FATHER'S TWO-CENTS WORTH

We begin the month of July this week;  half of the year has passed;  one third of vacation time has elapsed and our picnic is eight weeks away.  Time sure knows how to slip away, especially when you are having fun.  For the farmer trying to get in his crops, maybe replanting for the second or third time, it is not fun, but very expensive.   The people along the rivers are looking to start over with nothing but mud, sludge, mold and rot.  Farther north, some have not planted anything yet due to the rains and the cold ground.  We have reasons to pray in thanksgiving for all the good that has happened to us, and to pray also for all those who have suffered so much. We all need one another!

Today, the Pastoral Council is having its annual retreat to pray for divine guidance for the coming year.  Their role is the spiritual welfare of the parish—what will help us to grow in the love and practice of our faith, and to welcome newcomers into our parish.  The role of the parish is not to just maintain itself, remain static, but to grow spiritually and to share our faith with others —spread the faith.  Get involved so that we can fulfill our mission in our area.

Vacation Bible School is completed for this year, and we thank all of the members of our parish who were involved in leadership roles, as well as other support roles in this event.  Holy Childhood usually supplies about half, if not more, of all the boys and girls attending.  We also thank the other churches involved, and their members who helped make this year’s program a success.

HELP!  HELP!  Again, I need volunteers to do some painting on the outside.  I noticed paint chipping off on the windows of the parish center, and also on the windows of church.  This is mainly on the lower sill of the church and can easily be reached from a step-ladder.  This is protection for the church and the pastoral center and is the trimming around the windows.  Contact the rectory if you can help.

If some of our eighth grade students want to get in some service hours for Confirmation, there are flower beds here at church that need weeding.  You get “church"  service hours for Confirmation when there is work to be done, not always when you feel like it.   I cannot make jobs to please your fancy.  The jobs I have available are for persons who want to work, and gain service hours... Call the rectory at 566-2958.

Keep praying for the sick of our parish, our families, and our friends.  Pray for Msgr. Bernard Voss, Msgr. Tom Flack, and all of the others.  There are several others including Fr. Dan Jurek, Fr. Gary Gummersheimer, Fr. Ed. Schaeffer, Fr. Leo Reinhart, and several others including myself.

Picnic is coming up soon—sell your raffle tickets so that the picnic can be successful.  Managers, start making plans and preparations, and lining up your help! All parishioners, be there to help—both at the Homecoming and at our Picnic.

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.

PARISH HISTORY BOOK:  Books and DVDs are still available.  If you would like to purchase a book please call the rectory at 566-2958.  The cost is $10 and the DVDs are free--one to each family in the parish.

PARISH PICNIC:   If you have a quilt to donate you can drop it off at the rectory or on Tuesdays or Thursdays with the quilters.  We still need 20 quilts to reach our goal of 64.

14th ANNUAL GOLF SCRAMBLE:  The Holy Childhood Golf Scramble is right around the corner.  Mark you calendar for JULY 11 at 12:00 Noon and 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.

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.

CONGRATULATIONS:  Kahiwalani Cornman has placed 10th in the Nation for Computer Application.  She was representing SWIC (Phi Beta Lamba).

NEW TO THE PARISH:  If you are new to the parish and would like to register there are sign-up sheets available at the entrances to church.  After completing the form you can drop it off at the rectory, or put it in the collection basket.  We welcome all new people to our parish family.

GRASS CUTTING:  Anyone interested in cutting the grass along the shoulder and embankment of the road by the Old Catholic Cemetery may do so at anytime.  Thanks!

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

  8:00 AM Bertha Jung 

  8:00 AM  Charles Haas

   8:00 AM  Robert Becker

  8:00 AM  L/D Military & their Families

  5:30 PM  L/D Joseph & Aloy Zinck families

                  Leo Meehan & Mary Kay Caplinger

  8:00 AM  Vera Lickenbrock

10:30 AM  People of the Parish

Making Memories

             Without looking at a calendar, do you remember what you did one month ago today?  How about what you ate for supper one week ago?  Probably not.  But you most likely remember where you went on your last vacation or trip, what you did, and maybe even some of the restaurants you dined.  Vacations create memories that can last for a long time--sometimes an entire lifetime.  What kind of memories do you think you'll make on this vacation?

That we should remember is one of the strongest messages in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament.  God wanted his people to remember what he did for them in the past.  He wanted them to remember that he had saved them from difficult situations, that he had been faithful to them since the beginning of time, and that he had given them special blessings even while they traveled from place to place. 

As they recalled his goodness, God's people would know that they could go into every day with confidence, knowing their Lord would be with them. 

In the New Testament, just before Jesus was taken away to be crucified, he met with his disciples and shared a very special meal with them in the Upper Room.  As he gave them the bread and as they drank from the cup, he said, "Do this in remembrance of me."  He wanted his disciples to remember what he had done---and what he would continue to do--for them. 

When we remember Jesus' death and resurrection, it strengthens us as we head into a new day, situation, or adventure.

What memories has God created in your life in the last twenty-four hours, the last week, or on your last vacation?

(Tim Wesemann )

Bible Verse:  I will remember the deeds of the Lord. (Psalm 77:11).

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.