Well, we are now at the week of our parish Mission. We try to have one every two or three years to help us grow in our faith.  Many persons do not have the opportunity or the desire to make a full retreat away from home.  By having a Mission in your own parish, it makes available to the whole parish the faith that we believe in, and also to pray together and to grow together.  Try to make as many of the conferences and masses as you can.  They are all built to help us grow spiritually, and to receive Christ in a greater way.  On Tuesday evening, we have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance, with eight priests being available.  This will take the place of the regular Christmas Penance Service which is usually the week before Christmas.  There will be mass every day and evening services each evening.

Thursday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and is A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION FOR ALL CATHOLICS, under pain of Mortal Sin.  Our Mass schedule will be 6:30 A.M., 8:00 A.M., and 7:00 P.M.  This is the Patronal Feast of the church in the United States.

During Advent and Lent, we have had the practice of taking a second collection for the poor.  I forgot about it last Sunday, and did not inform the ushers.  But this week, we will start the second collection, and it will go through Christmas Day.  When we read in the Church Chatter how much the St. Vincent de Paul Society of our parish does, and what Catholic Urban Program does, and the many that are in need, we who have been blessed need to count our blessings and share them with those less fortunate.  I found a note:  “When I ask, ‘What’s in it for me?” my bowl will never be full.  “When I ask , “What can I give to others?”, my bowl will never be empty.  And it is very true—personal experience!

Special thanks to the men who came Thursday and changed the lights in Church.  Many were out, and many still good.  They set up scaffolding, and with two on the scaffold, and four pushing it through the pews, were able to replace all of the bulbs, and those in the balcony.  The team was:  Greg Moll, Tim Moll, James Amann, Michael Brennan, James Bunn, and Steve Gardner.  Thanks fellows, for your gift of time and talent.  I was with the men and therefore, did not make the Hope Christmas Party.

Can I ask a favor?  Please?  Can I ask each one of you to take special care of our church?  Since we have the new folders for the new Liturgy, and the Mission Prayer Cards, take care to replace them in the book racks neatly.  The church looks sloppy, unless someone takes time after each mass to straighten up the prayer cards, and the “Breaking Bread” missalettes.  I am sure you would not like to bring your friends into church after bragging on it, and see it in such disarray, and be happy.  Please make yourselves “self-appointed” care-takers of the book racks in your pew.  Is that asking too much from the “Children (adults) of God?”

Another item that needs to be addressed is the use of the lights in church—do we need to turn on every light for whatever we are doing?  And can’t we make sure when we leave that all of the lights are off, even those by the side entrances?  Electricity costs money for your homes, right?  The same happens here in church!  We all pay!

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. 

MISSION WEEK IS HERE!

PARISH MISSION: BEING CATHOLIC: IT'S A GRACE AND A PRIVILEGE! 

 A few highlights of the mission include:

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."

Donations of homemade cookies are needed for Wed. evening, Dec. 7th.   Cookies may be dropped off before or after the evening service.

A Memorial mass for Sister Frances McDonagh is planned for December 22nd at 7:30 PM here at Holy Childhood Church. 

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.

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.

13th Annual St. Louis Marian Conference will be held Jan 13, 14 & 15, 2012 at the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis.  Besides interesting speakers, you can also attend Mass, Confession, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  160 relics of the Saints will be on display.  A group from Holy Childhood is going on Sat, Jan 14th.  If interested, contact Marilyn Hund (566-7410) by Dec 23 (to get group rate) and for more info.

The 5th annual Catholic men's conference is being held Feb 4, 2012. Registration for this event is now open. This one day event features great speakers, great music and a great time. If you would like to attend please go to the website and register or mail in the registration form. The cost is $40 for the day and includes lunch. If you cannot register online please submit your check for $40 to the rectory and your registration will be taken care of. If you would like to carpool to the event please email or the contact the rectory.  http://www.catholicmenforchrist.org.

 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 11^th.

 Uptergrove Raffle:  During the month of January 2012, we will be handing out raffle tickets ($1 each or 6 for $5) with various prizes to be given out.  We are looking for new prizes to include in the raffle.  If you have an item that you would like to donate, please send it to the school office.  Raffle tickets will be available during the month of January with the drawing on February 3, 2012.  All funds collected will go to the Uptergrove Family.  Any new items (adult or child) are acceptable.  Please bring to the school office.  Deacon Karcher

Save the date – Holy Childhood School Concert – The Holy Childhood Christmas Concert will be Friday, December 16^th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the school gym.  All are invited.  There will also be free fingerprinting and ID cards for all children available in the cafeteria from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm.  There is no charge.  This will give you a record to use in case of emergency.  Andy Friederich, a graduate of Holy Childhood School, is offering this service.

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. 

Parish School of Religion

Director: Marilyn Byrne

 

PSR now has its own page on this website

 

From the Home page

Click on OUR PARISH

Click on EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES

Click on PSR

 

 

PSR  Email: marilyn.byrne@holychildhoodchurch.com 

       PSR Director :  Marilyn Byrne   566-2958

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION