FATHER'S TWO-CENTS WORTH

The eye surgery went well, as the doctor said it would.  My concern was that my mother had eye problems most of her life, and died virtually blind.  I am hoping that I may be spared that problem, and was concerned since her surgeries did not go well.  So thanks a million for your prayers and your concern.  I can see better already and it is a blessing.  I will be able to better see those who leave church earlier! Bummer!

Our Blood Drive on June 5 brought 103 people and 92 units were harvested. Last Saturday, June 14^th, brought 30 people to donate, and 29 units of blood were harvested for the Red Cross.  Thanks to all who came to give blood, and also to all of the volunteers (Scouts and CYO and leaders) who helped set-up, take-down and load-out.  I wish more would make it a vital concern to give blood when they are able.  Blood cannot be manufactured, and it must be available when needed.  Since it has a “life-span”, the supply has to be constantly renewed.  Make plans to give blood.

Thanks to the KC men, Paul Reinneck and Bob Scott, for installing a new water drainage line north of the rectory.  Hopefully, this should reduce the seep water into the rectory basement when we have heavy rains.  At the present time we have three sump pumps in the rectory to alleviate the problem.  In the future we will need to put in a new line between the rectory and the church to alleviate the problems that exist with church and rectory run-off.

Thanks to Bruce Jung, Nick Jung, and Jerrod Amann for securing the concrete parking curbs on the church parking lot.  I hear that they all had blisters on their hands from driving down the steel rods holding the parking curbs in line - a job that gives greater beauty to our church and environs!  Thanks again, fellows!

Vacation Bible School begins this coming Monday.  Thanks to our Parish Rep, Mrs. Judy Schneider, and all of her helpers for pooling together with St. John’s and Bethel Methodist Church to accomplish this great summer event.  We are grateful to St. John’s United Church of Christ for hosting this event at their church.  With our schedule of school cleaning, waxing, and preparation for the next school year, it is next to impossible for us to have VBS at our facility.  Many thanks to all of the other members of our parish who are helping out in one way or another for the Vacation Bible School!

In your prayers, please pray some special prayers for Monsignor Bernard Voss, who has been diagnosed with a cancer on his lung.  Monsignor is 67 years old, and the pastor of St. Henry’s Church in Belleville; he is also the brother of Father Dennis Voss, of St. Liborius Parish.  He is in intensive care at Memorial Hospital and on a ventilator.  His condition is considered critical. 

As I mentioned in last week’s homily, “Do the good that you can do now.”  Don’t wait to be told or asked.  Be the goodness and caring spirit that we would expect of Christ, now!  It does not always have to be someone else’s task!  Make it your own with Christ’s help! Then you can have the satisfaction that Christ worked through you, with you, and in you!

GIFT CARD:  You can use Gift Cards for your everyday purchases, to purchase gifts or to give as gifts.  We stock restaurant cards for Tony's, Applebee's, Darden (Red Lobster/Olive Garden/Smokey Bones), Fazoli's, Hometown Buffet and Pizza Hut.  We stock retail cards for American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Build-A-Bear, Dillard's, iTunes, Kohl's, and Macy's.  We stock grocery cards for Tom's Shop N Save and Wal-Mart.  Plus many more!  Gift cards will be sold after mass in the gathering space.

SING PRAISE PARTICIPANT:  Emily Schneider, from our parish, will be participating in the Youth Sing Praise program at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville on Saturday, June 28 at 7:00 PM at the amphitheatre.  This is a nation-wide, professionally directed program for theatrically talented high school students.   Admission is FREE.

PARISH PICNIC:  Don't forget to turn in your quilt donations in the collection basket or drop off at the rectory.  If you have a quilt to donate you can drop it off at the rectory or on Tuesdays or Thursday with the quilters. 

· Baskets will be available at all entrances of church July 4th week-end.

· Woodcrafters please contact Stacie Cornman (566-0355) with the size of your woodcraft so she can determine if it will go into the raffle or pull-tab stand.

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.

OLIVE WOOD PRODUCTS:  Yacoub & Muna Quomesieh will be selling olive wood products  on June 28 - 29 after all masses.  Yacoub & Muna are from St. Louis and have sold these very nice wood products here in the past.  They were unable to come last year but were glad to be able to come back this year.  The proceeds are going back directly to the Christian families living in the city of Bethlehem and the surrounding areas.

FATHER'S ANNIVERSARY PICTURES:  If anyone has pictures that were taken at Father's anniversary celebration and would like to share them with Father, call the rectory at 566-2958.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:  Ray Klein, Larry Wilhelm, Jason Klein, Jamee Schanz, Jeremy Schanz and Terry Norrenberns for trimming all the shrubs on the parish property this past Thursday evening.

 

 

 

"Could you not then watch one hour with me?"

 

"While many of us struggle to find a way in which to lessen the illness and darkness of our world -

to chase away the evil spirits -

such is already available to us through Jesus

and the power He set loose at the Last Supper, which was the first Eucharist."

(Secrets of the Eucharist, Michael H. Brown)

 

Visit Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration 

every Tuesday following the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM

and on Saturday from 9-10 AM.

If you would like to commit to a specific hour to pray on Tuesdays please call Mary Ellen Mueller at 566-9529. 

MONDAY, June 23,

  7:00 PM Welcome committee - pc

Tuesday, June 24,

  8:00 AM  Mass followed by Adoration until  7 PM

  No Quilting

  7:00 PM Pastoral Council - pc

Wednesday, June 25, 

  8:00 AM  Mass

THURSDAY, June 26,

  8:00 AM 

  No Quilting

 FRIDAY, June 27,

  8:00 AM  Mass

SATURDAY, June 28,

  9:00 AM  Adoration

  4:30 PM  Confessions

  5:30 PM  Mass

Olivewood Carvings for sale after Masses -gathering space

SUNDAY, June 29,

  8:00 AM  Mass & 10:30 AM  Mass

Olive Carvings for sale after Masses - gathering space 

Dear Friends,

Rearview and side mirrors. We use them more than we realize. Looking at what’s behind us can be helpful, but in some instances it can be anything but helpful. You can’t drive safely by looking only in the rearview mirror!

That’s also true in life. Each day brings with it the temptation to focus on past failures, hurts, and regrets.  When that happens, Jesus responds quickly, reminding us to turn our eyes back on him and his plans for our future. At the same time, he’s transforming our view of the past into one that reveals his faithfulness, grace and forgiveness toward us.

Jesus transformed Paul’s life from disgrace to grace. Instead of living in the past, Paul could boast Jesus Christ had come to live within him. The presence of Jesus changed both the present and Paul’s hope for the future.

Jesus calls each of us to commit and transform. When this happens miraculous things happen and we will enjoy a future overflowing with hope, joy, and peace.

Sincerely,

Deacon Ron Karcher

Principal

Youth Group calendars for June through September are in the process of being sent out.  We apologize if anyone wanting to participate was left off the mailing list. If you or your child did not receive a calendar, but would like to be on the list, please contact Kathy Renth at 588-4018.  All high school students who are members of Holy Childhood Parish are part of the group and are always welcome.

June 25               7:00 - 9:00 pm                Pool party at the Raben's House

NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS: The 2008 roundtable series with Aquinas Institute will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 11:30 AM - 1 PM in the guild Center; "Amen, It Is So".  Discover the Catholic  view of understanding and interpreting the Bible.  Cost: $20 (lunch included).  Please call 618-397-6700, ext. 6272 to register.

ST PANCRATIUS CHURCH PICNIC:  Saturday June 28 at the parish grounds in Fayetteville; serving all-you-can-eat chicken dinners beginning  at 4:00 PM in the parish center.  A quilt and cash bingo with a bonus $500 cover-all will take place at the end of the evening.  Polka Connection will provide entertainment throughout the evening.

YOUTH SING PRAISE:  Presents the musical Lost and Found, a story of the Prodigal Son on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 7:00 PM at the amphitheatre at The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Admission is FREE.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER:  "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  None of us is perfect, nor is our marriage.  But we can enrich our marriage, our family and our lives by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Week-end in this area on July 11 to 13th.  To register or for more information call 888-889-9963 or go online to www.aweekendofdiscovery.org.

MASCOUTAH SENIOR SERVICES PROGRAM:  A presentation by St. Elizabeth's Hospital Chest Pain Center will be held on Thursday, June 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center, 227 N Market.  ACS stands for Acute Coronary Syndrome which is chest pain and other symptoms that happen because the heart does not get enough blood.  It includes unstable angina and heart attack.  Call 566-8758 for more information.

BULLETIN BOARD REMINDER:  Be sure to check out the bulletin boards near the entrances to church for any upcoming events in the area.