Dear Friends,
In today's Gospel reading about Jesus and the Samaritan woman, there are many lessons for us. One of them is in seeing Jesus break through the stereotype of treating Samaritans as foreigners who were considered unclean. I would like to use this occasion to draw attention to the subject of immigrants in our country. Below, I want to share with you part of a fact sheet published by the United States Catholic Bishops. I also would like to remind everyone that the plight of immigrants is not isolated to other parts of our state or country. Even in our own parish, we have members who recently immigrated from other countries. Some of them are unemployed, as are other members of our parish. Some of the immigrants are also significantly underemployed because they are "foreigners," even though some were professionals or executives in their country of origin. These persons have spoken to me about the disdain they have experienced because of their ethnic backgrounds. Our liturgical reading today provides the opportunity for some Lenten reflection on the ways we treat those living among us.
A final word before I leave you with the bishops' teaching: I have served in the past in a parish where business owners worked with the church to provide employment opportunities to those who were qualified for available positions. If there are any businessmen or women who would be open to such an endeavor here, please let me know.
What follows are excerpts from a recent document published by the U.S. Catholic Bishops:
COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM
In their 2003 pastoral letter, Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope, the U.S. Catholic bishops called for a series of reforms to the broken U.S. immigration system. These include (1) policies to address the root causes of migration, such as global poverty, ( 2) reform of our legal immigration system, including an earned legalization program, a temporary worker program with appropriate worker protections, and reductions in waiting times in family- based immigration categories, and (3) restoration of due process for immigrants.
Do the U.S. bishops support any particular legislation to repair our broken immigration system? On July 19, 2005, Bishop Gerald R. Barnes, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, announced support for the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 (S. 1033, H.R. 2330), introduced by Senator John McCain (R-Az.) and Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) in the U.S. Senate (co-sponsors) and Representatives Jim Kolbe (R- Az.), Jeff Flake (R-Az.), and Luis Gutierrez (co-sponsors) in the House of Representatives. This legislative proposal includes many of the elements outlined by the U.S. bishops, including an earned legalization program, a temporary worker program with worker protections, and reductions in backlogs for family-based visa categories.
Do the U.S. bishops oppose any immigration legislation which has been introduced in Congress? Yes. The U.S. bishops strongly oppose H.R. 4437, the Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Protection Act of 2005, introduced by Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Representative Peter King (R-NY). H.R. 4437 passed the House of Representatives 239-182 on December 16, 2005. The legislation includes many harsh provisions which would bring undue harm to immigrants and their families. Among its many provisions, it would make unlawful presence a felony; subject anyone who assists an undocumented alien to criminal penalties; require mandatory detention of all aliens apprehended along the U.S. border, including children and families; and limit relief to asylum-seekers through an expansion of expedited removal.
Why is the Catholic Church involved in the immigration issue? There are several reasons the Catholic Church is involved in the immigration debate. The Old and New Testaments, as well as the encyclicals of the Popes, form the basis for the Church's position. In Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls upon us to "welcome the stranger," for "what you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me. " (Mt. 25-35, 40). The Church also is involved in the issue because many of the Catholic faithful are immigrants who need the support and assistance of the Church. Finally, the U.S. bishops believe that our current immigration system is not good for our nation and contributes to the human suffering of migrants. Thus, they seek to point out the moral consequences of a broken system. Does the Catholic Church believe in "open borders?" No, Church teaching supports the right of the sovereign nation to control its borders. This is necessary to ensure the common good. Enforcement of our borders, however, should include the protection of the basic human rights and dignity of the migrant and not place lives at risk.
Does the Catholic Church support illegal immigration? No. The Catholic Church does not support or encourage illegal immigration because (1) it is contrary to federal law and (2) it is not good either for society, because of the presence of a large population living outside the community, or the migrant, who is subjected to abuse, exploitation, and even death. Instead, the Church is advocating changing a broken law so that undocumented persons can obtain legal status in our country and enter the United States legally to work and support their families.
What about public resources? Does not increased immigration place stress on public resources? First of all, undocumented immigrants are barred from receiving any federal means-tested benefits and the large majority of legal immigrants are barred from such benefits for five years after their arrival. Undocumented immigrants are eligible for educational services for children and emergency health-care services. Studies find that after an immigrant works for a year there is a net benefit to the state and national economy because of taxes, Social Security taxes, and the "sweat equity" that immigrants contribute to the economy. Foreign workers and their families also contribute to the economy through their purchasing power, which adds billions to the economy each year.
Mary M. Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
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, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Join us on Thursday March 23, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. for our annual Lenten book discussion featuring a review of "The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Art of Loving and the Joy of Being Loved" by Australian author Matthew Kelly. Last year's Lenten discussion focused on enriching our relationship with our children, and this year we have chosen to direct our focus on enhancing our spousal relationships. This book is said to provide practical guidance for those seeking "genuine and durable intimacy" and can help us become "the best version of ourselves." Please note that this evening meeting will replace the normal Thursday morning meeting. For more information and for location please call Colleen at (630) 832-4662. RCIA UPDATE! The Parish WELCOMES Jack Kowalski to the RCIA as a candidate. He will continue his journey past Easter as he prepares to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church through Confirmation and Eucharist. Frannie Gallagher who has been on the path to full communion since last fall gave birth to Jacob Roy on March 7. Congratulations to Daddy Roy and big sister Ellie! In the coming weeks Kyle Nannini and the entire community at Mary Queen will experience the scrutiny rites as we continue to prepare for the Easter Vigil. Please keep our Elect (Kyle) and our candidates (Dee, Lionel and Frannie) in your prayers! Only Say The Word and I Shall Be Healed: Scripture and Women's Self-Esteem An Evening of Reflection for Women With Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator All adult women of the parish are invited Tuesday, March 21 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall Sponsored by the Mary Queen of Heaven CCW Call for Volunteers S.T.E.P. Hunger Walk Event Steps Toward Eliminating Poverty Short-term committee work for an all ages event Sunday, May 21 At Mary Queen of Heaven What is S.T.E.P.? S.T.E.P., unlike other walks, includes opportunities for prayer, education, advocacy and cultural awareness. Prayer: We will open our hearts to Christ who will guide us in our efforts to assist those in need. The Walk: Our walk is symbolic of walking with our brothers and sisters who walk for miles everyday to survive. Education: We will learn about global, national and local poverty issues. Advocacy: Advocacy involves working for justice. We will learn how we (children to adults) can become proactive in battling poverty and related issues. This will enable each one of us to realize that Christ's compassion is active, not passive. Cultural awareness: Through music, food, art, videos and displays, we will learn about cultures living in poverty and promote awareness that we are created in "oneness" and in Christ. This event is a joint effort of MQH, IC and Visitation parishes. Mary Queen is this year's sponsor. If you would like to volunteer please call John Menarek at 834- 4075/email jmenarek@sbcglobal.net. Easter Egg Hop-N-Grab Saturday, April 15 The annual Parish Easter Egg Hop-N-Grab will be held at approximately 11:30 a.m. after the Blessing of the Baskets. Children ages 1-10 with a parent or guardian are invited to join the event. There will be treats, prizes, music & face painting; popcorn & cotton candy for sale.. We are looking for volunteers ages 11 and up. This is a great way to help out and have some fun; 8th graders can earn service hours also. We would like prize donations for this event. These can be candy, small items to fit in eggs or larger ones for prizes such as jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, coloring books etc. If you would like to volunteer or donate items, please call Genet Pinkerton at 834-6521. There will be donations boxes at school. Parish News 50th Anniversary Celebration Mary Queen of Heaven 50th Anniversary Celebration begins Sunday, April 2, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Following Mass all are invited to fellowship in Barrett Hall and to visit the school building which will contain memorabilia (the past and present). The Anniversary Committee meets each month working on plans that will take place throughout the year and culminate with a closing celebration in April 2007. Much help is needed to work on the various events, and we invite you to join us and offer your expertise. Watch bulletin for a calendar of events. We are still looking for help in the following areas: Memorabilia from the past: Please share your memorabilia or memories with us, so that we can provide a history of our parish. A record of all pictures, newspaper articles, & videos will be kept, and you will receive them back after our celebration. Memories: Perhaps you are one of the founding parishioners and can recall an event or a series of events from the past and would like to share with us. Names and addresses of previous parishioners or school alumni are extremely important so we can invite them to our events scheduled throughout the year. For more information or questions: contact Sheila Reiter 833-6657 or Ellen Walker 279- 4021. 50th Anniversary Cookbook: We are still accepting recipes. Recipe forms 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 (530-4502) or Ellen Walker (279- 4021). 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. Pam Bondfide Heather Brennan Kathleen Bryers Doresa Brugler Pat Caffarelli Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante Dennis Ciancio Family of Cynthia Catalano Cosmore Ciancio Paul Cirone Rhonda Colletti Margaret Conroy Trudi Dolato Baby Samantha Dobrowolski Dino Fuggitti Modesta Goggins Mary Hagerty 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 Phyllis O'Donnell 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. Fellowship Sunday Today March 19, after 10:30 a.m. Mass Hosted by Wings to Heaven Youth Group All are invited to come and visit with fellow parishioners and enjoy some light refreshments. Community News St. Charles Borromeo CCW Dinner & Fashion Show March 31 White Pines Golf Club, 500 W. Jefferson, Bensenville Fashions by Boutie Q Boutique of Elmhurst. Entree choice: Pork Tenderloin or Salmon Filet. Tickets are $40 per person. For more information, contact M. Schall 847-455-1421. Religious Education News You a Catechist? Why Not? This is the perfect time to start thinking if you are being called as a catechist in our Religious Education Program next school year. Each year we lose a few catechists due to moves, jobs, or maybe moving on to another ministry in the parish. I'm sure this year will be no exception. Our sessions currently meet on Wednesdays, 3:15 to 4:30 for Pre-school through Grade 4, 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. for Pre-School to Grade 8 and 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. for Grades 5 through 8. So if you like the little ones or maybe the junior high is where your interests lie, please call for more information. Your children deserve the very best....You! Lenten Project We are collecting items for Easter baskets, which will be donated, to Marillac House on Chicago's West Side. Each Wednesday during Lent, there will be a "Basket" in the hall of the school for donations of candy, small stuffed animals, grass, or other items appropriate for a child's Easter basket. Please be generous. Mark Your Calendars: Wednesday, March 29 - NO CLASS - Spring Break Wednesday, April 5 - Class Resumes Saturday, April 8 - First Communion Retreat 9-11 AM, Social Hall If you have questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. Lenten Food Collection Our St. Vincent dePaul food collection will be held the weekend of April 8 and 9. The food will be distributed to needy families in our community for Easter. We are collecting non-perishable items of canned vegetables, fruit, soap, pastas, rice, spaghetti sauce, prepared foods, coffee, tea, juice, boxed cake mixes, peanut butter, jelly, paper products (Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels), hand soap, and laundry detergent. Boxes will be available in the church vestibule to accept your donations. Immaculate Conception High School To Host Junior High Open House Night ICHS invites you to our SPRING OPEN HOUSE, which is for 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students and/or parents. We hope you take the time to come and see the many opportunities we have to offer. Date: Wednesday, March 22 Time: Promptly at 7:00 p.m. To begin the evening, a general presentation will take place at 7:00 p.m. After the presentation, IC students and parents will be available as tour guides. In addition, the administration, faculty and coaches will also be available to answer your questions. To learn more about this special event, call Kathy Kowieski in our admissions Office at 630-530-3484. Diocesan News Is your marriage tearing you apart? If your marriage has become troubled or stressed, unloving or uncaring, or if your relationship has grown cold or distant, if you are thinking of separation or divorce, or if you are already separated or divorced, but you want to try again - then Retrouvaille is the program that can help you. For more information, call 1-800-470-2230. All names are kept in strictest confidence. There are no group discussions. Hope is only a phone call away! The next Joliet Diocese Retrouvaille Program will be held April 7-9 at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville. Call for other dates and locations. Katrina Disaster Recovery Catholic Construction Corps The Diocese of Joliet Catholic Construction Corps needs additional volunteers to fill the teams committed to Katrina Hurricane Disaster Recovery. Please help us help the people in the Gulf area. Future trip dates are: March 26 - April 1, April 29 - May 7 and May 6 - May 13. Please respond to Peace and Social Justice Office at 815- 834-4028 or Vern Witte at 630-882-8919. If you decide to volunteer for one of these opportunities, please also inform MQH parishioner Jan Alexander at 782-6065. St. Beatrice School Craft Show St. Beatrice School at 4141 N. Atlantic (Irving Park Road near 25th St.) in Schiller Park is hosting its 21st Annual Bunny Boutique Craft and vendor Show on Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1. They are currently accepting applications for what promises to be an excellent show. For more information and applications please call the school at (847) 678-1752 or email stbeatricecraftshow@yahoo.com Cenacle Retreat House Fr. Mario Cataneda will present a Day of Prayer for Hispanic Women on Saturday, April 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participants ware invited to take a part from busy daily lives to share a time of prayer and fellowship. The day consists of conferences, time for reflection, sacrament of Reconciliation and celebration of the Eucharist for Sunday. The offering of $25 includes lunch. A Quiet Passiontide Retreat, "Faith Walkers," will be presented by Rev. Joseph Nassal, CPPS on April 7-9. This retreat will offer the opportunity for a soulful sojourn as we pray with the Holy Week scriptures and reflect on our call to wholeness. The weekend will include conferences by Fr. Nassal, time for personal and shared prayer and Eucharist for Passion Sunday. The offering is $165 (for a single room only). For further information or to register, please call 630- 393-1231. A Vocation View Jesus cleaned out the temple of money changers. He was angry; He was zealous; He was authoritative. He was doing what He had to do, even though it involved risk, danger, insult and wonder. Such is a vocation. Help the Homeless at PADS Need help any of the following Sundays: March 26, April 9, April 23, May 28 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. (that's right, a.m.) Even if you can only make it one time, your help is appreciated. Two different locations: Elmhurst Presbyterian, and Salvation Army-Oak Brook, near Summit and Butterfield Call Debbie at 941-7224 and she can give you more information. You will meet at least 1 or 2 people from Mary Queen when you work at either site. The work is mainly cleaning up after breakfast and putting away the bedding. The community of Mary Queen of Heaven is invited to: Our 1st Quinceanera Celebration In Honor of Cristina Ponce A Quinceanera is a glorious celebration of family and community of the Hispanic Heritage, when a young lady turns 15. This ceremony has been celebrated for thousand of years by Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Central and South Americans. It is a celebration of life and gratitude to God that emphasizes a young lady's passage from childhood to adulthood. Join us in the Mass of Thanksgiving on March 25, 2006 At 2:30 p. m. Fellowship follows in Barrett Hall Will You Drink in High School? Come find out what happens if you do. Monday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. At York High School Commons area Come hear Sarah Panzau's story. She is a national speaker that will talk about how the use of alcohol has changed her life, and will help you to make positive choices. * Due to the seriousness and graphic nature of this presentation, all 8th grade students must by accompanied by an adult. This is a project of our Confirmation candidates: Mary Alex Japczyk and Bridget McGing