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

Dear Friends,

This time of the year is so important in our lives. The new life that is beginning to bud and blossom, the number of days we have more warm weather and sunshine - all remind us that with spring, all of nature is becoming new again. This season of Easter - the time between Easter Sunday and Pentecost - is also a time in our church year when we are focused on spiritual growth. What does it mean to rise from the dead? What are the ways that we can grow in faith and in confidence in the risen Jesus, so that like the disciples at Pentecost, God can be manifest in our lives with powerful signs and wonders? How can we, like the first disciples, help to bring others to the faith, to the church, to this Christ crucified and risen from the dead?

I am very happy that it is in this Easter season that I am able to share news with you about some important new life developing here at Mary Queen. You may remember that last fall, we formed a Feasibility Study Committee to look at the possibility of beginning a pre-school. After the first phase of our study and working with a consultant, our Finance Council has given approval for moving forward with plans for opening our pre- school in September 2007. Barring anything unforeseen, we hope to begin marketing efforts by winter.

The committee has now begun work on developing the pre-school mission statement (strong in Catholic identity) and educational philosophy (based on multiple intelligence theory). Our pre- school will be mission-driven, a major ministry of evangelization for the parish, drawing young families to church. Children who participate in our pre-school will move into our religious education program, and as our parish begins more multi- generational catechesis (opportunities for families to learn together), something our Education Commission is currently working on, more adults, too, will come to learn the faith, all of this helping to build up the Body of Christ. It will benefit the parish financially, as well. I am very grateful to those who invested time in this project so far, including our parishioners Dr. Mary Selke, Associate Dean for the College of Education at Lewis University; Elizabeth Dierksheide, Assistant to the Director of Child and Family Services for the State of Illinois; Brenda Scanlon, former Catholic School Principal and current Parish Pastoral Council member; Pete DiCianni, Chairman of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce; and Mary Jean Adkins, Special Education teacher. I am grateful, too, for the assistance of those outside our parish who worked on this first committee: Bonnie Hurless of Dominican University Department of Early Childhood Education; and Roberta Vandevier, Principal of Emerson School.

Mary, Elizabeth, Brenda, Pete, and Roberta plan to continue their leadership involvement on the committee, which now welcomes parishioner Terri Kevil, who is a professional in working with pre-schools and furnishing them. Terri is very excited about this new venture for the parish. She has been eager to help from the beginning but I withheld Terri's participation during the first investigative phase because of a potential conflict of interest. Terri's company sells the equipment and supplies we will need! Now that approval has been given for moving forward, however, Terri has accepted the invitation to join the committee and offer her expertise. When the time comes, we will still go out for bids for furnishings, and Terri is happy to help us no matter who furnishes our pre-school. It is wonderful, however, to have her assurance that her company will offer to us a significantly discounted bid!

We will now be expanding this group to include others in committee work. At this time, we are especially looking for people who can help with funding research (we have lists of resources to explore and much of this is work that can be done from home), and persons who can be part of a marketing sub- committee. We have been in contact with the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the diocese and will be working to comply with all diocesan standards and requirements. Eventually, the Parish Pastoral Council will help to establish a Pre-School Board, which will oversee the hiring of a director and future operations.

This parish has always valued the Catholic education of children. We hope that former school alumni will work together with current parishioners to spread the word about our new pre- school. A special fund has been established for pre-school start-up costs in order to minimize the need for going into our savings. We have already had our first $1500 donation, and our first grant application was mailed last week. Once the pre- school is established, it will be a wonderful tool for evangelization. It is also expected to be financially profitable.

This development is happening in a time when we are working very hard to strengthen the financial position of our parish. Many of you know that the parish has operated at a significant deficit since the time before I arrived. Our Sunday collections have improved but, especially with rising utility and insurance costs, we still need a 20% increase in Sunday contributions in order to achieve a balanced budget within the next couple of years. I do trust that if we are faithful in fulfilling the mission of the church that God will provide what we need.

This pre-school development builds on all the hard work and dedication of people throughout the 50-year history of this parish. The mission of the church is not maintenance but evangelization. The more we work together in good faith, the more we share our time, talent, and treasure in ways we can, the more intentional we are about spreading the good news of God's love, the more our parish will continue to grow. For the measure with which we measure will be measured back to us.

Mary M. Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator





What a Glorious Easter!

	Many thanks to our Liturgy Committee for the planning of 
the Triduum.  Everything was truly uplifting and inspiring.  
Thanks to our Proclaimers, Eucharistic Ministers, sacristans, 
ushers and servers for all of the time donated during these 
special days.  

	We are especially grateful to the choir for the wonderful 
music throughout Holy Week, at the Easter Vigil and on Easter 
Sunday.  To all those who helped with Art & Environment, we are 
grateful for all the time and energy given to make our Church 
look so beautiful.  Many, many hours in preparation are required 
and we want to thank the many extra volunteers who came out to 
help make everything so lovely.  Thanks also to the audio visual 
group who made arrangements to transmit Mass into Barrett Hall 
for the overflow on Easter Sunday. 

	We are also grateful to Mary Foley and Deacon Tom for all 
the planning they did to make Holy Week and Easter a memorable 
time for all; to Sister Marlene for the Triduum booklet and all 
her work behind the scenes, and to Mimi Wolak and the RCIA team 
for all their hours of teaching and preparing our Candidates for 
their special part in our Easter Vigil celebration.  God Bless 
All!



"Come follow Me"    Allow the Word of God to Form you as 
a Disciple of Jesus -   


Are You a Bible Study Leader in Your Heart?
Note: Corrected Date for training

	The two Bible Study programs within the past year have been 
very successful and faith-enriching for all the participants and 
the facilitators as well.  We are planning to continue with some 
lighter study during the spring-summer and would like to invite 
you to join us in becoming a facilitator for the first of these 
Tuesday study groups -  Introduction to the Bible.   

	Studies begin Tuesday, May 23, and run Tuesdays, through 
the week of July 18. Very little training is needed, we will be 
working as one large team. The only training meeting we will need 
is on Saturday, May 6.  The more leaders we have, the more groups 
we can breakout. The study evenings will have pre-planned prayer, 
video, and breakout discussion. Each session will be 1 hour in 
length, and we are vacation-friendly. Just be sure to come back 
to us refreshed. Please call Lynn Suwanski, since I know you are 
interested.  630-530-2523. (evenings)  


CCW Sponsors Plant Sale
	The Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring its 3rd Annual 
Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, May 13 at 10:30 a.m. in the church 
parking lot.  We are able to offer the plants at the same price 
as last year.
	A price list and order forms are in today's bulletin.  They 
can be turned in with your payment to the parish office, to a CCW 
representative at the table in the church vestibule after Mass, 
or placed in the collection basket.
	For information regarding the sale, please call Sheila 
Reiter (833-6657) or Phylis Twardowski at (279-6239).


Liter Fare for Summer Wear
"Introduction to the Bible"

	Have you ever wondered how the books of the Bible were 
chosen?  Do you know the difference between the many versions and 
translations available today?  These and many other questions 
will be covered the next Bible Study offering, Introduction to 
the Bible.

	This program is geared to help newcomers become comfortable 
with studying the Bible while offering the experienced new 
insights.  Introduction to the Bible is designed as a weekly 
video presentation with small group discussion, a prayer service, 
and minimal personal preparation.

	Sign-up will be the weekends of May 6/7 and May 13/14.  
Participant books will be on sale for $5 the weekend of May 6/7.  
Our first meeting will be on Tuesday evening, May 23, in Barrett 
Hall from 7:30-8:30 p.m.  We will meet each Tuesday evening 
through July 18, with a break for July 4.

	For more information, please contact Lynn Suwanski (630-
530-2523) or Alex and Marie Grozik (630-530-0503).




Religious Education 

Congratulations to all our young people who were confirmed by 
Bishop Sabatini last Saturday, the 22nd. We are all very proud of 
you.

Congratulations to our second graders who were welcomed to our 
Eucharistic Table for the first time last Sunday. They are:
Thank you to all who made this RE year so wonderful. This past 
Wednesday, April 26th was the last class of the year. A special 
thank you to our almost 75 volunteer catechists, aides, office 
helpers, etc. Without you there would be no MQH Religious 
Education Program. We are all blessed by your presence. Hopefully 
we will see most of you back in the classroom in the fall.

Mark your calendars:	
Saturday, May 6 - Celebration of our large group First 
Communion at11:00 a.m. in Church.
Sunday , May 7 - Celebrations of our second small group First 
Communion at 10:30 a.m. in Church.

Registrations for the 2006/2007 RE year. 
Please be sure to return them ASAP to insure your first choice of 
session. Remember classes fill up fast, especially for Pre-School 
and Kindergarten, as class size is limited at those grade levels. 
If you did not receive a registration or are new to the parish or 
know someone who is, please call the office and we will mail one 
to you. 

If you have any questions or need more information, please call 
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.


Christian Education Commission


Destiny Youth group wants you to join us for:

Youth Leadership Conference
July 21-23

	Any high school student (including 8th graders) interested 
in attending with our Destiny group this summer please call Mrs. 
Gusloff at 832-4348.

It is a weekend filled with fun, worship and fellowship.  

We hope you will plan on joining us!


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
	Cynthia Catalano Family 	Cosmore Ciancio
	Paul Cirone	Rhonda Colletti
	Margaret Conroy	Ida Corriedo
	Trudi Dolato	Baby Dobrowolski
	Virginia Feret	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
	Raymond Mitchell	Bobbi Nannini
	Phyllis O'Donnell	Geri Pstrzoch	
	Baby Faith Reid	Joaquina Scroppo
	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.

Rest In Peace 
Nancy Sullivan



CCW Mother's Day Tribute
	Mary Queen of Heaven Council of Catholic Women Respect Life 
Committee will be selling carnations to honor the nurturing women 
in our lives (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, 
friends).  The carnations will  be placed at Mary's statue in the 
Gathering Place for Mother's Day, May 14.
	Carnations can be purchased for $1.00 each.  Order sheets 
are inserted in this bulletin and should be returned by May 7.  A 
CCW member will be in the church vestibule after all the Masses 
to accept orders.
	The names of all those being honored will be published as 
an insert in our parish bulletin the weekend of May 13-14.  
Proceeds will benefit Woman's Choice Services, a pregnancy center 
in the Catholic Christian tradition.


Mother's Day May Crowning

	Our parish Woman of the Year, Mary Nanak, will crown the 
Blessed Mother on Sunday, May 14, at the 10:30 a.m. Mass.  On 
this special occasion, our First Communicants are invited to take 
part in the May Crowning Procession.  

	Permission slips requiring parent signatures will be sent 
home by our Religious Education Office.  Practice for the 
procession will take place on Saturday, May 13.


Alexandra Ciullo
Abigail Emich
Jake Fejes
Luke Ferzacca
Jordan Less
Montana Renno
Elisabeth Trenta
Seamus Ward
Ian Weigel


The Eastern DuPage 
Council of Catholic Women

Spring Institute Dinner and Meeting

Tuesday, May 9
At Ascension of Our Lord
1S314 Summit, Oakbrook Terrace

	Theme: "Faith-filled Family."  Registration 5:15 p.m., 
Dinner 6 p.m.  A general business meeting follows.  
	The speaker for the evening will be Dr. James Healy, 
Director Diocesan Family Ministry and Marriage Preparation 
Office.  The evening will conclude with Mass at 8:30 p.m.  
Tickets are $10/person.  
	For reservations or more information, call Pam Sifuentes at 
630-495-0557.  Reservations are needed.



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.  

	To commemorate our year together, we will share in an in-
home evening mass on Thursday, May 4, at 7 p.m.  Join us for an 
appetizer/dessert potluck and a chance to socialize.  This event 
is in place of our regular Thursday morning meeting.  For more 
information on location and to RSVP, please contact Kelly at 833-
7223.


Peace Day
Saturday, May 6 at 1:30-7:30 p.m.
St. Charles Pastoral Center, in Romeoville

	The event includes Keynote address by Rev. Eugene Lauer 
(Director, National Pastoral Life Center) and a choice of 2 
Workshops, with Dinner at 6 p.m.  This day would be very 
worthwhile for all members of our parish, especially Pastoral 
Council members, Commission members, and all MQH staff.  

	Suggested donations: Workshops only-$25;
		Dinner only-$25 (Seniors-$20)
		Entire day-$40 (Seniors-$35)
	For information or to register, call the Parish Office

Diocese of Joliet Peace & Social Justice Ministry


2006 Diocesan Annual Appeal
Diocese of Joliet

Pledge Weekend, April 29/30

20 Years of Growing Ministry funded by the Annual Appeal

	This is Pledge Weekend for the 2006 Diocesan Annual Appeal.  
Your gift will make a difference in the lives of children in our 
schools and religious education programs, in our Catholic 
Charities Outreach, in the ministry and services offered each day 
through the diocese.  Please be generous and make your pledge 
today.


Healing Mass

May 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Feast of St. Peregrine, the Cancer Saint

At St. Petronille Catholic Church
420 Glenwood, Glen Ellyn, IL  60137

630 469-0404 x0

	The Sacrament of the Sick will be given at this Mass, as we 
gather together to pray for healing and strength, through the 
intercession of St. Peregrine on his Feast Day. There will also 
be a blessing with his relic and the relic of St. Dymphna. Come 
and see the goodness of the Lord.


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