St Margaret / St Mary Magdalen Weekly Bulletin

August 17, 2008
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
      All are welcome

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (August 24, 2008)
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
     Representatives of Christ

Reading 1:  Isaiah 22: 15, 19-23 (Eliakim chosen by God)
Reading 2:  Romans 11: 33-36 (Praise of God)
Gospel:  Matthew 16: 13-20 (Peter the Rock)
Key Passage: He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." (Matthew 16: 15-16)
Adult: Which church leader has most influenced your personal faith?
Child: What has your pastor taught you about Jesus?

MASS INTENTIONS

Sat    4:00 PM Anna & Robert Troy
         5:30 PM  Jeffrey Gruzenski
         7:30 PM  Pietro J. Raimondi, Sr.
Sun   7:30 AM  Robert A. & Caroline W. Malloy
         9:00 AM  Fred Alter
         9:30 AM  Frank & Cora Paul
       10:30 AM  Melvin & Anne Fisher
       11:00 AM  Parishioners of St. Margaret Church
       12:00 PM  Lou Karczeski
Mon 6:30 AM  Kathleen & Jim Fox (Sp Int)
         8:30 AM  James Edward Baldwin
Tue   6:30 AM Tom Hatem & Doris Bulette
         8:30 AM  Dorothy McCole
Wed 6:30 AM  John Schenning
         8:30 AM  Daniel Jakubiak
Thu   6:30 AM Eucharistic Service
         8:30 AM  Enrique G. Garrido, Sr.
Fri     6:30 AM  George L. Hyman
         8:30 AM  Richard Daoust
Sat    8:30 AM Dorothy Simon
         4:00 PM  George Adams
         5:30 PM  Cleo Buchanan
         7:30 PM Dean Flick
Sun   7:30 AM  Manuel Ramirez
         9:00 AM  Joseph Kropkowski
         9:30 AM William Mooney
       10:30 AM  Parishioners of St. Margaret Parish
       11:00 AM  Edward & Grace Bolewski
       12:00 PM Eileen Erwin

BAPTISM ... Please welcome Jordan Chambers, Isela Ava Gonzalez, Jullian Dorothy Pecor and Griffin Joseph Shanahan who were was baptized into the St. Margaret Parish Community on August 9 & 10, 2008.

The next Sunday Evening Mass
Sponsored by our Youth Group
will be in September. Mass will be celebrated at
John Carroll High School.
There is NO August Sunday Evening Mass
at St. Mary Magdalen Mission.

Dear Friends,

A tabernacle will be installed in St. Margaret Church during this coming week. The installation will begin on Monday August 18 and should be completed by Friday the 22. As you know, a tabernacle in our Catholic tradition is a container located in a rather prominent position within a church building in which unconsumed consecrated hosts are reserved. The altar bread or hosts that have become the Body of Christ are reserved here: 1) for distribution at a later Mass or to be carried to those who are sick and unable to attend Mass, and 2) as a place for prayer in the Lord’s presence.

Francis Gibbons, a well-known church interior designer, has worked with us in fashioning a tabernacle arrangement that is beautiful, dignified, and appropriate to the architecture of our church building. Our parish Liturgy Committee and our Pastoral Council were both involved in the consultation on the decision to do this.

You might ask: Why are we placing a tabernacle in St. Margaret’s Church now, thirty-nine years after the church was built? To answer that question adequately, we also need to raise and respond to some other questions: What is the Eucharist? And what do we believe about the Lord’s presence and continued presence in the Eucharist? Here and in my columns for the next three Sundays, I will be addressing these questions.

Saint Paul, in I Corinthians 11:23-26, says this: “I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”

In the Eucharist, we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are joined to his saving events and, in fact, we are made one with Jesus himself as we remember him in the bread and wine, his body and blood that he gave us at the Last Supper.

Often we refer to the Eucharist as a sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed not an animal or money or any material object as was the religious custom of his day. Instead, in his suffering and death, he sacrificed himself for the forgiveness of sins. Because of who Jesus is, the Son of God, his sacrifice of himself on the cross is the perfect and complete sacrifice. Once and for all time, he has accomplished the reconciliation between God and humanity. In Jesus and in his sacrifice, God is one with us and we are one with God.

When we speak of the sacrifice of the Mass, this is not a new or different sacrifice from the one Jesus made of himself on Calvary . We simply follow his command at the Last Supper to “Do this in remembrance of me.” We are, in a sense, re-presenting in the bread and wine the sacrifice that Jesus made of himself. And we do this, not because Jesus’ sacrifice was incomplete or imperfect. We do it because the Lord knew that we would need to experience his one sacrifice in our own way so as to be drawn more and more fully into his saving love and life. This takes us to the topic of sacrament and I will pick-up on that next week.

CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
Jane O'Hara 410-838-6969, ext 143
johara@stmargaret.org

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Marge Troilo 410-879-2670, ext 127
religious-ed@stmargaret.org

Home Eucharistic Ministers
HELP US HELP THOSE IN NEED!

If you would like to become a Home Eucharistic Minister or if you know of someone who would like to receive Communion in the home, please call Jane O'Hara. Many thanks in advance for your help!
We are updating our files and need your help by giving your name and the person (s) you currently serve to Jane O'Hara.

Volunteers are needed in the following Ministries:

U Our Daily Bread - A driver is needed to transport the casseroles to Our Daily Bread in Baltimore the last Friday of each month.

U Welcome One Homeless Shelter - Evening and overnight hosts are needed. Evening hosts help with dinner and serve from 5:00 pm - midnight. Overnight hosts serve from midnight to 8:00 am and help with breakfast.

U Cottage Thrift Shop - Volunteers are needed on Fridays or Saturdays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. We would welcome high school students as well as adults! We could also use help organizing items on other days of the week.

Please contact Jane O'Hara by phone or email.

Hunger Doesn't Go On Vacation!

Please continue to bring in tabbed canned goods, non-perishable food items and gift certificates to mass each weekend. This is a continuous ministry to assist the needy of Harford County. The Harford County Food Bank picks the food up every Monday for those in Harford County that are less fortunate. Please place food items at the entrance of the Church or Mission and place gift certificates in the collection. You may also drop off items at the Parish Office. Thank YOU for helping with this ministry !!!

ATTENTION KLEIN'S SHOPPERS!

If you have any point coupons toward gift cards, would you kindly place them in our collection baskets? It would be a great support to the many we touch in our outreach ministry.

WELCOME ONE EMERGENCY SHELTER

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped at the shelter last year. We will continue to volunteer throughout this year on the 29th of each month. We are always in need of cooks, at least 3 each time, van drivers, host/hostess to spend the night and to assist with serving meals. We are always in need of packaged snacks, large lunch bags, sandwich bags and drinks (water or juice) for lunches. If you are interested or have questions, please call Pat Stasiak at (410) 420-2852.

Religious Education - School Year 2008 - 2009

[ EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT EXPIRED JULY 14, 2008 ]
Rates after July 14th are in effect.

Registration forms for 2008-2009 Religious Education Forms are available in the Church, Parish Office and at the Mission, and on the Parish Web Site [ HERE ].

Nursery Schedule

St. Margaret and
St. Mary Magdalen Mission
Nursery is open on
August 17th, and 24th
at both locations.
NO NURSERY on August 31st
at both locations.

AN INVITATION TO OUR PARISH CATECHISTS
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm --- Adult Education Center
St. Margaret will be hosting a workshop on:
CHILD PROTECTION

Mrs. Allison West, L.G.S.W., from the Child and Family Services Division of Catholic Charities will discuss essential child protection information and techniques for implementing the Archdiocesan Child Protection Curriculum into our faith formation classes. For more information please call Marge at (410) 879-2670, ext 127.

_____________________________________

Sunday Evening Mass
The Youth-Sponsored Sunday evening mass will NOT be held at St. Mary Magdalen Mission for the months of July and August, 2008.
The September Youth-Sponsored Mass will be celebrated at John Carroll High School.

Anna's House Day
August 18, 2008 - Bel Air Chili's Restaurant

DINE OUT AND HELP ANNA'S HOUSE

Ten percent of all sales on this date will be donated to Anna's House. Please let the wait staff know you are there for Anna's House. Thank You!

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Marie Dekowski 410-838-6969, ext 126
mdekowski@stmargaret.org

YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Karen Clemens 410-838-6969, ext 125
kclemens@stmargaret.org
Kim O'Brien: 410-877-9660
kobrien@stmargaret.org

RCIA

Our RCIA sessions will be starting on Sunday, August 3rd, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm (following the Noon Mass). If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about our Catholic faith or becoming Catholic, please contact Marie Dekowski.

Scripture from Scratch
A beginner's journey through the Bible begins on Tuesday, September 2nd from 10:00 am to 11:30 am in the Adult Education Center. Study will include overviews of the Bible, Old Testament, New Testament and Gospels. For more information or to register, please contact Marie Dekowski. Additional evening sessions will be added if there is enough interest.

Women in the New Testament - Bible Study
Sessions begin on Wednesday, September 10th from 10:00 am to 11:30 am in the Adult Education Center. For more information or to register, please contact Marie Dekowski.

Israel's Story Part II - Little Rock Scripture Study
Proudly in our 8th year!!! Sessions begin on Wednesday, September 17th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. For more information or to register, please contact Marie Dekowski.

Evangelization Conference - Upon This Rock

Saturday, August 23rd
8:30 am to 1:15 pm
Church of the Resurrection
Ellicot City
Registration Deadline is August 15th

This conference will help us prepare to "Go and Make Disciples" by learning about "the territory we must walk through" as we tell the world about Jesus Christ. Keynote speakers are: Most Reverend Denis Madden and Reverend Edward Miller. After lunch, two workshop sessions will be held. For more information or to register, please contact Marie Dekowski.

JAMMIN' JAVA. The next Jammin' Java Coffee House will be on Friday, August 22nd from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm in the Adult Education Center. Musicians are welcome! For more information, contact Ken Spoerl at kjsguitar@comcast.net .

MASS, CONCERT, and BONFIRE
Sunday, Sept 28, 2008
5:15 pm
John Carroll School
Immersed in God's Love
Featuring: Josh Blakesley and Jackie Francois
Tickets for concert & bonfire: $5 each,
or $20 per family
For ticket information call Robin at
(410) 272-4535, ext 10

Substance Abuse Ministry
Did you know ...
The majority of websites selling controlled prescription drugs do not require a prescription. A study identified 159 internet sites selling such drugs during a one-week period in 2008. Of these sites, 85% did not require a valid prescription (National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University).

More on Substance Abuse [ HERE ]

_______________________

Rachel's Vineyard Weekend Retreat
Sept 12-14, 2008, Marriottsville, MD
Oct 24-26, 2008, Sparks, MD

For spiritual and emotional healing after abortion.
The retreat is a confidential and emotionally
safe environment for those struggling after abortions.
Contact Project Rachel at
(410) 354-6900, 1-877-HOPE-4-ME, or
email projectrachel@archbalt.org

ANGEL BABIES

Have you been suffering from the loss of a child through miscarriage, still-birth or early infant death? Angel Babies is a confidential, spiritual support network for family members that are dealing with these difficult issues. Please contact Jennifer at jschall@clearviewcatv.net or (410) 893-7202.

ALASKA Cruise
Second week of July, 2009

Join Father Jesse for 11 days from Vancouver to Anchorage from $3,292 per person including airfare and taxes, on Celebrity's beautiful ship Millennium. If interested please contact Paulette at Partners in Travel (410) 420-8747.

SAINT MARGARET SCHOOL
Jane Dean, Principal
Elementary Campus 410-879-1113
205 Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014

Middle School Campus 410-877-966
1716A Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
Website: www.smsch.org

MUSIC
Michael Britt, Director of Music
410-879-2670, ext 136
mbritt@stmargaret.org

Middle School Science Position:
School Year 2008-09

A full-time middle school science position is available for the school year 2008-09. Candidate should have experience teaching science. If interested, please forward a copy of your resume to Principal, Jane Dean by fax at (410) 838-5879.

Important Dates Looking Ahead:
Aug 20              Meet Your Teacher Day
Aug 21              Gr. 1-5 Early Dismissal
                        No School for Gr. 6-8
Aug 22             Gr. 6-8 Early Dismissal
                        No School for Gr. 1-5

Meet Your Teacher Day
August 20th from 7:30 am to 12:00 noon
Students in grades 1-8 and parents are invited to a morning Open House on both campuses to meet their teacher. Our teachers and support staff will have the classrooms arranged with student and parent materials at each student’s desk. Parents will be asked to complete paperwork and pay milk, supplies, and activity fees. All checks payable to St. Margaret School . Students can meet their teachers and classmates, learn their locker assignments, and begin their adjustment to the new school year.

Parents who are unable to attend the morning session can complete forms and pay fees after dismissal on the first day of school. Your child’s teacher will meet you in the homeroom class after dismissal duty.

NEW STUDENTS ONLY:

Student/Family Orientation

Aug 20th Gr. 1-5 from 12:45 pm -1:45 pm in ES Gym

Gr. 6-8 from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm in MS, Room 102

The brief new student/family orientation sessions give new students and parents an opportunity to meet the gym, art, music, computer, and Spanish teachers as well as nurse and guidance counselor. Uniforms and other school policies will be discussed. The small group setting allows questions to be answered and morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal procedures to be explained. If you have children at both campuses, grab some lunch with friends in-between sessions.

News from the Admission Office
Spaces are still available in Part-Day K, 1^st and 2^nd grades for School Year 2008-09. Limited openings also are available at other grade levels. Please pass the word to friends and family and call or email Admissions Director Cecilia Pleiss at (410) 879-1113 or cpleiss@smsch.org for more specific information. Visit our school website at www.smsch.org .

Limited
Space
Available

St. Margaret Parish
Bus Trip to New York
Wednesday, Dec 3, 2008

The day will begin with Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral with Fr. Jesse Bolger. The rest of the day will be yours to enjoy a show, Christmas shop, or simply take in "the Big Apple". The cost of the bus trip is $38 a person. There are a limited number of tickets to see the Broadway production of "A Tale of Two Cities" for an additional $90. to register for this trip, please call Kathy Reilly at the Parish Office or kreilly@stmargaret.org . The bus departs from St. Mary Magdalen at 7:00 am for Manhattan and returns around 10:00 pm.

Rehearsal Schedule - St. Margaret
             First Rehearsal on Sept 11, 2008
    Adult Choir: Thursdays 7:15 pm - 8:45 pm
        Note: Choir Retreat on Sunday, Aug 17th at
                  1:15 pm in St. Margaret Chapel
    Children's Choir: Thursdays 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
    Cherub Choir: Thursdays 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
              First Rehearsal on Sept 15, 2008
    Handbell Choir: Mondays 7:15 pm - 8:30 pm
    Handbells 101: Mondays 6:16 pm - 7:15 pm

Rehearsal Schedule - St. Mary Magdalen Mission
Teen Choir: Thursdays 7:15 pm - 8:30 pm. Contact Jeff Winfield for rehearsal schedule ( jefwinfield@comcast.net ) or call the Music Office.

Registration forms for Cherub Choir and Children's Choir are available in the book racks at the Church and Mission, the Parish Office and online at our Parish website! [ available HERE ]

_______________________________

Liturgical Corner

The Assumption of Mary: A Cause for Hope

More and more, you hear people say, “I consider myself spiritual, but not religious.” What does this mean? There are all types of “spiritualities” out there these days from animism (attributes spirits to animals, plants and other entities) to the “New-Age” movement. On the other hand, there are many people who were raised Catholic but now just consider themselves “spiritual.” Sadly, nearly two-thirds of all registered Catholics in America no longer identify themselves as “practicing” Catholics. Why is it that saying one is a religious person is no longer “in vogue?” Part of the reason I would like to suggest is because religious beliefs, such as the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary have lost their importance to a great extent.

This past Friday, the Church celebrated that holy day when Mary was assumed into heaven. Each year, on August 15^th, the Church proclaims, to quote the Second Vatican Council, that the immaculate virgin “on the completion of her earthly sojourn was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory.” Lumen Gentium # 59. On November 1, 1950 , Pope Pius XII declared as a divinely revealed truth, that Mary’s body was elevated to heavenly glory without seeing corruption. Pius XII made this proclamation after consulting 1,181 bishops from around the world. Of those bishops, only six showed any reservation about this fact. From the earliest days of the Church, both in the East and the West, the belief in Mary’s assumption into heaven was firmly held. Ancient Christian art, especially from the East, depicts this event through iconography. In the East, this event is referred to as the “Dormition” of Mary. Whether Mary died, or fell asleep, the Church teaches as revealed truth, that Mary’s body was assumed into heaven without seeing bodily decay.

Why should all this religious talk make a difference in our lives? The assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a historical fact which represents the victory Mary won over Satan, and over sin and death through the cross and resurrection of her son. We now have an advocate in heaven who wants to help us on our journey to the Promised Land. The struggles we face, the daily crosses we carry can sometimes seem too much to take. As Catholics, we have been given religious feasts such as the Assumption of Mary, to remind us that the ultimate victory over evil has been won. May our active participation in the life of the Church and the feasts she gives us make it popular once again, to say, “I’m religious,” and may the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary be a cause of hope in our lives.

Fr Jesse

DEVELOPMENT
Karen Saccenti, 410-838-6969, ext 112
Ksaccenti@stmargaret.org

WELCOME!
Whoever you are, wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith, we welcome you. Your presence honors God and blesses us.

___________________

Rev. Mr. Gregory Rapisarda
one of our permanent deacons,
will be leaving St. Margaret effective August 21st
to begin studies for the priesthood.

On Sunday, August 31st, Greg will come back to
St. Margarets to assist as deacon at the noon Mass.
We will have a reception in the gallery of the Church
afterwards to give parishioners an opportunity
to thank Greg for his years of service here
and to wish him well.

____________________

Shrines of France
with Father George
a few openings are still available!

11 days - October 6 to 16, 2008

Don't miss this opportunity to join Fr. Moeller on this trip which includes visits to Lourdes, Nevers, Tours, Loire Valley, Chartres, Mont St. Michel, Bayeau, Normandy, Caen, Liseaux and Paris. Please call the Parish Office at 410-879-2670 for a brochure or pick one up at the doors of the church or mission.

ARE YOU AN ACTIVE PARISHIONER?
If you have not completed a new registration update form, you may not be considered active in the Parish. This is important for many reasons, i.e. to be a sponsor for sacraments, parishioner status for the Religious Education and School programs, etc.
Forms are available at the doors of the church and Mission and are also available [ HERE ] on this website.

ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER
This option for contributing to the Parish is available through St. Margaret Parish. To sign up for this option, you may download a form from our website [ HERE ] or call the Parish Office at 410-879-2670 to request a form.

. . . more SAINT MARGARET NEWS

OUR PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL meets monthly and all interested parishioners are welcome to attend.
[ Parish Council Members ]

AREA EVENTS

U St. Mary's Jousting Tournament & Fried Chicken Dinner Saturday, Sept 6, 2008 from 12-noon to 6:00 pm. For more information call (410) 879-4015, ext 10/11.

U Crab feast to benefit the Franciscan Friars of Ellicott City Education Fund for seminarian support. Sunday, September 7, 2008 from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm , Martin’s East. $50 per ticket. Call Denise Livesay (410) 531-9200.

U Join Deacon Bill Albaugh and his wife and St. Joseph parishioners on a pilgrimage to the Shrines of the Adirondacks on September 14-19, 2008. For details call Marie (410) 529-1356.

U Msgr. O'Dwyer Retreat House 3rd Annual Serendipitous Soulful Slumber Party for Women on Sept 6-7, 2008. Cost $159 for one; $250 for two. For more information contact Bernadette Moyer at (410) 666-2400, ext 12.

CATECHIST OPPORTUNITIES
Contact Marge Troilo
410-879-2670, ext 127
religioused@stmargaret.org

Harford County Summer Workshops
August 20th - 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
September 10th - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Child Protection
St. Margaret Church - August 20, 2008
Clock Hours: 1B, 1C

What to Do After You Say "Hello!"
St. John the Evangelist - September 10, 2008
Clock Hours: 1B, 1C

Substance Abuse Ministry - Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings at St. Margaret are open for anyone interested. "Fundamentally all is well" meets at 7:00 pm every Friday evening in St. Margaret's lower meeting room on North Hickory Avenue, Bel Air.

August 10, 2008
   Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
      Faith in the Lord

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (August 17, 2008)
   Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
      All are welcome

Reading 1:  Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7 (the Lord's house open to all)
Reading 2:  Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32 (Israel's final conversion; the triumph of God's mercy)
Gospel:  Matthew 15: 21-28 (faith of the Canaanite woman)
Key Passage: For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. (Isaiah 56: 7)
Adult: When has the faith of someone from another race or culture enriched your own?
Child: What could you do to help someone of another race or culture feel more welcome in your neighborhood?

MASS INTENTIONS

Sat    4:00 PM Joseph Kropkowski, Sr.
         5:30 PM  Janet Brulinski
         7:30 PM  William Benedetto
Sun   7:30 AM  Donald R. Esposito
         9:00 AM  Ed Hendricks
         9:30 AM  William J. Clark
       10:30 AM  Parishioners of St. Margaret Parish
       11:00 AM  Joan Eccles Ward
       12:00 PM  John Stech
Mon 6:30 AM  Doris & Ted Schneider (Sp Int)
         8:30 AM  Mary Kelly Reinmann
Tue   6:30 AM Manuel Gomez
         8:30 AM  William McKenna
Wed 6:30 AM  Julia Dwyer & John Dwyer
         8:30 AM  The Bates Family (Sp Int)
Thu   6:30 AM Eucharistic Service
         8:30 AM  Mary Popera (Sp Int)
          Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
Fri     6:30 AM  Stephen T. Toth, Jr.
         8:30 AM  Charlie Casazza
        12:15 PM Bill Bates (Sp Int)
          7:30 PM The Basener Family (Sp Int)
Sat    8:30 AM John & Joan Haggerty
                       (50th Wedding Anniversary)
         4:00 PM  Anna & Robert Troy
         5:30 PM  Jeffrey Gruzenski
         7:30 PM Pietro J. Raimondi, Sr.
Sun   7:30 AM  Robert A. & Caroline W. Malloy
         9:00 AM  Fred Alter
         9:30 AM Frank & Cora Paul
       10:30 AM  Melvin & Anne Fisher
       11:00 AM  Parishioners of St. Margaret Church
       12:00 PM Lou Karczeski

BAPTISM ... Please welcome Jack Charles Armstrong, Angela Kathleen Balto and Anna Elizabeth Roberts who were was baptized into the St. Margaret Parish Community on August 3, 2008.

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Holy Day of Obligation
Friday, August 15, 2008 - St. Margaret Church Only

Masses: 6:30 am, 8:30 am, 12:15 pm, 7:30 pm

Dear Friends,

Rev. Mr. Gregory Rapisarda, one of our permanent deacons, will be leaving St. Margaret’s effective August 21. On that date, Greg will begin studies for the priesthood.

As many of you know, Greg has lived and practiced law here in Bel Air since 1977. He has been a very active member of St. Margaret’s. His wife Carol, who passed away in January, 2006 was also a very active member of our Church community. Greg attended St. Matthew’s Parochial School in the Northwood community of Baltimore City . He was, by the way, one grade behind me at St. Matthew’s. From there, Greg entered the high school prep seminary at what used to be St. Charles College in Catonsville . Once again, Greg and I were in the same school. Greg left St. Charles after his freshman year and completed high school at Loyola. Then he went to Towson State University and in 1972 graduated from the University of Baltimore Law School and was admitted to the Maryland Bar.

Greg and Carol were married in 1968 and had four children: Gina, Greg, John and Jo anna . Many of you knew Carol and many of you know their sons and daughters. Just this past June, John was ordained to the priesthood and celebrated his first Mass here. It was emotionally very moving for me to listen to Greg’s excellent homily on priesthood at that Mass.

After four years of part-time study, Greg was ordained to the diaconate in 2003. He has given himself generously to ministry here at St. Margaret’s, assisting and preaching at Mass, celebrating baptisms, visiting the sick, teaching religion in our religious education and school programs, training altar servers, etc. In the summer of 2006, Greg started talking about becoming a priest. He has discerned this carefully. He recently said to me that two factors have lead to this decision. First, he feels a calling from God within himself. He has an undeniable draw to serve God and our Church as a priest. And second, the affirmation of others to do this has confirmed his personal inner experience. Those others include his children, friends, priests and most recently, Archbishop O’Brien. In fact, the Archbishop has not only been supportive but proactive in encouraging Greg’s pursuit of the priesthood.

Greg enters St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore on August 21. His program of studies and formation will supplement what he got when preparing for the diaconate. The Archdiocese sees this two-year program with ordination to the priesthood in June 2010. This is a major move for Greg. He is busy transitioning his law practice to partners and will also be selling his condo here in Bel Air. He is also leaving behind his parish of the past thirty-one years and his ministry here.

I have mixed feelings. I will miss Greg’s presence as a friend and fellow minister. I also feel happy for him and for our Archdiocese in the prospect of having a man as outstanding as Greg in the priesthood. We as a parish must have an opportunity to thank Greg and wish him well. On Sunday August 31, Greg will come back to assist as deacon at the noon Mass and we will have a reception in the gallery afterwards. I hope many of us will attend and show our love for Greg as he responds to the Lord in such a self-giving manner.

CHRISTIAN OUTREACH
Jane O'Hara 410-838-6969, ext 143
johara@stmargaret.org

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Marge Troilo 410-879-2670, ext 127
religious-ed@stmargaret.org

Home Eucharistic Ministers
HELP US HELP THOSE IN NEED!

Hunger Doesn't Go On Vacation!

Altar Server Training

Calling all 5th grade and above students who have an interest in becoming an Altar Server.
A one hour class will be held in the Church on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

For additional information please contact Father Jesse. After successful completion, you will begin to serve in September, 2008.

Volunteers Needed - Faith Partners

Faith Partners serve families who have lost temporary as well as permanent custody of their children due to substance abuse. The families are reunited for a weekly dinner at the Harford Community Church. Volunteers are needed to serve a catered meal to the families on August 12, 2008 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. If interested, please contact Jane O'Hara at the Parish Office, or Patrick McCracken at Patrick348@yahoo.com .

Anna's House Day
August 18, 2008 - Bel Air Chili's Restaurant

DINE OUT AND HELP ANNA'S HOUSE

Ten percent of all sales on this date will be donated to Anna's House. Please let the wait staff know you are there for Anna's House. Thank You!

Religious Education - School Year 2008 - 2009

Nursery Schedule

St. Margaret and
St. Mary Magdalen Mission
Nursery is open on
August 10th, 17th, and 24th
at both locations.
NO NURSERY on August 31st
at both locations.

_____________________________________

Sunday Evening Mass at 5:00 pm
    The Youth-Sponsored Sunday evening mass will NOT be held at St. Mary Magdalen Mission for the months of July and August, 2008.
    The September Youth-Sponsored Mass will be celebrated at John Carroll High school (details to follow).

Dear Vacation Bible Camp Families,

All agreed SonWorld Adventure Park VBS was a "thrilling ride with Jesus." Our campers had a week of great fun and excitement!

The theme for the week was "CHOOSE JESUS" and the boys and girls learned what it means to be a follower of Jesus. When the kids heard about the needs of St. Theresa's Catholic Mission School in Uganda, Africa, they enthusiastically CHOSE TO ACT like Jesus by helping the children. The amount collected was $296.85. Thank you for your generous response to this outreach project.

Keep safe throughout the summer. May God bless you always.

Marge Troilo
VBC Coordinator

PS - We have a dozen VBC music CDs leftover. Please come to the Parish Office if you would like one for your children.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Marie Dekowski 410-838-6969, ext 126
mdekowski@stmargaret.org

YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Karen Clemens 410-838-6969, ext 125
kclemens@stmargaret.org
Kim O'Brien: 410-877-9660
kobrien@stmargaret.org

RCIA

Evangelization Conference - Upon This Rock

Saturday, August 23rd
8:30 am to 1:15 pm
Church of the Resurrection
Ellicot City
Registration Deadline is August 15th

Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations will be held Tuesday, August 12, 2008 after the 8:30 am Mass in St. Margaret Chapel. Following Benediction at 6:00 pm, the Blessed Sacrament will be reposed. Participate in this special day of prayer by coming to the chapel to spend some quiet time in adoration of the Lord.

Substance Abuse Ministry
Did you know young drinkers ages 12 to 14 ...
   - are more likely to get alcohol in their own home
   - 45% who drank alcohol in the past month were given
      alcohol for free by an adult member of their family
   - 30% took the alcohol from their own home

More on Substance Abuse [ HERE ]

_______________________

GRACES - Fall Issue

Theme: Autumn Remnants
Deadline: August 15, 2008
Any inspiration stories, prayers, poems - remnants of your life.
Guidelines: Stories - 600 words maximum
Prayers / Meditations / Essays: 250 words maximum
Poems: 20 lines maximum
Submissions: Parish Office or email to cathy.frazier@uwcm.org and Kbjacobs1@verison.net or mail to Cathy Frazier, PO Box 273, Bel Air, MD 21014.

St. Margaret Parish
Bus Trip to New York
Wednesday, Dec 3, 2008

ALASKA Cruise
Second week of July, 2009

Congratulations and God Bless
John & Joan Haggerty
as they celebrate their
50th Wedding Anniversary
August 16, 2008

MUSIC
Michael Britt, Director of Music
410-879-2670, ext 136
mbritt@stmargaret.org

Important Dates Looking Ahead:
Aug 12, 13, 14Pre-Packaged Supply Pick-up
                        Book Store Open, both campuses
Aug 14              Room Mother Meeting, 7:00 pm LMR
Aug 15              Class Lists available on website
Aug 20              Meet Your Teacher Day
Aug 21              Gr. 1-5 Early Dismissal
                        No School for Gr. 6-8
Aug 22             Gr. 6-8 Early Dismissal
                        No School for Gr. 1-5

Room Mother Meeting
August 14th at 7:00 pm in Lower Meeting Room
Don’t miss this important information session for all room mothers and room mother coordinators. Please enter the basement room using the outside door on the side near the Nurse’s Office. Responsibilities will be explained and a folder of guidelines distributed. If you are unable to attend, please call Assistant Principal Mrs. Shanahan at ext. 133 as soon as possible.

Meet Your Teacher Day