ALL THINGS CONSIDERED DEVON WOLFE Many of you know Erin and Devon Wolfe since both have been very involved in our parish ever since they joined. Devon will be ordained a deacon on Saturday, May 18. The banns have been published officially announcing the ordination; but I would ask for your prayers now as he begins the final preparation. Because of the large number being ordained, guests are very limited. But Devon will serve as deacon at all three Liturgies the weekend of May 18\19, so you will be able to congratulate him then. WHAT DOES A DEACON DO? Most parishioners only see a deacon when he serves at Liturgy. But the role of deacon is to live up to what the word means: servant; the deacon is one who is called by God to a ministry of service. Ordained like priests and bishops, the deacon receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders. He is called by God to serve the people of God, especially the poor and neglected -- the least among us. He also serves as a reminder to all of us that we are all called to live that same kind of service. The deacon is called to a Ministry of Charity & Justice. He assists those with immediate needs, but he is also called to work with the community to address the larger social issues which are the root cause of the needs. Called to a Ministry of the Word, the deacon proclaims the Good News both in word and deed; he preaches, teaches, counsels and gives witness in the larger community to the Gospel. As St. Francis of Assisi, himself a deacon, said, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words." As a Minister of Liturgy, the deacon assists at the altar. He proclaims the Gospel, he may preach the homily and prepares the Table and helps serve Communion. Liturgically, deacons witness marriages, baptize, preside at wakes and funerals and conduct prayer services, including communion services in the absence of a priest. In every role, the deacon brings the poor to the Church and the Church to the poor. PREPARATION Men preparing for the diaconate undergo an extensive application and screening process and considerable theological education and formation. They are interviewed by the Director of the Office of Deacons, the Formation Board for the Diocese and the Bishop. If they are married, their wives are included in the interview process. They complete the equivalent of thirty-six undergraduate credit hours of theology prior to a three year period of formation as Candidates. During Candidacy they focus specifically on the three-fold ministry of the deacon. Throughout this time they continue to discern their call to the diaconate and deepen their spirituality. Fr. Dave Howell LITURGIES THIS WEEK April 29, Monday Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Acts 14:5-18/Jn 14:21-26 9:00 am +Richard Wozniak April 30, Tuesday Acts 14:19-28/Jn 14:27-31a 9:00 am Communion Service May 1, Wednesday Acts 15:1-6/Jn 15:1-8 7:00 pm +Teresa Recchia May 2, Thursday Saint Athanasius, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Acts 15:7-21/Jn 15:9-11 9:00 am +Lori Wilkinson May 3, Friday Saints Philip and James, Apostles 1 Cor 15:1-8/Jn 14:6-14 9:00 am +Olga Hume May 4, Saturday Acts 16:1-10/Jn 15:18-21 4:30 pm +Michael Kay May 5, SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 15:1-2, 22-29/Rv 21:10-14, 22-23/Jn 14:23-29 9 am +Lori Wilkinson 11 am St. Mary Magdalen Parishioners SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 15:1-2, 22-29 It is about 20 years after Jesus death and resurrection. The Church is already experiencing questions about its doctrines and practices. In today s reading, the Church is dealing with the major problem of whether to impose circumcision and observance of the Jewish law on its Gentile converts. Revelation 21:10-14, 22 29 Revelation is an Easter book because it focuses on the Risen Jesus and our final victory over sin and death. In this passage, the author uses such phrases as heavenly Jerusalem or new Jerusalem to describe the Church in its glory at the end of time. John 14:23-29 This reading is part of the farewell discourse of Jesus, and so prepares us for the celebration of his Ascension. The risen Christ returns to the Father from whom he was sent, and in his stead the Holy Spirit now becomes God s way of dwelling among us. Reflect: How have changes in the Church over the years brought new life to your faith?
BANNS OF MARRIAGE STEWARDSHIP REPORT Week of 4/21/13 Approximately 1581 people participated Env/Cash $17,248 EFT $14,594 Securing Our Future $ 7,820 TOTAL $39,662 Thank you for your gifts. DIOCESAN SERVICES APPEAL Thank you to all who responded with a donation or pledge to the DSA Fund. As of April 19, 376 families have pledged $71,813, or 80% of our goal of $89,455. Please pray for all the sick who have been commended to our prayer that they will respond to God s healing will, especially: Mark Matras, Sister Rosemary, Fred Hoekstra, Diane Aguis, Liz, Ed Belanger, Rebecca Provenzano, Patti Conahan, John Paul Bitterle, Butch Lockwood, Raymond, Liam, Susie Slesak, Joan Becker, Richard, Yvette Lagimodiere, Keaton Fife, Jill Biga, Shannon Barrigar, Renee Sherman, Shari Dinser, Pam DeTruf, Tom Askew, Lois Ashton, Pete Kovalchik, Tara Graham, Michael Albanelli, Diane Agius, Sabrina Watt, Nancy Sharpy, Lynda Lawrence, Julie (Anderer) Lloyd, Haley Larson, Herb Langer, Joyce Wagner, Greg Perry, Dorothy Koprowicz, Cheryl Debano, Mark Debano, Richard Harris, Gabriella Testani, Celestine Emerick, Chuck Galdes, Marylyn Trader, Kierra Hartman, Dianne Hammer, Pat & Carol Ann Copeland, Rosemary Gamble, Bert Loomis, Bob, MaryAnna and all the folks who have been commended to our prayers. MINISTERS OF PRAYER Sunday, April 28 Nancy Nychypor Monday, April 29 Volunteer Tuesday, April 30 Chris Kovanda Wednesday, May 1 Volunteer Thursday, May 2 Tom and Rita DeRaud Friday, May 3 Volunteer Saturday, May 4 Volunteer 1. Lauren Step & Chase Abananata THE WEEK AHEAD Monday, April 29 4-7:00 pm First Eucharist Photos-Church 6:00 pm Magdalen s Kitchen-CR 6-8:30 pm K of C, 1st. Degree-Chapel 7:00 pm School for Discipleship-North 7:00 pm Mystagogia-East Tuesday, April 30 9:30 am Rosary-Guadalupe Shrine 4-7:00 pm First Eucharist Photos-Church 7:00 pm School for Discipleship-East Wednesday, May 1 9:45 am MOMS- N/Nursery 12:30 pm Knitters-Library 2:00-8:00 pm Pictures-Quad 2/Rooms 9 & 10 7:30 pm Worship-East Thursday, May 2 12:00 pm BeFriender Coord. Mtg.-East 2:00-8:00 pm Pictures-Quad 2/Rooms 9 & 10 6:30 pm Catechist Appreciation-CR 7:30 pm Music Ministry Friday, May 3 9:30 am Rosary-Guadalupe Shrine 1:00 pm Pain Group-East 2:00-8:00 pm Pictures-Quad 2/Rooms 9 & 10 6:30 pm First Eucharist Rehearsal-Church 7:00 pm Separated & Divorced-East Saturday, May 4 9:00 am-3:30 pm Pictures-Quad 2/Rooms 9 & 10 4:30 pm First Eucharist Sunday, May 5 9:00 am First Eucharist 11:00 am First Eucharist 10:15 pm Ichthus-North 12:45 pm Baptisms 7:00 pm Youth Group Mtg. PAX CHRISTI Peace makes everyone smile. Sonika Ramachandrau, age 7
Religious Formation News from Mary at mmahar@parishmail.com and Karen at sect2@saintmarymagdalen.org Help is needed for this Thursday from 6:15-8! Call me ASAP if you can help! Also any teens needing service hours, please let me know. A BIG THANK YOU to Christine Stokes for instructing the Confirmation classes on making crosses during their last class! Catechists, Aides, CLW, and all those who helped in formation this year are reminded to complete your surveys and return to Mary, as well as RSVP for Thursday evening! First Eucharist parents are reminded that flowers are due by Wednesday this week, (5/1), BEFORE rehearsal. Rehearsal is Friday, May 3, at 6:30. Please be on time; it should take us one hour. Catechists and Aides needed: We need catechists, aides, hall monitors and nursery help for next year. We also are in need of new members for our Formation Team. We change, adapt, organize grade-level teams, to support each other, look into the individual learning needs of each child in our program, and much more. Please contact me for more information; we cannot do it without you! Registration for fall Formation Classes: We will continue registration for fall classes in the office starting next week. Registration is on a first-come basis for class times. Make sure you register - regardless of your ability to pay. JWJ: Please come help us plan our summer Vacation Bible School scheduled for July 29-Aug 2. We want to start planning, but we need leaders for our Vacation Bible School. Here at St MM we call it Journey with Jesus or JWJ for short. If you are interested in being a part of the planning committee (it takes a lot of helping hands!) or want to get on our helper list, please sign up in the gathering area at the formation table. Confirmation Retreat for our current 9 th grade youth is set for August 9/10 and will be overnight. Please make sure to mark your calendars! We do not have a date for Confirmation yet, it will be in Nov. or Dec. depending on the Bishop s schedule. Youth News from Margaret at yminister1@gmail.com and Stasia at tkcsmom@att.net This year we are doing something slightly different to honor and congratulate our graduating high school teens. We will of course still pray for them at mass the weekend of June 2 nd. It is nice to see all of the graduates walk in with Fr. Dave wearing their school colors in cap and gown! Following the 9am Liturgy, there will be a reception in the community room where we as a parish can congratulate them personally. Sign ups will be in the gathering area starting next weekend. This is short notice but if you are interested in participating in an all girls overnight with other teen girls talking about superhero type women characters, join me Friday May 10th in Ann Arbor with Jen Devlaux at St. Francis from 7pm-8am. We will meet here in our youth room first and drive together. We are setting up an all boys night for here in the youth room, same time and date. Contact Margaret at yminister1@gmail.com or in the parish offices at 810-229- 8624. NRN information.there is a meeting scheduled for Monday May 20 th at 7pm to talk in detail about MIS, the fundraising opportunity scheduled for June 15-16. I will talk about what is needed, what is expected of us and how the whole weekend works. I will also of course talk about the money we raise. If you cannot make it to this meeting and plan to participate, please email me at yminister1@gmail.com. Also I will be collecting the paperwork that was handed out last month along with payments for the trip. EDGE I would like to thank the EDGE leaders for all their help planning and being present to the middle school students month after month. Thank you to Jeannie Herrell, Jill Joyce, Michelle Nist, and Michele Anderer. Special thanks to our dedicated youth leaders Alex Nist, who has been with us all year and to Emily Wolfe who has recently joined the teen leadership portion of EDGE! Thank you. Thank you. If you couldn t join us, we ended our Wed/Thurs Formation classes with a prayer service written by our formation classes and an ice cream social! Thank you to all the parents who came and helped scoop and eat - I mean clean up! Please be sure to thank those who serve as Catechists and Aides in our classrooms they have put a lot of themselves into the hours of preparation for our children! Many parents have also served in a big way that often goes unnoticed. We have babysitters so many of our parents can teach and hall monitors who make sure our halls are safe. Thank you to all our parents for sharing your children with us!
Adult Education and Formation Faith and Service - From Sr. Joyce pastmin1@saintmarymagdalen.org NEW: Social Group for Single Men & Women Over 50 A request to start a group for older men and women to meet and share activities together is being considered. If you are interested in being in this group or being in the planning of the direction of this group, please see the Adult Formation Table to sign up. We try to meet the needs of all our parishioners. April Intentions for the Year of Faith: For those who are single, divorced and widowed. A PRAYER FOR THIS SPECIAL YEAR Good and gracious God, we pray that every person in our diocese will come to know and love our Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way. May we mature as true disciples of Christ Jesus and may each of us become actively engaged in the life and mission of the Church, joyfully using his or her gifts for the building up of your kingdom. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. As you renew the face of the earth, re-create in the divine image all who are your own. Instruct the hearts of all the faithful by your heavenly light and make us truly wise. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Hello From Magdalen s Little People Pre-School. Time for Registration. The purpose of the Pre-School program is to provide a Christian education, in a caring environment, for the young children. Many opportunities will be provided for the children to explore. Play is a very important part of the preschool classroom, and much of the learning takes place through teacher-directed and self-directed play activities. Our program will provide opportunities for the children to grow spiritually, socially, intellectually, emotionally, and physically, and to gain confidence in their God-given abilities. It is designed to help build a solid foundation for success in future schoolwork. We have a highly-qualified staff with a combined total of over 50 year s experience. We would love to have you join us... Please remember in your prayers Margo Eberts and family in the death of her mother, Doris Tammen. 20TH ANNIVERSARY PICTORIAL DIRECTORY Due to the fact that there are very few time slots left for our photography dates, three more dates have been added: May 13, 14 and 15th. Take a few minutes to sign up online. Go to our website, www.saintmarymagdalen.org and use the New Parish Directory link. This is the last weekend to sign up after Mass for your family photo to be in the Pictorial Directory. Having your family included as part of our directory is very important to all of us. So far 407 families have signed up. Please join us. Volunteers are also needed to serve as hosts or hostesses during the photography sessions. There are sign-up sheets available in the gathering area for this as well. The Christian Community Is Invited Taizé A Time of Prayer St. Mary Magdalen FRIDAY, MAY 10-8 pm We gather in prayer, longing for the Lord. Taizé is a meditative, common prayer composed of song, scripture and silence. an ecumenical prayer service (approximately 40 minutes) composed of song, scripture and silence. We gather for a quiet evening of prayer and reflection in the midst of our busy lives.
Parish Cookbook This is a great collection of many of our parishioners favorite recipes! Get one for yourself and as a gift (Mothers Day!) for family and friends! They are available during the week in the parish office. The cost is only $15 each! Proceeds will be used to purchase much needed kitchen supplies for the parish. A PARISH TRIP A trip to France is in the planning for next fall: leaving in the evening of Sunday Oct 13 and returning Monday, Oct 20. We will see the sites of Paris and make trips to Versailles, the Loire Valley and Vezelay (the tomb of St. Mary Magdalen). The price of $3899 per person includes airfare, hotel, two meals a day, taxes, tips and trip protection. A day trip to Normandy is an added option. Brochures are available in the office. Relay for Life of Brighton Please support St Mary Magdalen s team Helping Hands for a Cure from Friday, May 17, 7pm through Saturday, May 18, 7:00 pm at the Brighton High School by walking with us or donating to this worthy cause. You can join us in 24 hours of walking and Celebrating cancer survivors, Remembering loved ones lost, and Fighting Back against all forms of this disease. Please contact Elizabeth Kingsley at elizabethkingsley@me.com to become a team member or find out more information. Or, go to www.relayforlife.org/brightonmi and click on the team name Helping Hands for a Cure to donate. Luminaria Ceremony at the Relay for Life After dark, we will 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. Luminaria can be purchased for those loved ones you would like to honor for $10 in the gathering space the weekend of May 4 and 5 th after all of the Masses. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CLOTHING DRIVE... May 18th and 19th Time to clean out your closets! Please bring your donations of clean, usable clothing, any season during the weekend. Place them in the pods in the back of the parking lot. Bags will be handed out after all Masses the weekend before the clothing drive. Receipts will be available. Thank you in advance for another successful clothing drive. Everyone is welcome to a Special Meeting Sponsored by "For Pain's Sake" support group: Guest speaker, Carol Shirer will discuss health and wellness using essential oils. She will share her experience in reducing chronic pain and improving fatigue. Learn how to live without toxic chemicals from household cleaning products. Come and bring a friend to this informative meeting on Tuesday, May 14th at 6:00 pm in rooms 9 and 10 of the West Wing. See the flyer posted near the offices. Contacts: Joy Sullivan 810-227-6372, Mary Kay Foley 517-545-9462 Ichthus: Friendship Stories Music Join with us for thirty minutes of friendship, stories, and music between Masses each Sunday in the North Room at 10:15am. Supervised childcare is available from 9am 12 noon in the nursery next door. Leading up to Pentecost we have a special three series presentation, called "Coming to Christ" planned for Ichthus in May. Talks include God's love, forgiveness in Christ, and life in the Spirit. The guest speakers are those who have visited Ichthus previously. Kathy Rakowski is a gifted teacher and musician. Toby Manimalethu we know from the Brighton area (he is often at daily Mass with Simme and his family. Mike Wicksall is on the Lansing Service Committee for the Charismatic Renewal and a long-time friend. If you or someone you know, has a desire to deepen your relationship with God, then consider attending this three week series May 5 - Kathy Rakowski will share about God s love during week one. Kathy has a passion for teaching, music, leadership, and spiritual direction and is a member of Divine Mercy parish in Davisburg.
Missing something? Car Keys, jewelry, watches, diaper bags, lunchboxes, coats, sunglasses? Our Lost and Found is in our Hospitality Room and brimming with found treasures! Check it out!! Other jewelry items may also be found in the office. WE NEED YOU!! How many people do you know in the parish? Would you like to know more? Join the Welcoming Ministry team. I guarantee that you will get to know many beautiful people (families). Please contact Sandi Phillips or Deacon Dave at 810.229.8624 to find out about this ministry. Oh! By the way, you can stop by the Ministry Fair and look for us there too. ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE Mon. 4/29 11-12 pm Pre-School (gym) 4:30-8pm St. Pat s LAX (fields) Tues. 4/30 9:30-11am Open Walk (gym) 11-12 pm Pre-School (gym) 5-8pm Soccer (fields) 6:45 pm #385-(CR/gym) Wed. 5/1 9:30-11 Open Walk (gym) 11-12:pm Pre-School (gym) 4:30-8pm St. Pat s LAX (fields) 7-8pm Women s B ball (gym) Thurs. 5/2 9:30-11 pm Open Walk (gym) 11-12 pm Pre-School (gym) 5-8pm Soccer (fields) 7-8:30 pm TS/BS (CR/gym) Fri. 5/3 9:30-11am Open Walk (gym) 11-12 pm Pre-School (gym) 4:30-8pm St. Pat s LAX (fields) 5:30-8:30 Catholic Volleyball (gym) Sat. 5/4 8:30-9:30 am Coed Boot Camp (gym) Sun. 5/5 7pm Youth Group (gym) VISTI OUR PARISH WEBSITE: www.saintmarymagdalen.org PASTORAL STAFF EMAIL ADDRESSES Pastor: Fr. David Howell: pastor1@saintmarymagdalen.org Permanent Deacons: H. David Scharf: deacon1@saintmarymagdalen.org James Chevalier deacon2@saintmarymagdalen.org Gary Prise: deacon3@saintmarymagdalen.org Pastoral Ministers: Sr. Maryetta Churches: pastmin2@saintmarymagdalen.org Sr. Joyce Hoile: pastmin1@saintmarymagdalen.org Director of Faith Formation of Youth: Mary Mahar: mmahar@parishmail.com Director of RCIA & Liturgist: Diane Kubus: rcia@saintmarymagdalen.org liturgist@saintmarymagdalen.org Youth Ministry: Margaret Callaghan: youth1@saintmarymagdalen.org Director of Music: Steven H. Schulte: steve@colleengleason.com Director of Pre-School: Kathie Anderer: preschool1@saintmarymagdalen.org SUPPORT STAFF EMAIL ADDRESSES Faith Form. Youth Adm. Asst.: Karen MacDonald: sect2@saintmarymagdalen.org Secretaries: Debbie Dehanke: sect3@saintmarymagdalen.org Josie Doucette: sect1@saintmarymagdalen.org Sandi Phillips: sect4@saintmarymagdalen.org Bookkeeper: Dave Wisniewski: bookeeper@saintmarymagdalen.org Custodian: Leo Camden: maint1@saintmarymagdalen.org