I'll bet it's the Nosiums.
My fours sons talked about these insects for years, when they worked at a camp for boys in the Appalachian Mountains. They would often get bitten by these bugs they never saw. My sons were strong, adventurous mountaineers and camp counselors. They mentioned the Nosiums frequently but casually; working with these bugs around just seemed to be part of what went along with the job. I didn't realize for a couple of years that the word they were actually using to describe these insects was "no-see-'ems" - not Nosiums!
Now, lo and behold, we seem to have had an invasion of "no-see-'ems" in northern Illinois! This morning, I heard about a fifth parishioner who has been a victim of bites from the invisible "itch mites." From today's newspaper, I understand that scientists still haven't identified exactly what kind of mites these are. What the scientists do know is that people are being bitten by little bugs they cannot see. There seems to be an epidemic occurring, with these insect bites causing itchy red swollen patches all over folks who are lining up in emergency rooms. I've heard that some of our parishioners are already comparing the size of their bites (I won't tell you who I heard is winning so far). I'm sure that we will hear even more news about these "itch mites." Perhaps by this weekend, they will have been identified. (If we need a new name for these bugs, maybe it could be the "Nosium Mite.") The good news is that so far, according to the Chicago Tribune, these mites are "more of a nuisance than a health threat" and the red marks go away within a couple of weeks.
The "itch mites" are all over the news. We can't see them but we know they are there. This is even what the scientists are saying so far. They haven't been able to catch any itch mites on the sticky pads they are leaving out in the forest preserves. But they know they are out there, even though they cannot see them. Believing without seeing. I guess this is an easy thing to do in some cases, but not always in matters of faith.
Eventually, we will see the itch mite. Scientists have developed tools that allow them to see the tiniest of particles. On a spiritual level, if we make use of all the tools available to us, we, too, can learn to see more clearly - to see how God speaks to us and acts in our lives and in the world. Prayer, meditation, reading scripture, study of religious tradition and the lives of the saints, and service to others are among the tools the church has discovered along the course of history to help us to see God more clearly and deepen our faith. Maybe, while the scientists pull out their big microscopes and bug-catching paper in order to find the mites they know are there, we could pull out some of our own tools this week to sharpen up the vision of our faith.
These little itch mites reminded me of something else this week. The Gospel reading for one of our weekdays included a passage in which Jesus told his disciples to be humble like children. Commentators tell us that the use of the word "humble" in this context means that we should understand ourselves as being dependent upon God as children are dependent upon others who love them and provide for them. This caution, they say, was given by Jesus to help disciples guard against arrogance. How easy it can be for us to get in the mode of thinking that we can do it all. Little itch mites remind us that alone, we cannot even protect ourselves from teeny-tiny "no-see-'ems."
So, perhaps in the coming week, we can pull out our spiritual toolboxes and use the tools we need to listen and look for God more closely. Perhaps, too, we can reflect upon the caution of Jesus that we should consider ourselves as children who are dependent upon a loving God, who is the source of everything that is true, everything that is honorable, everything that is just, everything that is pure, everything that is lovely, every single grace and everything that is excellent and worthy of praise (Phil 4: 8).
Even the tiniest things in nature can serve to remind us of the grand designs of God. It is amazing to think about how the invisible "itch mites" have so much power over human beings, who consider themselves such physically strong and intelligent creatures. In spite of what we can sometimes think of ourselves as knowing it all and having dominion over all things, these tiny little creatures remind us of our own weakness. They can also serve to remind us of our dependence upon the greatest invisible power of all, the One who is the source of love and life - our loving God. We "no-see 'em," but we know he is always there.
Mary
Dr. Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
A Vocation View
Jesus wants his followers to light a fire on the earth. His
followers, like his fire, are bright, blazing, consuming,
enlightening and warm.
August is Catholic Charities Month! Did you know that each year
Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Joliet provides over 100,000
nights of shelter and housing to the poor and homeless? We also serve
over 50,000 meals each year to those who are hungry. To learn more
about our programs and services for families, those who are homeless
and in need, visit our website at www.cc-doj.org or call our
Development Office at 815-723-3405.
Wanted: Eucharistic Ministers
As Mary Queen of Heaven continues to grow, so does our need
for an increased number of volunteers in the various parish
ministries. We would like to add more Eucharistic Ministers to
accommodate our growth and we ask that you consider becoming one
of them. It is truly a privilege and humbling experience.
The following are requirements to be a Eucharistic
Minister: The person must be Catholic and in good standing with
the Church, and must have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Eucharistic Ministers must be at least 16 years old. Training
will be provided at the church on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at
7:00 pm. Please call the parish office at (630) 279-5700 to
register in advance.
Newspaper/Magazine Recycling
THANK YOU to all who have been bringing your newspaper,
magazines and office/junk mail paper and putting it in the
yellow/green collector found near the parish house garage. This
definitely shows that you are interested in protecting the earth
and recycling reusable paper.
If you have not joined in this venture to recycle or do not
know about our recycling program, you are invited to become an
active recycler. IT IS VERY SIMPLE. When coming to Church or RE or
just passing by, bring your newspaper, magazines, and office/junk
mail paper and put it in the yellow/green collector found near
the parish house garage. You can also help your neighbor join
the movement and bring their paper too.
THIS IS NOT A CARDBOARD RECYCLING PROGRAM. Since cardboard has
little weight value, it is not part of our program. Cardboard
boxes which have been put in the collector take up much needed
room for newspaper. Please recycle your cardboard boxes through
your city recycling program. Thank you for taking care of our
earth.
All sessions meet on Wednesdays. Please bear in mind
because of the size of our program we have almost 70 catechist
and aide positions to fill. We need a few more. We are blessed.
However, in order for the above classes to start on time, the
positions must be filled. If you can help, please call the REO
today. Classes begin in just a few weeks.
Please get your registrations in to the office.
Registrations are still being taken in the REO for the
fall. Our opening event is September 12th. It will be here before
we know it. If you have not registered, please do so ASAP. Pass
the word to your friends and neighbors. Classes are filling up.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at
the REO, 832-8962.
MQH HIGH SCHOOL TREBLE CHOIR (Now starting its third year!)
Director: Molly Lindberg
Assistant Director: Tara Cappelletti Jordan
Accompanist: Tim Barton
Managers: Renee Rodriguez and Elisabeth Wise
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
auditioned group. Members must be able to read music very well.
The repertoire chosen for this group is quite sophisticated.
Rehearsals for the High School Treble Choir are held
approximately twice per month on Sunday afternoons from noon-2:00
p.m.. The Treble Choir sings at the Mary Queen of Heaven 10:30
a.m. mass six times each year. In addition, the choir has also
been invited to sing at other churches in our community. Treble
Choir members are allowed a maximum of three absences per year in
order to remain in this ensemble. A complete schedule along with
our repertoire for the entire year, can found by following this
link:
http://maryqueen.home.comcast.net/worship/music/MASTERCALENDAR200
7-2008_Sorted_by_Ensemble.pdf
MQH FULL CHOIR & MEN'S ENSEMBLE (New!)
Director: Molly Lindberg
Accompanist: Tim Barton
Section Leaders: Mary Jean Adkins, Ray Mueller, Hal Cahill
The MQH Full Choir also welcomes new members from 9th grade
on up. If you interested, please call Molly Lindberg at 630-941-
0744. The Full Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:15-
9:30 p.m., and sings for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning masses
from mid-September through the 1st weekend in June.
A Men's Ensemble is also beginning this year. We already
have twelve members. Men's Ensemble singers are required to also
be in the Full Choir since our rehearsal time is integrated into
the Full Choir's regular Thursday night rehearsals. Interested?
Call Molly Lindberg!
So, come on! You've done enough singing in the shower.
It's time to come sing with us!
Molly Lindberg
Music Director
Mary Queen of Heaven Church
630-941-0744
fax: 1-801-881-9032
molly.lindberg@gmail.com
http://maryqueen.home.comcast.net/worship/music.html
MUSIC MINISTRY NEWS!
LAST CHANCE TO GET SIGNED UP FOR OUR 2007/2008 YEAR!
NEW ENSEMBLE FOR 2ND-4TH GRADERS!
Director: Molly Lindberg
Accompanist: Cristina Ponce
The Mary Queen of Heaven Music Ministry would like to
announce THE FORMATION OF A NEW SINGING ENSEMBLE AT MQH
exclusively for 2nd-4th Graders! Rehearsals for the 2nd-4th Grade
Ensemble will be held twice a month on Sunday mornings from 8:30
a.m.- 9:30 a.m. in Barrett Hall. This ensemble will sing seven
times this year during Mass, and will also participate in the
Music Ministry's major concert scheduled for Sunday, February 24,
2008. Please call Molly Lindberg at 630-941-0744 if you have
questions. A Registration Form along with a complete schedule
for the year has been included in the August Religious Education
mailing. You can also print a Registration Form by following
this link: http://maryqueen.home.comcast.net/worship/music/2nd-
4th_Grade_Ensemble_20072008Registration.pdf. The deadline to
register is August 20th, 2007 so do not delay.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORUS for 5th-8th Graders (Now starting its fifth
year!)
Director: Molly Lindberg
Accompanist: Tim Barton
Manager: Sue Chamberlin
Thirty-two singers have already registered for the Middle
School Chorus (5th-8th graders). Additional singers are welcome,
but the deadline is August 20th, 2007. The Middle School Chorus
rehearses twice a month on Sunday afternoons from noon-1:30 p.m..
A Registration Form along with a complete schedule for the year
has been included in the August Religious Education mailing. You
can also print a Registration Form by following this link:
http://maryqueen.home.comcast.net/worship/music/MiddleSchoolChoru
s20072008Registration.pdf.
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 Joyce Belasiek
Pam Bondfide Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante
Cosmore Ciancio Dennis Ciancio
Lou Ciancio George Cibula
Paul Cirone Ida Corriedo
Cynthia Catalano Family Rosemary Davis
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 Richard Jones
Kathy Johnston Irene Kmieciak
Bernadette Kohn Anne Kostas
John Larkin Baby Emma Lynde
Marie Mangano Robert Manion
Mary Martin 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 Linda Barone Simons
Jess Smith Mary Spierowski
Rachael Thompson John Unger
Richard Vanni
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.
There will be altar server training for all current servers
and for those wishing to become servers on Saturday, September 8
at 10:00a.m. Children who have received First Eucharist are
eligible to serve. Please call the parish office to register at
(630) 279-5700. Thank you.
PARISH PICNIC UPDATE
Mark your calendars! The annual Mary Queen of Heaven
Parish Picnic will be held on Sunday September 16th from 12:30
p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Come spend time with family and friends. Enjoy music,
games, food and good old family fun. As in past years, you may
bring your own food or purchase your meal. The food will be
supplied by Cuomo Catering and the menu will include Fried
Chicken, Italian Sausage, Potato Salad, Fruit Salad, Pasta Salad
and Roasted Corn. Complimentary Desserts and Coffee will be
provided by the parish and parish families. Tickets will be
available after all the Masses this weekend. The donation for an
Adult Ticket is $9 per person, and $6 for children under 12.
Pop, Water, Popcorn and Cotton Candy will be available for
purchase.
For more information or to volunteer to help, please call:
Bob Glick (833-5725), Sheila Reiter (833-6657), Ed Hayes (279-
5325), Mary White (833-9809), Mike Launius (220-6927) or Phyllis
Twardowski (279-6239).
Mark your calendars! Parent Orientation Night (parents only) is
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 from 7:00pm-8:00pm in the Social Hall/Large
Motor Skills Room. Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool registration
continues! Please see our website at www.maryqueenpreschool.org and
contact the school office for more information and registration.
(630) 833-9500
Preschool tours scheduled on request.
Preschool opens September 4, 2007!
Teacher Aide Position Available
Do you enjoy working with children, fostering their growth
spiritually, academically, physically, and emotionally? We are
currently accepting resumes for the teacher aide position for our
Preschool here at MQH. Please direct resumes to Mrs. Liz Lowrey at MQH
Preschool 426 N. West Ave. Elmhurst, IL 60126
The following are those grade levels where you are needed:
Session 1 - 3:15
Gr. Three - 1 Catechist
Session 2 - 5:15
Grade One - 1 Catechist Gr. Six - 2 Catechists
Session 3 - 7:00
Grade Six - 2 Catechists Grade Seven - 1 Catechists
We also are in need of help in the parking lot on Wednesday
afternoons. This would only take about 20 minutes of time each
week but it is very important that we have someone to help the
children cross over safely from Emerson school to Mary Queen.
Please call the REO for more information.
Religious Education News
We need your help!
Are you aware that at your Baptism, all Christians are
commissioned to do the work of Jesus? Did you know that all
Catholics are called to further the teaching mission of Jesus?
Have you heard that by sharing your faith with children, you
deepen your own faith in the process? Do you know that without
our volunteer catechists, we do not have a Religious Education
Program?
Please consider joining our team of dedicated men and women just
like yourself who weekly share their Faith with the young people
of the parish. We still have openings that must be filled. Help
our children to get to know our God.
The Warrenville Cenacle Retreat House, 29W012 Batavia
Rd., Warrenville, IL 60555 Presents:
"Sacred Fun: Hanging with God in Movies, Music and Sports", an
Interactive Retreat for Young Adults (ages 21-39) will be presented on
Sept. 21-23. This annual retreat, co=sponsored by the Cenacle Retreat
House and the Young Adult Ministries of the Chicago and Joliet
Archdioceses, will be facilitated by Paul and Sarah Jarzembowski, both
actively engaged in Young Adult Ministries. They invite participants
to escape for a weekend and join them and other young adults in
discovering how God connects with them through three of their favorite
pastimes: movies, music and sports. There will be interactive
presentations, great music and movies, relaxing chances to network and
meet new friends, and chances to listen quietly and hear God speaking
to them like never before. The cost is $195 for a single room/$180 for
a double room. Register before Sept. 14th for the reduced rate of $175
for a single room/$160 for a double room. A $40 deposit secures your
reservation. For further information or to register, lease call 630-
393-1231.
Are We Lost?
As a couple, have we lost our way? Are we more like ships
passing in the night? Do we share that Joy we first had? Ha the
"busy-ness" of our lives pushed us apart? Go on a Worldwide Marriage
Encounter Weekend and renew that lost love that you can rejoice in.
For more information and registration call: Tom & Mary Leonard at
(630) 577-0778. Upcoming weekend dates are Sept. 21st-23rd and Oct.
26th-28th. Website: http://wwmejoliet.org
Calling all rummage sale junkies, entrepreneurs and crafters!!!
Do you have stuff to sell? St John the Apostle Parish in Villa Park is
hosting its Annual Fall Festival of Savings on Sat., Oct. 6, from 9 AM-
3PM on the parish grounds at 330 N. Westmore Avenue in Villa Park.
Spaces are $20 if registered before Sept. 9 or $25 after Sept. 9. If
you are interested in being a vendor, please call either Kathy at
(630)279-5334 after 7 PM Monday through Friday or Ginger at (630) 833-
2944. To receive an electronic copy of the form, please send an e-mail
to TLB1004@aol.com (please reference the festival in the subject line.)
Dear Friends,
Thank you for all the special things you do. Your
thoughtful words and generous ways, this little note from
me who thinks the world of you. Thank you to all the kind
people who brought me delicious meals and comforting words.
Kay A. Michael
Inviting All Singles: Chili Cook-Off
You are invited to join other singles (single, divorced or
widowed-30 and over) from St. Isidore and St. Joseph's (Downers Grove),
and other neighborhood churches and communities for an evening of chili
tasting and chili judging! Plenty of food, music, games and
camaraderie for all! When: September 8, 2007
Where: St. Isidore Church- Bloomingdale, IL
Mass: 5:00PM
Cook-Off: 6:00PM until ???
Bring: Your best chili in a crock pot or your favorite side dish and
your single friend(s)
Cost: $10.00 includes food, refreshments and entertainment
RSVP: Ane' Berg at 630-295-6890 or
aberg@stisidoreparish.org
St. Xavier University Guest Speaker
Saint Xavier University invites you to hear Kathleen Kennedy
Townsend, former Lieutenant governor of the State of Maryland and
Deputy Assistant Attorney of the United States, and author of "Failing
America's Faithful; How Today's Churches Are Mixing God with Politics
and Losing Their Way" at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 6, 2007 in the
Butler Room at St. Xavier University, 3700 West 103rd Street, Chicago.
For more information please call: 773-298-3981
Benedictine University: Open Houses
Prospective adult undergraduate and graduate students are invited
to attend an open house from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September
15 where they can learn more about Benedictine University's adult and
graduate programs
High school students, students planning to transfer from
community colleges or other post-secondary institutions and their
families will have the opportunity to learn more about Benedictine
University at Fall Open House from 12:00 until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday,
October 7 at the Krasa Center.
For more information, please call the enrollment Center at (630)
829-6300 or visit Benedictine University on the Web at
www.ben.edu/admissions.