FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

This week, we again laid to rest a faithful member of the parish, Gertrude Moll.  She was a very prayerful person, and blessed by God in His own special way.  She had the blessing of a caring and supportive family.  God is good, and loves all of us!  We are His children, and He has a special place for each one of us in heaven.  May we always be faithful and loyal to Him!  May Gertrude enjoy the peace and blessings God has in store for her!

This is Memorial weekend, and the first holiday for the summer season.  It is a day set aside nationally to remember those who have given their lives to defend our country.  However, it is also a time to remember all those who have passed into eternity.  We will have mass at 8:00 A.M. on Monday and invite you to come and pray with us for those who gave of themselves that we might enjoy the freedoms we delight in today.

On June 4^th, there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive for the Mascoutah Community at Holy Childhood School, from 2 to 7 P.M.  Please mark your calendars, and your memories to give blood on that day.  This is the one product that cannot be manufactured, and is always in demand at the hospitals.  Surgeries, accidents, cancer and related illnesses seem to keep the shelves at bare minimums in our hospitals, barring any emergencies or major surgeries.  This is why we have Blood Drives—so that there will always be a ready supply for those persons who unfortunately need blood to get well or survive.  Again, I ask you to give blood if you can, or at least to encourage someone to take your place at the Blood Drive.  The Make-Up Drive will be on Saturday, June 13^th, from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.

We thank all those who have supported our parish financially throughout the first part of this year.  We struggle at this time of the year to meet the needs of our school.  We also struggle to meet the bills of the parish and the assessments that are part of all parish operations, as well as paying off our loan. The school struggles when tuitions are not paid on time, or in arrears.  We have to pay salaries, health benefits, retirement, Social Security, and all those other benefits on our employees.  And we have to pay utilities and other regular expenses.  That is why we need the support of all of our parishioners to share the burden.  We are grateful to all those who do their share and more.  We ask those who are remiss in this regard to step up and pull your share of the burden.  It is called STEWARDSHIP of the blessings that God gives to us!

Norbert Meier, the choir director at Zion Lutheran Church, is celebrating 50 years as director.  He has also directed many Community choir events and school bands over the same period.  There is a special service at Zion to honor him at 4:00 P.M. this afternoon.  All are welcome to attend this celebration in his honor.

Wednesday will be my anniversary of ordination, May 27, 1958—61 years now and still counting.  Come and celebrate mass with me and the school children.  God is good!

BAPTISMAL CLASS will be held on June 7th, from 2-3:30 PM, in the parish center.

VACATION GIFT CARDS: Purchase gift cards for your summer vacation.  Hotels – Big Cedar Lodge, Disney, Marriott, Hyatt, Choice Hotel and Best Western.  Gas – BP, Exxon/Mobil, Shell and Speedway.  Airlines – American.  Cars – Budget and Avis.  Cruises – Carnival and Disney.  Shopping – Tanger Outlets and American Express.  Thanks for your support!

PARISH PICNIC MEETING will be June 2nd at 7 PM in the parish center. We will be meeting for ideas for new booths, things we would like to see at our picnic, and see about getting some stands fixed or moved.

HCCCW: The quilt winner for the Quilt & Grocery Raffle was Ruth Schadle, and the winners for the grocery certificates were Mae Kennedy and Arlene Haas. The Bi-Monthly quilt winner for May was Jenn Kordick and for July was Dinah Breitweiser.

BISHOP BRAXTON WILL ORDAIN FIVE NEW DEACONS on Saturday, May 30th. The Vigil of Pentecost, The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton will ordain five new Deacons at 10 AM in the Cathedral of St. Peter. Four of the ordinandi will be Transitional Deacons: Mr. Abraham O.  Adejoh,

Mr. Dale A. Maxfield, Mr. Joseph O. Oganda, and Mr. Sean M. Palas. One, Mr. Gerald G. Bach, Sr. will be a Permanent Deacon. All five will serve in the Diocese of Belleville. All parishioners are invited to participate in the Ordination Liturgy. Bishop Braxton requests everyone in the Diocese to support these candidates for ordination with their prayers.

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.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS: Thanks to all who voted for the Holy Childhood School Board elections. The results were: Vinny Pagano - re-elected to a 3 year term and Jay Vasquez - elected to a 3 year term. Thanks to those that were nominated and ran for such important positions. Each year there are seats that become available for the school board. Please remember to look for information next spring about nominations and voting times.

"SONROCK KIDS CAMP" VBS: Registration and volunteer forms are now available for this year's Vacation Bible School. VBS will be held June 22nd - 26th from 8:45 AM - 11:45 AM at Bethel United Methodist Church and St. John's United Church of Christ. You may pick up forms from the rectory or the HCS office. Contact Judy Schneider at 566-9562 or judy.schneider@charter.net.

Have a Good Summer!!

Tuesday, May 26

8:00 AM           Dan & Rose Mueth

                          Frederick Holdener Family

Wednesday, May 27

8:00 AM            Father Jerome Hartlein                          (Anniversary)

Thursday, May 28

8:00 AM            Joseph & Agnes Bechtoldt

                          Special Intension of a Parishioner

Friday, May 29

8:00 AM           Erma Sommers

Saturday, May 30

5:30 PM            People of the Parish

Sunday, May 31

 8:00  AM         People of the Parish

10:30 AM         Arthur & Loretta Haas

May 17, 2009

MONDAY, May 25

8:00 AM             Memorial Day Mass

Office Closed / No School

Tuesday,  May 26

8:00AM               Mass →Adoration→7 PM

9:00 AM             Quilting

9:00 AM             Kindergarten Graduation-pc

6:00 PM             Quilting

7:30 PM             Pastoral Council-pc

Wednesday,  May 27

8:00 AM             Mass 

THURSDAY,  May 28

8:00 AM Mass

9:00 AM Quilting

7:30 PM Stewardship-pc

FRIDAY, May 29

8:00 AM Mass

9:00 AM  Adoration

4:30 PM Confessions

5:30 PM Mass

8:00 AM Mass

10:30 AM Mass

Dear Parents,

This past weekend was a weekend of celebration.  On Saturday (16^th), the Athletic Banquet was held to honor our athletes.  Included in this newsletter is a list of special awards and the coaches.  Congratulations to all of them.

Special awards went to:

Scholarship Award – Katie Wright received the top score of all students who took the entrance exam to Althoff High School.  She received the Bishop Braxton Scholarship which is free tuition for one year.  She also received the Student of the Month Award. This was presented by Mr. & Mrs. Guignon on behalf of Althoff Catholic High School.

Christian Award – The Christian Award is given to a student who goes above and beyond to show love of Jesus Christ through their actions in everyday life.  They show love of fellow man, sharing, giving, and a willingness to do what is right.  The Eighth Graders voted upon this award.  This year’s Christian Award went to Jerilyn Amann.

Student of the Year. – This award is given to an 8^th grader who has consistently shown Christian attitude and actions, demonstrates leadership qualities, academic effort, service to parish, community and family, and shows outstanding citizenship.  The teachers choose the student that best exemplifies these qualities.  This year’s student was selected and a name plate will be added to the plaque that is in the school lobby.  That plaque lists all past award winners.  The Holy Childhood School Student of the Year 2008-09 is Samantha Wilhelm.

Sincerely,

Deacon Ron Karcher

Principal

June   1        Spring Concert                     7pm  Gym       All welcome