FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

This past week, we had two members of the parish  pass into eternity—Art Friederich and Sandra Smokowski.  Art has been a faithful member of the parish from childhood, being raised here, going to school here, sending his children to Holy Childhood school, and active in the men’s organizations, and other church events.  His health failed him here at the last and restricted his activities.  May he rest in the peace of God’s love!

Sandra is rather new to our parish, having been with us for about two years.  Her health was not the best, and she and her husband, Dominic, helped where they could. They too were faithful in the practice of their faith.  We pray that God fulfill all of her hopes and desires of heavenly peace and happiness!

This past Wednesday, we had the Sacrament of First Reconciliation for our second grade students.  Many thanks to those who made this event possible—first, our parents who bring their children to the church and seek a religious education for their children.  Thanks also to our Principal, Mr. Karcher, our Parish School of Religion Coordinator, Mrs. Marilyn Byrne, our Second Grade teacher of Holy Childhood, Mrs. Amber Olson, our Second Grade PSR Catechist, Laurine Scott, and our Second Grade PSR Assistant, Michelle Renth.  Thanks to all of you, for your time and effort in preparing these children to learn of their God and of his son, Jesus.

Next Sunday, we have our parish Pre-Cana (wedding preparation) day here at Holy Childhood.  We have twenty-three couples enrolled, not all from our parish, but wanting to prepare for a truly Catholic marriage.  Pray for our presenters, that they have the gifts to impart and inspire all of these couples to live a good Catholic marriage.  Pray also for all the couples who are partaking in the day, that they will be open to the information given by the presenters and incorporate this into their future lives.  The real goal of any marriage is to get to heaven, and to help each other get to heaven.  We do this by living a Christ-like life of loving God and of loving our neighbors as ourselves.

Lent is just about ten days away—February 25^th is Ash Wednesday.  I will be sending you again, the Little Black Book of daily thoughts and meditations for Lent, the Church’s guidelines for Lenten Fast and Abstinence, and a neat pamphlet on how to live a happy Lent and make it most profitable.  Check it out, so that you can make the most of this special season of the church, and grow in grace and God’s blessings.

A reminder about the Church’s law on COMMUNION FAST—fasting from food and drink before receiving the Holy Eucharist!  The two items that prohibit us from receiving the Holy Eucharist is Mortal Sin, and not making the Communion fast.  Mortal sin needs to be removed through the Sacrament of Penance, and is a serious offense against the Commandments that is willful.  The Communion fast is abstaining from  food and drink one hour before the reception of Communion, plain water being the exception.  This means candy, edibles, gum, all that is not considered medicinal.  The purpose of the fast is to help us prepare for the sacred event that happens when we go to Communion, and that we make a conscious preparation to receive worthily the Body and Blood of Christ.

SMALL CHRISTIAN GROUP: Small Christian Communities are groups of 6 to 12 people who meet for 6 weeks in the Spring and Fall to study scripture and Catholic teachings. There are several groups beginning during Lent. If anyone is interested, please contact John Pettinger at 618-677-2724.

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.

HCCCW: The winner of our Bi-Monthly quilt raffle drawing was Helen Wombacher of our parish. You received tickets in the mail this week for the drawing to buy or sell. Sold or unsold tickets can be returned by putting in them in the collection baskets or taking them to the rectory. The first drawing will be held at our March 10th meeting.

CHURCH PICNIC: If anyone has any suggestions for a new stand for the picnic,  please call the rectory at 566-2958.

GIFT CARD HELPFUL HINTS: Keep a gas card in the vehicles that your teenager drives so they don’t have to carry cash.  We have $50 BP and Mobil in stock.  Keep gift cards on hand for last minute birthday gifts.  We have $10 Border’s, $15 iTunes & $20 Toys R Us in stock.  Use grocery cards to help you with budgeting.  We have $25 Tom’s and $25/$100 Shop-N-Save and Wal-Mart in stock.

ATTENTION ALL MEN: You are invited to the Annual Catholic Men's Conference in St. Louis on March 21. Transportation and lunch will be included in the registration cost. Sign-up will begin February 7 after all of the Masses. The cost for the conference will be $45 prior to March 1 and $50 after that.

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).

Tuesday, February 17

   8:00 AM         Aldo Balestri 

Wednesday, February 18

 8:00 AM         Viola Klinkman

                                        Father Hartlein-Birthday

Thursday, February 19

              8:00 AM          Father Schoeberle      

Friday, February 20

8:00 AM People of the Parish

Saturday, February 21

5:30 PM Special Intention

Sunday, February 22

8:00 AM People of Parish

10:30 AM Jerome Wienstroer

February 8, 2009

MONDAY, February 16

No Mass

Office Closed

No School

Tuesday,  February 17

8:00 AM  Mass→Adoration→7 PM

9:00 AM           Quilting

6:00 PM            Quilting

Wednesday,  February 18

Happy Birthday Father!!!

8:00 AM            Mass

               7:30  PM           Choir practice

THURSDAY, February 19

8:00 AM Mass

9:00 AM Quilting

7:00 PM School Board-hcs

FRIDAY, February 20

8:00 AM Mass

9:00 AM  Adoration

4:30 PM  Confessions

5:30 PM   Mass

8 & 10:30 AM       Mass 

9:00 AM      RCIA / PSR

9-5       Pre-cana- pc

Last Friday we made another time capsule and sealed it.  Both the 1999 and 2009 capsules will be opened Friday, January 26, 2019, 2:30pm.  In case I forget, it will be up to you to remember.  They are in the attic.  Please mark your calendar.  Thanks to Kami vonderLinden and Clare Norrenberns who decorated the time capsule.

             Next Week’s Calendar – February

                  16 - President’s Day – No School

18 - Father Hartlein’s Birthday

                   9:30 ‘Stuart Little’ Presented by: 

                     Belleville East HS in Gym

                            19 - Counselor/ School Board 7:00 p.m.

                                       Camp Ondessonk 12:30 Grades 3-8 in  Gym

     20 - Mid Term

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: This weekend is a time to look at our love for our spouse and decide to do something to make our love more like Jesus’ love for us.  How do I learn to love like Jesus? The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is April 24^th through 26^th.  Early registration is highly recommended. 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!

ST. GEORGE PARISH is having a chicken dinner on Sunday, March 8, from 11 AM - 6 PM. It will be held at St. George Hodapp Hall in New Baden, IL. Everyone is invited! Adults- $8.50; Children(5-12)- $4.25; Under 5- free. Carryouts available.

ST. LIBORIUS PARISH is having a quilt bingo on Sunday, March 1, at the American Legion Hall, 7236 State Route 15, St. Libory. The bingo starts at 1 PM with the doors opening at 11 AM.

WURST- MARKT & BEEF DINNER: Sunday, February 15, St. Charles Parish is sponsoring this from 10 am - 3 pm at St. Charles Hall in Dubois, IL. All you can eat; Adults: $8; Ages 6-12: $4; Age 5 & under: Free. All carry-outs are $8 each.

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.