Sacraments

The Sacrament of Baptism is the beginning of a lifetime journey of commitment and discipleship. God calls us through the Christian community to live the Gospel and to be a follower of Christ. God's invitation and our response to his call are ritualized and made "real" for us in the Sacrament of Baptism. When we celebrate Baptism we celebrate the outpouring of God's Spirit and our acceptance of God's transforming love. Baptism celebrates a family's and a community's experience of that love. 

Baptisms at St. Mary Magdalen are celebrated twice a month for infants and children under the age of seven years old. Arrangements can be made by calling Erin Wolfe in the parish office. 810.229.8624 ext. 176​

BAPTISM OF INFANTS SCHEDULE

BAPTISM FAQ

Adults and children seven and older see Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Confirmation is the second of the three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism being the first and Communion the third). Confirmation is regarded as the perfection of Baptism, because when the baptized person is confirmed, they are "more perfectly bound" to the Church. They are enriched with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and strengthened as witnesses of Christ enabling them to live the faith more fully.

The Form of the Sacrament:
The Minister of the Sacrament is the bishop. The Church has always stressed the connection of confirmation, through the bishop, to the ministry of the apostles. Each bishop is a successor to the apostles, upon whom the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost - the first Confirmation. The Acts of the Apostles mentions the apostles imparting the Holy Spirit to believers by the laying on of hands which signifies the descent of the Holy Spirit. The bishop "lays hands" on those being confirmed. Just as the priest extends his hands over the bread and wine during the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass, calling down the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ, and to transform us, so to the bishop calls down the Holy Spirit to transform the persons being confirmed. The anointing with chrism (an aromatic oil that has been consecrated by a bishop), accompanied by the words "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit" is a consecration, representing the safeguarding by the Holy Spirit of the graces conferred on the person at Baptism.

The Sacrament of Confirmation roots us more deeply as children of God, unites us more firmly to Christ and increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us. It also renders our bond with the Church more perfectly by strengthing us to live the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ.​

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord, and courage.

The Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The Eucharist is the center, the very heart of the Catholic Church. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist Catholics celebrate the passover mystery; the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We receive the gift of Christ in His Word and in the Sacrament of His Body and His Blood and we take Him to the world.
 

Mass TimesAdoration

Penance is celebrated on Saturday from 3:30 - 4:15pm. Mass on Saturday is at 4:30pm

In the Sacrament of Penance we come not only to receive the gift of forgiveness but the peace the risen Lord imparts to us. Penance is the Sacrament in which forgiveness of sins is granted through the priest's absolution to those who:

1. are sorry for their sins
2. confess their sins
3. promise to do penance.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance, has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness, and as a result we are called to forgive others. 

View the PENANCE BOOKLET to help prepare for the Sacrament

The Sacrament of Marriage has an important place in the life of both the Church and the parish. The Sacrament of Marriage is a vocation, a call that God extends to a man and a woman to love each other unconditionally. Even more, Sacramental Marriage is symbolic, a reflection of the great marriage between Christ and His bride, the Church. This understanding of marriage makes a wedding more than just a ceremony; it is a love story that is meant to last a lifetime. Further, it reflects the love that God has for each of us. For Catholics, your wedding is a very important celebration. It celebrates our own deep and intimate love for Christ, our spouse, and it reminds all of us of our vocation to love as God loves.

Arrangements must be made at least 9 months in advance by calling Fr. Paul in the parish office: (810) 229-8624 ​

Marriage Prep Resources

MARRIAGE PREP BOOKLET  This booklet will introduce you to the Marriage Prep process at St. Mary Magdalen.

MARRIAGE PLANNING BOOKLET w/Readings  This booklet has choices of readings for the wedding liturgy as well as helpful information for planning the ceremony.

KERYGMA ENCOUNTER

As part of the New Marriage Catechumenate, the Diocese is offering Kerygma Encounter Retreats as an option for fulfilling the Encounter portion of the Marriage Catechumenate process. 

Each Kerygma Encounter Day will begin with doors opening at 8:30am for registration, etc. The program will begin at 9:00am and the retreat will end by 3:30pm. Coffee and light snack fare will be offered by the parish host sites but lunch will not be provided, so please bring your own brown bag lunch.

KERYGMA ENCOUNTER RETREATS FOR 2022/23:​

• Saturday, October 15, 2022, at St. Joseph, Howell

• Saturday, December 10, 2022, at St. Gerard, Lansing

• Saturday, February 18, 2023 at St. Joseph, Howell

• Saturday, March 18, 2023, at St. Andrew, Saline

• Saturday, April 29, 2023, at St. Gerard, Lansing

• Saturday, June 10, 2023 at St. Joseph, Howell

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (NFP)
Natural Family Planning (NFP) is approved by the Catholic Church as a natural way to discern God's plan for your family, respecting both the procreative and unitive aspects of marriage. All engaged couples in the Diocese of Lansing are required to complete an introduction to NFP. To more information and to register, click this LINK.

A LASTING PROMISE

This seminar focuses on how to communicate what you want out of your relationship, how to resolve conflict effectively and reduce arguments, how to solve problems as a team, how to keep friendship and intimacy a part of your relationship, and how to develop skills to enhance the understanding and maintain commitment. Other key topics include values, beliefs, and expectations. Click here for  the  2022-2023 schedule and registration.

THE MINISTRY of R.C.I.A. 
All in the Catholic Community are called through our liturgical prayer, our community and our Christian way of life to minister to those who are seeking the Catholic way of life and preparing to receive the Sacraments. The primary minister of R.C.I.A. is the Catholic community, the assembly of the faithful. Other ministers who are involved in facilitating the journeys of the catechumens and candidates are described below.

Sponsor (companion & leader): They help support and care for the catechumens and candidates by sharing their faith and the life of the community with them. They have an ability to listen compassionately and to share the experiences of their own faith life.
Catechist: Whether it is during the period of inquiry or the catechumenate, catechists echo the Gospel. They help guide these men, women and children to experience God's presence and love in their lives and through His Word.

Retreat Facilitator: Those who coordinate and plan the retreats during the process. Catechists and other members of the community participate in the retreats helping to guide the catechumens and candidates through the scripture readings, reflections, prayer, and sharing.

Hospitality: These ministers embrace the candidates and catechumens by welcoming them into the community, serving refreshments and helping them to feel at home.

If you are interested in becoming Catholic and would like to inquire about the process please contact: 

Erin Wolfe
(810) 229-8624 ext. 176
EMAIL ERIN
 

Becoming Catholic

The Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated by appointment or you may attend the Mass of Anointing celebrated on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm in the Chapel.​

Those who receive the Sacrament should have a medical condition of serious illness or injury or simply old age.

"He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two.... They anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them" (see Mark 6:7-13). After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Church continued to be a sacrament of healing: "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven" (James 5: 14-15). 

Please call the parish office for funeral arrangements.

​+ Funeral Planning Sheet

​+ Scripture Readings for Funerals 

†SAINT MARY MAGDALEN

​The Bell Tower / Columbarium and Shrine of the Cross