Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
 |
|
Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
|
|
|
April 18, 2010
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH
Today is that special day in the parish, when our second grade students receive the Lord for the first time in the Eucharist. God blesses these children with the very identity of Jesus, His Son, giving them His very body and blood in Communion. He takes upon Himself and us, a union -- communion-- a promise to be with them forever if they will allow it to happen. Christ becomes present in them in their reception of the Holy Eucharist, as He is present in the Eucharist. Pray for these little ones to remain faithful, and that their families always are a place where Christ is present.
Again, we lost a faithful and loyal member of the Church in the person of George Wesselmann. George was always there to help me from my earliest years here in the parish, serving on the Parish Council, as a Trustee for many years, working the Bingo to help the parish, working at the picnic, and so many other tasks that I asked of him that I cannot remember. We thank God for the many years of service and dedication to Holy Childhood Parish, and his faith-filled life to his God and Master. He has now entered into the eternal reward that God promises to all who take up their cross and follow Him. May he be blessed with the peace of God! Thanks, George, for being your best!
Thanks also to the many volunteers who have helped me in the past weeks in managing the parish office, and what needed to be done. They answered phones for me, and covered while I was out doing pastoral work, or sometimes taking an occasional doze. Marilyn Byrne, Pat Steinberg and John Pettinger filled in the gaps on a phone-call notice. Laura McGibney had surgery last Wednesday, and was back at her desk on Monday of this week, and has been a blessing. Karen Wobbe and Sharon Yaeger are filling in for Angie Schanz, while she is on maternity leave. All were a blessing, and I am blessed with the support that I get from so many of the parishioners. Thanks, everyone!
Thanks to all who have supported the Catholic Services and Mission Appeal so far. We have surpassed our monetary goal of $33,000 by several thousand dollars. However we have not reached our parish participation goal by some 60 donors. We welcome the new donors that were not with us last year. The CSMA makes possible the personnel to carry out the mission of the church in our diocese -- salaries, benefits and needs. You have been a model parish in supporting this mission. Let's all be part of the success story!
Next Saturday is the 150th anniversary of Holy Childhood School, started 150 years ago to pass on the faith to our children. We are grateful to those pioneer families who made great sacrifices of time, talent and treasure to start our school and keep it afloat over the many years. For them, a solid foundation in their Catholic faith was imperative for their child to gain heaven and succeed on earth. God bless them for their faith. May our age and generation be so dedicated to Catholic education and a living, active3 faith-life! Whether we like it or not, we all will have to answer on how well we passed on our faith.
As I mentioned in last week's column, I am going to be away April 19th - 23rd to visit my brother in Iowa. This will be my longest absence from the parish since last July when Father Hitpas and I went to Canada, and it was blazing hot -- a high of 107 one day. Pray for me to have safe travel. I am driving 6 1/2 hours. God bless you all!
PASTORAL COUNCIL: If you have any comments or suggestions for the council, please email the church at holychildhoodchurch@cbnstl.com or contact one of the following council members: Joe Wingate, Jim Tomaszewski, Jodi Gardner, or Chris Levrault. Thank you!
TROOP 57 YARD SALE: Please consider donation of items we can sell at our May yard sale. We can even pick those items up if you live in town. If you want to have your own yard sale, we'll rent you some prime table space. For more information, please contact Jim Cornman at 566-0355.
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 Anniversary event is just 1 week away on April 24th. Tockets include Chicken, Beer, Soda, Dance and School Open House. Come join the fun. Tickets are $15.00 per person in advance or $20.00 at the door. All are welcome! You can purchase tickets by mailing a check to Holy Childhood School, 215 N. John Street or by dropping it off at the school. Please include your name, number attending and your email address. We look forward to celebrating with you! T-Shirts are $12. Tickets and t-shirts will be sold at all the entrances to church after all masses. CAR WASH Troop 57 will be holding a Car Wash on Sunday, April 18 from 7:30am to 12:00pm. You can bring your car and wait or drop your car off before mass and pick it up clean after mass! Donations will help fund the Troop’s camping and equipment needs. SHEPHERD SUNDAY April 25: The following items are needed by the Mascoutah Food Pantry this month -- pancake mix (complete), graham crackers, spaghetti, white rice, flour, canned peaches, ketchup. Thank you for supporting the food pantry. NURSING HOME MINISTRIES are in need of volunteers to take communion to the sick at home, in the hospital, or at the nursing homes. If you are interested and in need of more information, please contact the rectory at 566-2958. SCHOOL BOARD: It is time for Holy Childhood School Board nominations. Three seats are up for election. Please consider nominating or volunteering to serve. Election will be in May. This week there will be sheets in the pews for nominations. You can also pick them up in the school office. PICNIC: If anyone is interested in rhubarb to make jam/pies for the church picnic, it will be ready in about 3 weeks. Call Stacie @ 566-0355 for the amount you will need.
Parish School of Religion Director: Marilyn Byrne
April 18th 2nd Grade No PSR First Communion @ 2 PM
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
"The Most Blessed Sacrament is the memorial of Divine Love. Our Lord did something infinitely great when He gave Himself wholly to us through His living and personal presence in the adorable Eucharist. Our Savior could not possibly have given us a greater, a more tender and a more ardent proof of love." (The Holy Eucharist For All, Fr. Lulas Etlin, O. S. B.) Jesus Himself invites us to frequently approach and draw from the fountain of graces available in the Blessed Sacrament. Eucharistic Adoration is available at Holy Childhood on Tuesday following the 8 AM Mass until 7 pm and on Saturday, 9 - 10 am. If you feel you can offer a specific hour in adoration on Tuesday, call Mary Ellen Mueller, 566-9529. Otherwise, just come and adore Him.
MASS INTENTIONS: TUESDAY, April 20 8:00 AM Communion Service
WEDNESDAY, April 21 8:00 AM NO MASS
THURSDAY, April 22 9:00 AM NO MASS
FRIDAY, April 23 8:00 AM L/D Emil Mueth Family
SATURDAY, April 24 5:30 PM HCS 150 Years
SUNDAY, April 25 8:00 AM People of the Parish 10:30 AM Eugene Christ
April 11, 2010
WEEKLY CALENDAR
MONDAY, April 19 No Mass
Tuesday, April 20 8:00 AM COMMUNION SERVICE Adoration→7 pm 9:00 AM Quilting 6:00 PM Quilting 7:30 PM Finance
Wednesday, April 21 8:00 AM No Mass 7:30PM Choir Practice
THURSDAY, April 22 8:00 AM No Mass 9:00 AM Quilting
FRIDAY, April 23 8:00 AM Mass (Fr. Mauer)
SATURDAY, April 24 9:00 AM Adoration 4:30 PM Confessions 5:30 PM Mass
SUNDAY, April 25 SHEPHERD SUNDAY 8:00 & 10:30 AM Mass 9:00 AM PSR
HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL
WEB SITE:
holychildhoodschool.com
Dear Parents and Friends,
Someone sent me this interesting and challenging thought: Cell phone vs. Bible Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we gave it to kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of emergency? This is something to make you go...hmmm....where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill? Makes you stop and think where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!
Sincerely, Deacon Ron Karcher Principal
Calendar – Next Week – April
April 19th - Meeting Happy 40th Birthday, Ron! 7 - 8:30 PM
April 24 / 25 and May 1/2 Plant Sale After Masses
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.
THE MARRIAGE WELL: AN OASIS FOR COUPLES is a one day retreat for you to join other couples and Mary Jo Pederson, noted author and spiritual guide, for a day of refreshment for your marriage. It will take place at Our Lady of the Snows (OLS), Belleville, IL, on Saturday, April 24, 9:00am – 4:45pm. Cost is $49 per couple and includes lunch. A program rate is available for couples who would like to stay at the Shrine Hotel. For a flyer see www.respectlife.catholicweb.com under Events or call OLS at 618-394-6294.
QUILT & CASH BINGO The Newman Auxiliary is having a Quilt and Cash Bingo on Sunday, April 25th, 2010 at the Hecker Community Center, 230 E. Washington St., Hecker, IL. Refreshments begin at 11:00 am and Bingo starts at 1:00 pm. There are chances to win quilts, cash, gift baskets, and door prizes. All proceeds halep support the Newman Catholic Student Center in Carbondale.
WEEK-END RETREAT experience will be held specifically for separate and divorced Catholics at Todd Hall in Columbia, IL, on April 30 - May 2, sponsored by the Springfield Diocese Office of Marriage and Family Life. Visit www.respectlife.catholicweb.com under events, for a flyer. Registration deadline is April 23.
SPRING RUMMAGE SALE at St. Anthony's Parish Center, Beckemeyer, IL, will be held on April 29 -- 30, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
SPRING FLING / COW PATTY BINGO will be held on May 2. A spaghetti dinner will be served from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Cow patty bingo 4:00 - 5:00 pm
|
