Often, today is thought to be the birthday of the church. It was on Pentecost that Mary and all the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit, to enable them all to live out their mission to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations.
Each of us is called by virtue of our baptism to this same mission. We do this in varied ways as individuals, using the gifts that God has given to us for the benefit of others. We do this together as church each time we come to celebrate liturgy, especially the most holy liturgy of the Eucharist. The Eucharist defines our lives as Catholics. It is the heart of our worship and it is our primary ministry of evangelization. When we come together in unity to celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we become a sacrament of God's love for others.
Today, at our Eucharistic celebrations on this feast of Pentecost, we commission all of our liturgical ministers. These are the people who help us to worship well. They prepare for our celebrations by making sure our worship space is beautiful. They prepare everything that is needed for our celebration from lights and temperature control to sacred vessels and vestments to the bread and wine that become transformed as the Body and Blood of Christ. They welcome us into the church building. They proclaim the Holy Scripture readings for the day. They assist the priest at the altar and with distribution of Holy Communion. They lead us deeper into worship with music and song, and they provide a good quality to that sound for us.
Today, we thank them all as we commission them for continued service. On this day, it would be good for all of us to think about the meaning of liturgy in our own lives and in the life of the church.
Many know that the bishops of the world worked at Vatican II to reform the liturgy. Most older adults know that some of the changes that came as a result of Vatican II involved turning the priest around to face the congregation and having the Mass spoken in English (or whatever the language of the people) instead of in Latin. There was much more that the bishops had to teach us. Liturgy is the "work of the people." It is not something we observe; it is not a dramatic performance. It is holy worship and everything we do should draw attention to Jesus Christ, whose life we celebrate and worship in the Eucharist. No one involved in the celebration should draw attention to themselves but through their actions they should help to draw others more fully to Christ. No one is on stage. Everyone in the sanctuary and everyone in the pews should be full participants in the Eucharistic celebration. On this day we recognize all of our liturgical ministers, I want to thank them for their service. For their reflection and ours, I offer in closing some of the writing of the Second Vatican Council on Sacred Liturgy.
For it is through the liturgy, especially the divine Eucharistic Sacrifice, that the work of our redemption is exercised. The liturgy is thus the outstanding means by which the faithful can express in their lives, and manifest to others, the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true Church. It is of the essence of the Church that she be both human and divine, visible and yet invisibly endowed, eager to act and yet devoted to contemplation, present in this world and yet not at home in it. She is all these things in such a way that in her the human is directed and subordinated to the divine, the visible likewise to the invisible, action to contemplation, and the present world to that city yet to come, which we seek. Day by day the liturgy builds up those within the Church into God's holy temple, into a spiritual dwelling for God - an enterprise which will continue until Christ's full stature is achieved. At the same time the liturgy marvelously fortifies the faithful in their capacity to preach Christ. To outsiders the liturgy thereby reveals the Church as a sign raised above the nations. Under this sign the scattered sons and daughters of God are being gathered into one until there is one fold and one shepherd...
The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the church is directed; at the same time it is the fountain from which all her power flows. For the goal of apostolic works is that all who are made children of God by faith and baptism should come together to praise God in the midst of His Church, to take part in her sacrifice and to eat the Lord's Supper. The liturgy in turn inspires the faithful to become "of one heart in love" when they have tasted the full of the paschal mysteries; it prays that "they may grasp by deed what they hold by creed." The renewal in the Eucharist of the covenant between the Lord and man draws the faithful into the compelling love of Christ and sets them afire. From the liturgy, therefore, and especially from the Eucharist, as from a fountain, grace is channeled into us; and the sanctification of people in Christ and the glorification of God, to which all other activities of the Church are directed to as their goal, are most powerfully achieved.
Mary M. Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
May Celebrations We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the following who were baptized in May: Daniella Chavez Isaac Martinez Katherine Johnson Lucas Bormann Matthew James Richards Weddings Tanya Ray and Kevin Francis Cummins A Vocation View Be guided by the Holy Spirit, because with the spirit comes, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self control. With God's help, come forward to proclaim to those who are searching for meaning in life. As the Spirit is our life, let us be directed by the Spirit. Marriage Ministry Celebrating Fifty (or more) Years of Marriage Mary Queen Marriage Ministry is planning an anniversary Mass and celebration for all couples married 50 or more years in 2006. Our celebration will be in Barrett Hall on Saturday, June 24, after the 5:00 p.m. Mass. We will be serving cake, coffee and champagne. If you will be married 50 or more years, please come with your family and join us. Contact one of the Marriage Ministry Facilitators so we can include you in our celebration. The facilitators are: Don or Ellen Walker 279-4021 and Alex or Marie Grozik 530-0503). Coming events: June 24: Anniversary Mass for those Married 50 years or more (See article below) September 16/17: Homecoming Weekend Dinner/Picnic Paddle Boat Rides on Fox River 50th Anniversary Committee Update Our next meeting is Wed., June 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett hall. Anyone interested in helping with the "Homecoming Weekend" (Dinner/Picnic) on September 16 & 17, or the Auction/Dinner Dance, is encouraged to attend this meeting. We are looking for help in many areas and would appreciate as many volunteers as possible attending this meeting. For questions or information, please contact Sheila Reiter (833-6657). Last call for Recipes for our 50th Anniversary Cookbook. We're certain that there are many parishioners in our parish who are great bakers or cooks and we would love to have your recipes in our Anniversary Cookbook. Please take some time to go through your recipe files or books and submit some of those special items for our 50th Anniversary Cookbook. The Deadline for having your Recipes printed in the cookbook is Sunday, June 25. For information or questions please call Mary Nanak (530-4502) or Ellen Walker (279-4021). Paddle Wheel Boat Rides Mark your calendars now! The 50th Anniversary Committee is sponsoring Paddle Wheel Boat Rides on the Fox River the weekend of July 15/16. The first ride will take place on Saturday, July 15, from 6-8 p.m., the second ride will take place on Sunday, afternoon. Further information will appear in the bulletin after our next meeting. Religious Education Catechists are needed for next fall. At this time we are in need of Gr. 2 & 3 catechists at Session One. At Session Two, we have positions open at Grades 1, 3, & 5. And in the last session, we need help in Grade 6. The times are 3:15 - 4:30, 5:15 - 6:30, and 7:15 - 8:30 p.m., respectively. If you love children and you love your faith, we invite you to join our staff. We will help you with the rest. Our Religious Ed Program is one of the best in the area, which is reflected in our continually growing enrollment. But we cannot do it without you. Please call for more information to see how you can help. If you have any questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. "Ladies Night Out" Dinner The Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring "Ladies Night Out" on Tuesday, June 20, at 7:00 p. m. This is a great opportunity to relax and enjoy fellowship with your friends from MQH. We will be honoring Mary Nanak, our Woman of the Year, for her dedication and work in our parish over the years. The celebration will be held at Francesca's Amici, 174 N. York Road, Elmhurst. Dinner will include salad, pasta, chicken entree, dessert, coffee and soft drinks. A cash bar will also be available. The cost for the evening will be $25.00 per person and checks should be make payable to Mary Queen of Heaven CCW. The deadline for reservations is Sunday, June 11, as we have to give the restaurant a one week's advance notice. A reservation form insert is in the bulletin. Please fill it out as soon as possible and return it to a CCW representative at the Sunday Masses, or drop it in the collection basket. For further information, call Mary Connelly (782-7626) or Mary White (833- 9809). Introduction to the Bible Week 3-Exploring the Bible This week we are lead in an explanation of the Bible. The titles of the books and their arrangement in the Bible are discussed as well as the origins of the chapter-and-verse system used today to site passages. We are also urged to explore different types of helps available within the Bible to understand its messages. Market Day Orders for June are due Monday, June 12, at noon. Turn in your order form in the box in the back of church or at the rectory. Pickup on Saturday, June 17, 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. Diocesan News L.O.S.S. (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) Support Group Through the collaboration of Catholic Charities (the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet), support groups are in place 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 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on either the first Tuesday, the third Wednesday or the fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting dates are as follows: June 06 - Catholic Charities, Kankakee June 21 - St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center, Joliet June 27 - St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center, Wheaton For further information, please call the L.O.S.S. Program Center at 312-655-7283. 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.. Pam Bondfide Heather Brennan Kathy Brennan Kathleen Bryers Doresa Brugler Pat Caffarelli Rose Caffarelli KathyCalzante Cosmore Ciancio Dennis Ciancio Cynthia Catalano Family 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 Kathy Johnston Irene Kmieciak Bernadette Kohn Tim Kowalsk Baby Emma Lynde Robert Manion Raymond Mitchell Bobbi Nannini Phyllis O'Donnell Geri Pstrzoch Baby Faith Reid Joaquina Scroppo Jess Smith Karen Sutkus Ted Vecchio 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. Christian Worship Commission Enrich your Relationship with Our Lord Sign up for Eucharistic Adoration for Monday, June 5, from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. We are also in need of permanent Adorers. If you are interested or have any questions please call Kay Diggins at 630-530-7124 or Renee Bladek at 630-832-1812. Community News Our Lady of the New Millennium is coming to... St. Pius X Parish 1025 E. Madison Street, Lombard From June 5th thru June 18th There will be rosaries, prayer services, singing, quiet time, and Masses. We will start with an all-school Mass on Monday, June 5, at 8:30 a.m., after which Mary will be blessed and welcomed to St Pius X. We hope to see you there. The schedule will be on our website: www.peopleofpius.org For more information please email Janet Lissak at:mmary- spx@sbcglobal.net or call her at 630-629-9234 (after 6 p.m.). 2006 Diocesan Annual Appeal Diocese of Joliet 20 Years of Growing Ministry funded by the Annual Appeal Through this week, we have raised $13,486.00 toward our goal of $26,907.00. If we do not meet the quota given to us by the diocese, the difference must be paid out of our general parish fund. If you have not yet made a commitment, please consider doing so. Thank you all for your generosity. Our parish Liturgical Ministers are commissioned this weekend. Couples Married 50 Years: The Diocese of Joliet will hold its twenty-eighth annual Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, August 20, at 3:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. If you were married in 1956 and are celebrating your 50th anniversary this year, please contact the rectory so that we may submit your name to the Diocese for a formal invitation. Altar Servers Sam Caskey Michelle DuPray Alli Fazzio Annie Fazzio Hannah Gabriel Ben Gornick David Gusloff Harry Harada ReiEllen Harada Joe Harding Kerstyn Jankovec Mary Alex Japczyk Stephanie Japczyk Jorgie Lindberg Julie Lindberg Donny Loresch Luke Loresch Vicki Maple Cathleen McGovern John McGovern Rebecca McGovern Megan McManus David Meyer Laurel Miner Matthew Nosek Keith Pierzchala Kerry Poreda Jimmy Rhea Lindsey Rhea Jessie Rodriguez Rachel Rodriguez Michael St. Peter Art & Environment Diane Bernstein Joel Bernstein Thomas Gusloff Edward Hayes Michael Launius Sheila Reiter Phylis Twardowski Ellen Walker Mary White Rose Wilkes Sacristans Renee Bladek Judith Lawlor Mary White Eucharistic Ministers Diane Bernstein Louis Ciancio Kay Diggins Elizabeth Fazzio Kathleen Gusloff Terri Kevil Georgiann Los Peggy Luckey Derek Maple Paul Mason Thomas Nanak Siobhan Nolan Kay Passarelli Sue Pingitore Gary Regan Carol Reisenbuckler Jennifer Spears Debbie Styka Randy Styka Helen Todd Fred Tremmel Phylis Twardowski John Unger Karen Vicary Mary White Ushers Joel Bernstein Ron Cirone Tony Fasano Emil Ferrarini Ed Hayes Rick Hunt Zygfryed Kielbasa John McGovern Tom Nanak John Nikolanci Les Otto Herb Schwartz Al Senicka Lectors Ginny Dolesy Alex Grozik Marie Grozik Tim Kowalski Robert Lawlor Steve Napollili Kay Passarelli Jim Pstrzoch Cassie Reed Mary Ann Reed Phil Reynertson Randy Styka Derrick StaRosa Aurora Villamil Ellen Walker Deb Webb Rose Wilkes Mini Wolak MQH Help Opportunities For Parishioners Parishioners may submit ads to appear in the bulletin to MQHBulletin@aol.com for approval by the Pastoral Life Coordinator. No ads will be accepted for real estate or by those offering child care services (although those looking for child care providers may place an ad and screen candidates themselves). The parish accepts no responsibility for goods or services offered. The ads are a free service to parishioners. * Caretaking -Lizy Stephen is seeking employment caring for an older couple. If you are looking for a caretaker or know of anyone who is, please contact Lizy at 630-832-2032. Effective Choices, Effective Parenting Building Effective Relationships With Our Difficult Children For parents of children with ADD or ADHD Tuesday, June 6th, 7-9 P.M. This two-hour workshop strengthens parent's skills to interact effectively with children who are suspected to have symptoms of ADD or who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. $20 per person; $25 per couple Pre-registration required. Instructor: James Gilligan, MSW, LSW Workshop is held at Catholic Charities, 26 W. St. Charles, Road, Lombard. Call 630-710-8226-Become more effective today! For more information, please call-the above number or e-mail effectiveparenting@sbcglobal.net CareNet Pregnancy Services CareNet Pregnancy Services of DuPage's 11th Annual Hike for Life is scheduled for Saturday, June 17th from 7:30 a.m. to noon at Memorial Park in Wheaton and St. Isaac Joques in Hinsdale. Entertainment, balloons, and food will all contribute to the festive atmosphere as Christians Celebrate Life. Although hikers can hike anytime, the official Hike Kickoff will be at 9:30 a.m. CareNet is not for profit ministry offering life affirming resources to women in an unplanned pregnancy. All of their services are free and confidential. To get your pledge form, call 493-1340, ext. 309 or download one at www.carenetdupage.com Music Ministry MaryJean Adkins Laura Adkins Allison Alexander Lee Berti Gina Bonfiglio Wendy Bonfiglio Kelly Boots Heather Brand Rachel Brand Melissa Brunke Kate Burnier Hal Cahill Tara Cappelletti Christina Cepero Julie Chamberlin Mary Kate Cicinelli June Cirone Katie Connelly Mary Conway Mary C. Costello Joyce Decker Cheryl DeSantis Alexis Diaz A.J. DiGregorio Nina Esch Anna Fasano Alli Fazzio Annie Fazzio Maeghan Fitzgibbon Paul French Bob Glick Donna Glick Ryan Glick Marti Good Joe Gornick David Gusloff Jamie Gusloff Kathleen Gusloff Carol Jacobsen Don Jacobsen Grace Jacobson Maria Jacobson Jim Japczyk Mary Alex Japczyk Stephanie Japczyk Maureen Launius Julie Lindberg Jorgie Lindberg Molly Lindberg Samantha Luke Ruth Maple Dave McCall Kathleen McCall Bridget McGing Colleen McGing Nancy McGing Cathleen McGovern Rebecca McGovern Meghan McManus Karl Meyer Laura Meyer Laurel Miner Elaine Mueller Kathy Mueller Katie Mueller Ray Mueller Tim Mueller Dan Murray Pat Murray Dorothy Neven Siobhan Nolan Lauren Paulus Monique Perkins Vito Pingitore Joe Reisenbuckler Edmundo Reyes Lindsey Rhea Trisha Rhea Jessie Rodriguez Bob Scalise Jennifer Schaub Monica Scinto Mary Selke Emily Spokas Ed St. Peter Michael St. Peter Marisa Stefani Nina Stefani Heather Styka Kristin Truesdale Rachel Vana Kim Vicary Rose Wilkes Sound Kevin Conway Mike Launius Steve Lindberg Patrick Pingitore Marc Vicary Deacon Thomas Nolan Parish Life Coordinator: Mary Foley