Our Vision Statement: ‘With the heart and mind of Christ, we transform the world.’

Reflection from our Pastors

Tuesday, August 18, 2025

Week One of the Retreat

Mother Rosean will be on vacation and retreat from August 18-Sepember 16. In her absence, she has left you a 4 week retreat to participate in also.

For those of you who have visited St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado over the years, you will be familiar with the facilitator of this retreat -- Fr. Theophane* the Monk.

His book Tales of a Magic Monastery, which has been translated worldwide, “was eminently true of him and his way of interacting with people. There was something about him and his stories that was always unexpected, yet inevitable, infinitely familiar, yet completely surprising.” (Dr. Joel Brence)

A question will be put forth each week, followed by two short stories from Theophane. These will be for your reflection. Spend time with them. Journal your feelings, experiences of the stories, deeper meanings contemplated. Enjoy this retreat in the comfort of your own home!

“In the tradition of the masters, Father Theophane seeks to put us in touch with some of the deepest mysteries of life through the medium of story. Like the parables of Jesus, these tales repeatedly unfold new levels of meaning if we are willing to sit with them. The use of story is the rediscovery of our times and the Monk Theophane is a master of the art.”  

(M. Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O.)

Blessings,

Mother Rosean

How Big is Your Heart?

1.   Myself?  

I sat there in awe as the old monk answered our questions. Though I’m usually shy, I felt so comfortable in his presence that I found myself raising my hand. “Father, could you tell us something about yourself?”

He leaned back. “Myself?” he mused. There was a long pause.

“My name… 

used to be…  

Me.

But now...

it's you.”

2.   The Best Place to Pray

I asked an old monk, “How do I get over the habit of judging people?”     He answered, “When I was your age, I was wondering where would be the best place to go to pray. Well, I asked Jesus that question. His answer was, ‘Why don't you go into the heart of God?’ So, I did. I went into the heart of God, and all these years that's where I've prayed. Now I see everyone as my own child. How can I judge anyone?”

Fr Theophane Boyd - 20 May 1929 - 6 Oct 2003 (aged 74)

This Week at Mary of Magdala

To All Members of Mary of Magdala:

While Mother Rosean is on vacation/retreat 8/18-9/16, please know that your needs will be met by our Pastoral Care Team.

This team consists of Rev. Jane Reina, Dori Healy, Jim Berry, Cindy Cloyd,

Marylou Devlin, Len Russ, Pastor Rick Reiten, and Pastor Felicia SmithGraybeal

Whatever your need may be, please call the church office at

(970) 493-9536. Your call will be returned and your need addressed.

Rest easy in the loving arms of your capable pastoral caregivers.

In Christ’s peace,

Mother Rosean

You are invited to the ISAAC Community Picnic

ISAAC is excited to be hosting the first ever ISAAC Community Picnic.

This is an ALL ISAAC COMMUNITY PICNIC - our community, volunteers, and our coalition and congregational partners. Join us Sunday, August 24, from 5-8pm. Our goal is to celebrate our community with joy and laughter.

The picnic will take place at 301 E. Stuart, Fort Collins hosted by our 301 Faith Partners on our beautiful back lawn for this wonderful event. ISAAC will grill meats (we will provide halal meats). You may, if you wish, bring a side dish, a lawn chair and/or blanket.

We are planning games for children AND some for all ages. Come and enjoy being together in community. 

LuMin's Student Housing Security Initiative (SHSI)



Saturday, August 23 from 10 am–1 pm

Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ

916 W Prospect Road, Fort Collins

CSU’s Office of International Programs and the Fort Collins International Center help welcome their students to campus. SHSI students will be housed this year at Rams Village, where apartments come with beds, desks, chests, table and chairs, couch/chairs/coffee table, major appliances, and empty kitchen cabinets. Housing for international students varies in size and what is provided.

The purpose of the Welcome Event is to provide, at no cost to the students, items that will help them make their space functional, conducive to study, comfortable and HOME.

How can you help? Spread the word with friends, neighbors, fellow faith community members, anyone you know who might be downsizing, relocating or simply has more than they need. For further information and a list of most-needed items, go to plymouthucc.org/studentsupport.

DONATIONS MAY BE DROPPED OFF AT PLYMOUTH AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES:

• LAST DAY TO DROP OFF!
• Thursday, August 21 from 3-6 pm

Service Recordings

20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

The recording of the readings and homily for the 20th Sunday of Ordinary time, August 17, 2025 has been uploaded here.

Rev. Jane Reina was the presider and homilist.

Missed a homily or readings? Here is the link to past recorded services.

Prayer Requests

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

+Len Russ, member

+Fr. Frank Quintana, ECC priest

+Kendal, daughter of Steve and Lisa Jones, member

+Zoe Wahl, sister of Kristina Bulik-Hocum, member

+Colleen DeMuth, member

+Courtney and Cache, family of Jean Christin, member

+Jane Kommrusch, spouse of Richard Kommrusch, member

+ Jeff Klein, son of Debbie Klein

+Mary Powers and Katie Richards, members healing from long COVID

+Milo Pasquale Cushman -- brother of Liz Urban, member

+Hope Kunze,  granddaughter of Mother Rosean

+ Valerie Dorr, mother of Deana Andrist, TLC

+Cindy Cloyd, member

+Sandra Life, member

+Julie Lucas, daughter of Bruce and Carol Yeazell

+The Grant and Cloyd families, for healing

+Carolyn Sue Cecil and family, friends of Mary of Magdala

+ Mary Lou and David Devlin, members

+Rachel, Ryan, & Chloe Honeybourne, family of Julia Morrow, friend of Mary of Magdala

+ Sharyl Hoepfinger, for prayers of healing

+Jenny Witzke, for prayers of support

+Pastor Rick Reiten, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

~~~~~~~~~~~

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

+Donna Lusby, friend of Ralph, Anne, Debbie, Mark, Dori, and Tom, members

+Lois Hug, mother of MaryAnne Heyman, member

+Richard Life, member of Mary of Magdala

+Donald Sherlock, brother-in-law of Dori Healy

+Joseph Grant, nephew of David and Cindy Cloyd

+Dennis Healy, Tom Healy's brother and Dori's brother-in-law

+Barbara Lange, grandmother of Gray La Fond

+Leonard Urban, husband of member Liz Urban

+Tess Peters, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Kelly Cahill, friend of Ruth Alexander

+Pauline Devlin, David Devlin's mother

+James Lyons, brother-in-law of Mary Lyons, member

+Carole Lyons, sister-in-law of Mary Lyons, member

+Jessica Melton, family friend of Jane Reina

+Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll

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.

Sunday Mass -

August 24, 12:30 pm

• In person and Zoom available
• Rev. Jane Reina presiding

Wednesday - Weekday Mass

August 27, 11:00 am

• On this day, Dori Healy will host a communion service.

Sunday Mass -

August 31, 12:30 pm

• In person and Zoom available
• Dori Healy presiding over a communion service

Wednesday - Weekday Mass

September 3, 11:00 am

• On this day, Jim Berry will preside over a communion service.

Did you miss an article or announcement?



Past e-bulletins and reflections are posted on our website here. Past recordings of readings and homily are posted here. Below are links to some key articles:

• July News from the Office of Presiding Bishop - here
• ECC News from the House of Laity - May - here
• Spring News from the Office of Presiding Bishop - here.
• Read the recent ECC statement on immigration 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.

Mary of Magdala Parish Community

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

-->If you are in need of a picture for the directory, contact David Cloyd via this email. Put 'Need Picture for the Directory' in the subject line and include your name and telephone number in your email <--

CONTRIBUTIONS TO MARY OF MAGDALA

If you would like to contribute to Mary of Magdala,

click here 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.