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.