FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

This Sunday is a very busy Sunday as far as our Masses are concerned.  We welcome the Knights of Columbus at our 8:00 A.M.  This is their annual mass for the deceased members of Council 4380.  We also welcome all other Knights who are present to share in this mass.

Also at the 8:00 A.M. Mass, we receive the new members into the RCIA program for our parish.  We welcome them and their commitment to join our Catholic faith.  We also thank the leaders of our RCIA team who take the time every Sunday to inform and instruct their new candidates about what and why we, as Catholics, practice our faith in the manner that we do, or should do.  We welcome:  Ryan Brady, Cheryl Orlet, and Angie Schanz.

At our 10:30 Mass, our Catholic Youth Group will be present, gathered as a body, to celebrate their faith as Greeters, Commentator, Lector, Ushers, and Offertory procession.  Their leaders will be the Eucharistic ministers.  They will also receive a special blessing for safety and divine protection as they go to the National Catholic Youth Convention this coming Thursday in Kansas City, Mo.  Our parish has sixty members going, the largest group from our diocese, and will have our own bus.  Thanks to all of you who have helped them to go on this trip.  Hopefully, all of them will come back full of zeal to make their CYO and Holy Childhood Parish a better place because of their participation.

After our 10:30 Mass, we will have the Rite of Acceptance for the 8^th grade students who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this school year.

Next Sunday is the 4^th Sunday of the month, and is also Shepherd Sunday, a day to bring food and other items, money included, to help the poor.

SOMETHING NEW:  Next Sunday, (yes, we will have a second collection), we are going to set aside this collection for the support of our parish cemetery.   We have never had a special collection to benefit our cemetery, having been able to maintain it on the income from our endowed care.  Times have changed, as you all know.  And sometime, we will have to consider new property for a future cemetery site.  Our current cemetery is "hemmed in". With the continuing growth and development of our city, I believe we should start looking for property before it becomes a real problem, as far as site and price are concerned.   We are not in a bind for the next ten or fifteen years, but the time will come and we need to be ahead of the game.  So, the November Special Collection will be for our cemetery, not for the Food Pantry.

Next Sunday, the Community Thanksgiving Service, sponsored by the Mascoutah Ministerial Alliance, will be at 6:00 P.M. at Bethel Methodist Church.  I hope that some of our parishioners will be there to represent us.  Since I will be with the CYO on our way home from Kansas City, I cannot assure you that I will be there.  I hope I can attend.

Thanks to all who came on Saturday to work on the flower beds around church.  Winter is quickly approaching.  Advent begins on the last Sunday of November.

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!

BREAKING OPEN THE WORD: We are in need of additional adult leaders for the children's liturgy program on Sundays at the 10:30 am Mass. This is a wonderful way to share your faith with the children of our parish. If you are interested or need further information, please contact Mary Elmore at 566-7315.

THAT'S MY PAN: HURRY, HURRY! Get your pans now! Get your orders in for “That’s my Pan”. The last order for the year will be sent in Dec 1, 2009. All order forms and money may be turned into any 8th grade student, Nancy Raben, the 8th grade Homeroom teacher or the Holy Childhood School office.  If you need an order form or catalog, please contact Lori Grawitch at 566-4319 or grawitch@charter.net. As always, thank you for supporting the 8th grade class of 2010.

SCOUTING FOR FOOD: The annual Boy Scouts "Scouting for Food" drive will be Saturday, November 21st. Holy Childhood's "Shepherd Sunday" is on November 22nd. Both food drives benefit the Mascoutah Food Pantry, which is having increasing numbers of people needing help. Some suggestions for donations are: canned meats, fruits, vegetables, soups, pastas, sugar, flour, oil, breakfast foods, peanut butter, jelly, personal care products, bath tissue, and detergent. There is no need for green beans, peas, corn, and tomatoes at this time. Thank you for helping our local food pantry.  

HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL'S ANNUAL SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR is coming soon. The book fair will be held in HCS's cafeteria from November 16th - 24th. The book fair will also be open after mass on November 22nd from 8:30 - 12:00 noon. This is a great time to pick up stocking stuffers or Christmas gifts. Thank you!

VOLUNTEERS are needed as Offertory Gift Bearers for the Thanksgiving Mass. To volunteer, please call Ruth Wilhelm at 566-2885. Thank you!

11/26 Happy Thanksgiving

"This brings you Mother Love and blessing -

but especially the joy of the assurance that Jesus loves you,

and I only ask you to love one another as Jesus loves each one of you -

for in loving one another you only love Jesus. "

(The private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta - Mother Teresa - Come Be My Light).

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

or on Saturdays from 9-10 AM.