FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Well, here it is!  Christmas Week!  This past month has passed so quickly that my head is still swimming.  For you, as well as for myself, there are still many things that we feel that we need to do before Thursday, Christmas Day.  At any rate, please make sure that we do not forget our Lord at Christmas—you know, going to mass and thanking Him for all the blessings that you have.  Even though times may be more difficult, and the future does not look too pleasant, we must thank God for our life, our health, our faith, our family and friends, our parish—one another!  It still could be worse!  That is not saying it may not get worse.  But for the present, pull in the reins, tighten up the belt, save rather than spend, and gain some peace of mind by the good work that you are doing, and God is helping you.  Jesus came for us!  We have to do our share also!  A blessed and Peaceful Christmas to all of you!

Thanks to all who came to the Penance Service in spite of the bad weather.  You certainly were brave!  I am sure that God blessed all of you with peace of mind and freedom from sin, as you came confessing your sins and receiving forgiveness.  Denying or ignoring our sinfulness is like denying or ignoring a cancer.  It continues to grow in us, and will destroy us, and our destiny.  It already has us denying our need for God’s forgiveness.

Thanks also to all those who came this past Thursday to finish up with the decorating of our church.  So many of our “key” workers had conflicting events for today, that it was better to finish up earlier.  Thanks to all who do so much for our parish.

Joan Powers, of our parish passed away this week, and was buried on Friday.  Remember her and her family—relatives, in your prayers.  Christmas calls us to look for Christ’s coming.  He came early for Joan!  May she rest in Peace!

I will have mass for the residents of Mar-Ka Nursing Home on Monday at 10:00 A.M.  On Tuesday, at 10:00 A.M., I will have mass for the Residents of the Grange Nursing Home.  Pray for all of our parishioners who are residents of nursing home.  They are still part of our Parish Family

Red Cross Blood Drive on TUESDAY, DEC. 30^TH, from 2-7 P.M. at Holy Childhood.  Make plans to come and save some lives by your gift of life, your blood.

We have always had a second Collection for the Poor of our diocese on Christmas. This is a Diocesan wide collection.  We share our blessings with the less fortunate.  And there will be the regular collection for our parish on Christmas also.  As we spend money all over the place for gifts, make sure you have a gift for Holy Childhood Parish!

As I close this column, I want to thank all of you, parishioners and friends for you support of our Parish, and your involvement in our parish—the Body of Christ!  I wish to all of you, the choicest of God’s Blessings, and am remembering all of you in my prayers and masses.  Please remember me in your prayers so that I can serve you as God desires!

To all of you, A BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND NEW YEAR!

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 STILL needed to bring up Offertory Gifts at the following Masses: Christmas Day, 9:00 a.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.

SERVERS PRACTICE : There will a servers practice on December 23, at 11 AM for the Christmas Eve Masses. 

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Will be having their Bi-Annual 50/50 ticket drawing. The tickets are $10 each or $50 for all six. The drawing will be in January 2009. For the Winner's Prize, $500; 1st place, $250; 2nd place, $150; 3rd place, $100. If you have any questions, please call Rob Anstedt at 618-410-4595 or 566-7718.

PSR Christmas Break: The last PSR class will be on 12/21. The class will start up again on 1/4.

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. (566-2958).

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.

Tuesday, December 23

 8:00 AM   Gene Hund

Wednesday, December 24

Christmas Eve

                          4:00 PM    People of the Parish              

          10:30 PM   People of the Parish

Thursday, December 25

Merry Christmas

                     9:00 AM    People of the Parish          

Friday, December 26

8:00 AM Lucille Karpel

Saturday, December 27

5:30 PM  Dan Stukenberg

               Delores Schanz

Sunday, December 28

  8:00 AM   Msgr. Hartlein

          10:30 AM   People of the Parish

December 14, 2008

MONDAY, December 22

No School

7:00 PM  Welcome Committee

Tuesday,  December 23

No School

                         8:00 AM   Mass →Adoration→7 PM

  7:00 PM   Confessions

                                            7:30 PM    Pastoral Council                                  

Wednesday, December  24

No School / Office Closed

Christmas Eve

  4:00 PM  Mass

10:30 PM  Mass

THURSDAY, December 25

Merry Christmas

No School / Office Closed

9:00 AM Mass

FRIDAY, December 26

No School / Office Closed

8:00 AM Mass

 9:00 AM  Adoration

  4:30 PM  Confessions

  5:30 PM   Mass

    8:00 AM  Mass 

  10:30 AM   Mass

                            9:00  AM   No PSR / No RCIA

Helping Others – We are continuing to collect food for the Mascoutah Food Pantry and household items for Hospitality House in Chester which provides a place to stay while visiting those in prison.

Celebrate by serving.  Offer help to decorate for someone who is physically unable to do it on their own (shut-ins, new moms, and people recovering from surgery). Take some hot chocolate and cookies with you. Perhaps do the same for military families whose spouses are stationed away from their families.

Prepare a care box for college students- Many will be wrapping up final exams and cookies can help make it more enjoyable.

Purchase several mini-Christmas trees and take them to the nursing homes.

 Carol for public servants. Groups or families can go caroling for public workers and officials including firefighters and police. Stop by and thank them for their services.

Attend Church

January 2009 Calendar

5 Return/Athletic meeting- 7 pm

6 HOPE -6:45 pm

7 Teacher meeting -All

8 Counselor

9 Midget Boys Diocesan Basketball Tournament @ Queen of Peace

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Are we willing to have the faith of Mary in believing the angel? Do we have faith in our spouse that will give us the strength to make our Sacrament holy? The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is January 25^th through 27^th.  Early registration is highly recommended. To register or for more information call 888-889-9963.

ANNUAL DIOCESAN COLLECTION: The annual Diocesan Christmas collection will be taken up at all Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Administered by Catholic Urban Programs, these monies are used to assist people from throughout the diocese; any pastor or parish life coordinator may request assistance from it for those in need from their community/area. Please generously support your sisters and brothers who lack the basic necessities of life through this year's Annual Christmas Collection. 

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!

CHRISTMAS COOKIES:  The Belleville, East St. Louis Council Society of St. Vincent de Paul is asking for support. They are in need of home-baked cookies for Christmas dinner at the soup kitchen. (They served more than 1550 meals at Thanksgiving.) If you are able to help, please bring your baked goods to the CUP office at #7 Vieux Carre Drive in East St. Louis, or call Sister Ann at 618-398-5616 to arrange for a pick up. Thank you for reaching out to those in need!

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 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).