FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

As I mentioned in last week’s bulletin, time is flying, and it seems as if we are running in a circle from one week to the next. However, thank God that we can still measure time, wake up one morning, and rest that evening, with good health and memories.

My plans at this moment are to leave this Sunday, and go see my brother in Iowa.  I intend to be back home on Friday.  However, I am also waiting to hear from him on the weather outlook for his part of the state, since I am driving up and back.  It is about a six and a half hour drive in good weather.  And I do not want to tempt fate too much! If I go, there will be two masses this week, Tuesday and Friday, with Father Thomas.

Many thanks to all those who attended the Marriage Enrichment last weekend at the Shrine.  I got out there Sunday after mass, and shared in the closing events.  Next year, they have already told me that I have to spend the whole weekend with them.  Alone!  Well, I can do that and take a rest while they work at their lives.  Thanks also to the group who did the presentation.

Since November started with the Feast of All Saints and is dedicated to the saints, have you thought about your own patron saint?  What do you know about their life?  Have you thought about how they could be a role model for you?  And if you are not named after a Saint, who would you adopt as your favorite patron Saint?  How would that Saint help you to be a better person?  Would you want that Saint or any of the Saints to be praying (or “pulling”) for you?  Do you think that they know who you are?  Have you talked to your Patron Saint, and asked their help?  We could learn a lot about what we are called to be by checking on how we were named, and why we were named after a saint.

Advent starts at the end of this month.  As you are making plans for Christmas, make plans for your spiritual growth—Advent resolutions!  All of the Church year and Liturgy is about reuniting ourselves with Christ, and becoming better Catholics who live their faith every day.  Far too many of us live it on Sundays only; some only at Christmas and Easter; some rarely; and a great and blessed number live it every day.  But we all have room to grow and to come to a closer relationship with our God, and His Son, Jesus. 

As we come to the end of the year, I ask you also to think how you could bless the church through your charity.  If you have a will, is Holy Childhood Parish listed in your will as a beneficiary?  I do not mean only in masses, but as an outright gift?  Or have you thought about how we are a part of the greater church, our diocese, and how much we depend on the diocese for ministries and services that we cannot afford as an individual parish?  This is why we ask all persons of our parish to support the Catholic Services and Ministry Appeal—to share our blessings with others less fortunate, to help the church to grow, and in all of these ways to thank God for blessing us with so many benefits.  Even in these times of financial uncertainty about the future, God still continues to bless us. Right?  We need always to trust in the Lord, in His love and goodness for us, and to do the good that we can do.  Without God, we can do nothing.  With God, all things are possible!  Pray that we all may be signs of God’s goodness in today’s world!

SPECIAL PERSON'S DAY:   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 and there will be no buses. Grandparents, family and friends are invited to join us for Mass and lunch.

CONFIRMATION HOURS:   On Friday, Dec. 28th, after 8 AM Mass, the old missalettes need to be exchanged with the new ones. All 8th graders are urged to stay after the mass and help to earn confirmation hours.

CCHD: Nearly 37 million people in the United States live below the poverty line and 13 million of those are children.  The Catholic Campaign for Human Development works to create lasting solutions to the problems of poverty through real community change.  Please donate prayerfully and generously to CCHD next weekend.  Visit www.povertyusa.org to learn more.

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:   The Messenger  accepts paid obituaries for publication in the newspaper. For information on cost to run an obituary, please call The Messenger at 618-233-8670.

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.

GIFT BEARERS:   Volunteers are needed to bring up gifts at Offertory at the 9 AM Mass on Nov 27 (Thanksgiving Day). This Mass will  be for the intention of the People of the Parish. Please assist us by calling the rectory at 566-2958 or Ruth Wilhelm at 566-2885, as soon as possible, as schedules are prepared in advance.  Thank You

IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER:   If you are over the age of 70, 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.  Such distributions 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.

WANTED:   used egg cartons; place in the breezeway; will be used for local food pantry. Thank you!

Tuesday, November 18,

  8:00 AM  Scott Anderson      

Wednesday, November 19,

  NO MASS

Thursday, November 20,

                           NO MASS                         

Friday, November 21,

  8:00 AM  Charles Haas

Saturday, November 22,

5:30 PM  Leo Meehan & Mary Kay Caplinger

     Erma Sommers    

Sunday, November 23,

  8:00 AM   Living and Deceased HCCCW Members

10:30 AM    Jessica & Kelli Uhl

         Gene Hund 

November 9, 2008

MONDAY, November  17,

Tuesday, November 18,

8:00 AM   Mass - Father Thomas→Adoration→7 PM

9:00 AM  Quilting

6:00 PM  Quilting

                                  7:30 PM Finance Meeting                            

Wednesday, November 19,

 No Mass

                      7:30 PM Choir  practice-c

THURSDAY, November 20,

No Mass

9:00 AM Quilting

7:00 PM  School Board-hcs

FRIDAY, November 21,

8:00 AM Mass - Father Thomas

SATURDAY, November 22,

9:00 AM  Adoration

4:30 PM  Confessions

5:30 PM   Mass

SUNDAY, November 23,

8:00 AM  Mass

9:00 AM PSR-hcs

9:00 AM RCIA-pc

10:30 AM  Mass

BANNS OF MARRIAGE I:

Steven Kelly & Jennifer Bilyeu

This past week we honored Veterans Day in various ways. On Monday November 10, I delivered cards from our students to the Veterans Hospital at Jefferson Barracks. They especially need our prayers and good wishes during their medical struggles.

During the past two weeks the 7 & 8^th graders called officers and our active parents in the military and thanked them for what they do for our country and invited them to our liturgy on November 14. Also Major Scott Anderson who is retiring will be speaking to our students about the military. Deacon Don Deitz, a veteran, will join us for the liturgy and preach. We welcome him to Holy Childhood Catholic School.

Our Gospel this Sunday is the story of the talents. All but one increased their talents. The one who received one talent was scolded. Why was the master angry with him? It seems to me he was angry because he did nothing with the talent. This lesson, coupled with the reading about preparing for death, reminds us that we need to use all we have for God. Maybe it is in quilting, donating of time, money, talent. Maybe it is reaching out to those in nursing homes, praying. There are so many ways we can use our talents for God.

Thanks for all you do as parents. Thank you for attending parent/teacher conferences. God bless you.

Sincerely,

Deacon Ron Karcher, Principal

Service – Our theme of service for November and December is two-fold. We will be collecting for the Mascoutah Food Pantry and Hospitality House in Chester, which offers families a place to stay while visiting someone in Menard Prison. There will be boxes on each floor of the school and the items will be delivered before Christmas.

Important events – Mark your calendar

            November 24        Thanksgiving Feast PreK-4 @ 1pm           

                                25        Special Persons Day – Mass 10:30am followed by Lunch (families bring own lunch and drinks)

                                                  1pm dismissal (no buses at 1pm)

December  12       Christmas Program – 7pm Gym

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER:   “When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.”  Do we value the prize we have in our spouse enough to take time to enjoy it? 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.

ALTHOFF PLACEMENT TEST:   for all 8th grade students interested in attending Althoff Catholic High School will be given on Saturday, December 6, 2008 from 8 AM until 11:30 AM. The test fee is $50. Please call 618-235-1100 with any questions.

SILENT NIGHT AUCTION:   Sunday, Nov. 23 from 3 - 6 PM at The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Admission is $25 per person in advance or $30 on the day of the event. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the poor and needy people they serve. For more information, please contact Diane Green at: 1-800-233-6264.

BOY SCOUTS:   The Boy Scouts "Scouting for Food" drive will be on Saturday Nov. 22. All food collected in Mascoutah will be given to the Concerned Christians Food Pantry in Mascoutah. Thank you for your donations to this food drive.

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.

BEEF AND NOODLE DINNER:    Friday, November 21, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church, 101 South Railway, Mascoutah, IL 62258. Dinner and bake sale from 4:30 - 7:00 PM, (carry-outs available).

MASCOUTAH TOWNSHIP:   The Mascoutah Township is compiling a list of volunteers to help with the Township Programs in our Community. If your are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Denise Smith at 618-566-7132.

BENEFIT DANCE:   for Jessica Baker- sponsored by Moose Lodge #815. Chicken and Beer Dance on November 22, 2008  from 6 - 11 PM. Band: "When Pigs Fly" OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. For tickets please call, Jack Braeutigam at 618-566-8024

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.  Fried Chicken Lunch, 11 AM - 1 PM: Adults $7; Children $3.50; 6 years and under are free; 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.  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.   Items will be needed on or about December 19^th.  This is a time of giving;  please help our cause? If interested, please call: Ed Ackermann at Catholic Social Services, (618) 394-5900 (ext 106).