FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Hello!  Good evening!  Good morning!  Welcome!  It is good to be back with you.  I want to thank the some 60 persons who attended the Pro-Life Rally last Sunday to give silent protest against abortion.  I understand that there were several pastors from other churches to lend their support in this worth-while cause.  I am sorry that I did not think about it when we scheduled the Baptism Class.  There were seven families who attended the class.  I have already rescheduled this class in next year’s calendar so as to not be in conflict with the Pro-Life Rally.  Thanks to all who attended!  Thanks to the organizers!

Flu Shots took place this past Thursday in the parish center.  We thank Tom Schneider who arranged this event for our parishioners.  There were about 50 persons who signed-up to take the Flu Shots.  Thanks Tom for making the event convenient!

Saturday, October 17th is the School Auction.  MASS WILL BE AT 4:30 P.M. THIS DAY, SO THAT THE SUPPER AND AUCTION CAN PROCEED IN AN ORDERLY FASHION.  The proceeds go to the school to help meet its budget and to provide for our kids.  You are asked to make reservations to attend and to bid on the many desirable items donated to the auction.  Moreover, a good time is had by all who participate in this event.  Remember, it is for our school and our children!

REMINDER! Your CSMA letters came this week.  So did mine!  The purpose of the CSMA is to further the work of the church in our diocese in spreading the faith, in taking care of its people, educating the young, and making Christ present in a special way.  Please help out if you can.  The reason that there were two envelopes included was the hope that maybe you would talk to someone else about it, that they might become interested in helping out, and that you would have an envelope to give them to mail in their gift.  I cut the address off of my letter and included it along with my check so that they might know who I was.  As if they did not know already!  Please help if you can!

The Holy Childhood Educational Endowment Fund is now open until the end of the month for requests of assistance for RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONAL help to the various groups in our parish.  Dispersement will depend on the amount of funds available from the investments, the quality and need of the request, and no assurance that the request will be partially or completely fulfilled. In making a request, state the need, the specifics, the costs, the number benefiting, etc.  Details count!  As you all know, the Educational Endowment Fund depends on donations and bequests, wills, to grow and earn return, in order to be able to function.  This is how it started, and it needs to be enriched as time goes on and needs increase.  If you can help the fund grow through a gift in your will, or an outright gift, you are helping Holy Childhood School and Church continue its mission.

Next Saturday morning, I will be gone to Mt. Vernon to participate in a meeting of the CSMA Allocation Board.  I will be back in the afternoon in time for mass.  Say a prayer for all of us members, that we might properly disperse funds in accord to the needs and what is available.

BOY SCOUTS will be selling popcorn after mass on October 10-11 and 17-18. The proceeds will directly support Troop 57 in upcoming activities such as Campouts and next year’s BSA 100^th Anniversary Jamboree.  Please help support your local Scouts!  

THAT'S MY PAN IS HERE AGAIN! Once again the 8^th Graders are raising money for their field trip by selling personalized kitchen items. They will be taking orders after all masses on the weekend of October 10/11. Items will arrive before Christmas; so get out your Christmas gift list and save yourself a trip to the store.

HOLY CHILDHOOD 17TH ANNUAL DINNER AUCTION will be held on Saturday, October 17th. Please see the bulletin insert to order your tickets. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Mary Moll at 566-2300. Thank you for your continued support of HCS.

SWEET TOOTH BOOTH at the Dinner Auction October 17^th – If you love baking, whip up your favorite dessert, (cookies, pie or cake, we love them all!) and bring it to the school cafeteria from 8:00am – 11:30am the day of the auction.  Please label your items and let us know if they contain nuts (for those who may be allergic).  We appreciate your help!!!

GIFT CARDS: Getting ready to do some home remodeling?  Fall landscaping in your future?  We have gift cards in stock for Lowe’s ($25 & $100), Home Depot ($25), Sears ($25) and Wal-Mart ($25 & $100).  Stop by the school office during any school day or in the gathering space after any mass.

HCCCW: The Deanery meeting will be held on Saturday, October 17th at 9 AM at St. Joseph in Freeburg, IL. The registration fee is $4 for non-members.

· The Diocesan Council Convention will be held on Wednesday, October 14th at 8:30 AM at St. Mary's in Eldorado. For more information or if you have any questions, please call Kay Osborn at 566-2203. Thank You!

KC'S will be sponsoring a picnic at Scheve Park in the Ag Building on Sunday, October 11th at 2 pm. There will be meat and potatoes supplied, so please bring a side dish, drinks, and lawn chairs. We will be eating around 4 pm. Please RSVP by October 9th to Rob Anstedt - 566-7719 or 618-410-4595. Everyone is welcome!

SHEPHERD SUNDAY: The Mascoutah Food Pantry is in need of the following items this month: peanut butter, graham crackers, canned chili, egg noodles, pasta sauce, sloppy joe sauce, and detergent. Thank you for supporting the Food Pantry!

CYO SMALL VICTORIES FUNDRAISER: Reminder to return you baby bottles and /or baby supplies to either side of the breeze-way at church by October 25th. The CYO members thank you for your help and support!

INTERNATIONAL WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMAGE is an opportunity to celebrate our Catholic faith with the Holy Father and youth of the world! This pilgrimage trip is a service of the Office of Youth Ministry, Diocese of Belleville. All youth must be a minimum of 16 at the time of the trip or be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to participate. We strongly encourage young adults between the age of 18-35 to register. This will take place in Madrid, Spain and will be held August 11-22, 2011. For more information, please contact Colette Kennett at the Office of Youth Ministry at 618-235-9601.  

EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND will be accepting requests until Saturday, October 31st. Make sure you state how much money is needed and what the money is needed for. Any quotes or invoices will be very helpful. You can mail them into the rectory or drop them off. Thank you!

"Beginning to live our lives saying yes to God

will not come easy at first,

but, as with any habit,

 the more we practice the better we become."

 (Until He comes Again, Fr. Jack Spalding).

Say yes to God by visiting Him in Eucharistic Adoration

on Tuesdays following the 8 am Mass until 7 PM

or Saturdays from 9-10 am.