Mary's Corner
Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church
426 N. West Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-2171
Parish Office: 630/279-5700
Fax: 630/279-4667
Market Day
Orders for January are due Monday, January 16, at noon. Turn in
your order form in the box at the back of church or at the
rectory. Pickup on Saturday, January 21, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
in the Social Hall.
If you have questions or would like to place an order,
please call Maria at 279-2238 or Karen at 279-4108.
Mayslake Ministries
"A Circle of Stones: Women at Prayer," is being presented
at Mayslake Ministries in Westmont on Jan. 12, and on the 2nd
Thursday of each month, from 7:30 - 9 p.m. Facilitated by Mary
Jo Valenziano at a cost of $15, all Christian women are welcome.
Call for info & to register at 630-323-1620.
Religious Education News
Mark your calendars:
No RE classes on Wednesday, January 4th.
Classes resume at the regular times on
Wednesday, January 11.
On behalf of all of our Religious Education staff, please
accept our wishes for a happy and peace-filled 2006.
If you have any questions or need more information, please
call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
New Year's Parish Office
The parish office will be closed on Monday, January 2.
Starting Tuesday, January 3, the parish office will be open on
weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
As always, in case of emergency, the pastoral life
coordinator can be reached at (630)379-8355.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Our next planning meeting will be held on Thursday, January
12th, 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall.
Plans for the MQH 50th Anniversary year-long celebration
are well underway but much help is needed to work on various
events. The following are some of the areas where we need
information and help.
1. Memorabilia from the past (pictures, booklets, newspaper
articles, etc).
2. Names and addresses of previous parishioners or alumni of our
school so we can invite them to our celebration. For more
information or questions: contact Sheila Reiter 833-6657 or
Ellen Walker 279-4021.
3. A 50th Anniversary Cookbook with best recipes from MQH
parishioners is planned. Recipes should be carefully
printed or typed and checked for accuracy. Recipe forms are
available in the vestibule of church and can be sent to the
rectory to the attention of Mary Nanak or Ellen Walker. We
thank you for your part icipation in this project and if
you have any questions please call Mary Nanak (530-4502) or
Ellen Walker (279-4021).
Help Someone Come Home!!
Welcoming Catholics Home Ministry is looking for interested
and compassionate parishioners to join our team. This is an
outreach ministry for Catholics who are interested in coming back
home to the church.
Our first six-week series was last April and May, and we
are planning our next series which begins on Tuesday, January 24,
at 7:30 p.m. and will run for six consecutive weeks.
Are you a compassionate, non-judgmental individual, who is
willing to join the team and walk with those seeking to return to
their Catholic faith? Are you seeking to strengthen your own
faith? Do you acknowledge that struggles in your faith journey
help you grow closer to God? Are you a Catholic that 'came
home'?
If you would like to be part of this exciting ministry, or
if you know of someone who is seeking to return to the Catholic
faith, call Donna Klopacz at 630-832-3618.
L.O.S.S. Support Group
(Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)
Joliet Diocese Catholic Charities sponsors support groups
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 to 9 p. m.
Jan. 3 - Catholic Charities Office
270 N. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee
Jan. 18 - St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center
130 Woodlawn in Joliet
Jan. 26 - St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center
101 West Loop Drive in Wheaton
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, alone or as a family. Thank you.
Joe Abruzzo Pam Bondfide
Heather Brennan Katherine Brennan
Kathleen Bryers Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante
Family of Cynthia Catalano Cosmore Ciancio
Paul Cirone Rhonda Colletti
Margaret Conroy Trudi Dolato
Dino Fuggitti Anna Heffel
Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt
Pat Holmes Michelle Humann
Maureen James Tom Janicke
Irene Kmieciak Bernadette Kohn
Tim Kowalski John Lane
Baby Emma Lynde Robert Manion
Bobbi Nannini Geri Pstrzoch
Vincent Scilluffo Eleanor Sikorski
Jeff Smith Karen Sutkus
Cathy Ward
Rest in Peace
Theresa Adorno, Marilyn Barloga, Rosa Soldano
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.
Wheaton Franciscans
Men's Group
You are invited to participate in a safe, non-therapeutic,
confidential place to nurture your spirit and your soul.
Join us every other Tuesday, January 10, 24, February 7,
21, March 14, 28, April 11, 25, May 9, 23, June 6, 20, 2006 from
7:30 -9:00 p.m. Meetings will be held at Maura Hall, Wheaton
Franciscan Campus, 26W171 Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187.
Facilitator: Fr. Tom Borkowski, Director of Faith
Development and Chaplain of the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters, is a
pastoral counselor, trained spiritual director and international
retreat leader. To register or to request more information,
please call Fr. Tom at 630/784-2685 or e-mail him at
tborkowski@wheatonfranciscan.org.
I traveled with 24 missionaries representing 3 states
(Arkansas, Illinois and New York), 10 parishes, and 6 dioceses to
the city of Sucre, Bolivia, for a joint education, construction
and medical mission sponsored by the Archdioceses of Sucre and
the Diocese of Joliet. Members of the construction team worked
in one of the poorest barrios (neighborhoods) and built a one-
room house from the ground up for a family in need of shelter.
Thirty-pound adobe blocks were fashioned on site and carried with
other supplies a quarter of a mile up a steep hill where the
house was to be built. Members of the family, including the
grandmother and 3-year-old daughter, helped carry sand and
materials up the hill with the others. Tears streamed down the
mother's fade as we dedicated and blessed the house at the end of
our stay.
In the schools and daycare facilities, members of the
education team brought supplies and toys to needy children whose
eyes beamed with love that someone cared enough to come and see
them. Team members and the children danced and sang together,
sharing cultures and languages at the same time. The wonderful
dedicated teachers (who have not been paid in months) continue to
work because of their love for the children.
the medical team included a general surgeon, an
orthopedist, a nurse anesthetist, surgical techs, and RNs. They
worked each day in the newly constructed hospital Cristas de Los
Americas, which was built by the diocese of Joliet just 5 years
ago. Although equipment was minimal, some for the donations
brought from the states, they performed over 60 operations of an
orthopedic and general surgical nature. Many people had
conditions similar to those we have in the U.S., but local
problems related to the Chagas beetle were certainly uncommon to
the doctors. The genital deformities wee also not seen in the
States very often.
The city of Sucre is at an altitude of 9000 Feed and has
approximately 250,000 people. The Spanish architecture is well
preserved and beautiful. We traveled to the Quecha Indian town
of Terrabucho on the weekend and visited and shopped at a large
market in the square.
There was a banquet at the end of the visit that many of
the local Bolivian people attended. The gratitude expressed to
all of us for coming, caring and sharing was a wonderful
experience. Some members of our team had been there before; this
is my 7th trip. I know why we return. It was a tremendous
mission. If you find it in your heart to consider a mission trip
like his one, let God guide you in your decision and the Holy
spirit will tell you when the time is right.
Thank you for all your prayers. Judy Fuschen
Christian Service Commission
Mission to Sucre, Bolivia
October 1-15, 2005 Judy Fuschen
MQH Recycling Program
Become environmentally aware and productive. Recycled
paper can help he world's efforts to reduce the destruction of
trees which has a long-lasting effect for our earth. Here area
couple of facts that you might find interesting. One ton of
recycled paper used to make newsprint saves: 17 trees, 390
gallons of oil, 4100 kw hours of electricity, 7000 gallons of
water and 3.3 cubic yards of landfill space. We can do it!!!
Just bring your paper to the yellow and green container by the
parish garage and help our earth and environment. More
information can be found the bulletin flier.
Sister Marlene
Immaculate Conception High School
Placement Test
Class of 2010
Entrance exam-Sat., January 14th, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Pre-Test and Entrance exam Workshop
Thursday, January 12th, 7-8PM
The workshop will offer test taking techniques and
strategies. A sample of the entrance test will be administered.
The fee is $25. The fee will cover the workshop and entrance
exam on Saturday, January 14th. Registration on the day of the
exam will be $30. No calculators or dictionaries are allowed.
Please bring two #2 pencils. For more information, please cal
Mary Madsen in the Main Office at 63-530-3460.
"Out of Poverty" Program
Catholic Charities in Lombard will hold an "Out of Poverty"
program for the poor and needy of our community in an effort to
prevent homelessness and improve people's lives. There are no
explicit criteria for attendance other than individuals who find
themselves out of poverty. "Out of Poverty" helps the
participants to take control of their goals, time, and money for
a prosperous and self-sufficient future and allows them to work
against hunger, homelessness, unemployment, and low self-esteem.
The free program runs for 10 weeks, twice a week, Mondays and
Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m., and will start Wed., Jan., 25 and last
until Mon., April 3.
Please call Sandra Feely at 630-495-8008, ext 64 with
questions and to be included on a list for the next class.
MQH Parish Pastoral Council
Meeting Summary -- November 28, 2005
All meetings of the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish
Pastoral Council are begun with prayer and faith sharing,
and conclude with prayers of petition and thanksgiving.
Commission Reports: All commissions continue their
work on the Parish Plan that is to be presented to the PPC
early in the New Year. In addition,
Worship Commission: In preparation for the 50th
Anniversary Mass on April 2, each of the four commissions
is being asked to design and produce a suitable banner to
be used in the procession. Training booklets for altar
servers are now in place.
Service Commission: The Welcoming Catholics Home
program will resume at the end of January and continue for
six weeks. The MQH Men's Group will be assisting with Art &
Environment during Advent and Christmas, and plans to hold
a Super Bowl Party. Marriage Ministry is planning a special
blessing of married couples for all Masses on the weekend
of February 11 and 12, in anticipation of Valentine's Day.
St. Vincent DePaul Society will sponsor a giving tree again
this year, as well as a Christmas food collection. CCW is
again sponsoring a dinner for seniors of the parish. Peace
and Justice Committee is recruiting volunteers for the
Catholic Construction Corps to help with rebuilding in
hurricane ravaged areas.
Administration Commission: A Commission Expense
Tracking Form has been produced to aid in budget planning
and monitoring.
Education Commission: Did not meet in November.
Old Business:
Pre-School Feasibility Study: This committee continues
to meet, and will have a final report and recommendations
for the PPC in January.
Pastoral Life Coordinator Comments: The Safe Touch
Program for all students in our Religious Education Classes
has been completed. All Parish Pastoral Council members
were asked to complete the Protecting God's Children
program if they have not yet done so.
New Business:
"The Chairman expressed his desire to have the PPC
structure become the principal forum for dealing with
questions or concerns from parishioners. Some things can
be handled or discussed at commission meetings. It is also
hoped that parishioners will take advantage of the open
session at PPC meetings." Additionally, the PPC members
will commit themselves to providing a witness of
cooperation and mutual respect to the parish as a whole.
Next Meeting: Monday, January 23, 7:00 P.M., MQH
School.
(A copy of the complete minutes of the November 28
meeting is on display in the foyer of the church. Anyone
wishing to obtain a personal copy may do so by calling the
parish office, 279-5700.)
Welcoming Catholics Home
Do you know someone who has left the church? Most of us
don't have to think hard to find nonpracticing Catholics in our
circle of family and friends. Many of us are concerned about
them, but we do not know how to help them find their way home to
the Catholic Church.
First we need to pray for them. Next, we need to extend a
personal invitation to come home to the Catholic Church. Many
nonpracticing Catholics are waiting for an invitation to return.
Many mistakenly think they are excommunicated and are not welcome
to return for a variety of reasons. You can make a tremendous
difference in someone's life by reaching out to them and telling
them we miss them and would like them to come back home to our
Church family.
We are excited to offer a series entitled "Welcoming
Catholics Home" to help non-practicing Catholics return. It will
meet for six consecutive weeks beginning on Tuesday, January 24,
at 7:30-9 p.m. at Mary Queen of Heaven Church.
Other information on this series ill be available in the
back of church and in the bulletin in the next few weeks. Please
pass this information on to anyone who might be interested. For
more information or to register for the series call Donna Klopacz
at 832-3618.
New Ministry of Commentator
Beginning in January, our Liturgy Committee will be
instituting a three-month trial with the ministry of Commentator.
This is a traditional ministry of the Church, still allowed,
which provides for the introduction/explanation of certain parts
of the Mass. Here at Mary Queen, we will be trying out the role
of Commentator to introduce the Sunday readings. Many people
always liked the way that Father John introduced the readings,
saying that the introduction helped them to more fully enter into
Word of God. On the Sundays that Father John is still here, he
will continue to do this. Now, with the role of Commentator, we
will be able to have an introduction to the readings at all of
the other weekend Masses, too.
The role of Commentator will be filled by our Lectors.
Usually, the role of Commentator is a separate ministry, with the
Commentator speaking from a different microphone. Given our
sanctuary space limitations, this will be a combined ministry for
our Lectors, who will read the introduction before beginning the
readings. The introduction will be prepared in advance by the
Pastoral Life Coordinator.
The first three months of the year will be a trial period
for this new ministry of Commentator. After that time, there
will be an evaluation to see if this will remain a regular part
of our liturgical practice.
December Celebrations
We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the
following who were baptized in December, 2005:
Alessandra Reed Formento
Jake Charles Melion
Tyler Christian Origatano
Kyle Patrick Tarpey
Sean Budgin
and
Eleanor Lanier Horne
Volunteer Work
To Fit Your Schedule
Debbie and Randy Styka need a few helpers every month or
two, on a Sunday morning, early, probably 5:30 to 7:30 a.m.
Bethel Church and Mary Queen will be taking care of the 2nd
Sat/Sun or each month to serve the homeless at a PADS site at
Elmhurst Presbyterian Church on Spring & St. Charles in Elmhurst.
Duties may include serving breakfast, cleaning up after
breakfast, putting away bedding.
Call Debbie at 941-7224 if you can help one time or more.
She will add you to her monthly e-mail reminder list. Thank you
for considering this work.
Christian Service Commission
"Following Mary's Pathway
in the New Year"
A Day of Spiritual Renewal for all Women
Saturday, January 7, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
At St. Mary Immaculate Church, Plainfield
8:30 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Continental breakfast.
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Retreat, with lunch break.
5;00 p.m. - Mass and reconciliation
Registration is $30. Deadline Dec. 30th
Contact Nancy Bruckner, 815-254-2886.
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