FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

I want to thank all who took part in the Parish Marriage Retreat at the Shrine of Our Lady of Snows.  The numbers were less than last year, but it was still a successful and enriching time.  I believe that many think they do not have the time to improve their marriage and spiritual marriage.  Amazing how we want to improve our body, but not our soul, spending time and money for something that will eventually grow old.  Improving the spirit not only leads to a better life here on earth, but also to a surer heaven.

First Reconciliation went very well last Wednesday.  We planned to have four priests to hear confessions.  One called in and said he would not be able to come.  Angie, our parish secretary put in several calls, and instead of four, we had six priest.  We started at 6:00 P.M. and were completed by 6:50 P.M., and that included all the parents also. God is good!

This afternoon, we have Baptismal Instructions in the Parish Center, at 2:00 P.M.

Our Parish donations to the Haiti Relief now stands at $7053.65.  Thank you for your generosity!  You cannot get ahead of God!

This coming Saturday, I will be in Mt. Vernon for a meeting on this year's Catholic Services and Mission Appeal.  It goes from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.  We are behind on our whole schedule this year, but it must be done if so many services and agencies are going to be there to help the poor, and to help our schools, and the diocese as a whole.  Our parish has been great in supporting this appeal and I hope that we can all work together to make our parish once again, a leader in this program.  It is coming!  Pray that it will be successful, and that people will be generous in our diocesan efforts.

This coming Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, our CYO, School, and Parish will be hosting a LUKE 18 retreat for our Junior High Students.  I hear that there will be nearly 100 participants from our parish and other parishes.  I ask the entire parish to pray for the presenters who give talks, those attending, and also all of those who provide the back-up in food and refreshments, in housing, and in any way making this event successful.  No matter what the world says, what secular peer pressure says, we must cultivate a deep love of god, a resistance to the evils caused by sin, and that we are all called to be the messengers and apostles of Jesus Christ in the world.  This will be our “Photo ID” when it comes to getting in Heaven—that we are the image and likeness of God, given to us by the life of Jesus Christ as He showed us here on earth.  Pray for one another!

Next Sunday, at the 10:30 mass, the 4^th Degree Knights of Columbus from Freeburg will be here to celebrate mass with us.  We wish them success in all of their good works.

Our own St. Vincent de Paul Society is in need of new members to help them in their work for the poor.  Even though we have a Community Food Pantry to help feed the poor, our Vincent de Paul Society is deeply involved in this service and in many other services to help the poor and needy.  If you can be of help in this program, please call Delores Dauber (566-2666), or any other member, or the rectory and we will put you in contact with other members.  Thank you for your Christ-like caring!

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: $3; adults: $7. The proceeds will go to HCS to upgrade their fire system.

CHURCH CHATTER: Yes! It's time to share your news with the parish again. Please help us to make the Church Chatter newsletter timely and interesting by sending your news to Linda Zacharski at kzacharski@charter.net  or 566-8022. If your group is making plans for activities that will take place during Lent, Spring or Summer, this is the time to get it in the newsletter. We want to hear from all the ministries at our church -- from the pastoral council and RCIA to the CYO and the HCS 150th anniversary committee. Everyone in the parish deserves to know what's happening. No group is too small; no ministry is insignificant. Please don't hide your light under a bushel! Thanks.

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: Whether you are planning a nice dinner out or need to grab a quick bite, we have gift cards to meet your needs. Tony’s Place ($25), Applebee’s ($25), Chevy’s, ($25), Chili’s ($25), Burger King ($10), Arby’s ($10), Starbucks ($10), Fazoli’s ($25), TGI Friday’s ($25), Home Town Buffet ($25), Logan’s Roadhouse ($25) and many more.

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

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. 

Marcella Heyde is going to celebrate her 100th Birthday.

Her family would like to extend an invitation to those who know her.

Stop by the Billhartz Civic Center in New Baden on February 13th from 2 - 6 pm and help us celebrate.

If you need additional information please call Mary Ann at 566-8577 or Helen at 566-2694. Thank you!

"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.