Well, here are at the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  Christmas is next Sunday, as if you did not know this.  With all that has been handed to us in the media and advertising -- Buy! Buy! Buy! -- and what has been given to us in Church, we hope the latter source of info has had more impact on us than any of the others.  With recession, unemployment, and all of the other problems of the world, we can still have a Blessed Christmas as long as we put Christ back into Christmas, and set our hearts on receiving Him as never before.  Remember, Christ comes to save us from our sins, and to offer us His own life and presence in our lives—everyday into eternity.  Let it happen for yourselves!  Take some real time to think about What Christmas is really about, What God and His Son Jesus are wanting to do for you, and make room for Him in your soul.  Turn yourself over to Jesus!

Today, Sunday, we will finish the decorating of Church, beginning at 1:00 P.M.  We need adults to hang garland, put up angels, and guide the young hands on what to do.  Please come and make the day easier and more enjoyable for all.  Take this as a personal call to help out, and to not excuse yourself.  We all have things we want to do, or places to go.

Since there is a week until Christmas, and the Mission is a week past, I have received many questions about Confessions and Reconciliation.  There will be Confessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 3-4 P.M., and from 7-8 P.M. We set a cut-off time, simply because some people always wait to the last moment.  If the need is there, we will be in the Reconciliation business.

NEXT WEEK-END—CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY, there will be a second collection for the Poor.  This has been an Annual Collection since the time of Bishop Cosgrove back in 1978, to help the poor of our diocese.  The call for aid has greatly increased in the past years due to the economy, and also to the longevity of life.  The money is used for the essentials of living for the people -- for the needs, not the wants.  Please be generous in your support of this collection, considering how you have been blessed, and how you have spent your money on so many “wants” rather than “needs”.  I ask you also to remember Holy Childhood parish in your Christmas gift-giving in a special way as we here try meeting the needs of our parish and our school.  We have aging facilities, and we must be ready to meet needs when they happen.  We are also trying to save for improvements on our church, such as the front entrance, and the painting of the interior.  Do you realize that the present interior paint job was done in 1981?  It has held up well!  But it is also showing deterioration in places and aging process.  Our stewardship of God’s House calls us to prepare for future needs.  And that is why we ask you to help us do that by your generous support.  It will not be cheap when the time comes, considering the OSHA rules and the cost of labor and materials.

Again, I want to thank all of the parishioners for the prayers and support you have given to Fr. Abraham and me.  You are in our prayers each day, and in our masses.  You and the intentions of your heart will be remembered in my prayers and masses in a special way during this most Holy of Seasons.  May we ask the same of you as we work to serve your needs, and help you to meet Christ your Savior now and in eternity? 

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, 7:00-8:30 PM

(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. 

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

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

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

A PARISHIONER, CELESTE BENOIST 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.

THE DONUT COMMITTEE will be serving donuts on the first Sunday of each month. Carol Flannery, the chairman of the Committee will begin to prepare a new schedule for 2012. If there is anyone who is interested in volunteering, please contact Carol at 566-8184.

2011 DIOCESAN CHRISTMAS DINNER Once again we are planning the annual Diocesan Christmas Dinner to be held at Msgr. Voss Parish Center at St. Henry’s on Sunday, December 25, 2011. We are looking for donations of home-baked cookies. The cookies can be delivered to the parish center at 5303 West Main St. from 9 AM to Noon on Saturday, December 24th. Thank you in advance for your donations, our guests always look forward to your delicious treats!

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 purchasing of the Christmas flowers and any other items needed for the altar.  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.  Deadline is 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.  Interesting speakers, 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.

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

THANK YOU to all who participated in the Parish Mission. I enjoyed my stay at Mascoutah, and appreciate your hospitality. Thanks to those who planned the mission, helped at the mission sessions and liturgies, and hosted the social. Thanks to all who make donations to support the evangelization work of Catholic Home Study Service. I’m grateful to Father Hartlein for inviting me, to the parish staff, and to all of you. May God bless you. You are in my prayers. Please pray for me.   Fr. Luke ( Fr. Oscar Lukefahr).

MEMORIAL MASS FOR SISTER FRANCES is changed from December 22nd to January 14th at 10:30 am. There will be a potluck luncheon to follow.

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

Last day PSR for Christmas Break: December 18th.

 PSR class will begin again on January 8th.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION