LIFETEEN

LIFETEEN is a nationwide program that we at St. Mary Magdalene are proud to be a part of. The Sunday night Mass is the LIFETEEN Mass. Although geared toward high school teens all ages are encouraged to attend this very uplifting and spiritual experience. After the Mass, high school teens are invited to attend LIFENIGHT which addresses spiritual, educational and social issues. LIFETEEN is guided by young adult volunteers. These volunteers help create an environment where it is not only acceptable to belong to a group which is based on love and truth from Catholic teachings, but in surroundings where teens are almost compelled to share this experience with their family and friends. They are learning that being a Catholic is a way of life and not a 45 minute obligation!

Extracurricular LIFETEEN events include: service programs such as working at the Soup Kitchen at Triune Mercy Center, retreats, day trips, special events, sporting events and fund-raisers.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which people become members of the Catholic Church. Our faith community reaches out to and welcomes those who are experiencing a deepening conversion in their lives, and guides them through a period of formation. This formation involves growing in the life of the community through prayer, study and service. It culminates in full communion with the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Inquiry Sessions are held regularly throughout the year to address questions and concerns regarding Catholic Teaching. Inquiry Sessions are held at the church. Times are posted in the bulletin. In the early fall, RCIA classes begin in earnest, with catechumens, candidates and their sponsors meeting weekly at the Church. The RCIA calls for involvement from the entire community. Parishioners are needed for many ministries-sponsors, hospitality and catechists. Please call Sr. Carmelita at 288-4884 for more information.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

The society of St. Vincent De Paul is an International Catholic organization which seeks, in a spirit of justice and charity, and by a person to person involvement, to help those who are suffering. The society has two aims: "To do a great deal of spiritual good to its members through the exercise of charity, and to do a little spiritual and temporal good to a few poor families in the name of Jesus Christ." (Manual, St. Vincent De Paul Society)

Members strive to achieve the Society's aims by visiting the needy individuals and their families to offer financial and / or spiritual aid, and to establish personal contact. The Society serves everyone, regardless of creed, opinion, color, origin or caste. Meetings are held regularly and are publicized in the church bulletin.

WOMEN'S GUILD

St. Mary Magdalene Women's Guild strives to support and lead the women of our parish in the work the Lord wishes us to do both for our parish members and our community. Our meeting and activities are a way of uniting the women of our parish in a social atmosphere to discuss themselves and problems faced by all women in today's society.

The Guild sponsors Parish Dinners, the Parish Festival and is represented at Newcomer Welcomes. We also try to build parish community through guest speakers and various activities. The Guild supports the sharing-and-caring committee in providing food for the families of the bereaved and those who are ill.

The Guild also reaches out to our community during the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter seasons with food baskets and gifts to needy families and also provides gifts to our shut-ins.

All registered female parishioners are members of the Women's Guild.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

The Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, curate at St. Mary's parish in New Haven, Connecticut. We are a Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization firmly bound together by a common dedication to the ideals of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. This is what makes the Knights of Columbus the largest Catholic lay organization in the world. Simply put, today over 1.5 million Catholic men in some 10,000 local councils are involved in Church, community and youth programs of all descriptions because they want to make their communities better places to live. Last year, Knights of Columbus and their families gave nearly 42 million hours in volunteer service to others and contributed more than $95 million to charitable and benevolent causes. Both figures are new record highs for the order. There are five areas of involvement open to K of C members: Church...Community...Council...Family...and Youth activities. Some of the fraternal benefits available to members and their families include scholarships, fellowships, student loan programs, life insurance and annuities. The Rev. Paul Donald O'Toole, Council 10819, here at St. Mary Magdalene parish is able to adapt and streamline programs and activities to benefit the less fortunate in our community.

Through the hard work and dedication of the Brother Knights, our newly instituted Council has already been honored on the district and state levels of our order and more importantly the Supreme Council in New Haven. Men 18 years or older join our Chaplain, Rev. Herbert K. Conner, S.J. and other parishioners who enjoy the challenges, satisfaction and security of the world's most dynamic Catholic fraternal organization. Together, the Knights are changing the world. Your participation better serves your family - your church - your community.

PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL

On Sunday, February 20, 1994, St. Mary Magdalene became the third parish in the state to house a Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Perpetual Adoration is a devotion in which the consecrated Eucharist remains exposed on the altar in the monstrance, for veneration by the faithful. Perpetual Adoration continues without interruption 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Adorers commit to a specific day and time to insure that our Eucharistic Lord is never left alone. The hour may be spent any way you desire: some pray the Rosary, some bring their own books, others experience the Lord through the wealth of reading materials in the Chapel.

This is your opportunity to spend time in quiet prayer. This is your time to pour your heart out to God. This is your time to begin that closer relationship with Him you have always wanted. Yes, NOW IS YOUR TIME.