FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

This weekend we are celebrating The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  The contribution envelope printers failed to include this Sunday’s envelope in your box.  What do we do?  You can double your gift in next week’s envelope!  Just a reminder that our parish budget has been bumped up about $40,000,  so if everyone could "up” their gift by $5.00 a Sunday we can meet this new goal.  When we hear on TV all of the things you can buy for $5.00—Arby’s, McDonalds, Captain D, Steak & Shake, --on and on, give the equal to your church and parish!

Thanks to all who helped so well at the Hamburger Stand at the Homecoming.  I believe that we fried over 2100 pounds of hamburger last weekend!  That is a lot of beef, or some might say “bull”.  Thanks also to all who worked in other stands, and helped with the clean-up on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

We have hired a new parish secretary in the person of Sherry Wilhelm.  Our previous secretary, Angie Schanz, has moved on to a higher level of work.  We appreciate all that she has given to our parish in her dynamism and personality and work.  We wish her the best.  And Sherry, you will have to get used to Fr. Hartlein and his idiosyncrasies, along with Fr. Abraham, and all of the parishioners who depend on you.  You have the support of all of us!

Many have asked what now will happen with the front of Church.  The first stage is to confront the St. Clair County Historical Society and tell them that the old railings are gone.  Next, to present to them our plans to improve the front entrance to extend the steps out and widen them so that there will be more safety by having more hand-rails to give security to all who need them.  The steps would probably be as wide as the whole steeple.  And then the sidewalk would be the width of the steps.  Brick pillars with iron railings would parallel the sidewalk to the street.  That is the present and immediate plan.  There is another dream for the future, but I will not be here to make it happen by then.  Maybe?

We mentioned the Blood Drive that is fast approaching.  It will be on Thursday, August  26^th, (picnic week set-up) at St. John’s United Church of Christ, from 2 to 7 P.M. The “Make-Up” drive will be back at Holy Childhood on Saturday, Sept 4^th, from 9 to 2.

Picnic is quickly approaching.  Stand Managers; get your workers lined-up, as well as all that goes with your stand, or part of the whole picnic operation.  We want this to be the best picnic we ever had, which means that all of us have to give our best.  Pray for good weather, both for the Friday Fish-Fry, and the Saturday Picnic.  Remember to tell your friends about the picnic, and that Mass will be at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday.

School begins in earnest this week for all of our students.  Moms and Dads—please give your total support to our teachers, who are giving their total effort to educate your children in matters of faith, living their faith, and being the best image and likeness of God.  The reason for the Catholic School, from its first inception, if to teach our children to “know God, love God, and serve God, and thereby gain heaven”.  That is all that really counts—to get to heaven!

GIFT CARDS: Use Gift Cards to purchase back-to-school items for pre-K to college students.  We have the following cards in stock: Barnes & Noble ($10 & $25), Office Depot ($25), Wal-Mart ($25 & $100), Best Buy ($25), Aéropostale ($25), J.C.Penney ($25), Kohl’s ($25), American Eagle ($25) and many more.  Need something we don’t have, we place orders on Monday and receive the cards the same week.

HAMBURGER STAND: A big THANKS to everyone who helped out with the Hamburger Stand over homecoming weekend. It was a job well done by everyone!! Thanks,  Jim Amann

QUILT DONATIONS:  If anyone would like to donate a quilt, you may drop it off at the quilting room on Tuesday from 9 am - 3 pm or from 6 - 9 pm, and also on Thursday from 9 am - 3 pm.

SHEPHERD SUNDAY, AUGUST 22: The concerned Christians Food Pantry needs the following items this month: saltine crackers, graham crackers, spaghetti sauce, sloppy Joe sauce, and applesauce. Thank you for supporting the Food Pantry.

ALL YOU SINGERS OUT THERE—Choir practice will resume on September 8 at 7:30 PM in the choir loft at church.  We sing the 2^nd and 4^th Sundays of the month at the 10:30 Mass and practice every Wednesday at 7:30 during the school year. Come join us and have some fun!

WE NEED YOUR FAVORITE BAKED GOODS for our church picnic on August 28th. Your donation is greatly enjoyed by all! You can drop them off at the school cafeteria between 12 - 4 PM on the day of the picnic. THANK YOU!

BASKETS for the picnic need to be turned in by August 18th. You may drop them off in the breezeway.

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

WANTED: Confirmation Candidates who are needing some hours are wanted for setting up the church picnic. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Stacie Cornman at 566-0355.  Thank You!

CHURCH CHATTER: The next issue of the Church Chatter will be published in September.  Please write or outline your articles and send to Linda Zacharski, 717 Knipp, or email to kzacharski@charter.net. If you would like to  submit your information but don't  feel comfortable when writing, please call Linda at 566-8022 .  Anyone who would like to help with writing articles or publishing and mailing the newsletter is encouraged to call soon.  Organization officers and committee chairmen, please assign someone from your group to be the contact person for the parish newsletter and ask that person to call.  We want to portray the latest and most positive news.  Without you, we can't fulfill our mission in the parish.