I am writing this column on Wednesday, prior to my leaving for the National Catholic Youth Convention in Columbus, Ohio.  We will all be back on Sunday evening.  The Diocese has four buses taking over 200 persons.  Should be fun! (I am taking ear-plugs along to protect my ears.)

 

This is going to be a busy week, as we make final arrangements for next weekend—the closing liturgy with the Bishop as celebrant and homilist, and the banquet following in the school.  If you are asked to help, or want to help on your own accord and help will be needed to set up at school, contact Joe Dressler or Edith Mueth, Betty Norrenberns, Pat Steinberg or Bill Huff.  They will be able to give you directions.  Pray that we have good weather next weekend and that all goes well.  My thanks to all who have worked on this committee throughout the year, and have made events happen well.  MASSES NEXT WEEK-END:  SATURDAY, 5:30 P.M.; SUNDAY, 8:00 A.M. AND 2 P.M.  Please note the change for this special event.

 

Last Sunday, I requested your prayers for Msgr. Lombardo.  He passed away on Monday, and donated his body to St. Louis University for Medical Science.  You can still pray for the repose of his soul.  There will be a memorial service for him.  See newspaper for details.

 

The Mascoutah Ministerial Association is sponsoring a Community Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday, November 20^th, here in Holy Childhood Church.  It almost seems tragic that we have to encourage people to give thanks to God for all that He has given them.  And yet, we all take, ask for more, complain that someone got something we did not get, and are reluctant to take time out in a meaningful way, and maybe at a sacrifice, to thank God.  It seems that we feel we are doing God a favor to go to Mass on Sunday, or at any other time.  The community service is an opportunity for all of the churches to come together and thank God for one another and for all of goodness that exists in one another.  Please make plans to come to the community service to show Holy Childhood's commitment to thank God for one another.  The parish will also have Mass on Thanksgiving Day at 9 AM.

 

I have been informed that it is getting more difficult to obtain Offertory Gift bearers at our Sunday liturgies.  When we bring up the offerings, we represent the whole parish and it should be an honor.  Not only that, we are bringing up the very items that become the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.  And then, it becomes the gift of God to all of the people who receive the Eucharist.  You are the one who helps Christ feed his people.  This is an honor!  It is a way of giving thanks to God for all of the blessings, and moving on beyond “just merely doing something”.  You represent the faith community in presenting their “thanks”, or gifts, to God.  Embrace the privilege!

 

Thanks again to Pepso Mattern and his crew for the work on the parking lot.  This week they finished installation of the underground piping for the wiring, and poured the concrete bases for the decorative lights.  We also got in the soil for the landscaping. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PSR classes will be held on Sunday November 18th from 9-10:15 AM. 

 

Mass times for that weekend will be Saturday at 5:30 PM and Sunday at 8:00 AM and also 2:00 PM for the Sesquicentennial Closing Mass.

 

NO 10:30 AM Mass that morning

 

ATTENTION PARENTS   Pick up your  copy of the series "Growing In Love" in the PSR office.

 

Parents are invited to the school meeting room for coffee and refreshments

during class time between 9 & 10:15 AM.