightening. We hope to bring others into this discus-sion as well.

The Members of the Pastoral Council

Dwyane Bilicki Madelyn Gostomski Patti Conahan Ted Eisenhut Laura Meader Dave Naumowicz Denise Putnam Karen Tuthill Colleen Schulte Dan Schifko Susan Vitale Cindy Finelli Debbie Dehanke, Secretary Sr. Maryetta Churches, OP Fr. David F. Howell

from the FINANCE COUNCIL July 2011 - June 2012

For Month Ending February 29, 2012 Actual Actual Fiscal Annual Fiscal INCOME Feb 29 Year to Date Budget Church 92,796 790,962 1,152,500 Building Fund 9,197 171,612 338,690 Religious Ed/Preschool 6,867 77,491 92,000 TOTAL INCOME 108,860 1,040,064 1,583,190

EXPENSES Church 55,678 454,879 717,990 Building Mortgage 60,000 385,404 502,000 Religious Ed/Preschool 30,423 218,384 363,200

TOTAL EXPENSES 146,101 1,058,667 1,583,190

INCOME/(LOSS) (37,242) (18,603)

REMAINING BALANCE - Building Mortgage - $4,942,235

The Members of the Finance Council

Elaine Tripi Mark Zawisa Sean Carney Mary Brummer Pat Shiek Madelyn Gostomski David Grinnell Larry Memmer Dick & Mary Walker Marion Kocian Chris Topley Chair, Greg Milosek Bookkeeper, Dave Wisniewski Fr. David F. Howell

Carlene Demers

Don Terns

Marion Kocian

Elaine Tripi

Sharon Wagner

MaryHelen Buntin

Ted Zvosec

Audrey Schilkey

Sherrie Kunkel

Mark Wright

Sean Carney

James Chevalier

Dan VanTiem

Chris Topley

Sr Maryetta Churches

Father David Howell

IN MARCH

3

RELIGIOUS FORMATION from Mary Mahar

Registration for Religious Formation Fall Classes and Sacraments Registration will take place from 4-8pm in the Gathering Area on Wednesday April18/25 and from 5-7 on Thursday,

April 19/26 and on Sunday April 15 from 8:30-noon in the West Wing Workroom

Sacrament Registration Register for 2nd grade First Eucharist/First Penance and 4th grade Solemn Penance (most youth celebrate First Penance in 2nd grade). Youth that belong to our parish who are attending Catholic Schools celebrate the sacraments of Eucharist and Penance here along with 4th grade Solemn Penance. Confirmation registration will also take place including those 9th grade youth who will attend a Catholic High School. The days and session times for Religious Formation classes are as follows:

SUNDAY Kindergarten during the 9:00 and 11:00 Liturgies Family Program, 10:30-12 (we have expanded our Sunday program!) Grades 9 & 10, 5:30 - 7:00 pm (Catholic School families call Karen or Mary) WEDNESDAY Grades 1 - 8 4:30 - 6:00 OR 6:30 - 8:00 THURSDAY Grades 1 - 8 5:30 – 7:00 ONE SESSION ONLY

We have 2 Home-Study options for your family!

Full-Year Home Study will be available for children in (non-sacramental prep) grades 1-8 only with four meetings per year. Short-Term Home Study for those with youth who need to miss up to 6 weeks of class: Register your child in a traditional class, fill out the form, and work at home on materials. This option will not be available if your child is in preparation for any sacraments.

Tracy & Dave Hartman Sean, Kyle & Kierra Brighton

Laura & Sean Ruban Kara & Nolan Brighton

Sara & Anthony Colella Nathan, Natalie & Dante Brighton

Margaret Marr Brighton

Rebecca & Nick Andrews Madison, Ava & Noah Hartland

Teresa McDaniels Fenton

COUNCIL CANDIDATES The terms of four Pastoral Council members will soon be coming to an end, making these positions now

available to all registered and Confirmed members of St. Mary Magdalen. Members of the Pastoral Council are expected to demonstrate leadership and enthusiasm and solicit the opinions of other parishioners. Each member also serves on a ministry team, acting as liaison between the Pastoral Council and the team. They facilitate com-munication and understanding, so that together they work toward the fulfillment of our vision for the parish.

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in serving on the Pastoral Council or if you have ques-tions, contact Colleen Schulte at (810) 225-0072.

COUNCIL COMMENDATIONS Our Pastoral Council would like to commend the wonderful leaders of Eight Great Dates: Sandi and Rick Phillips, Sue and Dennis Wagener, Maureen and Steve Crowell, Jan and Larry Baldinger. Every week these leader cou-ples would set up and serve a great dinner and run the program that helped couples to enhance their marriage. Thanks for the wonderful ministry that you have done!

APRIL DATES TO REMEMBER

Easter Break, (Classes Resume Sunday, April 15) April 1-12 Last Classes Kindergarten and 9th Grade 22 Last Class grades 1-8 25, 26 Registration for Fall Religious Formation Classes 15, 18, 19, 25, 26 First Eucharist Pictures in Church-Anderson Studios 4-7pm 30/May 1 First Communion Rehearsal in Church 6:30pm May 4 First Eucharist Liturgies May 5, 6 Catechist Appreciation Evening at Fr. Dave’s 6:30pm May 3 First Eucharist Liturgy 4:30pm May 12

4

OF FAITH AND SERVICE from Sr. Joyce Hoile, OSF

SEDER MEAL: RECLAIMING OUR JEWISH HERITAGE Celebrating our Jewish roots is an important way to help us better understand Christ’s passion and death. Each year, we as a parish family, celebrate a Seder meal during Holy Week This Seder is a combination of specific Jewish prayers, ritual, foods and reflection on Israel’s liberation from the en-slavement called the Passover. Our annual Seder meal is Wednesday, April 4, at 6:30 pm in the Community Room. Register early because seating is limited and registration is required. This year we have invited St. George & Lord of Life Lutheran Churches and St. Paul Episcopal Church to join us! Sign up sheets are in the Gath-ering Area. A potluck dinner is part of our celebration. Please bring a dish to pass that feeds about 12 people. Help is needed the day before (Tuesday, April 3) and the day of (Wednesday) to help pre-

pare the items for each place setting. Sign up is in the Gathering Area or call Sister Joyce to attend.

ADULT CONFIRMATION St. Patrick Catholic Church will host the preparation classes for Adults who have not yet received the sacrament of Confirmation and wish to do so. Classes will be Monday evenings beginning April 16 at 7 pm in the AFFC – Adult Faith Formation Center. The Day of Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, May 19. Confirmation will be in one’s own Parish, on Pentecost, May 27. Please register with Sr. Joyce soon.

SCHOOL FOR DISCIPLESHIP St. Mary Magdalen’s School for Discipleship offers 12 Scripture and Doctrine classes in 6 week segments over the course of 2 years to help us be-come familiar with Church Terms and Theory. I encourage you, if you have not yet done so, to participate in this program of study so you can be more comfortable knowing and living our Catholic Faith and practices. These classes are free to St. Mary Magdalen parishioners. Mondays, April 9,16,23, 30 and May 7 & 14, at 7 pm Church & Theology of God: By Sister Joyce Hoile Discover & understand the Catholic Church from the concepts of Who God is.

EASTER EGG SCRAMBLE & EASTER PARADE

This Year Holy Saturday falls on April 7. Our traditional Egg Scramble Hunt will start promptly at noon. The age groupings are Age 3 and younger, Ages 4-6, Ages 7- 9, and Ages 10-12. St. Patrick Parishioners are also in-vited. We expect 150+ children participants.

Much help is needed to prepare for the hunt. Donations of individually wrapped candies & trinkets can be placed in the basket in the Gathering Area. Egg sorters & egg fillers are needed prior to Holy Saturday, which can be done in your home. Plastic eggs and candy that we have on hand are in the Office. Donations for the Door Prizes are welcome – such as an Easter Cake, Breads, Plants, Stuffed Bunny, etc.

EATER BONNETS ARE IN! Women & Men adults and children are invited to come with an Easter hat crea-tion and join in the Parade to exhibit and have judged their Easter Bonnet. The morning of the Scramble people are needed to prepare the yards and “lay the eggs” for the hunt (preferably young & able bodied). The yards need to be paint-marked. We need a volunteer to wear the Bunny Costume, set up microphone system, announce the Events, start –guard the yards, and judge the Easter Bonnets. See sign ups at the Community Life display board. Thank You for your support

COMING IN MAY: K I T E F L Y I N G You may want to start looking now for directions to make a kite or purchase a kite for this parish event. Look for more information to come.

CLOTHING DRIVE

Coming May 19 & 20!! With spring in the air as you begin to clean out your closets, please bring your donations of clean, usable clothing, in plastic bags to the pod located in the back of the church parking lot. Plastic bags will be handed out after all masses prior to the clothing drive. Re-ceipts will be available. Your generosity will help make this yet another successful clothing drive.

THE THREE DAYS from Diane Kubus

The Paschal Triduum, or the Three Days (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday) are the holiest days of the year and contains the most solemn celebration of the year. Just as Sun-day gives meaning to the week that follows, the Triduum is the focal point and very center of the church's yearly cycle of feasts and seasons. If you have never celebrated the Triduum, do it this year. You will want to come back year after year! What we celebrate in the Triduum Liturgy (spread over the three days) is Christ’s victory over sin and death. It is not a commemoration of a past event; what Christ did centuries ago has a presence, a power, an ongoing effect. It happens in us today, and it also looks forward to the future, to the time of Christ's second coming, to the time of our own bodily resurrection. During these holy days we celebrate not only Christ's Passover but also our own Passover; for we are joined to him. What we celebrate are not the historical moments of Christ's life but His saving mystery in which we participate. The climax of the Triduum is the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night. The community welcomes and initiates new members of the Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. It was not by accident that initiation came to be associated with this celebration since it is by reason of Baptism that we share in the power of Christ's Resurrection. As St. Paul says, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life" (Rom 6:3-4). We will welcome Crystal Flynn, Bob Gilliam and Sarah Mulholland in the Sacrament of Baptism. And along with Joshua Loy, who is already baptized, they will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation and finally join with us at the Table of the Eucharist for the first time! Please come and pray for them and for all of us on these holiest of days!

THE TRIDUUM: YOU SIMPLY MUST BE THERE. THE CHURCH NEEDS YOU!

CHARITY AND JUSTICE from Lisa Klein

St. Mary Magdalen’s Relay for Life Team “Helping Hands for a Cure” is scheduled to participate in the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour walk from May 19 at 10:00 am to May 20 at 10 am at Brighton High School track. Relay for Life is a life-changing event that helps communities celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. What is Relay? Overnight relay-style event Teams of people camp out around a track Members of each team take turns walking around the track throughout the event Food, games and activities provide entertainment and fundraising opportunities Family-friendly environment for the entire community

Because it’s a Relay, you’re not required to be there the entire time…but it’s so fun, you’ll probably find it hard to leave! Some of the highlights are: Survivors Lap Relay starts with a Survivors Lap – an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories we’ve achieved over cancer. We also recognize and celebrate caregivers at Relay For Life. These individuals give their time, love, and support to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers who face cancer. Luminaria Ceremony After dark, we honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.

Join or Donate to our Team: Fill out a registration form in the gathering area and we will register you OR Register On-Line at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/helpinghandsforacure

If you are interested in becoming an Event Sponsor, please contact El Rushak at errushak@comcast.net. If you have any questions about joining our Relay for Life team, please contact Lisa Klein at lisaklein44@gmail.com.

5

6

TEEN NEWS from Margaret Callaghan

Happy Easter! This month we celebrate the joy of God’s love for us in all things that are good! May our Risen Lord be with you in your celebrations and in your travels if you are gone on vacation or visiting relatives. Spring is among us and the warmth of the sun warms us just as the Spirit of Jesus fills our soul with joy. Share His good-ness with those around you with laughter, a hug, coffee or just your presence. Happy Easter from the Callaghan home to yours!

Along with Easter this month we move into the home stretch of the 2011-12 school year; busy sched-ules with spring sports and celebrations of First Com-munion’s and Mother’s in May. So many great and won-derful things to look forward to and to be a part of that it’s easy to forget that we even celebrated Easter. Don’t let that be you! His love for us is abundant. Seek him in all things and activities; share his love at school by being kind in the hallways, at a sporting event through good sportsmanship; by participating fully in family celebra-tions by giving forgiveness where needed or even asking for it from someone you have offended. God is good!

Next month I will have information for the Gradua-tion Breakfast in May. For now, you can mark your cal-endars for Sunday June 3. All graduating seniors are invited to attend the 9 am Liturgy wearing your cap and gown and then to attend a breakfast in your honor follow-ing Mass.

If you are still interested in participating in the summer work week service trip, there is still room. There is a meeting scheduled for Monday April 23. I will be talking about a few things in relation to the trip but for the most part, we are

meeting to have dinner together for the purpose to get-ting to know one another.

To help prepare the group for the service trip, I have signed us up for the Love Inc. Labor of Love service day, Saturday April 28. We will help those in the community who need yard work done. It gives us a chance to help those we live near and an opportunity to work together. If you are interested in helping out but not participating this summer, you are welcome to join us on April 28.

EDGE NEWS (6 - 8 graders)

WOW! Our year is coming to an end this month! We have had many good meetings; we have learned and grown in faith but also made good friends along the way. Thank you to Jeannie Herrell, Jill Joyce and Mi-chelle Nist for their time and talent to plan the meetings and being there for the students. This year we welcomed on a regular basis Mr. and Mrs. Anderer. It was nice to have them at our meetings with the teens. We meet on Monday April 16 and then again for the last time this year on the 30th.

THE OTHER BENCH from Jim Chevalier Does God love us? We all know that He does and that nothing will ever separate us from God’s love. We can choose to separate ourselves from God, but that is our choice. At times we blame God for bad health, having little money, ill treatment by others, and even bad weather. Sometimes we say that God doesn’t love us as much as we had hoped, but deep down inside, each one of us knows that the love of God has no bounds. We need to focus on that unconditional love of God. As St. Paul said, “I consider that the sufferings of the present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” During the Easter Season, and indeed every season, we need to love God by loving one another.

MAGDALEN’S LITTLE PEOPLE

from Kathie Anderer

I think that winter is behind us for another year (knock on wood!). With spring comes thoughts of warm weather, flowers blooming and the new life that we re-ceive through the resurrection of our Lord! The pre-school age is full of cherished moments as the inno-cence of our children is at its peak. It is such a blessing working with the children. We get a true lesson in life each and every day. They keep us hoping!

We are sad that the month of March brought the departure of our good friend and co –worker, Ann Donohue. She has been working with our team of teachers for over nine years. She was offered a great opportunity to work as a manager for a women’s cloth-ing store. It was something she felt that she needed to do. We sure will miss her! On the flip side of that, we are happy to have Amy Baerwalde join our teaching staff. She seems to have won over the hearts of our 3’s and we are all enjoying getting to know her. We are lucky to have her with us!

The teachers and I attended the Early Childhood Conference in Grand Rapids the end of March. It is such a great learning experience and we always return to school with fully charged batteries and wonderful ideas to share with the children. We are always happy to have the opportunity to attend.

Preschool sign up for the 2012-2013 school year is now ongoing. The Parishioners from St. Mary Magdalen and St. Patrick have first priority, but only if you register by April 1. We would love to have you join in the fun! If you have a child in the 3 year-old class this year, please notify us if you intend to keep them in the program next year. Our class lists will be compiled after April 1.

SERVANT TO MANY from Gary Prise More than likely by the time you receive this edition of the Visionary we will be done with Lent 2012. As a result of this experience did you make any changes in your life? Do you intend to carry forth any changes? Our lives change when our habits change. It was a perfect time to form some new “life giving habits” and to abandon some “old self destructive habits”.

I’m not sure who gave me a copy of Matthew Kelly’s book: Rediscover Catholicism a Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion and Purpose. I honestly don’t recall buying it; it was in a pile of books that I intended to read this year. Some of those things we do during Lent we could do year round; I know a number of Catholics that do continue to pray, fast, and give alms. Ultimately the reason behind doing these activities is to draw us closer to God.

One of the new things I decided to do was spend ten minutes each day with God. The best place for me to do this, is in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. My only prayer during these ten minutes is to ask God to help me see things with new eyes, as if it were the very first time I saw something, or the very last time I would see something. I settle my self, close my eyes and simply am with God. I’ll report back in a few months on what kind of impact this new habit has on my life. I have to share one short quote from Kelly’s book, from the writings of El Greco, a Greek-born Spanish painter, “I said to the almond tree, ‘Sister, speak to me about God,’ and the almond tree blossomed.” This quote speaks to me about being the best version of my self; what better way to please God. Kelly’s book is a great way to enliven your Catholic faith if you are in a bit of a rut and need to blossom.

THE DEACONS BENCH from Dave Scharf

Italian-Americans have a tradition of feeding peo-ple on March 19, the Feast of St. Joseph, a practice that dates back to the Middle Ages in Italy. When fam-ine struck the country, the people prayed to St. Joseph for rain and a bountiful harvest. When their prayers were answered, they showed their gratitude to the saint by preparing a feast for all. The custom, called a St. Joseph Table, continues.

A number of years ago in Chicago, a young son suffered from rheumatic fever. The father prayed to St. Joseph, promising that if his son were healed, he would feed the hungry at a St. Joseph Table. His prayers were answered, and the father kept his word until his death 49 years later.

His good friend and long-time associate now carry the torch. There’s only one rule for the dinner. That rule is that “No one is to be charged.”

In the biblical sense, a just man is one who faith-fully does his duties to God and to his fellow human beings. In 2nd Thessalonians (2:15) we are told “So then…stand firm and hold fast to the traditions you were taught by us.”

Let us take time to recognize St. Joseph, the man, the father, who faithfully did his duty to God, to his fam-ily, and to his fellow human beings.

Do you have any traditions’ worth passing on to future generations? What traditions enliven your beliefs and spirituality?

THE KNIGHTS CORNER from Don Powell, Grand Knight

THANK YOU! The parishioners of St. Mary Magdalen have shown their generosity and compassion for one of their own, Israel Retana. Late last year Israel had a brain tumor, then a stroke that left him blind. He has a wife and three children and is not able to work. Currently he is receiving rehabilita-tion services in Nebraska which has taken him away from the family. When the Knights heard of the fam-ily’s plight, they immediately wanted to help. The quickest way was to offer the proceeds of the March 11 Pancake Breakfast. Many people who were not able to attend the breakfast even gave donations!

As of this writing, the loving, giving parishioners of this parish have donated over $2200.00. The family called me when they heard of your generosity and wanted to thank everyone for their support. As Paul Harvey has said, “now for the rest of the story”. Dan Schifko, owner of Memories Restaurant, and a parish-ioner, also wants to have a fundraiser to help the fam-ily. The date and time will be announced later.

RAFFLE: For several weeks now we have been selling raffle tickets for a “whole house generator” to help purchase an ultrasound machine for Pregnancy Helpline in Brighton. All of the K of C Councils in Livingston County will be doing something to raise the funds to purchase the machine, which costs $40,000. Your council has pledged to donate $6,000. Please help us by purchasing a ticket and recommending to your friends to buy one, too! May God bless you!

THANKS AND PRAISE from Sr. Maryetta We give thanks and praise to Donna Rushak and Marilyn VanTiem who create our parish bulletin every week. We have one of the best bulletins in the diocese, thanks to Marilyn and Donna. Great job and thanks a million! Thanks to the Knights for doing a Spaghetti Dinner as a fund raiser for Israel Retana. All of their hard work and the gen-erosity of our community allowed them to give the Retana’s a great gift. Thanks to all the Knights!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING - FOR GOD'S SAKE?

The following are descriptions of the various ministries which advance our efforts to fulfill our Vision. Beginning the weekend of April 14\15, parishioners are invited to make a one year commitment to work with any of these ministry teams.

PASTORAL COUNCIL

On Pentecost Sunday four of our registered and Confirmed members will be chosen by lot to serve on the Pastoral Council. The Council works with our pastor and the various ministry teams to guide our parish according to our Vision Statement. Specifically, council members seek to grow through their own continu-ing education. Secondly, we send members as liaisons to each of the ministry teams. Thirdly, we create opportunities for all our parishioners and ministry teams to participate in discerning the needs of the par-ish and in the setting of goals and projects to fulfill these needs. Volunteers for this ministry make a three-year commitment.

TIME & TALENT COUNCIL

The Time & Talent Council is composed of parishioners committed to the Biblical concept of stew-ardship. They recognize that our time, our gifts, our talents and our treasure ultimately comes from God, and they thank the Lord by returning to God, some of what they have received. More impor-tantly, the Time & Talent Council is committed to helping all of our parishioners to become good stewards. Members who volunteer for this ministry council are asked to make a three-year com-mitment.

SIGN UP for a ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT

COMMUNITY LIFE TEAM

In a sense, this ministry team might be called the ministry of fun and frolic! This team is committed to en-hancing the social and communal life of the parish through an assortment of gatherings throughout the year, including: the September Picnic, as well as fun events for families and adults. Those who join this ministry are asked to make a one-year commitment.

ADULT FORMATION TEAM

This team is composed of men and women who are interested in sharing their faith. No experience is necessary! The aim of the team is to continue to build an inviting, welcoming atmosphere in our commu-nity for all adults and to reach out to those who have no religious affiliation of their own and to the inactive or alienated Catholics in our area. We would especially welcome those who have a talent for journalism, marketing or public relations, who could assist us with creative ways to spread the "Good News". This ministry team meets about eight times during the school year. Volunteers for this ministry make a one -year commitment to it.

RELIGIOUS FORMATION TEAM

The Formation Ministry Team looks for ways to develop communication between the parish, youth and our families. We are committed to embracing our children as our younger brothers and sisters in Christ. Our mission is to support a strong Religious Education program and a Youth Group that will excite our youth into learning and sharing our faith fully. This ministry team meets once a month, usually on the third Monday. We encourage you to make this one-year commitment to in-vest in the faith formation of our youth!

SIGN UP BEGINS APRIL 14!

SIGN UP for a ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT

PARISH WELLNESS TEAM

This is a ministry team of health care professionals and other caring, service oriented people whose con-cern is the care and well being of our parishioners. They coordinate services to those need (food, trans-portation, light housework, etc). They also share their knowledge with the community in a variety of in-formational and service programs geared to our better health. Those who join this ministry make a one -year commitment to this ministry.

CHARITY & JUSTICE TEAM

The Charity & Justice Ministry Team plans and coordinates our parish's effort to reach out to those in need by providing assistance. Some of their many tasks are to bring food to the needy, work with the homeless shelter, collect gifts at holiday time and collect clothes for needy infants. They also are charged with the task of working to help the needy help themselves. This Ministry Team has about 10 meetings a year (on the second Tuesday of the month). Members who volunteer for this ministry make a commitment for one year.

WORSHIP TEAM

The Worship Ministry Team plans and coordinates the Liturgical celebrations of our parish. Bringing to-gether our Liturgical ministries, pastoral musicians and members of the Art & Environment team, they work to plan and coordinate prayerful celebrations of the Liturgy. They also strive to enrich our people's understanding of the Mass. This Ministry Team has about 10 meetings a year (on the first Wednesday of the month) and does additional work in between the meetings. Members who volunteer for this minis-try are asked to make a commitment for one year.

TECHNOLOGY TEAM

Our Technology Team reviews the technology (hardware and software) used in our parish offices. They recommend and install appropriate updates as needed. This team also oversees the up-dates to our parish website. Volunteers are asked to make a one-year commitment to this minis-try.

ACTIVITIES TEAM Our Activities Team supervises, schedules and coordinates the use of our gym and playing fields. They oversee the activity supervisors and recommend appropriate equipment. This team meets about six times over the year. Volunteers make a one-year commitment.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - CATECHISTS & AIDES

Our Vision commits us to embrace our children as our younger brothers and sisters in Christ. We envi-sion a strong religious education program that will excite our youth into learning and sharing with us fully. St. Mary Magdalen has a dynamic program dedicated to this vision. Many parishioners volunteer to as-sist in our program but many more catechists and aides are needed. Volunteers are asked to make a one-year commitment.

SIGN UP BEGINS APRIL 14!

THE PASTORAL STAFF  

PASTOR Fr. David F. Howell pastor1@saintmarymagdalen.org

PASTORAL MINISTER Sr. Maryetta Churches, O.P. pastmin2@saintmarymagdalen.org

EDUCATION & FORMATION-YOUTH Mary Mahar, Director mmahar@parishmail.com Karen MacDonald, Adm. Assistant sect2@saintmarymagdalen.org

FORMATION & EVANGELIZATION- ADULTS Sr. Joyce Hoile, O.S.F. pastmin1@saintmarymagdalen.org

RCIA DIRECTOR & LITURGIST Diane Kubus rcia@saintmarymagdalen.org liturgist@saintmarymagdalen.org

DEACONS H. David Scharf deacon1@saintmarymagdalen.org James Chevalier deacon2@saintmarymagdalen.org Gary Prise deacon3@saintmarymagdalen.org

SECRETARIES Josie Doucette sect1@saintmarymagdalen.org Debbie Dehanke sect3@saintmarymagdalen.org Sandi Phillips sect4@saintmarymagdalen.org

BOOKKEEPER Dave Wisniewski bookkeeper@saintmarymagdalen.org

PRE-SCHOOL DIRECTOR Kathie Anderer preschool1@saintmarymagdalen.org

YOUTH MINISTRY Tom & Margaret Callaghan youth1@saintmarymagdalen.org

PASTORAL MUSICIAN Steven H. Schulte steve@colleengleason.com

MAINTENANCE Leo Camden maint1@saintmarymagdalen.org Mark Wolf - Jeanette Moran

2201 South Old US 23 Highway Brighton, Michigan 48114-7609

Phone: (810) 229 - 8624 Fax: (810) 229—6471

Email: info@saintmarymagdalen.org Website:

www.saintmarymagdalen.org

MARKING THE CALENDAR April 2 (Monday) COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE -- 7:30pm

April 4 (Wednesday) SEDER MEAL -- 6:30pm Seating is limited! Sign up in the gathering area!

April 5 (Holy Thursday) MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER -- 7:30pm Our celebration of Holy Thursday will begin with Morning Prayer at 8 AM. In the evening, after the Mass of the Lord's Supper, we will watch and pray with the Lord in Holy Cross Chapel from 9 pm until Tenebrae at 11:30. The night watch will end at midnight.

April 6 (Good Friday) LITURGY OF THE LORD'S PASSION -- 7:30 pm 9 am Our celebration of Good Friday will begin with Morning Prayer. 1:00 pm A special Way of the Cross will commemorate the Lord's Passion and Death. 7:30 pm The traditional Good Friday Service, with the re-enactment of the Passion.

April 7 (Holy Saturday) SOLEMN CELEBRATION OF EASTER -- 8:30 pm Our celebration of Holy Saturday will begin with Morning Prayer at 9 AM. In the evening we will celebrate the most important Liturgy of the year and the completion of the Lord's Passover through death to life! It is a Celebration of the Resurrection, rich in ancient symbolism. During the Liturgy new members are initiated into the Church through Bap-tism, Confirmation and Eucharist. We who have made the journey of Lent renew our Baptismal commitment as we strive to live the new life Christ has given us through His death and resurrection.

EASTER EGG HUNT All children are welcome to attend from 12 noon to 2 pm. We will gather promptly at 12 noon back by the barn.

April 8 (Easter Sunday) THE CELEBRATION OF EASTER -- 9 & 11 am These two Sunday Masses continue the celebration from the evening before. They include the renewal of Baptismal promises as we strive to live the new life Christ has given us through His death and resurrection.

SAINT MARY MAGDALEN PARISH