I really am writing this column before I leave to see my brother.  Since I would not be back in town in time to write it for the bulletin, I am presumptuous in having something in the bulletin this week.  I am presuming that I had a great trip both going and coming, and that all will be well, up in Iowa.  I will be home when you read this today.

This coming Saturday is our annual school auction.  This is a major event in the support of our parish school equaling, if not exceeding, the net income of our parish picnic.  We are grateful to the many persons who give so much time to make this event a success.  We are also grateful to all those who donate items to the auction, the many meals, trips, and services.  We are also grateful to the many people who come and buy and donate to make this affair so successful.  This coming Monday, October 10th, many will be working at school making preparations.  Friday evening will be a swarm of “busy bees” making final preparations.  Pray that it will be a success and all of their efforts will be well rewarded.  MASS NEXT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15TH, WILL BE AT 4:30 p.m.!  Please make note of that on your calendars and in your memory.  You can buy dinner tickets, or reserve a table after mass this week-end, or call Mary Moll at 566-2300.

In this bulletin, you will find a letter:  “THE PASTORAL PLAN FOR PARISH RENEWAL AND RESTRUCTURING” from Bishop Braxton, and a “SUMMARY OF THE PASTORAL PLAN.”  These were published in the Diocesan Messenger previously.  However, in case you do not subscribe to the Messenger, we have to put them into your hands so that you can know what is going to take place, and also be a part of it.  There will be several meetings, the first ones being for the parish leadership to call on them for their wisdom and perspective.  Later there will be meetings to call all of the parishioners to have their input on the renewal and restructuring of our diocese's many parishes, and ours in particular, if necessary.  The shortage of priests to cover the many parishes and the movement of people from one location to another, causing “down-sizing” in some places and growing pains in others, is making this reassessment necessary.  It applies equally with all the schools in our diocese, and the reluctance of many not to choose a Catholic school for their child for whatever reasons or excuses.  All I can do is to ask your full cooperation in this effort of our diocese to meet the needs that face us and to accept our responsibility to make the present situation improve.  This present plan is imposed on every parish and mission in our diocese, including those areas with a relatively large Catholic presence and those where Catholics are in a minority.  This present effort in our diocese has been taking place all over our nation in an effort to meet the needs of the people, the church, the Body of Christ.  We must look at this with a positive attitude, assured of God’s help that His will be done.

Thanks to all who came to our Mass of Anointing of the Sick.  We had thirty-seven in attendance, down from previous times!  However, I know that there were many conflicting events taking place.  And it was a beautiful day!  See you the next time!

Anyone interested in joining the adult choir?  Now would be a great time as we are preparing for Christmas.  We practice every Wednesday at 7:30 PM and sing the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month at 10:30 Mass.  Please call Mary Kay at 566-2690.

ENDOWMENT FUND Requests are now being accepted for review at the next meeting.  Please submit your requests to hcc@holychildhoodchurch.com or mail/drop off at the parish office.   Deadline is October 14, 2011.

FLU SHOTS Wednesday, October 12th from 9 AM to 12:00 PM in the parish center.

BELLEVILLE DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN will hold their annual convention October 12th at Holy Trinity Church in Fairview Heights, IL.  All women of the Diocese are welcome.  Registration fee is $15.00 (lunch included) if paid by October 3rd.  For registration forms, call Pat Fletcher at 566-9570, or pay at the door-$18.00.

The 18^th Annual Holy Childhood Dinner Auction will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011, at Holy Childhood School.  Please join us for a night of fun and help support our school.  Tickets are available by calling Debbie Hulliung at 566-4196.   This year we will be raffling an iPad, gas cards worth $500, and one year tuition for a child in grades K-8.  If you would like to make a donation to the auction, please contact Mary Moll at 566-2300. 

October is the month of the Holy Rosary  HCCCW is going to honor the Blessed Mother by saying the rosary on Wednesdays at Holy Childhood School by the flagpole where the Rosary is painted on the blacktop.  We will meet at 12:30 PM on October 12, 19, & 26 (weather permitting). 

PSR REMINDERS:

OCTOBER 16th there will be a family Rosary in the church at 9:15 AM.

REMINDER TO CATECHISTS:  Catechist training in the parish center at 6:30 PM on October 19th.  Quest speaker is Russell Peterson from the Office of Education.

Pizza Hut – Every third Monday of the month is Holy Childhood Night from 4:00-8:00 p.m.  Mention Holy Childhood when you order and we will receive a donation towards the school.  The donations go for our Technology Program.

Gift Cards  We now stock Phillips 66 $25 gas cards which can be used in town at Sax’s.  Stop by the school office during the week or the Gathering Space after masses to purchase cards.  Holy Childhood School thanks you for your support.

Dear Parishioners,

          Thank you on behalf of the Olivia Uptergrove family for your generosity and prayers for them.  Olivia is home and is doing well with her current medicines.

          Through many of your orders $1,200 was raised from the Pampered Chef orders and given to them.  This is so helpful with the medicine and infusions she receives which are thousands of dollars and not covered under their insurance.

         Would you please help us spread the word about the Cardinal's Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament next Friday, October 14. Focal Pointe Outdoor Solutions has generously selected Olivia as one of 3 beneficiaries for their benefit golf tournament.  I have attached a copy of the Golf tournament flyer that contains all of the details.  They are currently trying to recruit teams of golfers to play.   If anyone wants to donate a silent auction item, be a hole sponsor, or play golf, they can contact Molly Munie at mollymunie@yahoo.com or 618-398-9000. 

         The website for Focal Pointe Outdoor Solutions is http://www.fplandcare.com/ in case anyone wants to take a look.  They are located across the river in IL but service the St Louis metro area including the STL Cardinals/Busch stadium.  Molly Munie, the owner's wife has been working hard on the tournament and would like to confirm hole sponsors and golfers as soon as possible, but does not need silent auction items until the 10th.

        Again no obligation, everyone has been very kind and generous to this family over the past few months, but please spread the word to help make the tournament a success.  They are trying to recruit more golfers now! 

 Blessings,

Ronda Beck

Parish School of Religion

Director: Marilyn Byrne

PSR REMINDERS:

OCTOBER 16th there is a family Rosary in the church at 9:15 AM.

       PSR Director :  Marilyn Byrne   566-2958

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION