FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

I want to thank all those persons who came, especially all of the young people, to take down the decorations in church, and put them away.  It is always important to put them away properly, so that next Advent time it will be easier to get ready for Christmas again.  Thanks also to the adults who came to help with the major projects, such as taking down the banner over the altar, and the one behind the crib and getting them properly stored.  Thanks, everyone who helped!

I am going to go to Iowa today, Sunday, for most of the week to be with my brother and give him some “static”.  Whenever we get together, it is always a fun time and refreshing for both of us.  Also, he got another year older this week, 91 now, and God alone knows how much time we will have together in the future.  I will be coming back on Friday.  Fr. Elmar Mauer will be saying mass on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  No mass on Monday, Thursday, or Saturday Morning.

This past Wednesday, we again buried a member of our parish in the person of Marguerite Jung.  Her husband, Paul Jung, died about eight years ago, and I do not believe that she got over his death.  She was a good person and was active in the parish until her physical and emotional health deterred her from her old pace of living.  May she rest in peace!

Our Blood Drive on last Saturday went over goal by two units.  Our goal was thirty-five units and we did thirty-seven.  Thanks to all who came and gave blood, and also to all those persons who put up and took down the signs, and John Grawitch and scouts who supervised the clean-up.  Our custodian was very appreciative that they even put the tables and chairs back in place for school on Monday.  I appreciate it very much because I was able to absent myself early, go to the rectory, rest some and prepare for mass.

This coming week-end, January 22^nd & 23^rd, will be the Holy Childhood Marriage Retreat at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.  I talked about it last Sunday at all of the masses, and I hope that many of you are taking advantage of this event to strengthen your marriage.  Call Cathy Jung if you have not done so already.  Time is of the essence!

We have many persons in the hospitals at this time.  Several members of the parish are battling cancer in their lives, and really need our prayers.  Several are home-bound and are debilitated from age, illness, or other reasons.  The cold weather and the ice does not help them get out, or get around in their homes—aching bones and coughs and other flu-like symptoms.  I still am in recovery to a certain degree.  So thanks for all of your prayers for myself and for all the other sick persons.

It is really hard to believe that January is half gone.  Keep up those good New Year’s resolutions, especially those that pertain to your spiritual life—prayers, scriptures, daily sacred reading, Mass and the Sacraments.  All of us need all of the help from God we can get.   God wants to help us!  We need only to open the door to let Him in!

NEW GIFT CARD:  Target $25 and $100 gift cards are now available.  Gift cards can be used for your everyday purchases as well as gifts.  Thank you for your support the first half of the school year.

The Holy Childhood parish Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Free Throw Shooting Contest on Monday Jan 17 in the School gymnasium. The contest is for anyone between the ages of 10 and 14 as of Jan. 1, 2011. The doors open at 12:30 with the contest beginning at 1:00. Winners usually receive trophies and advance on to the next level of competition. Applications will be available the day of the contest. Parent signatures are required.  You may call Rob at 618-410-4595 if you have any questions.

HOLY CHILDHOOD MARRIAGE RETREAT is January 22 and  23rd.  IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER! We hope that you will consider joining us in January for our Third Annual Holy Childhood Parish Marriage Retreat.  We will begin on Saturday at 3:00 PM and end Sunday afternoon.  We will attend church together at the Shrine, then enjoy a romantic dinner.  In the evening we will enjoy speakers, share stories and much more.  The cost is $175.00 and includes your hotel room, dinner and breakfast at the Shrine.  For more information please contact Cathy Jung at (618) 530-7103 or Mary Moll at (618) 971-7665.

"THAT'S MY PAN" 8th Grade Fundraiser  The 8th Grade will be placing their final order for personalized pans and gifts on January 28th.  Please stop by and see our display in the school hallway or check out www.thatsmypan.com. These products are of excellent quality and make wonderful gifts.  If you have any questions please call Dianne Surmeier at 618-304-4881 or landia@charter.net.  Thank you for your support! 

The 2011 Catholic Men's conference is being held on Sat Jan 29th. Parishioners of Holy Childhood parish will be carpooling to this event. If you would like to ride with fellow parishioners, there is a sign up sheet on the table near the parish center. If you would like more information about the conference and to register, please go online to http://catholicmenforchrist.org or contact Joseph Wingate at 618-741-6782 or email: jjwingate@yahoo.com.

Join us for our first annual Catholic Schools Week sale.  We will have books and gifts for 1^st Communion, Confirmation, Easter and other various items.  We will be open in the parish center after masses on Jan 29th and 30th.  It will continue Mon, Wed, and Fri from 8 a.m. -12 p.m.; Tues and Thurs 5:30 – 8:30pm. in the school cafeteria.   All proceeds benefit HCS library.  Any questions contact Kim Recuero 566-8068 or Susan Anderson 698-8775.

The Holy Childhood Pre-Cana class will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center.  Please contact Mary Moll at 566-2300 for details.