FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

What a Surprise!  Wednesday’s Mass had an attendance of 176 adults plus children to celebrate my 38 years as your pastor.  I did not mention it in last week’s bulletin, since I was afraid of what might happen.  And it did anyway!  The Adult Choir sang, the church was full (should have taken up a collection), music and participation was terrific, and I was not the least expecting this event.  I just went over to church that morning planning to start off another year!  And I did!  I find out later that plans were being laid over three months ago, and I was clueless.  I guess that goes to prove that secrets can be kept, and the wool pulled over the Pastor’s eyes.   Many thanks to everyone involved with the mass, the reception in the Parish Center, and the great spirit of family and being appreciated.  You made my day, the week, the year, the whole time.  And now we move on trying to do God’s work, and being the person God wants me to be.  Bless all of you!

Fr. Abraham begins his office assignment on Tuesday of this week as our Associate Pastor.  For him, it is like an “internship” where he learns the hands on tasks of parish life and work.  For all of us, it gives us an opportunity to grow and extend our Catholic values and virtues to a new member of our parish family.  For me, it is an opportunity to share the gifts and talents that God has given to me with another member of the clergy, and to prepare him for his future responsibilities in our diocese.  It also allows me to share many of my duties and to fill-in spots where I have been remiss, or not able to handle.  It also gives us opportunities to learn from him what might improve our Catholic Family.  We pray that all of us might become better images and likenesses of God!

Again, a reminder that our Bishop is making a Pastoral Visit to our parish on the weekend of July 24 - 25^th!  He will be the celebrant at all of the masses that weekend, and will conduct dialogue sermons with the congregation to learn about their faith experiences.  For him, it is an opportunity to learn that we are doing well at Holy Childhood.  He also wants to meet with the leadership members of our various organizations and councils.  He asks that as many as possible of the parish be present at mass that weekend.

Picnic is quickly approaching.  We had a picnic meeting this past Tuesday, and are grateful to those who attended.  Sad to say, the number did not equate to the number that should have been there to make plans for their particular stands or responsibilities.  The picnic benefits the whole parish, as it tries to make possible the venue when the parish can come together, work together, and have fun together.  We cannot dump it on a few caring members of the parish, and feel that we are making a tremendous gift by being present for the picnic, or maybe working a few hours setting up, on the night of the picnic, or in clean-up.  It is Holy Childhood’s Parish Picnic—the picnic of all the members of the Holy Childhood parish.  We want it to be successful!  We need to accept the responsibilities of our share in this parish to make it a success.  Praying is necessary, and we need that.  But we also need promotion from our voices, and the work of our hands.  Please start the extra prayer each day for good weather, and a successful picnic.

Thanks for your Sunday Gift last week.  With a new salary and benefits added to our budget, we are asking you to “up” your gift every week or month, so that we can meet our obligations.  God has been good to all of us!  We show our appreciation by our gift to his church, namely our parish, and diocesan church.

WELCOME RECEPTION FOR FATHER ABRAHAM

Next Sunday, July 18th we will welcome Father Abraham Adejoh to our parish. A luncheon in his honor will be served at 12 noon in the School Cafeteria. Everyone in our parish family is encouraged to attend. Let’s give Father Abraham a BIG Holy Childhood welcome!

We are asking the ladies of the parish to bring cookies for the luncheon. The cookies may be dropped off at the cafeteria after 9 AM on Sunday morning.

GIFT CARDS: Now in stock Papa John’s $10.  Don’t forget about these popular restaurants: Tony’s $25, Applebee’s $25, Logan’s Roadhouse $25, St. Louis Bread Co, $10 & $25, Texas Roadhouse $25, Ruby Tuesday’s $25, Red Robin $25, Subway $10, Pizza Hut $10, Cold Stone $10, Chili’s $25, Burger King $10, Arby’s $10, and Starbucks $10.

PARISH PICNIC -  AUGUST 28, 2010:

¨ The Country Store needs your help with canned vegetables, fresh vegetables, jams, jelly, and fresh baked goods.

¨ 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.

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

HOMECOMING HAMBURGER STAND: If anyone would like to help out and support the Hamburger Stand on August 6th, 7th, or 8th, please contact Jimmy Amann at 618-235-4199 or email him at jamann6@norcom2000.com to sign up! Your help is very much appreciated.

SHEPHERD SUNDAY, JULY 25: The Mascoutah Concerned Christians Food Pantry needs the following items this month: cereal, pancake mix, canned tomatoes, applesauce, sloppy Joe sauce, saltine crackers, & dish soap. Thank you for supporting the food pantry!