June 1, 2008

FATHER'S TWO-CENTS WORTH

This Sunday is the day of my anniversary celebration. I never anticipated all that has gone into the preparations for this day. At least, I do not remember so much from my 25^th and my 40^th anniversaries. I am truly grateful to all of the persons involved in planning and executing these plans to make my day memorable for the parish and myself. I feel that over the past years I did what any priest would have done in serving God and the people. That God has granted me the health and the longevity to make this milestone in my life, along with my doctors and all of the support of our fine parishioners, makes me think of how blessed I have been, both with prayers and actions. Thank you, all of you, for all that you have done for me personally, and for the parish. I hope that we can continue to build on the premise that “we are a family that prays together, works together and enjoys life together." All of us make up together, the Body of Christ." We need each other—we can’t do it alone, and succeed in being God’s family. God bless you!

Tuesday evening, we have a Parish Council Meeting for those persons interested in becoming a member of the council. Meeting time is 7:00 P.M. in the parish center. We need new members to fill in those positions now being vacated due to end of terms.

Thursday is the Mascoutah Community Blood Drive in our cafeteria. The time is from 2 P.M. to 7 P.M. You have heard my plea for blood donors over the past 32 years, and the plea is still the same and as urgent. When you give blood, you save lives. And the blood has to be available when needed—at that moment! I wish that I could still be giving blood, but I can’t. I have a blood disorder that makes giving a threat to the recipient, as well as for myself. So all that I can do is to promote the blood program to make up for the many that are in same category as myself—unfit to give! Less than five percent of possible donors give blood. Those that give need help to meet the need. Come and give a unit of blood.

Next Sunday, we will have our quarterly Baptismal Class in the Parish Center at 2:00 P.M. This is for the parents (sponsors welcomed also) who need to have their child baptized. We should be done by 3:30 P.M. No pre-registration needed. Next class will be in three months.

Many thanks for the many cards and gifts that have arrived. Your words of support that have been included tell me that I have touched your lives and helped in some way or other. Thank God also then, for empowering me. When and where I have slipped up, pray for me! Do that anyway, that I may be the person and priest God wants me to be.

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!

Parish Picnic: Stand managers will meet June 7th after Mass at Stacie Cornman's house, 201 E Green St.

We have a new booth featuring your donated wood craft items. If you plan on donating to this stand or you need additional information please contact Stacie Cornman at 566-0355.

"SonWorld" Adventure Park Vacation Bible School - Registration & volunteer forms are NOW being accepted! Extra forms will be available 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.

14 ANNUAL GOLF SCRAMBLE: The Holy Childhood Golf Scramble is right around the corner. Please join us for this fun-filled day!! We need golfers (you don't even have to know how to golf to play! Just come, and play for fun!) We need hole watchers - come relax in the sun and enjoy the beautiful outdoors! Help us raise money for Holy Childhood School! Contact Bruce Jung at 566-7962 or Dave Waeltz at 566-2892 to enter your team. Contact Bob Holdener at 277-0944 if you would like to work.

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: You are invited to join a Small Christian Community. The SCC is a gathering of 6 - 14 people to discuss selected Catholic resources and to encourage one another to grow in faith. Groups meet on various days of the week and focus on different interests. We will be having sign-up after all masses on June 14 and 15. To sign-up, or for more information, please talk to a facilitator in the gathering space by the parish center after mass.

"This crazy world of ours is spinning right out of control and sometimes we spin with it.

We need to stop spinning and come in to the quiet that Jesus offers in His Blessed Sacrament.

He will give us His grace and strength if we allow Him.

He wants to heal, forgive and encourage us. He wants to give us consolation, hope, strength and courage.

We need to go to Him and ask Him because He will not impose Himself upon us."

(Hope for the Journey, Fr. Jack Spalding).

Our Lord is waiting for us in Eucharistic Adoration,

held every Tuesday following the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM

and on Saturday from 9-10 AM.

Last modified: 07/17/08