Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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MARCH 28, 2010
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH
Well, here we are. Today is Palm Sunday, and the beginning of Holy Week. This is the holiest week of the year, celebrated long before any other of the holy seasons and holy days in the Church. In fact, its roots are in the old Jewish religion with the Passover celebration, and that goes many centuries before Christ. It is our Passover, celebrated with the Sacrifice of Christ on the cross, that brings us salvation from our sins, and the slavery to sin, if we follow Christ. And Christ goes with us along the whole path, giving us His own life in the Eucharist, celebrated in a special way on Holy Thursday. We celebrate his death on Good Friday, and his resurrection in the Pascal Vigil Services on Holy Saturday. I strongly encourage you to attend and be part of these special services. Words are cheap, but actions tell us where our heart really is when we make the effort to participate in the events that saved us. Please come and pray with us this week at the Holy Week Services.
Tuesday, at 11:30 A.M. at the Cathedral in Belleville, the Bishop and the priests of the Diocese will celebrate the Chrism Mass, when the holy oils for use in the sacraments in our parishes are consecrated. Our eighth grade class (Confirmation class) will be in attendance, along with those from other parishes.
Tuesday evening, from 7:00 P.M., I will be in the Reconciliation Room (Confessional) in church for anyone who needs this special sacrament. I am grateful to all those who came to our Penance Service this past Tuesday. We had eight priests present to administer this Sacrament to those present. I wish more would have come to enjoy the services of these priests. However, for those who came, they found the merciful forgiveness and strength of Christ administered to them.
There will be no Lenten Mass on Wednesday evening, and no morning masses on Thursday or Friday. Thursday’s Mass will begin at 7:30 P.M. We will have the procession to the Repository following, and then Adoration until 10:00 P.M.
On Good Friday, we have the Community Stations of the Cross, sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance, at 12:l5 P.M., weather permitting. We begin at St. John’s United Church of Christ, and process down Church St. to Market St. and then over to Main St. where we set up the cross in the little park on the corner. You are invited to participate in this special event, especially since it comes from our own Catholic tradition. Sad to say, in the past years, we Catholics have been in a minority in this procession compared to the other churches. We need to be proud of our faith and its traditions.
Our Good Friday service will begin at 7:30 P.M. in our church, with the reading of the Passion of Christ, the prayers of the church (intercessions), the veneration of the cross, and Communion Service. The Novena for Divine Mercy begins of Friday, prior to the evening services.
Easter Vigil Services begin at 8:00 P.M., beginning with the lighting of the new fire and the Easter candle, and all that follows. We welcome three new members into our faith community at this service: Cheryl Orlet, Angela Schanz, and Ryan Brady.
Easter Sunday will have the same Mass Schedule as any other Sunday. HAPPY EASTER, AND A BLESSED NEW LIFE TO ALL OF YOU!
Our CSMA Pledges amount to $24,891.16. Thanks to all those who answered the call up to now.
Holy Childhood Divine Mercy Novena
Our parish devotion to the Divine Mercy begins on Friday at 7 PM prior to Good Friday services. Each night for 8 consecutive nights we will say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 7 PM. On the Sunday after Easter, April 11th, known as Divine Mercy Sunday, we will complete the novena with the chaplet and benediction at 3 PM. Jesus requested the Sunday after Easter be officially established as the Feast of Mercy. “On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My Mercy.” Souls receive complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.
Conditions for obtaining His promise are reception of Holy Communion on Mercy Sunday, be free from serious sin, receive the sacrament of Penance near Mercy Sunday, pray for the intentions of the Pope, and perform works of mercy.
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!
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 or Nancy Austin at 618-604-6633.
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!
Parish School of Religion Director: Marilyn Byrne
April 4th : No PSR April 18th: First Communion @ 2 PM
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION We need to go to the Lord first, continually and last. When we are sad, He is our consolation. When we have no joy, He brings us hope. When we are weak, He is our strength. When we are frightened, He is our courage. He heals us when we need to be healed, and fills us with all that we need, when we go to Him. He will not impose His will upon us. We decide, ourselves, whether or not to be open to the Lord and to all the incredible gifts He gives.
Visit our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays after the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM or on Saturdays from 9-10 AM.
MASS INTENTIONS:
TUESDAY, March 30 8:00 AM Henry Rakers Family
WEDNESDAY, March 31 8:00 AM Rob & Anne Reher Don Voegele
THURSDAY, April 1- Holy Thursday 7:30 PM People of the Parish
FRIDAY, April 2 7:30 PM Good Friday
SATURDAY, April 3 5:30 PM People of the Parish
SUNDAY, April 4 8:00 AM People of the Parish
10:30 AM People of the Parish
March 21, 2010
WEEKLY CALENDAR
MONDAY, March 29 No Mass 1:00 PM Small Christians Group-pc 2:30 PM St. Vincent-pc 7:00 PM Finance-pc
Tuesday, March 30 8:00 AM Mass→ Adoration→7 pm 9 AM & 6 PM Quilting 7:00 PM Confessions
Wednesday, March 31 8:00 AM Mass 7:30 PM Choir Practice
THURSDAY, April 1 - Holy Thursday 7:30 PM Mass
FRIDAY, April 2 - Good Friday 7:30 PM Communion Service Office Closed / No School
SATURDAY, April 3- Easter Vigil 9:00 AM Adoration 8:00 PM Mass
SUNDAY, April 4 - Easter 8:00 AM Mass 10:30 AM Mass No PSR
HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL
WEB SITE:
holychildhoodschool.com
Dear Parents and Friends,
Last weekend the girls' basketball teams played in the Diocesan Basketball Tournament in Olney, IL. They did a great job and the 6th grade girls won second place in the diocese. Congratulations to the girls and their coaches.
The boys’ volleyball teams play this weekend in the Diocesan Volleyball Tournament in Mascoutah. Most games will be played at Mascoutah Middle School. Good luck to them and the coaches.
We are very fortunate to have coaches who work hard and give up lots of time to help our student athletes. Sports are an important part of school and everyone can make the team no matter what their ability. Thank you coaches and to the Athletic Committee which helps guide the sports program. Thank you!!! God bless you for your time and devotion to helping our student athletes.
Next week we begin Holy Week as we prepare for Easter Sunday and the Resurrection of Jesus. Take the time to attend Holy Week services at Church. There is time to attend Stations of the Cross, Reconciliation. The Holy Week services on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are very moving and should be part of our schedule.
Sincerely, Deacon Ron Karcher Principal
Calendar – Next Week March 30 Mass of Chrism @ Cathedral 8th Grade31 Living Stations 1:15April 1-5 Easter Vacation5 Athletic Meeting – 7:306 School Resumes / HOPE 6:45 PM7 Faculty Meeting- All / Pre-Bid Tour Cafeteria Year Book Signing 2pm
April 1st - 7:30 PM Mass Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt at Debbie Hulliung's house. Bring your own flashlight
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Let us turn our lives toward Jesus this Passion Sunday. He asks us to love one another. Is it time for you to focus on loving your spouse better? Why not take the time to renew your marriage by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in this area is April 23rd through 25th. Early registration is highly recommended. To register or for more information call 888-889-9963 or go online to www.aweekendofdiscovery.org.
OLD-FASHIONED QUILTING BEE will be held at St. George Elementary School in New Baden on Monday, March 29th from 8:30 am - 9 pm. Lunch and good conversation will be served at 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. We will be quilting all day, so come when you can. Sponsored by the St. George Ladies Sodality and Christian Mother's Club and Quilt Committee.
INTERNATIONAL WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMAGE is an opportunity to celebrate our Catholic faith with the Holy Father and youth of the world! All youth must be a minimum of 16 at the time of the trip or be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to participate. This will take place in Madrid, Spain and will be held August 11-22, 2011. For more information, please contact Colette Kennett at the Office of Youth Ministry at 618-235-9601.
GOOD FRIDAY FISH DINNER: There will be a Fish Fry on Friday, April 2, from 4 - 7 PM. At St. George Hodapp Hall in New Baden. Dinner includes: home battered fish, fried potatoes, stewed tomatoes, green beans, slaw, jell-o salads, bread, dessert, and beverages. This is sponsored by St. George Youth Group.
TRIVIA NIGHT: St. Anthony's in Beckemeyer is holding a Trivia Night on Friday, April 9th. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the first round starts at 7:30 pm. For reservations or more information, please call 618-227-8236. |
