ST. MARY MAGDALEN Page 1 ALL THINGS CONSIDERED PREPARE THE WAY FOR CHRIST During the season of Advent the readings call us to straighten the crooked and fill in the low spots. It is a transformative time, a time to turn away from sin and seek to welcome Christ more fully into our lives. It is especially appropriate that all of us take the time to ritualize this change of heart by bringing our sin to the Sacrament of Penance. The Sacrament of Penance offers us the opportunity to hand over our sin, let it go and open ourselves to the mercy of God. It is about a celebration that allows God not just to forgive us, but to flood us with His divine mercy. Over the closing days of Advent there are several opportunities to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ through the Sacrament of Penance. Our communal celebration is: Dec 22- (Mon. - 7:30 pm) St. Mary Magdalen There are additional times for individuals to celebrate the Sacrament: Mon - Dec 22 from 11 am to 12 noon Tues - Dec 23 from 11 am to 12 noon and 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm CHRISTMAS LITURGIES The office has already begun getting calls about the Christmas schedule, so if you are one who is planning ahead, there will be 4 Liturgies: CHRISTMAS EVE: 4 pm, 6:15 pm & 10 pm CHRISTMAS DAY: 10 am We have asked a Sheriff deputy to help direct traffic following the 4 pm Liturgy. Please note: all traffic will turn right when leaving this Liturgy. The Christmas Eve 6:15 pm Liturgy will include the children helping to make the Christmas Gospel come alive. The Mid-Night Liturgy of Christmas is at 10 pm. It is the primary Liturgy of Christmas and is especially beautiful. It follows the pattern of the Christmas Liturgy of the fifth century. Three readings from the Old Testament remind us of how the promise of a Savior guided God's people and prepared us to hear the Good News of Jesus' birth. The morning Mass of the Shepherds (10 am) is much simpler, also very beautiful. SPAIN Last year, the pilgrimage to the Holy Land was switched to a trip to Spain. But the timing did not work for enough of the group. Several expressed a desire to still go to Spain; the travel agent has put a trip together. The trip would cover Barcelona, Madrid and Seville and places in between. Tentatively, the trip is scheduled for Sept 21-Oct 1 and the venders will honor last year’s costs, so the trip will run about $5,000 per person. If you are interested, let me know. We will have a meeting Sunday, January 18, at 4 pm. Fr. Dave Howell BRIGHTON, MICHIGAN THIS WEEK’S LITURGIES Dec. 22, Monday 1 Sm 1:24-28/Lk 1:46-56 9:00 am +Jeanette Duncan Dec. 23, Tuesday Mal 3:1-4, 23-24/Lk 1:57-66 9:00 am Communion Service Dec. 24, Wednesday - Vigil of Christmas Is 62:1-5/Acts 13:16-17, 22-25/Mt 1:1-25 4:00 pm St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners 6:15 pm St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners Dec. 24, Wednesday - Mid-Night Christmas Liturgy Is 9:1-6/Ti 2:11-14/Lk 2:1-14 10:00 pm St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners Dec. 25, Thursday - The Nativity of the Lord Is 52:7-10/Heb 1:1-6/Jn 1:1-18 10:00 am St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners Dec. 26, Friday - Saint Stephen, The First Martyr Acts 6:8-10—7:54-59/Mt 10:17-22 9:00 am +William Kessler Dec. 27, Saturday - Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 1 Jn 1:1-4/Jn 20:1a, 2-8 4:30 pm Vigil +Margaret Borowiak Dec. 28, Sunday - The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Gn 15:1-6, 21:1-5/Heb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19/Lk 2:22-40 9:00 am +Rita Schuster 11:00 am +Ruth Davidson-Hughes Feast of the Holy Family Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-5 - In ancient Near Eastern culture, it was thought essential to have a male descendent to carry on the family line and inherit all that his parents had worked for. But the elderly Abraham and Sarah were still childless, which seemed to contradict God’s promise to them. Today’s passage will tell us how this problem is solved. Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 - The author of Hebrews frequently held up Old Testament heroes. He did this because he was writing to a community whose faith was wavering. Today he presents Abraham and Sarah as examples. Luke 2: 22-40 - Today’s Gospel reading offers a glimpse of the holy family at a threshold moment in their lives. Luke makes it clear that Joseph and Mary were law-abiding Jews. Simeon and Anna are important figures: their words speak to God’s salvation, offered to both Jews and Gentiles, and they point to the controversy that will mark the public ministry of Jesus. Reflect: What is the ministry God is asking of me? How am I fulfilling it? FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 2 STEWARDSHIP REPORT Week of 12/14, 2014 Approximately 1433 people participated Env/Cash EFT Securing Our Future TOTAL $18,041 $ -0$ 4,252 $22,293 Children’s Collection $237.25 Thank You for your Gifts Important Please be advised that all contributions for the year 2014 should be in the church office by December 31, 2014 to receive credit for this tax year. Funds received after that date will be posted to the year 2015. Please pray for all the sick who have been commended to our prayer, that they will respond to God’s healing will, especially: Anne Zaragoza, Susan, Dennis, Ellen Andary, Russell Impellizzeri, Virginia Darga, Jack Matta, Mary Ann, Michael Murphy, Patty Nouhan, Robert Laginess, Norma Pellerito, Hannah, Doug & Linda Lambert, Joyce Egerer, Sandy Pace, Mark Czajkowski, Amy Kronk, Devin, Irene, Jeanne and Eugene Buel, Tom Stadtmiller, Karen Hahn, Janet Husseli, Gwen Maes, Ron Abramovich, Dorothy Keefe, Nancy Sharpy, Bob Sixbery, Betty Carb, Caroline Bilicki, Vic Howe, Addison Donahue, Tom McSweeney, Heather Bierlein, Sharon Stadtmiller, Linda Heppler, Larry Sweeter, Tom Zremski, Andrew Doyle, Dave Zapfe, Donna Miller, 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, MaryAnna, Sherri Kunkel. Please remember in your prayers: Theresa Burt and Mike Mahar and family in the death of Gene Brennan, their uncle, and Thomas Endres and family in the death of Rita Endres, his mother. DECEMBER 21, 2014 THE WEEK AHEAD Church Building Closed - Dec. 24 & Dec. 25 Monday, December 22 No Pre-School 11:00 am—12:00 pm Individual Penance 6:00 pm Magdalen’s Kitchen 7:30 pm Regional Penance Tuesday, December 23 No Pre-School 11:00 am—12:00 pm Individual Penance 6:30—7:30pm Individual Penance 7:00 pm Music Ministry Wednesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Church Office Closed No Pre-School 4:00 pm Christmas Vigil Mass 6:15 pm Christmas Vigil Mass 10:00 pm Mid-Night Mass Thursday, December 25 - Christmas Day Church Office Closed No Pre-School 10:00 am Christmas Mass Friday, December 26 No Pre-School Saturday, December 27 Sunday, December 28 10:15 am Ichthus 11:00 am Baptism THE ANGEL TREES “And with the angel there was a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God”! Continuing the tradition in the parish that we began a few years ago, all are invited to bring an unbreakable “angel ornament” of any size or type for the trees at the stable in the gathering area (ONE PER FAMILY). Please place them in the basket near the trees. We store them each year and the angel trees continue to be filled adding to the beauty of our Christmas environment. ICHTHUS: Music, Stories, Friendship Join us each Sunday morning at 10:15 am in the North Room, featuring guest speakers. All are welcome and the Nursery is available and supervised for young children. ST. MARY MAGDALEN Page 3 BRIGHTON, MICHIGAN Religious Formation News Youth News from Mary at [email protected] and Karen at [email protected] from Margaret at [email protected] and Stasia at [email protected] Christmas Break Begins Dec. 28 Classes Resume Jan. 4! You have until the very end of this month to take care of your remaining balance for the winter getaway in January. If you have not yet signed up and are still interested in coming along, the total of $105 is due at the time you register. Make checks payable to St. Mary Magdalen. The cost of skiing and rentals, if you chose to do that, is extra. We will go up to Caberfae in Cadillac. Visit caberfaepeaks.com for details about pricing and edgettslodge.com to see where we stay! Please email me if you need financial assistance at [email protected] Last weekend we celebrated Christmas with a white elephant gift exchange and finished with a conversation about the meaning of Christmas and how it has changed for many of the high school students. Christmas joy comes from within. It can’t be bought and wrapped to keep under the tree until a certain day and time. It is a joy that comes from having a relationship with God. I prayed that God would fill their heart with so much joy and love that sharing the Christmas spirit this season would be easy as their own cup overflows. I pray that for you as you read this. Share with your family what makes you happy and plan to make someone else smile as well. Our first meeting back in the New Year will be Sunday January 4th. Enjoy the time off from school as well and take time to visit with friends and family. Share in the joyous occasion of Christmas by making yourself present with the company you surround yourself with. Put the smart phone or tablet down; close the computer and grab a warm drink and talk about everything, nothing or snuggle and watch a movie. Thank you in advance to Erin Wolfe for organizing our Christmas 6:15 Gospel play and Kathryne Friske for leading our youth children’s choir! Both have done a wonderful job! During this season of Advent: Monday evening, Dec. 22, we have our Regional Penance Service at 7:30 pm and on Wednesday evening we have Liturgy at 7. Please join us. Sunday, January 4, help needed: at our 9 & 11 Liturgies. I need help assembling crowns for our CLW. Please let me know if you can help! Rites Reminders: Solemn Penance Rite of Enrollment, crosses turned in to Fr. Dave Saturday, Jan.10, at 4:30. First Eucharist Rite of Enrollment, chalices turned in to Fr. Dave Sunday, January 11, 9am (followed by a pancake breakfast hosted by the Knights!). All parishioners will be asked to pick a name after liturgy to pray for a youth and their family as they journey towards the sacrament making you their “prayer partner.” 9th gr. Parent/Candidate meeting is scheduled for Sunday Jan. 11 at 5:30. 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. As we get ready to end this year, your Lead Catechists: Jill, Sharon, Teresa, Sharon, Kevin, Cathy, Elizabeth, Karen and I would like to take the time to thank all our parents and families for all you do in the formation of your children! No matter what the season, it is always important to celebrate the simple things in life. There are too many things that slow us down in the winter - make each day matter! And we would like to wish you a Blessed New Year! Have a great week! EDGE Our next meeting back won’t be till Monday January 12th. Jeannie Herrell, Jill Joyce and I want to wish you and your families a wonderful blessed holiday filled with warmth, love and laughter. We wish too that if you are missing a loved one because of distance, sickness or death may your conversations and visits be filled with fond memories and the Kleenex within reach. Although the life of a person is in a land full of thorns and weeds, there is always a space in which the good seed can grow. You have to trust God. Pope Francis FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 4 Adult Education and Formation Faith and Service - From Sr. Joyce [email protected] DECEMBER 21, 2014 Sunday, January 4 A Eucharistic Day School for Discipleship: Winter Classes We are always learning something new, whether it is reading, taking a class or living everyday with purpose. In order to grow in our faith, in our service and in our relationship with God, we offer you the following six week classes: The Gospels: Father Dave Howell Mondays 7-8:45 pm beginning January 13 Explore the writers, the audience, the times and the message for all the Gospels and your own response. This class gives credit to Catechists in Formation. World Religions Part I: Mr. Derek Day Thursdays, 7 – 8:45 pm beginning January 15 This Course will enlighten you to the formations of religion from Abraham to the evolutions of Christianity. Those words, spoken by the Magi from the East as they searched for the infant Jesus, resound through the centuries to be echoed in the heart of every person who makes a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. The presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is as real today as the infant Jesus was to the Wise Men who sought Him by following a star rising in the East. The only cost for the classes is your time and commitment. You will receive more than you can imagine. Pick up a brochure at the Adult Formation Board or register on line. ***Childcare is offered at the Parish for parents who wish to attend these classes. All members of the parish are invited to spend some quiet time in prayer. You may come when you like and stay as long as you like. Especially invited are the members of the Worship Ministry Team, Eucharistic Ministers and Ministers of Prayer. Prayer to Know One’s Vocation Lord, my God and my loving Father, you have made me to know you, to love you, and to serve you, and thereby to find and to fulfill my deepest longings. I know that you are in all things, and that every path can lead to you. But, of them all, there is one especially by which you want me to come to you. Since I will do what you want of me, I pray that you send your Holy Spirit to me: into my mind, to show me what you want of me; into my heart, to give me the determination to do it, and to do it with all my love, with all my mind, and with all my strength right to the end. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen. Welcome Newly Baptized Brooks Cecelia Pence, parents are Lindsey & Nick; and Justin Michael Bubak, parents are Christina & Jason. ADORATION “We have come to do Him homage.” Following the 11am Liturgy, we may come to pray anytime before 4pm. We will then close our day with EVENING PRAYER. LIVINGSTON VICARIATE MISSION 2015 “The Lord is risen, do You Believe?” With Deacon Ralph Poyo January 25, 26, 27, 28 St. Patrick , Brighton 7-9 pm [email protected] Please remember those serving in the Military. ST. MARY MAGDALEN Page 5 BRIGHTON, MICHIGAN 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. The Bishops of Michigan have declared this liturgical year as the Year for Marriage. Here at St. Mary Magdalen we are planning a series of events and opportunities throughout the year aimed at honoring, strengthening, and building fulfilling marriages in our parish. Devon and Erin Wolfe will be coordinating these activities which will be guided by a Year for Marriage Working Group. If you would like to serve on this Working Group, or if you have any other questions about marriage or marriage resources, please contact Deacon Devon. Holy Family Liturgy for Marriage There will be 5 liturgies this year that will focus on marriage. The first is the Sunday after Christmas, December 27-28, which is the Feast of the Holy Family. The homily will focus on applying the Scriptures about the Holy Family to married life, and there will be special prayer intentions for marriage as well. The second Year for Marriage liturgies will be on January 17-18, 2015. Upcoming Marriage Enrichment Calendar These are Marriage Enrichment events for the next three months. You can find a full listing for the year, as well as a short description of each program and a weblink by clicking on the Year for Marriage logo on the St. Mary Magdalen website. January 16-17, 2015: Second Half Weekend Workshop– Chelsea January 16, 2015 for eight weeks: Eight Great Dates at St. Mary Magdalen January 23, 2015: Retrouvaille weekend, DeWitt 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, enjoy a catered dinner, at a candlelit table for 2. 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. Call Sandi Phillips at 810-229-8624 or 810-923-4915. February 7, 2015: Marriage Conference - St. Patrick Church, Brighton February 28, 2015: We Care 2, St. Patrick Church, Brighton. 9am to 1pm March 20-22, 2015: Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend, Lansing March 28, 2015: Theology of the Body Conference Day - St Patrick Church, Ann Arbor FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Page 6 Save the Date - Feb., 7, 2015 5th annual Marriage Enrichment conference “Marriage … Faith and Finances” Presented by “I Do for Life” Marriage Ministry St. Patrick Catholic Church, Brighton MI Featured speakers: Randy & Therese Cirner and Thomse Zordani. To register: www.idoforlife.org DECEMBER 21, 2014 ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE Mon. 12/22 Tue. 12/23 Wed. 12/24 Thu. 12/25 Fri. 12/26 Sat. 12/27 Sun. 12/28 8:30 pm 11:00 am --------11:00 am --------- Men’s Basketball Hartland Basketball ------------Hartland Basketball ------------- MINISTERS OF PRAYER Sun. Dec. 21 Mon. Dec. 22 Tue. Dec. 23 Wed. Dec. 24 Thu. Dec. 25 Fri. Dec. 26 Sat. Dec. 27 John Galleher, Linda Molitoris Bruce Dehanke, Don & Dena Mandich, Pat & Bob Metz, Maryann Kozak Karen Kerr, Jim Cubr Ros & Cass Wodarski, Larry Detter, Jody Kirkpatrick Judy & Russ Genter, Anna DeMonaco, Kathy Riccardi Mary Ann Hargrave, Madelyn Gostomski, Carol Yakel Jacqueline DeFranco Men’s Retreat at St. Francis Retreat Center Jan. 16-18, 2015 Theme: “Jesus Invites us to Put Our Lives Together” and further Commandments for Living as Disciples Over the Long Haul. To register call Deacon Jim Chevalier 810.229.9734 at home or 810.229.8624 at the office, or the Retreat Center 517.669.8321, or website www.stfrancis.ws. Suggested donation is $145.00.
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