FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Again, we returned to God one of his children and a member of our parish in the person of Elva Schalk.  She was 97 years old, and was doing great until the last year and a half.  Then she got a cancer, and now she is in another world, God’s world.  May she enjoy the fullness of God’s love and the kingdom He had prepared for her.

Today, the Diocesan Catholic Youth Convention takes place in Collinsville, and we have a large contingent of youth and chaperones.  Say a prayer for them that they will grow in faith, hope, and love, bring it back home, and share it all around.

Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.  Masses will be 8:00 A.M.—school mass, and 7:30 P.M.  Ashes will be blessed and distributed at both masses.  The “Little Black Book” and “The Word Among Us”, Lenten readings and mass readings, will be at the exits of Church for you to help you grow in your faith, your love of God, and your appreciation for all He has done for you, especially the forgiveness of our sins.  Take the time to renew yourself, so that Easter will have a special meaning for you.

Thursday is our Mascoutah Community Blood Drive in our school cafeteria, from 2-7 P.M.  Please come and give blood if you can, so that someone else may have a chance to live longer.  Put yourself in the place of someone who needed blood.  How would you feel?  What would you be praying for?  Blood Donors!!!  Thur., 2-7 P.M.

Sunday, March 20^th is Commitment Sunday for the Annual Catholic Services and Ministry Appeal.  You will be receiving material in the coming weeks about this annual program.  I am asking you not to throw it away, but to read it, see how it works for our own diocese, our own schools, and how it works to bring Christ and the Church to those in most need.  If you have supported the Appeal this last year, could you “roll over” the gift that you gave last year into this year’s gift or pledge?  Could you really increase it in reference to the blessing you have received this last year?  And for those who chose not to support the Appeal, would you reconsider giving to the Appeal, in view of all the good work it does in our Diocese—Education, PSR, Priestly Vocations, Catholic Social Services, helping the poor and needy?

Friday, we have Stations of the Cross and Benediction at 5:30 P.M.  Members of the Pastoral Council will lead the congregation in the Stations of the Cross.  Try to make the time to come!  We do so for sports and many other activities!  Do it for Christ this time!

I am going to visit my brother this coming Saturday until Thursday.  The latest reports coming from Iowa are that he has made a “turn-around”, and that his short-term memory is coming back as also the long term improving.  He even asked that I come and see him soon.  So, bear with me as I leave again to help him if I can.  The folks in Iowa see the turn-around as a miracle, and that he is about 70% or more, of his “old self”.  I hope so!

Thanks to all the parents who supported the Children’s Collection!  If older children want to bring up their gift, they are welcome to do so!  We hope to make them proud of what they are doing for Christ and for His Church.  If you need envelopes for the kids, they are still at the Church exits.

THE MESSENGER SUBSCRIPTION PRICE IS $25.00.  The envelope in your box was incorrect.  The price has increased from $23.00 to $25.00.  If you have already sent in $23.00, please forward $2 in an envelope marked Messenger with your name on it.   You may put it in the collection basket.

HOLY CHILDHOOD BLOOD DRIVE  Thursday, March 10th from 2-7 PM at the HCS cafeteria.  The make up Blood Drive is set for Saturday, March 19th from 9 AM to 2 PM in the parish center. 

SOUP SUPPER SPEAKER SERIES Mondays, March 21, 28 & April 2 at 6:30 in the parish center. 

IF YOU HAVE NOT REGISTERED with our Parish and would like to, please call Sherry at 566-2958 or email hcc@holychildhoodchurch.com.

Church Chatter: Please send news from your ministry, organization, or recent  or future events to be published in the Church Chatter, our parish newsletter.  As part of the parish, we also have the obligation to share our ministry with others.  You can inform, inspire and uplift your fellow parishioners.  Send information to Linda at kzacharski@charter.net  by March 15.

Are you over-due for a relaxing weekend of peace, quiet, great food, and spiritual nourishment?  Take some time away and join other women from the parish for a retreat on March 18-20 at the King's House Retreat and Renewal Center in Belleville.  Contact Mary Elmore at 566-7315 for further information or to register.  Office phone 566-2922.

ATTENTION FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES:  Coming up March 19-20, there will be a Quest experience held at Holy Childhood Parish in Mascoutah, IL.  For more information / applications contact your pastor, religion teacher, or youth minister.  The fee is $35 per student. Parish assistance is available. 

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS:  With Easter being late this year (April 24), the envelope (Mar 6), in your church envelope box, for the Easter Flower Memorials is over a month early.  Even though it is early, we will start receiving your donations at this time. 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 Easter Flowers and any other items needed for the altar. For your convenience, you can use the Easter Flower envelope, dated Mar 6, 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 out to HCCCW. Donations are needed by April 18, to insure your loved one’s names are included on the list displayed at all entrances in the church. For more information, contact Pat Bowker, 566-7089.

REMINDER: BI-MONTHLY QUILT RAFFLE sponsored by HCCCW.  The first drawing for 2011 and 2012 will be held at our March 8th meeting.  Returns can be made at our quilting room or rectory as late as 3 PM on Tuesday or at our meeting on March 8th.  Total of $7,837.00 in 2010 paid for sacristan, church missals, altar breads, wine, candles and Christmas and Easter flowers.  $350.00 for gifts to priest and associates, Newman Foundation, select works and many more items.  We ask your support for this fundraiser so we can keep on doing these things.  We appreciate all the support that has been given to us in the past.

UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:

March 9th Ash Wednesday

March 10th Blood Drive 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM

March 19th Blood Drive 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM

April 12th HC Penance Service 7:00 PM

April 17th Palm Sunday

April 21st Holy Thursday

April 22nd Good Friday

April 24th Easter

May 1st 1st Communion 2:00 PM

May 12th Confirmation 7:00 PM