I found out on Sunday that I am going to be a Grandma again!
The call came by surprise. I returned home to the rectory late Sunday afternoon and found about six missed calls from the same phone number, with no message left. I could tell that someone really wanted to talk to me and I wondered what was wrong.
I returned the call and my son Jason answered. He had called me from Briana's cell phone and I had not recognized the number. I asked him what was wrong. He said that nothing was wrong; he just wanted to share the news about their new puppy! He proceeded to talk with me for the next 15 minutes about their new Labrador pup "Jake," who will now be part of their family, along with little "Ellie," a tiny dog they rescued from a shelter last year.
I was happy for them, knowing how much they love Ellie. When we had gotten past all the news about Jake and paper training, I was ready to talk with Jason about some other things. But wait, he said, there was something else he wanted to tell me. After spending a few moments like he was trying to remember what it was, he blurted out, "Briana's pregnant!" I then screamed, "Omigosh!," and "Congratulations!," and "I'm so happy for you." Then, I heard the whole story of how they had been trying to conceive for two months and how Briana had just learned that morning that she was 5 weeks pregnant.
It is a wonderful thing to become a grandmother, though I'm still getting used to it! It is amazing how my grandson Jameson has already changed the life of our family and he is only six months old. And now, just after getting married in July, Jason and Briana are going to have a baby. Both of these children are so fortunate to be so wanted, so planned for, and so loved.
Still, even something like a new baby does bring changes into the life of a family. We are already trying to figure out who will be able to make it to the annual family trip in January. As the family grows, some things aren't as easy as they used to be. Or better said, things just aren't the same as they used to be. When there is change in the life of a family, even good change, some things can become difficult. This difficulty can be compounded if people are not able to get past the past, past the way things used to be.
When I work with couples preparing for marriage, we always have a session together talking about families of origin. Both the bride and the groom each came from their own family and now they are going to create a family of their own. It is important to look back at their families of origin and to talk about this together. I ask each person to remember and talk about things from their family life that they would like to bring into their new life together, as well as things they do not want to bring into their new family life together. This often makes for very interesting conversations! It also helps couples to realize that things are no longer going to be the way they were used to - for themselves or for their families of origin. Something new and good is being created at the same time that some things have to be left behind.
God is always surprising us with new life. God surprises us when new babies are born into families. God surprises us when we fall in love. God surprises us when a new job or a new home becomes part of our lives. Actually, however, God is always waiting to surprise us with new life, holding out to us opportunities to see things with new eyes, holding out to us opportunities to offer forgiveness, holding out to us opportunities to change our hearts, holding out to us opportunities for life to be made new.
Accepting any kind of new life, however, whether into one's heart, into a family, into a parish community - even into the U.S. House of Representatives! - requires that there be some change, requires that there be some things left behind. This isn't always easy, as I am discovering with my growing family. But where there is true love, people will find ways to overcome difficulties so that new life can be nurtured, so that people become able to grow together and not apart, so that there can be peace and not war.
In a couple of weeks, I will be flying to California for one day, arriving on a Sunday morning and returning on a Monday evening. It sounds like a kind of crazy thing to do. But with my children and I having different schedules and living in different places around the country, this was the one way we found that we could all be in the same place to have an early Thanksgiving dinner together. This certainly isn't the ways things used to be! Learning to make sacrifices, learning to compromise, and learning to let go of the way things always used to be can be a lifelong process. But it is so worthwhile.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Timothy Hurley
and
Kerry O'Reilly
Were married at MQH on October 21st
September & October Celebrations
We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the
following who was baptized
In September: Eric Hedquist
In October: Jessica Rose Anderson
Megan Elena Del Rio
Quinn Gertrude Hobbs Jacobs
Attention Catholic Lawyers!
The St. Thomas More Society of DuPage County is sponsoring
the 3rd annual Red Mass with brunch immediately following for
lawyers and their spouses, on Sunday, November 19, at Noon at St.
Michael Catholic Church in Wheaton. Mass will be celebrated by
Bishop Sartain. The featured speaker at the brunch will be
federal judge the Honorable Joan Lefkow.
For further information on the Red Mass or the brunch,
please call Eddie Wollenberg at 630-668-2415.
Thank you for your generosity on
World Mission Sunday!
Our parish offered $1,297.00 to the Propagation of the
faith for the missionary work of the Church. This is a real
blessing for the Missions!
Please continue to pray for missionaries - and for the
people to whom they bring the "Good News" of Jesus. May God
bless you for your generous missionary spirit!
Communication From the Bishop
Campaign For Human Development
Dear Friends in Christ,
In America 37 million people live in poverty and of them 12
million are children. For 36 years the Catholic Campaign for
Human Development (CCHD) has worked to lessen the numbers of
those living in poverty. CCHD works in concert with the poor in
order to find permanent solutions to break the cycle of poverty.
CCHD does not work for groups but rather with groups who are
aware of life's difficulties and are willing to work to find
solutions to their problems. Following the core principle of
Catholic Social Teaching, the dignity of the human person, CCHD
is committed to treating people with the dignity they possess as
children of God.
In November of 2005, the people of the Diocese of Joliet
contributed $374,000 to the Campaign, 75% of which went to the
National Office to be used for grants throughout the United
States. One Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars was returned to our
diocese through national grants to local organizations. In
addition, 25% of our local collection was retained locally for
grants in this diocese. Local grants were given to groups in
DuPage County, Kankakee, and Joliet in amounts ranging from
$8,000 to $13,900, for a total of $82,900
Through your generous gifts to CCHD, the people of the Diocese
work to empower others to help themselves. CCHD money is never a
hand-out; it is always a hand-up. CCHD is committed to working
with people so they can change their own lives. I am happy to
say that our Diocese is one of the top contributors to the CCHD
Collection. No grants could be funded without your generosity
which truly makes a difference.
Please give generously on November 18 and 19 when the annual
collection is taken up in your parish.
Sincerely in Christ,
(Signed)
Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain
Bishop of Joliet
Parish Bulletin Deadline
Due to the Holiday Schedule,
Items for the bulletin of November 26
must be in the parish office
By Thursday, November 16.
For the men of the parish:
Bears Game today, Sunday 11/12/06. Doors open at 6PM (game
at 7PM). Come join the Men of Mary Queen cheer on the Bears over
the Giants. Beverages/Snacks/Pizza provided.
Next meeting: Wednesday, November 8 - 8:30PM at the Odeum
Shoppers Wanted!
Please join us on Sunday, Nov. 19th from 8:00 a.m. 2 p.m. in
the Sacred Heart Parish Center in Lombard for the 4th Annual
Holiday Shopping Extravaganza. A sampling of the vendors that
will be available include Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Avon,
Creative Memories, Discovery Toys, Lia Sophia, Mary Kay and many
more. Also available will be art and craft vendors. Shop for
yourself or get an early start on Christmas shopping.
All sales will benefit Sacred Heart School. The Parish
Center is located at 114 S. Elizabeth Street. For more
information, please contact Julianne Schager at 630-916-9237.
Bereavement
Thank you to all who helped to make our Mass of Remembrance
on All Souls Day a meaningful event for all those who gathered in
prayer.
In addition to Mary Foley, and Deacon Tom the efforts of
Rosemarie and Jose Pizzaro, Mary White, Rory Villamil were
invaluable. It takes many hands to have an event like this. If
anyone is interested to learn how you might be of service in this
ministry, please call Mimi @ 941-3851. We continue to pray for
the speedy recovery of one of our key members, Kay Passarrelli,
and continued good health for Lou Ciancio!
Thank you also to those who brought photos for our Table of
Remembrance. This action helped to expand our view of family and
remind us of the lives and gifts of these individuals. Since
Advent is approaching, the table will be taken down soon, so
please remove the photos this weekend, Nov. 12, 13).
MQH Garden Club News
Thanks to all whose schedules permitted them to help clean
up our gardens around the church, school and the parish house on
Saturday, October 28. The old saying "many hands make light
work" surely applied. We were finished and on our way in one
hour! More good news is our happiness to report three new
parishioners have joined us through the recent Ministry Fair.
They are Jerry Cote, Nancy Stern and Debbie Styka. Jerry was
able to join us on the 28th, and we look forward now to a season
of thinking and dreaming which flowers and plants we might be
planting in Spring '07. Thanks again to ALL who helped make the
MQH campus look bright and beautiful this summer!
Sheila Reiter and Rose Wilkes.
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.
Natalie Baker Pam Bondfide
Heather Brennan Kathleen Bryers
Doresa Brugler Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante
Cosmore Ciancio Dennis Ciancio
Paul Cirone Margaret Conroy
Cynthia Catalano Family Ida Corriedo
Trudi Dolato Baby Dobrowolski
Virginia Feret Cecilia Garstki
Modesta Goggins Mary Hagerty
Anna Heffel Jen Huwalt
Tom Huwalt Michelle Humann
Maureen James Kathy Johnston
Irene Kmieciak Bernadette Kohn
Anne Kostas Tim Kowalski
Baby Emma Lynde Marie Mangano
Robert Manion Dennis McCabe
Raymond Mitchell Fred Moss
Geri Pstrzoch Baby Faith Reid
Robert Restivo Della Schroedl
Joaquina Scroppo Jess Smith
Mary Spierowski Rachael Thompson
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.
St. Domitilla Seniors
Our Lady of the Snows Trip
Tuesday, & Wednesday, December 5 & 6, 2006
Cost $120.00 per person (double)
Includes:
Deluxe Motor Coach,
Shrine Hotel
Way of the Lights Tour
St. Peter's Cathedral
Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
Tour of the St. Louis Area.
Continental Breakfast Buffet, Shrine Hotel
2 Lunches at Old Country Buffet
Dinner, Way of the Lights Buffet (Banquet Room)
Departure from St. Domitillia Church, 4940 Washington Avenue,
Hillside (South Parking Lot)
For more information and to register, call Josephine Petitti at
708-544-3286.
Community News
Spiritual Development For Men
Wheaton Franciscans Campus, Maura Hall'
26 W 171 Roosevelt Road, Wheaton
Tuesdays, November 14, 28
7:30-9:00 P.M.
Men's Group with Fr. Tom Borkowski (Chaplain and Wheaton
Director of Faith Development of The Wheaton Franciscans).
The Men's Group is a safe, non-therapeutic, confidential
place to nurture your spirit and your soul. Talking about things
that are happening, whether minor or major by one's perception,
frequently brings a sense of focus and peace. Having the
opportunity to listen to the issues that others are dealing with
can often give one confidence and reassurance, provide insight
for processing one's own issues, as well as give another the
opportunity to verbalize their issues.
To register or for further information, contact Fr. Tom at
630-784-2685 or tborkowski@wheatonfranciscan.org.
Children's Envelopes
Children in our Religious Education program received their
parish envelopes last week, which they can use to record how they
have shared their time and/or talent each week. They may also
choose to contribute some of the money they have earned or
received as allowance but this is not necessary. Every week, the
children's envelopes feature information about a saint of the
church. Last year, the children recorded hundreds of acts of
sharing time and talent and they contributed $2,473.43 to the
church. We are grateful to parents who continue to model
sacrificial giving for their children. Any parent interested in
obtaining envelopes for children not in our R.E. program can
contact the parish office and we will provide them.
SVdP Thanksgiving Collection
Every year our Thanksgiving Day Collection is given to the
St. Vincent dePaul Society to aid them in helping people in our
parish and the surrounding area who are in need of assistance
with food, electric, gas and water bills, rental assistance, car
repairs, medicine and medical bills. This is an important work
of outreach and charity that Mary Queen's SVdP Society provides.
We have been able to assist many needy people within our parish
and some who have been turned away at other places. It is
important for all to know that not only does our care help our
own parishioners but also reaches beyond our borders. The call
for help has been great this past year and we expect it to keep
increasing, especially with the energy situation.
To those of you who continue to support SVdP Society of MQH
parish by using the monthly envelope, we owe you a debt of
gratitude Your generosity continues to help us help others! We
know everyone is not able to attend Thanksgiving Day Mass, so we
ask that you please consider dropping your Thanksgiving Day
envelope in the Sunday collection basket or sending it to the
rectory.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
University of St. Francis
Campus Visit Day
High school juniors and seniors are invited to take a look
and experience USF on Saturday, November 18, at a complementary
breakfast at 9:15 a.m. with program beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Information will be provided on all facets of the university
including admissions, scholarships, financial aid, housing and
extracurricular activities. A student panel with Saints
Ambassadors, tours of campus and much more will be included.
RSVP today by calling (800) 735-7500 or online at
www.stfrancis.edu/visitday
MQH Council of Catholic Women
The CCW invites all ladies of the parish to attend a unique
presentation of "PREPARING FOOD FOR THAT THANKSGIVING
CELEBRATION" on Tuesday, November 14th, at 7:00 p.m. Bring along a
friend and enjoy the taste of deep fried turkey, special holiday
vegetables, a special holiday punch and dessert too! Cathy
Leville of the College of DuPage will give us tips on carving a
turkey, preparing special vegetables for the Thanksgiving
Holidays and will pass along some new recipes for us to try at
home. Anyone wishing to share a bottle of wine with others,
please bring it along.
Everyone is also invited to participate in our Christmas
Grab Bag. If you would like to join in the fun, please bring a
gift valued at $10 wrapped for Christmas.
We promise you a fun-filled evening and good company.
Let's start the holiday season off with a real bash! Since we
will be preparing and serving food, we would appreciate your
letting us know if you are planning to attend. Please fill in
the form in the bulletin and return it to the parish house, drop
it in the collection basket or give Mary Connelly a call at
782-7626 and let her know you will be coming. Parish
Cookbooks will be available for purchase at this event for
a donation of $15 each.
We're looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November
14th at 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall.
Auction Dinner Dance Update
Our 9th Annual "Evening Under the Stars" Auction and Dinner
Dance took place last Friday, November 3rd at Alta Villa Banquets
in Addison. This was a very special occasion as the theme for
the evening was our parish's 50th Anniversary. Elegant table
decorations and special favors carried through the anniversary
theme. Music and dancing was enjoyed by all as was the delicious
food, company of fellow parishioners and friends and the many
beautiful auction items available. Everyone had a great time and
hopefully a substantial profit will be realized. The gross
proceeds from the Auction Dinner Dance will be published in next
week's bulletin. We still have items to be picked up and paid
for so the gross total could not be published this week.
The winner's of the big Raffle Prizes were: Peggy Mangan,
1st Prize $500; The Nateras Family, 2nd Prize $250; and Bernie
Brinkmann 3rd Prize $100. Congratulations to all the them.
Special thanks to all those parishioners and businesses who
donated to our Live and Silent Auctions, to all those who helped
with the preparation, set-up and take-down that evening and to
all who supported this event. Without all of you, it could not
have happened. What a great parish we have. "We are many parts,
but we are all one body."
Sheila Reiter
Senior Citizen Christmas Party
Saturday, December 2, 2006
The CCW cordially invites all seniors of the parish to a
Christmas Party on Saturday, December 2, 2006 immediately
following the 5:00 p.m. Mass. A Buffet Supper will be served and
entertainment will be provided by our Wings to Heaven Youth
Group. Watch the bulletin for further information.
Please continue to be very cautious in the parking lot on
Wednesday afternoons and evenings.
Religious Education News
Reminder to all RE families:
There will be no class on Wednesday, November 22nd due to
the Thanksgiving holiday. Please mark your calendars.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at
the REO, 832-8962.
Christian Education Commission
Market Day
Orders for Nov. are due Mon., Nov. 13, at noon. Turn in
your order form in the box in the back of church or at the
rectory. Pickup on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in
the Social Hall.
Diocesan News
Thanksgiving Food Drive (This weekend)
Jewel and Dominick's gift certificates to go toward the
purchase of turkeys would also be appreciated. They can be put
in the collection basket or turned in at the parish house. We
will be preparing the baskets for distribution on Monday,
November 13 at 10:00 a.m. in Church. If you have an hour or so
free and would like to help, please call Sheila Reiter at 822-
6657.