FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Today is CSMA commitment Sunday.  Many sent in their envelopes last Sunday, and we thank them for it.  I am sure there are many more who want to join in this worthwhile effort to help spread the faith in our own diocese, as well as to continue the many services and ministries already in operation.  If you did not receive a letter in the mail asking your support, you can get one in church today.  Plan your gift over ten months!  You can even give your timed gifts to the parish, and we will convey them into the CSMA office for you.

This is “RECONCILIATION WEEK” for parishes in our area.  Here is my schedule, and you can avail yourself of any parish penance service.  MONDAY, St. Libory, at 7:00 P.M.,  TUESDAY, Holy Childhood Penance Service, 7:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, St. Nicholas in O’Fallon, 7:00 P.M., THURSDAY, St. Clare of Assisi in O’Fallon, 7:00 P.M.  SUNDAY, at the Cathedral in Belleville, 1 to 5 P.M.  Holy Childhood School children will receive Reconciliation on Wednesday at 9:30 A.M.  I will also hear confessions next Saturday from 3 to 5 P.M.

Next Sunday is Palm Sunday.  Palms will be blessed at all masses. The 10:30 Mass will have the Solemn Procession with the blessing, which will take place in the parish center.  We ask all who will be attending this mass to gather there unless physically unable.

Holy Week is upon us now, and Lent is almost history for this year.  I hope that all can congratulate themselves for having done something special to grow in the love of God.  As Fr. Ed Hauf said this week in his talk on Monday, “Something Has To Die”.  God wants us to come to Him so that He can bless us.  What has to die are the many obstacles that we buy into that keep us from moving to Him, and from allowing Him to bless us.  Out of curiosity, and maybe to cast some guilt, how many of you read that brochure that I sent you with my Lenten letter, “I Thirst?"  If you did, did you find it helpful?  If you did not read it, was your reason honestly a good one?  Do we want to grow in the love of God?

Thanks to all who attended Lenten Services—masses and stations.  God sees your heart and will bless you greatly.

I often wonder if we think enough about hell.  Hell is eternal (never ending, no second chance) separation from God.  No happiness, no love, no one to care about us, separation from all that brings peace and joy to oneself.  Hell does exist!  And if we think that some things here on earth are hell, but yet there is hope for it to end, think of eternal hell when there is not a faint chance or hope for it to end.  And one goes there by their own choice by not following God’s commandments to love God above all things and one’s neighbor as one’s self.  Jesus calls us to enter heaven, a place of eternal joy.  However, He also tells us that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a person to enter heaven.  But that it can, and will be done with God’s help.  Missing mass and doing our own thing is not working with God or allowing God to work with us.  Too often, I believe that we do not feel we need him, unless we are backed up against the wall.  Like our cell-phones, we need to keep them charged all the time, to be useful when we truly need them.  So also, with our faith life—we live it every day, and need to keep it charged.

BELLEVILLE DEANERY COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN: The spring Deanery meeting will be on Wednesday, April 7th at St. Michael's Church, Paderborn. Registration will start at 8:30 am. The main speaker will be a Precious Blood Sister from Ruma telling about their Mission in Liberia. All women of our parish are invited to attend. The registration fee is $3 and the lunch cost is $5. For reservations, please call Kay Osborn at 566-2203 or Betty Schoeberle at 566-7702 by March 30th. Thank you!

MARKA NURSING HOME will be honoring the greatest volunteers on earth, Thursday, March 25th at 2 pm. We have a special program for you to enjoy. Please RSVP to Diane as soon as possible at 566-8000.  

GIFT CARDS FOR SPRING: Purchase gift cards for all of your Spring needs.  Lawn & Garden: Lowe’s ($25, $100), Home Depot ($25), Sears ($25), Wal-Mart ($25, $100). Athletics: Sports Authority ($25), Foot Locker/Champs ($25).  Recreation: Bass Pro Shops ($25), Cabela’s ($25), Toys-R-Us ($20).

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.

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS: Now is the time to send in your request for Easter Flower memorials for your deceased loved ones. For $10, you can list one or two individual names or one or two family names. The Holy Childhood Counsel of Catholic Women is sponsoring this program. The money is used for the purchasing of the Easter Flowers and any other items needed for the altar. For your convenience, there is an Easter Flower envelope in your church envelope box, or you may use a white envelope addressed to HCCCW. Make sure you list who the memorial is for and the donor's name on the envelope. Please make checks payable to HCCCW. All donations are needed by March 30th, 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.

PASTORAL COUNCIL: President - Bill Ray; Secretary - Dr. Robin Booth. If you have any comments or suggestions for the council, please email the church at holychildhoodchurch@cbnstl.com. Thank you!