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
75th Anniversary Celebration
St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, River Forest, is celebrating its
75th anniversary throughout the coming year. There will be a
Dinner/Dance on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare.
All parishioners past and present, alumni and friends are welcome
to attend. Please contact the Parish Office at 708-366-7090 for
more information.
Volunteer Work
To Fit Your Shedule
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 of 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, and 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.
M.O.M.S
(Moms Offering Moms Support)
Elmhurst Catholic M.O.M.S. is a social and spiritual
organization that provides an opportunity for mothers of young
children from Elmhurst Catholic parishes to meet other mothers.
Bi-monthly meetings include a mother/child activity or a guest
speaker with babysitting provided. There are no membership fees
and everyone is welcome. M.O.M.S meets in Msgr. Plunkett Hall,
lower level of the Immaculate Conception chapel, Elmhurst from
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Please join M.O.M.S. on Thursday, February 9, for our
annual Valentine's Day party, which will include music, games,
treats, and a special story time provided by the Elmhurst Public
Library Children's Services department. For more information
please contact Kelly at 833-7223.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Mary Queen of Heaven's 50th Anniversary Celebration will
begin on April 2nd, 2006 at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Bishop Imesch
will be the principal celebrant and a very special liturgy is
planned to mark 50 years of spiritual growth. Immediately
following the Mass all who attend are invited to Barrett Hall for
Fellowship and the opportunity to visit rooms in the school
building, which will contain memorabilia from the past and also
the present.
The Anniversary Committee meets every two weeks planning
and working on a calendar of events that will carry us through to
April 2007. Much help and many hands are needed to work on the
various events that are scheduled, and we invite you to attend a
meeting and see where you could offer your expertise.
Presently we are still looking for help in these particular
areas:
1. Memorabilia from the past (pictures, booklets, newspaper
articles, video's, etc.) Perhaps you just can recall a single
event or a series of events from the past and would like to
share them. May we suggest that you write your thoughts down,
contact either Sheila or Ellen at the numbers listed below and
someone will be happy to stop by and pick up what you have
written. Aside from having things for people to read or look
at in the Memorabilia Room(s), we would like to put some of
your stories in the bulletin.
2. Names and addresses of previous parishioners or school alumni
are extremely important. We want to be able to invite them to
our celebration on April 2 and the other events that we have
scheduled throughout the year. 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 were in last
week's bulletin and are available in the vestibule of church.
They can be placed in the basket in the vestibule or 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 (530-4502) or Ellen (279-
4021).
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. 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 Business Manager, Richard Kaffka. Both can be reached at
the parish office at (630) 279-5700.
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.
Pam Bondfide Heather Brennan
Katherine Brennan Kathleen Bryers
Doresa Brugler Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante
Dennis Ciancio Cosmore Ciancio
Family of Cynthia Catalano Paul Cirone
Rhonda Colletti Margaret Conroy
Baby Samantha Dobrowolski Trudi Dolato
Dino Fuggitti Anna Heffel
Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt
Pat Holmes Michelle Humann
Maureen James Tom Janicke
Richard Johnson Irene Kmieciak
Bernadette Kohn Tim Kowalski
Baby Emma Lynde Robert Manion
Bobbi Nannini Geri Pstrzoch
Baby Faith Reid Jess 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.
Mary Queen CCW Dance Event
MQH CCW invites you to a dance party! Singles and couples
welcome. Two dance instructors will teach us popular social
dances. Perhaps we will learn the Salsa or Swing or Hustle or
Foxtrot or Line dances! There will be something for everyone.
Drinks and light appetizers included. Only $20 per person.
Ticket sales deadline is today.
Saturday, February 11
7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Dupage Dance Center
Naperville Road & Ogden Avenue
1153 E. Ogden, Naperville
Sign up in the vestibule after Mass. Or, call Mary
Connelly at 782-7626 or Marie McCall at 617-6067.
Peace and Justice Committee
A reminder to all members and potential members that the
next parish P & J committee meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on
Thursday, February 9, in the lower level of the Parish House.
The mission of the P & J committee is to inform our
parishioners regarding the USA Bishops' Catholic Social Teachings
and to encourage and support appropriate actions which promote
these teachings:
1. Life and dignity of the human person
2. Call to family, community and participation
3. Rights and responsibilities
4. Option for the poor and vulnerable
5. The dignity of work and rights of workers
6. Solidarity
7. Care for God's creation
These titles may seem a bit abstract. Attend the P & J
committee meetings to see how we try to flesh out the Bishops'
Catholic Social Teachings with such activities as the STEP WALK,
BREAD FOR THE WORLD Offering of Letters, scheduling speakers for
our parish, promoting the use of Trade Free coffee at parish
functions, etc.
We are an active group and we welcome new members. If you
would like more information about the Bishops' Catholic Social
Teachings or more information about the P & J committee, feel
free to contact Milt Honel at 279-7086 or Bill Barnds at 782-
5966, co-chairs of the P & J committee.
Marriage Ministry
We're still newlyweds!
Our expanded Marriage Ministry is still in the newlywed
stage of it's formation, but we are beginning to branch out!
Come celebrate your marriage with the community. On the weekend
of February 11 and 12, there will be a special blessing of all
married and engaged couples at all Masses in honor of National
Marriage Day, which is February 12.
Also - - come meet the neighbors! The Marriage Ministry is
planning the first of our double-date nights for Saturday,
February 18, at 7:30 p.m. All married couples are invited to
come. We will be meeting in Barrett Hall where couples will be
selected by chance to go to dinner together. It is an
opportunity to meet new couples in our parish community and
perhaps get to know some better. The only cost is your dinners
and that will be determined by you. So come and meet your
neighbors!
Plans for the future: Dinner-theater night, talks by
marriage counselors, moonlight picnic, 50+ anniversary Mass, 10
great date nights. For more information or to join the Marriage
Ministry, please contact Don or Ellen Walker at 630-279-4021.
Bishop Blanchette Scholarship
(Sponsored by the Joliet Diocese of Catholic Women)
Planning on attending a Catholic High School? Please
consider applying for this scholarship. To be eligible, a
candidate must be Catholic, have a minimum scholastic average of
C+ and have need of financial assistance.
All applications must be received by February 17th to be
considered. If you are interested, please call Diane Bernstein
at 279-7252 for additional details.
MQH Eucharistic Adoration
Monday, February 6
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
All are invited to attend.
Fellowship Sunday
February 19th after 10:30 Mass
Hosted by our Eucharistic Ministers.
All are invited to come and visit with fellow parishioners
and enjoy some light refreshments.
St. Charles Borromeo
School Registrations
Do you have a child entering Kindergarten through Eighth
grade in the 2006-2007 year? St. Charles Borromeo School is
currently accepting registrations. St. Charles Borromeo inspires
academic excellence and spiritual growth in a nurturing
environment, fostering the traditions of Catholic worship and
Christian behavior. St. Charles Borromeo offers full day
Kindergarten, after school care, as well as many other great
programs. The school is located on the Elmhurst/Bensenville
border at 145 East Grand Avenue. Please call the school office
at 766-0116 for more information or to arrange a tour of the
school.
Elmhurst College presents
Islamic Scholar and Spokeswoman
Thursday, February 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Frick Center's Founders Lounge
Dr. Mona Siddiqui, an internationally renowned scholar on
both ethical issues in Islam and classical Islamic law, will
deliver Elmhurst College's annual al-Ghazali (Muslim) lecture.
Admission is free and open to the public. A reception will
follow the lecture.
Dr. Siddiqui is senior lecturer in Arabic and Islamic
studies (and head of the department of theology and religious
studies) at the University of Glasgow. In addition, she is a
prominent consultant and contributor to the international media
on issues of Islam.
The annual al-Ghazali lecture is part of the religious
lecture series at Elmhurst college. Each year, the series
presents interesting and informative lectures from four different
religious faith traditions. The Muslim faith lecture is named
after al-Ghazali (died 1112), a pivotal figure in Islamic
history. For more information, visit www.elmhurst.edu or call
630-617-3003.
An Evening of Entertainment
An Evening of Entertainment will be held on Friday and
Saturday, February 24 & 25, at St. Scholastica School and Parish
Center, 7720 Janes Avenue, Woodridge, IL. The event price
includes musical entertainment and dinner. There will be a cash
bar. Tickets for An Evening of Entertainment are $30 each and
will be on sale after many masses or by calling the Evening of
Entertainment information line at 630-985-2351 X404. Cash,
credit cards and checks are accepted.
This fundraising event will take place in the spirit of
Mardi Gras, featuring a glittering casino room, festive food and
drink and wonderful entertainment
Identity Theft
Elmhurst Senior Citizen Commission is having a meeting on
February 18 at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall on the subject of identity
theft.
Religious Education News
Thank you to all who made our annual Confirmation Retreat a
success. Thanks to our 8th grade catechists, Tom & Kathleen
Gusloff and Ron & Joyce Smith, Joni Giammarino and Judy Socha.
You are doing a wonderful job preparing our candidates for
Confirmation and it shows. Thanks to all who gave time to help
during the day in addition to our catechists; David Gusloff,
Marisa Stefani, Raquel Nataras, and Stephanie Japczyk.
A very special huge thanks to Mrs. Gusloff who facilitated
the day. Those who were there know what an incredible job she
did. But most of all thank you to our 57 Confirmation
candidates. You are an amazing group of young people. Your
parents should be very proud of you. I know that we are.
Are you being called to be a catechist?
It is never too early to start thinking about being a
catechist for the 2006/2007 RE year. With our ever-growing
enrollment, each year the need for catechists increases. Just an
FYI, above we talked about our 57 Confirmation candidates. In the
year 2003 we had 37.
Every year there are catechists who cannot return for one
reason or another. I am sure that this year will be no different.
So if you have always wondered what goes on in the building after
you drop your children off, this is the perfect time to stop by
and say "hi". Remember you don't have to be a theologian; you
just have to love children, love your faith and want to share it.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Mark your calendar:
Wednesday, February 8, at 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall there
will be a meeting for parents of those children who will be
celebrating First Communion in the spring.
Saturday, February 11, at 5:00 p.m. - Family Mass. All of
our Religious Education families are asked to attend.
If you have any questions or need more information, please call
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
"Our nation cannot afford a shrill and shallow debate that
distorts reality and reduces the options to 'cut and run' versus
'stay the course.' Instead we need a forthright discussion that
begins with an honest assessment of the situation in Iraq and
acknowledges both the mistakes that have been made and the signs
of hope that have appeared.... Our nation's military forces
should remain in Iraq only as long as it takes for a responsible
transition, leaving sooner rather than later."
Excerpt from Toward a Responsible Transition in Iraq. A Statement
of Bishop Thomas G. Wenski,
Bishop of Orlando, Chairman, USCCB Committee on International Policy,
January 12, 2006.
MQH Peace & Justice Committee
Sunday Scripture Reflection
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time [B],
February 5, 2006
Readings: Job 7:1-4, 6-7 1 Corinthians 9:16-
19, 22-23 Mark 1:29-39
Full employment is the foundation of a just economy.
The most urgent priority for domestic economic policy is
the creation of new jobs with adequate pay and decent
working conditions. We must make it possible as a nation
for every one who is seeking a job to find employment
within a reasonable amount of time. Our emphasis on this
goal is based on the conviction that human work has a
special dignity and is a key to achieving justice in
society.
Pastoral Letter of the US Bishops,
Economic Justice for All, 136
Thoughts for Your Consideration
In the first reading Job uses the image of oppressed
workers - a worker who sees all of life as drudgery, a slave who
longs for the shade, a hireling who waits for wages. Oppressive
treatment of workers is not in God's plan. Catholic Social
Teaching tries to speak up for oppressed labor. It is not God's
desire that human beings be oppressed by any form of slavery or
be inadequately compensated for their work.
In the gospel Jesus spends a day dealing with those who are
burdened by sickness or various demons. Jesus offers healing. God
desires healing. Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that God
wants good things for all the people. Personal, loving care for
those in need is at the heart of our religious practice. Adequate
health care is a human right for all God's people.
Catholic Social Teaching is a powerful message to share
with our world as it faces so many problems. There is something
exciting when it is shared with the world. It is a source of
liberation. Jesus desires to move on to the other towns and keep
sharing the message with everyone. In the second reading, Paul
talks of his great desire to make any sacrifice to share the
power of this good news. Our social teaching can be a source of
liberation for all in need. It is to be shared free of charge to
everyone.
Questions of Faith
When in your life have you felt the need for healing or
when did your community need healing?
How did healing come about?
Prayer - Meditation
Let us, then, pray with all fervor for this peace which our
divine Redeemer came to bring us. May He banish from the souls of
all whatever might endanger peace. May He transform all people
into witnesses of truth, justice and love. May He illumine with
His light the minds of rulers, so that, besides caring for the
proper material welfare of their peoples, they may also guarantee
them the fairest gift of peace.
Finally, may Christ inflame the desires of all people to
break through the barriers which divide them, to strengthen the
bonds of mutual love, to learn to understand one another, and to
pardon those who have done them wrong. Through His power and
inspiration may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts as
sisters and brothers, and may the peace they long for ever flower
and ever reign among them.
John XXIII, Pacem in Terris
(Used with permission from The Center of Concern, Education for
Justice [www.coc.org] Fr. John Bucki, S.J. editor and writer.)
Immaculate Conception H.S.
Makeup Placement Test
Saturday, Feb. 11 at 9 a.m.
Open to all 8th grade students who have not taken a private
high school placement test. Pre-registration is required, and
there is a $30 fee. Please bring two #2 pencils. No calculators
or dictionaries allowed. To pre-register, please call 630-530-
3460.
Market Day
Orders are due by Feb. 13 at noon.
Pickup on Feb. 18, at 9:30-10:30 a.m.
in the Social Hall.
Yoga Classes at Mary Queen
8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 8, 15, & 22
We welcome couples, parents and children,
singles, active seniors.
3 classes: $12 per person or $18 per family
Please call 941-7224 if you think you will be signing up.
All monies will be donated to Mary Queen of Heaven.
Diocesan News
Joliet Diocese Catholic
Charismatic Healing Mass
Friday, February 18; Mass at 7:30 p.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation - 6:30 p.m.
Father Mike Lane, Presider
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Downers Grove
For information, please call 630-964-0216
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