Easter - 75% off!
So read the flashing marquis in front of a nearby drugstore chain. How sad, I thought, for some people to only celebrate Easter for one day. How glad I am that Catholics take the time to really try to take in the meaning of the resurrection in our lives during these 50 days (and every Sunday of the year)!
While Easter is a long celebration for us, I would like to take the time to thank all of those who helped with our particular celebrations of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. They were so beautiful. Our music ministry (who outdid themselves this past Sunday) is wonderful. We have so much talent in this parish and we have much to be thankful for in the musicians who give of their time and talent, and in our Music Director, Molly Lindberg, who seeks and draws out this talent. That is what pastoral ministry is all about, recognizing the gifts that God has given to the church and calling them forward.
All of the members of our Liturgy Committee worked very hard, as they do every year, to prepare for all of our special liturgies. The altar servers and presiders, and all of the children and adults who are part of our Living Stations on Good Friday, take extra time to practice in advance. Our Art and Environment Committee works tirelessly, night after night, and behind the scenes, to transform our worship space for each night and day we celebrate. Our Sacristans are also preparing the different things we need for each of our liturgies. Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers and Greeters are serving on multiple occasions within days of each other. Sister Marlene works every year to be sure that our Triduum booklet and worship aids are all prepared and ready.
There are countless people who are deserving of praise! I want to thank them all, and all of you, too, for your support of our parish. Our Easter collection reflected the generosity of our parishioners (that total should be published next week, as we have still been receiving Easter donations). My thanks to everyone for every way you give of your time, talent, and treasure.
While I am thanking people, I would also like to thank our Director of Religious Education, Mary Ann Woods, and her assistant, Karen Vicary, and all of our catechists and helpers who have worked tirelessly this year to help with the faith formation of our 525 children in Religious Education. Thanks, too, to Ruth Maple and the Voices of Angels who helped with our Family Masses this year. Many of these people also had part in preparing for a number of important sacramental celebrations coming up over the next few weeks, including several First Communion sessions, and Confirmation, which is coming up on May 12. My heartfelt thanks to you, one and all.
This weekend, something else is happening behind the scenes that I would like you to know about. Our parishioner Judy Fuchsen will be once again traveling on a mission trip to Sucre, Bolivia. She was formally commissioned last Sunday at St. Raymond Cathedral, and at Mary Queen of Heaven on Thursday of this past week.
The Diocese of Joliet has been sending missionaries since 1994, and in the last years has expanded their mission program to include not only Sucre, Bolivia, but also the Navajo Nation in Arizona, the Philippines, Kenya, and Quito, Ecuador. These missions are both medical and construction and are for two- week periods.
Judy's participation in this mission to Bolivia is a spiritual event for our parish. She represents Mary Queen of Heaven as part of our larger Church of Joliet. Please keep her in your prayers during this time of her journey. Pray, too, for those who will be served through this missionary work, that they may recognize the face of Christ in those who serve them and that they may be the face of Christ for the missionaries when they arrive. This is the kind of mutual service that is symbolized in our foot-washing on Holy Thursday.
Today, we make another connection with the Church of Joliet, as we welcome Bishop Kaffer the celebrate with us the close of our parish's 50th anniversary year. May we have a wonderful celebration! Let us rejoice in all of the ways that God has blessed this parish and let us be thankful for all of the ways that Mary Queen of Heaven parishioners, young and old, have ministered to the larger community - and even unto the ends of the earth!
We have not discounted Easter. Jesus is alive and we continue to celebrate his resurrection!
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
A Vocation View Let people know that Jesus has the solution. Cast your net on the other side of life. Listen to God's Son And tell the world what you hear! Parish News 50th Anniversary Mass and Raffle To culmination of our 50th Anniversary Celebration today, Sunday, April 22, 2007, Bishop Roger Kaffer will celebrate a special liturgy at the 10:30 Mass. All are invited to join us at this Mass. After the mass, refreshments will be served and we will have the raffle drawing in Barrett Hall. Raffle tickets are still available and can be purchased at all the masses this weekend. The ticket donation is $100 and the 1st prize is $10,000, 2nd prize is $2,000 and 3rd prize is $1,000. A maximum of 250 tickets will be sold, so the odds of wining a prize are great. The raffle proceeds will be used to lower our parish deficit. Help us make this final event a success and an enjoyable occasion for all. PRESCHOOL Director/Teacher We believe you are out there! We are looking for a pre-school director/teacher who will help us build a premiere preschool for the western suburbs. This preschool is a ministry of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, a lively, welcoming, family-oriented Catholic community in Elmhurst. Our director must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing. This position is for a part-time director and part-time teacher. Requirements for candidates applying for this position are: * Baccalaureate degree with 04 (IL) early childhood teacher certification. * Master's degree in early childhood or related field preferred. * 2-3 years' teaching experience. * Familiarity with Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence theory. * Enthusiasm for curriculum and program development and implementation. * Commitment to working collaboratively with staff members and parents within a church community setting. Enrollment has already begun for our play-based preschool, which will have a multiple intelligence curriculum following Howard Gardner's guidelines. Please send your resume' to: Search Committee, Mary Queen of Heaven, 426 N. West Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126. Interviews will be conducted in April and early May, start date in July. Come enjoy a very pleasant working environment with wonderful parish staff, and have the opportunity to create new things! 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. CCW Mother's Day Tribute Again this year, Mary Queen of Heaven Council of Catholic Women Respect Life Committee is selling carnations to honor the nurturing women in our lives (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, and friends). Carnations can be purchased for $1.00 each. Order sheets will be available this weekend, April 21/22 and next weekend, April 28/29. Order sheets must be returned on or before May 6th. 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 12/13. Proceeds will benefit Project Gabriel. The carnations will be placed at Mary's statue in the gathering place for Mother's Day, May 13. 2 0 0 7 "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." Mt 25:40 The Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal begins this week. Every family will receive a letter from Bishop Sartain and Mary Foley asking for your partnership in the diocese's important ministry work. Please give prayerful thought to your gift and be as generous as you feel able. Diocesan News Day of Prayer With Fr. Benet Fonck. OFM Thursday, May 3, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. At The Warrenville Cenacle The Cenacle is pleased to welcome Fr. Benet Fonck, back for a prayerful and enlightening Day of Prayer on the San Damiano Cross. A Franciscan Friar, Fr. Fonck is the coordinator of communications for Sacred Heart Province of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans). In this capacity he writes a weekly newsletter, prepares news releases and publishes a quarterly journal. He has given retreats, workshops and seminars for Secular Franciscans and for Franciscan religious. He has also presented days of recollection to various church-based groups and has facilitated a number of parish missions and renewals. The offering for this program is $50 and includes lunch. For further information or to register, please call 630-393-1231 Wings to Heaven News Our Lock in was held on Friday the 13th and was a wonderful event! Our theme this year was "GOD ROCKS". This was thanks to so many that helped to make it a HUGE success! Our adult leaders Tom Gusloff, Terri Kevil, Susan Miner, Marie McCall and Jerry Cote. Special to thanks to the Stefani, Japczyk,, Mueller and Rhea families for behind the scenes work they did. Last and certainly not least is our wonderful group of high school leaders: Bridget & Colleen McGing, Allie Fazzio, Steve & Laura Adkins, Katie Mueller, Brittany Biggs, Mary Alex & Stephanie Japczyk, Bob Golen, Katie Converse, Marisa Stefani, JT Nateras, David Gusloff, Kathleen McCall, Nina Doughty, Derek Maple, Meghan McManus and Kim Vicary. What a great group of people we have at Mary Queen of Heaven.... From the adults, to the high school leaders to the students attending the lock in...WE ARE BLESSED! Our New Member welcome will be held on Sunday May 6th 6-8 pm in Barrett Hall. This is for all 4th- - 7th graders and current members. If you are interested in finding out what Wings to Heaven youth group is all about we hope you will join us. New Members call Kathleen Gusloff to R.S.V.P. 832-4348 or email The5ofgus@aol.com. We made beautiful butterflies for the Elmhurst Extended Care nursing home for Easter. What a great way to symbolize the risen Christ to those not able to go out and see the beauty in our world any longer. Now they can have a little piece of Gods love in their own room J. Please also notice in a basket in the back of church God Rocks. We made these as part of our lock in service project for our parish. There is a little God Rock with a prayer, some positive thoughts and maybe you will get a God Rocks tattoo in yours. Just a little something to take if you need a little encouragement or support in your life. Keep your God Rock somewhere to always remind you that "God Rocks" your world, and is always with you! Destiny High School Group We had our own lock in retreat to plan for the lock in one weekend in March. Thanks to all those high schoolers that give so generously of their time for the younger people of our parish. A big part of our meetings in the past 4 months have consisted of planning and organizing the lock in. As a parish you can be very proud 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 Deacon Bob Delbeke 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 John Larkin 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 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 Worship Commission If you have any questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. Confirmation Candidate Parents: Please note that Confirmation will be celebrated in the parish on Saturday, May 12, at 5 p.m. Religious Education News Registrations for the 2007-2008 RE year have been mailed. If you did not receive yours or if you know someone who would like one, please call the REO. We ask that you return your registration forms ASAP in order to secure your first choice of session. Reminder to Parents of First Communicants: If your child is celebrating with the large group on May 5, there is still time to place your order for a video of the Liturgy. Please turn your forms in to the RE office. Are you being called to be a catechist? We only have a short time left of this RE year, 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, April 18-Confirmation Candidates Reconciliation Service, 7 p.m. in church Wednesday, April 25 - Last RE class of the year. All school 8th annual Food Drive Saturday, April 28 - First Communion practices: : 10:00 a.m. in church, May 5 Large group First Communion (Children Only) 12:00 noon in church, April 29 Small group First Communion (children & 1 parent) 12:30 p.m. in church, May 6 Small group First Communion (children & 1 parent) Sunday, April 29 - Family Mass at 10:30 a.m. & Small group First Communion Tuesday, May 8-Confirmation Practice at 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 .m. in church Christian Education Commission Market Day Orders for April are due Monday, April 23, at noon. Turn in your order form in the box in the back of church or at the rectory. Pickup on Saturday, April 28, 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. Christian Education Commission of the young people here that care so much about the younger students of our parish! They did everything from designing the t-shirts to having them made, to helping get the craft together, to planning activities, facilitating groups, to running the show. Come Join Us A large part of our meetings typically consist of discussion on topics that relate to the students every day lives and our world around us. We hope if you have not yet participated in Destiny you will come to our Welcome breakfast. To meet new students and find out what we are all about. We will meet Sunday morning May 6th 8:30 am. Questions ?? Call Kathleen Gusloff 832-4348. Come Pray the Psalms Beginning the week of May 21, the Adult Education Ministry of Mary Queen of Heaven will be offering a study of the Psalms through the Little Rock Scripture Study. This work examines fifty-five psalms, approximately one-third of that unique biblical book. Psalms I begins with an introductory chapter that is followed by a fixed format in analyzing the Psalms. We will not only be studying but actually learning how to pray the Psalms and see them in relation to our lives. The author shows us the Psalms can be prayed "for the ups, downs and in-betweens of life." Come join us. You will be given an opportunity to sign up and purchase books (including a Bible if you need one) on the weekends of May 5/6 and May 12/13. More information will be forthcoming. You may call any of the planning people with questions: Lynn Suwanski evenings - 630-530-2523 or Alex and Marie Grozik at 630-530-0503. Catholic Charities is in need of new born/infant clothing, diapers, and newborn "care packages" Last year, Children's Services of Catholic Charities, provided loving care for 398 children in foster care, many of whom needed long-term, specialized therapy to heal from the abuse and neglect they have suffered. Our maternity services helped mothers with keeping and raising or finding an adoptive home for 15 of their infants. In order to continue providing these services Catholic Charities needs your help. One way you can help is by conducting clothing drives or "baby Showers" for new clothes and newborn/infant "care packages" (wipes, lotion, powder, shampoo, bibs, pacifiers, grooming sets, medical kits, newborn developmental toys, diapers, etc.) for these babies. You are in a unique position to dramatically impact the first days of a baby's life or a child's first stay in their new foster home by helping us replenish our supply of newborn, infant and children's clothing for boys and girls sizes 0 to 3T. Please do not donate used clothing, as we cannot use those. We will accept any size clothing and diapers. For more information, please contact Rose Bayr Maritato at (630)495-8008 x 33. 2-Part Peace & Justice Program At St. Margaret Mary Parish, 1450 Green Trails Dr., Naperville, (630) 369-0777 What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Health Care? Principles of Catholic Social Teaching Tuesday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m., COR Center Fr. Thomas Nairn, OFM will give a presentation on what the Church teaches regarding health care. Fr. Nairn is the Erica and Harry John Family Professor of Catholic Ethics and is the Director of the Health Care Mission Leadership Program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Fr. Nairn earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. Fr. Nairn has written and spoken on a wide range of ethical issues. Most of his research has been in the area of health care ethics. Health Care & Public Policy: What Are the Options? A Panel Discussion of Policy Options. Wednesday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m., COR Center Dr. Robert McKersie is a family physician who works on the South Side of Chicago. He travels regularly to Nepal where he sees patients and teaches physical diagnostic skills to Nepalese healthcare providers. He lives on the South Side of Chicago with his wife Michele and two children, Robbie and Mia. Dr. McKersie will be advocating for a Universal Health Care or Single Payer Health Care approach to health care in the United States. Joining Dr. McKersie will be a representative from Blue Cross and Blue Shield who will be advocating for a Free Market approach to providing health care in the United States. Eastern DuPage Council of Catholic Women Spring Institute, Dinner &Meeting Wednesday, May 2nd St. John the Apostle, 330 S. Westmore, Villa Park Theme: "We are Called" Registration: 5:15 p.m. - Dinner: 6:00 p.m. A short business meeting follows and then we have Fr. James Antiporek, Moderator of Western DuPage Deanery CCW, an insightful homilist. The evening will conclude with Mass at 8:30 p.m., celebrated by Bishop Roger Kaffer. Registration is $10.00 per person. For reservations or more info. call Pat Lord at 21-102 or pjlord@juno.com Saint Peregrine Feast Day Mass Mass for the feast of St. Peregrine, the cancer saint will be celebrated Sunday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the National Shrine of St. Peregrine, Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. Persons with cancer and others seeking healing will be invited to come individually for a blessing with a relic of St. Peregrine at the conclusion of Mass. Our Lady of Sorrows is located in Chicago at 3121 W. Jackson Blvd., adjacent to I-290. There is ample, secure parking at the rear of the Basilica. For more information, call 773-638- 5800, ext. 19. Parish News Project Gabriel Angel Training Thursday, April 26. There will be a Project Gabriel Angel Training Session here in Elmhurst at Visitation Parish in Podesta Hall, (Church lower level) on the corner of York Road and Madison Avenue, on Thursday night, April 26th. The time is 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. If you are interested in learning about being Angels, please come the training session or contact MQH's parish representative Terri Kevil at 630-279-4165.