Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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DeCEMBER 12, 2010
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH
Today, we light the third candle on our Advent wreath—the pink one, for GAUDETE Sunday. GAUDETE means “to rejoice!” We rejoice that our Savior is coming to save us from our sins! Are we really preparing for His arrival into our souls? Are we really preparing more than ever before, so that He can bless us more and bring more graces into our lives? That is what Advent is all about—looking forward to the coming of Christ into our lives, and allowing Him to work through us. It is not about the other person! It is about me—myself! I have to answer for myself in this regard. They, whoever that may be, have to answer for their lives! I have to answer for how well I live my own life and fulfill my responsibilities to God and neighbor! Advent calls us to worry about one person—God and myself! Rejoice because that is all that counts, and God sends His Son to set us free.
This past Monday, Fr. Stephen Gira, C.R., the associate pastor at Columbia, passed into eternity. He was only 59 years old. He belonged to the Congregation of the Resurrection and was on loan to our diocese. Say a prayer for him and his family.
This week is the week of Confessions at our parish and all around. Today after the 8:00 A.M. mass, Confessions will be heard for our upper PSR students. Today: Cathedral Confessionals—1 TO 5 P.M. (Fr. Abraham will be there from 2-3 P.M. Fr. Hartlein will be there from 4-5 P.M.) Monday: 9:00 AM—Holy Childhood School Children Confessions. Tuesday: 7:00 P.M.—Penance Service at Holy Childhood Church—7 priests assigned. Wednesday: 7:00 P.M.—Penance Service at St. Nicholas Church, O’Fallon, 8 priests Thursday: 7:00 P.M.—Penance Service at St. Clare’s Church, O’Fallon, 8 priests. Saturday: 3-5 P.M.—Confessions, Holy Childhood Church Tell your friends and family about all of these opportunities to come back to Christ and find His forgiveness! It is free for the asking!
Many thanks and blessings to all who took the time to attend mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception this past Wednesday! We are all in control of our own destinies by what we make our priorities. We cannot serve two masters! Choose God!
A reminder: The Red Cross Blood Drive is also approaching—Thursday after Christmas, which happens to be December 30th, from 2 to 7 P.M. Please make plans to come and give blood, the gift of life, as a personal precious gift to someone less blessed than you are. Christ came and gave His blood for us to save us! Would I give myself? “Make-Up Drive” will be January 8th, the second Saturday from 9 AM to 2 P.M.
This Christmas, lets all give a little Jesus to one another—his love, his care, his kindness, his forgiveness, his help, his peace. Isn’t that what we want for ourselves? Be part of the action, and make it happen. Give a little Jesus from the Jesus that lives in 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.
2010 - Advent / Christmas / New Year’s Schedule Confessions: Masses: HCS – 9:00 AM Christmas Eve – 4 and 10:30 PM Monday, December 13th Friday, December 24th
Holy Childhood Penance Service – 7 PM Christmas Day – 9 AM Tuesday, December 14th Saturday, December 25th
Holy Childhood – 3-5 PM New Year’s Eve – 5:30 PM Saturday, December 18th Friday, December 31st
Holy Childhood – 7-8 PM New Year’s Day – 9 AM & 5:30 PM Wednesday, December 22nd Saturday, January 1, 2010
Please don’t forget your Christmas Offering!
2011 envelopes are ready to be picked up in the breeze way.
2011 calendars may be picked up at all entrances to the church.
Men’s ministry meeting is on December 18th at 7:30 AM in the Parish Center.
GIFT BEARERS NEEDED FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Dec 24, 10:30 p.m. ; Dec 25, 9 am; Dec 26, 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; Dec 31, 5:30 p.m.; Jan 1, 9 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. If you can accept this honor for any of these dates, please call Ruth at 566-2885 or the rectory at 566-2958.
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.
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.
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 14 8:00 AM Mildred Binger
WEDNESDAY, December 15 8:00 AM Nell Hartlein
THURSDAY, December 16 8:00 AM Fr. John Schoeberle Brad Kehrer
FRIDAY, December 17 8:00 AM Charles Haas Bernice Hopfinger
SATURDAY, December 18 5:30 PM Ben Krausz
SUNDAY, December 19 8:00 AM People of the Parish
10:30 AM Marcus Vasquez Paul VonBokel & Elmer Stukenberg
December 5, 2010
WEEKLY CALENDAR
MONDAY, December 13 No Mass 9:00 AM Penance Service for HCS
Tuesday, December 14 8:00 AM Mass → Adoration→7 pm9:00 AM Quilting 6:00 PM Quilting 7:00 PM Penance Service
WEDNESDAY, December 15 8:00 AM Mass 6:00 PM Cub Scouts—PC 7:00 PM Penance Service at St. Nick’s 7:30 PM Choir Practice
THURSDAY, December 16 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Quilting 7:00 PM Penance Service at St. Clare
FRIDAY, December 17 8:00 AM Mass
SATURDAY, December 18 7:30 AM Men’s Ministry Meeting-PC 9:00 AM Adoration 3-5 PM Confessions 5:30 PM Mass
SUNDAY, December 19 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM PSR 10:30 AM Mass
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: 13 Penance Services Grades 3-8 at 9:00 a.m. 15 Faculty Meeting 3:15 16 School Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. 17 Christmas Concert - PreK4 – 8 7:00 p.m. In the Gym. All are invited!
PAPER RECYCLING: You can recycle paper at our location 7 days a week. We earn money for paper dropped off at our green and yellow Paper Retriever bin. This is an easy way for you to recycle your paper every week and help us raise money.
¨ Dec. 18 - Angel Tree delivery 9 AM. ¨ Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas! Leaders- Kathy - 588-4018; Debbie - 566-4196; Ron - 566-7109; Ken - 566-8022
Mater Dei Fathers and Friends – The Mater Dei Fathers and Friends will have its next meeting on December 20, 2010, beginning with a Mass in the school chapel at 7:00 p.m. followed by its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Dennis Trame, moderator of the Fathers and Friends, has announced that the regularly scheduled F & F meetings on the fourth Monday of the month will begin at a new time, 7:30 p.m., instead of 8:00 p.m. The time change will begin with the December 20 meeting.
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.
The Messenger’s Christmas issue will come off the press soon. Don’t miss this issue with its special section of Christmas columns and the annual Christmas contest winners who described what Christmas means to them. In addition, the next poll question will be answered: Do you have a designated driver when people in your group are drinking? Make 2011 a Messenger year with a new subscription. Ask the usher for your copy of the Christmas issue beginning Christmas Eve.
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