FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Well, this was supposed to be Catholic Schools Week, and the weather told the kids to stay home for a couple of days.  Really, it told all kids and TEACHERS to stay home for a couple of days.  Many of the plans were frustrated, but it still was a good week as it made many of us stay home and live with ourselves.  I stayed in because I did not want to chance a fall and broken bones.  I picked, cracked, and picked pecans from the tree in the back yard, and worked a jigsaw puzzle—real mind teasers! However, I hope that all of you took good care of yourselves also.  Sorry about the canceled meetings—that’s life!

Today is Super Bowl Sunday.  It is also SOUP-R-BOWL SUNDAY in our parish, when we give to help support the poor and needy.  The second collection will be taken up by our CYO members, since this is their project and will be given to Catholic Urban Programs.  Their outreach covers most of St. Clair County, and is well managed.  If you were not prepared today, you can still send in your donation to the rectory and it will be forwarded.

This afternoon, at 2 P.M., there will be a BAPTISMAL CLASS for those who are planning a Baptism soon.  It will be in the “youth room” (basement) of the parish center, since there is another meeting ( Diocesan Council of Catholic Women) upstairs.

Don’t forget the Knights of Columbus Breakfast on Sunday, February 15^th, in the parish center.   They will be serving breakfast after the 8:00 A.M. mass until noon.  Cooking will be done over in the cafeteria kitchen, and delivered Hot-Hot-Hot to the parish center.  This way, you do not have to do the steps and not make the move to your car.

Right-to-Life material will be distributed today, and we encourage your support to see the failure of the Freedom of Choice Act in Congress.  It will over-rule every state law pertaining to restrictions on abortion, and thereby open the doors to the partial birth abortion procedure—a method used to obtain fetal stem cells.  We are not the only ones fighting the passage of this bill—other churches, Lutherans, United Church of Christ, Baptists, and others are against it—they believe in life also.  We need to “let our Light of Faith” shine at this moment of time!

Thank you, to all those who took the time to pick up their “Statements of Contributions” to the parish last weekend.  At the present cost of postage, many dollars were saved for the parish.  My mother always told me that:  "It wasn’t the dollars you made, but the pennies you saved” that got you ahead financially.  A penny does not mean too much today!  But when you save them in your “piggy bank” or “coin jar”, over a time they add up into dollars, and many dollars at that, and we rejoice in cashing them in for big bucks.

Thank you for your support of the parish through your stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.  Hopefully, all of us can make it through these challenging times by being more conscious of our uses of resources at our disposal.  God bless all of you!

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!

ADORATION: If HCS or Mascoutah School District 19 is cancelled due to the weather, Adoration will also be cancelled. To get the school closings, it will be on KMOX radio or KSDK Channel 5.

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. (This is necessary for couples to attend before getting married.)

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 JCPenney's and Kohl’s charge accounts at any store register?  Now in stock Texas Roadhouse ($25) and Exxon/Mobile ($50).  Thanks for your support over the holidays!

Tuesday, February

          8:00 AM         Pat Huff     

Wednesday, February 4

                     8:00 AM           Dan Stukenberg

Thursday, February 5

                         8:00 AM          The Villotti Family 

Friday, February 6

                          8:00 AM          Brad & Erwin Kehrer

Saturday, February 7

                           5:30 PM       Jung & Fellin Families

Sunday, February 8

                      8:00 AM      People of the Parish

                                      10:30 AM     Edna & Albert (Hap) Hulliung

                         Tom Moll

                                                         Schroeder Family Intentions

January 25, 2009

MONDAY, February 2

No Mass

7:30 PM   Athletic meeting

Tuesday,  February 3

8:00 AM  Mass→Adoration→7 PM

9:00 AM   Quilting

6:00 PM    Quilting

6:45 PM    HOPE

Wednesday,  February 4

8:00 AM    Mass

                                       7:00 PM  Child Protection Program-pc

           7:30 PM Choir practice

THURSDAY, February 5

8:00 AM Mass

9:00 AM Quilting

FRIDAY, February 6

8:00 AM Mass

Communion Calls

9:00 AM  Adoration

4:30 PM  Confessions

5:30 PM   Mass

8 & 10:30 AM    Mass 

9:00 AM PSR / RCIA

Dear Parents,

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” –James 1:19

Slow to speak. It sounds easy enough. How easy is it when you hear something you disagree with? What happens when someone is sharing something that you know a great deal more about or have just experienced? Are we slow to speak when someone is totally wrong about something?

I have tried (successfully and unsuccessfully) throughout my life to be slow to speak. Sometimes we try to be funny or have that cute remark. It doesn’t always work. When I preach I always have my homily typed out. I may stray somewhat but it keeps me centered and on the topic. There have been times when I have talked off the cuff at a meeting and wished I had kept my mouth shut. We all have those times.

Abraham Lincoln said, “Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.”

There is a reason that ‘quick to listen’ comes first. They say that the reason that God created us with two ears and one mouth is that we should listen twice as much as we speak.

One of the basic reasons we have a waiting period after sporting events is so people can calm down, put their thoughts together, take time and then speak. Being a person ‘slow to speak’ can make you a better listener, allow you to be better understood and be more respectful –not regretful.

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: “…a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided.” It is easy for us to listen to the ways of the world and forget how to please our spouse.  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 FOCA. 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.

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.