FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

This past week, we laid to rest another two members of our parish, in the person of Catherine Behrens and John Riess.  Both were faith-filled persons.  Catherine was home bound for many of her final years, due to her developing cancer.  First Friday sick calls were always an enjoyable time, as she related events of Mascoutah, her family, her work.  She would like to talk and talk, and I often had to tell her that I had other people waiting for me to come to them. “O.K.” was her comment.  She was much fun to talk with these last years.

John Riess was a hard worker from the first days that I came to the parish, helping out on pouring concrete around the parish, working at picnic set-up, Bingo, and wherever he could share his time and talents.  He also was a faith-filled person, coming to mass as often as he could.  His health began to deteriorate, limiting his ability to do many of the things he loved to do, until finally, when he could do very little.  His infirmities challenged him very much.  However his love for God, his church, his family were as solid as rock!  May both, Catherine and John, enjoy the rewards that God has promised to those who follow Him!  May they rest in peace!

Today, at 2 P.M., we will have our own Holy Childhood Graduation of the eighth grade class.  We thank the parents who trusted their children to Holy Childhood School, and made the sacrifices necessary.  Our school has made available to them the best that could be offered.  Now we must turn them over to the high school to further enhance the foundation planted in them.  I, our teachers, and our church, hope that they will utilize all the gifts given to them, and always be a source of pride to the school, their families, and their church.  More responsibilities are being given to them, and there will not be the same loving care from teachers to protect them.  Pray for them, and pray with them, that they may be always be guided by the values given to them at Holy Childhood School.

This will be the last week of school, Friday being the last day.  Again, I ask the parents to be leaders of their children in the practice of their faith.  This means that not only do they attend Sunday mass regularly, but also during the week, if possible, they come to mass. Encourage them, show them the way by your own faith to pray daily.  We all need God’s help to live in today’s world, and as adults we should know that best.  As adults, we continue the teaching mission of Christ and the church wherever we go.  We cannot escape the fact that we have been baptized into the image and likeness of Jesus, and carry His very spirit, His life, in ourselves to the world.  Our responsibilities increase now!

Next week-end is Memorial Sunday Week-end.  Monday is Memorial Day and mass is at 8 A.M.  Make plans to come and pray for all of our veterans, and deceased.

Thursday, June 3^rd is our Community Red Cross Blood Drive, from 2 to 7 in the afternoon.  Please make plans to attend, and bring another possible blood-donor.  The “Make-Up” drive will be Saturday, June 12^th, from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.

Please pray for the sick of our parish, and for your own health.  We are not always sure about what is really going on inside of our bodies.  We pray for the best!

GIFT CARDS: We have gift cards for graduates of all ages. Preschool and Kindergarten: Build-A-Bear $25, Toys R Us $20. Eighth Grade: iTunes $15 & $25, GameStop $25, American Eagle $25, Aéropostale $25. High School: BP or Mobil $50, Best Buy $25, Barnes & Noble or Borders $10 & $25. College: Macy’s $25, Bass Pro or Cabela’s $25, Limited $25, Pier 1 Imports $25, Pottery Barn $25.

HCCCW: The Quilt drawing winner for the month of May is Linda Wombacher. The winner for the month of July is Vicky & Allen Johnson. Congratulations!!!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! We are in need of some volunteers to help take care of the church property. We need help with mowing the lawn, trimming, planting flowers, watering flowers, etc. If you are able to help out with something at anytime, we truly appreciate all the help we can get! Please call the rectory at 566-2958.   Thank you!

BISHOP'S MASS FOR WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES JUNE 27, 2010: On Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 1:00 PM Bishop Edward K. Braxton  will celebrate the Fifth Annual Mass of Appreciation honoring couples celebrating their Twenty-Fifth, Fortieth, Fiftieth, Sixtieth, and Seventieth Wedding Anniversaries the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville. A reception serving light refreshments will immediately follow in the McCormack Center.  The Bishop asks all Jubilarians and/or their family members to send the names and addresses of those celebrating their Jubilee Wedding Anniversary to the parish office as soon as possible, but no later than May 24, 2010. We will give the names to the Bishop and he will send each couple a personal invitation. If you send the names later than May 24, they will still be forwarded to the Bishop. If your personal invitation does not arrive, or if you do not send the parish your names, you are still most welcome to attend. Family members and guests are welcome as well. The Cathedral is handicap-accessible.