FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Many thanks to those who came to the Penance Service this past week here at the parish.  Thanks to those who took the time to go at another time, whether here, or at another parish.  We had seven priests, and the service was over before 8:15.  However, if we would have more attending, it would have gone longer.  At any rate, thanks for the spiritual care you give to your souls.

Thanks also to the Knights of Columbus members Don Haas, Dale Elbe, Roger Hund, Dave Fournie, Pepso Mattern, &  Dean Mattern for putting up the decorations on our church parking lot.  It seemed to start out as a three-ring circus, but then Dale whipped them into line, and it did not take too long, although it was bitterly cold.  Thanks also to Don Haas and Roger Hund for re-seeding and fertilizing the grass around the parking lot.  They also mowed and trimmed that area every week this past summer so that our church would look nice.  Thanks, all of you great guys!

This afternoon, we finish the decorating of our church in preparation for Christmas.  We had to do it this way in order to give due homage to the season of Advent, and to prepare ourselves in a spiritual manner.  This afternoon, we will be erecting the manger scene and hanging the banners, fixing the windows and the sconces, and whatever needs to be done.  We welcome willing hands and hearts, beginning at 1 P.M. (I think)!

This is Christmas week.  There is no school this week or next week.  There will be masses as scheduled.  On Tuesday, there will be mass here and at 10:30 A.M. at the Grange Nursing Home.  On Wednesday, there will be Mass here in church, and at 9:30 A.M. at Silver Creek Assisted Living, and at 10:30 A.M. at Mar-Ka Nursing Home.  This is their Christmas Mass.  On Thursday, Christ Eve, Masses will be at 4 P.M. and at 10:30 P.M. at Holy Childhood.  Caroling will begin at 10:00 P.M. in Church.

Confessions this week:  St. Libory at 7:00 P.M. on Monday evening; on Wednesday evening, there will be Confessions here at Holy Childhood from 7 to 8 P.M.

The Parish office will be closed on Thursday 24^th, until Tuesday, the 29^th.

Next week-end, December 26^th and 27, Mass schedule will be our usual schedule.  I hope that all those who come Christmas will also be there next Saturday or Sunday.   I like to see your smiling faces, but more so to pray with you, and to share God’s blessings to all of us.  We need one another if this world is to get any better, and our prayers bring peace.  Just because the problems are not in our back yard, or in another part of the world does not mean that it does not affect us here at home.  Someone is paying the bill when we do not do our share.  If prayers and faith can move mountains, as we are told in the scriptures, then we all need to be doing a better job at it.  Peace on earth to men of GOOD WILL!

Reminder, second collection (Special Collection) on Christmas is a diocesan collection to help the poor.  Please be generous!  Also, please be generous to your parish this Christmas, if possible.  The parish needs your support to carry on.

Blood Drive, December 29^th, from to 2 to 7 P.M.  Please come and save a life!

REMINDER: THE FIRST PEWS ARE RESERVED FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND ELDERLY!!!

CATHOLIC MEN'S CONFERENCE will be held on Saturday, February 6th at the America's Center. This is for men of all ages! The cost is $40 before January 1, 2010. The cost will be $45 after January 1st. You can register at the rectory or call Tom Norrenberns at 566-8531. Please make checks payable to Holy Childhood Parish.

GIFT CARDS: There is still time to purchase gift cards for the holidays.  Stop by the gathering space after mass or the school office during school hours to see what we have in stock – Lowe’s, Tony’s, Tom’s Supermarket, Cabela’s, Borders, BP Gas, Kohl’s, Texas Roadhouse, Starbucks, Panera, and many more.  Holy Childhood School thanks you for your support.

THANK YOU!! The CYO's Baby Bottle Project was a huge success thanks to your generosity. We presented Small Victories with a check fro $1700, diapers, and new baby clothes in October. This weekend we presented them with over $400 in gift cards for baby supplies. If you have not turned in your bottle, it's not to late! The collection baskets will be at all entrances until the end of the year. God Bless you for supporting this very important project!

COMMEMORATE 150 YEARS OF HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL by purchasing a t-shirt after any of the masses this weekend. T-shirts are $10 each - the perfect last-minute Christmas gift! 

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 list 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.

LITURGY COMMITTEE: Volunteer Gift Bearers are needed for the 10:30 pm Mass on Christmas Eve and the 9 am Mass on Christmas Day.

Also, Gift Bearers are needed for the 9 am Mass on New Year's Day. These Masses are for the People of the Parish. To volunteer for this honor, please call Ruth Wilhelm at 566-2885.

SPECIAL DATES TO REMEMBER:

Holy Childhood Christmas Eve Masses - December 24th at 4:00 PM and 10:30 PM.

Christmas Day Mass - December 25th at 9:00 AM.

New Year's Eve Mass - December 31st at 5:30 PM. (There will be no morning Mass)

New Year's Day Mass - January 1, 2010 at 9:00 AM.

"My God, I thank You for guarding me always and keeping me safe;

I thank You for giving me so often

in the sacrament of penance forgiveness for my sins;

for offering Yourself in Holy Mass

with all your infinite merits to the Father for me;

for the coming to me in Holy Communion

and for the patient waiting in the adorable sacraments of the altar."

Eucharistic Adoration: Tuesday, following mass, until 7 pm: on Saturday 9-10 am.