FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

We now begin the month of November, with the Feast of All Saints, Nov. 1^st, and the Feast of the Souls in Purgatory, Nov. 2^nd.  The Feast of All Saints is a Holy Day, but it is not a day of Obligation since it falls on a Monday.  However, it is a very special day when we honor our Patron Saint, and all of the Saints in heaven, and we ask them to intercede for us at the throne of God.  I encourage you to come to mass on Monday.  We will have masses at 6:30 A.M., 8:00 A. M., and 7:30 P.M.  People often ask me to pray for them, and for their intentions.  Is it too much to ask you to pray with me for your intentions and for those of the whole parish?  Come, join us in celebrating the Eucharist, which is the Body and Blood of Christ, given for our salvation.  The same applies to Tuesday, the Feast of the Souls in Purgatory, when we ask God’s merciful forgiveness for all of those who have passed from this life, and have not yet entered into heaven.  Mass will be at 8:00 A.M.  We will have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament afterwards, and throughout the day until 7:00 P.M.  Make the time for the deceased members of your own family and friends, and all of the deceased of our parish family.

We are grateful to Martin Iron Works, of Mascoutah, for making the new hand-railings for the front of our church.  They meet the American Disability Code of requirements, and are there for our safety.  I know!  Some say that they do not need them!  But others do need them for stability on steps.  Thanks to Pepso Mattern for installing  the first two, and to Art Wilhelm who installed the center two this past week.

Well, winter is fast approaching, and we had our first frost this past week.  It is also time to clean and clear our flower beds around church.  Persons needing “church service hours” for Confirmation, or other needs are welcome to “pitch in and pitch out” the dead plants.  Just shake off the dirt in the flower beds!

We had good news for one of our parishioners.  Thiry Cameron, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, just received the welcome news that the cancer is gone.  What a relief for her, and another indication that God does hear our prayers.  Now we pray prayers in thanksgiving for this blessing.  Please, continue to pray for the sick of our parish, families, and friends.  God is listening!

I often wonder why more parishioners are not involved in the “Traveling Chalice” program.  Why are we afraid to take the chalice home, place it in a spot to remind us to pray for vocations, and then actually pray for that intention?  Bishop Gregory said one time that we all want priests to be there when we need them, but not from our family.  They have to come from someone’s family.  Why not have the honor of having a priest from someone in your family or friends?  What is important is that we have priests here to offer the mass for our intentions, to bring the Sacraments to us, and to forgive our sins.  Maybe it is not in God’s plan for the vocation to come from your own family.  But we cannot blame someone else if we do not pray for vocations to the priesthood and/or the religious life.  If prayers can move mountains, as Jesus tells us, then let us really do our share in earnest.  Volunteer for the Chalice by calling the rectory!

GIFT CARDS  Purchase Gift Cards for small and large gifts.  We have $10.00 cards for Border’s, Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body Works, Pizza Hut and Burger King.  We have $15.00 for iTunes.  We have $25.00 cards for Bass Pro Shops, Best Buy, Build-A-Bear, and Sears.  We have $100.00 Lowe’s and Wal-Mart.  Thank you for your support.

Mark your calendars for November 17^th! The Holy Childhood Youth Group is sponsoring an evening of spiritual enlightenment.  Odd Walk Ministries will begin the evening at 6:00 pm with their upbeat Catholic music.  Justin Fatica, a Catholic motivational speaker will begin speaking at 7:00 pm.  Please join us for an evening of faith building and a call to live that faith.  What a great way to prepare for Advent!  Admission is free!

Knights of Columbus Breakfast is on Sunday, November 14th from 8 AM to 12 NOON in the parish center.  Pancakes, sausage, biscuits, gravy, fruit, juice,  and coffee.   Benefits the cemetery.

The “Book of Remembrance” is on the podium in front of the church during the month of November for you to list those persons you want to remember in our masses and prayers. 

HCCCW Quilt and Grocery Raffle ticket returns can be made by putting them in the collection basket or sending or dropping off at the rectory.  Drawing will be held at our Nov 9^th meeting.

CHURCH CHATTER:  Please send news of your organization's current or recent activities to be published in the upcoming issue of the parish newsletter.  Don't hide your light under a bushel; let the whole parish know what's going on and how your ministry is fulfilling our parish mission statement.  Need help in writing it?  Pray to the Holy Spirit!  Email your information to Linda Zacharski.  kzacharski@charter.net  or call 566-8022.

Notice to parents of all eighth grade students.  The Rite of Acceptance for all eighth grade students receiving Confirmation will be on Sunday November 14th, after the 10:30am Mass. This is mandatory for all parents and students.

HCCCW MEETING (St. Ann’s Sodality) will hold it’s next monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 9th at 7:00 PM.  Thanks to Marilyn Hund and others who called to invite members and new members to join.  We did a good job and have some new members, but still need more.  Bring a friend-the more the merrier!  Please join us and keep St. Ann’s growing!

Notice to parents of all eighth grade students: