FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

       HAPPY HOT DAY!  For all the Sun worshippers and sun tan addicts, have a good day, and make sure you protect yourselves and do not develop skin cancer.  Cancer is Cancer, and in some cases, terminal, but in all cases, destructive.  And God gave all of us a great body to live in if only we would appreciate it.  I believe that the farmers have their main crops in, and all of us are looking for rain for our gardens, flowers and crops, & relief!

        Today we have a second collection for the people of Joplin, Mo., so destroyed by the tornado of several weeks ago.  All of the churches of Mascoutah are raising extra funds to send to Joplin as a Community effort, to show our Christian support of our brothers and sisters in Christ.  All I can say to all of us is to count our blessings!  We have been so spared for the most part, compared to what has happened around us, and especially in places like Joplin, and cities  north of us like Litchfield and surrounding towns.  Many of us do not deserve the blessings that we enjoy.  "The rain falls on the good and the bad."

        Today,  Fr. Leo Hayes celebrates his 50th Anniversary at Willisville -- down by Ava.  Leo has been at his parish 43 years.  When anyone asked him how long he was at this appointment, his reply always was, "A little over 10 years."  He also had parishes at Ava, Raddle, Willisville, and was Chaplain to the main prison at Chester for over  25 years.  He has a mind of his own and is a good man.  He was an acolyte at my first mass back in 1958.

        I am leaving for Iowa to see my brother Monday morning and will return on Friday.  He seems to be doing well. However, he is not allowed to walk with a walker alone.  They are still concerned that he might fall again.  But he is still full of baloney or whatever it is called.  I believe that is why he gets along so well with all of the people there.

        I am in need of some extra help here at the parish -- not full time help, but regular help.  I need help with the cleaning of the church, usually on Mondays, cleaning and mopping restrooms, mopping landings and breezeway, and cleaning the Gathering Space.  It amounts to a couple of hours at a time and is salaried.  If interested, call the rectory. 

        The other help I need can be volunteer or salaried.  I need someone to water the flowers around church and at the back of the garage.  The number of times depends on the amount of rain that we get.  However, I believe that someone will have to water it well at least twice a week.  This could be a team, or group project, since there are many hose outlets around the parish church, both on the rectory side and on the parish center side.  Flowers are like any other living object -- planting is one time, keeping them alive and prosperous is an ongoing task.  If you can help, let us know at the rectory, or just start watering.

        Thanks to all who came and gave blood Saturday, and to all who helped make it a success.  There seem to be more accidents now and, invariably, blood is needed.  We never know when it is needed or who needs it.   The Blood Donor and all who make it happen are like the "Unknown Soldier" or "unknown hero".  You know you did a good deed and did the right thing.  The one who benefits probably will never know you!  But God knows you and His "books" are the ones that count!

Vacation Bible School Needs Your Help! 

Donations of Any of these Items would be Greatly Appreciated! 

please put items in marked bin in the lobby!

¨ Peat Pots (small)

¨ Potting Soil (no fertilizer)

¨ Grass / Cucumber /

       Watermelon / Cantaloupe Seeds

¨ White Card Stock

¨ Small Craft Wiggly Eyes

¨ Magnetic Tape

¨ Modeling Clay (quick air drying)

¨ Toothpicks (round, not flat)

¨ Bowls (Styrofoam or paper)

¨ Paper Towel / Toilet Paper Rolls (empty)

¨ Parchment Paper

¨ Jump Ropes (20-36 ft. long)

¨ Nerf Balls