FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

This week is Catholic Schools Week, and a time to honor our Holy Childhood School.  However, we do not honor a building as much as we honor the dedication of our teachers and of all the persons who give so generously of their time to make our school the great school that it is.  We are blessed to have a staff that is wholly concerned about the betterment of our students, and the growth and practice of their Catholic faith.  In the special atmosphere of Holy Childhood School, a private school, we can teach morals and behavior that cannot be done in the public school sector.  We are not blessed with a tax base that provides financial support we cannot equal.  We need to assess a tuition fee to pay for our teachers, and depend heavily on the parish to supplement our school from Sunday collections.  Nor can the PSR program equal the amount of instruction time on a once a week schedule that the Holy Childhood students get at least five times a week, (not counting mass and homily).  And we can, and do, incorporate our Catholic teaching and morals in all courses, where possible every day.  We can all be proud of Holy Childhood School for its past, present, & our projections for the future.  The most important thing in our lives here on earth is to get to heaven at the end of our lives.  That is what we believe in, and try to live each day at HCS.

Wednesday is the Feast of St. Blaise.  I will bless throats for the adults after mass that morning, and then will bless the students over at school.  I will give the general blessing after mass next Sunday.

Wednesday evening, at 6:00 P.M., we will have the Sacrament of First Reconciliation for our second grade students in church.  There will be three priests and myself to offer the sacrament.  We encourage the parents to receive the sacrament with their children as an example of their need for the sacrament, as much as for the children.  For those who are not able to receive the sacrament itself, they can still receive a special blessing from the priest at that time.

This is “First Friday Week” and that means masses at the nursing homes and Silver Creek.  It is also the time I try to visit the home-bound and bring the sacraments to them.  So, if you are home-bound and cannot make it to church, call the rectory and I will try to make arrangements to bring the sacraments to you.

Next Sunday afternoon, 2:00 P.M., there will be class for those preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism for their children.  This will take place in the parish center and should take about an hour and a half.  It is mandatory that the parents receive instruction about the sacrament and its implications in their lives and the child’s life.

We have many persons in the hospital at this time, and they ask your prayers for their recovery.  We also know of many who are home with illnesses and problems that go with the aging process in their lives.  It’s coming for all of us, if we live long enough!  Remember your brothers and sisters in faith, the Mystical Body of Christ that we all share by our baptism, in your prayers.  We ask the sick and the elderly to do the same for us!

Our Special Collection for Haiti has now grown to $6903.65.  God bless you!

BAPTISMAL CLASS: There will be a baptismal class held on February 7, 2010 from 2 - 3:30 pm in the parish center.

VALENTINE'S DAY BREAKFAST: The KC's is sponsoring an all-you-can-eat Valentine's Day Breakfast on Sunday, February 14th from 8 AM - 12 Noon in the parish center. There will be ham, sausage, biscuits & gravy, egg's, pancakes, coffee, & juice. Children from 5 - 12 years of age: is $3; adults: $7. The proceeds will go to HCS to upgrade their fire system.

SMALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY will soon begin the Spring Season. You may join one of the groups in our parish that gathers this Lent to read and discuss faith based materials. Please call Joe Pettinger at 618-301-8135 or e-mail johnpettinger@yahoo.com.

MESSENGER RENEWAL WEEKEND: The Messenger, your local diocesan newspaper, brings news of events important in your parish, your diocese and the universal church. Please stay "connected" through a subscription to the Messenger. Annual subscriptions are $23 and the envelopes are provided in your parish envelope packet.

GIFT CARDS: Keep a gas card in the vehicles that your teenager drives so they don’t have to carry cash. We have $50 BP and Exxon/Mobil in stock. Keep gift cards on hand for last minute birthday gifts. We have $10 Claire’s, $10 Border’s & $15 or $25 iTunes in stock. Use grocery cards to help you with budgeting. We have $25 Tom’s and $25/$100 Shop-N-Save and Wal-Mart in stock.

CURSILLO: Cursillo is more than just a retreat.  It is an encounter with Christ that continues long after the three day weekend.  We describe it as “A Little Bit of Heaven.”  Many experience an ongoing sense of Christian Community within Cursillo that is similar to the Christian Community described in the Acts of the Apostles.  Attend a Cursillo weekend and experience Christ’s love for you in a very special way!  The men’s Cursillo weekend is Feb 4-7, 2010 and the women’s Cursillo weekend is Feb 11-14, 2010; each beginning Thursday evening.  For further info please contact:  Dawn Reinacher at 618-830-2235.

CATHOLIC WOMEN'S CONFERENCE: The 1st Annual Catholic Women's Conference will be held on Saturday, Feb 20 at the America's Center in downtown St. Louis. The cost is $40. The conference begins at 7:30am and concludes at 5:30pm after the holy celebration of the Mass with Archbishop Carlson. The day will be filled with great guest speakers, music, vendors, lunch and an opportunity for confession and adoration. You can register at www.catholicwomenforchrist.org

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 $45. You can register at the rectory or call Tom Norrenberns at 566-8531. Please make checks payable to Holy Childhood Parish.

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. 

"It is very important for us

 to come to a better understanding

of how to be really present to the Lord, in the present moment.

We need to trust that He knows what He is doing.

If we could go before Him in the Blessed Sacrament

and say very simply, 'Here I am, Lord;

I am concerned about this, so I offer it to you.

I offer me to you,'

we then allow Him to take care of us.

 We allow Him to answer our prayers

 instead of telling Him what we want Him to do."

Visit Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration  every Tuesday following the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM,

and on Saturdays from 9-10 AM.

If you would like to commit to a specific hour

 to pray on Tuesdays,

 please call Mary Ellen Mueller at 566-9529.