Women Mystics in the Church/
Catholic Perspectives on Immigration
There are several important events occurring in the coming week. This Tuesday evening, we will welcome Dr. Mary Frohlich, who is the Chair of the Department of Spirituality for Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, the largest Catholic theological school in our country. Dr. Frohlich is also a Sister; she is a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart. She will be the first in our year-long series of speakers on Women in the Church/Women in the Bible. Dr. Frohlich will be talking about Women Mystics in the history of our Church. These are people whose deep faith and spirituality led them to have highly intimate relationships with God. Their lives and writings have been an inspiration for countless Christian men and women. In Dr. Frohlich's own words:
Medieval women mystics faced remarkable obstacles to exercising their gifts of spiritual wisdom and leadership. This presentation will explore how women like Hildegard of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, and Joan of Arc nevertheless succeeded in making a major difference in the life of the Church and society of their time - and ours!
Please join us for what will surely be an interesting and informative evening with Dr. Mary Frohlich on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Barrett Hall.
On Wednesday, our parish is privileged to host a panel presentation on Catholic teaching and action related to the subject of immigration. Our guest speaker will be Bishop John Manz, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and co- author, along with bishops of the United States and Mexico, of the Pastoral Letter, "Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope." Bishop Manz will speak to our children in grades 5-8 who are in the third session of our Religious Education program from 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. in the church. Parents should bring their children to the church on Wednesday night and their catechists will bring them back to their classrooms after their visit with Bishop Manz. At 7:30, Bishop Manz will move to Barrett Hall, where all adults of the parish are invited to attend a panel presentation. At this time, Bishop Manz will be joined by two priests of the Diocese of Joliet - Father Luis Guttierez of St. Dominic Parish in Bolingbrook and Father Ray Corkery of Mount Carmel Parish in Joliet. Bishop Manz will be talking about the work and writings of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops on issues related to immigration and Fathers Gutierrez and Corkery will speak to what individual Catholics and parishes can do. Besides the speaker presentations, there will be time for questions and answers and discussion. This is the first of a number of events planned by our parish Peace and Justice Committee to address issues relating to immigration and social justice.
While these two events are not directly related to one another, they complement each other in the sense that the contemplative and active are both necessary components of Catholic spiritual life, especially as members of the laity. We must be people of prayer who take time for silence and contemplation on the life of Jesus and on our own relationship with God. But this relationship can never be lived apart from thoughtful action in the world, for we are called by virtue of our baptism to evangelize and bring the truth of the gospel and the light of our faith to bear on matters of great concern. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5), calling the world to him.
Focusing on these topics this week and on the role of lay people in the world is also good preparation for another subject in Catholic social teaching that we will begin to focus on next week, in preparation for primary and presidential elections coming up this year. We are also called to Faithful Citizenship. While the church does not engage in politics directly, our political life and our voting as citizens of this country should be informed by the teachings of the Church. We should become educated voters: educated about the issues and the candidates, and also educated in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
In the time between now and next week, our country will celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was certainly a man whose own teaching about non-violent resistance to evil was motivated by deep Christian faith. A flawed human being like us all, Dr. King nevertheless trusted in the power of the Holy Spirit and he believed that love in the face of hatred would overcome major divisions in our society. While the wounds of racism are still very real in our country, Dr. King's life and faithful action brought undeniable change to civil rights laws in the United States, earning him a national holiday. While not a Catholic, he undoubtedly also holds a place in the communion of saints.
Dr. Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
CELEBRATE THE "20's"
at our 10th Annual
Evening Under the Stars
Auction & Dinner Dance
When: Friday, February 1, 2008
Where: Alta Villa Banquets
430 N. Addison Rd
Addison, Illinois
Cash Bar: 6:30 pm Dinner Served: 7:30 pm
Ticket Donation: $45 per person
Be sure to mark your calendar and invite your
family, friends and neighbors! We're planning an
evening of fun and enjoyment for all. Delicious
Food, Music for Dancing and many, many beautiful
auction items. Please join us in making this 10th
year a special one! Celebrate the "20's" and if
you wish dress the part. Our committee is working
especially hard to make this year a memorable
occasion for all.
Reservations and Tickets will be available
after all Masses.. As in previous years, we will
be having a raffle and tickets will be mailed to
all parishioners in the near future. Even if you
are unable to attend the event, we would appreciate
your support of the raffle. "All proceeds from the
Auction/Dinner Dance will be used to support the
many ministries in our parish, the youth and the
needy."
YOGA CLASSES
Recommended for ages 15 to 75 (however, everyone is welcome)
Increase your flexibility, strength, and decrease your stress.
It is about balance, strength, and mobility.
Tuesdays 9 am to 10 am January 22, and 29
$4 per class ($6 for families) Call Debbie Styka at 630-941-
7224
Please bring a non-slip yoga mat if you have one.
Required: comfortable clothing, socks that can come off
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2008
Tuesday January 29, 2008 6:30pm-8:00pm
The Preschool has begun Registration for the 2008-2009
school year. We are offering Open Houses for those interested in
visiting our classroom.
Please see our website at www.maryqueenpreschool.org and
contact the school office for more information and registration.
(630) 833-9500
Preschool tours scheduled upon request.
A Vocation View
Isaiah's vocation was to be a light to the nations. Nations and
neighborhoods need missionaries-lay, clergy and religious.
Listen to the call!
Market Day
Orders for January are due Monday, January 21, at noon. Turn
in your order form in the box in the back of church or at the
rectory. Pickup on Saturday, January 26, 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 .
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Catholic Charities is in need of volunteers to help move
homeless families into apartments newly being made available to
them. This one time move would take place the 2nd , 3rd , or 4th
weekend in January. A truck of some sort ( box or pick-up) would
be extremely useful, but not necessary to volunteer. If you are
able bodied and ever thought of physically helping the less
fortunate - NOW IS THE TIME ! If interested, call Larry Cada,
Catholic Charities 630-495-8008
Are you someone who is drawn to the Catholic Faith? Were
you raised in another faith tradition, married a Catholic, and
are raising your children in the Catholic Faith? Do you wish to
be confirmed in the Catholic faith?
Or perhaps you were not raised in a religious environment,
but now feel drawn to a deeper relationship with God. Would you
like to explore the richness of the sacramental life of the
Catholic Church?
Well, COME AND SEE! Our RCIA team meets each Tuesday
evening. We are there to share our faith, answer questions and
learn from one another. Questions? Call Tom @ 530-4502 or Mimi @
941-3851.
There is no obligation to commit; just COME AND SEE!
Parish News
3rd ANNUAL PRAYER SERVICE AND CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL FOR LIFE
For the US Bishop's Day of Penance for Violation of Humans
though Abortion and Day of Prayer for Restoration of the Right to
Life.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 (the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade
decision)
5:00 PM Gather at the Agnesian Room of Immaculate Conception's
Parish Center, 134 Arthur Street, Elmhurst.
For instructions, candles (battery operated), peaceful
life posters, and Metra tickets.
5:20 PM Process to the assigned spots at the Elmhurst Metra
Station (located at south side lamp posts so as to be in
the light and so as not to obstruct foot traffic) for
song and prayer.
Remain there for the 5:39, 5:53, 6:00, and the 6:06 PM trains.
6:10 PM Process to Immaculate Conception Church, 132 Arthur
Street, Elmhurst.
6:30 PM Prayer Service
7:00 PM Gathering, soup, sandwiches, and information sharing, in
the Agnesian Room of Immaculate Conception's Parish
Center, 134 Arthur Street, Elmhurst.
There will be signs, candles, and brochures, for the vigil,
but if people could bring extra tasteful posters, it would be
welcomed. For further information please contact Terri Kevil at
630-279-4165.
Fenwick High School
Blackfriars Guild
Presents
"BANUA 2008"
A Musical-Comedy Review
Friday, January 25, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
$7.00 Students
$9.00 Adults
Fenwick High School Auditorium
505 W. Washington Blvd.
Oak Park, Illinois
Tickets at the Door
WOMEN MYSTICS OF THE CHURCH
As part of a year-long celebration of Women in the
Church/Bible, the Adult Education and Spirituality Committee is
proud to present Sister Mary Frohlich, who will discuss Women
Mystics of the Church, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22 in
Barrett Hall. Men are encouraged to bring their wives. For
further information, contact the Church office at 630-279-5700.
Dear Mary Queen of Heaven Parishioners,
Thank you very much for the lovely Christmas gifts that you
provided the facility with. The residents had many wonderful
comments about their gift. They couldn't believe that they
received exactly what they needed. The residents would love to
thank each and every one of you who participated with the giving
tree. God is awesome! He always provides for His children. May
God bless each of you for your generosity. It is overwhelming.
Thank you again,
Cindy Gawryla
Activity Director
Elmhurst Extended Care
Center
200 East Lake Street
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Faith Sharing
(Use with your family or to open meetings)
1. Read the daily gospel.
2. Pause for a minute of silence.
3. Read it again slowly.
4. What word or phrase "jumps out" at me?
5. Share the word or phrase (no explanation).
6. Share a sentence or two about why this touched
you.
7. Thank your friends or family.
8. Thank God for the opportunity to share faith
(brief prayer).
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The proceeds of the annual Collection for the Church in
Latin America are distributed to dioceses, parishes, religious
congregations, seminaries, and other Catholic institutions
throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. These essential
funds assist in the formation of priests, religious, lay
ministers, missionaries, pastoral agents, catechists, and youth
ministers.
These funds enable our fellow Catholics in Latin America
and the Caribbean-who are rich in faith, but often lack material
resources-to participate more fully as disciples and to respond
to their call to mission.
Last year, as a result of your generosity, our total
diocesan collection was $257,517.61. The Church in the United
States was able to support 476 pastoral grants in 23 countries,
as well as the work of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops' Department of Social Development and World Peace (now
the Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development) on
behalf of the Church in Latin America. This year, I ask you to
contribute generously again to this worthy Collection. Further
information can be found at www.usccb.org/latinamerica.
Together, let us ask the Lord to continue to bless us in
all that we do.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain
Bishop of Joliet
"CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVES ON IMMIGRATION"
JANUARY 23, 2008 7:30PM
In his letter of January 2006, Bishop Gerald Barnes of San
Bernardino, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, stated:
The Church's voice on behalf of immigrants is more
critically needed than ever before. A growing anti-immigrant
sentiment is taking hold in this nation of immigrants, even among
some Catholics who themselves trace their roots to the
immigrant experience. You and your parish have an
opportunity to become better informed about the situation of
immigrants and how our nation's laws need to be changed to
reflect a more just approach toward immigrants and immigration
policy....For this important Campaign of the Church to be
successful, a conversion of hearts and minds, resulting in
Christian attitudes toward immigrants, must be achieved.
In response to this call from our bishops, the Peace and
Justice Committee of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish is undertaking a
program of information and sensitization regarding the issue of
immigration policy in the United States. The socio-political and
economic ramifications of this issue are enormous, and continue
to loom large as our society prepares for yet another
presidential campaign. The concern of the Peace and Justice
Committee-indeed of all faithful Catholics-must be to ensure that
the public discussion and approach to resolving the immigration
crisis be grounded in the Gospel values of justice and compassion
as well as the social teaching of the Catholic Church.
On Wednesday, January 23, 2008, there will be a
presentation and panel discussion on the topic of "Catholic
Perspectives on Immigration". The program will take place in
Barrett Hall at 7:30 P.M. The Most Rev. John R. Manz, Auxiliary
Bishop of Chicago, will be joined by Father Luis Gutierrez of St.
Dominic Parish in Bolingbrook, and Father Ray Corkery of Mount
Carmel Parish in Joliet. There will be ample opportunity for
questions and discussion regarding appropriate Catholic
priorities and practical applications for parishes. Please join
us to learn more about this timely and important topic.
A Prayer for Immigrant Justice
Blessed are You, Lord God, King of all creation. Through Your
goodness, we live in this land that You have so richly blessed.
Help us always to recognize our Blessings come from You and
remind us to share them with others, especially those who come to
us today from other lands. Help us to be generous, just, and
welcoming, as You have been and are generous to us.
CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH (CHRP) -
NEW SPIRIUTAL RENEWAL WEEKENDS SCHEDULED
It is vital to the life and future of our parish that we
continue to make a special effort to renew ourselves spiritually
in Christ. We hope to do this through "Christ Renews His
Parish," a process which has been found effective in making
parishes become more spiritually vibrant and alive.
Our need is for 17 men and 17 women who feel a call from
the Holy Spirit to be part of this initial program for the
parish. There will be two renewal weekends here at Mary Queen of
Heaven in the school building. The Men's weekend will begin
Friday evening, February 15 and end on Sunday, February 17. The
Women's weekend will begin on March 7 and end on March 9. A team
from the Archdiocese of Chicago will be giving us the gift of
this weekend. The men and women who participate in this first
weekend will then go into formation to give a similar weekend to
other parishioners in our parish. Thus, a second team will be
formed and they will hold a weekend experience for a third group,
and so on.
No program can renew a parish, only Christ can. But
through our cooperation with his power in a process like "Christ
Renews His Parish", we can increase the enthusiasm fervor and
dedication of our people to Christ and his Church.
For further information, or if you are interested in
attending the weekend, please contact Karen Sutkus at (630) 279-
3240 or Alex Grozik at (630) 530-0503.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Please mark your calendars:
Saturday, January 26th 11:00AM - 4:45PM The Confirmation Retreat
for our 8th graders is in Barrett Hall followed by Mass at 5:00PM
in church. Please be reminded that all candidates must turn in
their Retreat permission forms to their classroom catechists in
order to attend.
Wednesday, February 6th
There are no regularly scheduled classes because of Ash
Wednesday. Families are requested to bring their children to
church at 4:00PM for the Distribution of Ashes or in the evening
for Mass and the Distribution of Ashes.
Saturday, February 9th
Family Mass is at 5:00PM . Our second graders will participate in
a Commitment Ritual for the reception of their First Communion.
Wednesday, February 13th
Gr. 2 parents of First Communicants are expected to attend a
special meeting at 7:00PM in Barrett Hall.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at
the REO, 832-8962.