FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Hey, I am back and alive.  The trip to Kansas City with the Holy Childhood Youth Group was another great experience.  Our kids were great and so were all of the adults.  We all looked out for one another, and Fr. Hartlein got special attention because he is so old and so slow and unstable.  The young and the old all wanted to help me!  Thanks a million for the opportunity to enjoy a very beneficial experience with you.  I did use ear plugs several times during some of the music, singing, and screaming.  After all, I had to hear confessions with some 50 other priests at a time.  There were 21,000 youth and adults at the event, 170 priests at the mass, and about 8 bishops—some of them were hearing confessions also.  A great trip!  Now to put what was learned into action in our own parish and area!

Today is the First Sunday of Advent.  Last week, we put out “The Little Blue Book” for Advent preparation.  If you did not get one then, get your copy now, and for someone else who you know would use it.  There are also 100 copies of the Word Among Us, which has the weekday masses in it.  This book also has Advent readings in it that tie in with the mass readings for each day.  They are there for your use.  Also, the 2010 church calendars are available at the church exits.  These will be available all during December.  The other books will be withdrawn after next Sunday and taken to St. Elizabeth’s to be given out by the Pastoral Care Department.

By the way, do not forget to get your 2010 parish contribution envelopes.  Our parish does not survive on pious words, claimed membership, Catholic Baptism, or once-in-a-while attendance.  It depends on honest stewardship of God’s gifts of time, talent, and treasure in order to provide a Catholic school and Catholic education.  It needs a loyal, steady sacrificial support to meet the needs that are part and parcel of a Catholic parish.  Not supporting your parish is a failure in charity to the other parishioners who are carrying their burden, and forced to carry the burden of the non-supporter.  Please do your part, get your envelopes, and use them regularly in support of Holy Childhood Parish.  In this way, we can all more forward together and accomplish God’s work!

This afternoon, beginning at 12:30 P.M., we will start the decorating of our church for the Advent Season, and in preparation for Christmas.  We need many hands and feet to carry the many items from the attic and the basement and put them in their proper places.  I ask parents to bring their children so that they can “learn the ropes”, and be able to take your place when you are no longer able to do so.    If we have superfluous help, there is also the cleaning and dusting that can take place along with this task, and still other work outside, weather permitting.  Please come and help!  It is your church!

Last Sunday evening, we had a very beautiful Community Thanksgiving Service at the Methodist Church.  The attendance was not great!  There were two couples from H. C.

Thanks to all who supported our first Cemetery collection!  I believe over $l500 was given to this worthy cause.  I am not trying to cause a panic about the future of the cemetery.  I am hoping that we can surface property that could be donated, or obtained at a very reasonable price, and be ahead of the time when there will be no more space.  It will be a gift to our children or grandchildren, if we have planned ahead.

REMINDER: The first pews are reserved for the elderly and handicapped!

GIFT CARDS: The holidays are approaching fast. No need to run from store to store to purchase gift cards, you can get them through HCS. We have gift cards for many local and national retail stores and restaurants. Stop by the school office during the day or the gathering space after any mass. To ensure Christmas delivery, please place your order by December 8^th.

DINNER AUCTION: The Holy Childhood Dinner Auction Committee would like to thank everyone who donated so graciously to the auction.  With your help, we raised over $46,000 for Holy Childhood School.  Thank you again for your support.

CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS: Now is the time to send your request for Christmas Flower memorials for your deceased loved ones. For $10, you can list one or two individual names or one or two family names. The Holy Childhood Counsel of Catholic Women (HCCCW) is sponsoring this program. The money is used for the purchasing of the Christmas flowers and any other items needed for the altar. For your convenience, there is a Christmas flower envelope in your church envelope box, or use a white envelope and address it to "HCCCW". Make sure you list who the memorial is for and the donor's name on it. Donations are needed by December 22nd, to insure your loved ones names are included on the list displayed at all entrances of the church. For more information, please contact Pat Bowker at 566-7089.

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.

We need to go to the Lord first, continually and last.

When we are sad, He is our consolation.

When we have no joy, He brings us hope.

When we are weak, He is our strength.

When we are frightened, He is our courage.

 He heals us when we need to be healed,

and fills us with all that we need, when we go to Him.

 He will not impose His will upon us.

We decide, ourselves, whether or not to be open to the Lord

and to all the incredible gifts He gives.

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

or on Saturdays from 9-10 AM.