FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

As I look over this month of November, it seems that it is full of activities, such as Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, and the beginning of Advent on November 30th.  And in between that, there are meetings here at the parish, and I have meetings in Mt. Vernon two times next week—Wednesday for a noon luncheon meeting, and a meeting on Saturday morning.  This weekend, we have our marriage enrichment weekend at the Shrine.  And guess what?  I am making plans to go to see my brother in Iowa the week of November l6th—Sunday until Friday—driving up and back. And there are many other items taking place that I have not mentioned.  For all of us, we need to take some time out when we can to do some praying and giving thanks to God for all of the blessings that we have received this past year.  God is good!  We need to adjust our vision to see it from His side of the wall, and see the good coming from His love.

Elections are now over for awhile, and we can watch TV without all of those political promises and condemnations, "back-patting”, and "fault finding."  The biggest winners in this whole political posturing were the television industry and the news industry.  Think of all of the money they made selling time and space.  Now maybe we can watch a program with only lawyers and medical interests and drug manufacturers to bug us.  Oh! I forgot Hans Weiman and the hair restoration.  I am over the hill for that!

I thank all of the parents of our Confirmation Class for being present last Sunday for our “Enrollment Ceremony.”  This is really an important event in the spiritual formation of these young person’s lives.  Hopefully, it will help them to commit themselves to a fuller life of Catholic faith, not just for Confirmation, but for their whole life—a life of service to God and church.  Our whole parish needs to support these young people and to help them by our own personal example of living faith and piety.  They are part of our parish family, our brothers and sisters to pray and work side-by-side with all of us.  No room for “slackers” in being a great example of Christ’s love to them and others!

Many thanks to our Knights of Columbus members who are putting in new walks around the altar in our cemetery!  We pray that God will grant them the energy, strength, and the good weather to get the task finished before it gets too cold.  They probably could use some younger blood to help them, since all of them are retired and on pensions.

Catholic education is not a luxury for those who can afford it.  It is a very necessary ingredient in our spiritual formation, and also our social formation.  If we are to get to heaven, we need to know the way and to have the help.  We need to know the plan that Jesus gave us to save our souls—there is no other way!  And we need to know where to get the help and strength to follow that way - through prayer and the sacraments. The prime sacramental help is the Holy Eucharist, which we receive at Mass.  Hence, Mass attendance is vital to our spiritual growth, and worthy reception of the Eucharist is the source of our spiritual strength.  Holy Childhood School and our PSR program show us the way.  It is up to all of us to live it out, and to walk the upper road.  God is our goal!

SPECIAL PERSON'S DAY     Mark your calendar. Special Person's Day will be on Nov 25th. Mass with the students and special persons will be at 10:30 AM followed by lunch. Each family and students should bring their own lunch and drinks. We will dismiss at 1 PM. There will be no buses at 1 PM. Grandparents, family and friends are invited to join us for Mass and lunch. The Book Fair will also be open if you would like to purchase books.

Gift Cards  Holy Childhood School sells gift cards year around, but the holiday season is our busiest time of the year.  We have gift cards for many local and national retailers.  The cards are sold at face value.  No need to go to all the stores, just stop by the school office or gathering space after mass to purchase your cards.  Gift cards can be used for your own purchases or to give as gifts.  Call the school (566-2922) or Debbie (566-2866) with any questions.  Thanks for supporting HCS!

Announcement  A new policy has been developed to allow The Messenger to accept paid obituaries for publication in the newspaper. For information on cost to run an obituary, please call The Messenger at 618-233-8670 or email: cathnews@bellevillemessenger.org. The Messenger will continue to run death notices with name, age, date of death, parish and town at no charge. Death notices are sent from diocesan parishes to The Messenger.

THANK YOU   Dinner Auction Committee would like to thank everyone who supported the auction through their attendance and donations.  This year’s auction cleared $38,000 for Holy Childhood School.  Thank you again for your generous donations ~ 2008 Dinner Auction Committee.

IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER  If you are over the age of 70 1/2,  the IRS requires that you take a minimum distribution from your IRA each year.  Normally, the amount of this distribution is taxed as ordinary income.  However, federal legislation enacted on October 3, 2008 extends the opportunity for you, for the remainder of 2008 and throughout 2009, to make a direct distribution from your IRA to a qualified charity, such as Holy Childhood.  Such distributions, while not subject to income tax, will still count toward fulfilling your required minimum distribution. For more information about how you and the church can benefit from an IRA charitable rollover, call the Planned Giving Office at 618-277-8181, ext. 132.

CONFIRMATION

Tuesday, November 11,

  8:00 AM    Dan & Rose Mueth      

Wednesday, November 12,

  8:00 AM    Jacob Pruett    

Thursday, November 13,

                               8:00 AM   Herman  & Rachel Renth                          

Friday, November 14,

  8:00 AM  Rosalia Orlet

Saturday, November 15,

5:30 PM   People of the Parish 

Sunday, November 16,

8:00 AM   Harold & Pat Knoth

                         (50th Anniversary)     

10:30 AM  People of the Parish

November 2, 2008

MONDAY, November  10,

Tuesday, November 11,

No School            Office Closed

                         8:00 AM  Mass →Adoration→7 PM

9:00 AM       Quilting

    7:00 PM    HCCCW- pc

Wednesday, November 12,

8:00 AM    Mass

                   7:30  PM    Choir  practice-c

THURSDAY, November 13,

8:00 AM    Mass

      9:00 AM    Quilting

      7:30  PM   KC's - pc

FRIDAY, November 14,

8:00 AM Mass

SATURDAY, November 15,

9:00 AM  Adoration

4:30 PM  Confessions

5:30 PM   Mass

SUNDAY, November 16,

8:00 AM  Mass

9:00 AM PSR-hcs

9:00 AM RCIA-pc

10:30 AM  Mass

I once attended a retreat and on the handout were the following:

1. Don’t try to please everyone

2. KIS – Keep it Simple

3. Keep it all in perspective

4. Look at it in a new way

5. Accentuate the positive

6. Run a marathon…

7. Be humble …and laugh at yourself

      Hang in there …and PRAY.

It seems to me that as adults we should sometimes review this to remind us who we are and where we are going.

Deacon Ron Karcher

Principal

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”  The Spirit of God dwells in our marriage Sacrament, also. What have we done to build up this temple? The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is December 5^th through 7^th.  Early registration is highly recommended. To register or for more information call 888-889-9963 or go online to www.aweekendofdiscovery.org.

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE: Sunday Nov 23 at 6 PM, First Baptist Church Mascoutah, IL Sponsored by the churches of Mascoutah and the Ministerial Association of Mascoutah.

FALL GALA: 50TH Anniversary-dinner, dancing, & silent auction, Saturday December 6, 2008 at St. Bruno Knights of Columbus Hall, Pinckneyville. Hors D'Oeuvres at 6 PM, Silent Auction from 6-9 PM, and Dinner at 7:30 PM. Wine will be provided and live music by "J.J.'S POLKA BAND". Donation $30 per person - call to make reservations by 11/15. All proceeds from the Fall Gala support the Newman Catholic Student Center at SIU-Carbondale.

TRIVIA NIGHT: Sponsored by the Music Ministries of Corpus Christi Catholic Church 205 Rasp Street, Shiloh Nov 14th 2008, 7:00 PM; Doors open at 6 PM: Tables of 8 Players; $100 per table with reservations (by Nov 12) ; $120 per Table AT the Door, Bring your own food & drinks; Reservations 618-632 7614.

QUILT BINGO:  St. Augustine in Breese, IL Sunday Nov 16. Bingo starts at 2 PM. There will be 24 quilt games and 50/50 game, cash for doubles, and quilt raffle. No one under 18 years of age can play. Bingo License # B-03577 - 11 AM - 1 PM - 6 years and under are free. Fried Chicken Lunch: Adults $7; Children $3.50; Carry-Outs - 618-526-4341.

Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois annually sponsors the Secret Santa program to provide gifts for the foster children under our care.  This year we are hoping to collect gifts for nearly 400 children.  From early indications we will need many additional sponsors to fulfill the wish lists of all these children. In addition, we are looking for about a dozen sponsors who would be willing to adopt a needy family to help give them a meaningful Christmas holiday.  We will provide a family wish list to anyone interested in being a Secret Santa family sponsor.  Items will be needed on or about December 19^th.  This is a time of giving; won’t you please help our cause? If interested, or need more information, please call: Ed Ackermann at Catholic Social Services, (618) 394-5900 (ext 106), or send an e-mail to: eackermann@cssil.org.