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
Market Day
Orders for February are due Monday, February 19, at noon.
Turn in your order form in the box in the back of church or at
the rectory. Pickup on Saturday, February 24, from 9:30 - 10:30
a.m. in the Social Hall.
If you have questions or would like to place an order,
please call Maria at 279-2238 or Karen at 279-4108.
A Vocation View
Try not to pray for an easy life; rather, pray to be a
strong person. Strong in trust, hope, care, love. Follow the
Master.
Host Families Sought for
Children of Northern Ireland
The Irish Children's Fund is seeking host families to
welcome children from Belfast, Northern Ireland into their homes
for one month in the summer of 2007. This will be the twenty-
sixth summer that the ICF has brought an equal number of Catholic
and Protestant children to the Chicagoland area.
During their visit, the children will participate in
activities designed to foster the spirit of cooperation and
friendship, bridging the divide between the two communities.
Upon returning to Northern Ireland, the children have a
follow-up program available to them through which they can
continue to come together in ICF sponsored activities and
maintain the friendships formed in the United States.
For additional information, call (630) 833-1910 or
WWW.ICFKIDS.ORG
Open your home and hearts this summer....and build a lifetime
of memories and friendships.
Volunteers for Katrina Missions
People from the parish have previously indicated that they
were interested in participating in a Katrina disaster recovery
mission. The Katrina Hurricane aftermath is still a very real
disaster to the people in the Gulf Coast. There is a great need
in terms of volunteers to help in the recovery.
The Catholic Construction Corps of the Joliet Diocese has
been active in providing volunteer help over the past year and we
plan to continue to provide help. It has secured two work weeks
with the Mennonite Disaster Service and will schedule additional
weeks as needed.
The first week is February 19-23 and the second is March 5-
9. (We will be traveling on Saturday and Sunday prior to the
work weeks and returning on the following Saturday and Sunday.
If your are interested in volunteering for this service
work, please call Milt Honel (279-7078, Bill Barnds (782-5966) or
the Office of Peace and Social Justice at the Diocese of Joliet
(815-834-4028).
Please respond as soon as possible: We will be scheduling
an information and planning session shortly.
Family Dinner and Game Night
Next Saturday, February 17th
The 50th Anniversary Committee in conjunction with the
Religious Education Program and the Mary Queen of Heaven Men's
Group are sponsoring a "Family Dinner and Game Night" on
Saturday, February 17, immediately following the 5:00 p.m. Family
Mass. Mark your calendar now and invite your family and
relatives to attend. It's an evening planned for all: moms,
dads, grandparents, relatives, children of all ages, parishioners
of all ages.
Dinner will be served in Barrett Hall and the Family Game
Rooms will be in the school building. There are plans being made
for several game rooms with fun for all ages. There will be a
game room for younger children, several rooms for older children,
teens and their families. Plenty of games for other parishioners
and seniors too. A cake walk, a room with raffle baskets,
cookbooks to purchase, spirit clothing, 50th Anniversary MQH key
chains, etc. Some of the activities we have planned are Uno,
Yahtzee, Various Card Games, Bunco, and Kid's Bingo and Adult's
Bingo. A room for "Twister" and room for the younger children
with the Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, Bozo's Buckets, a Bean
Bag Toss, etc.
Dinner at the "Family Game Night" will include a salad,
Mostaccioli, Meatballs, bread, butter, coffee, tea, pop and
dessert (make your own Sundae) served buffet style. Donation for
dinner is $8.00 per adult (ages 12 and up), $4.00 per child (ages
6 thru 11), children 5 and under are free.
Your ticket donation includes dinner and entrance to the
game night activities (with exception of the Cake Walk and
Raffles, Spirit Wear and Key Chains). All children are expected
to be accompanied by a parent(s) or an adult who is responsible
for their well being.
Tickets will be available for purchase after all the Masses
this weekend of February 11/12, and can also be purchased at our
Religious Education Office on Wednesdays.
For more information, please contact Sheila Reiter (833-
6657), Phylis Twardowski (279-6239) or Karen Vicary (279-4108).
Eucharistic Adoration
Eucharistic Adoration will be held on this Monday, February
12, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Come and spend one hour with the
Lord.
Religious Education News
HELP!!
We are still in need of assistant catechists at a few grade
levels at the 5:30 session on Wednesdays beginning immediately.
Please call the REO for more information if you are interested.
Please be sure to join us for Family Mass this Saturday,
February 17, at 5:00 p.m. and plan on staying to have dinner and
fun at the RE-sponsored Family Game Night. This night continues
the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Parish.
Attention Parents of First Communicants: There will be a special
gathering for all parents & guardians of 2nd graders on Wednesday,
February 14, at 7:15 p.m. in Barrett Hall. Yes, we know that it
is Valentine's Day, but what better way to celebrate than by
doing something very special for one of the loves of your life,
your second grader. Besides you will be home by 8:30 p.m..
Please call us if you cannot attend this very important session.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann
Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
- Journey Of Faith-
Small Faith Community
at Mary Queen of Heaven
The Tuesday afternoon Community, Journey Of Faith, would like to
welcome new members. Would that be you?
* Not a Bible study group, although Scripture is a key
element
* Not a social group, even though socializing and caring for
one another as friends is very important
* Not a prayer group, but prayer is its foundation
* Not a ministry committee, but service is a vital aspect of
community life.
A Small Faith Community is all of these. It is an opportunity to
come together in a manner similar to the very first Christians
almost 2,000 years ago, in each other's homes. A small church
within a larger one.
How can you tell if this is for you?
COME AND SEE!
Call Monica Babcock at 630-279-4844
Diocesan News
New Catholic Charities Program
"Out of Poverty"
Starting Monday, February 26
For 10 consecutive Mondays, at 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Catholic Charities, 26 W St Charles Rd, in Lombard.
Catholic Charities plans to hold an "Out Of Poverty" program
in an effort to prevent homelessness and improve people's lives.
"Out of Poverty" is a program of personal change which affirms
that change is possible.
By following a step-by-step process within a group context,
participants take responsibility for their life and choices,
commit to learn and practice new behavior, and finally share
experiences and thus find a road to a more prosperous life. In
letting go of unproductive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and
replacing them with new ones, participants move towards a better
quality of life.
If you know of someone you think could benefit from this
program, please encourage them to enroll by contacting Dennis
Haffron (dhaffron@cc-doj.org) or Larry Cada (lcada@cc-doj.org)
630-495-8008.
Finding Work Without Losing Heart:
A Retreat for Women and Men in Job Transition
When: February 20 and 21, this two-day retreat begins with
registration at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday and concludes with dinner
Wednesday evening.
Where: Warrenville Cenacle, in Warrenville, Il
Cost: The actual participant cost of the retreat is $95, covering
materials, meals and overnight accommodation in a private room
at the Cenacle retreat center. For those who cannot afford
$95, a minimum fee of $15 is acceptable. If your financial
situation allows, please give more than the minimum.
Register: Call 312-906-9908 or visit www.ctcchicago.org
Making the retreat:
* Participants come to understand the stages of a transition and
how the transition process is fundamental to human development.
* The spiritual and psychological dimensions of transition are
explored to help answer, "Who am I now?", "Where is God in all
this?", "What's next for me?"
* Lead speakers are persons who have endeavored job or career
transition and speak from their experience.
* Structured personal reflection and thoughtful exercises provide
the opportunity to gain insight and wisdom.
* Participants learn ways to pray and find peace during a time of
transition and how to make this time fertile for growing deeper
in their relationship with God.
* Spiritual directors and bereavement counselors are available
for one-on-one consultation.
Widowed?
If you have been recently widowed and are still struggling
with the loss, or if you seem stuck in one spot, this program is
designed to help you move on with your life while treasuring your
past and its precious memories.
You are invited to join us for a 2-day, faith-based program
designed especially for widowed men and women.
What: Retreat for Widowed Men & Women
When: February 24 & 25, 2007
Where: St. Hubert's Parish in Hoffman Estates
Register by calling: 708-354-7211
St. Charles Borromeo Grade School
Now accepting Fall 2007 registrations for all grades:
Full-day Kindergarten - 8th grade with
After-school Day Care until 6:00 pm
145 E. Grand Avenue, Bensenville
For more information, please call 630-766-0116.
Community News
L.O.S.S.
10 Session Group
The L.O.S.S. (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)
Program provides services to those who are grieving a death by
suicide of a family member or close friend. Eight weekly
sessions and 2 monthly follow-up meetings for those grieving the
death of a loved one will be offered. Meetings are held from 7
to 9 p.m. at the:
Offices of Catholic Charities
(Diocese of Joliet)
26 West St. Charles Rd.
Lombard, IL 60148
Mondays, March 19 thru May 7,
June 4 and July 9
We need at least 10 people signed up to convene a group.
Call 1-800-240-7011 to register or for additional information.
The deadline to register is March 14. L.O.S.S. is a program
provided by Catholic Charities.
Diocese of Joliet
Stations of the Cross
Friday, February 23, at 7:00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross are being held in Church during the
Friday's of Lent. Perhaps you and your family could make a
special effort to attend this devotion.
MQH Council of Catholic Women
"Woman of the Year" Nominations
Weekends of February 10/11 and 17/18
Nominations slips will be distributed in the pews. All
parishioners, ages 18 and older, will be asked to nominate a
woman they feel leads a life of faith and love and who has given
generously of her time and talent to the various ministries and
organizations in our parish. They will also be asked to give a
reason why they feel their nominee should be chosen. To be
eligible for the "Woman of the Year", nominees must be MQH
parishioners, not on the Parish staff, over 18 years of age, and
not have held the title in the last 10 years. The following
weekend, February 24/25, information on the nominees will appear
in the bulletin to assist you in electing the "Woman of the
Year." The election for the "Woman of the Year" will be held the
weekend of March 3/4.
Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool registration continues!
Please see our website at www.maryqueenpreschool.org and contact
the parish office for more information and registration.
Preschool tours scheduled on request.
Thank You!
Thank you to our Religious Education children for using
their church envelopes and letting us know the ways they have
been sharing their time and talent with others! Thanks to our
children, too, for the $169.72 they contributed to our parish in
January.
Second City Comedy Group
Comes to Villa Park!
Saturday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m.
At Willowbrook High School, Villa Park
(All proceeds benefit St. Alexander School, Villa Park)
Performance: Truth, Justice or the American Way.
Tickets are $30.00 and can be purchased at
Anyways Restaurant, Aurelio's Pizza, Kopper Kitchen, Restaurant,
McNally's Irish Pub, Mike's Market, Mr. Z. Supermarket, Pioneer
Garden & Feed, or download an order form at
www.stalexanderschool.org.
This show contains mature subject matter; parental guidance
is advised. Call 333-3524 for more information.
Joliet Diocese
Catholic Charismatic Healing Mass
Father Mario Quijedas, Presider
St. Joseph Catholic Church
4801 Main Street, Downers Grove
Friday, February 16
7:30 p.m. Mass
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation-6:30 pm.
Sponsoring Prayer Group: Aylesford, Darien
For information please call 630-964-0216.
January Celebrations
We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the
following who were baptized in January:
Emma Elizabeth Gurecki
Torran Christopher Origitano
Does My Life Make A Difference?
This was the theme of our parish mission held last
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. As you know, we had with
us Father Richard Fragomeni as mission leader and this
event was truly inspiring to all who were able to be
present. It is the desire of the committees who worked to
prepare for this mission (the Adult Education and
Spirituality Committee and the Liturgy Committee) that
those who were not able to attend the mission still are
able to participate in its spirit.
Each night, we looked at the question, "Does My Life
Make A Difference?" from three perspectives. The first
night, our focus was "God Thinks So!" On this evening, we
reflected on the fact that our lives make such a difference
to God that God loved us even before we were born, even as
we were knit in our mother's womb (Psalm 139). After an
inspiring evening of prayer, song, meditation, and personal
testimony, we were given the homework assignment to try to
get beyond our self-doubt and self-hatred and think about
the fact that we are important to God.
The second evening's focus was "The World Expects So!"
and with the same format as the evening before, we
reflected upon how the world needs us to be who we say we
are: people who see the face of Christ in others as we feed
the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, take
care of the sick, visit those who are alone, etc. (Matt.
25: 31-40). Our homework assignment was to reflect upon
what God is calling us to do in our own lives.
On the third night, our focus was, "How Do You Do So?"
and we considered how we are called as believers in Christ
to be evangelizers in our world. More will be written
about this next week.
In the weeks to come, you are invited to share in the
experience of those who were able to participate in the
parish mission. In the pews of church, you will find cards
that say, "Go and Make A Difference." This comes from a
page in the mission booklet, on which participants were
invited to write down one thing they would commit to doing
to make a difference in the world. You are invited to take
a card from church and do the same. The card is yours to
keep; whatever you write is private. Once you make a
commitment to "Go Make A Difference," you are invited to
write your name in the book you will find at the back of
church. There, you will find the names of fellow
parishioners who have made the same commitment to make a
difference in our world.
A Message from the Parish Finance
Council:
Mid-Year Report
We are very grateful to all the parishioners who increased
their donations this year. This is helping us to make good
progress. Our financial situation continues to improve
each year and we expect to end this year with less of a
deficit than was projected. We are continuing to work
toward full financial stability. Thank you for your
generosity and let us keep up the good work! A complete
mid-year financial report will be mailed to all
parishioners at the end of the month.
Development Committee
We are looking for people who would like to be part of a
new Development Committee, which will serve as a
subcommittee of the Finance Council. The Development
Committee will be trained in diocesan and parish finance
policy and relevant canon law, and will be responsible for
seeking sources of grant funding and for implementing and
overseeing parish fundraising activities. We are looking
for people skilled in grant writing, marketing, and
fundraising. Please contact the parish office at (630)
279-5700 if you can volunteer some time to the parish by
serving on our new Development Committee. We want to begin
this new effort very soon!
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