Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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Holy Childhood of Jesus Catholic Church
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November 27, 2011
FATHER'S TWO CENTS WORTH
A Blessed and Happy Advent season to all of you! Advent means “coming” and is the time that we take special preparations spiritually for the coming of Christ, as we recall the first coming of Christ at the first Christmas in Bethlehem. Too often we get so wrapped up in the material end of giving and forget the spiritual giving of ourselves, really opening the doors to our heart and soul so that Jesus can enter and fill us with his presence and His blessings. Please take the time to prepare this year in a special way for the coming of Christ. For twenty-six persons, Christmas of last year, unbeknownst to them, was their last Christmas on earth. Hopefully, all are enjoying the blessings of heaven. We do not know about our life-span either. Make this one really count so that we are prepared when the final call from God calls us from this world. Have a happy and blessed Advent with your Lord and Savior!
Next week-end, we begin our Parish Mission. It can help us to know our God and grow in our faith, to the extent that we allow it to happen. Please take the time to attend as many of the events as you can. They are stepping-stones to heaven, and we need every one of them to be on the right path. More details are elsewhere in this bulletin.
Tuesday was not a good day for death notices. Bud Friederich, brother to Norma Reinneck and Lenore Schulte, passed away. His funeral will be on Friday evening from the Moll Funeral Home. At 8:30 P.M., Sister Nancy informed me that Sister Frances, who taught many years here at Holy Childhood, passed away. She had a massive stroke last week that took away all of her faculties. Her wake will be on Sunday evening, beginning at 6:30 P.M., and the funeral mass on Monday at 10:30 A.M. On Tuesday evening, I was informed that Pat Knoth passed away, after a short, but painful bout with cancer. The funeral plans are not definite as I write this, but there will probably be a wake on Sunday, and funeral on Monday. All are persons of long lives, and giving persons to the church and God’s people. May they all rest in peace and receive the reward that God has in store for each one of them.
This afternoon, at 1:00P.M., we begin the decorating of our church in preparation for Christmas. We can’t put all of the decorations up because it is not yet Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation—to get ready, to “clean house” or “clean our souls” so that Christ can find a welcome home. Let the decorations remind you that Christ is coming again and will come a final time, and we need to be ready by His standards. We will need many hands and bodies to move and place in position the decorations.
The trip to Indianapolis with our youth group and the chaperones was a great event. Being with 23,300+ youth and adults was inspiring and deafening at times. I am grateful to the adults who went along on the trip who cared and chaperoned our group. I am also grateful to those persons who took care of me. My hip caused me to ride in a wheel-chair for transportation, and luckily, no one pushed me down the steps or escalators or ramps. I am still alive. But I got a new perspective of how little children feel in crowds of grown-ups when all you see is backsides from a lower level. It is humbling when all look down on you to even talk with you. I am grateful for my many blessings, and for all who made the trip. It was fun and inspiring, a great hope for the future!
A volunteer is needed to take over the Gift Bearers scheduling position in 2012. This would include scheduling families to bring up the gifts at weekend Masses, and then emailing the names to the office every week. Please call the office at 566-2958 if you would like to volunteer.
PARISH MISSION: BEING CATHOLIC: IT'S A GRACE AND A PRIVILEGE!
The parish mission, featuring Fr. Oscar Lukefahr, is fast approaching. It will begin on Saturday, Dec. 3 and continue through Sunday, Dec. 11.
A few highlights of the mission include:
A potluck supper on Dec. 3 beginning at 6:45 in the school cafeteria. Be sure to sign up after Mass on Nov. 19/20 or Nov. 26/27. Mission talk: "Where is God?"
A parish penance service on Dec. 6th beginning at 6:45 pm. Eight priests will be available for confessions. Mission talk: "The Sacrament of Penance: Jesus Forgives.”
On Wed., Dec. 7th. A social hour will follow the talk, "Four Levels of Happiness: Following Jesus"
A special day is Thursday, Dec. 8th -- The Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Masses at 6:30 am, 8:00 am and 7:00 pm Topic for the evening Mass is "The Real Presence of Jesus."
Make plans now to attend as many evenings as possible!
Donations of homemade cookies are needed for Wed. evening, Dec. 7th. Cookies may be dropped off before or after the evening service.
HCCCW Christmas party will be held on Sunday, Dec 11th at 12 noon. Turkey dinner will be catered by Tony's Place, cost is $10.00 to be paid by Dec 4th. You may put cash/check in collection basket marked for "HCCCW;" include your name also. If you wish to participate in the white elephant gift exchange, please bring a wrapped gift. Any questions, please call Ruth Forsyth, 566-2165.
Experience a night of adoration, praise, worship, music, reflection, and testimonies for strength and healing. Join us for the next Surrender Night - Wednesday, December 21, 7:00-8:30pm (3rd Wednesday of every month) at Holy Childhood Church “Surrender” is open to everyone, all ages, to come and partake in Christ’s love in a unique way. “Conversion is a complete surrender to Jesus”-Billy Sunday.
CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIALS Now is the time to send in your request for Christmas Flower memorials for your deceased loved ones. 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 Christmas flowers and any other items needed for the altar. For your convenience, there is a Christmas Flower envelope (dated Dec. 4) in your church envelope box, or you may 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 are needed by December 19 to insure your loved ones are included on the list displayed at all entrances to the church. For more information, contact Pat Bowker 566-7089.
Gift Cards One Stop Shopping – No need to run from store to store to purchase gift cards, you can buy them through HCS. We have gift cards for many local and national retail stores and restaurants. Stop by the school office during the day or the gathering space after any mass. To ensure Christmas delivery, please place your order by December 11th.
THE CAULEY AND BOSSOM FAMILIES want to thank Fr. Hartlein and Fr. Abraham for all the support and help that they gave at the funeral of Robert Bossom. We thank each and everyone for all the prayers for Rob and his family members. Theresa & Lloyd Cauley.
Parish School of Religion Director: Marilyn Byrne
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.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET WILL BE SAID AT 3:15 ON TUESDAYS
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, November 29th Fr. McPherson Mr. & Mrs. James Cornman Joe Hershberger
Wednesday, November 30th Bernard & Anna Hamilton Mr. & Mrs. James Cornman Joe Hershberger
Thursday, December 1st Special Intention for the John Wright Family
Friday, December 2nd Edna & Hap Hulliung Edith Vechione Jim & Adrian Villotti and Family
Saturday, December 3rd People of the Parish
Sunday, December 4th 8:00 AM Jake & Betty Pruett 10:30 AM William H. & William A. Ganz
Gift Bearers
12/3 5:30 PM Bob & Lonnie Hefner Family 12/4 8:00 AM Johnson & Wombacher Families 10:30 AM Leona Ganz Family If you would like to have a Mass said for someone, please call the rectory at 566-2958 or email hcc@holychildhoodchurch.com
November 20, 2011
Weekly Calendar Monday, November 28th No Mass
Tuesday, November 29th 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Adoration→7 pm 9:00 AM Quilting 6:00 PM Quilting
Wednesday, November 30th 8:00 AM Mass 6:30 PM RCIA 7:30 PM Choir Practice
Thursday, December 1st 8:00 AM Mass 9:00 AM Quilting 9:30 AM Mass-Silver Creek 10:30 AM Mass-Marka
Friday, December 2nd 8:00 AM Mass 10:00 AM Mass-Grange
Saturday, December 3rd 9:00 AM Adoration 4:30 PM Confessions 5:30 PM Mass-Fr. Lukefahr 6:45 PM Parish Mission potluck in HCS Cafeteria
Sunday, December 4th Welcome Sunday 8:00 AM Mass-Fr. Lukefahr 9:00 AM PSR 10:30 AM Mass-Fr. Lukefahr 6:45 PM Q & A time 7:00 PM Mission Talk
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 Pre-K thru 8th grade
WEB SITE:
holychildhoodschool.com
Email: hcs@holychildhoodschool.com
Principal: Mr. Ron Karcher: 476-3505
Leaders- Kathy - 588-4018; Debbie - 566-4196; Ron - 566-7109; Ken - 566-8022
See CYO page on this website and click calendar for a schedule of meetings and activities.
A Winter’s Aire Concert & Wine Tasting/Sale with Silent Auction to Benefit Operation Orphan. Sunday, December 4th, 7 pm. Corpus Christi Parish Center, 205 Rasp St, Shiloh, IL. Featuring The Music of BNS- St. Louis University’s All-Male A Cappella Singing Sensation. $20 ticket includes Food, Wine & Entertainment. For reservations call (618) 632-7614.
An invitation to Catholic high school students: The Messenger would like to hear from you about what you consider "the greatest gift" you could receive at Christmas. If you could write an essay in 100-150 words, we would be happy to review your writing to be published in the Christmas issue of The Messenger. Top essays will receive a $25 gift credit card. Please include your name, address, phone number and your parish with the essay. Please email entries to The Messenger at cathnews@bellevillemessenger.org by Dec. 1.
Come help pray for more Priests The "Rosary for Vocations" prayer hour in the Belleville Deanery will be held at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belleville on December 4th from 2:00-3:00 pm. Please, come and pray along with all the Deaneries so that our Diocese will be blessed with many new priests. The Diocese of Belleville and Serra Club of St. Clair County.
SAVE THE DATE—CHRISTMAS CONCERT The 2011 Community Christmas Concert will be hosted at Zion Lutheran Church, 101 South Railway in Mascoutah on Sunday, December 4, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Please put concert on your calendar, and save the date! Musicians, please fill out the registration forms to participate, which should be available from your church office. Participating musicians, please RSVP to Josh and Nancy Peterson, Zion’s music directors, or call Zion’s church office at 566-7345.
Tune in to Catholic radio on AM 1080 WRYT, where you will hear special programs during the season of Advent and Christmas, along with the daily Holy Mass, devotions, Catechetics, live call-in shows, and much more. For a program schedule and a free CD call (314) 752-7000 or toll-free 1-877-305-1234.
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