Dear Friends,
Happy Easter! How wonderful were our celebrations of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. All of those who gave so much of themselves to prepare for these holy days of the church are such a blessing to this parish. Many thanks to Molly Lindberg, our Music Director, and to all the choir members and musicians who were here for so many nights practicing that we might have such beautiful music for our worship. Thanks to all of our Art and Environment committee members who worked behind the scenes to make our church so lovely. Thanks to Mimi Wolak, our RCIA Coordinator, for leading our catechumen and candidates in preparation for the Easter Vigil. Thanks to Mimi, too, for donating the new baptismal font that we will now use each year. Thanks to our servers, lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, ushers, sacristans, our deacon and presiders, and all who participated in these celebrations. I have heard from so many people how meaningful these days have been for them.
Our Easter celebration continues! While the stores have already changed their decorations and lamb cakes are disappearing from the shelves, for Catholics, our Easter is only beginning. Our Easter season extends all the way until Pentecost, 50 days after Easter Sunday.
Since last Sunday, we have been in the eight days called the "Octave of Easter." Our scripture readings during this time have really helped to point to the reality that it takes time to take in all that has just happened, to really begin to understand the meaning of the resurrection in our lives.
I remember last Tuesday morning, when I came to church to lead our morning communion service. The office had been closed the day before, for a day of rest after all of the activity of the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil) and Easter Sunday, with our three Masses on that day. Sunday afternoon, I enjoyed a very good Easter dinner with my family, as did most of you. By Sunday evening, I was pooped, as were many of you! So, during the day on Monday, I slept late and took it easy for most of the day. On Monday evening, it was clear from attendance at our Commissions meeting that many others were tired and resting, too, which was perfectly fine.
So, it was Tuesday morning before I was back in action, preparing to preach for our morning communion service. The way that the scripture readings were juxtaposed on that day really made an impact on me. The first reading was about Peter's powerful proclamation of the Gospel on Pentecost, which resulted in 3,000 people being baptized that day. The Gospel reading was about Mary Magdalene at tomb of Jesus, when she saw the angels standing there and then another she first thought was the gardener. She asked him where Jesus was, recognizing that it was Jesus she was speaking to only when he spoke her name.
I tried to imagine how Mary felt that morning. Here in our parish, we had only re-enacted the events of the days she had lived through. We were all exhausted! Mary must have been completely numb, emotionally spent. What confusion there must have been for her when the risen Jesus first appeared to her.
Then, in contrast to this confusion immediately after the resurrection, we had the story of Peter on the day of Pentecost, strong and powerful with the Spirit of God, preaching the Good News and building the foundation of the church. This was the same Peter who not long before had betrayed Jesus, by denying that he even knew him when he was afraid for his own life. Peter the weak had become Peter the strong. Peter the scared had become Peter of courage. Peter and Mary of Magdala and the other disciples who were exhausted and confused when Jesus was raised from the dead became the witnesses of God's saving power and love to all the world.
What will happen to us during these 50 days between Easter and Pentecost? If we really believe, as did the first disciples of Christ, how will we be changed?
Mary M. Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
MQH 50th Anniversary Spirit Clothing
Members of the Anniversary Committee will be in Mary's
Gathering Space on Wednesday, April 26, between 3:30 and 4:30
p.m. and again between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., to take orders for MQH
Spirit Clothing. We have a supply of MQH t-shirts on hand and
they can be purchased that afternoon and evening for $10 each.
Orders placed on April 2nd will be available for pickup
after all the Masses the weekend of May 6 and 7th.
If you have questions or need more information, please call
Sheila Reiter at 833-6657.
Mother's Day May Crowning
Our parish Woman of the Year, Mary Nanak, will crown the
Blessed Mother on Sunday, May 14, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. On
this special occasion, our First Communicants are invited to take
part in the May Crowning Procession. Permission slips requiring
parent signatures will be sent home by our Religious Education
Office. Practice for the procession will take place on Saturday,
May 13.
CCW Mother's Day Tribute
Mary Queen of Heaven Council of Catholic Women Respect Life
Committee will be selling carnations to honor the nurturing women
in our lives (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins,
friends). The carnations will be placed at Mary's statue in the
gathering Place for Mother's Day, May 14th.
Carnations can be purchased for $1.00 each. Order sheets
will be available next weekend, April 29-30 and should be
returned by May 7th. A CCW member will be in the church
vestibule after all the Masses to accept orders.
The names of all those being honored will be published in
an insert in our parish bulletin the weekend of May 13-14.
Proceeds will benefit Woman's Choice Services, a pregnancy center
in the Catholic Christian tradition.
CCW Meeting
The monthly CCW Board Meeting will be held at the home of
Diane Bernstein, 619 Fay Avenue on Tuesday, April 25, at 7:30
p.m.
All women of the parish are invited to attend. For
additional information or if you have any questions call Mary
Connelly at 782-7626.
RCIA
Mission Accomplished!
Congratulations to our new neophyte, Kyle Nannini who was
Baptized, Confirmed and received first Eucharist at our Easter
Vigil Mass. We also witnessed Dee Leoni completing her Sacraments
of Initiation in Confirmation and Eucharist while Lionel
Montenegro completed his Initiation through Confirmation. Frannie
Gallagher was received into full communion with the Catholic
Church by receiving Confirmation and First Eucharist.
The group will now enter into the period of Mystagogy for
the next six weeks where they will continue to reflect upon the
Sunday readings, but also learn more about the various ministries
at MQH where they might consider sharing their God-given gifts.
The environment created by the Arts and Environment
Committee was incredible. They were able to transform a very
simple object into a holy space as they set up the Baptismal
Pool. The presider that evening was Bishop Schlarman whose warmth
and genuine sincerity added to the celebration.
A great many thanks go out to the RCIA team members (Mary
Foley, Milt and Rosalie Honel, Deacon Tom Nolan, Tom Nanak, Karen
Sutkus, Mary Ann Woods) who spent numerous hours preparing the
sessions and spending time with the catechumen and candidates.
Mary Nanak has done an exceptional job coordinating our
hospitality this year. Thank you one and all!!
Christian Education Commission
Congratulations to our 8th graders who
celebrate the
sacrament of Confirmation this weekend.
Religious Education
RE Registrations for the 2006-2007 RE year have been
mailed. If you did not receive a registration or know of someone
who did not, please call the office. Remember all families must
register every year. It is important to get your registrations in
early to guarantee your first choice of class session time.
Help Needed:
The RE program here at Mary Queen is very blessed with a
large group of volunteers. Their duties range from classroom
catechist, aide, office helpers, hall monitors, to those who help
our children safely navigate the traffic-congested parking lot on
Wednesday afternoons. To all of these 75+ dedicated women and
men, we are deeply grateful.
As this RE year comes to a close, we start thinking about
our needs for next fall. Please consider volunteering a few hours
a week working with our children. Our children are our most
important assets; it is our obligation to pass on our Faith to
them with love, dignity, and safety. Only the best will do, you.
If you have ever thought that sharing your faith with the young
people of our parish might be where the Lord is calling you, you
are probably right. If you think you would like to find out more
about being involved in our Parish RE program, call the REO.
Mark your calendars:
Wednesday, April 26 - Last RE Class of
the year. Annual food drive.
Saturday, April 29 - 10:00 a.m. First
Communion Practice
Saturday, May 6 - 11:00 a.m. Large
group Celebration of First Communion
Sunday , May 7 - 10:30 a.m. 2nd small
group celebration of First Communion
If you have any questions or need more information, please call
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Prayer Requests
To pray for our sick is an important privilege of our
parish family. We hope that you will pray for these
persons every day, alone or as a family.
Pam Bondfide Heather Brennan
Kathleen Bryers Doresa Brugler
Pat Caffarelli Rose Caffarelli
Kathy Calzante Dennis Ciancio
Family of Cynthia Catalano Cosmore Ciancio
Paul Cirone Rhonda Colletti
Margaret Conroy Trudi Dolato
Baby Samantha Dobrowolski Virginia Feret
Modesta Goggins Mary Hagerty
Anna Heffel Jen Huwalt
Tom Huwalt Pat Holmes
Michelle Humann Maureen James
Tom Janicke Richard Johnson
Irene Kmieciak Bernadette Kohn
Tim Kowalski Baby Emma Lynde
Robert Manion Raymond Mitchell
Bobbi Nannini Phyllis O'Donnell
Geri Pstrzoch Baby Faith Reid
Joaquina Scroppo Jess Smith
Karen Sutkus Cathy Ward
If you or a family member would like to be included in our
prayers, please call the rectory at 279-5700. Also, please let
us know when a name should be removed.
Christian Service Commission
Job Opening: Maintenance Worker
Location: Romeoville
This position receives written work orders or verbal
instructions from Maintenance Supervisor and assists in the
maintenance of the building and grounds of the properties of the
diocese
Requirements: High School education; Proficient in all building
trades including electrical and carpentry work, with advanced
ability in plumbing; Valid driver's license.
This is an Non-exempt full-time position with benefits. Hours,
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Some weekend and
overtime required as needed. Job description and application at
www.dioceseofjoliet.org
For Questions, Contact:
Michael A. Svach, St. Charles Center
402 S. Independence Blvd.
Romeoville, IL 60446
msvach@dioceseofjoliet.org or phone 815-834-4077
2006 Diocesan Annual Appeal
Diocese of Joliet
Pledge Weekend, April 29/30
20 Years of Growing Ministry funded by the Annual Appeal
The Diocesan Annual Appeal begins in our parish this week.
Every family will received a letter from Bishop Joseph Imesch
asking for a pledge to help continue the ministry, service and
charity of our diocese. Please return your pledge to the parish
the weekend of April 29/30.
Liter Fare for Summer Wear
"Introduction to the Bible"
Have you ever wondered how the books of the Bible were
chosen? Do you know the difference between the many versions and
translations available today? These and many other questions
will be covered the next Bible Study offering, Introduction to
the Bible.
This program is geared to help newcomers become comfortable
with studying the Bible while offering the experienced new
insights. Introduction to the Bible is designed as a weekly
video presentation with small group discussion, a prayer service,
and minimal personal preparation.
Sign-up will be the weekends of May 6/7 and May 13/14.
Participant books will be on sale for $5 the weekend of May 6/7.
Our first meeting will be on Tuesday evening, May 23, in Barrett
Hall from 7:30-8:30 p.m. We will meet each Tuesday evening
through July 18, with a break for July 4.
For more information, please contact Lynn Suwanski (630-
530-2523) or Alex and Marie Grozik (630-530-0503).
"Come follow Me" Allow the Word of God to Form you as
a Disciple of Jesus -
Are You a Bible Study Leader in Your Heart?
Note: Corrected Date for training
The two Bible Study programs within the past year have been
very successful and faith-enriching for all the participants and
the facilitators as well. We are planning to continue with some
lighter study during the spring-summer and would like to invite
you to join us in becoming a facilitator for the first of these
Tuesday study groups - Introduction to the Bible.
Studies begin Tuesday, May 23, and run Tuesdays, through
the week of July 18. Very little training is needed, we will be
working as one large team. The only training meeting we will need
is on Saturday, May 6. The more leaders we have, the more groups
we can breakout. The study evenings will have pre-planned prayer,
video, and breakout discussion. Each session will be 1 hour in
length, and we are vacation-friendly. Just be sure to come back
to us refreshed. Please call Lynn Suwanski, since I know you are
interested. 630-530-2523. (evenings)
Wings to Heaven.....
Welcome Ice Cream Social
All 4th-7th graders
Wednesday May 24 6-8 pm
Barrett hall
Come and find out what Wings to Heaven Youth Group is all
about...fun... food, games & JESUS!!!
r.s.v.p. Kathleen Gusloff 832-4348
or email the5ofgus@aol.com
CCW Sponsors Plant Sale
The Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring its 3rd Annual
Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, May 13th at 10:30 a.m. in the
church parking lot. We are happy to say that we are able to
offer the plants at the same price as last year.
All plants must be pre-ordered and paid for before the day
of the sale. If paying by check, please make it payable to Mary
Queen of Heaven CCW. The deadline for placing orders is Sunday,
April 30th. Order forms are in today's bulletin. They can be
turned in with your payment to the parish office, to a CCW
representative at the table in the church vestibule after Mass,
or placed in the collection basket.
The plants are ordered from Autumn Leaf Nursery in Willow
Springs. Bedding flats of Ageratum, Alyssum, Begonias, Celosia,
Coleus, Dahlias, Dianthus, Dusty Miller, Impatiens, Marigolds,
Moss Roses, Pansies, Petunias, Salvia, Snapdragons, Verbena and
Vinca will be available at $12 per flat.
Also available will be 3-1/2" pots of Hybrid Geraniums at
$1.50 per pot, and New Guinea Impatiens, Non-stop Begonias,
Spikes, Asparagus Fern, Vinca Vine, Trailing Petunias, Fuchsia
and Ivy Geraniums at $1.75 per pot.
If you are looking for hanging baskets to decorate your
deck or house or hang on Shepherd's Hooks in your yard, perhaps
you would be interested in the 10" Hanging Baskets ranging in
price from $9 to $12 each. 12" diameter planted
pots are available too at $15 each.
For information or questions regarding the sale, please
call Sheila Reiter (833-6657) or Phylis Twardowski at (279-6239).
Youth Groups
Destiny Welcome Breakfast
Sunday, April 30
8:30 a.m. in the School building
Come and meet students in Destiny and find out about our
high school youth group.
Please r.s.v.p. to Kathleen Gusloff
832-4348 or the5ofgus@aol.com
Youth Leadership Conference
July 21-23
Any high school student (including 8th graders) interested
in attending with our Destiny group this summer please call Mrs.
Guslof at 832-4348.
It is a weekend filled with fun, worship and fellowship.
Peace Day
Saturday, May 6 at 1:30-7:30 p.m.
St. Charles Pastoral Center, in Romeoville
The event includes Keynote address by Rev. Eugene Lauer
(Director, National Pastoral Life Center) and a choice of 2
Workshops, with Dinner at 6 p.m. This day would be very
worthwhile for all members of our parish, especially Pastoral
Council members, Commission members, and all MQH staff.
Suggested donations: Workshops only-$25;
Dinner only-$25 (Seniors-$20)
Entire day-$40 (Seniors-$35)
For information or to register, call the Parish Office
Diocese of Joliet Peace & Social Justice Ministry
St. Vincent dePaul
Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m.
In Mary's Gathering Space