FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

This week, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week throughout the United States.  It is a tribute to the sacrifices made by the parishioners to support their schools and the many parents who sacrifice to send their children to a Catholic School.  From the very beginning of our pioneer church in this country, Catholic Schools were established in order to educate the children in the fundamentals of the Catholic Faith.  This was most important to our pioneer families, since they wanted their children to have a deep faith to guide them through life into heaven.  Times have changed since then!  Where Catholic Education was uppermost in the child’s education, today, it is seventh or eighth in the priority of values and virtually non-existent in many families.  The success of Catholic Education for our children is the conviction of the parents, and living out of its values in every day life.  Actions speak louder than words!  And if it is not important for the parents, it is not going to be important for the children.  This is why the church asks for the loyal support of the parents by word and example in support of the Catholic Faith as taught in our school.  It is the word of God given to us through the magisterium of our church.  It is the teaching of Christ as handed down to us through Christ and His Church.

Next Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday for the National Football League, and millions will be spent in advertising as well by people attending and people partying all over our country.   Much is spent in honor of this special sport event.  HOWEVER, THERE CAN BE A TWIST TO THIS EVENT THAT CAN DO MUCH GOOD FOR THE POOR!  And we make this “Soup-er-Bowl” Sunday for the poor.  The CYO of our Parish will be taking up a special (second) collection after communion, using soup-bowls, and passing them up and down the pews to ask for your support for feeding the poor.  The money will be given to the Catholic Urban Programs to help feed the poor in our area.  This is a diocesan wide project to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and the many that are without employment or reduced employment. Remember what Jesus said: “If you did it for these, the least of my children, you did it for me”. Your gift represents your love of God in man!

This past week, we laid to rest Herb Ballard.  Herb attended Holy Childhood parish with his wife Jean and their family and after Jean passed away, he still attended every Sunday as long as his health allowed him to do so. He faithfully supported Holy Childhood Church and School in its many endeavors and was a very devout person. May God grant him peace in heaven with his wife Jean and the rest of his family and friends!

Please remember Fr. John Schoberle, O.M.I., the brother of Mary Crowe and Betty Schoeberle, who is critically ill in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital with pneumonia. Fr. John also has a heart condition which complicates the problem.  He retired from his Mission Work in Sweden and came home to Belleville to live out his retirement.  Say some prayers for him and the rest of the sick parishioners, priests, family and friends.

Again, you are asked to pray for the sick, for our doctors, and all those who care for the sick and the elderly.  They need the special graces to do their jobs well!

ASK FATHER SESSION: Everyone is invited on February 15th for a "Ask Father" session for adults from 9:15 - 10 am in the parish center.

CYO FUNDRAISER: Order from Mascoutah Subway anytime (8am to 10pm) to help support Holy Childhood Youth Group! A percentage of all profits benefits our CYO!

VALENTINE BREAKFAST: Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a Valentine Breakfast on Sunday, February 15th from 8:00 am -- Noon in the Parish Center. Adults-$6.50; Children 5-12-$3.00. EVERYONE IS INVITED!

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Congratulations to the K.C. bi-monthly 50/50 winners: Mary Kellerman; $250, Ken Sullivan; $150, Margie Mattern $100.  Attendance drawing winner was Louie Sindel. Next month drawing starts at $100. There are a few tickets, you may contact Rob Anstedt at 618-410-4595.

WELCOME SUNDAY: Next Sunday, February 1, is Welcome Sunday. Please join us in the parish center following the morning Mass for coffee, donuts, and fellowship.

CHURCH CHATTER: Anyone who would like to contribute to the next Church Chatter, please send your material in as soon as possible. We are interested in hearing news of your parish committee or organization. We would also like to include special birthdays for seniors over 70 years of age and special anniversaries of celebration, as well as news of your college students who may be away from the parish temporarily. Send articles for information to Linda Zacharski, 717 Knipp Ave., Mascoutah, IL or email them to kzacharski@charter. net   If you have any questions, please call Linda at 618-566-8022.

THE MESSENGER: Where can you find out what is happening in the Diocese of Belleville, a neighboring parish or one across the state? Where can you find stories of faith from many areas of the diocese, across the nation or around the world? The Messenger, your local diocesan newspaper, brings news of events important in your parish, your diocese and the universal church. Please stay "connected" through a subscription to The Messenger. Annual subscriptions are $23 and envelopes are provided in your packet.

CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAM:     There will be an Initial Child Protection Program Training on Wednesday February 4, from 7-9 pm in the parish center. Please contact Holy Childhood School at 566-2922.

PRE-CANA DAY: will be held on February 22, from 9 am-5 pm in the parish center.

BAPTISMAL CLASS: will be held on February 1, from 2-3:30 PM in the parish center (downstairs).

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:  Did you know that you can use gift cards to pay your J C Penney's and Kohl’s charge accounts at any store register?  Now in stock Texas Roadhouse ($25) and Exxon/Mobil ($50).  Thanks for your support over the holidays!

Tuesday, January 27

 8:00 AM  Margaret Brouarde

         Vincent Sipple

Wednesday, January 28

 8:00 AM  Success of Pro-Life

Thursday, January 29

8:00 AM  The Kachinsky Family      

Friday, January 30

8:00 AM  Robert Hopfinger

Saturday, January 31

5:30 PM  People of the Parish

Sunday, February 1

  8:00 AM  Jacob Pruett

         10:30 AM  Scouts & Families

                       Norman Siegel

January 18, 2009

MONDAY, January 26

No Mass

7:00 PM Welcome committee

Catholic Schools Week

Tuesday,  January 27

8:00 AM  Mass→Adoration→7 PM

9:00 AM  Quilting

6:00 PM   Quilting

           7:00 PM   Parish Council

Wednesday,  January 28

8:00 AM  Mass

                 7:30 PM  Choir practice

THURSDAY, January 29

8:00 AM Mass

9:00 AM Quilting

7:00 PM Liturgy

FRIDAY, January 30

8:00 AM Mass

SATURDAY, January 31

9:00 AM  Adoration

4:30 PM  Confessions

5:30 PM   Mass

SUNDAY, February 1 / Welcome Sunday

8 & 10:30 AM    Mass 

9:00 AM PSR / RCIA

2:00-3:30 PM Baptismal Class-pc

(basement)

The first reading this Sunday is from the Book of the Prophet Jonah. It describes the Prophet Jonah going through the City of Nineveh telling them to repent.

What you don’t hear is what goes before this when God asks Jonah to go to Nineveh and tell them to repent. He hates the Ninevites; he doesn’t want to do it. In fact he walks in the opposite direction until he gets to the sea. Have you or I ever gone the wrong way when we knew we shouldn’t? Have there been times we just wanted to ignore God?

When Jonah got to the sea, he boarded a ship which hit a storm and he went overboard and was swallowed by a large fish that spit him back up on the shore three days later. Isn’t that the way it is with problems or concerns? We can try to avoid it but it is still there.

Jonah was so shaken up that within only two days he had converted Nineveh.

We probably won’t get swallowed by a large fish at Silver Creek, or see a burning bush that doesn’t burn or a stick turn into a snake yet God is calling us. He is calling us to change, to look at our life and see what our priorities are. He is calling us to change ourselves and others. Maybe our call is not dramatic but we are getting called. What will it take for us to pay attention?

As we begin Catholic Schools Week,  it was over 150 years ago that the immigrants to Mascoutah knew the importance of the call to provide a Catholic education to their children.  At this time, in this world that call is even more important.  For some, you can help by your financial support;  others by prayer, and for most -- support in small and large things. Thanks to all those in the last 150 years who believe Catholic Education is important.

Sincerely,

Deacon Ron Karcher

Principal

  Holy Childhood Open House & Registration- 2009

Preschool (3 & 4 year old) – March 11, 7pm Preschool Room

Kindergarten – March 18, 7pm  Meeting Room – Lower Level

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: “I tell you brothers and sisters, the time is running out.” Time passes so swiftly. Soon there will be no more time to enrich our marriage. Now is the time to act. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is February 6^th through 8^th.  To register or for more information call 888-889-9963.

FIGHT FOCA: You can help stop the Freedom Of Choice Action. Visit www.FightFOCA.com and join the almost 400,000 people who have signed the online Fight FOCA petition so far! Please take a few minutes of your time and visit the website!

MASCOUTAH SENIOR CENTER: is hosting a 10 week women's health program presented by the St. Clair County Health Department beginning on February 5th from 1-2 pm. The topics will include: Dimensions of Health, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Stress Management, Aging Well, and a lot of others. There will be free blood, sugar and cholesterol screenings and attendance prizes. To register for this program or for more information, please contact the St. Clair County Health Department at 618-233-7703 ext. 4408 or the Senior Center at 618-566-8758. There is a $5 fee to cover the cost of the 10 week program.

2009 ROUNDTABLE SERIES: The first session will be held on January 27th from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Pre-registration is required and cost is $20 (lunch included). For further information and to register, please call 618-394-6272.

STEWARDS OF HOPE: is hosting a Bunko Blizzard on Saturday, February 28th at the Woodmen of the World Hall in Highland, IL from 7-11 pm. All proceeds benefit Operation Elba's Orphans. To register or for more information, please contact Michele at 618-654-8211 or Jennifer at 618-651-8509.

ALTHOFF CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: will be having incoming Freshman registration on February 23, 24, & 26.  Appointments can be scheduled by contacting the main office at 618-235-1100.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES: The Belleville Region of Catholic Social Services (CSS) is seeking nominations for the 19^th Annual Christian Service Awards.  Individuals nominated should serve or live in the following counties:  Clinton, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington.  The awards will be presented at a benefit dinner on May 1, 2009, at 6 o’clock in the evening at Albert’s Banquet Center in Belleville.  Reservations for the event are $45 per person (or $320 for a table of eight) and can be made at any time by calling the Catholic Social Services office at (618) 394-5900.