FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Here it is, the last week of October, and next Sunday, November 1st, is All Saint’s Day.  It is also the end of Daylight Savings Time, which means that on Saturday night, we all set back our clocks one hour.  (I find this Saturday evening challenging, since I have to reset all of the clocks in the rectory, and some, you have to stop and just wait for an hour because of the chimes.)  It also reminds us of the proximity to Thanksgiving Day, and then Christmas.  Time is really passing fast for us older people, and we wonder where it has gone.  Don’t laugh!  If you don't feel it yet, one day you will!

In last Sunday's bulletin, I thanked the Auction Committee and all of those who would attend the event for their generosity.  I thank them again, knowing the results and all of the fun we had last Saturday.  They raised $40,000 that evening for the school.  In a special request for the Technology (computers) department, an extra $5,050 was given by generous donors.  The parish and the school are grateful to all who helped make this event such a successful evening.

This past Thursday, we laid to rest another faithful member of our parish in the person of Roman Wilhelm.  Roman was 85 years old, and in failing health for many years.  He and his wife, Marcella, celebrated sixty years of marriage, and were active in the parish and many other organizations until they moved to assisted living facilities in Belleville in 2003. He was a devout Catholic, faithful to church and sacraments, and a strong supporter of Holy Childhood Parish.  May God reward him for all the good he has done in his lifespan, and grant him peace and happiness.

On Tuesday, we will have our last Rosary and Benediction service for this month of October.  We thank all those who have made the effort to attend and pray for the many needs of our families, our parish, vocations, our farmers, our military, and the many needs of the world.  God will bless all of you because you cared and dared to go out of your way to pray with us.

There will be no school on Thursday and Friday due to teachers meetings in Mt. Vernon.  On Wednesday evening, I am going to St. Elizabeth’s Hosp. for an overnight Sleep Disorder Test, and am not sure what time it will be over on Thursday.  Hence, there will be no mass on Thursday A.M.  After that, on Thursday, I am heading for Indiana to visit with my cousins, whom I have not seen in over a year.  I will probably stay over night, and come back Friday afternoon.  Hence, no Friday A.M. mass.

Thanks to all who have helped the recent Catholic Services and Ministry Appeal.  It all goes to help the mission of the Church in Southern Illinois to reach out and make Christ present through eighteen different agencies.

Although you are bombarded with requests for support from so many different groups and causes, (I average about six a day), please do not forget to support your parish, who in turn subsidizes our school well over a quarter of a million dollars each year.  As pastor, I depend on your loyalty to Holy Childhood Church to help me accomplish our mission of bringing Christ to our parish family and our youth.  Thanks for all you do!

DEATH NOTICE: Father Robert O'Shea passed away on Tuesday, October 20th. He was a priest for 16 years, but has been in failing health for some time. Please pray for him.

GIFT CARDS: Support Holy Childhood School by buying gift cards for everyday purchases.  We have many in stock for “cash `n carry”.  You can purchase gift cards everyday in the school office and after weekend masses at church.  Thanks for your support!

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!

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 from religious groups in our parish 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!

DID YOU KNOW HCS IS 150 YEARS OLD? If you would like to be a part of celebrating this special anniversary, please join us at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 3, in the Parish Center-downstairs. We would like to hold an event to share this exciting and huge anniversary for Holy Childhood School, but we need your help.  If you are interested in being a part of this planning, please contact Kati (Renth) Schwierjohn at 618-954-8169 or kschwie@yahoo.com or Carrie Norrenberns at lou_can03@yahoo.com. 

THE BELLEVILLE DEANERY NEWMAN AUXILIARY will hold their annual Fund Raiser, "The Fall Gala," on November 7th at the Newman Student Center in Carbondale, IL.  It includes hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, soft drinks, dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. Tickets are $30 per person -- all proceeds help fund the many activities and programs that are provided for college students at SIU. Reservations are required. For more information or to make reservations,  please call Ruth Wilhelm (HCCCW Chair-person) at 566-2285.

"Why don't we accept the cross the Lord gives to us?

We look at everyone else's crosses and want to trade

because ours is too heavy.

Maybe it is not too heavy;

maybe we are just carrying it the wrong way.

Our cross should not be endured, it should be embraced.

 It is our way to salvation."

(Hope for the Journey, Fr. Spalding.)

Visit our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays following the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM

or on Saturdays from 9-10 AM.