It is an amazing thing to consider that for most of human history, there was an oral culture, in which people depended on the spoken word, handed down, as the primary form of communication. Even our scriptures were, for centuries, handed down through oral communication. The gospels themselves were not even written until decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
How could people have depended on each other for the transmission of information like that? Things must have been much different! We live in a global and technological culture, in which we depend upon the internet and news tickers for world news. E-mail has replaced letter-writing. Cell phones are an ordinary way of communicating quick messages to one another, even between parents and children. The goal for lots of families nowadays is dinner together at least once a week; the tradition of dinner every night has, for many families, been replaced by so many other activities.
So, in spite of all of the advances in communication technology, sometimes our communication is very poor - exactly because we are really talking with each other less. We have a failure to communicate. This is true not only in families; it can be true also of other institutions, including our own parish. The parish council and commissions have worked very hard at identifying goals we want to reach within the next three years and a booklet about our parish plan will be published in September. Among those goals you will see that having a parish environment that facilitates communication is an important goal. Toward that end, we are actively working on ways to improve parish communication. I would like to share with you some things that are going to be happening soon and I would also like to provide some information for you on development that is happening with the pre-school.
In August, our Parish Finance Council will be distributing by mail to all parishioners the annual financial report. They will be speaking at Masses the weekend of August 19-20. They will also be talking about next year's budget, the ways we are reducing our operating deficit, and the work that still needs to be done to achieve full financial stability. This will begin our focus for next year on Stewardship and Evangelization. In September, a schedule will be distributed listing special events and speakers that will focus on these themes throughout the coming year. Also in September, our three-year parish plan will be published.
With regard to the pre-school, I would like to say a few words about work that is ongoing. It is exactly one year ago this weekend that the chair of the pre-school Feasibility Study Committee extended an invitation to parishioners to become involved in studying this possibility for our parish. Over time, the committee, which included a representative of the Parish Pastoral Council, provided their initial report to the Finance Council. Members of the committee and Finance Council, together with an outside consultant experienced in pre-school development, reviewed the initial study. The Finance Council then gave approval for proceeding with plans, with the caveat that start-up funds would be raised in advance so that this endeavor would not require a major financial investment of the parish.
Once again, an invitation was extended to the parish for participation on the pre-school committee and it was enlarged to include more professionals as well as some MQH parents. Much activity has necessarily taken place in recent months because we hope to begin marketing this winter for a Fall, 2007 opening.
We do want everyone to know more about planning as it continues, so we have scheduled talks to be given at all weekend Masses the weekend of Sept. 9-10, after which members of the Pre-School Committee, Parish Pastoral Council and the Finance Council will be available to answer questions. We are already working on a FAQ sheet (Frequently Asked Questions) which will also be distributed that weekend.
For now, it is important that everyone understand some of the important reasons behind the decision to consider having a pre- school at Mary Queen of Heaven. It is primarily to extend our Catholic mission and serve as a ministry of evangelization, trying to connect more young families to the church. Establishing a pre- school in our school building would allow us to maintain the integrity of our Religious Education program which is important because it is our obligation to educate our children in the faith. Having a pre-school allows us to do all of these things at the same time that it can help the parish from a financial standpoint. The preliminary operating budget for the pre-school, based on projected enrollment, shows a good profit margin. Having a pre-school would also make us eligible for major building improvement funds from the O'Hare Sound Abatement Project.
As the Pre-School Committee, Finance Council, and Parish Pastoral Council have continued working on this project, we have also been in contact with diocesan officials. Both the Office for Catholic Schools and the Diocesan Finance Office are aware of our plans and they are helping us in their respective capacities. The canonical pastor has been kept involved in developments with regard to the pre-school and this will be part of my conversation with Bishop Sartain at a meeting I have scheduled with him upon my return from time away for my son's wedding.
I hope that this information is helpful while we await the more comprehensive pre-school report coming on Sept. 9-10. In the meantime, as has been announced, we do have an event already planned to help raise start-up costs for the pre-school. This will be a John Michael Talbot concert, scheduled to take place at York High School on the evening of October 13. In this week's bulletin, you will find some more information about John Michael Talbot. Also, we are holding a meeting to coordinate ticket sales on Wednesday, August 9, at 7 p.m. at the parish house. Please call the office and let us know if you can come to this meeting or if you want to help with ticket sales. This is an important event because we will be able to furnish completely one of the two rooms that will open our pre-school. We hope that everyone will support the concert.
I hope that continued and improved communication we help us all more as time goes on. Enjoy these remaining days of summer and I look forward to returning to you soon.
May God continue to bless you!
Mary M. Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
A Vocation View Today we are reminded by St. Paul that there is one body, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. The challenge before us is to 'bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience'. That is an essential part of our vocation: to lead a life worthy of these attributes. Effective Choices, Effective Parenting Building Effective Relationships With Our Difficult Children For parents of children with ADD or ADHD Tuesday, July 25, 7-9 p.m.. This two-hour workshop strengthens parent's skills to interact effectively with children who are suspected to have symptoms of ADD or who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Building Effective Relationships With our Young Children For parents of children ages 0-4 Tuesday, August 1, 7-9 p.m. This two-hour workshop assists parents of infants and toddlers in gaining a better understanding of their children's needs and behavior as they grow. In addition, it presents the well-researched and successful "Systematic Training For Effective Parenting Method" that enables parents to increase positive interaction with their children. All workshops held at Catholic Charities, in Lombard. $20 per person; $25 per couple. Pre-registration required. Instructor: James Gilligan, MSW, LSW For more information, please call-630-710-8226 or e-mail effectiveparenting@sbcglobal.net Parish News FYI: So you are aware, we are in the RE office during the summer. If you need to contact us for any reason, please feel free to call and leave a message - 832-8962. Religious Education We need your help! The Summer of '06 is in full swing, but before you know it, we will be seeing those "back to school" ads in the newspapers. While enjoying all the wonderful events of Summer, please consider helping in our Religious Education program. Your children, your God, and your parish will be most grateful. At Session One, we need 3 people to help prepare our second graders for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. This is such a meaningful year for our little ones. It is also very rewarding for our catechists. Just ask anyone who has helped at that level. We also need 1 person to help in Grade 3 at this session. At Session Two, we have positions open at Grade 1, 3, and 5. In the last session, we need help in Grade 6. The time slots are 3:15 - 4:30, 5:15 - 6:30, and 7:15 - 8:30 p.m., respectively. If you love children and you love your faith, we invite you to join our staff. We will help you with the rest. Our Religious Ed Program is one of the best in the area, which is reflected in our continually growing enrollment. But we cannot do it without you. Please call for more information to see how you can help. We look forward to your call. Registrations are still being taken for 06/07 RE year. If you have not mailed yours in yet, please do so as soon as possible. We appreciate your help in getting that word out to your friends and neighbors as well. 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. Natalie Baker Pam Bondfide Heather Brennan Kathleen Bryers Doresa Brugler Pat Caffarelli Rose Caffarelli KathyCalzante Cosmore Ciancio Dennis Ciancio Paul Cirone Margaret Conroy Cynthia Catalano Family Ida Corriedo Trudi Dolato Baby Dobrowolski Virginia Feret Modesta Goggins Mary Hagerty Anna Heffel Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt Pat Holmes Michelle Humann Maureen James Kathy Johnston Irene Kmieciak Bernadette Kohn Tim Kowalski Baby Emma Lynde Rovert Manion Raymond Mitchell Bobbi Nannini Phyllis O'Donnell Geri Pstrzoch Baby Faith Reid Bob Restivo Joaquina Scroppo Jess Smith Ted Vecchio Cathy Ward Rest in Peace Dr. Nicolas Martinez 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. Marriage Ministry 10 Great Dates Mary Queen of Heaven's Marriage Ministry is introducing the Great Dates Program this Fall, and you are invited to make 10 dates with your spouse next year. Here is how it works: you and your spouse agree to go out on 10 dates next year on the second Saturday of every month from September 9 through June 9, 2007. For $10 you get a copy of 10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage. Each chapter focuses on an important aspect of marriage with some reflection questions. The date begins with a brief gathering at the parish for fellowship and to quickly review the material in the chapter for that date. Then you simply go off to your favorite restaurant, park, hiking trail, coffee shop, etc. and enjoy each other's company and conversation! The date may only last a few hours, but the results will hopefully last a lifetime. The official sign up weekend will be in August. However, if you would like more information, please call Donald and Ellen Walker at 630-279-4021. Christian Service Commission Sign-up for Bible Study Lands of the Bible It is still not too late to sign up for our next Bible Study, Lands of the Bible. We will meet for 8 weeks from August 8 to the week of September 25. Please join us to learn about the Holy Lands where Jesus once walked. For more information on sighing up, please call Lynn Suwanski at 630-530-2523. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Are you, or do you know of someone who was, baptized in the Catholic faith, but for various reasons never completed the sacramental preparation by receiving Eucharist and Confirmation? Have you been attending Mass with your Catholic spouse, and have an interest in learning more about the Catholic faith? Do you know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic or someone who has never been baptized? If you can relate to these situations, consider completing your sacramental preparation by looking into the RCIA! Contact Mimi Wolak at 941-3851 or e-mail mimiotvision@hotmail.com to learn more about how you can enrich your spiritual life through full participation in the life of the church through the sacraments. New Pregnancy Center in Downers Grove Needs Your Help Woman's Choice Services will soon be opening a new pregnancy resource center in Downers Grove to serve the needy pregnant women of Southern DuPage and Northern Will Counties. WCS opened a pregnancy center in Lombard last year, which was dedicated by the bishop and is operated in accord with Catholic teaching. (You may have also seen their "Pregnant? Need Help?" bumper magnets around town!) This new Downers Grove center will help serve even more women in the Joliet Diocese. The renovation of the new space will be starting soon, and WCS is in need of materials and volunteer contractors for the project. There will be drywall, plumbing, and electrical work, along with carpeting and painting. Materials needed are: Two 15" x 15" stainless steel sinks, two Moen faucets #8948, four solid oak doors, two base cabinets, two sink tops, 600 sq. ft of 5/8" drywall, 100 ft of wood base, small refrigerator If you are able to help with the work or materials for this new pregnancy center, please call the Woman's Choice Services office at 630-261-9564 or email info@choicedupage.com. Woman's Choice Services New Post-Abortion Bible Study! A Time to Heal, a 12-week Post-Abortion Bible Study based on the women of Scripture, is starting this Fall. We are in need of lay facilitators to serve as volunteer Group Leaders, Co-Group Leaders, and Hostesses. All it takes is a commitment of 12 weeks and a willing heart. If you are a compassionate and supportive woman, sensitive to the pain of post-abortive issues, please contact Yvonne Florczak-Seeman of Woman's Choice Services at 630- 935-1657 to help. Attendance at all four training dates is mandatory for all lay facilitators who participate in A TIME TO HEAL small groups. All sessions are from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. Scheduled dates for training are: Fridays, July 21 & 28 and August 4 & 11. Bible study groups will start the first week of October and will continue every quarter. Come and be a part of this NEW ministry. Through friendship and support, we will help our sisters find healing and freedom! 20th Annual Novena In honor of St. John Vianney July 27 - August 4 St. John Vianney Parish, in Northlake Weekdays: 6:30 p.m. - Confession 7:00 p.m. - Mass and Preaching Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - Mass and Preaching Sunday: 7, 10 and 11:30 a.m. - Mass and Novena Father Pablo Straub, renowned preacher from EWTN, will be joining us from July 31 to August 3. Saint John Vianney is the Patron Saint of Parish Priests. Come pray for your priests! One-Day Volunteer Need Catholic Charities is looking for volunteers to help at the Back to School Fair. The Fair will be held on Wednesday, August 9, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. This is an all-day event but we would welcome volunteers for all or part of the day. No special skills are needed and Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially appreciated. Any questions? Contact Mary Tarnow at 630-495-8008, ext 13. MQH Parish Pastoral Council Meeting Summaries March, April, May, 2006 Below are the salient points from our PPC meetings this past spring. The complete minutes for these meetings have been posted in the display case in the vestibule of the church. Anyone desiring a copy may obtain one by contacting the parish office (279-5700). O The Dean (Bishop's representative for our diocese) made his yearly visit to Mary Queen to check sacramental and financial records. There were only a few areas where we did not meet standards, principally: 1) Sacramental records should be stored in a fireproof cabinet; and 2) the Tabernacle should be anchored to the altar. Both of these issues are being addressed. O The Pre-School Committee has met with the Finance Council and a consultant. The Finance Council approved moving ahead with the development of the pre-school, provided start-up costs could be raised. O The Finance Council requested that a delegation from the Parish Pastoral Council meet with them to discuss the overall financial plan for the parish. O The Administration Commission requested all ministry chairpersons to submit budgets for the next fiscal year. O The major focus for the coming year at Mary Queen will be stewardship and evangelization, and speakers will be presented to speak to these topics. O A long-range plan for the parish will be presented to the commissions in the fall, laying out the parish goals that have been worked on for the last two years. The plan will be presented listing priorities over a three-year time line. O Nominations for membership on the Parish Pastoral Council were submitted. Nominees attended the April Parish Pastoral Council meeting for orientation, and those interested in proceeding then attended a Day of Discernment along with some of the Council members. The MQH Parish Pastoral Council will welcome two new adult members this fall: Kay Passarelli and Carol Bergheger. Nominees for Youth members will be participating in their own discernment process in the coming weeks and their names will be announced when they have completed this process. O A report of the PPC meeting held on June 26 will be posted when the minutes have been approved at the August meeting. The PPC will be holding its August meeting during a retreat from August 25-27. 50th Anniversary Committee Update Auction Dinner Dance Committee Meeting Wednesday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall The Homecoming Weekend (Dinner/Picnic) Dinner on Saturday, September 16 Picnic on Sunday, September 17 Auction Dinner Dance Friday, November 3, at Alta Vista Anyone wishing to help or contribute ideas for any of these events, please join us or call Sheila Reiter, 833-6657, for more information.