Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church

July 24, 2011

FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH

Well, there is one thing that we can all agree on—it has been hot, and looks to continue that way for several more days.  Some light showers would do wonders for our crops, our gardens, lawns and flowers.  Question:  How many of us have prayed for rain, not only for ourselves, but for others also?  When we think of what the heat is doing to other parts of our country, like Texas and Oklahoma, and Kansas, when they have no rain, and are selling off their livestock because they have no feed or grain, what it will do to food prices back on our own home tables?  It makes one think that we are all in this together.  We can easily complain, and I do at times.  But have I done anything to alleviate the situation, even with so simple an action as praying for those suffering?  Often times, I make a single donation for disaster victims.  But do I realize that the disaster does not go away immediately, and the effects are long lasting and enduring.  Pray for the rain that our country needs, where ever it is needed, and the same with relief from the heat.

Someone clipped our fence post out by the front gate and knocked it down along with the next post and two sections of fence.  From the marks on the post, it looks like a trailer that is often towed behind a car or pick-up truck—took the turn too short.  We hope to have it fixed very soon, and will extend a parking curb stone out in front of it to protect it.  One will have to hit the curb stone before they hit it, and will they hit something else.

The Gospel story today talks about the perseverance of different persons who seek treasures—the finding of a precious treasure in the field, the precious pearl, the fisherman seeking good fish in his nets.  The story resolves about determination, persistence and dedication.  When we want something very bad, we do not give up.  Think about a little child and how they can nag and cry until we give in.  And that even continues into adulthood.  Scriptures gives many instances of determination where a person gives up everything to obtain a goal or an object.  We see the end or object and we want it.  But now we have to work for it.  And that leads me into “How are we continuing on those Lenten Resolutions” not that Lent is three months past.  How are we continuing on those Retreat “Highs”, on “Convention Highs”, now that they are a past?  How well do we live out the Sunday Mass and Homily during the week, after we have left mass on the weekend?  In other words, do we have the perseverance, determination, and dedication that we need to gain our eternal salvation?  Is it really that important to us now at this present moment?  Let us not fool ourselves about our “Eternal Insurance Coverage!”

Again, check out for helping at the Homecoming and also for our parish picnic.  There are other items in this week’s bulletin that need our attention and action.  The parish picnic is most critical to our parish operation, as we need a net profit of over $45,000 to help make our budget work out.  The picnic is not the task of just a few people, a few people who have accepted leadership roles, and managerial roles.  It is the duty of our whole parish, young and old, to do whatever they must do to make the picnic a success.  And one of the major tasks that we can all do is to pray for good weather, and to publicize our picnic.  We always have competition from Highland, and now from St. Teresa’s in Belleville—same night picnics.  Tell and encourage your friends to come to Holy Childhood and back up your words by being deeply involved.

Holy Childhood Church Annual Picnic - August 27th.

Fish Fry and music  -  August 26th.

Mass is at 4 PM

Our Church Picnic is less than 5 weeks away! 

    Everything seems to be moving faster & faster. 

We wanted to share the status of our church picnic with everyone

 and point out areas where help is still greatly needed.

****FRIDAY NIGHT FISH FRY****

        Was such a success last year, we are doing it again!

 Featuring local bands, playing Jazz, Pop Rock, Country, 80's & Oldies

**WHAT'S NEW FOR SATURDAY**

Chicken Dinner:  An all-you-can-eat Chicken Dinner.  Dine in only!

The line will go as usual, and when you go up for seconds there will be a buffet line, you can get a clean plate & get more.

Carry-Out:  Will still offer carry-outs by the 2-, 3-, & 4-piece meals.

Candy Land:  This stand will offer cotton candy as well as pop corn.

Soda Toss Game:   Throw rings, win a 2-liter soda.

Margarita Ville:  This stand will offer original Margaritas & Hurricane Punch,

                           refreshing cool beverages for a hot summer evening.

With these new stands, this means we need people to work!

DONATIONS NEEDED

Baskets:   Our basket stands are a huge pull tab success and to continue to be a success we will need 138 baskets for "This & That" as well as "Toy Land" totaling 276 baskets.  Please pick up baskets at each entrance of church and fill them with $15.00 & up of goods.

    Last day to turn in filled baskets is August 20 - 21

Cakes:    Another one of our popular stands, this stand requires 138 cakes to be give away as prizes.  Cakes can be dropped off the day of the picnic in the school cafeteria.  Also needed are desserts for the chicken dinner.  Please, no cakes that need to be refrigerated, custard or cream pies!  (They melt!) 

Country Store:  Home-Canned fruits & vegetables, fresh-baked goodies, fresh garden vegetables.

****CALLING ALL PARISHIONERS****

Our picnic needs your volunteerism & donations.

 Consider donating to our Quilt Bingo, purchasing/selling raffle tickets,

filling prize baskets, baking, and getting the word out.

Setting-up, working a stand, cleaning up are always volunteer intensive.