Worship
The Second Vatican Council has proclaimed majestically that the celebration of the Eucharist is the summit and center of Christian worship. For it is in the breaking of bread and the sharing of the cup the complete mingling of the divinity with our humanity that Jesus Christ's Body and Blood have become our food and drink and, therefore, our redemption and salvation. It is here in the Eucharist that God embraces us in an utmost intimacy. It is here in the Eucharist that God's love is poured out unconditionally to all. It is also here in the Eucharist that God commands us to live a life in total service to all. Celebrating the Eucharist, therefore, is not simply a Church's obligation that needs to be fulfilled. Our Christian existence would bear no meaning whatsoever if we refused to be fed with the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Our membership in the Church would fail to make any sense whatsoever if we refused to join our hearts and hands with those of our brothers and sisters in praising and giving thanks to God. And our faith would wither and fade away if we refused to be rooted in and challenged by God's command to wash the feet of one another. That is precisely the reason why the celebration of the Eucharist is never the end but the beginning of our mission to the whole creation. The Eucharist challenges us to go beyond the church's walls and transform the world with our peace. The Eucharist calls us to go and convert society with our justice. The Eucharist demands us to be Jesus Christ to everyone - to share bread with the hungry, water with the thirsty, comfort with the heavily burdened, healing with the sick, intimacy with the lonely and love with the abandoned. Hence, any meditation, study, reflection, effort and activity that celebrates God's presence in the world, we call it Worship.
Current Worship Ministries:
- Music Ministry
- Liturgy
- Social Commission
Worship Music Ministry
Sunday 5:00pm Mass: Teen/Young Adult Music Ensemble
This is an energetic group of young musicians who are interested in sharing their gifts through contemporary and traditional repertoire. Rehearsals are usually one hour prior to Mass, and participants have many opportunities to cantor and participate in planning. This group usually plays twice a month at various Masses.
Rehearsal: Sunday 4:15
Mass: Sunday 5pm
Contact: Dave Doppel - 616-455-9310
Liturgical Ensemble
The Liturgical Ensemble is made up of singers and instrumentalists who enjoy a somewhat informal approach to leading music ministry and who are dedicated to participating throughout the year.
Rehearsal: Saturdays at 4pm; First Tuesday 7-9pm
Mass: Saturday 5pm
Leader: Dan Erlandson
Contact: 616-455-9310
Youth Choir
The Youth Choir is open to school-age children. We rehearse on the second and fourth Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. We meet in Room 1. We are planning to add rhythm instruments so all can share in playing. We need more children to be involved.
Ms. Mary Roberts and Daniel Herman work together to direct this group.
Rehearsal: 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 10: 00 - 11: 00am
Leader: Mary Roberts/ Daniel Herman
Contact: 616-455-9310
Cantor Ministry
The ministry of cantor/song leader is primarily to sing the psalm and Gospel acclamation. A secondary role is to assist the assembly in the singing of songs and hymns. This role requires a dedication to delivering the word of God in music, a comfortable presence in front of the assembly, a pleasant voice and the willingness to learn music independently.
Requirement: Audition, music reading helpful but not essential
Mass: assigned based on your schedule
Contact: 616-455-9310
St. Mary Magdalen Choir
The SMM Choir consists of singers who enjoy the challenge of singing in four (or more) parts. Our primary purposes are to enhance the singing of the congregation and to present a piece of choral literature weekly as a meditation on the word of God. The literature we sing is highly varied and is mainly drawn from composers of the 17th through the 21st century. The support you will receive as a member of this community is an added bonus to their great music-making skills. If you enjoy a wide variety of choral styles, this is the group for you!
Rehearsal: Thursdays, 6:30-8:30,
Mass: Sunday, 11 am, 3rd Sunday 9:00AM
Contact: 616-455-9310
Bell Choir
The bell choir consists of at least 11 members who play a 3-octave set of Schulmerich handbells. Members need to have a basic proficiency in reading music (mainly understanding rhythm) and be physically able to swing up to a couple of pounds of weight held in their hands.
Rehearsal: Thursdays, 5:30-6:25pm
Assistant conductor: Barbara Kozachik
Contact: 616-455-9310
Funeral Choir
This ad hoc ensemble consists of members of various ensembles and even some non-parishioners who lead the singing for funerals. This ministry is open to anyone who has frequent availability to sing a liturgy on a weekday morning.
Rehearsal: 45 minutes before a funeral liturgy
Mass: announced 2 or 3 days in advance
Contact: 616-455-9310
Instrumentalists
Instrumentalists are encouraged to make yourself and the instrument(s) you play know to Daniel Herman, Director of Music. We will work you into an ensemble, or schedule times for you to play for liturgies and special events. We STRONGLY encourage your involvement!
Altar Servers
Contact the Parish Office (455-9310) for information and ask for the current contact person for this ministry.
Instructions
- Sign in!
- Go into the back of church for your alb. Make sure you pick a size that will fall at about ankle length.
- Once in your alb, stand at the entrance to church by the candles. Just before Mass starts, light the two candles that will be brought up to the Altar.
- The music begins; Father will give you a cue to begin processing down the aisle.
- At the Altar, the two candleholders should line up with the pink pillars. The person carrying the cross (if there is one) should continue up the Altar and place the cross in the holder, then go directly to your seat. After the candles are placed, those servers should also go directly to their seats.
- Father will begin Mass. Your next big cue is when he says, “LET US PRAY”. Then one altar server should bring the Sacramentary (the big red book) to the priest, and hold it as he reads from it. When finished, he will close the book and you and the book return to the pew.
- Your next big cue comes after The Prayers of the Faithful. (For you little ones, this is when a Lector reads short prayers and we answer “We pray to the Lord”). As soon as we are finished with Prayers of the Faithful:
- PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE NO LONGER TAKING THE CANDLES TO THE BACK OF CHURCH TO LEAD THE FAMILY BRINGING UP THE OFFERTORY GIFTS. PROCEED RIGHT TO THE FOLLOWING STEPS
- One altar server needs to take the Sacramentary (the big red book) up to the altar, and place it on the left side (left side facing the congregation). If there is also a little black notebook with the Sacramentary, you should bring that up, too.
- Another altar server should get the Chalice and Purificator (little white towel that is laid across the Chalice) from the (side) Credence table and bring it to the Altar, placing it in the center.
- Then both servers should return to the Credence table, and bring the water cruet, bowl, and towel to the Altar. Father will be busy at the altar, and will turn to you when it is time for you to pour the water over his hands, and offer the towel for him to dry his hands with. Then return the cruet, bowl and towel to the Credence table, and go back to your pew.
- NOTE: If there are three servers, split up the duties. Perhaps have one server bring the Sacramentary, Chalice & Purificator to the Altar. The other two can do the water cruet, bowl and towel.
- Your next action is to kneel at the Altar during the Consecration of the Eucharist.
- Your next big cue is the SIGN OF PEACE. Directly following the sign of Peace, the following needs to happen.
- Retrieve the Sacramentary from the Altar and place it on the first pew, where Father sits at the end of Mass.
- Bring the small bowls (the ones that will hold the Eucharist) from the Credence table to the Altar. Place four bowls on each side of the altar.
- PLEASE NOTE: The Master Cup will bring the tray of cups to the altar.
- Your next big cue is when Communion has been completed: THIS IS NEW INFORMATION: In an effort to cut down on the confusion and number of people involved in cleaning the Altar after communion, we are making some changes:
- The Eucharistic Ministers have now been asked to clear the Altar of the cups and bowls after Communion.
- BUT…since this is new for them too…you still should keep watch of the Altar, in case some of the Eucharistic Ministers leave the Altar without returning their bowls to the side Altar. THEN head up and finish clearing, if need be.
- Your next cue is after the Final Blessing. As soon as the music starts, leave your pew and take your candles to the same position (directly in front of the pink pillars). If there is a third server, you will also get the cross and stand to the left of Father.
- When Father bows, that is your signal to begin processing out of church. The server carrying the cross should lead; the two candleholders follow; and then comes Father.
- Blow out the candles and return them to their holders in the back of church.
- Return your alb to the closet in the back of church. Make sure you hang it up carefully, and remember to attach the velcro in the proper places so it hangs properly. Father just spent a lot of money on these new albs, and they look fantastic! We want to keep them looking that way!
IN A NUTSHELL …
You have five big moments at the Altar:
- Bringing the Sacramentary to Father at the Altar, once he says, “Let Us Pray”.
- After the Prayers of the Faithful: Bringing the Sacramentary, Chalice & Purificator to the Altar; and bringing the water cruet, bowl, and towel to Father at the Altar.
- After the Sign of Peace: Retrieving the Sacramentary from the Altar, and bringing it to the front pew where Father sits at the end of mass; bringing the Eucharist bowls from the Credence table to the Altar.
- After Communion: Watching for any cleanup you may need to do, if not completed by the Eucharistic ministers.
- As soon as the music starts, grab the candles and cross and get in position for the process out of church.
Art & Environment
Help to plan and decorate the church for various liturgical seasons and special events.
Open to men, women, and young adults.
Service – seasonal.
Contact the Parish Office (455-9310) and ask for the current contact person for this ministry.
Liturgical Ministers
Open to musicians age 16 and up, this ensemble plays the Saturday 5:00 Mass weekly and rehearses once per month on a Tuesday evening and at 4:00 each Saturday.
Contact Daniel Herman, music@stmmagdalen.org.
MS & HS Social Activities
Contact the Parish Office (455-9310) for information and ask for the current contact person for this ministry.
Men's Group
Opportunities for spiritual growth, service to others, and community building with other men of the parish. The Men's club also sponsors breakfasts and dinners, the annual children's Easter Egg hunt, and other activities.
Open to all men of the parish. Meets – 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30.
Contact Brian Fojtik at 455-9251.
Women's Guild
Opportunities for spiritual growth, service to others, and community building with other women of the parish. The Guild also has a Craft Sale in December and a Spring Rummage Sale.
Open to all women of the parish.
Meet - watch the bulletin for the dates and details of our monthly luncheon meeting.
Contact the Parish Office (455-9310) and ask for the current contact person for this ministry.
Young-At-Heart
Opportunities for spiritual growth, service to others, and community building with other seniors of the parish.
Open to all parishioners age 50 and older.
Meets - 2nd Thursday of each month with a potluck at 12:00 p.m.
Contact the Parish Office (455-9310) and ask for the current contact person for this ministry.
Married Single
Contact the Parish Office (455-9310) for information and ask for the current contact person for this ministry.
Young Adults
Are you looking for a social group that embraces your beliefs? Would it be nice to be part of a group of people that share your interests? Would you like to spend time with people, having fun while strengthening your faith? The parish recognizes the need among “Young Adults” to establish and support a ministry that fits your needs and your life style. If you are interested in helping develop, supporting or participating in this ministry please contact Laura Kozachik at the Parish Office.
Parish Festival Committee
Contact the Parish Office (455-9310) for information and ask for the current contact person for this ministry.
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Weekend Saturday: 5 PM Sunday: 9 AM, 11 AM, 5 PM Weekday Tuesdays through Fridays: 8 AM 
Mission Statement
We are a reconciling, healing family of Christians celebrating life through worship, service and Catholic Formation.
Our Vision
St. Mary Magdalen is committed to creating an atmosphere within our parish family to come together in body and spirit as a living faith community to help each other become better servants, mature in faith formation, feed the spiritually and physically hungry, create a stronger faith formation and bring people to the light of God.