FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Well, we are at the end of October.   Next Sunday, we have time change, and so we set back our clocks to Standard Time.  Changing clocks in the rectory is not so bad.  But it used to be a problem to change the bell clock in church.  One had to wait until after ten so that in setting it back, it did not ring “nine” again.  With the new electronic system, it takes care of that change automatically.  Well, it is supposed to do it!  Sometimes, we have to correct it.  At any rate, the year is fast fading, and it will not be too long until Advent (last Sunday of November), and then Christmas. 

This week is Halloween, and it is the second biggest merchandising event, second only to Christmas.  I know that it seems fun to mock the dead or living people—or just to be someone else for a night.  And we pay to do that with costumes and decorations—fantasy!  And it all started off by trying to imitate your patron saint, and parading to church to pray to your saint, and learning more about your saint.  Of course, with some of the names of our children, one would be hard pressed to find a saint they could emulate, or even be a saint.  Who are we going to pray to, asking them to pray for us, when we do not want to be named after them?

Saturday is ALL SAINTS DAY, a Holy Day, but not one of Obligation.  It is a day to pray to our patron saint, and all the saints, to ask them to intercede for us.  We will have Mass on Saturday at 9:00 A.M., and this will replace the usual Holy Hour on Saturday.  The Saturday 5:30 Mass will be for the Poor Souls in Purgatory, as will be the Sunday Masses.  November is the month dedicated to praying for the deceased of our families and for the parish.  Someday, we are going to be one in that number, and most probably, will be hoping that someone is praying for us.  The day always gets closer!

Thanks to all who patronized the School Auction last Saturday evening!  I believe that all who attended had a good time.  It was a chance to meet old friends, and celebrate the gift of life that we all enjoy.  It was also a time to meet new persons and establish new friendships.  I was happy to see some of our new parishioners in attendance, and to be welcomed into our parish family.  We need one another in order to establish the BODY OF CHRIST here in our faith community.

Next Sunday is Confirmation Enrollment after the 10:30 Mass.  We ask the parents, and those to be confirmed to be present.  This is the beginning of our Confirmation Program and is mandatory for those seeking Confirmation to be present.  Confirmation is a sacrament that affirms our desire to live the Catholic way of life with the gift of the Holy Spirit.  It builds on the personal disposition of the one to be confirmed, and upon the disposition of the parents who instruct the child both by word and example.  There has to be the foundation on which to build the rest of our Catholic faith.  It first started in Baptism when our parents brought us to church to be baptized.  They promised to lead us and instruct us by word and example.  Confirmation builds on that home schooling, and on the education given in our religion programs, to know and live our faith.  Now we begin to fine tune all of that to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit in its fullness.  Enrollment next Sunday is the start of that process.  Please be present!

ATTENTION    The 2009 contribution envelopes may be picked up in the breezeway. They are in  numerical order left to right. You will keep the same number as you had in 2008. Your contribution number, name and address are on the top of the box. PLEASE verify that the numbers on the label and box match. If you do not find your number and/or name, please notify the rectory. If you are not currently receiving envelopes and would like to, please call the rectory. Thank you.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL MEETING   Monday, October 27th at 2:30 PM in the parish center.

Next Sunday,  November 2nd is Welcome Sunday; please join your fellow parishioners in the parish center following morning Masses for coffee, donuts and fellowship. A special invitation to our new parishioners or visitors, please come and be welcomed!

GIFT CARDS  Whether you are planning a nice dinner out or needing to grab a quick bite, we have gift cards to meet your needs.  Tony’s Place ($25), Applebee’s ($25), Chevy’s, ($25), Chili’s ($25), Burger King ($10), Chuck E. Cheese ($10), Arby’s ($10), Starbucks ($10), Fazoli’s ($25), TGI Friday’s ($25), Long John Silver’s ($5) and many more.

World Priest Day

BLESSING FOR OUR PRIESTS

During the month of October we celebrate World Priest Day sponsored by Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Priests daily use the gifts of healing, counseling, preaching and celebrating the Eucharist to and for the benefit of Catholics everywhere. We pause today, October 26, 2008 with a special prayer for each of our own priests, asking God to continue to bless him in his ministry.

All honor and glory to you, Lord our God, maker of all and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In your faithfulness and love, you sent your only Son to live with us and to save us by giving His life for us.

Today we offer you thanks and praise for choosing Father to be filled with the spirit of Jesus as he leads your flock with zeal and wisdom. We ask you to give him y our fullest blessing in his priestly ministry. Help him to serve others as generously as Jesus did, in times of sorrow and in times of joy.

Caring God, bless each of our priests so that he may nourish us with your Word, lead us in prayer and worship, and sustain us as a shepherd and father.

Saving God, bless each of our priests so that he may instruct us by his teaching, inspire us by his preaching, and encourage us by word and deed to work with him for the good of our parish.

Loving God be close to your servant, as he follows your Son. Guide him in paths that are level and smooth. May your powerful grace make him strong in faith, joyful in hope, and fervent in love, this day and every day to come. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

CONFIRMATION

Tuesday, October 28

  8:00 AM   1. Tony Kurkey

                    2. Special Intention

Wednesday, October 29,

  8:00 AM   Viola Klinkman

Thursday, October 30,

  8:00 AM  Rosalia Orlet

Friday, October 31,

  8:00 AM  L/D members of the Paul Jung Family

Saturday, November 1, All Saints Day

        (not  a  Holy Day of Obligation)

  9:00 AM People of the Parish

  5:30 PM People of the Parish

Sunday, November 2,

  8:00 AM  Elmer & Wanda Gass

10:30 AM   1. Dan Stukenberg

                                                2. Alvina Schaeffer (81st Birthday)

 October 19, 2008

MONDAY, October 27,

2:30 PM SVDP-pc

7:00 PM Welcome Cmt-pc

Tuesday, October 28,

8:00 AM  Mass →Adoration→7 PM

9 AM & 6 PM       Quilting

5:30 PM  Rosary & Benediction-c

7:30 pm    Pastoral Council-pc

Wednesday, October 29,

8:00 AM  Mass

7:30 PM   Choir practice-c

THURSDAY, October 30,  No School

8:00 AM   Mass

9:00 AM Quilting

7:00 PM Liturgy committee  -- rectory

FRIDAY, October 31, No School

8:00 AM Mass

SATURDAY, November 1, All  Saints Day       (not a HDO)

9:00 AM  Mass

4:30 PM  Confessions

5:30 PM   Mass

WELCOME SUNDAY, November 2,

8:00 AM  Mass

9:00 AM PSR-hcs

9:00 AM RCIA-pc

10:30 AM  Mass

Calendar

10/25     7:00 pm      Trunk or Treat on Playground  (setup 6:30pm)

10                                                    10/27     Drug Free America Day (wear red, white and blue with uniform pants)

                                                                        Each student will be given a red ribbon to wear.

                 10/28     Walk Away From Drugs -Wear one red accessory and non-uniform.

                                                                    8:50 am all students will walk a mile. Gatorade after walk. Red Lunch. Vote on posters.

                                                 10/29     Scare Away Drugs – Students wear Halloween  shirts with jeans.

                                                                 10:30 am     Talk by Officer Fults

                                                                   1:15 pm    Award Rally in Gym

                                                 10/30 & 31  Mt. Vernon Teacher’s Convention – No school.

ATTENTION PARENTS: On November 2nd following the 10:30 AM Mass there will be a Rite of Enrollment for ALL 8th graders receiving Confirmation. This is a mandatory service. There will be a short meeting following the service.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Confirmation at Holy Childhood will be on May 2, 2009 at 7:00 PM.

All high school students who are members of Holy Childhood Parish are part of the group and are always welcome.

If you would like to receive a calendar, please contact Kathy Renth at 588-4018. 

PSOP PROGRAM FLU SHOTS  at Mascoutah Township Office, 622 W Main St. on Thursday, October 30th from 1 to 3 PM. No appointment necessary. FIRST COME-FIRST SERVE.

Press release  The AARP Drive Safety Program will be offered again at the Mascoutah Senior Center October 30th and 31st from 1-5 PM. The cost of the 8 hour class is $10 per person and is designed for drivers 50 years old and older. It will help drivers understand the effects of aging on their driving and learn strategies to compensate for these changes. The State of Illinois requires insurance companies to reduce the premium for those who complete this course. The course requires attendance but there is no testing. We will need 20 registrants to finalize the schedule for the class. Less than that number will cause it to be rescheduled for November. Please call 566-8758 to reserve your space.

WURSTMARKT   St. Augustine of Canterbury, Belleville, is having a Polka Mass on Sunday, November 2nd, at 10:30 AM followed by a Wurstmarkt. All-You-Care-To-Eat dinner served from 11:30 AM until 6 PM. Sausage and Kraut, Mashed Potatoes, Potato Pancakes, Green Beans, Applesauce and Dessert of your choice. Adults $8; Children 4-12 $4; under age 4 Free for eat-in. Carry outs available all day. Basket booth and Turkey Raffles. Polka Music and dancing from 1-3 PM. All are welcome.

FALL QUILT & CASH BINGO   St. John the Baptist church, Smithton, IL. In the Munier Parish Center on Sunday, November 2nd at 1 PM. Serving: Turkey, Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Cranberry/Applesauce Dinner (includes Tea or Coffee) Served: 10:30 AM -12:30 PM. Desserts also available.

LATE NITE CATECHISM   Time to laugh  your sins off!! On Friday, November 7th or Saturday November 8th at 7:30 PM. Althoff Catholic Heritage Hall, 5401 West Main St. Belleville, IL. General admission $30 in advance and $35 at the door OR $60 Red Carpet/Wine Reception. Tickets available at Althoff Catholic or Family Hospice 5110 West Main St. Credit card sales please call Family Hospice at 618-277-1800. To benefit Family Hospice & Althoff Catholic Performance Arts.

The Gospel of Mark "Who Am I? The Identity of Jesus"    Please join us for an interactive presentation by Tom Smith on the Gospel of Mark. Tom will explore the identity of Jesus - especially as Messiah and as the Son of God. On November 15th at the St. Stephen Parish Center, 901 South Main St., Caseyville, IL. Registration from 8:15 AM to 9 AM with the presentation beginning at 9 AM until noon. Cost is $5 and includes a continental breakfast. Reserve YOUR spot today by contacting us at 618-235-9601 ext. 110 or by email at worship@diobelle.org. Payment can be made in advance or at the door.