ADVENT IS HERE:
SHOW THE FACE OF CHRIST
This is already the third Sunday of Advent! These weeks are such a busy time for everyone, with family activities, decorating, shopping, and parties, all happening in the midst of work schedules that often do not change or even get busier at the end of each month. It is a paradox - and often hard to believe at times like this - that the more time we spend in prayer, the more time we seem to have for everything else. Let us try during these last weeks of Advent to dedicate time to some form of Advent prayer. This can be reflection on daily meditations or scripture readings. It can also be in silence, or in other activities that encourage prayer and Christian action. Below are a few suggestions, including some ideas adapted from the U.S. Bishops Conference on ways that we can keep Advent:
* Make or buy a simple clay pot or other container. Put it at the center of your prayer space or near your Bible. On small slips of paper, write down the ways in which you recognize or watch for the presence of God in your life during these Advent days. Fold the slips of paper and place them in the clay pot.
* Set aside time during the weeks of Advent to read and reflect on the chapters in the catechism, especially about Jesus, the Incarnation, and Mary.
* Adopt a form of grace before meals, if you do not have one (even when you eat out). If prayer before meals is already a regular part of your family's practice, try using something new throughout the Advent and Christmas season.
* Set a limit on Christmas gift buying. Donate a percentage of the total amount designated for gifts to a local charity.
* Challenge yourself to buy only fair trade items (meaning that laborers are not exploited and are paid a fair wage) as gifts this Christmas.
* Spend some time reflecting on the call to charity (love of others) during the season. Read short excerpts from Catholic Social Teaching throughout Advent. Many resources can be found on the website of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops at http://www.usccb.org. Think about actions to take to improve relationships in our lives.
* During Advent, we focus on Mary and her response to God's call. Identify in what ways Mary is a model of holiness for you. Make it a habit to pray to Mary regularly during the season.
* Write a card or letter to each member of your family to give to them on Christmas Day. Thank them for all that they have shared with you.
Dr. Mary
Dr. Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM 2
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the Catholic who has
everything? Here's the answer you have been looking for!
A special benefit performance presented by Visitation Religious
Education Program starring Mary Beth Burns. Ms. Burns performs
nationally and internationally with the award winning Chicago
Sketch Comedy troupe.
Date: Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 7:00pm. Doors open at
6:15pm
Location: Valentino Center, Visitation Parish, 851 S. York,
Elmhurst, IL
Tickets: Premier - Reserved seating in 1st three rows - $50.00
All Others - $35.00
**Refreshments**Free parking**must be 21 to attend**
Go to www.visitationparish.org or call or email Sue McGhee at
630/832-2775, smcghee@ameritech.net, or Mary Lewis at 630/941-
9173, mary-lewis@comcast.net to order tickets or for more
information.
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Dec 16th
For those who are engaged to be married
that in this season of the Holy Child
they might pray for the children
which God will bring to the Sacrament of their lives;
We pray to the Lord:
WINGS TO HEAVEN YOUTH GROUP
A special thanks to our Wings to Heaven Youth Group. They
did a wonderful job entertaining for the senior Christmas dinner.
We would also like to acknowledge Mary Alex Japczyk and Michelle
Duprey, two of our Destiny high school students for playing their
violins during dinner. You were all GREAT!!!! Thank you for
giving of your time and talent to make the Christmas season
brighter.
REMINDER: Wings to Heaven Christmas party is Sunday,
Dec. 16th, 6-8 pm. Bring an appetizer and white elephant gift
for grab bag.
DESTINY HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP
Mark your calendars and plan to join us.
June 27-29, 2008
Youth Leadership Conference
Lewis University, Romeoville
It is an awesome weekend of
praise, friendship and worship.
We hope you will plan on joining us.
Questions? Call Mrs. Gusloff 630-832-4348 or email
the5ofgus@aol.com
Due to the Christmas Holy Days, all articles for the upcoming
bulletins will have the following deadlines:
For Bulletin On Articles due by noon on :
12/30 & 1/6 12/19
Thank you for your cooperation.
Christmas Mass Schedule:
Children's Mass with Nativity Pageant
Monday, December 24 at 4:00 p.m.
(Please note the NEW TIME this year)
Christmas Eve, Monday December 24
Prelude Concert at 10:00 p.m.
"Midnight Mass" at 11:00 p.m.
Christmas Day, Tuesday December 25
8:30 a.m. Mass
10:30 a.m. Mass
New Year's Eve, Monday December 31, 2007
5:00 p.m. Mass
New Year's Day, Tuesday January 1, 2008
9:00 a.m. Mass
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital sponsors two (2) adult grief
support groups. One group meets in the evening and the other
group meets during the day time. The evening group meets at the
hospital (200 Berteau) on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month
from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Bates Conference Room. The other group
meets at Elmhurst Memorial Center for Health (1200 S. York Rd) in
Conference Room E. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from
9:30-11:00 a.m. For more information call 630-833-1400 Ex. 47058
or 630-833-8200 Ex. 73541
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.
The Preschool will begin Registration for the 2008-2009 school
year beginning in January. We will be offering Open House for
those interested in visiting our classroom.
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2008
Saturday January 12, 2008 9:00am-11:00am
Sunday January 13, 2008 9:30am-12:30pm
After the 8:30am and 10:30am Masses
Tuesday January 29, 2008 6:30pm-8:00pm
LITTLE ROCK SCRIPTURE STUDY
The Mary Queen of Heaven Adult Education and Spirituality
Commission continues the Year of Women in the Bible and the
Church with our next Scripture Study, Women in the Old Testament.
The study will begin the week of January 7, 2008 and continue for
9 weeks through the week of March 10, 2008. The cost once again
will be $12.00 and if you need assistance please speak to Dr.
Mary Foley.
Only in recent years has attention been given to stories of
biblical women. There are stories of queens and slaves,
assassins and victims of rape, mothers and wives, sisters and in-
laws. Our study will tell the stories of only some of the women
in the Old Testament. It is the hope of the author of the study
to encourage readers to search for more biblical women and also
to find the story of faith reflected in the stories of their own
lives.
Sign-up will take place this weekend, December 15-16. If
you have any further questions or would like to inquire about
facilitating a group study please contact Lynn Suwanski 630-530-
2523 or Alex and Marie Grozik 630-530-0503.
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.
Aurora Arce Natalie Baker
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
Sr. Emmanuel Kattner, OSF Irene Kmieciak
Anne Kostas Wendy Kraffky
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 Joen Szypulski
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.
L.O.S.S. Support Group
(Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)
Through the collaboration of Catholic Charities (the
Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet), support groups
are in place for anyone who has lost a relative or friend to
suicide. A trained facilitator and a mental health professional
assist these groups. The groups meet from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. on
either the third Wednesday or the ** fourth Tuesday of the month.
The next meeting dates are as follows:
December 19 - St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center,
130 Woodlawn in Joliet
**December 18 - St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center,
101 West Loop Drive in Wheaton.
During the month of December, all groups will participate
in a candlelight service of remembrance. Members may bring a
photo of their loved ones who have died.
**Please note that this group will be meeting one week earlier
for the month of December. For more information, call toll-free
800-240-7011. Visit us at www.cc-doj.org
NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENING OF PRAYER
Rev. Tom Borkowski will present "Giving Birth to 2008", a
New Year's Eve evening of prayer with the overnight option. Come
join Fr. Tom for the Cenacle's beautiful Annual New Year's
celebration. The evening will give retreatants the opportunity
to reflect upon God's presence during the past twelve months and
to consider what new and unexpected surprises God may have in
mind as they approach the New Year. The evening includes
presentations by Fr. Tom, group conversation, time for personal
prayer, celebration of the Eucharist and refreshments. The cost
is $85 for the overnight option, which includes program,
refreshments, accommodations and Continental breakfast. The cost
is $45 for the evening only, which includes the program and
refreshments. A $15 deposit will confirm your registration.
For further information or to register for this program, please
call 630-393-1231 or email cacarroll@cenacle.org
A Vocation View
"As your models in suffering hardships and in
patience, friend, take the prophets who spoke in the name
of the Lord." (James 5:10) A vocation is responding to the
call of God.
Parish News
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Thank you to all who participated in last week's family
mass. It was beautiful. All those who had special "jobs" did
great. The choirs were awesome and Deacon Tom and Fr. Tapper
amazing as usual.
Thank you to all who participated in our RE Advent Service
Projects.
Several boxes of new unwrapped toys were collected for Marillac
House. Sr. Antoinette is very grateful to everyone for their
generosity. Many children on the near West Side...not so very far
from Elmhurst, will have smiles on their faces this Christmas
morning because of you.
After Christmas we will report which animal received the
most votes in our Heifer International project. Thanks to all our
children who took part in this most worthy, educational, and fun
activity.
Please note:
RE classes will not be in session on December 19th, 26h, and
January 2nd. Class sessions will resume at the normal time on
Wednesday, January 9th.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at
the REO, 832-8962.
"THE DONNER FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT"
"Christ the King Parish in Lombard will host "THE DONNER
FAMILY CHRISTMAS CONCERT" on December 28, 2007 at 7 PM in the
Church. The Donners, a Christ based singing family, will present
a concert featuring Christmas songs and hymns. The group consist
of Celeste Donner, with her daughters Mary, Meagan, and Faith.
Free admission, affordable family fun. Any questions, please
call (630) 629-1717, ext. 23."
Catholic Perspectives on Immigration
Save the Date: January 23, 2008
On the evening of Wednesday, January 23, 2008 the
parish will sponsor a panel discussion on the topic of
immigration. Bishop John Manz, of The Archdiocese of
Chicago, who worked together with the U.S.-Mexican Bishops'
Committee, which produced the pastoral letter Strangers No
Longer, will discuss Catholic Social Doctrine and
Immigration. Other speakers will discuss the role of local
churches regarding immigrants and the issue of reform of U.
S. immigration laws and procedures. Questions and
discussion will follow.
MASS IN CELEBRATION OF ALL LIFE
Sunday, January 13, 2:00 p.m. - The first annual Mass in
Celebration of All Life in honor of those who respect & protect
life will be held at the Cathedral for parish Respect Life
coordinators and their families. Bishop J. Peter Sartain will
serve as celebrant and homilist. Bishop Roger L. Kaffer will
concelebrate. There will be a Children's Candle and Roses
Procession. Special blessings will be given to all who are or who
have worked for Respect Life as well as those traveling to the
March for Life in Washington or San Francisco. A reception will
follow the Mass. For more information, contact John or Mary
Therese Egizio ((815-722-1600) or the Life Office ((815-838-
1002).
WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER:
Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a weekend experience for
any married couple who wishes to enhance their life together.
Most marriages can use some tender loving care, and every
marriage deserves it! Weekends will be held on the following
dates in 2008:
February 22-24 April 11-13 June 6-8
September 19-21 November 14-16 December 5-7
To register, or for more information, please call ((630-577-0778)
or see www.wwmejoliet.org
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF BISHOP SARTAIN:
The U.S. Bishops received a letter from Edward Cardinal Egan
regarding the schedule of Pope Benedict XVI while in New York.
Here is part of the letter shared:
"...On Sunday morning, April 20th, the Holy Father will be at Ground
Zero to pray for the victims and heroes of the World Trade Center
tragedy. Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Journey to the United
States will culminate that afternoon with a Solemn Pontifical
Mass at Yankee Stadium...it would be most helpful if you could send
us... an indication of the number of tickets your
Archdiocese/Diocese will need.. you will have to provide us with
the name, address, and appropriate identifying information for
each ticket holder. All of this is required by the United States
Secret Service and the New York City Police Department... We will
do our very best to honor all requests so as to ensure that the
Holy Father is joined for the concluding Liturgy of his Apostolic
Journey by a large and enthusiastic congregation, representative
of the entire nation..."
If you would like to attend the Mass to be celebrated at
Yankee Stadium by the Holy Father on the afternoon of April
20, 2008, please call the parish office no later than
Thursday, December 20. While the diocese apologizes for
the short notice, they must receive our requests by that
date in order to make their deadline, since church and
diocesan offices are closed over Christmas. As soon as
more information is received about the Pope's visit to the
U.S., it will be shared.