Weekly Update - April 3, 2024

Mary Magdalene Church

~Weekly Update~

Mary Magdalene Church is an inclusive church in the Catholic tradition where people from all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to the Lord’s table. We strive to live the values that Jesus taught, to honor and respect each individual and to share the joy of God’s unconditional love in our community and beyond.

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash

~A Message from Reverend Lori~

Dear Denise,

Welcome to the other side of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Welcome to the Easter Season! I've always been enamored of this time each year when we are asked to remember that Easter is not just one day. It is, in fact, seven weeks of seven days plus one...in other words, from now until Pentecost, which is May 19th this year. But because each of these weeks roll out one by one, it can be difficult to see how beautiful Easter is as an entire season. Getting the bigger picture can help us understand why Easter would be silly as anything other than that.

The scriptures we read for the Sundays of Easter Season are some of the most provocative stories of our faith. And every year, these stories gently push us toward acknowledging how important we are. The stories ask us to consider how much our actions and our love are part of bringing about God's reign. For example, this Sunday, we deal with Doubting Thomas - or grieving Thomas as we might also think about him. The following week, Jesus scares the pants off his disciples. I'm not making it up; take a look at Luke 24:35-48. After that, we consider Jesus as the Good Shepherd before we are asked to wrestle with the greatest commandment...we are to love one another.

This is all big stuff...important stuff...and difficult stuff. The reason is simple. If resurrection is just Jesus winning over death, then one day is plenty. Easter Sunday is all it takes! But if our faith is about all of us conquering separation from God by turning toward one another, well that takes time. And that takes training. So every year, we have a season in which to train diligently for the work of loving each other and the world. We will fail at it. We will get it wrong over and over and over. But Easter Season reminds us that we get there together. In our grief and in our doubts, we have each other. When we are afraid and when we are asked to do impossible things, we have each other. And at the end of all that training is Pentecost - the Spirit on our shoulders and our marching orders to BE church.

Let the training begin!

All the love,

Rev. Lori

Love Links

Click here for a little love this week....

Prayer Concerns

Te and Marissa
Susan
Laura Migliore and Jeane Kennedy
Isabella Miller
Ellen Williams
Will Smith
Lochlan Mortimer
All impacted by the earthquake in Taiwan
John Pelc
Eric Ekstrom
Mason
John
Diz Putnam
Jordan Wright and his siblings
John Joe Murphy
Eric M.
Tara Hawkins
Pat Davidson
Rebecca, Sharon, Brianna and Marilyn
Bill Smith
Mary Kay
Linda and Mike Stell
Ed M.
Jim McCarthy
Marion McElvey
Tony, A.J. and Family
Deb Blonsky
RoseAnne and John Cleary
Sue Eck
Clara and her family
Karen Lasky
Connie Southern
Sharon and Chris Cassidy
Hannah and Melanie
David Webster
Michael
Marc K.
Mark
Family and friends of all victims of violence
Kate and her family
Aidan and his family
Justin
Paris and her parents
Lorien
All who are struggling with mental illness, suicidal thoughts and addiction

Do you have someone you

want us to pray for?

To add someone to the prayer list, contact:

Sue Gerber or Joann Corso

We will include your prayer request in our Prayers of the People for two weeks. If you'd like us to continue praying for the same need longer,

please just send an email! We'll be happy to do so.

If you'd like to join our team of "pray-ers" and be notified where there are

prayer needs, please send an email to Sue Gerber.

Watch last Sunday's Mass on Facebook or YouTube here! Join us any day or time you like. And let us know you are watching by leaving comments in the FB chat or emailing reverend.vail@gmail.com

Sunday, March 31st

Online Mass Attendance

Facebook Views: 103

YouTube Views: 91

Thank you for joining us!

News from the ECC - 2024 SYNOD

We are excited to announce the Holy Synod gathering this year in Estes Park, Colorado on October 11th - 14th. We also want to extend the invitation to attend Synod to EVERYONE, not just delegates. Our theme for this Synod is "Passing the Torch". Click here for more information and keep an eye out for updates in future bulletins.

Reserve your seat here!

Justice Ministry Opportunities

We hope you can join a free, public screening of At the River I Stand: a film about the final days in the life of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and his involvement in the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike. This 58-minute documentary brings into sharp relief issues that have only become more urgent in the intervening years: the connection between economic and civil rights, the debate over violent vs. nonviolent change, and the demand for full inclusion of African Americans in American life. The screening is sponsored by the Rochester Labor Council, and is held on the 56th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

WHEN: Thursday, April 4th, 5:30pm

WHERE: ROC Cinema, 957 South Clinton Ave., Rochester, NY 14620

Things to do at MMC!

Board of Trustees Call for Nominations

The Board of Trustees at Mary Magdalene Church meets monthly. They assist in the running of the church, address budgetary issues, and support the community in many ways. The trustees routinely serve a three-year term, and they have the option of serving a total of two consecutive terms. Once a year, we advise the community of open positions and seek nominations from the community. This year we have three positions available: a treasurer and two standard trustee positions (all three year terms). Please consider serving in this vital capacity, and we especially welcome those members outside our local area to consider service on the board.

Eligibility requirements and more information can be found here. Or you can contact Betty Jerabeck, Chair of the Board, at eajerbeck@gmail.com. Nominations will be accepted through April 30th by using the nomination form here or those found on the tables at the entrances. You can nominate yourself or others. Please return your completed form to the box labeled Board of Trustee NOMINATIONS on the table at the rear entrance or submit them by email to Betty Jerabeck.

Family Promise of Greater Rochester (Formerly RAIHN) Fundraiser

Come out, enjoy a meal and support a great cause! Wednesday, April 17th 11:30AM-9PM, Benucci's (3349 Monroe Ave., Rochester, 14618) will donate 20% of the entire day's proceeds to support families at risk of experiencing homelessness (dine-in or take-out included).

SAVE THE DATE! Rummage Sale - June 14th & 15th

Donations are now being accepted for the annual MMC Rummage Sale! Please call Tammy Drollette at 585-362-1155 to arrange a drop off. No TVs or Christmas decorations will be accepted. For larger items, please contact Tammy to confirm that we can accomodate your donation. Thank you!

2024 Food for the Journey Massage Program

Our Food for the Journey Massage program is evolving for the 2024 season!

Massages for parishioners or those from the community will be available year-round. Sessions will be offered on a sliding scale of $35 - $65 per massage. A portion of the proceeds from every massage will be donated directly back to Mary Magdalene Church, benefitting our church ministries.

Massage is a way to care for your body, both the physical aches and pains as well as honoring the mental and emotional aspects. This program is open and available to ANYONE in our church or our community. Contact Ginny Weisel directly with questions or to schedule, ginnyweisel1@gmail.com

InReach-OutReach Money Ball FUNdraiser!

This fundraising event is open to all parishioners and the public! Balls/numbers are available for purchase throughout the year! The proceeds will benefit Mary Magdalene Church and our InReach/OutReach ministries. Click here for an informational flyer. Contact Tammy Drollette tdrollette@rochester.rr.com to purchase a ball if you are not able to do so in person.

East Rochester Resource Center - April Pantry Needs

Click here for a list of April's pantry needs. Your items may be dropped off at church. Thank you for your continued support!

Knit, Purl, Crochet & Pray Ministry

Please join us and put your needles and hooks to good use bringing comfort and prayers to those in need! Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is open to all parishioners who wish to participate at home. Feel free to borrow the book Knitting into the Mystery - A Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Mystery found in the shawl basket. We are need shawls of all sizes! Place your completed shawl in the basket by the altar or in Sue Gerber’s office.

2024 Sunday Children's Ministry

Click here for the 2024 Children's Ministry Calendar here and or visit our website calendar. If you would like to sign your child up please contact the office.

Ministry Sign Up Sheets Available!

Want to become more involved on Sunday? Consider one of many opportunities such as serving as a lector or Eucharistic minister, reading the Prayers of the People, or hosting a coffee hour. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board. If you have questions about any of these ministries, Rev. Lori or Sue would be happy to answer them. Thanks for your help!

Things to do in the community!

The offerings listed below are brought to us by members of our community who want you to know what is available! Contact information is always provided so that you can find out more. Please know these offerings do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Mary Magdalene Church.

ENCORE Chorus

ENCORE chorus in Rochester brings together people with dementia, their caregivers, and a small army of volunteers in order to make beautiful music. They are still in search of dyads to participate in the chorus, so if you are interested, please contact Sue Gerber or Reverend Lori for more information!

Here is a press release about the efforts, and WXXI in Rochester recently ran this feature story as well, in print and on radio.

Faith & Grief Workshop

Explore the nature of grief, share your story and explore spiritual practices designed to provide comfort as you grieve. Click here to learn more and RSVP for the Monday or Friday workshops.

Finding the Wild Goose

Journeying Together in Faith

Join us for our next meeting on April 24th at Mary Magdalene Church in Fellowship Hall to explore contemporary faith-based research/studies and grow in our Christian spirituality. Feel free to bring a bagged lunch, coffee and tea will be provided. Click here to view the flyer. To RSVP, please click here.

An Evening with Leigh Rubin at Fairport United Methodist Church

Join us on April 25th for an evening of hilarious comic adventure with comedian and cartoonist Leigh Rubin, creator of the nationally-sydicated cartoon, RUBES. Click here for more information. This event benefits the Perinton Food Shelf.

Faith Climate Action Week - April 19 - 28, 2024

Faith Climate Action Week is ten days in April during Earth Month when congregations focus on how we can all take action to protect our climate. This year's theme is Common Ground: Cultivating Connections between Food, Faith, and Climate. To learn more or order your own pizza garden seed kit, click here.

Save the Date - Trillium Health's Annual White Party!

Join us for a night of celebration in support of Trillium Health on June 1st. Early bird tickets on sale now! Your contributions help support our various programs and services, and impact the lives of our patients and clients. Click here for more information.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Comes to East Rochester!

A local chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now available exclusively for children who live in the East Rochester school district. Free books are mailed to children under the age of five. Parents must request the books by registering online. Click here for more information.

A Course in Miracles

A Course in Miracles is a spiritual path that follows an educational program in learning how to see things differently to let go of fear, anger, guilt, judgment and choosing to forgive. Study groups are forming for Sunday and Thursday Zoom sessions. Click here for more information or contact Dory Deisenroth.

Bulletin Announcements

Do you have an announcement you would like to see included in our bulletin? Just email Sue Gerber by Tuesday at 5 pm to have your group's message or activity added to our Wednesday newsletter. sgerber.mmagdalene@gmail.com

Ways to Give to MMC!

Thank you, as always, for your generosity! We have numerous ways you can choose to donate. You can use the button below to make a one-time donation, and you can contact our treasurer, Mike Salamone, at msalamone273@gmail.com to set up ongoing support.

If you are at least 72 ½ years old and take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA each year, consider donating some of those funds as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to Mary Magdalene Church and enjoy some tax savings at the same time! Questions about RMDs or QCDs? Email our treasurer, Mike Salamone.

We also have an account with Can Kings! Your donation of cans and bottles can be made at any of the three Can King locations: 1276 Fairport Road, Fairport; 1183 Bay Road, Webster; or 505 East Main Street, Palmyra. Just let them know to put your donation down for Mary Magdalene Church! Please ask for a receipt, and if you're able please send the receipt to us, so we know to watch for your donation.

DONATE

Weekly Services at Mary Magdalene Church

Wednesday Reflection

Come to church for prayer, communion and reflection every Wednesday from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Thursday Morning Contemplative Prayer

All are welcome every Thursday from 7:30-8:30 am

either in-person or via Zoom!

Join us for meditative music, reflective readings, silent contemplative prayer & communion.

Please use the parking lot door and join us in the sanctuary.

On Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81433878080

Meeting ID: 814 3387 8080. The Passcode is 'presence'.

Casa Gubbio

Saturday Morning Rosary

Saturdays at 8:00 am

Casa Gubbio is the ministry of Brother Peter Veitch, a Mary Magdalene parishioner and brother in the Benedictines of Holy Wisdom, ECC. The mission of Casa Gubbio is to provide a place of retreat for progressive/independent ‘seekers’ in keeping with the Benedictine charism of hospitality.

Casa Gubbio is a safe place to gather outside of traditional organized religious communities. All are welcome. For more information, contact Brother Peter at peterthomasveitch@gmail.com