Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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DeCEMBER 7, 2008
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH First, thanks to all who came to help prepare church for Christmas by bringing in the greenery for our church. Final decoration should be the evening of the 18th, so I am told by those doing all of the work. Thanks also to the eighth grade students who came last Friday to change our mass and song books. New year, new books, new songs, new and better participation!
My comments last Sunday about going to the rest rooms during the time of the Eucharistic Prayer, particularly at the time of the Consecration and Elevation, are applicable to all of us. Parents can teach their children that this is the most sacred part of the mass, and to plan accordingly. You do it when you travel! Why not in church? And you will be doing a service to all by not disturbing those very intent in their Eucharistic prayers. Also, when we have Breaking Open of the Word at the 10:30 Mass, please tell the children to gather in front of the altar, and not to spread out all across the front of church.
Monday is the FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, a Holy Day of Obligation for all Catholics of the United States. It is the Patronal Feast for our country. This feast and that of Christmas remain as Holy Days of Obligation, no matter when they come up in the week. Masses will be at 6:30 A.M., 8:00 A.M., and 7:30 P.M. Catholics are obliged to attend mass this day under pain of mortal sin. Holy Childhood School children will be attending the 8:00 A.M. Mass.
Time is quickly passing as we prepare for Christmas. Make plans for your Christmas confession, and for your children. I will be hearing confessions for the PSR students between masses today and the next two Sundays. Holy Childhood students will have their Penance on Thursday, the 18th, in the morning. The Parish Penance Service will be on Tuesday, the 16th, at 7:00 P.M. There will also be Penance Services at St. Nicholas on Wednesday, and St. Clare’s on Thursday, both in O’Fallon. I sent you a list of confessions for other times with my mailing of the Blue Book this past week.
There will be a benefit event on Thursday, the 11th, for Linda Kessler and her son Timmy, at the “AG Building” in Scheve Park, from 4-8 P.M. The Kesslers lost their home and all of their possessions in a fire just a few weeks ago, and they need to start over. They belong to our parish, and they will be needing help and care. If you can help any way, or take some time to visit them on Thursday at the park, please do so. “Whatever you did for even the least of mine, you did for Me”. (Gospel of Christ the King Feast.)
You probably got a card from the Catholic Services and Ministry Appeal this past week, asking for a monetary gift. This takes the place of the previous Thanksgiving Day Appeal of years past. I know that we are all being bombarded to help various groups during this holiday season. Since I am on the Allocation Board for the CSMA, I know how your gift will be used and the needs of the poor in our own diocese. All I can do is to ask for your generosity in any amount you can give to help out in our own diocese. Many of you have been generous this year already! Can I squeeze you a bit more?
HCCCW: will meet on Tuesday December 9 at 6:30 PM for their Christmas Party.
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS: Now is the time to send in your request for Christmas Flower memorials for your deceased loved ones. The HCCCW is sponsoring this program. You can list one or two individual names or one or two family names for $10. The money is used for the purchasing of the Christmas flowers and other items needed for the altar. Donations are needed by 12/22 to insure the names are on the list displayed at all entrances of the church. For more information, contact Pat Bowker at 566-7089.
GIFT BEARERS FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S MASSES: Volunteers are needed to bring up Offertory Gifts at the following Masses: Christmas Day, 9:00 a.m.; New Year's Eve, 5:30 p.m.; and New Year's Day, 9:00 a.m. These Masses are for the People of the Parish. Volunteers, please call the parish office at 566-2958. or Ruth Wilhelm at 566-2885.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: will meet this Thursday, December 11, at 7:30 PM in the parish center. All adult men, eighteen years of age or older, who are participating Catholics with a desire to contribute time and energy to the church and community are welcome to join.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL: will meet on December 15th, 2:30 pm in the parish center.
BAPTISMAL CLASS: will be held on February 1, from 2-3:30 PM in the parish center.
INFORMATION UPDATES: If anyone of the parish has address or phone number changes, please let the rectory know so we can update our records.
GIFT CARDS: One Stop Shopping – No need to run from store to store to purchase gift cards, you can get them through HCS. We have gift cards for many local and national retail stores and restaurants. Stop by the school office during the day or the gathering space after any mass. To ensure Christmas delivery, please place your order by December 10th.
CYO: December 10 - Christmas Party! Bring a $10 gift. Pizza will be provided.
Parish School of Religion Director: Marilyn Byrne
January 11 9:15-10:00 AM Meeting with parents in the Church
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
"Could you not then watch one hour with me?"
We Need to go to the Lord first, continually and last. When we are sad, He is our consolation. When we have no joy, He brings us hope. When we are weak, He is our strength. When we are frightened, He is our courage. He heals us when we need to be healed, and fills us with all that we need, when we go to Him. He will not impose His will upon us. We decide, ourselves, whether or not to be open to the Lord and to all the incredible gifts He gives.
Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays after the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM and on Saturday from 9 - 10 AM. Please contact Mary Ellen Mueller at 566- 9529. Thank You!
MASS INTENTIONS
Monday, December 8 Immaculate Conception 6:30 AM People of the Parish 8:00 AM HCS & PSR Students 7:30 PM People of the Parish and their Families
Tuesday, December 9 8:00 AM Dan & Rose Mueth
Wednesday, December 10 8:00 AM Tony Kurkey Villotti Family
Thursday, December 11 8:00 AM Clarence Beer Delmar Walter
Friday, December 12 8:00 AM Bessie & Boyd Adams
Saturday, December 13 5:30 PM People of the Parish
Sunday, December 14 8:00 AM Mary Moll Mildred Binger Donald Voegele
10:30 AM William H. & William A. Ganz Roy Moll Alphonse & Ottilia Leonard November 30, 2008
THE WEEK AHEAD
MONDAY, December 8 Immaculate Conception 6:30 AM Mass 8:00 AM Mass 7:30 PM Mass
Tuesday, December 9 8:00 AM Mass →Adoration→7 PM 9:00 AM Quilting 6:30 PM HCCCW-pc 8:00 PM Finance meeting
Wednesday, December 10 8:00 AM Mass 7:30 PM Choir practice
THURSDAY, December 11 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Quilting 7:30 PM Knights of Columbus
FRIDAY, December 12 8:00 AM Mass 7:00 PM HCS Christmas Program
SATURDAY, December 13 9:00 AM Adoration 4:30 PM Confessions 5:30 PM Mass
SUNDAY, December 14 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM RCIA / PSR 10:30 AM Mass
HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL
WEB SITE:
holychildhoodschool.com
A good way to start the day –
Heavenly Father, help us remember that the person who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can’t make change correctly is a worried 19 year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple, walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress, are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.
Sincerely, Deacon Ron Karcher Principal
December 12 - HCS - Christmas Program
Angel Tree
Once again the Youth Group is sponsoring an Angel Tree. Each angel contains the age, gender, and size for a person in need from our community this Christmas. The names are gathered by a representative of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Mascoutah and are passed on to the youth group. There will be two angels on the tree for each child ages 18 and under, one angel for each adult in a family, and two angels for any adult living alone. This year to better serve the needs of the families on our Angel Tree we are asking you to list on the angel what is inside of each package when you attach the angel to the gift. We have run into a problem in the past when one child in a family receives more gifts than another child in the same family. It is also very important that we have your gifts by Sunday, December 14th. Thank you!
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: “With the Lord a thousand years is like one day.” Time passes so quickly in our marriage, also. One day our spouse will be gone. Have I worked to make our days together the best they can be? The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is January 25th through 27th. Early registration is highly recommended. To register or for more information call 888-889-9963.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CONCERT: Mascoutah's annual "All Church Community Christmas Concert" will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Sunday, December 7, beginning at 3:00 p.m. The concert will feature festive Christmas music from across the community. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. A free-will offering will be taken, with all proceeds going to Mascoutah's Concerned Christians Food Pantry.
DONATIONS NEEDED: There will be a "Fire Shower" for the Kessler Family on December 11, at Sheve Park in the Ag Building from 4-8 PM. They are in need of any household items, food, and clothing. Please stop by if you can make it. Thank You!
2008 DIOCESAN CHRISTMAS DINNER: The annual Diocesan Christmas Dinner will be held at Althoff Catholic High School on Thursday, December 25, 2008. We are looking for donations of home-baked cookies. The cookies can be delivered to Althoff Catholic High School at 5401 West Main Street in Belleville on Wednesday, December 24th from 9 am until Noon in the Cafeteria. Thank You in advance for your donations!
BREAKFAST BUFFET: Corpus Christi Parish, Shiloh, IL, Sunday, December 14, 2008. Serving from 8–11 AM, Corpus Christi Parish Center. The breakfast will include, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, pancakes, french toast sticks, biscuits & gravy, fried potatoes, fruit, pastry and drink. Cost $7.00 per adult, $3.00 per child ages 6-12 and under 6 are free.
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 sponsors who would be willing to adopt a needy family. Items will be needed on or about December 19th. 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).
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