MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI
For the celebration of the WORLD DAY OF PEACE
January 1, 2006
In Truth, Peace
In this traditional Message for the World Day of Peace at the beginning of the New Year, I offer cordial greetings and good wishes to men and women everywhere, especially those who are suffering as a result of violence and armed conflicts. My greeting is one filled with hope for a more serene world, a world in which more and more individuals and communities are committed to the paths of justice and peace...The theme chosen for this year's reflection-In truth, peace - expresses the conviction that wherever and whenever men and women are enlightened by the splendour of truth, they naturally set out on the path of peace...But what do those words, ''the truth of peace'', really mean? To respond adequately to this question, we must realize that peace cannot be reduced to the simple absence of armed conflict, but needs to be understood as ''the fruit of an order which has been planted in human society by its divine Founder'', an order ''which must be brought about by humanity in its thirst for ever more perfect justice''...
Who and what, then, can prevent the coming of peace? Sacred Scripture, in its very first book, Genesis, points to the lie told at the very beginning of history by the animal with a forked tongue, whom the Evangelist John calls ''the father of lies'' (Jn 8:44). Lying is also one of the sins spoken of in the final chapter of the last book of the Bible, Revelation, which bars liars from the heavenly Jerusalem: ''outside are... all who love falsehood'' (22:15). Lying is linked to the tragedy of sin and its perverse consequences, which have had, and continue to have, devastating effects on the lives of individuals and nations. We need but think of the events of the past century, when aberrant ideological and political systems willfully twisted the truth and brought about the exploitation and murder of an appalling number of men and women, wiping out entire families and communities. After experiences like these, how can we fail to be seriously concerned about lies in our own time, lies which are the framework for menacing scenarios of death in many parts of the world. Any authentic search for peace must begin with the realization that the problem of truth and untruth is the concern of every man and woman; it is decisive for the peaceful future of our planet...
In view of the risks which humanity is facing in our time, all Catholics in every part of the world have a duty to proclaim and embody ever more fully the ''Gospel of Peace'', and to show that acknowledgment of the full truth of God is the first, indispensable condition for consolidating the truth of peace. God is Love which saves, a loving Father who wants to see his children look upon one another as brothers and sisters, working responsibly to place their various talents at the service of the common good of the human family. God is the unfailing source of the hope which gives meaning to personal and community life. God, and God alone, brings to fulfillment every work of good and of peace...
It must not be forgotten that, tragically, violent fratricidal conflicts and devastating wars still continue to sow tears and death in vast parts of the world. Situations exist where conflict, hidden like flame beneath ashes, can flare up anew and cause immense destruction. Those authorities who, rather than making every effort to promote peace, incite their citizens to hostility towards other nations, bear a heavy burden of responsibility: in regions particularly at risk, they jeopardize the delicate balance achieved at the cost of patient negotiations and thus help make the future of humanity more uncertain and ominous... The truth of peace requires that all -whether those governments which openly or secretly possess nuclear arms, or those planning to acquire them- agree to change their course by clear and firm decisions, and strive for a progressive and concerted nuclear disarmament. The resources which would be saved could then be employed in projects of development capable of benefiting all their people, especially the poor.
Every community should undertake an extensive process of education and witness aimed at making everyone more aware of the need for a fuller appreciation of the truth of peace. At the same time I ask for an increase of prayers, since peace is above all a gift of God, a gift to be implored incessantly. By God's help, our proclamation and witness to the truth of peace will be all the more convincing and illuminating. With confidence and filial abandonment let us lift up our eyes to Mary, Mother of the Prince of Peace. At the beginning of this New Year, let us ask her to help all God's People, wherever they may be, to work for peace and to be guided by the light of the truth that sets man free (cf. Jn 8:32). Through Mary's intercession, may all mankind grow in esteem for this fundamental good and strive to make it ever more present in our world, and, in this way, to offer a safer and more serene future to generations yet to come.
(Content edited for publication; full message can be found at www.usccb.org))
Religious Education News
Mark your calendars:
Wed., Jan. 11 -Classes resume at regular times.
Sat., Jan. 21 -Market Day in Social Hall, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Sun., Jan. 22 -Family Mass at 8:30 a.m. in Church.
Our first communicants will take part in a special
commitment ritual.
If you have questions or need more information, please call
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Please be very careful in the parking lot on Wednesday
afternoons and evenings. Winter weather makes dropping off
and picking up children a real challenge. Remember our
children are precious. Let's all strive to insure their
safety.
Reporting Sexual Abuse
Anyone who has reasonable cause to suspect the sexual abuse
of a minor by a member of the clergy or other Church personnel is
urged to report the matter immediately. To inform the Diocese of
Joliet, call Sr. Mary Frances Seeley, OSF (Victim Assistance
Coordinator) at 1-815-263-6467 or write the Diocese of Joliet,
524 Summit Street, Joliet IL 60435.
Contact DCFS at 1-800-252-2873 or call the office of the
local County States Attorney.
New Ministry of Commentator
Beginning next weekend, 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.
Parish News
50th Anniversary Celebration
Our next planning meeting will be held on Thursday, January
12, at 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 & addresses of previous parishioners or school alumni 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 participation in this project and if you
have any questions please call Mary Nanak (530-4502) or Ellen
Walker (279-4021).
Welcoming Catholics Home
Do you know someone who has left the church? Most of us
don't have to think hard to find non-practicing 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
non-practicing 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.
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.
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
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.
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. 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
Immaculate Conception High School
Placement Test - Class of 2010
Entrance exam-Sat., January 14, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Pre-Test and Entrance exam Workshop
Thursday, January 12, 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 14. 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.
Diocese of Joliet
Catholic Construction Corps
Mission to the Navajo Reservation
Please join us at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in
Romeoville at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 or
Thursday, January 26, 2006 for an Information Night on the fifth
annual mission to the Navajo Reservation.
The trip is planned for June 3rd-17th, 2006 to repair homes
for the poor of the Navajo Reservation and assist St. Michael's
Indian School in Arizona. This construction mission needs
skilled and semi-skilled workers in carpentry, plumbing, and
electrical, as well as men and women who are willing to learn a
variety of construction tasks. Opportunities to meet the people
and to learn the local culture are part of this mission.
For more information contact Art Sheridan, Missions
Coordinator, at 815-834-4072 (asheridan@dioceseofjoliet.org) or
contact (evenings) either deacon Tom Goebel (630-782-9577) or
deacon Larry Lissak (630-629-9234).
Thoughts for Your Consideration
In an age of radical globalization, the celebration of
Epiphany takes on more importance than ever. The vision of Christ
is for the whole world. The vision of Christ calls together the
whole world and all its people. The vision of Christ calls for a
healing of divisions and openness to learn from all people. The
vision of Christ calls for a just world order - trade policies
that respect the economic opportunities of all people, especially
the poor - environmental policies that respect the world that we
all share together - spending policies that respond to human
needs.
The Feast of the Epiphany invites us to celebrate the
wonderful reality that Jesus came as a light to all people, not
just to some subset of the human race. Thus, the categorical
exclusion of anyone contradicts the good news of Jesus Christ.
Racism, stereotyping, discrimination, xenophobia, ethnic violence
are all wrong. The behavior of Herod reflects the behavior of one
who is afraid. The news of a new child to be "king" threatens his
kingship. Rather than learning from the wisdom of the foreign
visitors, he is afraid, and seeks to destroy what they came to
discover.
The behavior of the foreign visitors is the behavior of
those who seek the truth at great cost. The child offers a vision
that is worth traveling a long distance to experience. Jesus
offers a light that is worth sharing. In the wisdom of a child
born in humble circumstances, they find a wonderful light, a good
news, and a liberation from sin, injustice, and prejudice.
The foreigners experience the power and the gift of Christ.
They also bring gifts with them - gifts that are given to the
child but also "gifts" that open our eyes to the experience of
the light of Christ as a gift for the hole world. This mutuality
is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Giving and receiving
happen at the same time. This must be true in our ministry for
justice. We serve others and they serve us. We learn from each
other. The story of the magi has implications for many aspects of
church ministry. No one is to be excluded from the light of
Christ. Whether we are young or old, female or male, rich or
poor, black or white, from the south or the north, from the east
or the west, from a famous school or a very ordinary one,
employed or unemployed, healthy or sick, we are all invited to
experience the Feast of the Epiphany.
Yoga Classes
At Mary Queen
8:30 p.m. Wednesdays
A new class starts for three (3) weeks
January 11, January 18, and January 25
3 classes, $12 per person or
3 classes, $18 per family
E-mail debbie call 941-7224
All monies will be donated to Mary Queen of Heaven
Christian Service Commission
Family in Need
The family of Theresa Adorno, age 15, who died recently, is
in need of financial assistance to defray some expenses. Anyone
wishing to make a contribution can do so by making a check out to
Carmen and Debbie Vercillo and sending it to the parish office
for forwarding.
Questions of Faith
Have you ever felt excluded from the good news of
Christ?
How did this experience of exclusion come to be
healed?
When have you lived outside of our own country or
culture?
How did this influence your understanding of Jesus
Christ and the gospel?
Prayer
May the God who became man out of love for humanity strengthen
all those in Africa who work for peace, integral development and
the prevention of fratricidal conflicts, for the consolidation of
the present, still fragile political transitions, and the
protection of the most elementary rights of those experiencing
tragic humanitarian crises, such as those in Darfur and in other
regions of central Africa. May he lead the peoples of Latin
America to live in peace and harmony. May he grant courage to
people of good will in the Holy Land, in Iraq, in Lebanon, where
signs of hope, which are not lacking, need to be confirmed by
actions inspired by fairness and wisdom; may he favor the process
of dialogue on the Korean peninsula and elsewhere in the
countries of Asia, so that, by the settlement of dangerous
disputes, consistent and peaceful conclusions can be reached in a
spirit of friendship, conclusions which their peoples expectantly
await.
From Urbi et Orbi Message of Pope Benedict XVI, Christmas 2005,
-Fr. John Bucki, SJ, Editor and Writer
From the Center of Concern
Web Site, http://www.coc.org
(Used with permission)
MQH Peace & Justice Committee
Sunday Scripture Reflection
Epiphany (Cycle B) January 8th, 2006
See Readings on last page of this bulletin.
Prison Ministry at the DuPage Jail
The next opportunity to attend a volunteers' orientation is
on Thursday, January 19 at 6:15 pm. Before you attend you must
request an application from Rev. Anderson's secretary by phoning
(630) 407-2201.
Don't stop reading just because you think you aren't
interested. PLEASE read on. You have nothing to lose. I was one
of you some seven years ago. I felt a complete lack of empathy
for anyone incarcerated in jails or prisons. But, then I
responded to an invitation to attend an orientation at the DuPage
jail. I changed my mind. I came to see the challenge of Matthew
25: 31-45.
You, too, can take advantage of the opportunity to respond
to Jesus' invitation to reach out to the marginalized in our
society. Being a JUST volunteer does NOT require any special
talents... only the wish to help. I started out offering weekly
Catholic Bible Study sessions.
Just as the US Marines seek a "few good volunteers" so,
too, does JUST of DuPage. This is the organization of volunteers
who deliver a variety of programs to the inmates (male and
female) of the DuPage County Correctional Facility located on
County Farm Road in Wheaton.
There is a great need for volunteers to lead sessions of
Alcohol Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Bible Study, Computer
skills, job readiness, General Education Diploma (G.E.D.)
classes, anger management, violence prevention, active parenting
classes, creative dramatization classes, healing our losses
classes, etc.
Call Milt Honel with your questions at 279-7086.
MQH PAPER Recycling Program
Please note that our new recycling program is a paper
recycling program. Cardboard cannot be used by this company for
recycling the paper back into useable paper for your reading
pleasure in next week's newspaper.
Did you know ... every day Americans buy 62 million newspapers
and throw out 44 million of them. Each year Abitibi Paper Retriever
recycles enough paper to make a box car train 7,600 miles long.
(Think of the trees we are saving.)
Today's bulletin flier is a great reminder of what we are
looking for in our yellow/green recycle bin by the parish garages.
Thank you for your initial response to this endeavor and your
support of MQH ministries. Sr. Marlene