Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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May 10, 2009
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL YOU LADIES WHO ARE MOTHERS! Today is a special day when each one of us can look back to our wonderful mothers who gave birth to us. Mom and Dad took a leap in faith when they decided to have a child, and we are the result of that trust in one another and faith in God. And God gave Mom the job of knowing us and feeling us nine months before we ever took a breath of fresh air. When we first started our lives, we made her sick to her stomach, and miserable. And when we were nearing our time to go on our own, we did a good job of kicking her around. And then she had to shove us out of the house with a great deal of effort and pain. But it did not stop there. There were feeding times, messy times and clean-up times! There were the training times, and the “going to the bat for us” times. All along, our mother was there to help us! And even when we decided that we no longer needed her, and we went on our own, she was there to help us out, to baby-sit our kids, and even to raise our kids! Mom worried about us for what we did, and worried that she did not do enough for us! How can we ever thank her enough? We will try to do better in the future! But for now, Happy Mother’s Day! May God bless all mothers abundantly for showing His love for us!
Thanks also to all those parishioners who helped with the food transfer for the Community Pantry last week. I understand that it went well, and that everyone had a good time in giving their own time. Again, this is only the start. Thanks to all of our parishioners who have brought it this far, and who serve at the food pantry. In two weeks we will have our first Shepherd’s Sunday Collection to help defray the cost of this new pantry. It will be the second collection. We ask you to make checks out to the parish, which will in turn process them, give you credit and forward the funds. Supplies will continually be needed to meet the needs of the people, both food and dry goods, and cash to buy needed foods. Thanks for all you have done in the past, and please keep up the good work.
Next Sunday will be recognition Sunday for the high school graduates from Holy Childhood School. This will take place at the 10:30 A.M. mass. We ask the graduates to vest in their caps and gown, and to process into church in the entrance procession. Pews will be reserved on the west side of church for the graduates. Congratulations for your success and achievements.
Next Sunday, at 2:00 P.M., Holy Childhood Catholic School will have its graduation ceremony for the eighth grade class. Again, we are proud of our students, and thank the parents for the sacrifices they made to send their children to get a Catholic education. However, now that they will be away from the discipline of our school, they and their parents will need to practice the faith and morals that can guide them to their eternal happiness in heaven. We in the parish pray for them, and will do our share to guide them.
We have not heard from all who helped in the Catholic Services and Mission Appeal last year. We have reached our financial goal, but we need to get more parishioners to share in the blessings that come from loving your neighbor as yourself. Join up! FOOD PANTRY BUILDING COLLECTION: In a joint effort of several churches in Mascoutah to pay for the renovation of the Food Pantry, Holy Childhood will have a 2nd collection on the 4th weekend of each month, (which is also Shepherd Sunday). Checks should be made payable to Holy Childhood; memo: Food Pantry Building. Groceries and cash donations are also needed to maintain the food pantry for the needy. Money collected for the supplies will be kept separate from the building renovation fund. Thank you for your generosity!
BAPTISMAL CLASS will be held on June 7th, from 2-3:30 PM, in the parish center.
GIFT CARDS FOR GRADS: We have gift cards for graduates of all ages. Pre-K and Kindergarten – Build-a-Bear, Border’s. 8th graders – American Eagle Outfitters, Gap/Old Navy, iTunes, The Limited and GameStop. High school – Best Buy, Exxon or BP gas, Bass Pro Shops, Bath & Body Works. College – Starbuck’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Pottery Barn, Cabela’s.
2ND ANNUAL PRIESTS' APPRECIATION DINNER: Come celebrate the vocation of your pastor at an appreciation dinner on Sunday June 14th at Fischer's Restaurant: 5:30 PM Cocktails; and 6:30 PM Dinner. Parishioners will be seated near their pastor. PLEASE ATTEND TO SHOW HIM YOUR SUPPORT. For invitations, contact the rectory at 566-2958 or Steve Kappel at 314-729-7843. The price is $37.50 per person for dinner. This is sponsored by the Serra Club of St. Clair County.
HCCCW will meet on Tuesday, May 12th, at 7 PM in the parish center. The Holy Childhood Council is a member of the Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Through fund raising the HCCCW takes care of the altar and sanctuary, providing vestments, altar bread, wine, flowers, and other items needed for the liturgical events of the parish. All newcomers are welcome!
HCCCW: At our May 12th meeting we will be drawing our Bi-Monthly Quilt Raffle and also the Quilt and Grocery Raffle. You can return your tickets by putting them in the collection basket or sending them to the rectory as late as 3 PM on May 12th.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS will meet this Thursday at 7:30 PM in the parish center. All adult men eighteen years of age or older who are practicing Catholics with a desire to contribute time and energy to the church and community are welcome to join.
FILE OF LIFE REMINDER: Last weekend, 'File of Life' and 'Vial of Life' kits were distributed after Masses. If you need additional kits or forms, they are available in the gathering space. Please take whatever supplies you need, and feel free to take kits for anyone who would benefit from having one. Please get your forms filled out and the Files/Vials placed in their proper spot as soon as possible! If you need assistance, please contact a Social Service Ministry Member: Jodi Gardner (566-2347), Dolores Dauber (566-2666), LeeAnn Funk (566-4610), Colleen Hopp (934-3207), Pat Steinberg (566-2245).
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 May 13th.
PASTORAL COUNCIL Nominations for the Pastoral Council 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.
Parish School of Religion Director: Marilyn Byrne
May 10th - Registration
May 17th - Last Day
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
"I am asked what is one to do to be sure that one is following the way of salvation. I answer: Love God. And above all pray." (In My Own Words, St. Teresa)
Pray with your fellow parishioners during Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday following the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM and on Saturday from 9-10 AM. Everyone is invited to come for any amount of time during these hours. If you are interested in committing to a certain hour on Tuesday, please call Mary Ellen Mueller, 566-9529. For those who sign up, we have substitutes available for vacations or times you have to miss.
MASS INTENTIONS
Tuesday, May 12 8:00 AM Arthur Friederich Sr. James Krohne
Wednesday, May 13 8:00 AM People of the Parish
Thursday, May 14 8:00 AM People of the Parish
Friday, May 15 8:00 AM People of the Parish
Saturday, May 16 5:30 PM People of the Parish
Sunday, May 17 8:00 AM David Haas 10:30 AM Jerry & Sally Mueller (50th Anniversary)
* There are openings for Masses this month May 3, 2009
WEEKLY CALENDAR MONDAY, May 11 No Mass
Tuesday, May 12 8:00AM Mass →Adoration→7 PM 9:00 AM Quilting 7:00 PM HCCCW
Wednesday, May 13 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 - 11:00 Father Hauf - PC 7:30 PM Choir Practice
THURSDAY, May 14 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Quilting 7:30 PM KC's-pc
FRIDAY, May 15 8:00 AM Mass
SATURDAY, May 16 9:00 AM Adoration 4:30 PM Confessions 5:30 PM Mass
SUNDAY, May 17 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM PSR (last day)
10:30 AM
Mass (HS Graduates)
HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL
WEB SITE:
holychildhoodschool.com
Dear Parents,
While my mother is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s and does not know me, one word comes to mind and that is ‘treasure’. We treasure the memories, the importance, the impact and the love of our mothers. The second verb is to ‘remember’ that despite what the Hallmark greeting cards say, mothers are not perfect and we should not expect them to be perfect. If we recognize this, we can look back and smile at the things our mothers taught us.
For most of us, our mother is the vine in this week’s gospel. We carry her vitality with us wherever we go, even after they have passed away. No matter how far we may stray from our mother’s home or our mother’s teaching, we still are the branches that are attached spiritually to the vine that gives us life.
When I look at my grapes, I realize that, indeed, God is the vine and I am the branch. I also see that our mothers are the vines and we are the branches. To my mother, mother-in-law, all mothers here, those whose mothers are not here, and to all who had mothers, may God bless you.
Sincerely, Deacon Ron Karcher Principal
Calendar
May 8 Confirmation 7:00 p.m. May 9 Diocesan Track Meet @ Red Bud May 10 Mother’s Day May 11 8th grade off May 12 Just Tuesday May 13 Grades 1 & 8 Magic House/Faculty Meeting May 14 Trolley Lunch & 6th ice cream party Counselor May 15 School Picnic May 16 Athletic Banquet 5:30 p.m. May 17 8th Grade Graduation 2:00 p.m. June 1 Spring Concert 7pm Gym All welcome
The Youth Group made $1061.25 on plant sales! Thanks to all who supported this fundraiser! We appreciate your help. May 13th - Meeting 7 PM Youth Board Applications due! May 27th - Meeting 7 PM
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: “Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit…” You must have Him in your marriage if you want it to bear much fruit. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is June 26th through 28th. Early registration is highly recommended. To register or for more information call 888-889-9963.
HOSTING EXCHANGE STUDENTS: Local families are invited to host international exchange students coming to the area this fall. The students are aged between 15 and 19 and will have their own spending money and health insurance. Host families are responsible for providing meals, a place to sleep and a nurturing and safe environment. We place a large emphasis on supporting host families and will have a local representative who will maintain monthly contact with the family. Our students are proficient in English and must maintain satisfactory academic progress while in school here. All types of families are welcome to apply. We have several students to choose from. If anyone is interested, please contact Julia Ritter at 618-357-2390.
KING'S HOUSE RETREAT & RENEWAL CENTER: There will be Retreats in June and July for Men and Women. There will also be Mind, Mystery & Imagination: a week long Retreat for women, men, religious, and clergy from July 27 - August 2. For more information, please contact the King's House at 618-397-0584.
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