FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

I hope that the "Easter Glow" is still in your souls and spirit.  Yes, Easter Day is past, and we are speeding along through April.  However, I hope that all of the goodness you gained during Lent has not been tossed aside, but continues to grow in you.  I always believe that the passport into heaven for each one of us is how much we reflect the image and likeness of God, and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Can others see God through our love, forgiveness, compassion, and willingness to serve to the best of our abilities given to us?  Jesus is the “measuring stick” or the criterion on which we need to base our lives and our faith.  He is also the only source for true peace and happiness!

Thanks from your parish to all who generously supported the parish with your Easter gift.  It helped us make our financial obligations without having to draw on our reserves for the present time.  Many thanks also to all who contributed to the special second collection for the poor.  Our total Lenten collections amounted to $6117.47.  As stated last week, it will be divided between the St. Vincent de Paul, and Catholic Urban Program.

Congratulations to Joe and Theresa Siegel, who celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary this morning at the 10:30 A.M. mass.  Much love, patience, forgiveness, dedication, and faith in one another has been poured out over these 60 years.  Gifts from God to be shared in your lives!  May God bless you with many more years of quality togetherness!

Next Sunday, at 2 P.M., the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist will be given to our second grade students for the first time.  Please pray for them and their families that this special gift from God will blossom in their lives, and be a constant source of faith, hope and charity—new lights to brighten our church and parish family.

Our eighth grade class is going on its annual "Skip Trip" to Chicago on Thursday and Friday of this week.  Pray for a safe trip for them and their chaperones.  Thanks to all who helped make this event possible for the students!

Again, thanks to all who have supported the Catholic Services and Ministry Appeal of our Diocese, from our parish.  We still need the support of those persons who gave last year and have not done so this year.  The CSMA supports the salaries and benefits of these ministries in order that they can exist, and deliver to those in need.  Share a little each month for ten months—much can be accomplished in this way.

I am missing a large Communion Pyx—the container that we use to take communion to the nursing homes.  Anyone have an inkling where it might be?  Please return it!

Story:  A little girl had just finished her first week of school.  “I’m just wasting my time,’ she said to her mother.  “I can’t read, I can’t write, and they won’t let me talk!”  Sounds familiar—from experience!

Pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and the Religious Life, and Service to the Church!

TRIVIA NIGHT:  HCS Technology is sponsoring a trivia night on Saturday, April 25th in HCS Gym. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the game begins at 7:00 PM. The costs: $15/person or $100/table (paid in advance to HCS).  

BP GAS CARDS:  BP gas cards can now be used at Han-Dee Mart in Mascoutah (corner of Main & 6^th Street).  We have $50 cards in stock.  You can purchase cards in the school office during normal school hours or in the Gathering Space after weekend masses.

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 22, 29, May 6, & 13.

SPECIAL MASS AT CATHEDRAL for couples celebrating major Wedding Anniversaries, Sunday, June 7 at 1:30 PM. Bishop Edward K. Braxton will celebrate a special Mass of Thanksgiving and Appreciation at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville at 1:30 PM on Sunday afternoon, June 7, to honor all couples in the Diocese celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, and 70th Wedding Anniversaries this year. A reception will immediately follow in the McCormack Center. Please contact the rectory at 566-2958 no later than May 5, with the names and addresses so that we can forward them to the Office of the Bishop.

PASTORAL COUNCIL is starting its nominations for the year! Nominations may be turned into the rectory or you may put them in the collection baskets at Mass. The Council has placed the nomination forms at the end of the pews for anyone who would like to pick one up.

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.

EASTER FLOWERS AND CANDLES: The HCCCW wishes to thank all who contributed toward memorials for their deceased loved ones and those who made donations to cover the cost of the Easter flowers and candles. We appreciate your generosity in supporting this project. God's blessings to all.

*There will be spring registration for PSR on 

May 3 and May 10. Please mark your calendars!

*On April 26th all 2nd graders will be receiving their First Communion in church at  2 PM.

*On May 8th at 7 PM all 8th graders will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Devotion to the Divine Mercy

Our Divine Mercy Novena ends on Sunday, April 19.   In conjunction with churches all over the world, we have gathered to recite the Novena for the past nine evenings (the last evening being Saturday at 7 PM).  The Divine Mercy Novena will end on Sunday, April 19, with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and private prayers from 2-3 PM and The  Chaplet at three o’clock. 

 In Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Rich in Mercy the message of mercy was proclaimed, “the Church must consider it one of her principle duties – at every stage of history and especially in our modern age – to proclaim and to introduce into life the mystery of mercy, supremely revealed in Jesus Christ (14).” 

 Our Lord requested many times thru St. Faustina that we pray The Chaplet daily. 

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 21

8:00 AM             Elmer & Bernice Hopfinger

                          (Anniversary)

Wednesday, April 22

8:00 AM             Gene Hund

                          Norbert Klinkman

                          Michael Warning

Thursday, April 23

8:00 AM             Father Schoeberle

Friday, April 24

8:00 AM             Rosalia Orlet

                          Eugene Christ

                          Special Intention

Saturday, April 25

5:30 PM             Norman Siegel

                          John & Jeannette Schuchman

Sunday, April 26

8:00   AM           Jim & Norma Amann

                          (50th Anniversary)

10:30 AM           People of the Parish

April 12, 2009

MONDAY, April 20

No Mass

2:30 PM             St. Vincent-pc

Tuesday,  April 21

8:00AM               Mass →Adoration→7 PM

9:00 AM             Quilting

1 -3 PM               Dare Graduation-pc

6:00 PM             Quilting

Wednesday,  April 22

8:00 AM             Mass 

7:30 PM             Choir Practice

THURSDAY,  April 23

8:00 AM             Mass

9:00 AM             Quilting

7:30 PM              Stewardship-pc

FRIDAY, April 24

8:00 AM          Mass

                        First Communion Practice

9:00 AM         Adoration

4:30 PM          Confessions

5:30 PM          Mass

7:00 PM          Trivia Night

8 & 10:30 AM Mass

9:15 AM        PSR

2:00 PM        First Communion

Dear Parents,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a pleasant and happy Easter.

One of my favorite poems is called "Children Learn What They Live" written by Dorothy Law Nolte, in 1959. Nolte quite simply reminds parents and teachers of their power to shape the minds and hearts of young children. Among Nolte's observations are: "if a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient, if a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love" as well as "if a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight and if a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn."

The Catholic Church tells us that "parents are the primary educators of their children." What an awesome responsibility! Certainly, raising children is a joyful enterprise. At times, however, it may seem overwhelming.

What are some practical ways that you can pass along your faith to your child?

· Pray with your child in your home-at mealtimes and bedtimes

· Attend Mass with your child and receive the Sacraments regularly

· Model honesty and fairness for your child

· Use everyday experiences to teach your child moral and ethical values

· Always treat others the way you would want your child to treat them

· Remember, that whatever you say and do, your child is likely listening and watching-and learning from you.

Never underestimate the influence you, the parent, have on your child and his or her faith development-as well as overall emotional development. Your child's greatest and most lasting learning takes place right in your own home. Parents truly are the first and most important teacher their children will ever have. What a marvelous gift God has placed in your hands!

Blessings,

Deacon Ron Karcher

Principal

BENEFIT BREAKFAST: The New Baden Senior Legion Baseball team is holding a benefit breakfast for their team, which includes boys from Mascoutah. It will be held on April 19th, from 8 AM until Noon at the American Legion in New Baden.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Are we like Thomas and doubt the power of God in our marriage? Learn the tools to put God in your Sacrament of Marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is June 26^th through 28^th. Early registration is highly recommended. To register or for more information call 888-889-9963.

FOOD PANTRY: The Concerned Christians would like to provide the opportunity for the entire community to participate in the move. We believe that moving the food pantry from the old location to the new would be a great opportunity to get the town involved. We plan on having a "bucket brigade" style transfer. The effort will require 300 people; the community has planned for Saturday, May 2, beginning at 2 PM. In the event of inclement weather the "bucket brigade" will be cancelled. In order to participate in this unique effort, please contact Chris von der Linden at 618-409-1592.

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.

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.

ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH is holding their Spring Rummage and Bake sale on April 30th, May 1st, & 2nd, at St. Anthony's parish center in Beckemeyer, IL. The hours are as follows: April 30th - 9 AM - 8 PM; May 1st - 9 AM - 8 PM; May 2nd - 9 AM - 3 PM.

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.