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
Have you ever considered a vocation
to the priesthood or religious life?
If so, contact Fr. Burke Masters, Vocation Director for the
Diocese of Joliet at 815-834-4004 or via e-mail at:
Frburke23@aol.com or visit the Diocesan website at
www.vocations.com
The Joyful Again!
Retreat/Workshop program
for widowed men and women
For information call 1-708-354-7211
Parish News
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.
Stations of the Cross
Friday, March 23, 7:30 p.m.
Stations of the Cross are being held in Church during the
Fridays of Lent. Perhaps you and your family could make a
special effort to attend this devotion.
50th Anniversary Closing Mass & Raffle
Our year-long 50th anniversary Celebration will culminate on
Sunday, April 22, 2007, with a special liturgy being celebrated
by Bishop Roger Kaffer at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. As we draw this
Anniversary Year to a close, we invite you not only to join us at
the 10:30 a.m. Mass on April 22 but also to participate in our
final event, a 50th Anniversary Raffle. The Raffle Proceeds will
be used to lower our parish deficit.
Only 250 tickets will be sold and the winner need not be
present. The odds of winning a Raffle Prize are great! The
Ticket Donation is $100. Each ticket contains 10 slots so that
the cost of the ticket can be divided with as many as 10 people
if you choose.
1st Prize $10,000
2nd Prize $2,000
3rd Prize $1,000
The Drawing will take place on April 22nd in Barrett Hall
immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Refreshments will be
served. Please consider helping us make this final event a
success and an enjoyable occasion for all. Invite your family,
friends and co-workers to participate in the Raffle.
Tickets will be available this weekend in the vestibule of
church or can be obtained by contacting the Parish Office or one
of the 50th Anniversary Committee members: Sheila Reiter (833-
6657), Ellen Walker (279-4021), Dick Reed (834-4840), Phylis
Twardowski (279-6239), or Mary White (833-9809).
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.
Natalie Baker Pam Bondfide
Pat Caffarelli Rose Caffarelli
Kathy Calzante Cosmore Ciancio
Dennis Ciancio Geroge Cibula
Paul Cirone Ida Corriedo
Cynthia Catalano Family Trudi Dolato
Baby Dobrowolski Virginia Feret
Kathy Filipiak Cecilia Garstki
Mary Goggins Mary Hagerty
Anna Heffel Jen Huwalt
Tom Huwalt Michelle Humann
Maureen James Kathy Johnston
Irene Kmieciak Bernadette Kohn
Anne Kostas Baby Emma Lynde
Marie Mangano Robert Manion
Dennis McCabe Mary Piszczor
Raymond Mitchell Fred Moss
Mary Sabel Oye Geri Pstrzoch
Baby Faith Reid Robert Restivo
Vera Rossiano Agnes Sabel
Patricia Sabel Joaquina Scroppo
Jess Smith Mary Spierowski
Rachael Thompson John Unger
Rest In Peace
Margaret DeBeaux
Patrick Monahan
Edward Owca
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.
Market Day
Orders for March are due Monday, March 19, at noon. Turn
in your order form in the box in the back of church or at the
rectory. Pickup on Saturday, March 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.
Next Bible Study - Psalms
We will soon be wrapping up our study of Exodus in time to
prepare for our own Pascha or Passover to new life in Jesus with
our Easter Celebration. Our next study will be Psalms. These
psalms are the same songs of faith that we use every Mass in the
"Responsorial" portion of the Mass. Learn how our Hebrew
ancestors in faith used these prayers.
We will begin the week of May 21 and conclude the week of
July 9, skipping the week of July 4. More information will be
coming after Easter but if you have any questions or would like
to volunteer to be a facilitator, please call one of the
committee people; Lynn Suwanski at 530-2523 or Alex and Marie
Grozik at 530-0503.
Prayer of Hope
Dear God,
Please help all soldiers, their families and everyone hurt by
war.
Help them know that You are taking care of them always.
Help them know that I care about them.
Give them hope.
Give them encouragement.
Bring them peace.
Bring us all peace.
Amen.
One of our 4th grade Religious Education classes has
organized an amazing Service Project-a Chain of Hope and Prayer.
In the back of church by the Peace Table, you'll see some
containers and paper. Please write the name of anyone you know
who is affected by war on one of the pieces of paper. It could be
a soldier, the family or friends of a soldier or anyone who has
been hurt by war. Put the piece of paper in one of the
containers and the 4th graders will make a chain of these names
and offer their prayers for these people. This Chain will be
displayed by the Peace Table as a testament to our belief that
prayer is a powerful tool.
You may also write a prayer or thought on one of the pieces
of paper to add to our chain. Please feel free to take a copy of
the Prayer of Hope the class wrote as well. This project has been
very meaningful for our class. Thank you for your participation
and support.
Mary Jean Adkins Cheryl DeSantis
Parents of Confirmation Candidates:
Please note that Confirmation will be celebrated at the Parish on
Saturday, May 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Religious Education News
Our annual collection of Easter Basket items for Marillac
House is continuing on the remaining Wednesdays of Lent. There is
a "basket" in the hall of school for donations of small stuffed
animals, candy, toys, etc, anything that would be appropriate for
an Easter Basket. Please be generous. Your donations will make
the children of the near West Side very happy on Easter morning.
Are you being called to be a catechist?
Every year there are catechists who cannot return for one
reason or another. I am sure that this year will be no different.
So if you have always wondered what goes on in the building after
you drop your children off, this is the perfect time to stop by
and say hi. Remember you don't have to be a theologian; you just
have to love children, love your faith and want to share it. We
are looking forward to hearing from you.
Mark your calendar:
Wednesday, Mar. 28 - No Class - Spring Break
Good Friday, April 6 - Living Stations - 3:00PM
Saturday, April 14 - First Communion Retreat 9-11AM
in School
If you have any questions or need more information, please
call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Tea and Interior
Decorating Discussion
in Barrett Hall, the Council of Catholic Women is
planning an "Evening Tea" and an in -depth look at Interior
Decorating.
Serene from "Serene Teaz" in Wheaton will join us to tell
us of the various types of teas and their health benefits. Many
teas will be available for purchase along with a variety of tea
pots and cups w/saucers. Tea, mini sandwiches and cookies will
be served after Serene's talk.
While enjoying a cup of tea (coffee, wine, or pop for those
who aren't "tea totalers") JoAnn Madden of "Mon Petit Chateau"
will cover topics from color choices, room layouts, window
treatments and more. She will also tackle some problem rooms
from our own members. If you'd like help with a room in your
home, call JoAnn prior to the 15th of March (833-7336) so that
your room can be included in our program.
All ladies of the parish are invited to come and join in
this delightful evening. So that we may plan our theme tables
and refreshments, please fill in the reservation form in the
bulletin or calling Sr. Marlene (279-5700) to let her know you
are planning to attend.
Attention All 5th-8th Graders!
It's time to start signing up for Mary Queen's annual lock-
in! The lock-in is a fun experience, where 5th-8th graders spend
time with high school and adult leaders. The overnight includes
prayer, games, food, meditation, singing, t-shirt, craft, service
and much more.
The Lock-in is 7 p.m. Friday, March 13 to 8:30 a.m.
Saturday March 14, and there is a fee of $15. (If you are unable
to pay the $15 fee, this will not hinder your ability to
participate in the Lock-in). Anyone in grades 5th-8th can attend.
Permission slips can be found in the RE office, or from Kathleen
Gusloff. All permission slips must be turned in by Friday March
23rd.
Questions? Contact Mrs. Gusloff at (630)-832-4348 or
the5ofgus@aol.com
Lenten Food Collection
Our St. Vincent DePaul food collection will be held the
weekend of March 24 and 25. The food will be distributed to
needy families in our community for Easter on Friday, March 30,
at 6:30 p.m.
We are collecting non-perishable items of canned
vegetables, fruit, soup, pasta, rice, spaghetti sauce, prepared
foods, coffee, tea, juice, boxed cake mixes, peanut butter,
jelly, paper products (Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels), hand
soap and laundry detergent. Boxes will be available in the
church vestibule to accept your donations.
If you wish to donate a ham, we ask that you please
purchase Jewel or Dominick certificates and put them in an
envelope indicating that they are for the purchase of a ham. The
envelopes can be placed in the collection basket or turned in at
the parish office. These certificates will be distributed with
the food baskets to the families.
If you have an hour or two to spare, we could use your help
sorting the food for the Easter baskets on Monday evening, March
26, at 7:30 p.m. in the church. Please call Sheila Reiter at
833-6657 to offer your help.
Parish News
Fellowship Sunday
Today, Sunday, March 18
After 10:30 a.m. Mass
Sponsored by Religious Education
All are invited to join us
Go Make A Difference
By Mary Ann Reed
At the end of our recent parish mission when I was asked to make
a commitment to "make a difference", I decided that I needed to re-
dedicate myself to speaking up for those who have no voice,
specifically through my work on the Peace and Justice Committee. For
almost two years I have been in contact with a group named "Save
Darfur," a faith based effort to stop the genocide taking place in
Darfur (Sudan).
Then came the parish mission and my promise to "make a
difference". Almost immediately, an opportunity to fulfill this
promise was presented to me. God does work in strange and wondrous
ways. I was informed abut a gathering at St. Petronille's in Glen
Ellyn, where it would be possible to meet with and hear the stories
of some people who had fled Sudan and other parts of the world to
escape torture and death. What I heard there left me unable to
speak.
One young man who fled Darfur about nine years ago (even before
this most recent series of atrocities) spoke passionately about the
need for the international community to continue to put political
and economic pressure on the government of Sudan to "stop the
genocide" (his words). What was most moving for me was the
terminology used by this very articulate young man. Although I am
sure it is a question of translation into the American idiom, I was
struck by his reference to his neighborhood, school, friends,
family, and other countrymen as having been "dismissed". He means
that they are simply no longer there, forever lost. His repeated use
of the word "dismissed" haunts me still. How easy it is to "dismiss"
these human beings and their terrible plight from our awareness.
There is just too much else to think about.
If I am to "make a difference" I may not allow these brothers and
sisters of mine to be simply "dismissed." I have recommitted myself
to this cause, and I will tell anyone who will listen-and even those
who don't want to listen-this story of overwhelming human tragedy.
We cannot simply wait for another Hollywood film like "Hotel Rwanda"
to shake us out of our complacency after the damage is done.
How can YOU help? For starters, visit the Joliet Diocese website
for justice at www.paxjoliet.org, follow the link for legislative
advocacy, and put yourself on their email list for crucial alerts on
this topic. To learn about the plight of those who flee to refugee
camps and how you can respond to their needs, log onto Catholic
Relief Services at www.crs.org. Many voices raised together can and
will "make a difference".
Editor's note: Neal Styka, who is also a member of the MQH Peace
and Justice Committee, has been active in work to Save Darfur at
Marquette University, where he is a student. We are hoping to have
a presentation on Darfur at our parish sometime in the near future.
Parish Bulletin Deadline
Due to the Holy Week Schedule,
items for the Easter bulletin of April 8
must be in the parish office
by Noon on Thursday, March 29.
William Ferris Chorale
Paul French, Music Director
and MQH Parishioner
An American Sampler
Friday, March 23, at 8:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
690 W. Belmont, Chicago
Join us as we explore some of our all-time favorites including
Leonard Bernstein's thrilling Missa Brevis
and the world premiere of
Paul French's Prayer of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Call for Tickets: 773-325-2000
Mary Queen of Heaven High School Treble
Concert
Sunday, April 15, at 12:30 p.m.
Mary Queen of Heaven Church
Mary Queen of Heaven's High School Treble Choir will be
performing a free concert on Sunday, April 15, at 12:30 p.m. in
church. The concert will last approximately 45 minutes.
Mary Queen of Heaven's High School Treble Choir is an
ecumenical choir open to young women of our community who are
high school aged and have a true love of sacred music. This is an
auditioned group. The group is directed by Molly Lindberg
assisted by Tara Cappelletti. This outstanding group of young
women have given generously of their musical gifts to praise His
name. Please come and support them, and enjoy some exquisite
music.
Concert Program:
O Sanctissima, Arranged by Ludwig van Beethoven, (1770-1827), edited
by Alan J. Hommerding
Rest Now in Me, Paul A. Tate
Lord, I Stretch My Hands to You, Jay Althouse
Eucaristica, Pablo Casals (1876 B 1973)
Lacrymosa, from The Requiem, W.A. Mozart (1756-1791), Arranged by
Russell Robinson
Canon of Praise, from Kanon, Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706), Arranged
by Hal H. Hopson
Sign Me Up, Kevin Yancy and Jerome Metcalfe
The Baby in Bethlehem, Raymond S. Beights
Open My Eyes, Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739), Arranged by Dale
Grotenhuis
Days of Elijah, Robin Mark
You Are Holy, Mark Imboden and Tammi Rhoton
Sunday, April 15, is a big day for the Music Ministry at
MQH. We will be introducing the cast of Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat at the 10:30 a.m. mass. The entire cast
will sing the Post-Communion meditation that morning. So, come
to Mass, stay for fellowship in Barrett Hall, and come on back
into the church for the Mary Queen of Heaven High School Treble
Concert.
A Vocation View
Jesus came to forgive. Since people continue to sin, we
need people who will continue to forgive in Jesus' way. How
about YOU?
The Feasts of St. Patrick and St. Joseph
March 17 and March 19
This weekend we celebrate the feast days of two well-known
saints. March 17 is the Memorial of St. Patrick, and March 19 is
the Solemnity of St. Joseph.
St. Patrick's Day is probably the most widely celebrated
day in Chicago. St. Patrick lived between 385 and 461 AD. He
was born in the British Isles and came to Ireland in 435 after
being ordained a bishop. St. Patrick is known for bringing
Christianity to Ireland. He used the shamrock, the symbol
greatly associated with him, in teaching the mystery of the Holy
Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit being three
persons in one God.
We celebrate St. Patrick's Day with parades and an
American-Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage. The tradition of
parades on St. Patrick's Day started in Boston in the late
1700's. In Ireland, St. Patrick's Day is a holy day. In 1910
the country began to adopt the American custom of parades. In
the 1970's the national holiday of St. Patrick began to be
celebrated with a parade in Dublin.
Saint Joseph's Day is a Solemn Feast Day. St. Joseph is
the foster father of Jesus and little is known about him, other
than what is written in the Bible. We know that he was of the
House of David, giving Jesus the same genealogy. He is the
patron saint of many countries and dioceses. He is also the
patron of the dying and of working people. His symbol is
primarily carpenter tools.
One legend that is tied to this day of celebration belongs
to Sicily. In the middle ages Sicily was suffering from a
famine. The whole country offered prayers to St. Joseph and the
country was saved from famine. After the famine, the people held
a special thanksgiving feast dedicated to St. Joseph for his
support. This is known in the U.S. as a St. Joseph's Day Table.
The table is filled with a multitude of Italian specialties,
including a cream puff-type dessert called St. Joseph's Strufoli.
The table is open to the whole community and in the U.S. a
donation is sometimes given to the poor of the parish. An
alternate feast day of St. Joseph is May 1, Joseph the Worker.
Ellen Walker, Liturgy Committee
Diocesan News
Elmhurst Catholic M.O.M.S.
M.O.M.S. (Moms Offering Moms Support) provides an
opportunity for mothers of young children from Elmhurst Catholic
parishes to meet other mothers. There are no membership fees and
everyone is welcome.
It's Safety Day for EC MOMS. Join us on Thursday March 22
from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. as a member of the Elmhurst Police
Department comes and speaks to us about how to make every day a
safe day. We will also create safety kits for each child. This
meeting will be in the Noah's Ark Room.
University of St. Francis
Adult, Graduate and Transfer Open House
Tuesday, March 27 at 3-7 p.m.
This event is perfect for adult students looking to return
to college and continue their pursuit of a higher education
degree, or those wishing to continue their current education
journey. Those attending can learn about financial aid options
and transfer scholarships, receive a credit evaluation from a
counselor, talk to USF faculty and MUCH more. RSVP by calling
800-735-7500.
Community News
St. Alexander Parish Mission
Father Brian Walker, OP will give the Parish Lent 2007
Mission at St. Alexander Parish in Villa Park on March 19, 20 and
21 at 7:30 p.m. Services will be in the Parish Hall due to
refurbishing work taking place in the church. The theme of the
Mission is "God's Mercy and Love." Visitors are most welcome.
Marianjoy Presentation:
Caring for Your Aging Parents
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital is pleased to offer this
free panel discussion, which will include a Marianjoy physician
who specializes in senior health, a psychologist and case manager
well-versed in resources for the elderly, will take place on
March 22 at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will include practical
information about what to expect physically and psychologically
from aging parents and loved ones, along with help and
information on available resources. Call to register at 630-909-
7102.
Peacemaking:
In the World and with Each Other
At Mary Queen of Heaven Parish
Tuesday, April 3
7:00 p.m. in the Church
Special Guest:
Bishop Thomas Gumbleton
Of Detroit, Michigan
7:00 p.m. Bishop Thomas Gumbleton
will be speaking on:
"Peacemaking:
in the World and with Each Other."
8:00 p.m. This will be followed by our
Lenten Reconciliation Service
with Bishop Gumbleton preaching.
Please join us for this special event on Tuesday of Holy
Week, when we will have with us Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, recently
retired Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, Michigan.
Bishop Gumbleton is an internationally known peacemaker.
He serves with the U.N.'s World Conference on Religion and Peace
and is founder of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace
organization.
At 7:00 p.m., Bishop Gumbleton will lead us in reflection
upon peacemaking in our world and with each other. His talk will
be followed at 8:00 p.m. by our Lenten Reconciliation Service.
All are welcome.
Communications from the Bishop
Catholic Relief Services
Dear Friends in Christ,
In the story of the Last Judgment, Jesus reminds us to care
for those in need. If we care for those who are hungry, thirsty, or
ill, we act with compassion, generosity, and commitment to justice
for the "least among us," we act s his true disciples.
The Catholic Relief Services Collection is an important
opportunity to express Christian compassion and generosity. The
Collection theme, Jesus in disguise, reminds us of the presence of
Christ in every one of our brothers and sisters in need. The
Collection helps build the church's international social ministry by
funding the work of five agencies.
Catholic Relief Services, the official international relief
and development agency of the Catholic community in the United
States, assists people in 99 countries on the basis of need - not
race, creed, or nationality. Catholic Relief Services creates
opportunities for Catholics in the United States to live their faith
in solidarity with poor people overseas by providing financial
support and addressing the root causes of poverty.
Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., provides a full
range of legal and support services to Catholic programs directly
representing poor immigrants, and it advocates for comprehensive
immigration reform. Its focus is on reunification of families and
protection of those fleeing persecution or civil unrest.
Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops annually resettles one quarter of the refugees
admitted to the United States, serves victims of human trafficking,
and provides advocacy for and pastoral care to many newcomers and
persons on the move.
Social Development and World Peace of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops advocates for poor and vulnerable
people and for international peace and justice. It works to build
the capacity of the Church to respond to global concerns such as
religious freedom, poverty, and hunger.
The Holy Father's Relief Fund assists victims of natural
disasters and other emergencies around the world.
By giving to The Catholic Relief Services Collection, you are
responding to Jesus in disguise. Thank you for your generosity.
Please visit www.usccb.org/crscolletion for more information.
Sincerely in Christ,
(Signed)
Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain
Bishop of Joliet
MQH Parish Pastoral Council
Summary of January/February, 2007 Meetings
Below is a summary of the PPC January and February, 2007 Meetings.
The complete minutes are posted in the display case in the vestibule of
the church.
* The new Preventive Maintenance Schedule, for our entire
campus, was explained by Les Otto, of our Buildings and
Grounds Committee.
* A program to reach out to inactive parishioners is being
worked on.
* In future years, when the 3rd Monday falls on National Holiday,
Commission Meetings will be moved to the following Tuesday.
* Our parish Lenten Reconciliation Service will be held on April
3rd. Bishop Thomas Gumbleton will be with us, speaking at 7
p.m. and the service will follow at 8 p.m.
* The Living Stations will be performed by the 7th Grade on Good
Friday, April 6th , at 3 p.m.
* On April 22, Bishop Roger Kaffer will preside at our 50th
closing Mass. There will be a special raffle in conjunction
with the closing of the celebration.
* The mid-year financial report was mailed to all parishioners.
More financial information on the preschool will be published
in April.
? We will begin evaluating progress on the first year of our
three year parish plan.
? The PPC will begin hosting coffee and donuts on the first
Sunday of the month after the 10:30 Mass.
? The Preschool Committee is transitioning to a School Board and
its members were approved by the PPC. Preschool Parent
members will be added to the School Board by September. After
the first year, members will start rotating off and new
members will be discerned to the School Board. Information
about the School Board members will be published in an
upcoming bulletin.
? Our new Technology Committee is finally being formed! We are
still working on trying to form a Development Committee for
the parish.
MQH Parish Finance Council Notes
1 Mid-year Financial Reports
? These have been mailed to parishioners. We are moving in a
positive direction and our operating deficit continues to
be significantly reduced. We are grateful for the increase
in Sunday contributions! As long as this continues, we
should end the year better than projected.
2. Parish Pay:
? A monthly reminder will be put into the bulletin
encouraging the use of Parish Pay.
3. Pre-School Activities:
? To date, 19 children are already registered for the
Preschool and we have some on a waiting list for a second
three day classroom. The start-up costs for furnishing
the first classroom have been raised and this week, we
received a $4,000.00 donation to begin furnishing the
second classroom. Other fundraising and grant applications
continue, as well. It is an exciting time.
? Now that our own parish preschool will be opening, we are
trying to get back on the list for sound abatement funds.
The sound abatement program is coming to a close and we do
not know if we will be successful but we are doing
everything we can to make our appeal.
4. Budget Preparation
? We are beginning the process for determining next year's
budget. Each Commission will be asked to provide a budget
for their activities for Fiscal Year 2007/2008. As was
emphasized last year, this process involves planning and
accountability.
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