FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered:

"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have!

GIFT CARDS FOR SPRING:  We have gift cards in stock for all of your Spring needs.  Lawn & Garden: Lowe’s ($25, $100), Home Depot ($25), Sears ($25), Wal-Mart ($25, $100).  Athletics: Sports Authority ($25), Dick’s Sporting Goods ($25).  Recreation: Bass Pro Shops ($25), Cabela’s ($25).

ANNUAL SOUP SUPPER AND SPEAKER SERIES: The first Soup Supper and Speaker will be held in the parish center on Monday, March 16. It will feature Fr. Ed Hauf, OMI, whose topic will be "The Meaning of Life: Our Journey of Faith." Soup will be served at 6:30 PM followed by Fr. Hauf's talk at 7:00 PM. A free will offering will be taken and everyone is invited.

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS: Now is the time to send in your request for Easter Flower Memorials for your deceased loved ones. For $10, you can list one or two individual names or one or two family names. The Holy Childhood Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring this program. There is an Easter flower envelope in your church envelope box. Make sure you list who the memorial is for and the donor's name on the envelope. Please make checks out to HCCCW. Donations are needed by April 7th, to insure your loved ones names are included on the list displayed at all entrances to the church. For more information, please contact Pat Bowker at 566-7089.

KING'S HOUSE RETREAT: Can you recall the last time you had a moment for yourself? To think...to pray...to relax...to be quiet…? Now is the time to do something for yourself and God. Come with other women from your parish for the women's retreat on March 20-22. Contact Mary Elmore at 566-7315 for further information or to register.

Parents, if you are interested in your child going to Camp Ondessonk,

there are camp forms available in the office.

"A spirit of trust is the very essence

of the devotion to the Divine Mercy,

to such an extent that without trust there can be no devotion as Jesus wished it.

'The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, ' He said, 'and that is - trust'."

 (the Road to Perfection and Mission of St. Sister Faustyna)

Consider spending extra time with our Lord, especially during Lent.

Come to find how peaceful and enriching your time spent in Eucharistic Adoration will be.

The Blessed Sacrament is exposed every Tuesday following the 8 o'clock Mass until 7 PM and on Saturdays from 9-10 AM. Come spend any amount of time you can give with our Lord as He waits patiently for us.

 If you have  questions, please call Mary Ellen Mueller 566-9529.

*If HCS or Mascoutah School is cancelled due to weather, Adoration will also be cancelled. You can listen to KMOX radio or KSDK News Channel 5 for the closings.

Tuesday, March 17

 8:00 AM          Mike Hopfinger

                           John Lindeman

Wednesday, March 18

                 8:00 AM           Sylvester & Delores Schanz

Thursday, March 19

           8:00 AM           Jung & Fellin Families

                                                      Kachinsky Family                         

Friday, March 20

8:00 AM John Francis Fick

Cornelius Voegele

Saturday, March 21

5:30 PM Anstedt Family

Sylvester & Delores Schanz

Sunday, March 22

8:00 AM Louis & Elsie Wombacher

10:30 AM People of the Parish

March  8, 2009

MONDAY, March 16

No Mass

6 - 9 PM    Soup  Supper & Speaker -pc

Tuesday,  March 17- St. Patrick's Day

8:00AM    Mass →  Adoration→7 PM

9:00 AM                 Quilting

6:00 PM                  Quilting

7:30 PM                  Finance

Wednesday,  March 18

8:00 AM                 Mass 

5:30 PM                 Mass

7:30 PM  Choir Practice

THURSDAY, March 19

8:00 AM    Mass

      9:00 AM    Quilting

                                   7:00 PM   School Board meeting-hcs

FRIDAY, March 20

8:00 AM Mass

5:30 PM Stations/Benediction

9:00 AM  Adoration

4:30 PM  Confessions

5:30 PM   Mass

(Scrutiny #2-RCIA)

8:00 AM Mass

9:00 AM PSR/RCIA

PSR Reconciliation

10:30 AM Mass

Dear Parents,

This Wednesday we had Open House for our Preschool Program.  This is our second year of preschool and it would not have happened if it was not supported by you, HOPE, Annual Fund, school and parish.  It has been a great success.  Mrs. Schneider, our director, has done a fabulous job and the aides, Mrs. Walters, Mrs. Wilhelm and Mrs. Karcher have added so much in making our program something to be proud of.  If you did not make the Open House, you can contact the office to register.

Thanks, also, for your support for our McTeacher Night.  Our school will receive a check for $555. 

Congratulations to Grade 3 as they were on Channel 5 at the 5, 6, 10 o’clock news doing the "5 is 1."  They did a great job.

Don’t forget Kindergarten Open House is next Wednesday, March 18 @ 7:00 p.m.

Sincerely,

Deacon Ron Karcher

Principal

HELP:  The Uniform Exchange is in need of size 16 or size 18 boy’s pants. 

 If you have any at home to donate, please send them in.

Holy Childhood Open House & Registration- 2009

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

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: "The weakness of God is stronger than human strength."  Today's second reading advises us not to rely on our own strength.  Marriage can be so very difficult to sustain in today's society.  Come and tap into the graces that are available to you on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend.  The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is April 24^th through 26^th. To register or for more information call 888-889-9963.

HCCCW:  The Bi-Monthly Quilt drawing winner for March was Alice Green of Collinsville. Ticket returns can still be turned in for future drawings. The next drawing will be at our May meeting. Thank you for all the support you have given us!

BINGO AT SCHEVE PARK:  Come and support Main Street Mascoutah with Bingo and special games  located in the AG Building. There will be dinner served (corned beef & cabbage) at 5 PM. There will be cash prizes, thunder raffle, and 50/50 drawing. Cold Beer and drinks are available, so adults only! For more details, please call 566-7355. Don't forget to bring your friends!

QUILT & CASH BINGO: Sunday, March 15, at St. Michael's Church in Radom, IL. Starting at 1 PM and doors opening at 11 AM. Lunch and refreshments will be available.

SEEKING HOST FAMILY: for an International Exchange High School Student to attend Mascoutah during the 09-10 school year. The student has their own insurance and spending money for personal items, school, and entertainment. You provide only room and meals. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Susan at 618-789-4630 for details.

OLD FASHIONED QUILTING BEE: We will gather at St. George Elementary School in New Baden on Tuesday, April 7th from 8:30 AM until 9:00 PM. Lunch and good conversation will be served from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM. Refreshments will be served throughout the day. We will be quilting all day, so come when you can. Everyone is invited!

NEWMAN AUXILIARY: is having a Quilt & Cash Social Bingo on Sunday, March 22 at St. Charles Borromeo KC Hall in DuBois. Refreshments begin at 11:30 AM and Bingo starts at 1:00 PM All proceeds help support the Newman Catholic Student Center at SIU-Carbondale.

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.