FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

            The Convocation is now an event of the past, and was informative.  The topic was the new Sacramentary, or the Roman Mass.  There are no physical changes involved, but there are some new ways of saying some of the present prayers, and these will involve the priest more than the people.  There is a word added here and there in the Gloria and the Creed.  The priest is encouraged to sing more parts of the prayers and the introduction to the prayers and the Preface. 

            The goal is to make the Mass an event of praise and thanksgiving to God for our blessings, rather than just saying the Mass and getting it over with.  You will be hearing a lot more about it in the coming year as the diocesan-wide program reaches out to all of us in church and in our study groups, and Small Christian Groups.  The last two days were conducted by Fr. Barrens of Chicago, and were a very interesting presentation of “Priest, Prophet, and King” roles which we receive in Baptism, how it reaches back into the Old and New Testament and reaches completion in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, then becomes the foundation for our church, and our calling or role in the church.  God put us here on earth for a purpose, not merely to ride along and enjoy life.

            Holy Childhood’s Annual Auction is quickly approaching—October 16^th.  I encourage you to support it by buying tickets to it.  Its profits come very close to the profit that we make on our annual picnic—at least in the past.  It also figures very big in the school’s operating budget, and thus it helps the parish also in our subsidy to the school.  Do all you can to make it a success!

            We are going to offer flu shots here at Holy Childhood in the parish center on Wednesday, October 13^th, and Friday, October 15^th.  Tom Schneider is coordinating this event for all of us.  I believe that Medicare B helps on the expense for those who qualify.  For others, the fee is $30.00.

            I want to thank all who have responded to my request to raise their weekly contribution to the parish by $5.00.  Since our budget has been increased considerably by Father Abraham’s assignment to our parish, we need to meet this need.  We need a minimum of 200 contributors.  Four hundred contributors would help us meet also some of the other needs of the parish and school that have been shelved for a goodly period of time.  One big project this year is to raise salaries for all of our staff.  We have frozen all salaries -- Principal, teachers, maintenance, pastor’s office staff -- in order to meet budget for the last two years. Justice tells me that we cannot continue in this fashion and keep our school and parish great. So I ask, can we start giving now in order to build up that reserve when it will be needed?  Five dollars a week from each envelope holder would make a big difference in our parish operation now and in the future!  Like I said before, look at all of the advertisements for food on TV at what $5 will buy—a Big Mac, 5 Arby's, Dairy Queen Combo—on and on!  How about that for Church?

        Next Sunday there will be a Baptism class in the Parish Center from 2:00-3:30 p.m.  If you need to have a child Baptized, you need to attend the class, unless you have attended a class within the last two years.

        Again, your prayers are asked for all of the sick in our parish and our families.  We have cancer patients in our parish who need prayers, heart patients, respiratory patients, all sorts of illness and problems—even Fr. Hartlein!  And we also need to pray for all those who are not practicing their religion—that they return to their faith, and rejoin their church.  And there are many like this in our own parish.

ENDOWMENT FUND REQUEST If you would like to submit a request from your organization for 2010-2011, please send a detailed account to the rectory for the Endowment Committee to review at the meeting scheduled for October 18th.

GIFT CARDS:  Need to do some Fall outdoor work?  We have gift cards in stock for Lowe’s ($25 & $100), Home Depot ($25), Sears ($25) and Wal-Mart ($25 & $100).  Looking to decorate the inside of your home for Fall?  We have gift cards in stock for Bed Bath & Beyond ($25), Pier 1 Imports ($25), Pottery Barn ($25) and Michaels ($25).  Stop by the school office during any school day or in the gathering space after any mass.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS is having a BBQ on Saturday, October 2nd @ 1 PM at the Ag Building in Scheve Park. This is for all members and their families, widows of past members and the men of the parish and their families who are not members but want to see what the Knights are about and possibly consider joining. Meat is provided.  Please bring a covered dish or dessert, drinks, a lawn chair and any games. Please R.S.V.P. by Sept. 30th to Rob Anstedt (618) 410-4595.

THE 17th ANNUAL HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL DINNER AUCTION  is coming up on October 16th.  Doors open at 5:00 pm;  Dinner buffet at 5:30 pm;  Silent auction and raffle; Oral Auction at 7:30 pm; $30 per person includes buffet dinner, dessert, refreshments (draft beer, wine, whiskey sours and sweets, soda & snacks). To make a donation, contact Mary Moll 566-2300. For tickets, contact Debbie Hulliung 566-4196. Please bring your baked goods for the Sweet Tooth Booth to the HCS cafeteria on Friday, October 15th. 

Annual Life Chain takes place on October 3, 2:00-3:00pm.  It is a silent and prayerful witness to life for the community as well as a moving experience for participants.  It is great for families to do together, confirmandi, youth groups, RCIA groups... We will be meeting at the corner of Jefferson (Rt. 4) and Main (Rt. 177) Streets.  For more information contact Sally Mueller @ 277-0449.  With your support and prayers we can make a difference in saving precious babies.  Please join us, rain or shine!

Congratulations to the Woodrome family as they are the parents of a baby boy, Noah James, 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 19” long.  God bless you.

MEALS ON WHEELS schedule was not included in the October monthly calendar.  Participants, please check the weekly bulletin for your schedule.