FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!  Today, we honor our fathers, living and deceased, for all that they have given us.  We also honor God our Father, who is the primary father of us all, and the premier example of Fatherhood.  He is the one we go to in need, and pray to for help.  He is the one we pray to for wisdom to make the right decisions, and to right the wrong decisions.  We know that He is always available, loving and wanting to help us to do the right thing.  We probably could say a lot more about God our Father.  But for all of us fathers, we have someone to look up to, to imitate, and to recognize our need for help.  On this Father's Day, be grateful for your father, and tell him how much you appreciate all that he does and means to you.  By the same token, Fathers, recognize the one you were called to portray to your children and family, and pray to God for the help you need.

The Bishop has assigned one of the newly ordained international priests to be Associate Pastor to our parish.  His name is Rev. Abraham O. Adejoh.   His appointment becomes effective on July 13th of this year.  We welcome Father Abraham to learn from our parish, and to prepare him for his future role as pastor in our diocese.  It will be something new for all of us, since we have not had an associate pastor for over 38 years.  It will be also a new challenge for me in adjusting to another person in the rectory, sharing ministry, and being a mentor and instructor in the practicalities of parish life.  It will also be a challenge for all of you to celebrate ministry and liturgy with a new priest on a regular basis.  We know that God does all things for our good, and we pray that we may be open to his graces to be the best of Christians in this new endeavor.  We all will be called upon to be examples of encouragement and support by our lives and our love of God and church.  Your support of the parish will be more important now as we have to supply our new assistant with a salary, medical insurance, and the benefits that go with his job.  Our parish budget will increase substantially. 

Many thanks to our CYO members who came to wash windows in the rectory this past Wednesday.  There are 54 windows in the rectory, and, they did both the inside and the outside.  Fortunately, several years back, we replaced all of the windows with energy efficient windows and got rid of all the old small-paned windows.  It makes it a lot easier now.  I have also enlisted a person to do a "deep cleaning" of the rectory, which has not taken place in over the last fifteen to twenty years, at least!  It may help me to get rid of items that are no longer needed, or stored in a more proper place to find later on.

Maintenance of the property is important in order to avoid major problems later on.  This week, weather permitting, two different contractors will be sealing and re-striping the front parking lot and the school playground.  We are doing these items early, so that they will have a longer time for the seal to cure, and the smell to dissipate.  Since school is starting earlier this year, along with the coming picnic, it was imperative to take care of both areas to extend their usefulness and lives.

I will be leaving Monday morning to visit my brother in Iowa.  He and his wife celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday the 24th.  I will be back on Sunday.   Fr. James Thomas will be celebrating mass on Tuesday, and on Saturday for the parish.

Please pray for the elderly members of our parish and families, and for all the sick.  We do not know what the future holds for us, and we trust in prayers to sustain us.  Thank you for your prayers for me and for the entire parish.

GIFT CARDS:   Going on vacation or traveling this summer?  We stock gas cards for BP and Exxon/Mobil.  We can order cards for Six Flags, Shell gas, American Airline, Disney, Marriot Hotels, Best Western, Hyatt, Comfort Inn and Carnival Cruises.  Place your order at school or after any mass.  Call Debbie at 566-2866 with any questions.  Thanks for supporting Holy Childhood School!

EUCHARIST MINISTER AND LECTOR TRAINING:   Want to become a Lay Minister of Holy Communion or a Lector? Come join us on Wednesday, June 30 at 7:00 pm at St George Church for instructions presented by Father Dale Maxfield. This training is open to all. This training will also satisfy the mandated three year re-certification of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (Refresher Training). Please contact St. George Rectory at (618)588-4323 to register.

DONATIONS:   Mrs. Olson is looking for 1, 2, and 5 pound weight sets for her P.E. Class. If anyone is willing to donate or know someone that can, please call the rectory at 566-2958 or e-mail holychildhoodchurch@cbnstl.com. Thank you!

PARISH PICNIC 2010:

QUILT DONATIONS:   We are still collecting money to purchase quilts for our church picnic. Please help; your donation is greatly appreciated and greatly needed to help make our Quilt Bingo a success. Thank you!

HOLY CHILDHOOD FISH FRY:   We will be having a fish fry on Friday, August 27, 2010  

SHEPHERD SUNDAY:   The Mascoutah Food Pantry is in need of the following items this month: saltine & graham crackers, sugar, instant mashed potatoes and other boxed potatoes, laundry & dish detergent, bathroom tissue, and grocery bags. Thank you for supporting the food pantry!

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, MASCOUTAH, SEEKS INTERIM CHOIR DIRECTOR:   Zion Lutheran Church, Mascoutah, Illinois, is currently seeking an interim music director to serve at Zion on a part-time volunteer basis from August to December 2010.  A job description is available and resumes and references may be sent to:  Zion Lutheran Church, Attn. Music Director Search Committee, 101 South Railway, Mascoutah, IL, 62258 no later than July 18, 2010.  For more information call the Church Office at 566-7345, or write or stop by the Church Office weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon.