Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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January 6, 2008
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH
Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, and with that comes the close of the Christmas season for the church. We used to celebrate for another eight days, celebrating the coming of the Magi with its own octave (eight days of prayer). No more! We are back to Ordinary Time. The city was busy taking down decorations the day after New Year's, and many businesses are already stocking up for Valentine’s Day. It does not seem that time can pass so fast, especially the past two weeks. Like someone said: “Don’t complain! You are still alive, and that is what counts.” God sure is patient with all of us. I hope that in your New Year's resolutions you did include some upgrading of spiritual life, like prayers, Sacraments, good deeds, better stewardship of time, talents, and treasure. God sure gives us much, and He expects us to use it well in charity.
This week, I will be on retreat at the King’s House with a group of priests. Please pray for us. I will not stay there at night, since I will sleep better in my own bed. I will leave early each day to be in time for Mass with the rest of those on retreat. Our retreat ends on Thursday at 1:00 P.M.
As I write this article (Wednesday), there are many events happening this week. I would like to thank all who took part in the Blood Drive on Saturday morning, including those workers who set up, worked the blood drive, and cleaned up. I am also thanking all who came for the Mass of Anointing of the Sick and Elderly, which also took place on Saturday morning. Both events recognize our mortality and need for help to live in this world, as well as in our spiritual world. We cannot do it alone.
This is a short span before Lent begins—one month from today, on February 6th, which also translates into an early Easter, and all of the events that follow it. Get ready!
This afternoon, beginning at 1:00 P.M., we will take down and store away, the Christmas decorations in church, and elsewhere. We can use lots of help to carry items to the attic as well as to the basement. Since we re-use all of the items as much as we can, we take the time to box them properly. It is so much nicer and faster when the storing away is done with care.
Again, I ask you to pray for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. The shortage is going to get worse before it gets better. Our prayers and encouragement, and our own self-giving now will make it easier for our children and grand-children. When we do not do the portion that is our lot to do, we dump it on the next generation to do what should have been done, and what they need to do for their turn. This applies to all stages of our call to good stewardship.
Again, thanks to all of you for all that you do for Holy Childhood Parish, for our Diocese, and in bringing Christ to our community. May God bless you abundantly!
January 2008
1/06 9:00 AM PSR-hcs 1/13 9:00 AM PSR-hcs 1/20 NO PSR 1/27 9:00 AM PSR-hcs
News IN OUR PARISH
PLEASE NOTE The parish will be closing the 2007 year out on January 11th, so please have your 2007 contributions in by then. (Thank you!)
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS: The Holy Childhood Council of Catholic Women wishes to thank everyone who donated money towards the beautiful Christmas flowers for our church, in memory of their deceased loved ones; also to those who made special contributions. Your generosity will keep the altar beautiful throughout the year.
FUNDRAISER FOR YOUTH GROUP on Tuesday, January 15th at the Pizza Hut in Mascoutah. Dine-in, Delivery and Pick-up from 4:00 PM until closing. The Pizza Hut Fund raiser coupons will be in next week's bulletin; you will need to present at payment time. Thank you for your support as always!
LUKE 18 Any high school or college age youth wishing to be a part of the Luke 18 weekend must attend the meeting in the youth room on Wednesday, January 16th at 7 PM. If you are interested and cannot attend the meeting contact Ron Hulliung or Kathy Renth.
ATTENTION FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES Coming up January 26-27, there will be a Quest experience held at St. Theresa's Parish in Belleville, IL. For more information or an application contact Ron Hulliung or Kathy Renth.
THANK YOU! Holy Childhood Church, thank you for your donation from the Thanksgiving offering to Concerned Christians and the food pantry. Our organization appreciates your support. Sincerely, Concerned Christians, Glenda Venarsky, Treas.
ARE YOU READY for a relaxing weekend of peace, quiet, good food, and spiritual nourishment? Take some time with your loving God, and join your friends for your Parish Retreat for men at King's House Retreat and Renewal Center in Belleville, IL. The retreat date is January 18-20. Contact your Parish Captain Ben Mueller at 566-2974 for further information or to register.
ADULT EDUCATION After all Masses next weekend (1/12-13) there will be sign-ups for Small Christian Communities. Instead of simply giving up something like sweets for Lent, how about giving up ninety minutes a week to share about the Lord's Passion with other parishioners. Sign up after Mass in the Gathering space (between church and parish center). For more information e-mail johnpettinger@yahoo.com.
"CARING FOR CHRIS" Chris Berry, a parishioner and former student of Holy Childhood School, as well as former member of the youth group is serving in Iraq. The youth group is sponsoring a "Caring for Chris" campaign for Chris and his fellow soldiers. There will be boxes at the exits of each door if you would like to make a donation for this cause. If you would like to make a financial contribution to help offset the cost of shipping and handling please use an envelope marked "Attention CYO" or "Caring for Chris" and place in collection basket or contact one of the youth ministers. This campaign will run from January 19th to February 18th. Requested items: AT & T cards (the only ones they can use), Wet Wipes, tooth brushes, hand cream, antibacterial soaps/hand sanitizer, candy (gum, M&M's, snacks, hard candy, etc.)
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION "Could you not then watch one hour with me?"
"Souls of prayer are souls of great silence. Silence is the beautiful fruit of prayer. We must learn not only the silence of the mouth but also the silence of the heart, of the eyes, of the ears and of the mind, which I call the five silences. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence. See the stars, the moon & the sun, how they move in silence. In that silence, He will listen to us; there He will speak to our soul; and there we will hear His voice." (Everything Starts From Prayer, Mother Theresa)
Enjoy the silence of Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday after the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM and on Saturday from 9 to 10 AM. Contact Mary Ellen Mueller at 566-9529 if you can commit to a specific hour.
Mass Intentions
Monday, December 31, 5:30 PM People of the parish
Tuesday, January 1, 9:00 AM Kelli Uhl
Wednesday, January 2, 8:00 AM Larry Moll
Thursday, January 3, 8:00 AM Norbert Friederich
Friday, January 4, 8:00 AM People of the parish
Saturday, January 5, 9:00 AM Mass of Anointing 5:30 PM Sophie Ferk
Sunday, January 6, 8:00 AM 1. Dan & Rose Mueth 2. Leonard Hartlein 10:30 AM People of the parish
TITHE FOR DECEMBER 30, 2007
THIS COMING WEEK MONDAY, January 7, No Mass
Tuesday, January 8, 8:00 AM Mass (Fr. Mauer) followed by Adoration until 7:00 PM 9:00 AM & 6:30 PM Quilting 1:30 PM St. Vincent de Paul-pc 6:30 PM HOPE-hcs 7:00 PM Liturgy Committee meeting-rectory 7:30 PM HCCCW-pc 8:00 PM Athletic committee meeting-hcs
Wednesday, January 9, NO MASS CYO MEETING CANCELED 7:30 PM Choir practice
THURSDAY, January 10, NO MASS 9:00 AM Quilting 8:00 PM KC's-pc
FRIDAY, January 11, 8:00 AM Mass
SATURDAY, January 12, 9:00 AM Adoration 4:30 PM Confessions 5:30 PM Mass
Sunday, January 13 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM PSR-hcs 10:30 AM Mass
HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL
WEB SITE:
holychildhoodschool.com
Feast of the Epiphany This feast has a rather silly sounding name. It's not obvious to most of us what 'Epiphany' even means. Perhaps we would do better to imitate the Spanish and call it La Fiesta de Los Tres Reyes Mages, the 'Feast of the Three Magic Kings'.
We know that St Matthew doesn't tell us there were three of them, nor that they were kings. But the Magi were, at an early stage of Church tradition, turned into kings. Perhaps this was because of their gifts, which only kings could afford. It might have been because the word magus in Latin, as in Greek, quickly came to mean 'wizard' or 'sorcerer'; and sorcery was not considered a good thing in the times when Christianity had become the dominant and official religion of the Roman Empire. So we have the carol 'We three Kings of Orient are....’ rather than 'We three Wizards from the East'.
However, when the story that we hear in the Gospel was composed, magus referred specifically to Persian soothsayers, who were generally revered as 'wise men'. And so it is that when these Wisemen, stargazers, astrologers, saw this new star, they were assumed by the story-teller to know what it meant. They knew what to ask Herod when they got to Jerusalem.
The King of the Jews whom the Magi now come to honor is the King of Kings, the King of all nations, the King whose Gospel is destined to conquer the whole world.
Some people will be putting 0C+M+B8 above their doors indicating the year and Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar the names that have traditionally been given to the three ‘wise men’.
Deacon Ron Karcher Principal- Holy Childhood School
JANUARY CALENDAR
GARAGE SALE The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary is holding their Fifth Indoor Garage Sale. Over 100 tables of books, crafts, toys, house wares, jewelry, antiques and MORE for sale in the warmth of the Knights of Columbus Hall, 12354 State Route 143, Highland, IL. Sale Dates are January 10th from 3 to 7 PM and January 11th from 8 AM to noon. A snack bar will be available.
PORK ROAST SUPPER St. Michael Parent's Association (Radom, IL) is hosting a Pork Roast Supper on January 12, 2008 in the church basement. Serving from 4 to 7 PM. All you can eat pork roast, "real" mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, apple sauce, bread, dessert, and drink. Adults $8, ages 6-10 $4 and 5 and under free. 50/50 drawing. Carry-outs available.
THE BEST SPEAKER YOU'LL HEAR ALL YEAR!!
Matthew Kelly:
BABYSITTING WORKSHOP On Monday, January 21st from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in the Millennium Room. For girls and boys currently in 6th-8th grades. Curriculum will include; What to expect as a babysitter; Safety and First Aid; Age appropriate activities and much more. Cost is $25 per child and includes lunch. Enrollment is limited to 35 participants. No phone call reservations accepted. Registration is complete upon receipt of payment. For more information or to request a registration form, please call 618-234-2120, ext. 2099.
SH - BOOM The Althoff Alumni Association is sponsoring SH - BOOM performing the greatest hits of the 50's, 60's, & 70's on February 2, 2008 at the Althoff gymnasium from 8 until midnight. Tickets are $15.00. Please call 618-235-1124 for more information.
START THE NEW YEAR OUT RIGHT spend some quality time renewing your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is February 8th-10th. To register or for more information call 888-889-9963 or go online to www.aweekendofdiscovery.org.
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