Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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April 17, 2011
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH
Well, we have reached Holy Week in our church calendar. And next Sunday is Easter Sunday, a time to rejoice because Jesus has risen from the dead to prove that He is the Son of God. So this week, on Holy Thursday, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Eucharist, as we commemorate the Last Supper with Christ and the Apostles. We will have adoration until 11:00 P.M. remembering Christ in the garden, praying, sweating blood, being arrested, and taken away. On Good Friday, we remember His crucifixion and death to save us from our sins. On Holy Saturday, at the Easter Vigil Service, which begins at 8:00 P.M., we celebrate Christ as the light of the world, new light in the church, blessing of water for baptism and for our use, reception of Heidi Kilian into the church by Baptism, and the sacrament of Confirmation for five other members of our parish. It will be a great week. It can bring many blessings and graces if we take the time to be here at church and participate. I hope all will come and let Christ bless you in His special way.
On Good Friday, the Community Way of the Cross will begin at 12:00 noon from the front steps of St. John’s UCC Church, and proceed down Church Street to the little park across from Regions Bank. I hope that many of our parishioners will be there to take part in this event. The Stations of the Cross are a Catholic devotion—not common to the other religions. That is why we need to demonstrate our faith by being present and participating. Please come and pray with us.
Special Collection on Good Friday is for the Holy Land, and will be taken up at our evening service.
Easter Sunday will see the last of the Lenten Collections for the poor. This collection should represent what we have saved through our fasting and setting aside what we would spend otherwise. And do not forget your Easter gift to the parish! We need it!
Thanks to all who took advantage of our Penance Service this past Tuesday. I believe that it is our biggest group ever. However, we had people from Freeburg, Lebanon, New Baden, and St. Libory here. And some of our people went to the other churches that we advertised. Today, at Cathedral, confessions are from 1 to 5 P.M.
Many thanks to all who have supported the Catholic Services and Ministry Appeal this year. So far this year, 180 persons pledged $45,234.11. Last year, 205 persons pledged $48,451.00. We have exceeded our financial goal which was $33,040. Although many persons contributed more this year, we also had a drop in donors so far, and some who dropped in their gift. The CSMA is grateful for every gift to help us in our charge of helping the church function in its teaching and social mission. For those of you who have not joined us in this mission, come on board and take pride in your participation and sharing. It also gives our parish much more recognition as a caring and supportive parish and living up to its mission statement.
The Sunday after Easter is First Communion for our Second Grade Students. And the following Sunday will be Mother’s Day. This year has moved exceedingly fast. Pray for our First Communicants and their families, that Christ will find a welcome and lasting home, personally and for the rest of their lives.
LENTEN SCHEDULE: (through April 24th) 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
LENTEN REGULATIONS
Each year the Lord Jesus calls the entire Church to a special season of penance and renewal. As we begin this holy time of Lent, we should reflect on our need for conversion of heart, prayer, charitable works and Penance.
1. All Catholics who are 14 years of age and older are to observe the penitential practice of abstinence which consists of refraining from the consumption of meat. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. 2. In addition to abstinence, fasting is to be observed by all Catholics between the ages of 18-59 years (inclusive). Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting. 3. On days of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. 4. If a person is unable to observe the above regulation due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to their condition. 5. Because Lent is a special season for all Christians, we should not lightly excuse ourselves from these penitential practices. 6. To completely disregard the law of fasting and abstinence is seriously sinful. 7. Pastors and parents are encouraged to see that children who are not bound by the obligation to fast and abstain are led to appreciate an authentic sense of penance.
Preparation for the Feast of Divine Mercy begins on Good Friday (April 22) and continues for nine Days ending on Divine Mercy Sunday which is the Sunday after Easter (May 1). Our Lord specifically states: “That the first Sunday after Easter is the Feast of Mercy, but there must also be acts of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not try to absolve yourself from this.” ( St. Faustina’s Diary) To fittingly observe the Feast of Divine Mercy we should: (1) Celebrate the Feast on the Sunday after Easter; (2) Sincerely repent for all our sins and go to confession on or before that day; (3) Receive Holy Communion on the day of the Feast; (4) Place our complete trust in Jesus; (5) Venerate the Image of The Divine Mercy; (6) Be merciful to others, through our actions, words and prayers on their behalf. In the Diary of St. Faustina, Our Lord stresses: “Whoever approaches the Fountain of Life on this day will be granted complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be said in church every evening at 7:00 for nine days. The Chaplet, which is usually said at 3:00 on Divine Mercy Sunday, will be moved to 12:00 noon because of First Communion on that day.
EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS: For $10.00, you can list 1 or 2 individual names or 1 or 2 family names. You may use the Easter Flower envelope or use a white envelope and address it to HCCCW. Please list who the memorial is for and the donor's name on the envelope. Make checks payable to HCCCW. Donations by April 18. For more information, contact Pat Bowker, 566-7089.
CHURCH CLEANING April 30th @ 10:09 AM. Bring your vacuum, mop and rags. We will be vacuuming the nooks & crannies in the pews, as well as mopping and polishing the floors. Pizza and drinks provided.
Gift Cards for Easter Purchase gift cards for Easter basket gifts: Build-A-Bear ($25), iTunes ($15/$25), GameStop ($25), Toys R Us ($20), Best Buy ($25), Barnes & Noble ($10/$25). Gift cards can also be used when making your own holiday purchases: Tom’s ($25), Target ($25/$100), Shop N Save ($25/$100). Thank you for supporting HCS.
MOTHER’S DAY ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT-BREAKFAST sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. May 8th in the Holy Childhood School cafeteria. Sausage, ham, eggs, biscuits & gravy, pancakes, fruit, milk and coffee. Adults $7, Children 5-12 $3 and under 4 are free.
Boy Scout Troop 57 will be holding their Annual Yard Sale on Saturday, May 14, 2011 on the parking lot of Holy Childhood Church. Mark your calendars and come look for a great deal! If you have some old things in good condition that you would like to donate, you can bring them to our weekly meeting on Mondays at 7:00pm in the HCS Cafeteria or you can call Bill Huff at 566-4357 to arrange for a pickup of your items. Thank you for your support!
A big Thank you from Barbara Sturman to Bill Huff, Donny Haas, Pepso Mattern, Dave Fournie, Kathy Hopfinger and Mary Ellen Mueller for helping her move.
Parish School of Religion Director: Marilyn Byrne
Apr. 24th Easter Sunday -- NO PSR Apr. 29th 1st Communion Practice 3:15-5 PM in church. May 1st First Communion 2 PM May 1st PSR Spring Registration
PSR Director : Marilyn Byrne 566-2958
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, April 19 8:00 AM In Memory of Dorothy Lanter
WEDNESDAY, April 20 8:00 AM Cliff Elliot Michael Warning
THURSDAY, April 21 8:00 AM People of the Parish
FRIDAY, April 22 8:00 AM Communion Service
SATURDAY, April 23 5:30 PM People of the Parish
SUNDAY, April 24 8:00 AM People of the Parish
10:30 AM People of the Parish
If you would like to have a Mass said for someone, please call the rectory at 566-2958 or email hcc@holychildhoodchurch.com
April 10, 2011
WEEKLY CALENDAR
MONDAY, April 18No Mass 1:00 PM SCC -- PC 6:30 PM Endowment Fund -- PC
Tuesday, April 19 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Adoration→7 pm 9:00 AM Quilting 6:00 PM Quilting
WEDNESDAY, April 20 8:00 AM Mass 7- 9 PM Confessions
THURSDAY, April 21 -- Holy Thursday NO School 7:30 PM Mass Adoration after Mass until 11:00 pm
FRIDAY, April 22 -- Good Friday Office Closed NO School 7 :30 PM Communion Service
SATURDAY, April 23 -- Holy Saturday NO Adoration 8:00 PM Easter Vigil Mass
SUNDAY, April 24 -- Easter Sunday8:00 AM Mass NO 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
Calendar Next Week – April
18 Pizza Hut Night 4-8 Benefit Holy Childhood School Technology 19 Chrism Mass @ Cathedral 11:30 8th grade20 Stations 1:00 p.m. / Teacher’s Meeting 21 Holy Thursday – No School 22 Good Friday – No School 25 Easter Monday – No School
OTHER NEWS . . .
¨ Congratulations to Jenna Schanz on being selected as a winner in the 2011 Illinois Dental Society Coloring Contest. Her entry was selected from over 7,500 other coloring sheets.
¨ Congratulations to HCS graduate Danielle Amann-Stewart. She was recognized at last Thursday’s Mascoutah Rotary Club meeting as the Mascoutah High School Student of the Month for March.
¨ Please pray for Mrs. Kohlbrecher’s grandfather who died on Monday.
May Events
Room and Staff Changes 2011-2012
It is exciting news that we are adding a second 4 year old classroom. That means some changes in classroom assignments. There will also be some changes in staffing and some openings.
¨ The new 4 yr old program will be moving into the present 1st grade classroom. ¨ The 1st grade will be moving to the second floor into the present 2nd grade classroom. ¨ The classroom used by Mrs. Olson will become the 2nd grade classroom. ¨ The meeting room on the second floor will be the PE teacher’s classroom. ¨ The art room will be a combination computer/art/meeting room.
Staffing: ¨ Mrs. Karcher has indicated she will not be returning as the 3 year old teacher for the coming school year. We have an opening. ¨ Mrs. Chaffin has indicated she will not be returning to the after school program. We have an opening. ¨ Mrs. Olson will become the 2nd grade teacher. ¨ Mrs. Wilhelm will be teaching PE and 5th grade English. ¨ We will have openings for preschool aides.
If you are interested in any of the openings, please contact the school office for further information and application forms.
then Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt at Debbie Hulliung’s house. BYO-Flashlight! April 22: Watch Passion of the Christ in the youth room after Good Friday Services
Leaders- Kathy - 588-4018; Debbie - 566-4196; Ron - 566-7109; Ken - 566-8022
MASCOUTAH COMMUNITY STATIONS OF THE CROSS Good Friday, April 22 at 12 Noon. Starts at St. John’s. Sponsored by the Ministerial Association.
GOOD FRIDAY FISH DINNER Friday, April 22, 2011 from 4-7 PM. St. George Hodapp Hall, 318 East Maple, New Baden. $7.50 for adults, $3.25 for ages 6-12, 5 and under are free.
A part-time bookkeeper position is open at St. Agatha Parish, New Athens, IL. The applicant should have at least two years of business accounting experience with experience of QuickBooks financial accounting system and Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program. Applicants can send their resume to: St. Agatha Parish 205 S. Market New Athens, IL 62264 ATTN: Bookkeeper Application
Mascoutah Chamber is hosting “Breakfast with the EASTER BUNNY” on Saturday, April 23, starting at 9am at Cross Pointe Church, 10 North Railway, Mascoutah, across from City Hall. There will pictures with the Easter Bunny, breakfast, skits and singing. Tickets are $5 and can be picked up at the Library, Flowers & Blooms, Popsy’s Trading Post, Donna Mae’s.
SPRING FLING PARISH SOCIAL St. James Parish, Millstadt, IL, Sunday, May 1st. BBQ dinner 11 AM to 6 PM. Pork steaks, brats & hamburgers. Adult & children’s games. Cow Patty Bingo 4-5 PM.
Attention all youth! Come see contemporary Christian musician Michael James Mette lead us in praise on May 15 at a 1 pm Mass and perform a one hour concert following the Mass at St. Damian’s, Damiansville, IL . Fr. Nick Junker and Fr. Steven Beatty will concelebrate Mass. Cost is free; a collection will be taken at Mass. Light refreshments will be served. Those young at heart are also welcome!
First Annual St. Teresa Parish Outreach Breakfast Sunday, May 22, 2011 8:00 - 11:00 am St. Teresa School Cafeteria Serving: Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Fruit, Coffee & Orange Juice. Suggested Donation: Adult $7.50, Child (6-12) $3.50, 5 & Under FREE. Please join us at this fundraiser as we lend a helping hand to our own families in need. Funds will be used to provide financial assistance to St. Teresa Parish families who are going through difficult times.
FIFTH ANNUAL MASS OF APPRECIATION for couples celebrating their Twenty-Fifth, Fortieth, Fiftieth, Sixtieth and Seventieth Wedding Anniversaries is on Sunday, June 12th at 1:00 pm in the Cathedral of St. Peter. The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Bishop of Belleville will celebrate Mass. A reception serving light refreshments will immediately follow in the Undercroft of the Cathedral.
Next TEC Weekend is scheduled for July 9-11 at Sacred Heart in Du Quoin, IL. TEC is for Juniors and Seniors in high school. College students and adults are welcome too. Sign up by April 30 and receive $20 off ($50 value). Applications must be postmarked by April 30 along with a $10 deposit. For an application, visit www.bellevilletec.catholicweb.com.
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