Parish Vision

St. Mary Magdalene has been serving the spiritual needs of those living in Genesee/Livingston County since 2002. Below is a list of values that drive the way we live out our spiritual lives as a parish family.

View from back of church with young girls holding candles and altar boys surrounding the Deacon who is reading and parishioners facing center. Fr. Gabriel in background at royal doors.

Living Up to Our True Potential

Every person born into this world has been endowed with the image and likeness of God and is therefore capable of eternal life in Christ. Our parish exists for NO OTHER PURPOSE than the gaining of eternal life.

“And this is eternal life, that they know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou has sent.” (John 17:3).

Liturgy: The Work of the Lord

We hold that the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church is “what comes first” and that all other activities (programs, dinners, festivals, etc.) in the parish are complimentary to the above.

Faith and Works

Every member of the parish, young and old, must be a full participant in all aspects of the Church’s life. Each member has an invaluable gift to offer the Body of Christ no matter how simple. After the worship (litourgia) comes the service (diakonia). The service of the Church is the work of the Body of Christ by which the Church is edified.

Never Stop Learning and Growing

No one can grow in the faith without being continually educated in the faith. All members of the Church must be provided with opportunities to increase their knowledge of the faith. The most influential people in a child’s life of faith are the parents. Parents “model” the spiritual life for their children and are ultimately the ones responsible for the spiritual formation of their sons and daughters.

Spreading the Gem of Orthodoxy to the Community

Orthodox Christianity is vitally relevant to the lives of this generation. Orthodoxy in America is not a “religious-cultural museum” but the fullness of the Apostolic Faith--its teachings and traditions handed down from one generation to the next “without addition, without diminution.” For this reason, we seek at all times and in every way, to evangelize our faith to all those whom we come into contact with.