May 25, 2008

FATHER'S TWO-CENTS WORTH

Well, we come to the last week of May! Five months of the year are past, and so much has happened, especially in the last two months. School lets out this coming Thursday. Next Sunday is my big day here at the parish. It seems that we have moved from one “high” to another. But that is life! God is good, and he allows us to live and enjoy all of those blessings He has in store for us. So let us move on, always praising God for His goodness to us, for the health we think that we have, along with all of our talents and blessings. And let us use them according to His will and pray to become the persons that He wants us to be, and why we are still alive here on earth.

Monday is Memorial Day. We will have Mass at 8:00 A.M. to thank God for our blessings and for all those who gave their lives, their talents, and their families to make us a free nation. You are invited to come and pray with us Monday and then go and enjoy the freedoms that others have paid for by their sacrifices.

Tuesday is the actual anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood—May 27^th, l958. The diocese celebrated the anniversaries of the jubilarians this past Tuesday at the Cathedral. I wish to thank all of those parishioners who came to celebrate with me and the other priests. I really did not expect any to be there, and it was a real joy to see you. God bless you for your dedication and loyalty.

Again, we will have Rosary and Benediction at 5:30 P.M. on Wednesday. We had a very nice crowd this past Wednesday. This will be the last time this month to gather to honor Mary during the month of May. Try to make it this last time if you can!

Thursday, school will let out for the summer. There is no vacation from our spiritual life. Try to make mass every weekend, and even during the week. I sent out a letter and a leaflet on why we should go to mass. Again, it tells us of our blessings! And we want to be blessed! We need those blessings to save our souls. Come and pray with us!

Next Sunday is the celebration of God’s gift to me—fifty years of priesthood—two-thirds of it spent with you here at Holy Childhood. Many thanks to all of you for making this possible! Thanks also to all who have worked and have given of themselves to celebrate this gift of grace to all of us. The 10:30 A.M. mass will be dropped next Sunday. Masses will be Saturday at 5:30 P.M., Sunday at 8:00 A.M. and 2 P.M. Let us pray together!

God heard our call of need, and sent us a new custodian in the person of David Kerwin, a member of our parish. David began work on Wednesday and so we were not caught in a lurch for lack of help. We wish him the best here at H.C., and I ask all to help him when he needs help. Also pray for him and for Vernon Schulte, our evening custodian, in their work.

We have a new statue of St. Joseph, the Worker, on the east side of church, just outside of the “gathering-space”. It is a gift of the Robert Mueth family in honor of their 50^th wedding anniversary last year. Thank you for this beautiful gift to the parish!

MYANMAR COLLECTION The special collection last Sunday for the victims of the cyclone raised $2,160.33! If you missed the collection and would still like to contribute you can find out how at the website: www.catholicreliefservices.org/myanmar/cyclone-nargis/ Thank you and God Bless.

BLOOD DRIVE Holy Childhood will be hosting a blood drive on Thursday, June 5th from 2 to 7 pm in the school cafeteria. Please consider donating blood and help save a life.

Parish Picnic committee will meet June 7th after Mass at Stacie Cornman's house, 201 E Green St. This year you will be able to showcase your woodworking skills. We will have a new booth featuring your donated wood craft items such as wall shelves, quilt racks, step stools etc. If you plan on donating to this stand, please contact Stacie so that an idea of what they will have can be formed. And as always your support is greatly appreciated. If you would like to purchase a quilt to donate, check with the HCCCW Quilters as well as other quilting stores. The size should be 90-92 x 106-108, hand stitched. We welcome any suggestions, ideas or comments; please share with us: Ron Hulliung, Jim and Stacie Cornman, or any stand manager.

"SonWorld" Adventure Park Vacation Bible School - Registration & volunteer forms are NOW being accepted! Forms are available at the HC school office. They may be returned to the school, please mark ATTN: VBS. For more info or questions, contact Judy Schneider at 566-9562 or judy.schneider@charter.net

PARENT'S BAPTISMAL CLASS Holy Childhood will be offering the required class for all parents wishing to have their child baptized. If you are a new parent or if it's been two years or longer since attending the class, you must attend before your child can receive the sacrament of Baptism. The class will be held on June 8th in the parish center from 2 to 3:30 PM. No registration is required; you will be asked to sign in upon arrival.

GIFT CARD REFUND PROGRAM Beginning July 1, 2008, we will be offering a refund program for those families/teachers that purchase gift cards through the school. You will have the option to participate in the program and earn 50% of the rebate the school receives from the coupon company. The refund amount will be credited to your tuition bill, lunch bill and /or school related fees. Look for more information coming next week!