Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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DeCEMBER 5, 2010
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH
We are now into the second week of Advent and the lighting of the second candle. Hopefully for all of you, we have done something spiritually this past week that has made a difference in our lives. This is a very special time for all of us, and we are responsible for what we do, or do not do, before the tribunal of God. Praying, going to mass, spiritual reading, Bible reading, a visit to church—whatever that draws us closer to God and helps us prepare for Christ at this Christmas—DO IT! Christ is our light!
This afternoon, at 3 P.M., Zion Lutheran Church will host it’s annual Community Christmas Concert, to which we are all invited. Should be great from what I hear!
Since I wrote this column a couple of weeks ago, our parish has given back to God the souls of Jeanette Voegele and Bonnie Kohrmann. We thank God for all the good they accomplished in their lifetime, and ask God’s mercy and blessings on them. They are greatly missed by their families, friends and parish. We pray that God will console them in their loss of their loved ones, and strengthen their faith in His divine plan.
WEDNESDAY IS THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION—A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION! THIS IS THE PATRONAL FEAST OF THE UNITED STATES. It celebrates the conception of Mary, her very first moment of life in the womb of her mother Ann, and the beginning of God’s plan of salvation for all of us. We all have much to thank Mary for saying those most famous words: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done according to thy word.” Would that all of us make these words our words, and our way of life!
Many thanks for your support and prayers for my sister-in-law, my brother, and myself over the past months. Nell left this world in a strenuous battle with cancer, as so many others have done, with much pain and agony not only to her, but also to the family. We pray for God’s blessings to all who have undergone such a passage into eternity.
As we approach Christmas, and think so much about gifts and presents, I ask you also to think about the gift you are going to give to your church. Your gift should reflect your appreciation to God for all of the blessings you have received this past year, and your great love of God and his gift of Jesus to us. In all reality, Christmas is really for Jesus, and not merely for ourselves. Without God, we would have nothing that we now have! Think about that! Our lives, our talents, our opportunities, our family, our friends!
Our Mascoutah Community Blood Drive is approaching as quickly as Christmas and New Year’s. Our Blood Drive will be on Thursday, December 30th, from 2 to 7 P.M. Plan the time, and make the special effort to give the gift of blood that may save as many as three persons from dying. That would be a very special Christmas gift to whoever receives your gift of blood. Please come! The “Make-Up” drive will be Saturday, Jan. 8th.
Again, many thanks to all of you for your support of the parish in its varied efforts! Thanks to all who came last Sunday afternoon to decorate the church. God bless you!
*If you know of anyone who is unable to attend mass and would like to have communion brought to them, please call the rectory, 566-2958.
Immaculate conception of the virgin mary is Wednesday, December 8th. There will be three masses. 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM and 7:30 PM.
2011 envelopes are ready to be picked up in the breeze way.
2011 calendars may be picked up at all entrances to the church.
Gift Cards Make Christmas shopping easier this year by buying gift cards through HCS. The school sells gift cards for many local and national retailers and restaurants. Orders must be placed by December 13th to ensure Christmas delivery. Gift cards can be used as gifts or used to purchase gifts and holiday items.
Everyone is invited to Holy Childhood's H.O.P.E Christmas celebration this Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00pm in the cafeteria. Come and hear guest speakers, Angela and Dan Michael, as they share their story and learn about the 3,700 babies Small Victories Ministry has saved in the last 10 years.
The Holy Childhood Council of Catholic Women's Christmas party will be held on Sunday, December 12th, at 12 noon in the parish center. The dinner will be catered by Tony's Place; the cost is $9.50. You may make your reservation by putting cash or a check in either the church collection, dropping it off at the rectory, or giving it to Ruth Wilhelm by December 5th. On the envelope, please print HCCCW, attention Ruth Wilhelm. If you pay in cash, please include your name. We will have a white elephant gift exchange for those who wish to participate. Any questions, please call Ruth Forsyth, 566-2165.
PENANCE SERVICE is Tuesday, December 14th at 7:00 PM.
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS: Now is the time to send in your request for Christmas Flower memorials for your deceased loved ones. For $10.00, you can list one or two individual names or one or two family names. The Holy Childhood Counsel of Catholic Women (HCCCW) is sponsoring this program. The money is used for the purchasing of the Christmas flowers and any other items needed for the altar. For your convenience, there is a Christmas Flower envelope (dated Dec. 5) in your church envelope box, or use a white envelope and address it to HCCCW. Make sure you list who the memorial is for and the donor’s name on the envelope. Please make checks payable to HCCCW. Donations are needed by December 21, to insure your loved ones names are included on the list displayed at all entrances to the church. For more information, contact Pat Bowker at 566-7089.
THANKSGIVING COLLECTION was $531.97. The money was donated to St. Vincent DePaul. Thank you!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR! The next Holy Childhood Blood Drive is December 30th from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Parish School of Religion Director: Marilyn Byrne
Christmas Schedule:
12/19 - Last day of PSR before Christmas.
12/20-1/8 - Christmas Vacation
1/9 - Return to PSR
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
We need to go to the Lord first, continually and last. When we are sad, He is our consolation. When we have no joy, He brings us hope. When we are weak, He is our strength. When we are frightened, He is our courage. He heals us when we need to be healed, and fills us with all that we need, when we go to Him. He will not impose His will upon us. We decide, ourselves, whether or not to be open to the Lord and to all the incredible gifts He gives.
Visit Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration every Tuesday following the 8 AM Mass until 7 PM, and on Saturdays from 9-10 AM. If you would like to commit to a specific hour to pray on Tuesdays, please call Mary Ellen Mueller at 566-9529.
MASS INTENTIONS TUESDAY, December 7 8:00 AM Edwin Hartlein
WEDNESDAY, December 8 6:30 AM People of the Parish 8:00 AM Arthur Friederich Sr. 7:30 PM People of the Parish
THURSDAY, December 9 8:00 AM Kachinsky Family Dr. Emily Smith
FRIDAY, December 10 8:00 AM Nell Hartlein
SATURDAY, December 11 5:30 PM Bessie & Boyd Adams Don Voegele
SUNDAY, December 12 8:00 AM Mary Moll 10:30 AM People of the Parish
November 28, 2010
WEEKLY CALENDAR
MONDAY, December 6 No Mass 1:00 PM SCC-PC
Tuesday, December 7 8:00 AM Mass → Adoration→7 pm9:00 AM Quilting 6:00 PM Quilting
WEDNESDAY, December 8 Immaculate Conception 6:30 AM Mass 8:00 AM Mass 7:30 PM Mass
THURSDAY, December 9 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Quilting 7:30 PM Knights of Columbus
FRIDAY, December 10 8:00 AM Mass
SATURDAY, December 11 9:00 AM Adoration 4:30 PM Confessions 5:30 PM Mass
SUNDAY, December 12 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM PSR 10:30 AM Mass 11:45 AM HCCCW Christmas Party-PC
If you know of anyone who is unable to attend Mass and would like to have communion brought to them, please call the rectory, 566- 2958.
HOLY CHILDHOOD SCHOOL
WEB SITE:
holychildhoodschool.com
HCS Calendar for Next Week: 6 St. Nicholas Day / Athletic Meeting 7:30 p.m. 7 HOPE 6:00 p.m 8 Immaculate Conception - Mass all 9-10 Santa’s Cottage 11 Parent’s Night Out 6-10 p.m.
Book Fair – Thanks to Mrs. Recuero and Mrs. Kilian for organizing the Book Fair and to all the volunteers who made it possible.
Coaches – Thanks to our basketball coaches for their dedication and hard work. They are: Girls Basketball – Gina Etter, Kelly Muser, Jason Wise, Jonathon Redfern; Boys Basketball – Ben Norrenberns, Steve Raben, Joe Wingate, Bill Weiss, Steve Wienstroer and John Norrenberns.
Special Person’s Day- Thanks to all who were able to attend Special Person’s day and the teachers and staff who helped make it possible.
7th Grade is in need of Christmas style or colored fabric scraps. If anyone has items to donate. Please send to Mrs. Fischer’s room.
Important Public Health Notice Regarding Norovirus: The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has noted a marked increase in the number of reported outbreaks. The Norovirus is a very contagious acute gastrointestinal virus characterized by diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. IDPH has released guidance concerning limiting the spread of the virus and exclusion recommendations for children and staff in schools and daycare facilities. The guidance is posted and can be accessed on the following link: http://www.isbe.net/esd/pdf/Norovirus.pdf
¨ December 11th - Christmas Party. 5:30 Mass,then PARTY until 10 PM!! $10 gift. No money or gift cards.
¨ Angel Tree delivery 9 AM.
Leaders- Kathy - 588-4018; Debbie - 566-4196; Ron - 566-7109; Ken - 566-8022
NOON LUNCHEON AND CARD PARTY St. Luke's Perpetual Help Ladies Sodality invites you to their monthly Noon Luncheon and Card Party on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 in the Parish Center, 226 N. Church St. in downtown Belleville. All are welcome. Lunch is served at 12 noon. The menu is Turkey, Dressing, Waldorf Salad, Broccoli, Bread, Cake and Coffee. Admission: $6. Please bring your own cards. Bingo at 12:45pm.
"Interrupted Lives: Catholic Sisters Under European Communism" - Thursday, December 9th at 7pm, Interrupted Lives explores the experiences of the Greek and Roman Catholic Sisters of Eastern and Central Europe after Stalin's forty-year reign of atheistic rule suppressed religious practice and disrupted their lives. Interviews with survivors, as well as with the "Secret Sisters" who joined religious life during this time, provide a glimpse of how these faithful women lived out their vocations in the underground until after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Join us in the Cathedral Undercroft for a fascinating testimony of faith, courage, and endurance.
Corpus Christi Parish, Shiloh, IL, “All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet” Sunday, December 12, 2010. Serving from 8 – 10:30 AM, Corpus Christi Parish Center. Featuring Bacon, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Pancakes, French Toast Sticks, Biscuits & Gravy, Fried Potatoes, Fruit, Pastry and Drink. Cost is $ 7.50 per adult; $3.50 per child ages 6-12; and under 6 free.
Once again we are planning the annual Diocesan Christmas Dinner to be held at Msgr. Voss Parish Center at St. Henry on Saturday, December 25, 2010. We are looking for donations of home-baked cookies. The cookies can be delivered to Msgr. Voss Parish Center at 5303 West Main Street from 9 AM to Noon on Friday, December 24, 2010. Thank you in advance for your donations. Our guests always look forward to your delicious treats!
Letters from Santa has generously offered to raise money for children with cancer! This year for a $5 donation, he will be sending personalized letters to children—straight from the North Pole! All funds raised will benefit the National Children’s Cancer Society. To have a letter sent to your child, grandchild, niece or nephew, visit www.thenccs.org or contact Shelly Schuetz at 314-241-1600. Order forms must be postmarked by November 30.
Small Victories, an abortion intervention and pregnancy resource ministry, is in need of diapers, formula and gently used baby items (clothing, furniture, car seats). Donations can be brought to the rectory or you can contact Mary Kellerman @ 567-6213 for pick up. Thank you in advance for supporting this pro-life ministry!
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MEETING is held at 1:00 PM on the second Wednesday of every month at Mount Carmel Peace Chapel. Rev. Dennis Voss is our facilitator. There is no charge for this ministry and no RSVP is needed. 10101 West Main St, Belleville, IL.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Belleville Council, desperately needs help with a new program – Beds for Kids. Many people who come for help have babies and children sleeping on the floor. While St. Vincent de Paul has purchased beds for many, the demand is simple, too great. If you, a family member or friend have a crib, toddler bed, twin or full-size bed (frame, mattress/box springs) you no longer need, please consider donating it to St. Vincent de Paul. Call 618-271-6230 for pick-up. Thank you and God bless you for your generosity.
For inspiration and encouragement in your spiritual life listen to AM 1080 WRYT, Catholic radio. Live programs include Faith and Family, Catholic Answers, and Reasons for Faith, plus, the daily Holy Mass, the Holy Rosary, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. For a program schedule and a free CD, please call toll-free 1-877-305-1234.
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