Since the bulletin is written early, I am still eagerly anticipating our Dinner Dance on Friday evening, which will have already happened by the time you read this! I want to thank all of you who helped with this important parish event. Thanks to all of those who purchased tickets and came out for the evening, thanks to all of those who worked so hard on the committee this year, especially Diane and Joel Bernstein, Janet Cavenaugh, Margaret Fuchsen, Donna Glick, Terri Kevil, Mary Nanak, Marcy Rohman, Kim Rossiano, Sheila Reiter, Michele Sciabaca, Phylis Twardowski, Karen Vicary, Mary Pat Wahlgren, Ellen Walker, Mary White! Thanks, too, to all of those who sold tickets, mailed letters, made phone calls, visited vendors, picked up auction donations, and spent time late into the night wrapping up our beautiful auction gifts. This special occasion would not have been possible without you!
Thinking about writing beforehand about something that will be over when these words are read makes me think about the character of time. Time is something sacred; it is a gift that God gives to each one of us, although we never know the length of our days. Time is a gift we should use wisely and it is a good thing for us to reflect upon how we do use the time we are given. The church draws attention to the importance of time in the setting of our liturgical calendar. In this coming week, we will start a new liturgical season beginning with Ash Wednesday, when we start Lent.
Our Lenten theme this year was planned by our parish Liturgy Committee in the fall. The theme is: "Look Within and Return to the Way of the Lord." May this coming season of Lent be a time of deep reflection on the way we live our lives. May this reflection, along with our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, be fruitful helps to us and may God guide our steps to the way of the Lord.
Dr. Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Market Day Orders for February are due Monday, February 18, at noon. Turn in your order form in the box in the back of church or at the rectory. Pickup on Saturday, February 23, 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 . RENTAL AND USE OF BARRETT HALL AND SOCIAL HALL The renting and use of Barrett Hall and the Social Hall depends upon the event. Barrett Hall is available for things related to the sacraments or ministries of the church. For example, in Barrett Hall we have had multiple wedding receptions, gatherings after funerals and memorial services, and retreats for religious groups. We do not use Barrett Hall for individual celebrations when many children together receive a sacrament for the first time, although we try to have group receptions there when possible, nor is it used for private parties. The Social Hall (in the school building), as well as classrooms at certain times, are available for rent for private parties or meetings of groups or organizations from outside the parish. We will accommodate what requests we can, at times when adequate staffing is available. All facility rentals require an application and approval. In addition, there is the necessary purchase of insurance through the Diocese of Joliet. For more information about the use or rental of Barrett Hall for religious events, please contact the Pastoral Life Coordinator, Mary Foley. For information about the use or rental of the Social Hall or classrooms for a private party or a meeting of an organization outside of the parish, please contact the Parish Office Manager, Sr. Marlene Geimer. Both can be reached at the parish office at (630) 279-5700. A Vocation View A child's handful of pulled dandelions will bring joy to a mother. A small act of kindness will surprise the lonely heart. Who will bring joy and kindness today? 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! EUCHARISTIC ADORATION "Oh Thou our Reminder of Christ crucified, Living Bread, the Life of us for whom He died; Lend this life to me then; feed and feast my mind, There be Thou the sweetness man was meant to find." (From the hymn, Adoro Te Devote of St. Thomas Aquinas, Dominican & theologian, feastday Jan. 28) Come and spend some time in prayer at our next Day of Eucharistic Adoration, on Monday, February 4th, from 9 AM to 7 PM. The day of prayer opens with Mass at 8:30 AM and closes with Benediction at 7:00 PM. All are invited to join us any time during the day and for Benediction. MARY QUEEN OF HEAVEN CHOIR CONCERT, FEBRUARY 24, 2008 Tickets for the Mary Queen of Heaven choir concert will be sold before and after all Masses beginning February 2, 2008. Ticket cost is $25.00. The choir will sing the Rutter Requiem. There will be additional performances by all four choirs (Adult, Treble, Middle School and 2-4 grade choir). Hope you will join us! SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Please call the Preschool for information. Become a part of our growing school. Schedule a visit, meet the teacher, come "Light the Way" with us. The Preschool is accepting 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. THANK YOU, MOLLY LINDBERG After more than four years of strong leadership of our Music Ministry, Molly Lindberg will be leaving us. We want to thank her for all of her hard work and her dedication. Molly completes her service as Music Director with the special concert planned for February 24. We hope that you will come to the concert and enjoy the performance and honor her for her giftedness and for all she has done for the parish. Following Molly's departure, Tim Barton, our regular accompanist, will serve as the Interim Music Director for the rest of this choir season and he will have assistants working with him with our children's choirs. We are beginning a national search process for our new Music Director. The search process will be led by parishioner Paul French, who is Music Director of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Chicago. Paul is a nationally known liturgical musician who has served on the Board of Directors for the American Federation Pueri Cantores, the official student choral organization of the Roman Catholic Church. If you are interested in being part of the committee working together with Paul, please contact the Parish Office. SENIORS INVITED TO DEFER PROPERTY TAXES Qualified senior citizens, aged 65 years and older are invited to apply for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. The program allows participants to defer property tax payment until the property is sold. The deferral is treated as a loan and accrues 6 percent simple interest until paid. To qualify, the applicant's household income cannot exceed $50,000. Additionally, the property must be used exclusively for residential purposes. The application period closes March 1, 2008. For more information, contact the DuPage County Treasurer's Office at 630- 407-5900 or www.dupageco.org/treasurer.Gwen Henry, Treasurer STATIONS OF THE CROSS Please join us on Fridays during Lent at 7:00 PM to pray the Stations of the Cross. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Thank you so much to all who made last weekend's Confirmation Retreat so wonderful. It was a moving experience that both our young people and the adults who helped will not soon forget. Thank you in particular to Kathleen Gusloff, who facilitated the day. She did an awesome job. Thank you to the High School and College helpers who gave up their Saturday to help. Just in case, we need to be reminded, we have amazing young people in our parish. Thank you to the adults who were here, especially Tom Gusloff, Joni Giammarino, Judy Socha, and Ron Smith, and to Terri Kevil and JoAnn Madden. Thank you to our 8th graders, you are fantastic. The future of our church is in good hands. Please mark your calendars: 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 at 5:00PM is Family Mass. Our second graders will participate in a Commitment Ritual for the reception of their First Communion. All our invited to celebrate with our young ones who will be joining us at the Eucharistic table in the spring. Wednesday, February 13th Gr. 2 parents of First Communicants are expected to attend a special meeting at 7:00PM in Barrett Hall. The meeting will last approximately 1 hour. For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. L.O.S.S. UP-COMING 10 SESSION GROUP The L.O.S.S. (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) Program provides services to those who are grieving a death by suicide of a family member or close friend. Eight weekly sessions and two monthly follow-up meetings for those grieving the death of a loved one will be offered. Meetings are held from 7 to 9 p.m. St. Daniel the Prophet (Rm.106) 101 West Loop Drive Wheaton, IL Tuesdays, March 4 thru April 22 May 6th and June 3rd We need at least 10 people signed up to convene a group. Call Laura Vargas at 815-724-1152 to register or for additional information. Deadline to register is Wednesday, Feb. 27th. L.O.S.S. is a program provided by Catholic Charities. CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH (CHRP) - DON'T MISS OUT! SIGN UP NOW! Do you want to experience a spiritual renewal? Do you want to enhance your Lenten experience? At the same time, meet others who are struggling with the same daily issues you might be, learn more about scripture, get to know other parishioners you might only have seen in Church and begin a new phase in your faith journey. This weekend is so powerful you only experience it once - it's not a weekend you make over and over again. You can continue on and become team to present the weekend but you can experience it as a participant only one time. Curious? Is Jesus knocking at your heart? Please prayerfully consider attending the Men's CHRP weekend (February 15-17, 2008) and the Women's weekend (March 7-9, 2008). I guarantee it will impact your life. Mary Queen of Heaven's CHRP Reservation Form IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SPEND THE NIGHT!!! 7:30 p.m. Friday night to Sunday ending at approximately 6:30 p.m. Cost: $30 Name__________________________________________ Address________________________________________ City/Zip________________________________________ Phone_________________________________________ Email__________________________________________ Emergency Contact Person_________________________________________ Emergency Phone Number________________________________________ Special Dietary Needs:_______________________________________________ Other Special Needs:_______________________________________________ Please make the check payable to Mary Queen and return with your reservation form to Mary Queen of Heaven, Attn: CHRP - Karen Sutkus, 426 N. West Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126 or return this form Attn: Karen Sutkus in the collection basket on Sunday. Contact Karen at (630) 279-3240 or ksutkus1@comcast.net with any questions or concerns. DO YOU WANT TO BE AN ALTAR SERVER? If you have had your First Communion you can join us for a training session, Saturday, February 9th at 10:00 am at the church. Please call the Parish office by Friday, February 8th if you are planning on attending. YOUTH NEWS Any youth interested in finding out more of what it means to be called to a vocation in the priesthood or religious life, please note the following programs held in our diocese. OPERATION ANDREW DINNERS: These dinners with Bishop Sartain are open to all men who are high school age or older. Each evening begins at 6:00 p.m. and ends by 8:00 p.m. They will have dinner with Bishop Sartain, hear a vocation story, ask questions and meet other young men interested in knowing more about the priesthood. There are four different locations throughout the Diocese of Joliet so that each person who is interested can attend one of these dinners. Have the men speak to the pastor if they are interested in coming to one of the following: Thursday, February 28 - Holy Family Parish in Shorewood Thursday, April 10 - St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale Thursday, April 24 - St. Teresa Parish in Kankakee JEREMIAH DAY: Boys in grades 7-10 are invited to Mundelein Seminary on Saturday, March 1. This day will provide the young men a chance to visit a seminary and experience the life of a seminarian. For more information, contact the Vocation Office by phone ((815-834-4004) or email noral@dioceseofjoliet.org. MARIAN DAY: Girls in grades 7-10 are invited to Loretto Convent on Saturday March 1 to learn more about religious life. The day will provide young women a chance to visit a convent and experience the life of religious sisters. For more information, contact the Vocation Office by phone ((815-834-4004) or email noral@dioceseofjoliet.org. YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS: Wings to Heaven ... Lock in Mark your calendars for Friday April 11th Food, fun and worship Cost is $15 and every child must have a permission slip We hope you will join us.. it is a BLAST!! Destiny (high school) Youth Leadership Conference June 27-29th Lewis University, Romeoville PLEASE NOTE THE FRAMED CANVAS IN THE BACK OF CHURCH FOR MEETING TIMES AND INFO REGARDING YOUTH GROUPS. If you would like to be added to our email list or have any questions Please call Kathleen Gusloff 630-832-4348 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION HIGH SCHOOL HONORS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ICHS will honor its 2008 Hall of Fame inductees on Friday, February 8th at halftime of the Men's Varsity Basketball Game. The sophomore game will begin at 5:00pm and the varsity game will start at 6:30pm. The inaugural ICHS Hall of Fame Knight induction ceremony and banquet, sponsored by the White Knight Scholarship Fund, will take place on February 8th from 8-11pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 537 S. York Rd. Tickets are $45 per person and include entrance, cocktails and a buffet dinner. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Mary Madsen at 630-530-3460 or Tom Ryan at 630-279-6563. Inductees are: Coaches- Jack Lewis, Jean Field, Robert Shields; Alumni Athletes- Jim Bauernfeind '56, Richard Erlenbaugh '60, Jay Popp '65, Lee Pitlock '65, Dennis Kornaus '66, Jim Morgan '67, Ron Drozd '67, Elaine Curran (Houser)'78, Linda Tully '82, Andrew Pinter '91, Bob McMillen (inducted in 2006). ASH WEDNESDAY MASS AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASHES Mass Times: 8:30 AM 7:30 PM Prayer Service and Distribution of Ashes: Noon 4:00 PM Christian Worship Commission LENTEN REGULATIONS 1. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. 2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. 3. On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. 4. To intentionally disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful. 5. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year. All of the faithful are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self-denial (in addition to following the Lenten regulations), serious prayer, and a performance of works of charity and mercy.