Our Parish Mission winds down today, Sunday, and we thank all of the parishioners who took time to attend and participate.  There are many demands on our lives and our time.  We make choices on what is more or most important in our lives, what is needed and what is not a priority. Thanks to all who chose spiritual growth for themselves.  None of us are perfect and there is always room to improve.  Say your daily prayers, do good where ever you can, and bring Christ to others each day.

Since next Sunday will be the fourth Sunday of Advent, and the only Sunday before Christmas Day, we will need volunteers to finish the decorating of church for Christmas.  True, Christmas is two weeks away and this year lands on a Sunday.  But we have to undertake this task when the help is available.  So next Sunday we finish the decorating of church, beginning at 1:00 P.M.

Last week, I asked that we take care of the new Mass cards and Mass books in the pews, especially when we put them back in the book racks.  It must have fallen on deaf ears, or blind eyes, when you look at some of the cards and how the books are set in the book racks.  The church is God's house, and how we treat it reflects our faith and love for God.  we teach by actions and by words.  What are we telling others?

Our December Blood Drive will be on the Thursday after Christmas, December 29th.  The "Make-up" drive will be on Saturday, January 7th, 2012.  Set your calendars for one of these events, so that we can share our gift of life with someone else.

You probably have noticed the new parish sign on Main Street. The Knights of Columbus gave $6,000 toward the cost of the sign.  The parish made up the difference of over $12, 000 to complete the cost and installation.  The electronic part of the sign was the major cost.  However, it will allow us to publicize church and school schedules and events.  We are setting up criteria designating how long messages will be posted, as well as what content will be posted.  This type of publicity reflects our parish concerns and our parish life, and what we feel the community really needs to know.

On Tuesday of this past week, our parish secretary, Sherry Wilhelm, informed me that she would be moving on to a new job with better benefits and opportunities. We thank her for the time she has dedicated to our parish, and the work she has accomplished.  We also wish her the best of God's blessings in the days and years ahead.  Angie Schanz, our previous secretary to Sherry, applied for the position within hours.  Since she is adept with the procedures of the parish and will not need to be "broken in" as the parish secretary.  Considering the tasks to be accomplished here at the end of the year, it was in our best interests to give her the position of secretary.

As we approach Christmas and the end of the year, I wish to thank all the parishioners who have prayed with us and worked with us in so many different ways.  We are a family, and as we need one another, we continue to help one another and our parish.  Please continue to help our parish meet its financial obligations by your love and sacrifice.  As I said, as a family, we need the help and support of each one of us.

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. 

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

 Cathedral Individual Confessions  —  Sunday, December 11, Noon to 5 pm

·  Queen of Peace, Belleville, -- Sunday, December 11, 3 pm

·  St. Agatha, New Athens -- Sunday, December 11, 3 pm

·  St. John the Baptist, Smithton -- Sunday, December 11, 2 pm

·  Immaculate Conception, Columbia -- Sunday, December 11, 3 pm

·  Corpus Christi, Shiloh -- Tuesday, December 13, 7 pm

·  St. Augustine, Belleville -- Wednesday, December 14, 6:30 pm

·  St. Nicholas, O'Fallon -- Wednesday, December 14, 7 pm

·  St. Clare, O'Fallon -- Thursday, December 15, 7 pm

·  St. Teresa, Belleville -- Sunday, December 18, 2 pm

·  St. Joseph, Freeburg -- Sunday, December 18, 2 - 4:30 pm

A PARISHIONER, CELESTE BENOIT is seeking a part-time caregiver for her disabled son.  The hours are flexible and the pay is $11.55 per hour.  Please call her at 618-979-7826.

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

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. 

We wish to donate a used Whirlpool Cabrio washing machine (approx. 4 years old) to a needy family in the community.  The washer is located on Scott AFB.  If interested, please contact Tanya Meredith at 618-416-1205.

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