Our Vision Statement: ‘With the heart and mind of Christ, we transform the world.’ | | |
Reflections from our Pastors
Thursday, September 11, 2025
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.
Week Four of the Retreat
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!
Blessings, Mother Rosean
“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 the story is the rediscovery of our times and the Monk Theophane is a master of the art.”
(M. Basil Pennington, O.C.S.O.)
Still Holding Out?
What Will You Give Me?
1. Strange sight
A monk with no legs sat by the wall, calling out to passersby, “What will you give me? What will you give me?”
I felt compelled to stop and apologize: “I am a monk myself, so I have nothing to give you.”
“Give me your unhappiness,” he demanded. I did.
2. The Two Brothers
They told me the story of two monks who were blood brothers.
The younger one had offended the older, and the older just could not forgive him. Every morning the younger would knock on the door of his brother and call out, “Forgive me, Brother.” But he would not. Day after day this went on, year after year.
After many years, the younger brother did not show up one morning. Nor the next, nor the next. The older one became uneasy. Finally, he went out to look for his brother. He knocked on every door. “Have you seen my brother?” No one had. He left the monastery, knocked on all the doors of all the neighbors. “Have you seen my brother?” He kept going. Miles away from the monastery he would knock on a door. “Have you seen my brother?” People thought him strange, but he kept it up. Days went by, months, years. And that was all he had to say, except that when someone would show annoyance he would say “Forgive me, Brother.”
At last, after so many years of searching, he found himself back at his monastery. He knocked. The young Brother who answered did not recognize him but was struck by the beauty of his face. He ran to call the others. They all came crowding around. They were all struck by the beauty of this old man. Now some of the older ones recognized him. When they called out his name, he fell on his face. “Forgive me, Brothers,” he said. They wept, all of them.
Well, they made up a cell for him right beside the Abbott’s cell. And now, whenever any monk has difficulty forgiving his brother, why, he just slips in there for a few minutes. And guests can do the same…
| | |
TODAY!!
September's 301 FP Pub-Fellowship
Spirit of Joy Lutheran members also meet on the second Thursday of every month at a different brewery! They have invited our 301 members to join them!
We will all meet on:
Thursday, September 11, 3:30pm
VERBOTEN BREWING
It is located at 1611 S. College Ave., Unit 1609, which is a small shopping mall found just before crossing the railroad tracks on West Prospect Ave.
The brewery was once Black Bottle Brewing. The drink menu includes 4 different brew specials, wines, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. The kitchen includes a variety of pizzas, snacks, salads, sandwiches, and a few deserts.
Let's all meet some new friends! As usual, no RSVP, just know that everyone is welcome at our get-togethers! Come when you can, leave when you must. See you there!
| | |
OKTOBERFEST 2025 – SEPTEMBER 27
RSVP by September 20 here
The 301 Faith Partners at Trinity Lutheran Church are excited to host the 3rd Annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity! This event is on Saturday, September 27 from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
There will be beer, brats, sides, Oktoberfest music, and a drawing from each table for winning a free beer stein! And together, we team up and raise money towards one of our social justice areas- Habitat for Humanity.
We will hear about the latest progress of home building for families that are approved to own their own home here in Fort Collins! Hear from the newly chosen families of their joy who actually help to build their homes.
This year we are asking EVERYONE to RSVP so we can adequately prepare food. Click HERE to RSVP.
NOW all hands on deck, we need volunteers for food, brains, & brawn, sign up HERE to help.
| | |
2nd Regional Holy Synod
Rocky Mountain Region of the ECC
October 11, 2025
at Light of Christ, in Longmont
Where is the Spirit taking us?
Click here for detail information and registration.
Deadline is Sept 28th to register for the Holy Synod. Tom Moos will be available after mass to assist anyone with registering. He will also have paper registration forms available. Carpools will be set up.
No Mass in the Sanctuary at Trinity on Sunday October 12
Please note: There wil NOT be a Mass held on October 12, in the Sanctuary. All are invited to attend the Mass on October 11 at Light of Christ ECC or via a live link on Saturday, October 11, at 5:00 pm. *Link to be provided* Bishop Kae Madden presiding.
| | |
September 20, 2025, 1-2:30pm
Immigration, Suffering, and God
Lunch and Learn Forum at Trinity Church hosted by Mary of Magdala. A presentation plus Q&A to follow.
Guest presenters: Presiding Bishop Paul Burson, ECC, Dr. David Cloyd, MoM, and Jesse Miller from ISAAC.
Bring your lunch or snack and a (gluten-free) desert will be provided by Tom Wilberton.
To RSVP call or text your name and number attending to Rev. Jane Reina at 973-610-6104 (Yep, 973 not 970)
| | |
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." Mother Rosean
| | |
Season of Creation
The recording of the readings and homily for the season of creation, September 7, 2025 has been uploaded here.
Associate Pastor Jane Reina presided but Linda Joyce delivered the homily.
Missed a homily or readings? Here is the link to past recorded services.
| | |
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. | | |
Wednesday - Weekday Mass
September 10, 11:00 am
- Dori Healy, candidate for the deaconate will lead a communion service
- No Zoom available
Sunday Mass -
September 14, 12:30 pm
- In person and Zoom available
- Rev. Rick Reiten will lead a communion service and provide the homily
| | |
Wednesday - Weekday Mass
September 17, 11:00 am
- Weekday Mass in the Fireside room
- No Zoom available
- Mother Rosean Amaral presiding
Sunday Mass -
September 21, 12:30 pm
- In person and Zoom available
- Mother Rosean will be presiding
| |
|
Did you miss an article or announcement?
Past e-bulletins are posted on our website here. Below are links to some key articles:
-
Read the 'Hope Prayer' here.
-
August ECC News from the House of Laity - here.
-
Read the 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
| | |
Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
| |  | |
The 301 Faith Partners--Mary of Magdala, Trinity Lutheran, St Paul's Episcopal --have a Vision, Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Read about our Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.
| | | |
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.
| | | | |
