FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

I hope that everyone had a very blessed Christmas this past week, and found the peace of Christ in their hearts and their homes.  I am sure that for some it is past, and we just move on to the next holiday—New Year's -- when we can party all night.  However, Christ came to be with us to save us from our sins, and to bring us the promise and hope of His help and His presence.  It is a shame to dump Him too quickly for some other passing event or item.  Please take time, or more time, to thank Him for all that He has done for you.

Many thanks to all those who came last Sunday to finish decorating the church—putting up the banners, the big back-drops, the trees and the manger scene, as well as fine-tuning the garlands of the pillars.  We want to thank Jim Bunn for building the window shelves, so that we could get rid of the boxes that I made long ago.  It also gives us space to put larger, or more items in the windows.  Thanks a million, Jim.  Oh, I forgot!  Jeremy Bunn also had his finger in the project—he helped sand, cut, and prep for the varnishing.  Thanks, guys!

Tuesday will be our Community Red Cross Blood Drive.  I ask you to come and give blood to save lives.  We see many announcements on TV for the need of blood from other collection agencies.  The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood to the hospitals and so its needs are the greater.  The patient’s need is the greatest.  However one looks at it, when you give blood you are saving someone’s life, or maybe several lives.  What a great Christmas gift!  Be the unknown hero who gives of their self to save others!

We will have wild rice soup from Tony’s Place, of Mascoutah, in the “Canteen,” along with many Christmas cookies.  Baby sitting will be on site.  The time will be from 2 to 7 P.M.

Please come, and please tell someone else to come.  Bring them if possible!

Thursday is New Year’s Eve.  The office will close at noon.  If you want to bring in a contribution before the New Year, bring it in, or drop it in the mail slot at the front door of rectory, or in the collection for New Year’s Mass.  MASS ON NEW YEAR'S EVE WILL BE AT 5:30 P.M.;  MASS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, JAN. 1, WILL BE AT 9:00 A.M.   I encourage all of our parishioners to start the New Year off with Mass and the Eucharist.   We all want the blessings of God on our families, our work, our nation, ourselves.  Why not show our seriousness of intent, our real desire, and our willingness to go out of our way to reach God by starting off the New Year with Mass?  We are the ones who will be blessed.

Next Saturday morning, at 9:00 A.M., we will have the Mass of Anointing of the Sick and the Elderly here in church.  I encourage anyone who is over 65, or who has a serious illness, to come and receive this sacrament of healing.  It is not a sacrament to make us die, but a sacrament to heal us, and to make life more bearable.

We start a new year this week, 2010.  I hope it is a very blessed year for all of you.  However, I hope all of us want to make this year the best one in our lives by improving our spiritual life and relationship with God.  Make room for God, so that He can find space and a home in you.  If we do not talk to Him, how can we blame him for what goes wrong?  With our freedom (free will), we can say “yes” or “no”.  SAY "YES" TO GOD!

REMINDER: THE FIRST PEWS ARE RESERVED FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND ELDERLY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

2009 CONTRIBUTIONS: We will be accepting 2009 contributions through January 15, 2009.

MASS INTENTIONS: There are offering envelopes for Mass intentions at each entrance of church. If you request a special date, please call the rectory to verify that the date is available. (566-2958)

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.

BINGO AT THE PARK will resume Thursday January 7, 2010. Doors open at 5:00pm and games begin at 7:00pm. Bingo is sponsored by the Mascoutah Improvement Association in conjunction with additional civic organizations, including our Technology Committee here at Holy Childhood School. Come enjoy a fun-filled evening of bingo while helping raise money for the technology program at Holy Childhood School.

SAVE THE DATE: Holy Childhood School's 150th Anniversary Celebration - April 24, 2010 from 6:30pm to 12:00am. All are welcome for fun, dancing, and fellowship. To get your commemorative T-shirt call Angie Norrenberns @ 566-7078. 

LITURGY COMMITTEE: Volunteer 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.

PSR: Reminder to Parents: There is a meeting for all second graders and parents on January 10th at 9:15 am in the church.

CYO: December 29th: Set-up Blood Drive at 12 Noon and take down at 7 PM.

SPECIAL DATES TO REMEMBER:

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.