I write to you just after returning from the cemetery where we laid Marguerite Strandgard to rest after a beautiful funeral Mass this morning. Her husband Fred is grieving her loss deeply. He was with her through her entire battle with ovarian cancer. The last months she endured incredible suffering and he was at her bedside when she died. Fred and "Marge" did not have a big family and I was concerned about how Fred would manage in the coming days. I told him that we have people in the parish who help families when there is a loss by providing meals for a period of time. It was when I heard Fred's answer that I knew he would be all right.
Fred told me that a while ago, when Marge became less able to function because of her illness, their neighbors got together and held a neighborhood garage sale. They all pitched in and shared what they had to give. At the end, they put all of their proceeds together and used the money to buy Fred and Marge gift certificates for restaurants all over Elmhurst. Fred told me that he does not have to worry about meals because he still has lots of gift certificates!
It is within this simple, wonderful, creative gesture of Fred's neighbors that we can see a sign of what the church is called to be, a community of people who share whatever gifts they have for the good of one another. Their coming together in love attracts others and creates new life. May God bless the neighbors of Fred and Marge who have lifted his heart and supported him with loving kindness. May they continue to be for one another and for us a sign of God's abiding love, a love that overcomes even death itself.
Within this true story, we can find the true meaning of Stewardship and Evangelization, which will be our parish themes in the coming year. Genuine stewardship involves appreciating what we have been given and offering it back to God as a gift, by sharing our gifts for the good of all. In other words, we freely give out of love, as God has done for us, not counting the cost. For in our giving, we truly receive, in abundance and overflowing, measured by the measure with which we give.
Evangelization means sharing the good news of the Gospel. Sometimes, people only think of this word in the context of televangelists and street preachers. Yet all of us, in the daily living of our lives, are called to be evangelizers. It is easy to recognize love in the action of Fred's neighbors. Our parish family is well known for being a place of welcome and there are many ways that people experience the love of God in and through us. In the coming year, we are going to learn more about evangelization so that we can become even better proclaimers of God's word and even better in our outreach to others, through the ministries of our parish, so that more people may come to know the love of God and our Catholic faith.
I would like you to know a schedule of some upcoming events
related to our theme of Stewardship and Evangelization. A more
complete schedule will be distributed after the new school year
begins but here are some upcoming dates to remember:
August 19-20: Outdoor Mass for our parish feast day on Sunday at
10:30. Presentation of our annual parish financial report by
Finance Council members at all weekend Masses.
Sept. 9-10: Presentation on Pre-School Development
Sept. 16-17: Parish homecoming weekend!
Saturday evening dinner, followed by parish picnic. Presentation
at weekend Masses of our Stewardship and Evangelization program for
the 2006-2007 year.
Sept. 18: Three-year parish plan presented to parish leaders at
Commissions meeting, followed by mailing of document to entire
parish.
Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m. Special Parish Event:
"Stewardship and Evangelization"
On this evening, our parish will be hosting Lorene Duquin, of
the Diocese of Buffalo, New York. She will speak to parish leaders
and parishioners at large on our theme of Stewardship and
Evangelization. Lorene Duquin is the Director of Parish Life for St.
John the Baptist Parish in Lockport, New York. She is also
Coordinator for Evangelization Outreach for the Diocese of Buffalo.
She is author of eight books and hundreds of articles. Her talk here
at MQH is being funded by a grant from the Diocese of Joliet
Educational Foundation. All Parish Pastoral Council members, Finance
Council members, Commission heads and ministry leaders should attend
this gathering and all members of the parish are invited.
Sept. 24: Meeting of Pre-School Interest Groups
Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Lay witness talks at weekend Masses
Oct. 13: John Michael Talbot Concert
Oct. 14-15: Commitment Sunday and Ministry Fair
I look forward to the coming year with eager anticipation. I know that the Lord always has more new life to give us!
As we continue our week, let us remember the Strandgard family, praying for Marge and for her husband and family and friends who mourn her loss. May they all continue to be sources of comfort and encouragement for each other. May they also continue to be a sign of light and love for the world. May we learn from their example what it means to share the gifts we have been given in ways that show our love for one another.
Mary M. Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Reporting Sexual Abuse
Anyone who has reasonable cause to suspect the sexual abuse
of a minor by a member of the clergy or other Church personnel is
urged to report the matter immediately. To inform the Diocese of
Joliet, call Sr. Mary Frances Seeley, OSF (Victim Assistance
Coordinator) at 1-815-263-6467 or write the Diocese of Joliet,
524 Summit Street, Joliet 60435.
Contact DCFS at 1-800-252-2873 or call the office of the
local County States Attorney.
Elmhurst College Student
with Special Needs
Looking for Room and Board
Young woman needs a living arrangement while she attends
Elmhurst Life Skills Academy at Elmhurst College from 9-3 daily.
Kate is 20 yrs old and was born with Down's Syndrome. She
has a good attitude and happy, loving personality. Kate has
taken some community college courses recently. She is outgoing
and enjoys music. Simple food for breakfast and dinner would be
appreciated. She will spend weekends with her family. Financial
support is available.
If you would be willing to open a room in your home to this
young woman, please call her parents Ann and Jay Holsen at their
home 309-762-2278 or cell 309-269-0962
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 sponsored by the
Men's Group and Ushers. This is an opportunity for our parish
families to 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.
Christian Worship Commission
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
Robert 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
Marguerite Strandgard
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 Education Commission
Grade levels where you are needed:
Session 1 - 3:15 Grade Two- 1 person is needed
Session 2 - 5:15 Grade One - 1 person
Grade Seven - 2 people
Session 3 - 7:15 Grade Six - 1 person
Religious Education News
Thank you to those of you who have stepped forward and
answered the call to be a catechist in our Religious Education
Program this fall. We are all blessed by your generosity.
However, please note, we still need a few more generous people to
fill our remaining positions.
Are you called to be a catechist??
Are you aware that at our 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 that,
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 Wednesday, September 13. It will be
here before we know it.
Remember that we do not process registrations the week of
September 20th. If you want your children to start on the first
day of class, register now. Pass the word to your friends and
neighbors.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods
at the REO, 832-8962.
Wings to Heaven
Hot dog and game night
All 5th-8th graders
Wednesday, August 16,
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
Group is all about... fun..
food, games & JESUS!!!
Effective Choices, Effective Parenting
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.
Building Effective Relationships With Our
Difficult Children
For parents of children with ADD or ADHD
Tuesday, August 22, 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.
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
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 trainings will be held 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 708-354-9200 Ext. 5060, 5085, or
5037.
Employment Opportunity
The parish accepts no responsibility for goods or services
offered.
* Dependable, Mature Delivery Person(s) wanted for light weight
pick-ups & deliveries between Elmhurst Dental Lab and Client
Dentists in Chicagoland area. Part time. Use of company
vehicle. Reliability, safe driving record & knowledge of
expressways and suburban area are musts. Albert Tassi Dental
Studio 630/530-7007 or mary@tassidental.com.
Lands of the Bible
Week 2 Synopsis
This week our studies will take us to the desert. We will
explore the places within this biblical topography and the
significance of these places for our own journey in the
wilderness.
Mark Your Calendars!
The Mary Queen of Heaven Annual Parish Picnic
Sunday, September 17, 12:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Come spend time with family and friends.
Enjoy music, games, food and good old family fun.
For more information please call: Bob Glick 833-5725 or Sheila
Reiter, 833-6657.
Da Vinci Code and the Catholic Church
Did Mary Magdalene play a bigger role in Christ's ministry
and life than that presented in the Gospels? Might there be
ancestors of Jesus alive today? If so, what effect would this
have on Christianity today? Is The Da Vinci Code fact or
fiction?
These are some of the issues raised in the book, The Da
Vinci Code, by Dan Brown. On Wednesday, August 23, at 7:30 p.m.
in Barrett Hall, the Adult Education and Spirituality Committee
will present the video, Jesus Decoded, prepared by the U. S.
Bishops Conference, which discusses the Catholic Church's
position on some of the issues raised in this controversial book.
The one-hour video will be followed by small-group discussions.
All teens and adults are invited. (We will not be discussing
whether or not there are killer albino monks roaming the earth!)
Please contact Julie McGovern at 832-0537 for further
information.
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:
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
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 follows immediately in the Joyce Center (Gym)
Please call Jen at 815-727-6411 for lunch reservations.
Interpreter for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is provided.
St. John the Apostle CCW
1st Annual Fall Festival of Savings
Sunday, September 10
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
On our parish grounds
330 North Westmore Avenue, Villa Park
Calling all garage sale junkies, entrepreneurs and
crafters!! Do you have stuff to sell? Spaces are $25 each.
Registration and payment must be received before August 27. If
interested, please call either Kathy at 630-279-5334 or Ginger at
630-833-2944 for more information and a registration form.
Crafters' Holiday
St. Alexander's Hall
230 S. Cornell, Villa Park
Scheduled this year for
Saturday, October 28
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Looking for a place to sell your
Beautiful, clever and useful handcrafts?
$30 per space with your table; $40 with our table.
Call Pat (941-8592) or Marianne (834-2183) for an application and
further details.
Walk in the Footsteps of Jesus
With Friar Johpal Cafiero, OFM
ISRAEL Pilgrimage
February 7-18, 2007
12 days in the Land of Jesus
$2,485, Double occupancy, $2,800 single
Cost includes airfare, hotels, 2 meals a day,
and entrance fees.
For more information:
call TWT Travel agency at 847-432-2400, X210
or see Friar's website: www.FriarJp.com
Joliet Diocese Catholic
Charismatic Healing Mass
Friday, August 18; Mass at 7:30 p.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation - 6:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Church
4801 Main Street, Downers Grove
Father Paul Hottinger, Presiding
For information, please call 630-964-0216
Free Ministry to Traveling Catholics
For nationwide Mass times and locations,
phone 1 800-Mass Times
(1-800-627-7846)
Or Internet www.Masstimes.org
Rite of Christian Initiation
of Adults
Are you, or do you know of someone who was, baptized in the
Catholic faith, but for various reasons never completed the
sacramental preparation by receiving Eucharist and Confirmation?
Have you been attending Mass with your Catholic spouse, and have
an interest in learning more about the Catholic faith? Do you
know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic or someone
who has never been baptized?
If you can relate to these situations, consider completing
your sacramental preparation by looking into the RCIA! Contact
Mimi Wolak at 941-3851 or e-mail mimiotvision@hotmail.com to
learn more about how you can enrich your spiritual life through
full participation in the life of the church through the
sacraments.
Request for Sacristan Ministers
We are looking for people who would be willing to help with
our Sacristan Ministry. The Sacristans are the ones who help to
prepare for each Mass. They maintain the sacred vessels,
vestments, and linens, and they manage all of the supplies that
are used for our different celebrations in church. Our head
sacristan must cut back on her responsibilities due to health
problems, and her "right hand" helper is moving out of state
because of her husband's job transfer.
If you would be interested in learning more about what happens
"behind the scenes," you might enjoy the ministry of sacristan.
We are hoping to have some volunteers who would be willing to
learn all aspects of the ministry (cross-training, so to speak),
so that people can cover for one another when there is a need.
However, it is possible to make only a limited commitment, for
example, to machine wash altar server robes, or to bring
vestments and linens to the dry cleaners when needed, or to set
up for morning Mass on a certain day of the week.
If you would like to volunteer or learn more about this
important ministry of our parish, please contact Mary Foley at
the parish office at 279-5700 or by E-mail at MMRFoley@aol.com.