1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

ST. MARY MAGDALEN
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ALL THINGS CONSIDERED
ADVENT Saturday, at “the stroke of 4 pm” the Church
year came to an end and the new Liturgical Year of
2015 began.
The most notable aspect of the change is that we
begin reading the Gospel of Mark (with a lot of John as
well – remember Mark is the shortest of the Gospels).
The color of vestments will change to purple and
we will count off the 4 weeks of Advent by lighting four
candles on the Advent Wreath: a circle of evergreens,
symbolizing God, the Eternal who lives forever. The
four candles lit are two purple, then the pink and finally
the last purple.
Advent from its start until well into the 20th century, was - like Lent - a time of fasting and prayer in preparation to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Lighting the pink candle
on the third Sunday of Advent (called Gaudete or Joyful
Sunday) was the indication that the season was almost
over and the time of feasting would soon begin.
For many, Advent is the forgotten season. Usually tucked in between Thanksgiving & Christmas it often
is called the “Christmas Season” even weeks before
Christmas actually arrives.
I truly hope that despite all of the commercial aspects of these days, with all the hustle and hassle of getting things ready, that you and I will find some time to
prepare ourselves for Christ, and the promise his birth,
in time and space, can bring.
I hope you will take advantage of the Little Blue
Book and its reflections, and even take a little extra time
in prayer. Hopefully in the midst of getting ready for
Christmas, we can also get ready for Christ! Happy Advent!!
EVENING PRAYER For those seeking a prayerful
oasis during the rush of the weeks leading up to Christmas, we will have Evening Prayer this Monday evening
at 7 pm. It is made up of song, psalms, a Scripture
reading, reflection, and intercessions. Much of the prayer is sung, some is spoken and there are times of silence for our individual prayer.
If you are looking for 30 minutes or so of peace,
come rest in the Lord! Come to Monday Evening Prayer
at 7 pm in the chapel.
We will have Evening Prayer on Monday, December 1 and December 15. On December 8 we will
celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (our
national holy day) with Mass at 7 pm.
Fr. Dave Howell
BRIGHTON, MICHIGAN
THIS WEEK’S LITURGIES
December 1, Monday
Is 2:1-5/Mt 8:5-11
9:00 am
+Jeanette Duncan
December 2, Tuesday
Is 11:1-10/Lk 10:21-24
9:00 am
Communion Service
December 3, Wednesday - Saint Francis Xavier,
Priest
Is 25:6-10a/Mt 15:29-37
7:00 pm
+Marianne Dluzniewski
December 4, Thursday
Is 26:1-6/Mt 7:21, 24-27
9:00 am
+Diane Gajewski
December 5, Friday
Is 29:17-24/Mt 9:27-31
9:00 am
+John Greilach
December 6, Saturday
Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Mt 9:35 - 10:1, 5a, 6-8
December 7, Sunday - Second Sunday of Advent
Is 40:1-5, 9-11/2 Pt 3:8-14/Mk 1:1-8
4:30 pm Vigil +Anna Howell
9:00 am
+Keith Dunn & Jan Jandasek
11:00 am
St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners
Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11 - This passage from the book of
Isaiah begins with God calling upon the prophets to encourage the Jewish people who are in exile. The prophet is to tell them that they will be returning home soon,
and the road of the return will pass through the desert.
We will also hear God call the people to proclaim from a
mountaintop the goodness of God.
2 Peter 3: 8-14 - The second letter of Peter was written
nearly 200 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. At
an earlier time, Christians had expected the Lord to return quickly. But by this time, they had lost confidence
that the Lord would return in glory at all. The author
doesn’t want people to abandon this hope, and gives a
positive interpretation to this delay.
Mark 1: 1-8 - Advent’s second Sunday is always dedicated to John the Baptist and his work among God’s
people. The Gospel of Mark begins with an adult John
the Baptist anticipating an adult Jesus coming to his people. Important in this Gospel are the repeated references
to Baptism. There is an important link to be made between the anticipation of Christmas, the manifestation of
Jesus in the flesh, and the anticipation of Baptism, where
we find new members in the Church also in the flesh.
Reflect: In order to celebrate the spirit of Christmas,
what area of your life do you need to make straight?
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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NOVEMBER 30, 2014
THE WEEK AHEAD
Electronic Giving Program
Need a convenient way to make recurring contributions or plan to make an additional gift before the
end of the year? Check out our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome
way to make contributions.
To set up a recurring giving schedule, please go to
our website www.saintmarymagdalen.org and click
on online giving. Thank you for your generosity and
support!
Please pray for all the sick who have been
commended to our prayer, that they will respond to God’s healing will, especially:
Patty Nouhan, Robert Laginess, Norma Pellerito,
Hannah, Doug & Linda Lambert, Joyce Egerer,
Sandy Pace, Mark Czajkowski, Marge, David, Tom,
Amy Kronk, Stella, Devin, Irene, Jeanne and Eugene
Buel, Tom Stadtmiller, Karen Hahn, Janet Husseli,
Gwen Maes, Miles Hinksmon, Carrie Malik, Ron
Abramovich, Dorothy Keefe, Nancy Sharpy, Bob
Sixbery, Jerry Carb, Caroline Bilicki, John Sullivan,
Donna Chedester, Brandy, Nancy, Dennis Martell,
Vic Howe, Hannah Kenrick, Elizabeth Tokarczyk,
Lisa Russo, Frank Freel, Ron Sherman, Cheryl
Mitchell, Darlene Hlavacek, Lori List, Addison Donahue, Tom McSweeney, Joseph Murphy, Heather
Bierlein, Sharon Stadtmiller, Linda Heppler, Larry
Sweeter, Tom Zremski, Andrew Doyle, Dave Zapfe,
Donna Miller, Mary Jo Artino, Fred Preiss, Carol
Kronk, Addison Donehue, Marylyn Trader, Donald
Gehring, Jameson Timberlake, Michelle Schmid, Ben
Hemker, Cheryl Gautherat, Steve Reichardt, Mary
Anderer, Shirley Nitz, Bill Gamble, Cynthia McIntosh,
Dan Schilkey, Margie Kelly, Lynn Long, Abbie Fountaine, Mark Matras, Herb Langer, David Martin, Hogan McCuan, Sherri Kunkel, MaryAnna.
Monday, December 1
9:00 am
Pre-School
5:30 pm
Livingston County Chorale
6:00 pm
Magdalen’s Kitchen
7:30 pm
K of C Mtg.
7:00 pm
#385 Committee Meeting
Tuesday, December 2
9:00 am
Pre-School
7:00 pm
Troop #385
Wednesday, December 3
9:00 am
Pre-School
9:45 am
MOMS
12:30 pm
Knitters
4:30 & 6:30pm 2nd. Gr. Parent Penance Activities
during Class
7:00 pm
Worship
Thursday, December 4
9:00 am
Pre-School
5:30 pm
2nd. Gr. Parent Penance Activities
during class
7:00 pm
Children’s Choir
7:00 pm
Cocoa, Cookies, & Conversation
7:00 pm
Baptism Instruction
7:00 pm
Music Ministry
Friday, December 5
9:00 am
Pre-School
1:00 pm
For Pains Sake
Saturday, December 6
7:00 pm
Advent By Candlelight
Sunday, December 7 - Advent II
9:00 am
Family Program
9:00 am
RCIA Dismissal
10:10 am
New Parishioner Meeting.
10:15 am
Ichthus
11:00 pm
Kindergarten
12:45 pm
Baptism
2:00 pm
Pre-School Christmas Program
3:00 pm
Livingston County Chorale
5:30 pm
9th Grade Religious Formation
7:00 pm
Youth Group
After all Masses: Osman Hope Card/Pin Sale
MINISTERS OF PRAYER
Sun. Nov. 30
Mon. Dec. 1
Please Remember in your
prayers: Kim Cauley and family in the death of Jack Branch,
her father.
Tue. Dec. 2
Wed. Dec. 3
Thu. Dec. 4
Fri. Dec. 5
Sat. Dec. 6
Kyle Geran, Michelle Sixbery
Sr. Joyce, Bob&Dawn Gustitus,
Jan Iannuzzi
Shirley Stork, Gary Prise, Larry Maes
Gale&Pat Harris, Crystal Little
Hugh &Patti Conahan, Audrey Shilkey,
Rita DeRaud
Cindy Sultana, Cathy Hazen
Kevin Tinsky
ST. MARY MAGDALEN
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Religious Formation News
BRIGHTON, MICHIGAN
Youth News
from Mary at [email protected] and
Karen at [email protected]
from Margaret at [email protected]
and Stasia at [email protected]
Classes Resume Wednesday/Thursday, December
3 and 4.
Penance Activity Nights: 2nd grade parents are
reminded to attend class THIS WEEK on Dec. 3/4 with
your child at their Wednesday 4:30 or 6:30 class time,
or their Thursday 5:30 class time. Family Program and
Catholic School families are asked to attend one of the
sessions.
Registrations for formation classes are still taking
place! Call or come in to get your child(ren) registered.
It is not too late.
Class calendars are available in the gathering area
or online at www.saintmarymagdalen.org be sure to
visit our website for all your formation needs, catechist
contact information, class calendars and syllabus information and publisher link.
During this season of Advent, our Wednesday and
Thursday formation classes will begin their class time
together by gathering in Church for the Living Advent
Wreath presented by our 8th grade youth. All are welcome to pray with us as you drop your children off for
class in church! There are also other prayer opportunities being offered here at the parish. December 22
we have our Regional Penance Service at 7:30 and on
all Wednesday evenings we have Liturgy at 7 pm.
These are opportunities for you and your family to find
ways God is at work in our lives and how we respond!
No 9th Grade classes on 11/30.
As we enter into this Advent season the needs of
those around us increase. I have a request …we are
in need of gas and food cards for our alms giving here
in the parish. If your youth needs community service,
let them do chores to earn enough to donate a card or
coins for the alms box. Or consider purchasing gift
cards through our Scrip program in the community
room each Sunday. Also, remember to recycle your
paper and newspapers into the green bins back by the
barn. All this money goes to help those in need. Thank
you.
With the season of Advent now upon us, take the
time to be present with those you are with, at the
time you are with them. Do something different this
holiday season like play a board game, or dance in
the kitchen. This year for me and my family it will be
a bit different without my brother. I know many of
you share in the sorrow of missing a loved one. For
some this may be the 20th year, or the 3rd, and yet
for others, like myself, it will be our first holiday season since his passing in March. God is good and I
am reminded of that every day with the out pour of
love from friends, and daily reminders about what a
gift Andrew was in the eyes of his daughter and the
strength of his wife. How does God remind you
daily of his gifts in your life? Spend the season of
Advent reflecting on all the gifts God has blessed
you with, even if some of them are memories you
share aloud with loved ones.
Money for our WWG (Winter Weekend Getaway) scheduled for Friday January 31-Sunday
February 2nd is due in full by the end of December.
The total cost for the weekend is $100 plus the cost
of skiing and rentals if you chose to do that. We will
go up to Caberfae in Cadillac. Visit caberfaepeaks.com for details about pricing and
edgettslodge.com to see where we stay!
We will not have a meeting this weekend
but note that next Sunday December 7th we are
planning to take a field trip down to the Assembly of
God in Brighton to drive through the Live Nativity.
We will leave after religious ed class about 7:15.
Meet in the youth room. If you are interested in volunteering to help drive please contact me via email
at [email protected]. We will be back by 9 in
time for hot chocolate and prayer. There is no cost.
*Our last meeting of 2014 will be December
14th not December 21st or the 28th. Our first meeting
of 2015 will be January 4th.
EDGE
The next Blood Drive is Monday,
December 8th,
from 12 noon to 6:00 pm in the Gym.
Please consider stopping by
and donating.
Help save a life!
For
our
Christmas
EDGE, we are going to have
an ugly sweater/most gaudy
dressed EDGE'er contest, and
award two prizes, one to the
worst dressed up boy and the other to the worst
dressed up girl. Start putting together your holiday
wear now! The uglier, gaudier the better!! That
EDGE will be our only meeting in December on
Monday the 8th.
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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Adult Education and Formation
Faith and Service - From Sr. Joyce
[email protected]
Cocoa, Cookies & Conversation
Advent Themes or Topics of Choice
Thursdays during Advent: December 4, 11 and 18
7 – 8:30 pm, East Room
Sr. Joyce will be available to facilitate conversations or
address any questions or concerns you may have.
Advent prayers will begin in the evening.
Week #1: What does the Advent Season mean for
you?
Week #2: What are your favorite memories or Traditions?
Week #3: Christ’s Birth and Today
Childcare is available. Our Parish is offering childcare
in order that parents with small children can participate. Please indicate on the Sign-Up Sheet at the
Adult Formation Board the ages of your children who
will be coming.
***Note: Children’s Choir meets at the same time in
Chapel.
Seniors 50+ Prayer, Fun & Lunch
Mark your calendars and reserve the date for Prayer,
Fun & Lunch, Wednesday, December 10, 10am – 1
pm, in the Community Room. In the past, this has
been a monthly event and now we see a need to keep
connected on occasion. Come and help us make
plans for future events. Let Sr. Joyce know if you plan
to attend.
M.O.M.S.: Mothers of Ministry Sharing
The M.O.M.S. Group meets in the North Room, next
to the Nursery throughout the school year. Meetings
with Prayer, Food, Fun, and Friendship occur every
Wednesday morning from 9:30 am – noon. Moms of
all ages and stages are welcome to come anytime.
Please feel free to contact Erin Wolfe at
[email protected] or Holly Oakes at
[email protected] with any questions.
Looking for a mediocre marriage?
Or a GREAT marriage?
If your answer is “Great, of course!”
then our 8 Great Date Nights is for you.
8 Friday evenings, beginning January 16, with a catered dinner at candlelit tables for 2, are on the calendar just for you. Consider the gift of time for each other in the New Year! Childcare is available. Limited
space. Sign up in the Gathering Area. $225 per couple.
For more info. call Sandi Phillips at 810-229-8624 or
810-923-4915.
NOVEMBER 30, 2014
CHARITY & JUSTICE CORNER
The Advent Giving Tree
will be in the Gathering Space
starting 11/22/2014. This year,
we have Eight Charities, including St. Mary Magdalen. If you
would like to help those less fortunate, please take a tag from
the tree and place your donation
back under the tree no later
than 12/15/14, otherwise we
can not guarantee the gifts for Christmas. Please
make sure the tag is taped and secured to your donation, so we know which charity it goes to. Only gifts
for Cornerstone School should be wrapped. Please
leave all other gifts unwrapped. Gift cards for all the
charities should be unwrapped and not placed in
Christmas cards. For more information, please contact Dianne Sweeter:
[email protected] or 248.842.7762.
Magdalen’s Kitchen Sign-Up
Names of those interested in serving at Magdalen’s
Kitchen for the Mondays of January and First 2 Mondays of February are being accepted. 3 assistant
cook positions, 8 set-up/server/clean-up positions, 3
dish washer positions, 4 dessert positions, and 4 sub
positions are needed for each Monday. Sign-up
sheets are organized by date and are near the Charity and Justice table in the Gathering Space. Sign-ups
are on a first come first serve basis. Reminder slips
are available to remind you of your commitment; a
reminder telephone call will be placed prior to the
date you are to serve. Volunteers must be middle
school age (and accompanied by an adult), or older to
fill a server/dish washer position, and 18 years of age
or older to fill a cook position. Future dates (Last two
weeks in February and All of March) will be posted in
early January.
Panera Bread Pick Up
Names of those interested in picking up bread for
Magdalen’s Kitchen at Panera Bread (in Brighton) on
Saturday evenings (at 9:50 pm) for all of January and
February 7 & 14, are being accepted. The sign-up
sheet is on the Charity and Justice table in the Gathering Space. Sign-ups are on a first come, first serve
basis. A reminder telephone call will be placed just
prior to the date you are to serve.
ST. MARY MAGDALEN
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Saint Mary Magdalen
2201 Old US 23 Highway
Brighton, MI 48114
Office Phone:
Fax:
Preschool Phone:
Website:
(810) 229-8624
(810) 229-6471
(810) 229-0010
www.saintmarymagdalen.org
Office Hours: Mon - Thurs 8:30 am - 8:30 pm
Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Staff:
Pastor: Fr. David F. Howell
Permanent Deacons: H. David Scharf, James Chevalier,
Gary Prise, Devon Wolfe
Pastoral Ministers: Sr. Maryetta Churches, O.P., Sr. Joyce
Hoile, O.S.F (Adult Formation & Evangelization)
Director of Faith Formation: Mary Mahar
Formation Administrative Assistant: Karen MacDonald
Director of R.C.I.A. & Liturgist: Diane Kubus
Youth Ministry: Margaret Callaghan
Youth Ministry Assistant: Stasia Eisenhut
Director of Music: Steven H. Schulte
Director of Pre-School: Kathie Anderer
Parish Secretaries: Debbie Dehanke, Sandi Phillips, Jillian
Killian
Bookkeeper: Dave Wisniewski
Facilities Team: Dan Tuthill, Kathy Gehring, Mark Wolf
Sacramental Information:
Weekend Liturgies: Saturday 4:30 pm, Sunday 9 & 11 am
Weekday Liturgies: 9:00 am Monday, Thursday, Friday
7:00 pm Wednesday
Sacrament of Penance: Saturday 11:30 am to 12 noon
Infant Baptism: Erin Wolfe
Sacrament of Matrimony: Please contact the office at least
nine months prior to wedding date.
St. Pat’s School Library
Needs You!
Book Fair Dec. 7 - 13
Please support The St.
Patrick School Library at
our Barnes & Noble Book
Fair. Simply shop at the
Green Oak Village store any time during these dates,
mention “St. Patrick School” at checkout, and a percentage of your purchases will benefit the library. If
you prefer to shop online, visit www.BN.com/
bookfairs during this time and enter ID #
11456860. Thanks for your support!
BRIGHTON, MICHIGAN
Troop 385 will be selling wreaths and other greenery items after Mass on Sat.& Sun.
Nov. 29/30. The money helps the
boys go to camp, purchase materials and gear, and in the process,
these energetic boys are developing into fine outstanding young
men. We hope that you will once
again support us in our endeavors.
Thanks again for all your
support!
CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Kathryne Friske has volunteered to take on the challenge of forming a special
youth choir composed of kids
in 3rd-8th grade. This choir
will sing on December 24.
Rehearsals for the Christmas Eve 6:15pm Liturgy, will be Dec. 4, 11, and 18.
ST. MARY MAGDALEN YOUNG ADULTS
ARE YOU 18—21?
Are you looking to connect more deeply to your
faith and to meet others with the same desire?
Text Shannon at 810-588-7665 TODAY
to learn more about LIVINGSTON YAM 18-21
DATE NIGHT:
YOUNG ADULT COUPLES FELOWSHIP
Are you interested in gathering with other Young
Adult Catholic Married Couples for good food, conversation and prayer?
Contact Shannon today to learn more!
MONTHLY MASS AND DINNER
SUNDAY, Nov. 30, 5 pm at St. Patrick, Brighton
6:30 pm dinner at Border Cantina, Brighton
COME START YOUR ADVENT OFF WITH NEW
FRIENDS!
Call Livingston young Adult Ministry
Shannon Scherba, [email protected].
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
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ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE
LIVINGSTON VICARIATE MISSION 2015
“The Lord is risen, do You Believe?”
Mon. 12/01
Tue. 12/02
With Deacon Ralph Poyo
January 25, 26, 27, 28 St. Patrick , Brighton 7-9 pm
NOVEMBER 30, 2014
Wed. 12/03
Thu. 12/04
[email protected]
Fri. 12/05
Sat. 12/06
Sun. 12/07
4:00 pm
8:30 pm
4:00 pm
5:30 pm
4:00 pm
8:30 am
4:00 pm
8:30 pm
——8:30 am
7:00 pm
St. Pat’s Basketball
Men’s Basketball
St. Pat’s Basketball
Boy Scouts
St. Pat’s Basketball
Zumba
St. Pat’s Basketball
Men’s Basketball
——————
Boot Camp
Youth Group
St. Patrick’s Dad’s Club
CHRISTMAS TREE SALE
Nov. 28 - Dec. 14
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, North East Corner of St. Patrick’s Church, 711 Rickett Rd., Brighton
Type of Trees? Fraser, Douglas, Concolor Fir and Scotch Pines
November Times
December Times
Sun 30: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sat. 6, 13: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Sun. 7, 14: 9:00am - 7:00pm