Reflections from Our Pastors

Thursday, November 30th, 2023

Matthew 4:18-22

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is calling his first disciples to follow him. They are fishermen.

Not fly fisherman hanging out by a fast-flowing stream, or line fisherman sitting in a canoe on a calm lake. And surely not tourists who are about to land a catch of a 20 pound striped bass, on a chartered boat.

No. These fishermen went out in a group--first century commercial fishermen--casting large nets into the water, nets that scripture tells us could hold at least 153 fish without ripping apart. (John 21:11)

These men worked hard, all night long, trying to locate an area where the fish were abundant. Sometimes they came back having caught nothing, and sometimes their nets were torn with the weight of their catch. Then there was the job of mending the nets and cleaning and fileting the fish to sell to the markets.

Oftentimes, fishermen worked collaboratively. Two or three boats would set

up a net between them and chase fish into the net. This would be done several times during the night, and by morning the fishermen could bring in as much as a half-ton of fish! The job of a fisherman was strenuous.

So, why do you think Jesus called fishermen to be his disciples? They were dependable, courageous, patient, strong, committed, possessed a deep

faith, and worked collaboratively and cooperatively with each other. And…

fishermen already knew what it meant to rely on God. Every time they threw their nets in the water, it was kind of like a prayer saying “give us this day our daily bread,” or “feed us God.”

It was no accident that Jesus chose fishermen to be his first disciples. These men possessed characteristics that Jesus desires of all of his followers. Jesus will keep working with us and through us, “catching” others as he has caught us — in the deep, wide net of God's mercy and love.

Amen,

Mother Rosean

Photo used with permission by Avery Ellfeldt.

Upcoming at Mary of Magdala

Habitat Fundraiser: Christmas Ornaments, Decorations, and Gift Baskets

A fundraiser sale will be held on Saturday, December 2, from 4 – 6 pm and on Sunday from 9:30 am to noon in the narthex of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (2000 South Lemay Ave). 

The purpose of this sale is to help raise money for the Faith-Build Habitat Home for Crystal, a math teacher, and her 8-year-old son Neal. The basic framing for their home will be built by math students at Poudre High School, as part of their Geometry in Construction program. The frame will then be moved to its permanent location, where final touches will be added by Habitat volunteers, including from TLC, SPE, and MoM. We can help through this fundraiser!

About 30 members of Our Saviour’s and their friends have created and contributed over 200 handcrafted items for the fundraiser sale this coming weekend. To view a sample of the items for sale please, click here.  All are fun and unique and can make treasured heirlooms for family members or welcomed gifts for friends. Items will be sold for cash or check only- credit card facilities are not available.

Building affordable homes in Fort Collins is happening now, due to your financial help and the assistance of many volunteers. Thank you for your support! 

The Season of Advent and Christmas – 2023

Our theme: ‘God's Gift of Hope--and Ours’

Advent Sunday Masses -

12:30 pm

First Sunday      Dec 3    

Second Sunday                Dec 10

Third Sunday                      Dec 17

Fourth Sunday                   Dec 24

Christmas Services -

On Christmas Eve

3:00 pm and 5:00 pm  

Trinity’s worship services

7:00 pm  

St. Paul’s worship service

Christmas Day Mass

10:30 am - Mary of Magdala

No 12:30 Mass

Simple Supper and Prayer

All three churches are participating in this ‘Taize’ like prayer and song.

Wednesdays - December 6, 13, 20

Soup suppers                               5:45 pm

Holden Evening Prayer              6:30 pm

Mary of Magdala will be hosting the simple supper of soup and bread. We need volunteers to bring a 'crockpot' of soup and help for clean-up. Please call Joan at- 970- 224-0297

Share and Inspire

Reflecting on the week’s readings in our Advent Booklet – Waiting in Joyful Hope. Join Mother Rosean and Reverend Jane via Zoom

Tuesdays – Dec 5, 12, 19 at 7:30 pm

   With Reverend Jane

   Zoom Link HERE

   Meeting ID: 848 5409 9634

   Passcode: Advent

Thursdays – Dec 7, 14, 21 at 10:00 am

   With Mother Rosean

   Zoom Link; HERE

   Meeting ID: 870 8960 1942

   Passcode: Advent

Giving opportunities during the Season of Advent

Mary of Magdala Social Justice Project

• The Social Justice committee will be collecting grocery gift cards to King Soopers in $25 denominations for our pastors to respond to emergency and individual requests for help with gas or groceries. Just drop them in the offertory basket!

301 Faith Partners

• Alternate Giving Fair. Sun Dec 3, 8:30 – 12:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Various charities supported by the 301 Partner communities will be represented to take donations.  Please consider stopping by before our Dec 3 Mass and give a gift on behalf or in memory of someone dear to you.

• Reverse Advent calendar: Food donations go to our Lil Pantry on Stuart street. Non-perishables, low or non-liquid canned or packaged food items are preferred. Click here for information and food suggestions. Donation box in Fellowship Hall

Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times.

+Cache and Courtney, family of Jean

+Joanne Gallagher, member

+David Devlin, member

+Joanne Kresl, friend of Suzanne King, member

+Lisa Moos, member

+Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll

+Kolten Weitzel, grandson of Kerrie Anderson, member

+Sabrina and her two children, currently homeless

+Grandneice of Father Michael Nicosia

+Linda Browell, member

+Sandra Carter, friend of Mary Vogel

+Kris Jenkins, wife of Father Scott Jenkins

+Jen Banks, friend of Mary of Magdala

+Francisco Cruz Antonio, friend of Rev. Jane

+Yvonne Keefe, member

+Jo Anne, friend of Sandra Life, member

+Grace Robinson, member

+Jerry Padilla, father of member Lisa Jones

+Janessa and Hayden, sister and niece of Jen Banks

+Rachel, daughter of Mary Lou Devlin, member.

~~~~~~~~~~~

A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.

+Daniel, cousin of Pedro Engel

+Juanita Newbre, aunt of MaryLou Devlin, member

+Jeanette Marian Banks (Brown) mother of Jen Banks

+Flavian Reising Jr., Father of Steve Reising, member

+Marge Gruber, friend of Michael Six, member

+Betty Jones, mother-in-law of Lisa Jones, member

+Jean Preslan, friend of Mother Rosean and Yvonne Wootten, member

+Josy Moos, Godmother of Tom Moos

+Fr. Fred Ball, OFR, ECC priest

+Bob Colhour, father of member Mark Colhour.

+Candy Palmer, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Johnny Berlyn Thomas, friend and benefactor out of his own poverty, of Pastor Jane

+Fr Don Willet, from John XXIII

+Linn Zink, friend of MoM, Social Justice advocate

+Bishop McGrath - RC diocese of San Jose, Friend of Suzanne King

+James Ryan cousin of Mary Lyons, member

+ Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother

+ Mother Sheila Dierks, ECC priest in Boulder

Please send prayer requests to marymagdalafc@gmail.com. Prayers will be listed for one month unless requested for longer. Prayers for the repose of souls will be listed for six months unless requested for a longer time.

Celebrating with the 34th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Celebrate with Pastor Jane Reina presiding on November 26th. The video of the homily and readings is available here.

Mass Schedule

Sunday Dec 3 at 12:30 pm

• Father Teri Harroun is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.

Weekly Mass Wednesday, Dec 6 at

11:00 am

• Weekly mass in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Sunday Dec 10 at 12:30 pm

• Mother Rosean Amaral is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.

Weekly Mass Wednesday, Dec 13 at

11:00 am

• Weekly mass in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Did you miss an article or announcement?

Past e-bulletins posted here

• Click here to read October/November ECC National Newsletter
• To read the ECC Council of Bishops' statement on the War in Gaza and Israel, click here.
• Ongoing Giving Opportunities in Fellowship hall; see list here
• Dedicating Altar Flowers? Contact Joan Stepleton at JoanStepleton@gmail.com or 864-650-2816. A $25 dollar donation is kindly requested.
• The purpose of the Mary Magdalene Society is to financially support aspiring and current priests and encourage the development of youth in their spiritual journeys. Read more here.

Mary of Magdala Parish Community

Members: Need to view, update information or download a copy of the member directory? Just click here.

If you would like to contribute to Mary of Magdala, here are ways to schedule a single or recurring Sunday offertory.

All are invited and ALL are welcome to join our parish community. Here is the webpage with more information on membership



The ECC Regional Website - View here.

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal  

Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.