FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Today is Scout Sunday in our parish.  We are proud of our Scouts, and the many good deeds that they do for the parish.  We are also proud of their leaders, who give the time and good example to challenge the boys.  Congratulations to those young men who have achieved the Church awards.  They will be going to the Cathedral this afternoon to meet with Bishop Braxton to be formally presented with their awards.

I really did not mention the Messenger in my column, due to my absent mindedness. I know that most of the parish does not receive it, as so many now do little reading, and depend on electronic messaging.  However, the Messenger brings into our homes the events of our Diocesan Church, and Church Teaching, that we can read at our own convenience and speed.  I hope that you will renew your subscriptions, and for those who do not subscribe to it, to send in your subscription.  Considering what we spend on other items in our daily life, the cost of a yearly subscription is minor.  Try it, and learn!

Monday, we have our Confirmation Retreat for the 8^th grade students, preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  This will take place in our Parish Center, and will be led by the REAP team from St. Louis.  We have had them many times in the past, and they are very good.  All Confirmation Candidates MUST BE THERE, IF THEY ARE TO BE CONFIRMED—NO EXCEPTIONS!

It is Lent, and we have our Lenten Mass on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 P.M., and our Lenten Stations of the Cross and Benediction on Friday evenings at 5:30 P.M.  We had a nice attendance last Friday.  However, there was a lot of room for more people!  Can you put this into your weekly agenda as a Lenten resolution?

Here we are in the first week of March!  That means that there will be mass and communion visits to the Nursing Homes and the Home-bound.  The weather and a mean cold changed my schedule at the start of February, and I did not reach all of the people.  I am sorry, but I had to take care of myself for the long-haul.  I still have the stinking cold.

Last week-end did a flip-flop for me in my planning, after I had written this column.  I was an out-patient for Kidney stone surgery on Monday, and had to take it easy, and that was not easy for me.  However, I hope that problem is behind me for a long while again.  Thanks for all of the prayers and concern.

This week, the Catholic Services and Ministry Appeal letters will be coming to you for this year’s appeal.  Last year, you received this appeal well, and did much to support the church in Southern Illinois in serving and ministering to God’s people.  Our parish and our school benefit greatly from the services of the Appeal.  I hope you will again, be most supportive of it as you were last year, and maybe, increase your support.  I am going to increase my gift, since I have been blessed by God in so many ways.  Plan your gift over a span of ten months, and then it will be easier for you to do more good.  Jesus said that if we do anything for the least of His children, we have done it for Him.  The whole fund is allocated for Services and Ministry to people of our diocese.  Make it more successful by your generous support!

LENTEN SOUP SUPPER AND SPEAKER SERIES: Our first Soup Supper will be held on Monday, March 1st beginning at 6:30 pm in the parish center. Soup from Tony's Restaurant plus homemade breads and desserts will be served.

Our featured speaker will be Father Joe Rascher, pastor of St. Stephen's Church in Caseyville. His talk is entitled "Hearts Aloft! The Eucharistic Prayer: A Deeper Look into The High Point of the Mass." His talk will certainly enrich our understanding  of the Sacredness of the Eucharist.

Everyone is encouraged to come. See you there!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Meals on Wheels program is in desperate need of volunteers.  The time needed is one Wednesday a month for about one hour. All our volunteers are very dedicated to the needs of the homebound residents of Mascoutah. However, several of our volunteers are unable to continue serving at this time.  If you are interested or need additional information about this program, please contact Sharon Yaeger at 566-2376. Won’t you please help? Thank you for caring.

HOLY CHILDHOOD PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE AND REGISTRATION - MARCH 10:

Preschool Open House and Registration will take place on March 10^th for the 2010-2011 school year. The times are: 6 pm for the 3 year olds and 7 pm for the 4 year olds. The children’s age must be on or before September 1, 2010. Parents must bring the child’s birth certificate for registration. Holy Childhood Preschool is open to all children. If you have questions or need more information please contact Holy Childhood School at 618 566-2922.

HOLY CHILDHOOD KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE AND REGISTRATION MARCH 17:

Kindergarten Open House and Registration will take place on March 17^th for the 2010-2011 school year. Open House and Registration will take place at 7pm at Holy Childhood School. The children’s age must be 5 on or before September 1, 2010. Parents must bring the child’s birth certificate for registration. Holy Childhood Kindergarten is open to all children. If you have questions or need more information please contact Holy Childhood School at 618 566-2922.

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.

GET YOUR TICKETS AND T-SHIRTS: The HCS 150th Celebration committee will be selling tickets for the April 24th dance after each Mass in the month of March. The ticket prices are $15 per person in advance or $20 at the door. There are T-Shirt order forms at all entrances of church if you would like to purchase one. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Angie Norrenberns at 566-7078.

"For just as you cannot be exposed to the sun,

without receiving its vivifying rays,

so too you cannot be exposed to the Son of God, present in the Blessed Sacrament,

 without receiving His divine rays

of enriching graces, mercy, love, life and peace."

 (Pathway to Holiness by Mary's Call)

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.