It is good to be home! After my son's wedding, I took a few extra days to get some more writing done on my doctoral thesis. I stayed up at Mundelein Seminary at the retreat house and finished almost another complete chapter. There is hope that I may finish by December, after all!
It was very secluded at Mundelein, helpful for needed quiet but also somewhat isolating from the events of the world. Still, when I would go out to the car, I would listen to public radio and try to catch up on world news. This was still very different than regular daily life, when I can access news anytime through the internet at my fingertips.
This morning, I signed on to my computer and the first headline I saw read, "War hits home for U.S. Senator." The story was about the death of a Marine in Iraq who was the nephew of a senator from Montana. The headline made the suggestion that when people we know are involved in war or tragedy, these kinds of things have more meaning for us because they become more personal.
While I was away from home, most of the bits and pieces I heard about the news had to do with the Middle East, especially the attack on Lebanon by Israel, intended to target militant Hezbollah. With this fighting, there has been devastation of Lebanese infrastructure and loss of civilian life. Like the senator referred to in today's headline, this news of the continued suffering of the Lebanese people "hit home" for me because of our friends from Our Lady of Lebanon. As you know, our parish provided a home to this Lebanese Maronite Rite parish of Eastern Rite Catholics for two years while their own new church building was being constructed.
While I was away, I left a telephone message for my friend, Father Alfred, the pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon. On my first day back in the office, I had a conversation with him. He said that he is having a letter sent to me about what is happening in Lebanon so that I can share this with you. I will do this when it arrives. In the meantime, I also learned that Fr. Alfred has been having some health problems, especially with some chest pain. He is going to be undergoing some tests in the next week and I would ask you to please keep him in your prayers. I know that these days have been stressful for him and his people.
While my access to news was somewhat limited in the last couple of weeks, most of what I heard had to do with Israeli and U.S. insistence that there could not be a cease-fire until other conditions were met. This never made any sense to me. The United Nations Secretary General has issued an appeal for an immediate cease-fire to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to reach victims. While that is happening, said the Secretary General, work can continue on developing the framework needed for a lasting ceasefire and a sustainable solution to the conflicts. He begged people to put aside their differences so that this might happen.
Please pray that there will be a cease-fire. Whatever political candidates one may support, our Catholic faith cannot be subordinated to political allegiance. On the contrary, it is the teaching of the Catholic Church that we should be responsible citizens, actively seeking to pursue greater justice and peace. As our U.S. Bishops say in their document "Faithful Citizenship:" Politics cannot be merely about ideological conflict, the search for partisan advantage, or political contributions. It should be about fundamental moral choices. How do we protect human life and dignity? How do we fairly share the blessings and burdens of the challenges we face? What kind of nation do we want to be? What kind of world do we want to shape?
This week, our Pope has also issued an appeal for an immediate cease-fire in the Middle East. There have been more than 500 deaths in Lebanon in the last two weeks. In the air raid on city of Qana alone, there were 60 civilian deaths, including 37 children. The situation is becoming more serious day-by-day and hatred and vengeance are growing. The Pope says: These facts clearly demonstrate that you cannot reestablish justice, create a new order and build an authentic peace by turning to the instrument of violence.
The Pope has called upon leaders of governments around the world to do everything possible to achieve a cease-fire and "begin building, through dialogue, a lasting and stable coexistence among all the people of the Middle East." Most of all, says the Pope, there is the need for prayer. As Catholics of the United States, we should urge our own government leaders to support an immediate cease-fire, even as we work together with others to ensure lasting peace.
And we should be active in our own prayer lives, too. The destruction taking place in Lebanon should have a human face for us. The innocent people of Lebanon are our brothers and sisters. We have prayed with them in this church, we have eaten with them here in Barrett Hall. In our time of sharing our parish home, we learned to get past the initial pettiness of who did or didn't clean the microwave to really trying to live together in love and peace. We accomplished this successfully by respecting our varied religious and cultural customs, accommodating the need of each other to express these with integrity, and together growing in understanding through the process. I know that my life is richer from the friendships that were formed and still remain. May all of us learn to be better peacemakers and may we work and pray for peace in our world.
Mary M. Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
July Celebrations
We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the
following who were baptized in July:
Christian Cesare Favia
Nicola Ruggieri, Jr.
Christina Eboh Tresslar
A Vocation View
To taste and see the goodness of the Lord means to be drawn
closer to God. "Try, then, to imitate God as children of His
that He loves, and follow Christ by loving as He loved you." Be
a presence of god's love in the world today. Do what you can to
bring to life God's love.
L.O.S.S. Support Group
(Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)
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 of the month, the third Wednesday or the
fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting dates are as
follows:
Aug. 16 - St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center
130 Woodlawn in Joliet
Aug. 22 - St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center
101 West Loop Drive in Wheaton
Ministry of Prayer and Praise
In this week's bulletin, you will find a copy of our 2nd
Ministry of Prayer and Praise newsletter. People who are
commissioned to this ministry will receive a monthly newsletter,
along with a prayerbook, rosary, and certificate of
commissioning. People who serve in this ministry make a
commitment to pray daily for our parish and its special
intentions.
This ministry provides a special opportunity for homebound
people to participate in the life of the parish, but the ministry
is open to anyone who wants to make the commitment. If you would
like to become part of this ministry, please call the parish
office at 279-5700.
MQH Parish Feast Day
The feast day of Mary Queen of Heaven will be celebrated on
Sunday, August 20, with an outdoor Mass at 10:30 a.m. This year
being the 50th anniversary of our parish, the outdoor mass is
especially significant. We hope you and your family will join
other parishioners in celebrating 50 years of faith in our
parish.
Our Mass will be held between the church and school
building, directly behind Barrett Hall. Should the weather be
inclement, Mass will be held in the Church.
Following Mass there will be fellowship. This is a great
opportunity for our parish families to meet and become better
acquainted with each other, while enjoying conversation and
refreshments (coffee, tea, juice and sweets). We look forward to
seeing you and your family on this special occasion.
Religious Education
There are just 5 weeks left until the opening of the MQHRE
06/07 year. We cannot do it without you. Please note the
positions that still need to be filled.
Are you called to be a catechist??
Are you aware that at your Baptism, all Christians are
commissioned to do the work of Jesus? Did you know that all
Catholics are called to further the teaching mission of Jesus?
Have you heard that by sharing your faith with children, you
deepen your own faith in the process? Do you know that without
our volunteer catechists, we do not have a Religious Education
Program?
Please consider joining our team of dedicated men and women
just like yourself who weekly share their Faith with the young
people of the parish. We still have openings that must be filled.
Help our children to get to know our God.
All sessions meet on Wednesdays. Please bear in mind
because of the size of our program we have almost 70 catechist
and aide positions to fill. We need only nine more. We are
blessed. If you can help, please call the REO today. Classes
begin in just a few weeks.
Have you registered yet?
Registrations are still being taken in the REO for the
coming year. Our opening event is September 13th. It will be here
before we know it. If you have not registered, please do so ASAP.
Pass the word to your friends and neighbors. Classes are filling
up.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann
Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Following are those grade levels where you are needed:
Session 1 - 3:15
Grade Two - 3 openings Grade Three - 1 opening
Session 2 - 5:15
Grade One - 1 Grade Three - 1 Grade 5 - 1 Grade
Seven - 2
Session 3 - 7:15
Grade Six - 1
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.
Natalie Baker Pam Bondfide
Heather Brennan Kathleen Bryers
Doresa Brugler Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli KathyCalzante
Cosmore Ciancio Dennis Ciancio
Paul Cirone Margaret Conroy
Cynthia Catalano Family Ida Corriedo
Trudi Dolato Baby Dobrowolski
Virginia Feret Modesta Goggins
Mary Hagerty Anna Heffel
Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt
Pat Holmes Michelle Humann
Maureen James Kathy Johnston
Irene Kmieciak Bernadette Kohn
Tim Kowalski Baby Emma Lynde
Rovert Manion Raymond Mitchell
Bobbi Nannini Geri Pstrzoch
Baby Faith Reid Rob Restivo
Joaquina Scroppo Jess Smith
Rachael Thompson Ted Vecchio
Cathy Ward
Rest in Peace
Fr. Michael Ginter
Phyllis O'Donnell
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.
Building Effective Relationships With our Teens
For parents of children ages 13-19
Tuesday, August 8, 7-9 p.m.
This two-hour workshop teaches participants practical,
usable skills and insights on how to parent effectively during
the challenging teen years.
Building Effective Relationships With our
School Aged Children
For parents of children ages 5-12
Tuesday, August 15, 7-9 p.m.
This two-hour workshop helps parents build on their
existing strengths in order to win greater cooperation with their
elementary aged children. In addition, it assists them in
providing their children with the tools they need to survive and
thrive in today's society.
All workshops held at Catholic Charities, in Lombard.
$20 per person; $25 per couple. Pre-registration required.
Instructor: James Gilligan, MSW, LSW
For more information, please call-630-710-8226 or e-mail
effectiveparenting@sbcglobal.net
"Out of Poverty" Program
Catholic Charities plans to hold an "Out of Poverty"
program in September in an effort to prevent homelessness and
improve people's lives. There are no explicit criteria for
attendance other than individuals who find themselves in need of
assistance in moving out of poverty. The program helps the
participants to take control of their goals, time, and money for
a prosperous and self-sufficient future. The program is for 10
weeks, once a week, and is free.
The classes will be held in our office at 26 W. St. Charles
Road, Lombard, on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will
start on Monday, September 18.
Please call Dennis Haffron at 630-495-8008, ext. 45 with
any questions and to be included on a list for the next class.
Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass
Registration Form
Celebrate the Anniversaries of Marriage at the
Cathedral of St. Raymond, Joliet
Sunday, August 20, 2006, at 3:00 p.m.
The 28th Annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass will be
celebrated on Sunday, August 20, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. at the
Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. All couples and their
families, no matter how many years married, are invited to attend
the event (maximum of four guests per couple, please). During
the liturgy, our new bishop of Joliet, J. Peter Sartain, will
lead the couples in a renewal of their marriage vows. Couples
celebrating 25, 50, and more than 50 years of marriage will
receive a special certificate. Please pre-register by completing
and returning the form by August 11, 2006. For more information,
please call 815-838-5334.
Enrich your Relationship with Our Lord
Sign up for Eucharistic Adoration for Monday, August 7
9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
We would like to have more 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.
Lands of the Bible
Synopsis Week One
In our first week of studying the Lands of the Bible we
will survey the places of the Bible as pilgrims through the ages
have experienced them. Connections will be made between the
journeys of our biblical ancestors and our own experiences as a
pilgrim people today.
Wings to Heaven
Hot dog and game night
All 5th-8th graders
Wednesday, Aug. 16th,
6 - 8 p.m.
Social Hall/school building
r.s.v.p. Kathleen Gusloff
832-4348 or email
The5ofgus@aol.com
Come and find out what
Wings to Heaven Youth
GroupIs all about... fun..
food, games & JESUS!!!
Dinner & Dialogue
With the Wheaton Franciscans
This session on Franciscan Spirituality will be presented
on Monday, August 14, 2006 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Our
Lady of the Angels Convent, 26 W. 171 Roosevelt Road, Wheaton.
The "Dinner..." will begin with a simple meal, followed by a
prayer, engaging presentations, and then a table discussion.
This session, The Prophet lives a life of nonviolence by becoming
instruments of peace. Cost $15 for this session or $20 for the
two remaining sessions. To register, please call the Justice,
Peace and Integrity of Creation Office at 630-784-2555, or email
us at justicepeace@wheatonfranciscan.org
Sign-up for Bible Study
Lands of the Bible
It is still not too late to sign up for our next Bible
Study, Lands of the Bible. We will meet for 8 weeks from August
8 to the week of September 25. Please join us to learn about the
Holy Lands where Jesus once walked. For more information on
sighing up, please call Lynn Suwanski at -630-530-2523.
2nd Resurrection Parish Reunion
Sunday, September 17th, Drury Lane Oakbrook
The event is a gathering of parishioners and alumni from
Resurrection Church and School, formerly located at 5082 West
Jackson Blvd. in Chicago.
For reservation forms or additional information, write to
Kay Cahill, P.O.Box 72016, Roselle, IL 60172, or call 630-894-
5964. E-mail, KayCahill78@aol.com
Volunteer Tutors Needed
The Sisters of St. Joseph of La Grange Park are in need of
volunteers for its adult literacy program, School on Wheels.
Tutors are needed to teach one hour per week from 9 a.m. to 2
p.m. or 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Cicero, Hodgkins, Lombard, Summit,
Westmont, and Woodridge. Two-day training will be provided from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on August 28th and 29th and August 30th and 31st.
Volunteers must attend one two-day training session. No prior
second language skills are needed. For more information, call
78-354-9200 Ext. 5060, 5085, or 5037.
The Diocese of Joliet
Celebrates
The 19th Annual Bishop's Mass
With Persons With Special Needs
Sunday, October 15, 2006
12:00 noon
Cathedral of St. Raymond
604 N. Raynor Ave., Joliet
Please join us to celebrate Liturgy
with Bishop J. Peter Sartain
Luncheon immediately following
in the Joyce Center (Gym)
Please call Jen at (815) 727-6411 for
luncheon reservations.
Interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
will be provided.
2006 Joliet Diocese
Catholic Charismatic Healing Mass
Father Paul Hottinger, Presider
St Joseph Catholic Church
4801 Main Street, Downers Grove
Friday, August 18
7:30 p.m. Mass
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation-6:30 p.m.
For information please call 630-954-0216
(Sponsoring Prayer group: Aylesford, Darien)