Mary's Corner
Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church
426 N. West Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-2171
Parish Office: 630/279-5700
Fax: 630/279-4667
April Celebrations
We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the
following who were baptized in April:
Samantha Lynn Dobrowolski
Brenna Ann Foley
Nathan Arthur Harer
Matthew David James Kastner
Kyle Nannini
Sean Joseph O'Connor
Alyssa Poli
Blake Alan Quarrie
Stone Alan Quarrie
M.O.M.S
(Moms Offering Moms Support)
This social and spiritual organization provides an
opportunity for mothers of young children from Elmhurst Catholic
parishes to meet other mothers. On Thursday, May 18, plan to
enjoy lunch and activities with our kids at a local fun
destination. For more information and location please contact
Jean at 832-0575.
Cenacle Retreat House, Warrenville
Fr. Benet Fonck, OFM, will present a day of prayer on
Thursday, May 18, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
"To Cling With All Her Heart to Him -
The Spirituality of St. Clare of Assisi"
Based on his book of the same name, Fr. Fonck will lead
participants to take a look into Clare's intimacy with Christ.
He will examine the seemingly poetic words of Clare to St. Agnes
of Prague, words that convey the real-life experience of St.
Clare. The offering is $50 and includes lunch.
Also at Cenacle Retreat House
For Persons with Physical Disabilities
Peg Bowman, MA, MPS, will present our annual retreat for
persons with physical disabilities, "Inside Out-Upside Down: The
Parables of Our Lives" on May 26-28. Peg will invite attendees
to join with others who seek to find meaning in the everyday
mystery of ordinary life.
The retreat will include inspiring presentations by Peg,
time for personal prayer and reflection, prayer services,
sacrament of Reconciliation and celebration of the Eucharist.
The cost is $100 for a single room and $90 for a double.
For more information or to register for either of the above
programs, please call 630-393-1231.
Marriage Ministry
Celebrating Fifty (or more) Years of Marriage
Mary Queen Marriage Ministry is planning an anniversary
Mass and celebration for all couples married 50 or more years in
2006. Our celebration will be on Saturday, June 24, after the
5:00 p.m. Mass. We will be serving cake, coffee and champagne.
If you will be married 50 or more years, please come with
your family and join us. Contact one of the Marriage Ministry
Facilitators so we can include you in our celebration (Don or
Ellen Walker 279-4021 and Alex or Marie Grozik 530-0503).
AND . . . Coming in September, 2006...
Ten Great Dates!
More Information to follow!
Easter Food Drive Thank You
The St. Vincent DePaul Society wishes to thank all those
parishioners who donated to our Easter Food Drive, those who
helped sort food, and prepare the food baskets and Easter
"Goodie" baskets for your needy families. A special "Thank You"
to Dan Cahill who collected food for our Easter Food Drive as
part of his Eagle Scout Project. We were able to take care of 15
families this year.
Employment Opportunity
Garden Clubs of Illinois
Part-time Secretarial Position in Elmhurst
Three days a week from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. or 10 a.m.-3 p.m.,
Varied and interesting work for a self-starter.
Knowledge of general office duties and Computer
operation a must (Microsoft Office 97 and AOL).
Please contact the Garden Clubs of IL. Office at
630-617-9269 or e-mail gardenclubsill@aol.com,
Alabama Thank you
The Webb-Harada family would like to thank all the Mary
Queen of Heaven parishioners who so generously donated the fans
which they delivered to Schambeau Avenue in Katrina-stricken
Bayou La Batre, Alabama, over Spring Break. They received around
25 fans with each finding a home.
In addition, the family received cash donations from a
college friend, the Hawthorne School Student Council and the
Hawthorne School Girl Scouts. This cash enabled them to purchase
air cleaners and a humidifier for one family with a child with
respiratory problems due to mold, and a starter for one man so he
could repair his car that had been underwater during the Katrina-
caused floods.
In addition they were able to distribute $40 each to the
families living in the Schambeau Avenue trailers. These trailers
were also under water and are still showing signs of the damage
while the families continue to live in them.
Other MQH parishioners really got involved. After hearing
Mary Foley speak of trip at Mass, Ruth Maple called the Webb-
Harada family. Though the two families had never formally met,
the Maple family decided to also head to Alabama. The families
met at the Lighthouse Child Development Center in Grand Bay
Alabama which currently supports 130 children, many displaced
from other centers by Katrina.
The Lighthouse Center is now being funded by Save the
Children and UNICEF. The child population grew from 26 to 130
after Katrina wiped out other centers in this rural Alabama area.
Ruth, Victoria and Derrick Maple spent the week helping to
assemble some playground equipment and interacting with the
children.
They also monetarily helped out a woman unable to work
because there was no space for her children at the Child
Development Center. This was done with cash donations received
from MQH parishioners. The Maple family brought clothes,
toiletries and extra fans, which they distributed on Schambeau
Avenue.
MQH 7th grader, Elizabeth Wise, also pitched in to help on
this trip. On her own, Elizabeth collected children's clothes,
books and magazines which the Webb-Harada family transported down
to Alabama for distribution to the children's families.
All-in-all, Mary Queen of Heaven's generosity once more
flowed down South, thanks to so many.
Catholic Charities Collection Drive - Opportunity
Would you like to positively impact a family who is
resettling in the United States? The Catholic Charities office
in Lombard will help to resettle 50 people this year in DuPage
County. They are referred to us by the U.S. Catholic Conference
of Bishops.
We are in need of volunteers (adults or student groups) who
will hold a collection drive to put together a Welcome Kit of
supplies for a refugee family's first apartment. The items for
the apartment should be in "like new" or good condition. There is
a list of ~ 50 items (such as an alarm clock, hamper, flour,
sugar, cooking utensils etc).
If you can help us and would like the full list of items,
please contact Sandra Feely at (630) 495-8008, ext 64. Thank
you!
Lighter 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 in 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 a weekly video
presentation with small group discussion, a prayer service, and
minimal personal preparation.
Sign-up will be this weekend, May 6/7, and next weekend,
May 13/14. Participant books will be on sale for $5 this
weekend. (Please see Mary Foley if you are in need of a
"scholarship") Our first meeting will be on Tuesday evening, May
23; one group will meet in the morning and one in the evening.
There will also be another group meeting on Friday morning. We
will meet each week 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).
CCW Mother's Day Tribute
Mary Queen of Heaven CCW Respect Life Committee is selling
carnations to honor the nurturing women in our lives. The
carnations will be placed at Mary's statue in the Gathering Place
for Mother's Day, May 14. They can be purchased for $1.00 each,
and order sheets should be returned by May 7. The names of those
being honored will be inserted in our parish bulletin next
weekend. Proceeds will benefit Woman's Choice Services, a
pregnancy center in the Catholic Christian tradition.
Christian Education Commission
Religious Education
Congratulations to our second graders who are welcomed to our
Eucharistic table for the first time this weekend. Celebrating on
May 6th are:
Sabrina Acquaviva Lucas Alexander
Kayla Arroyo Brianna Barbosa
Paul Bova William Bowbin
Alexandria Cahill Dana Campo
Cara Catalano Eryka Cordero
Trisha Cordero Francesca D'Argento
Amaya Diaz Peter DiCianni
Julia Dierksheide Ashley DiFronzo
David Dougherty Kaitlyn Dvorak
Anna Euteneur Samuel Gagliardi
Anthony Hedman Gordon Johnson
Tess Kachiroubas Katherine Kosecki
Andrew Lewand Maurizio Marrero
Madeline Pearson Hayley Rossiano
Kaylin Schuda Nathaniel Simon
Neil Simon Matthew Stanisz
Andie Sobotka Ethan Zielinski
Those celebrating on May 7th are:
Jordan Drake Jimmy Miner
Rose Moll Zakary Kimbler
Jeffrey O'Brien Stephen Pierzchala
Samuel Rafac Joshua Resing
Nicholas Sasanelli Amanda Starcewski
Sean Ward
Registrations for the 2006/2007 RE year.
Please be sure to return them ASAP to insure your first choice of
session. Remember classes fill up fast, especially for Pre-School
and Kindergarten, as class size is limited at those grade levels.
If you did not receive a registration or are new to the parish or
know someone who is, please call the office and we will mail one
to you.
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..
Pam Bondfide Heather Brennan
Kathleen Bryers Doresa Brugler
Pat Caffarelli Rose Caffarelli
Kathy Calzante Dennis Ciancio
Cynthia Catalano Family Cosmore Ciancio
Paul Cirone Rhonda Colletti
Margaret Conroy Ida Corriedo
Trudi Dolato Baby 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
Ted Vecchio 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.
Wings to Heaven
A big THANKS!!!! WOW!! What a great lock in. A special
thanks to our high school students that helped with all of the
planning and implementing of our overnight. Laura Adkins, Katie
Connelly, Alex Garcia, David Gusloff, Stephanie Japczyk, Kate
Kujawa, Derek Maple, Colleen McGing, Katie Mueller, Raquel and JT
Nateras, Kathleen McCall, Marisa Stefani, Kim Vicary. You did a
great job and I know the 71 "Wings" kids that came had a
wonderful time! It is awesome to know that we have such amazing
students willing to give up hours of their time planning,
participating, and being such great role models for the younger
students of our community. Another big thanks to our adult
leaders... Donna Glick, Tom Gusloff, Cybele Japczyk, Terri Kevil,
Julie Lindsey, Marie McCall & Susan Miner. It would not have
been possible without the help of all these student and adult
leaders. Last but not least, thanks to the Rhea Family (Moon
jumps for u) for their very generous donation... the kids love it
every year! We truly are blessed to have such a generous faith
community to give so freely of their time, talent and treasure.
Our next wings meeting will be Wed, May 24, at 6-8 p.m.
All youth going into 5th grade and anyone up to 8th grade are
invited. This is a great way to find out what WINGS TO HEAVEN IS
ALL ABOUT! Come and find out from other members why they love
coming. Please note as of now, this is our only May meeting due
to Mothers Day and Memorial Day.
Watch the bulletin for our summer meeting times!
Destiny
So nice to see so many new students at our welcome
breakfast. Our next meeting will be Wed., May 10, at 8:00 p.m.
in the school building. Please note the date and time change.
Destiny will also be doing the bible study. It will take
place during our regularly scheduled meeting times on Sunday
mornings..
YLC Youth Leadership Conference: sign up now to join us
July 21-23 for a weekend of fun and worship. Total cost is $175
per student. Application deadline is June 1st with a $100
deposit. Any high school students are invited to join us.
Please call Mrs. Gusloff if you are interested or have any
questions. 832-4348.
"To err is human; to forgive is divine"
When I took over the responsibility of coordinating the
RCIA, I promised Mary Foley two things: "I will work hard and I
WILL make mistakes!" Well, I have made my fair share of mistakes
this year, but you must hear of my most recent one.
After the vigil service, I wrote a note for the bulletin
that highlighted those individuals who have been a support for
the RCIA this past year. Regrettably, I left out the name of
Ellen Walker.
Ellen has been a moving force in the RCIA for a number of
years. Not only has she been a support to me this year for the
weekly sessions and dismissals, she was a major force in all the
last-minute decorating that needed to be done for the Vigil and
the reception following that Mass. Ellen, please accept my
apology! Thank you for all you do for MQH and the RCIA!
Mimi Wolak
American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
Friday, June 16 - Saturday, June 17
The glories of the Relay are not in the past,
but in the possibilities it has for the future....
It's about being a community that takes up the fight.
The Relay is an overnight family event where everyone can
help our communities contribute in the fight against cancer. Our
Relay for Life of Elmhurst and Villa Park is a community-
sponsored event designated to honor loved ones who lost their
battle, celebrate cancer survivors and raise money to support our
survivors and future research. It offers everyone a fun
opportunity to help with the fight for a cure. While the Relay
is in progress, team members stroll around the track at York HS
enjoying entertainment, live bands, food, games and camaraderie
while honoring cancer survivors. It's unforgettable!
The teams are set as the event gets closer. There are many
behind-the-scene helpers needed to coordinate such an event.
Whether you are an individual or part of a organization who can
spare some time, or a leader of youth groups looking for service
hours, have we got jobs for you. No matter what age, there is a
job for everyone. Please consider volunteering for this inspiring
event - you will be glad you did!
Please contact Cindy Tenuata at 268-0819 or email
CTENUTA@emhc.org. subject-Relay.
SLOW WORK OF GOD
Above all, trust in the slow work of God.
We are,
quite naturally,
impatient in everything
to reach the end without delay.
We should like to skip the intermediate
stages.
We are impatient of being on the way
to something new.
And yet it is the law of all progress
that it is made by passing through
some stages of instability -
And that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you.
Your ideas mature gradually -
Let them grow,
let them take shape themselves
without undue haste.
Don't try to force them in, as though you
could be today what time
(that is to day, grace and circumstances
acting
on your own good will)
will make you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit
gradually forming within you will be.
Give our Lord the benefit of believing that
God's hand is leading you,
and accept the anxiety of
feeling yourself in suspense
and incomplete.
Pierre Tielhard De Chardin
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. 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, at 12:30 p.m.
Fellowship reminder
Sunday, May 21
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