Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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DeCEMBER 19, 2010
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH
Well, here it is—Christmas week! For us who are getting older, the days and the weeks pass by so fast. As kids, the time seemed to drag and Christmas was far, far, away. Now as we get older, it seems like a tornado just passed by, and we are getting ready to start a new year. Such is life, and I am sure God has a reason for all of this. At any rate, this coming Saturday is Christmas Day, and it is a Holy Day of Obligation. As published in earlier bulletins and the monthly calendar, there will be mass of Friday, Christmas Eve, at 4 P.M., with Father Abraham being the celebrant. The next mass will be the mass for midnight, but will begin with Christmas Carols at 10:00 P.M. and the mass itself at 10:30 P.M., with Fr. Hartlein being the celebrant. On Christmas day, there will be mass at 9:00 A.M., with Fr. Hartlein as celebrant. There will be Confessions in preparation for Christmas on Wednesday, beginning at 7:00 P.M. and no later than 9:00 P.M. There will not be a Saturday evening mass on Christmas Day for the following Sunday Obligation. Masses on December 26 will be at 8:00 and 10:30 A.M. Today, we finish the decorations of the church in preparation for Christmas. This means setting up the trees and the manger scene, along with the final touches on the windows pillars, and whatever else needs to be done. We begin at 1:00 P.M., and would appreciate a goodly number of young persons and adults to do the job properly and quickly. Much has to be brought down from the attic and up from the basement. Since we had a snow day last Monday, the school children’s confessions will be heard tomorrow, Monday, December 20, beginning at 9:00 A.M. Many thanks to all who availed themselves of the Penance Services held this past week here and at O’Fallon. I heard much praise from the priests who were here on the great spirituality of the people who came. So often we judge ourselves by the last six commandments—commandments that concern our relationship with other persons and their lives. And as result, since one has not broken one of these commandments, we feel that we have no sin. But what about those first three commandments—the ones that pertain to our relationship with God? After all, they are the first three, and the others follow. The last seven build on our relationship with God. And if God is not important in our lives—to pray, to go to mass, to respect His holy name, (these are the bottom three rungs on the ladder to life), how can we climb the rest of the ladder meaningfully? If there is no spirituality in our lives, our morality will also be at fault, to the extent that we are just living, just getting by. That is why Christmas is so important to all of us—to realize what God has done to us through Jesus coming to live among us and show us the way to live and save our souls. The real meaning of Christmas is God and Jesus, not presents, parties, good cheer, lights, and decorations. They are secondary to why we call this season “CHRISTMAS.” To receive Christ worthily, please check your relationship with God, and ask forgiveness for neglecting the first three commandments. Would the sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance, Confession) be in order to start a new life? Fr. Abraham will be leaving for his home in Nigeria next Saturday, and will not be back until February 6th. Pray for a safe journey for him. Merry Christmas to all of you! We pray for you every day, and we hope you keep us in your prayers also. All the masses on Christmas are for the members of our parish.
*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 20th Friday, December 24th
Holy Childhood – 7-8 PM Christmas Day – 9 AM Wednesday, December 22nd Saturday, December 25th
New Year’s Eve – 5:30 PM Friday, December 31st
New Year’s Day - 9 AM & 5:30 PM Saturday, January 1, 2010
WINNER OF THE JANUARY Bi-Monthly quilt is Dan Zacharski.
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.
Merry Christmas! Don’t forget your Christmas Gift to the Parish and the second collection gift for the needy!
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 21 8:00 AM Arthur & Emma Klein Pat Huff
WEDNESDAY, December 22 8:00 AM Roy Moll L/D family members of Alphonse & Otillia Leonard
THURSDAY, December 23 8:00 AM Elmer & Dan Stukenberg
FRIDAY, December 24 4:00 PM People of the Parish 10:30 PM People of the Parish
SATURDAY, December 25 9:00 AM People of the Parish
SUNDAY, December 26 8:00 AM People of the Parish 10:30 AM Henry Bechtoldt
December 12, 2010
WEEKLY CALENDAR
MONDAY, December 20 No Mass 9:00 AM Penance Service for HCS
Tuesday, December 21 8:00 AM Mass → Adoration→7 pm9:00 AM Quilting 6:00 PM Quilting
WEDNESDAY, December 22 8:00 AM Mass 7-8 PM Confessions 7:30 PM Choir Practice
THURSDAY, December 23 8:00 AM Mass 9:30 AM Mass at Silver Creek 10:30 AM Mass at Marka 6:00 PM Children’s Mass Practice
FRIDAY, December 24 10:00 AM Mass at The Grange 4:00 PM Mass 10:30 PM Mass
SATURDAY, December 25-Christmas Day 9:00 AM Mass
SUNDAY, December 26-Shepherd Sunday 8:00 AM Mass 10:30 AM Mass No PSR
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: 20 Reconciliation Grades 3-8 at 9am Pizza Hut 4-8pm 21 All School Mass. Jeans with Christmas Colored tops. Dismiss @ 3pm with buses 21 Christmas Vacation begins (Dec. 22-Jan.2 inclusive) 30 Blood Drive 2-7 pm
HCS Calendar for January 3 Classes Resume/Athletic Meeting 7:30 pm 4 HOPE 6:45 pm 5 Teachers Meeting 6 Report Cards 7 Blood Drive 9am-2pm
Technology Report: The flat screens are all installed. Our need now is to replace 7 computers at a cost of $700 each. A donation was received to pay for 4 of the computers. We are looking for donations to replace the other three. Don’t forget Pizza Hut Night the third Monday of each month 4-8pm in Mascoutah. Let them know it is for Holy Childhood. Next time is December 20th.
Paper Recycling- In the recycling contest we have collected 15 tons towards our goal of 25 tons. Recycle, save a tree. We also recycle ink cartridges; containers are in school and church.
Diaper Wipes – Our goal is 200 containers of diaper wipes. We are at 140 with one week to go. This goes to the Pregnancy Care Center in Belleville.
¨ Dec. 25 - Merry Christmas! ¨ January 12 - Meeting 7 PM-8:30 PM
Leaders- Kathy - 588-4018; Debbie - 566-4196; Ron - 566-7109; Ken - 566-8022
The Senior Center is in need of another person or persons to deliver meals on the east side of Mascoutah on Tuesdays. The lady who was doing it broke her shoulder, is 80, and decided to retire. She was from St. Martin of Tours and said that there probably wasn't anyone else at that church that was young enough or able enough to deliver any more. If anyone would like to volunteer to deliver meals on Tuesday, please call the Senior Center at 566-8758. Hopefully, more than one person could volunteer for this day so they wouldn’t have to do it every week. I’m sure the Senior Center would appreciate any help they can get. Thanks.
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.
The Annual Diocesan Christmas Collection will be taken up at all Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Administered by Catholic Urban Programs, these monies are used to assist people from throughout the diocese; any pastor, parish administrator or parish life coordinator may request assistance from it for those in need from their community/area. Please generously support your sisters and brothers who lack the basic necessities of life through this year’s Annual Christmas Collection.
Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois (CSS) is Seeking Nominations for the 21st Annual Christian Service Award: The Metro-East Region of Catholic Social Services is seeking nominations for the 21st Annual Christian Service Awards. Individuals nominated should serve or live in the following counties: Clinton, Madison, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington. The awards will be presented at a benefit dinner on April 29, 2011, at Albert’s Banquet Center in Belleville. Christian Service Award Guidelines: The recipients of the Christian Service Awards are nominated by members of the community. Nominations will be considered regardless of religious affiliation. Up to three awards usually will be given to outstanding individuals who reflect the mission and spirit of Catholic Social Services through their contributions in one or more of the following areas: faith-related service; community service; youth mentoring; advocacy; direct service to those in need; community organizations, volunteerism, and/or fundraising. Nomination forms are available from Catholic Social Services at (618) 394-5900. You may also visit the CSS website at: www.cssil.org to print a copy of the nomination form or submit an electronic entry. Nominations are due not later than January 31, 2011.
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