I want to thank all those who gave of their time last weekend to prepare for our Parish Discovery Fair and thanks to all of the many people who serve this parish in such a variety of ways. I also want to thank those adults and young people who gave witness talks at last weekend's Masses about why they share their time, talent, and treasure with the parish. As has been said many times, we have all been given gifts that have been given for some purpose. During this month, we have had a focus on opportunities for sharing those gifts with the parish. Today, I would like to talk about the most important way that lay people share in the ministry of Jesus. The primary ministry of the laity is in the world.
The Second Vatican Council brought great renewal to the church. An important part of this involved teaching that the laity share in the priestly and prophetic ministry of Christ. As the document on the laity says, the laity exercise a "genuine apostolate" by bringing the gospel and holiness to the world. We are called to "penetrate and perfect" the world with the spirit of the gospel.
Even though it has been 40 years since Vatican II, I believe it is true that some people still think of church and religion in terms of obligation and going to church is one thing among many scheduled into a week's activities. Others are still motivated by fear of what will happen to them if they don't go. I would hope that our parish can continue to help to effect some change in these ways of thinking, enabling people to come to know better the love of God through our community, moving them from a sense of obligation to a sense of desire. Ultimately, the desire for intimacy with God is within all of us. Sometimes that desire is stunted by fear or distrust, especially for people who have been terribly hurt in life. For some of these, becoming able to trust that there really is true love can seem impossible. But it is not impossible. I think that is the reason that the Second Vatican Council referred to the church as a sacrament. The church itself is an outward sign of the inward grace of God's love. "The Spirit dwells in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful as in a temple" (Lumen Gentium, 4). If people come to know we are Christians by our love for one another in community, then through God's grace, the church should draw people to the love of God - a love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things (1 Cor. 13:7).
Having said all of this, and as important as parish life is, there is more involved in living authentically Catholic lives. Everything that is done here in our parish, every parish activity, should support the ministry of the laity in the world, should support those charged with bringing the gospel to bear on all things: whether this involves the care and healing of others, striving for justice in situations where others are oppressed, bringing ethics into business dealings, calling for honesty in politics, or working for peace in a time of war. The meaning of our parish activities cannot be measured by the number of people who belong to a particular committee or group. The meaning of our parish activities can only be measured by their effectiveness in providing support to our fellow disciples. This support may be spiritual, physical, emotional, or financial. Parish ministries do not exist for themselves but for others.
Again, I want to thank all of you who share your time, talent, and treasure with the parish through our parish ministries and activities. I also want to thank all of you who make a difference in the world, helping God's ongoing work of creation by bringing gospel values to bear on all things. Both of these things - the quality of parish life and the effectiveness of ministry in the world - are related to one another. Let us pray that Mary Queen of Heaven Parish will continue to grow in love and unity and always be a place where they will know we are Christians by our love. And let us pray that all of the efforts of those involved in committees and ministries within the parish will always have an outward view, knowing that the church, acting in God's name, feeds and nourishes those who are called to make a difference in the world.
In the coming week, you will receive a letter asking for your financial support of this work of the church. Please consider all of the blessings that we have been given, individually and as a parish and give as generously as you are able to, so that we may sustain the ministries that are needed by so many. Thank you.
Mary
Dr. Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Eucharistic Adoration
We are just about to celebrate the feast of All Saints on
November 1st, and that gives us an opportunity to recall that
many of the saints spent time in adoration (prayer) before Jesus
in the Blessed Sacrament. Being saints in the making as we are,
here's part of a prayer you can pray the next time you are
visiting a church, perhaps MQH's next day of Eucharistic
Adoration: "My Lord Jesus Christ, who, for the love You bear
towards all, remain in this Sacrament night and day, filled with
compassion and love, waiting, calling, and welcoming all who
come to visit you: I believe that You are present in the
Sacrament of the Altar; I adore you from the abyss of my
nothingness, and I thank you for all the graces you have given
me..." (St. Alphonsus de'Liguori)
Jesus waits for you to spend some time with Him present in
the monstrance at our next day of Eucharistic Adoration, Monday,
November 5, 2007 from 9 AM to 7 PM. The day of adoration and
prayer closes with Benediction at 7:00 PM. All are invited to
join us any time during the day as well as for Benediction. We
are in particular need for someone to sign up for the 6 PM to 7
PM hour. Please see the large sign-up poster in the back of
church. Thank you.
RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG MEN
Encounter With God's Call, held November 10-12 at
Conception Seminary College in Conception, MO, is a discernment
retreat for young men 16 and older who are considering the
vocation to Priesthood. This is an excellent opportunity to
meet the seminarians as they share their stories of responding
to God's call. This retreat is free. The Diocese of Joliet
Vocation Office will be sponsoring a trip to Conception. For
more information, contact Conception Seminary College at 660-
944-2886 or vocations@conception.edu. Or contact Fr. Burke
Masters, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Joliet at 815-834-
4004 or frburke23@aol.com.
Vianney Visit - The Diocese of Joliet will be sponsoring a
similar trip to visit St. John Vianney College Seminary in St.
Paul, MN on November 15-17. This is for young men who are 16
and older as well. Currently Joliet has 11 seminarians at SJV.
Maybe you could be number 12! For more information contact Fr.
Burke Masters, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Joliet at
815-834-4004 or frburke23@aol.com.
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
Reminder:
The entire parish is invited to the All Souls Day Mass on
Friday, November 2, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the church. Everyone
present will participate in a special candle lighting ceremony.
This is a wonderful time to present to God our praise and
thanksgiving for family members and other loved ones who have
gone before us. If you have any questions, please contact Mimi
Wolak 941-3851.
Also, feel free to add pictures of your loved ones to the Table
of Remembrance throughout the entire month of November. (Please
put a phone # on the back of the photos!)
CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH (CHRP)
BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN FAITH AND EVERYDAY LIFE
You are encouraged to consider participating in Christ
Renews His Parish weekend retreats coming up at Mary Queen of
Heaven in November. The Men's CHRP weekend will be held on
November 16-18. The women's CHRP weekend will be held on
November 30-December 2nd. On the weekend you will:
? Have the opportunity to meet other men or women from Mary
Queen of Heaven Parish
? Hear inspiring stories
? Be able to engage in stimulating conversation
? And, most importantly, give yourself time to slow down, think
and pray
Cost: $30
This is an overnight retreat. Cots and all meals will be
provided. If you cannot afford the cost of the weekend or if
you cannot stay overnight do not let this prevent you from this
life changing experience. Questions? Contact Karen Sutkus at
(630) 279-3240 or Alex Grozik at (630) 530-0503.
A CHRP Retreat is a time to relax, pray, examine your
relationship with Christ and a chance to make lifetime
friendships with other men and women in the parish. Please sign
up today. Space is limited. Jesus wants YOU to spend time with
HIM!!!
Please make check payable to Mary Queen of Heaven and return
with your reservation form to Mary Queen of Heaven, Attn: CHRP -
Karen Sutkus, 426 N. West Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126, OR drop it
in the collection basket
PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
BREAD FOR THE WORLD....YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY IS THE
DAY!!!
After each Mass this weekend, YOU ARE INVITED to Barrett
Hall to write (really, to copy) to Representative Peter Roskam
and to Senator Dick Durbin and Senator Barack Obama.
The purpose of this project is to convince our
representatives in CONGRESS to vote in favor of appropriation
bills which will provide food for the hungry of our country and
the world.
Catholic Social Teaching proclaims we must help the
vulnerable (the poor and the hungry) people of our country and
the world. Jesus reached out to the poor 2000 years ago. Now it
is our turn to help the poor. The USA is a rich country. We must
continue to urge our politicians to share the wealth of our
country.
Please take a few minutes after Mass today to do your part
in Barrett Hall. THANKS.
"Thank You" to all who made our first Family Mass of this year
so wonderful. Our next Family Mass is Sunday, November 11th at
8:30AM. Our 8th grade Confirmation class will take part in a
special Commitment Ritual. Please make plans to attend.
RE families please mark your calendars:
Wednesday, October 31 - No RE class
Wednesday, November 7 - Reconciliation Parent Meeting for all
parents of 2nd graders who will be celebrating the sacrament for
the first time this coming December.
As the daylight hours grow shorter, we continue to ask that
everyone be very cautious when driving on the parish grounds on
Wednesday afternoons and evenings.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at
the REO, 832-8962.
Religious Education News
Please see our website at www.maryqueenpreschool.org and contact
the school office for more information and registration.
(630) 833-9500
Preschool classes have begun. We still have some openings in
our Tuesday/Thursday class.
Come join us!
Preschool tours scheduled upon request.
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
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
Katherine Brennan 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
Joan Skimina Linda Barone Simons
Jess Smith Mary Spierowski
Rachael Thompson John Unger
Richard Vanni
REST IN PEACE
Larry G. Ryder
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 November are due Monday, November 5, at noon.
Turn in your order form in the box in the back of church or at
the rectory. Pickup on Saturday, November 10, from 9:30 - 10:30
a.m. in the Social Hall.
If you have questions or would like to place an order,
please call Karen at 279-4108 or Beth at 833-5469 or email her
at ekujawa121@sbcglobal.net .
A Vocation View
If you exalt yourself, what do you leave for God to give you?
Rather, listen to God's voice. Doing his will is all you need
to do.
TREE OF LIGHT
INFANT MEMORIAL MASS
Sunday - November 4, 2007
Bishop J. Peter Sartain will preside at this Mass for all
families and individuals remembering babies who have been lost
through miscarriage, stillbirth, other pregnancy losses, and
infant or early childhood death. A special outdoor tree-
lighting ceremony will take place to commemorate these babies.
The Mass will begin at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, November 4, 2007 at
St. Charles Pastoral Center. Family members may wish to arrive
at 2:30 to sign in and to gather in the chapel. Friends and all
family members are invited. A reception with light refreshments
will be served immediately following. Elizabeth Ministry
ministers will assist in hosting the event, which is sponsored
by The Center for Family Ministry of the Diocese of Joliet.
Please call 815-838-5334 to indicate the number of those
planning to attend. If you are not able to attend and would
like your baby remembered, please call us.
Pat Spain, Secretary
Diocese of Joliet
The Center for Family Ministry
402 S Independence Blvd
Romeoville, IL 60446-2264
Phone: 815-838-5334 Fax: 815-834-4045
Email: familyministry@dioceseofjoliet.org
www.dioceseofjoliet.org/familyministry
Diocesan News
RETREAT-RACHEL'S VINEYARD
Our Rachel's Vineyard Retreat is rescheduled for November 2 - 4,
2007. Rachel's Vineyard weekend retreats offer a beautiful
opportunity for healing to any woman or man who has struggled
with the emotional or spiritual pain of an abortion.
Confidentiality: Rachel's Vineyard strictly respects
confidentiality and privacy. If you or someone you know is
hurting, please call today. To learn more about a Rachel's
Vineyard retreat or to register contact Kay at (815) 838-7171.
VISITATION CCW'S 31ST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Saturday, November 3, 2007 9 am- 3 pm
Valentino Center
See CCW.VISITATIONPARISH.ORG for more information.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES FALL OPEN
HOUSES
Immaculate Conception High School
217 Cottage Hill Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Sunday, November 4, 2007
2:00-4:00pm
For more information call Kathy Kowieski at 630-530-3484 or go
to www.ichsknights.org
ALL SAINTS DAY MASSES
This Thursday we will celebrate the Feast of All Saints
This Feast Day is a holy day of obligation. Please join us in
worship at one of our Masses: Thursday, All Saints Day
November 1, 2007
8:30a.m.
7:30p.m.