FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Lent has started in full force—the first full week of “getting to know God better”.  As I grew up, as a kid, Lent meant “giving up.”  Later it meant that and “doing something extra.”  Then it meant both of those and doing “something for others” like “giving my saving from giving up, to someone else”.  It did not always seem happy.  Then, I found out that all of this “taking up my cross” meant redirecting my life, to make room in my life, for getting to know my God better.  And as I learned more about my God, I also learned how blessed I was, and how much He had done for me.  And there is so much to know about our God, and all that He has done for us out of love for us!  That is where Lent is supposed to lead us, if only we take the time to count our blessings, to ask God to help us see His love in our lives, and to thank Him for it.  If we can’t make time for Him to come into our lives, then Lent will be a drudge, and we will be unhappy.  The cross of life will weigh us down, instead of lifting us up.  Please take the time to make the internal, spiritual change-over that leads us to know our God, love Him, and serve Him.  If you can make time:  Wednesday-Lenten Mass at 5:30 P.M. and Friday-Stations of the Cross at 5:30 P.M.

This coming weekend, there will be a QUEST program, a spiritual renewal program, at school for our teenagers.  It begins Friday evening and continues on to Sunday.  Please pray for the presenters (leaders), the people working in the background to make it happen, and for all the students attending.  May they grow in the love of God, their church, and their neighbor!

Saturday, we have our “Make-Up” blood drive in the parish center, from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.  Since school is being occupied by Quest, we had to move.  Come in through the gathering space next to church.  Please come if you can, and save someone’s life.

Next Sunday is Commitment Sunday for our Catholic Services and Mission Appeal.  I spoke about it last Sunday at all of the masses, and I hope that you can see fit to be a part of it.  If you can, roll-over your gift from last year!  If you can increase your gift in view of your blessings, please do so!  If you have not given before, please give something and help our diocese reach out to help the poor, the schools, vocations, and many ministries that the CSMA serves.  Pray and ask God to help you make the right decision!  If you can make a pledge over a period of time, it will be easier on you and much more can be accomplished.

I am going to be away to Iowa again this week to see my brother.  The report coming to me is that he has improved much, but has a good distance to still go.  Being 91 years of age, the road will be slower and tougher.  He needs all of the help he can get!  I hope that I can be of great help to him.

No funerals this week, but many sick persons who need our prayers.  All of them are our brothers and sisters.  Also, pray for peace and the return of men and women to their families.  Pray for all who have lost their lives in the war, on both sides, and for all of the casualties, and their families.

LENTEN SCHEDULE: (March 9th through April 24th)

                          Mass:  Every Wednesday at 5:30 pm (through April 6th)

             Stations of the Cross: Every Friday at 5:30 pm (through April 15th)

             April 12th:  Penance Service at 7:00 pm

April 17th: Palm Sunday

April 21st: Holy Thursday Mass at 7:30 pm

April 22nd Good Friday Mass at 7:30 pm

April 23rd Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 pm

April 24th Easter Mass at 8:00 am & 10:30 am

CATHOLIC SERVICE AND MINISTRY APPEAL  Next weekend, every parish in the diocese will be participating in The Catholic Service and Ministry Appeal. This annual collection supports the ministries and agencies in our diocese whose scope of service could not be duplicated by an individual parish. Our parish participation goal for the appeal is 215 households and our financial target is $33,040.91.  You will have an opportunity to make your pledge at Mass next weekend.  No gift is too great or too small.  If you do not receive a pledge card in the mail or forgot to bring it,  please use one of the in-pew envelopes that will be available. 

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  The make up Blood Drive is set for Saturday, March 19th, from 9 AM to 2 PM in the parish center. 

The Lenten Soup Supper and Speakers Series will begin on Monday, March 21 with Fr. Elmar Mauer as the guest speaker.  On Monday, March 28 and Monday, April 4 the guest speaker will be Sister Ethel Marie Biri, SSND. Sister is from St. Louis.  Each evening soup, bread and cookies will be served at 6:30 pm in the parish center.  The guest speaker will begin his/her presentation at 7:00 pm. Everyone is encouraged to come.

HCCCW WINNER of the Bi-monthly Quilt Raffle for March is Robert Steinberg, of our parish. Ticket returns  can  still  be  made  because there are five drawings remaining:  May, July, September, November and January (2012).  Thank you for your support.

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.  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 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 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. Make checks payable to HCCCW. Donations 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.