FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!  That is what we always say, don’t we?  And that happiness should come from the new life that has been given to us through the resurrection of Jesus.  So maybe we should be wishing to one another a BLESSED EASTER, because we all should realize the real life that is ours because Jesus died to save us from our sins, and then rose from the dead.  Yes, we are happy that Easter is here. With Easter comes the season of Spring, warmer weather, new plant life and new animal life, new hope.  However, it should also manifest in each one of us a new desire to better ourselves and the world we live in.  It should also show our commitment to love our God more than ever before, through prayer and the practice of our faith.  It will show the life of Christ living in us, and bring us the peace of Christ!  Yes, A HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OF YOU!  AND CHRIST BE WITH YOU!

Many thanks to all who came to daily mass during this past Lent, and also those who make it a practice to come to mass regularly during the week.  You are a great example to the children and to one another of our thankfulness to God for all that He gives us, and our dependence on Him.  The same applies to those who availed themselves of the Lenten services.  May God bless you for your sacrifices!

Our Penance Service was well attended, and I thank all of you who took the opportunity to receive Reconciliation.  In fact, all of the Penance Services here, in O’Fallon, and the confession time at the Cathedral last Sunday were well used.  I know that some of our parishioners went to one of the other places, as well that some of their parishioners came to Mascoutah.  Thank you for moving ahead in your spiritual life.

It is difficult to believe and accept that the year is speeding by so quickly.  Two weeks from today, we will celebrate the Sacrament of First Communion for our second grade students.  Five weeks away, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation.  And then it is graduation, and summer vacation.  Wow! Where is time getting away from us?

It seems that God has been knocking at our parish doors in the past few weeks, and calling some of our members to eternal life.  Rebecca “Fran” Haas, Oliver Biebel, and on Tuesday, we had the funeral of Dianne Clayton, the mother of Karon Clayton.   The last two were very unexpected with massive heart attacks.  None of us knows who will be the next one, and age does not seem to be the determining factor.  What it should tell all of us is that our real home is in heaven, and that we should be ready when the call comes.

This past Friday, the Novena of Divine Mercy began, and continues each evening through this week, at 7:00 pm here in church.  There is much to pray for in all of our families and much to be grateful to God for our blessings.  Please come!

For those who have not renewed their commitment to the Catholic Services and Ministry Appeal, we hope that you will still join in with this special service to the people of our diocese.  The special collection for the poor taken up during Lent will be divided between our own St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Catholic Urban Program of our diocese.

BAPTISMAL CLASS will be held on June 7th from 2-3:30 PM in the Parish Center.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS and join Fr. Ed Hauf as he teaches us about "Scripture and God's Plan for Salvation" from 9-10:30 AM in the parish center on April 15, 22, 29, May 6, & 13.

HCCCW will meet on Tuesday, April 14th at 7 PM in the parish center. The Holy Childhood Council is a member of the Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. All newcomers are welcome!

HELP US EARN 20 NEW ENERGY-EFFICIENT COMPUTER SYSTEMS! The HCS Technology Committee is sponsoring a Trivia Night on Saturday, April 25th in the HCS Gym. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the game beginning at 7:00pm. The cost is $15/person or $100/table (paid in advance to HCS) which includes two drink tickets per player. Baby sitting is available for children 3 years and older. For Reservations: Contact Karen @ 618-566-8118 or email Karen_wobbe@yahoo.com.

THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE will be held in Kansas City, MO on November 19 - 22nd 2009. We will be meeting with all interested parents and youth on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 PM in the youth room. The weekend is open to all who will be in high school next fall, including the current 8th grade PSR and HCS 8th graders. College-age students may also attend. Anyone under the age of 21 must bring a parent to sign the necessary paperwork. If you decide to attend, a $100 deposit is due at this meeting. Please consider attending; many young people describe it as an event that had a tremendous impact on their lives.

VIDEO AD: The Pastoral Council is looking for someone to videotape one weekend Mass. We are going to do this for the those who cannot attend Mass or that are in nursing homes. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Jenn Kordick at 566-3482.

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

there are camp forms available in the office.

Devotion to the Divine Mercy Begins

The Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday, at 7 PM (before our regular service) and continues each day at the same time for nine days.

The Sunday after Easter, Mercy Sunday, April 19, service begins at 2 o’clock with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and private prayers and then the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3.

To receive the graces Our Lord has promised one must go to Confession (near Mercy Sunday), receive Holy Communion, venerate the image of Divine Mercy, pray the Novena of Divine Mercy on Mercy Sunday,  partake of the Novena which begins on Good Friday and, as Our Lord said, “You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere.” (Diary, 742) 

Should circumstances hinder you from attending an evening service, you can say the Chaplet at your convenience.  Leaflets explaining the novena can be found at the entrance of the church.

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.

Tuesday, April 14

8:00 AM           Fran Haas

Wednesday, April 15

8:00 AM           John Rist

Thursday, April 16

8:00 AM           Dan & Rose Mueth Family

Friday, April 17

8:00 AM           Mary Waigand

Saturday, April 18

8:00 PM People of the Parish

Sunday, April 19

8:00 AM    David Haas

                            10:30 AM  1.  Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Siegel

                                                          (60th Wedding Anniversary)

                                                               2.  L/D Family of Alvin Mauermann

                            3.  Sylvia Campa

April 5, 2009

MONDAY, April 13

No Mass

No School

Office Closed

7:00 PM             Divine Mercy

Tuesday,  April 14

8:00AM               Mass →Adoration→7 PM

9:00 AM             Quilting

7:00 PM             HCCCW-pc

7:00 PM             Divine Mercy

Wednesday,  April 15

8:00 AM             Mass 

9:00 - 11:00        Father Hauf - PC

7:00 PM             Divine Mercy

THURSDAY,  April 16

8:00 AM Mass

9:00 AM Quilting

7:00 PM  Divine Mercy

     7:00 PM   School Board Mtg.-hcs

FRIDAY, April 17

8:00 AM Mass

7:00 PM Divine Mercy

9:00 AM  Adoration

4:30 PM Confessions

5:30 PM Mass

7:00 PM Divine Mercy

8:00 AM Mass

9:15 AM PSR

10:30 AM Mass

2 - 3 PM Divine Mercy
 

Dear Parents,

The season of Easter is a time of hope. The great hope of Jesus rising from the dead is celebrated Saturday night and Easter Sunday. It is our great hope that some day we will rise to join Jesus in heaven. Easter is full of lots of symbols and contradictions. In the public sector it is spring break, not Easter. In the stores there are lots of Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, marshmallow peeps and so many other symbols that get lost in the season of hope.

Easter Bunny – The rabbit a symbol of fertility and new life arrived in the 1700’s with German immigrants where the egg-laying rabbit called “Osterhase” or "Oschter Haws”. The children made nests where the famed rabbit could lay colored eggs. The tradition spread where now the Easter bunny leaves not only eggs but other candies, especially chocolate.

Easter Egg- The egg has long been a symbol of new life. For Christians it represents Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Decorating Easter eggs goes back to the 13^th century according to some source.

Easter is the second best-selling candy holiday after Halloween. The jelly bean in the shape of an egg started in the 1930’s and my wife’s favorite marshmallow Peep by the Just Born Candy Company began selling in the 1950’s. This year they came out with chocolate mousse bunnies.

While we have all these symbols, it is important that they became part of our lives to explain the great hope of resurrection. From everyone at Holy Childhood School – Happy Easter!!!!!!  Jesus has risen!!!

Sincerely,

Deacon Ron Karcher

Principal

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: He is risen!  May the joy of Easter be with you.  Let Marriage Encounter help you resurrect the romance in your marriage. 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.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL is in need of furniture and appliances. There is an urgent need for gently used furniture (in good working condition)...particularly beds, chest of drawers, dressers, sofas, washers and dryers. Donated items are tax deductible. All donations are welcomed! To arrange for a pick up or additional information, please call 618-394-3568.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL: Throughout the month of April we will be collecting recipes for our Council Cookbook. We are looking for a volunteer to help us with cookbook sales! The deadline for the recipes is April 30th. If you would like to help, please contact Pat at 618-799-8505. All proceeds will benefit the charitable works of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

MATER DEI MEGA RAFFLE sponsored by the Mater Dei Fathers and friends and the Office of Institutional Advancement. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Mater Dei Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 6th. To purchase tickets, please call the office at 618-526-7216.

ST. JAMES, MILLSTADT SPRING FLING will be held on Sunday, May 3, from 11 AM - 6 PM. There will be a spaghetti dinner, music and cow patty bingo.

KING'S HOUSE RETREAT: On Friday, August 28 - 30, Arlene Apone will be presenting "Spiritual Healing: an Inside Job". To register or for further information, please contact the King's House at 618-397-0584.

FIND HELP FOR YOUR TROUBLED MARRIAGE through the next Retrouvaille Program that starts June 5-7, 2009 with a weekend (Friday night thru Sunday), and has six follow-up sessions held over three months. You need not be Catholic to attend and we can work with people having financial difficulties. For confidential information, please call Beth and Dave at 314-837-8576.

NATIONAL SHRINE IN BELLEVILLE would like everyone to know that they will have a 5:00 PM Mass during the weekday, Monday thru Friday. The Shrine will be celebrating this Mass not just through Lent, but all the way through Pentecost.

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.

ANNUAL SPRING BLESSING OF THE FARM will be held on Thursday, April 16th, at 1 PM at the property of Frank Dall and Family, located at 5500 Highline Road in Aviston, Illinois. The farmers may wish to bring samples of seeds, which will be blessed during the prayer service. Please mark your containers. You may also bring animals, farm machinery, and equipment.