December 16, 2007
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH
Today is the Third Sunday of Advent, at one time known as GAUDETE Sunday, from the opening prayer beginning with Gaudete, or Rejoice—rejoice because the birth of the Savior is near. And it is near for this year—just ten days away. Its proximity also reminds us to prepare our souls—clean our spiritual homes—our souls, for the coming of the savior into our lives. Have you ever thought of putting a wax job on your car without first washing the car? You would say that does not make sense. I believe that many of us think we can do that with the sacraments—we do not need to clean our souls, but we can go to Communion just the same. Communion is strength and protection, just like the wax on the car; but we need to clean the soul also. You may just have to rinse off the car before you put on the wax. You may need to rinse off the soul—those venial sins, those acts of anger, gossip, pettiness, pride, or the more serious sins such as missing Mass, cursing, pornography, sins against the sixth and ninth commandments, that need a stronger cleansing - RECONCILIATION / CONFESSION- to get it right. We can fool ourselves and get by like putting wax over a dirty finish, but it won’t last! We need, all of us, to come clean and be cleansed by the saving power of Christ in this Sacrament. That is why Jesus came—to save us from our sins. If there were no sin, then there would have been no reason for Christ's coming to earth—nothing is wrong! His coming to earth is a strong conviction that there is sin, that we need to be cleansed from sin, and that He is the one to cleanse us through the Church and the Sacraments. Please make use of the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week at one of the many Penance Services held in our area:
Monday St. Libory………………….............7 PM
Tuesday Holy Childhood Church……..... 7 PM
Wednesday St. Nicholas, O’Fallon………..... 7 PM
Thursday St. Clare of Assisi, O’Fallon... 7 PM
Saturday Holy Childhood ...................11AM-12 PM, & 3:l5-5:l5 P.M.
Next Sunday, we will finish decorating our church for Christmas. Again, we can use much help hanging the wreaths, garlands, banners, angels (hang the angels??), setting up the manger scene. We begin at 1:00 PM sharp, or a bit earlier depending on who is here. Confirmation service time!
Again, a reminder to all of our parishioners to plan in your Christmas giving, your special gift to Holy Childhood Parish. All want the parish to be here for our spiritual needs, and to be as convenient for us as possible. A considerable sum of money has been spent on the parking lot in front of church. There have also been some generous gifts of money to help defray the cost. We plan to give you a break-down on this project in the next couple of weeks, once we get in the final expenses. Many persons, not of our faith community, have commented how much it has improved the view of our church and of the community. I thank all the men who have given of their time, talents, and treasure, to make this venture possible. May God bless all of you!
Since some might not be here for Christmas, I am wishing to all of you a very Blessed Christmas and all of the peace and joy that God can bring into your lives. I ask you to pray for me, as I pray for you every day. We are family, and we need one another, sharing our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. That is when God flourishes in us!
Christmas & New Year Break
We will not have classes on December 23rd or December 30th.
Classes will resume on January 6th.
Have a blessed and peace filled Christmas and a Happy and healthy New year.
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News IN OUR PARISH
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS now is the time to send in your request for Christmas Flower memorials for your deceased loved ones. For $10 you can list one or two individual names or one or two family names. The HCCCW is sponsoring this program. The money is used for the purchasing of the Christmas flowers and any other items needed for the altar. For your convenience, there is an envelope (dated Dec. 2) in your church envelope box for Christmas Flower donations, or use a white envelope and address it to HCCCW. Make sure you list who the memorial is for and the donor's name on the envelope. Please make checks out to HCCCW. Donations are needed by December 18th to insure your loved ones' names are included on the list displayed at all entrances to the church. For more information contact Pat Bowker 566-7089.
Gift idea There is a limited supply of 8 inch Sesquicentennial plates still available. If interested contact Tom Norrenberns at 566-8531. Cost is $12.
COOKIES WANTED Once again, the Annual Diocesan Christmas Dinner will be held at Althoff Catholic High School on Tuesday, December 25, 2007. We are looking for donations of home-baked cookies. Our guests always look forward to your delicious treats. Last year, we served Christmas dinners to more than 1100 individuals - those who shared the meal at Althoff and those who had a dinner delivered to their homes. Holy Childhood cookie donations must be dropped off in the church breezeway by 9 AM on December 24th. Please label your cookies "Diocesan Cookies." OR you may deliver them to Althoff High School, 5401 West Main Street, Belleville, on Monday, December 24th from 9 am until noon in the cafeteria (come in the front door and then down the stairs). Thank you!
SPECIAL REQUEST With Christmas week being so short it would be very much appreciated if you could have your bulletin articles in this coming week not only for the 23rd but also the 30th as well. Thank you!
SHEPHERD SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22-23 Thanks to everyone who donated food to the Boy Scouts "Scouting for Food" drive in November. A large amount of food was collected by the Scouts and given to the local food pantry. For our Shepherd Sunday collection this month, the pantry is asking for non-food items, such as: laundry detergent, dish soap, toilet tissue, Kleenex, shampoo, lotion, and baby diapers (size 2 & 3).
The Christmas Fund for the Needy collection will be taken up at all Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. All monies collected remain in our Belleville Diocese to help those in need during the coming year; funds are administered through Joe Hubbard and his staff at Catholic Urban Programs. At this special time of year when we reflect on our many blessings, please remember those among us who have so little and give generously.
The 8th Grade Class is still taking orders for "That's my pan". Orders will be accepted until 12-28-07. Pans will NOT arrive in time for Christmas but still great for Birthdays, Easter, Mother's Day, Friends and don't forget yourself! Call Dianne Surmeier @ 304-4881 to order.
HCCCW Thanks so much for the surprise memorable event this past Tuesday. May the Christ-child bless each of you during this holy season. Sincerely, Betty N.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
"Could you not then watch one hour with me?"
"My God, I thank You for guarding me always and keeping me safe;
I thank You for giving me so often in the sacrament of penance forgiveness for my sins;
for offering Yourself in Holy Mass with all your infinite merits to the Father for me;
for the coming to me in Holy Communion
and for the patient waiting in the adorable sacraments of the altar."
Reminder: Adoration ends at five o'clock on the 18th
in preparation for our Reconciliation service and
there will be no Adoration on December 25th or January 1st.
A Blessed Christmas to all!
Contact Mary Ellen Mueller at 566-9529 if you can commit to a specific hour.
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Lectors 12/22 5:30 PM Dee Bechtoldt 12/23 8:00 AM Vinny Pagano 10:30 AM John Grawitch 12/24 4:00 PM Nancy Raben 10:30 PM Dee Bechtoldt 12/25 9:00 AM Jim Holdener
Commentators 12/22 5:30 PM Ensemble 12/23 8:00 AM Colleen Hopp 10:30 AM Becky Pettinger
Music Ministry 12/22 5:30 PM Ensemble 12/23 8:00 AM Laura McGibney
10:30 AM Choir 12/24 4:00 PM Ann Pace 10:30 PM Choir 12/25 9:00 AM JoDee Norrenberns
Breaking Open the Word 12/23 10:30 AM Lori Grawitch & Jamie Norrenberns
Greeters 12/22 5:30 PM Cathy & Steve Gula 12/23 8:00 AM Ray & Alice Klein 10:30 AM Al & Mary Lou Schlueter
nursing home ministry 12/18 Grange: Martha Fellin 12/19 MarKa: Dianne Surmeier
Traveling Chalice 12/16-12/28 John & Angie Norrenberns
Nursing Home Visitors Week of 12/16: Grange: Thiry, Lolly, Bev, Lonnie MarKa: Agnes, Frances Wilhelm, Pat Fletcher
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Eucharistic Ministers 12/22 5:30 PM Angie Klein, Debbie Hulliung, Nancy Hawthorne, Dee Bechtoldt 12/23 8:00 AM Nancy Austin, Kathy Rudy, Bill Paradis Tom Schneider 10:30 AM (H) Becky Pettinger (C) Diane Hobbs John Pettinger, Edith Mueth, Jan Parker Bob Walter 12/24 4:00 PM Marilyn Hund, Mary Meng, Bill Ray Tiffany Wright, Harvey & Marlene Groennert, 10:30 PM Dolores Dauber, Barb Lemke, Freda Moll, Mary Schroeder, Joanna Lewis 12/25 9:00 AM Ron Hulliung, Pat Hund, Tim Moll, Joan Funk, Bill Huff, Jerry & Sally Mueller
Altar Servers 12/22 5:30 PM Bradley Lang & Dean Wienstroer 12/23 8:00 AM Kawika Cornman & Courtney Jung 10:30 AM Kenny Parks & Alison Wuebbels 12/24 4:00 PM Kelli Wilhelm, Julie Holdener, Quinn, Jack & Barrett Pazderka 10:30 PM Kelsey Abington, Sami Renth, Andrew Norrenberns, Ryan Karpel & Nick Grawitch 12/25 9:00 AM Henry Norrenberns NEED SERVERS
Meals-On-Wheels 12/19 Edith & Bob Mueth Jerry & Theresa Cohen
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Mass Intentions
Tuesday, December 18
8:00 AM 1. Kelly Johnson
2. Bernice Hopfinger
3. Brad Kehrer
Wednesday, December 19
8:00 AM 1. Stephen & Lucille Trautt
2. L/D Members of Schmidt/
Steinberg Families
Thursday, December 20
9:00 AM 1. Mary Agnes Hirl
2. Jessica & Kelli Uhl
Friday, December 21
8:00 AM 1. Are'a Reissen
2. Alma Jacober
Saturday, December 22
5:30 PM People of the Parish
Sunday, December 23
8:00 AM 1. Dan & Rose Mueth
2. L/D Holdener/Sobczak Families
10:30 AM 1. John Biekert
2. Norbert Friederich
TITHE FOR DECEMBER 9, 2007
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Parish |
$7707.66 |
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Youth |
20.80 |
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St. Brother Peter |
236.00 |
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Diocese |
20.00 |
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TOTAL |
$7984.46 |
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THIS COMING WEEK
MONDAY, December 17,
Tuesday, December 18,
8:00 AM Mass followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 5:00 PM
9 AM Quilting
7:00 PM Holy Childhood Penance Service
Wednesday, December 19,
8:00 AM Mass
9:15 HC School Penance Service
7:30 PM Choir practice
7:00 PM St. Nicholas Penance Service
THURSDAY, December 20,
8:00 AM Mass
9:00 AM Quilting
7:00 PM HC School Board-hcs
7:00 PM St. Clare Penance Service
FRIDAY, December 21,
8:00 AM MASS
SATURDAY, December 22,
9:00 AM Adoration
11:00 AM Confessions
3:30 PM Confessions
5:30 PM Mass
SUNDAY, December 23, Shepherd Sunday
8:00 AM Mass
NO PSR
10:30 AM Mass
Decorate the church
SUNDAY, December 23,
8:00 AM Mass
9-10:15 AM PSR-hcs
PSR Penance Service (7th grade)
10:30 AM Mass
11:45 AM Sindel/Gregory Baptism
HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL
WEB SITE:
holychildhoodschool.com
Email: hcs@holychildhoodschool.com
Principal: Mr. Ron Karcher: 476-3505
School Office: 566-2922
In Those Days . . .
One night on the hills outside Bethlehem, an angel of the Lord announced to a group of shepherds the birth of their Savior.
The shepherds weren’t alone in the fields that night. The sheep in their care were also present—a mix of rams and ewes, yearlings and lambs. Most were filthy, I’d imagine, after spending the day in the fields. Some, probably bleeding and bleating, nursed cuts or other ailments. Some rams would have spent time that day butting heads, while others headed off on their own. Some stayed calm, while others stayed agitated. And there, in their midst, were their shepherds—perhaps hirelings—keeping watch over their flocks by night.
That’s the setting in which the angel of the Lord made the life-changing, world-changing announcement of a Savior.
In These Days . . .
On the night of December 24, 2007, in towns and cities around the world, shepherd-pastors will once again share the message the angel of the Lord once proclaimed on the hills outside Bethlehem on that first Christmas night—news of the Savior, born for us.
The shepherd-pastors will share that message in the presence of a unique mix of people—male and female, young and old. While outwardly many will come clothed in the finest attire, all will come spiritually filthy, covered in sin. Some will have spent their days butting heads, while others will have headed out on their own. Some will dread their first Christmas without someone they loved, while others will anticipate their first Christmas with someone they love. Some will have received a helpful end-of-the-year financial windfall, while others will find themselves falling more and more in debt. Some will have found the season invigorating, while others will have found it nerve-racking. Some couples will be celebrating their first Christmas as husband and wife, while others will experience their first Christmas as an ex-husband, an ex-wife. Some will come to life, surrounded with people, while others will come to deal with loneliness, even when surrounded with people. Some will feel overly blessed, while others will feel overly stressed.
That will be the setting when, all over the world, shepherd-pastors announce the birth of the Savior to the flocks in their care.
In All Ways . . . Always
The news of that night is for everyone . . . everywhere. The Savior of that night is for everyone . . . everywhere. The baby of Bethlehem, the baby of heaven, came to change everyone in all ways . . . always. No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve been through, Jesus came to heal and help, to forgive and set free, to calm and care, to serve and save. Hope has been born and given the name Jesus.
Shepherds, you and your flock have been through so much this year. You and each member of your flock come with special needs, holding on to hope. The Lord has graciously called you to lead them to Bethlehem to behold the Lamb of God, who has come to take away the sins, hurts, and longings of the world. He leads you as you lead his people. So come and worship. Worship in all ways . . . always. Celebrate in all ways . . . always. Discover hope in all ways . . . always.
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All of us at Holy Childhood feel blessed to join you in worshiping the world’s Savior. And we thank you for the honor of journeying with you throughout this past year—to the manger, the cross, and into the loving arms of Jesus. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the coming year.
May God bless you and your family. See you at the manger!
Sincerely,
Deacon Ron Karcher
Principal
DECEMBER CALENDAR
12/30 Teen Mass
THANK YOU
The Uhl family thanks everyone
for their generous donations, thoughts and most importantly, prayers.
Your prayers truly made it easier for us
in dealing with
the deaths of Jessica and Kelli.
Thank you and God Bless all of you.
Sincerely, Brian, Wendy and Tony Uhl.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Gift bearers for Christmas and New Year Mass
are needed to bring up Offertory Gifts at the following Masses:
Christmas Eve @ 10:30 PM;
Christmas Day @ 9 AM;
New Years Eve @ 5:30 PM
New Years Day @ 9 AM.
If you would like the honor of presenting the gifts
please call the rectory at 566-2958 or Ruth Wilhelm at 566-2885.
Thank you.