Waiting for Annie...
Please indulge me while I brag about my new granddaughter, who is waiting for us in China. After more than a two-year process, my daughter, Lauren, received news of the beautiful little Ling Xu Sang this past Friday, December 1. As of this writing, Lauren is calling her daughter Annie Xu (pronounced Su). Annie is currently 10 months old and lives in the Jiangxi Province of southern China. Since Lauren is a single mom, she has asked my husband and I to accompany her to pick up Annie sometime next month. We're not sure of the exact date yet. Waiting for Annie has put the season of Advent into an entirely new perspective for us. I've often talked about how Advent is the time of waiting for Jesus. I think the Advent of 2006 is one our family will never forget. Please keep us all in your prayers, especially our amazing Annie.
This was the message of our Religious Education Director, Mary Ann Woods, to our catechists this past week. I asked Mary Ann if I could share it with everyone in the parish because I believe that this adoption story holds much within it for us for fruitful reflection during Advent.
Even before I read Mary Ann's note, I heard her talking with excitement about the upcoming trip to China to pick up her granddaughter. In fact, I have heard her talking about her granddaughter for two years, even before she knew who she was. How this makes me imagine people of long ago, like Simeon, "who awaited the consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:25), and Anna, who "spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Israel" (Luke 2: 30). Even before they met the newborn Jesus in the Temple, they waited in faith for the Child who was to come.
Again, before reading Mary Ann's note, I heard her talking this week to some people in the parish about going to China next month and about how they had waited two years for this child. Another woman present, herself an adoptive mother, responded in a way that seemed quite natural, saying, "this has been your time of labor." She then began to speak of her experience waiting to adopt two of her children. It was indeed a time of labor, researching adoption possibilities around the world, wanting to help the children most in need, finally working through multiple agencies once a decision was made but then still waiting...and waiting. As I listened to these women, I thought about how labor is like this, a process born out of love that once begun cannot be stopped, one which can bring painful moments, one that can seem endless - until the time finally arrives when the child comes. How was Mary's labor? Hers, too, born out of love, still involved challenge and difficulty, and a combination of feelings of desire and uncertainty about the future. Still, she waited in joyful hope for the Child who was to come.
How blessed are the children who are so hoped for, so longed for, and so desired. How blessed was the birth of the Child for whom so many had waited so long. How blessed the birth of Annie Xu who will soon be in the arms of her mother and grandparents. How blessed is every adopted child who experiences the love of those whose arms have longed to hold them, the embrace of those whose hearts have longed to cradle them and care for them. How blessed, too are the parents who set aside so much, who give so much, to receive them into their hearts and homes. How blessed are they, like Joseph, who, though not the biological parents, welcome their adopted children as their own with a deep and holy love.
Adoption is a theme woven throughout holy scripture. Jesus was the adopted son of Joseph. We, who follow Jesus, become adopted sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters to the One who came to fulfill the desire of the nations. Let us await his birth with holy longing. Let us give thanks for all that adoptive parents (and grandparents) have to teach us. Let us remember that we, too, are adopted sons and daughters, children of our God who is pure love. Let us make our hearts ready to receive Him.
Mary Foley,
Pastoral Life Coordinator
Community News
"Choices for Life"
Benefit Banquet
Keynote Address by
Most Rev. J. Peter Sartain
Bishop of Joliet
Get Your Ticket Today!
Woman's Choice Services will hold its First Annual "Choices
for Life" Benefit Banquet on Friday, January 26, 2007, at the
Abbington Banquet Hall in Glen Ellyn. The proceeds of this event
will enable Woman's Choice Services to provide hope for those at
risk for abortion, help for those who are pregnant, and healing
for those who are suffering from an abortion.
We are honored to have the Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain,
Bishop of Joliet, as Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker. The
banquet will begin with cocktail hour and hors d'oeuvres at 6:30
p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person,
with a discounted rate of $650 for a table of ten.
Woman's Choice Services builds a Culture of Life in three
interconnected ways: providing vital counseling and necessary
connections to women at risk for abortion, supporting pregnant
women in need through the parish-based Project Gabriel program,
and bringing the healing love of Christ and His Church to women
who have suffered the pain of abortion.
Tickets must be purchased by Monday, January 8. For tickets
or for more information, please call Woman's Choice Services at
(630) 261-9564.
Bible Study
Facilitators Needed
If you think you are interested in facilitating one of our
groups studying the Book of Exodus this winter, training times
will be tailored to the trainees. The facilitator merely makes
sure that all aspects of the study (prayer, discussion, video)
are completed within the allotted time each week.
If you are interested or have any questions please contact
Lynn Suwanski at 630-530-2523 or Alex and Marie Grozik at 630-
530-0503 or the Parish Office at 630-279-5700.
Little Rock
Scripture Study
Do you think you would like to know more about your
religious roots in the Jewish faith? Now is your chance. The
next Bible Study sponsored by the Adult Education and
Spirituality Committee will be the Book of Exodus. This study
was chosen for its relevance to the preparing ourselves for the
celebration of Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The Themes of Exodus are liberation, wilderness, Passover,
covenant, and God's dwelling among us. We will see how the
Israelites passed from bondage to freedom as we prepare to
celebrate our passage from death to new life through Jesus.
We will begin the week of January 8 and go 10 weeks with
one break for our Parish Mission the week of February 5. Sign up
will be this weekend, December 16/17. If you are interested or
have any questions please contact Lynn Suwanski at 630-530-2523
or Alex and Marie Grozik at 630-530-0503.
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
Johanna Mesner Mary Piszczor
Raymond Mitchell Fred Moss
Geri Pstrzoch Baby Faith Reid
Robert Restivo Agnes Sabel
Joaquina Scroppo Jess Smith
Mary Spierowski Rachael Thompson
Christian Worship Commission
Attention Bulletin Editors and Leaders of
High School / College Youth / Family Youth Groups
Volunteers are Needed !!
The DuPage Continuum of Care, whose members provide services
to individuals and families in need throughout DuPage County will
be conducting it's third area wide survey count of unsheltered
homeless persons the evening of Thursday, January 25, 2007 into
the morning of Friday, January 26, 2007.
The survey is being performed by the Continuum in conjunction
with the requirements set forth by the Department of Housing
(HUD). The purpose of the survey is to gather statistical
information on the unsheltered homeless population. This count
takes place all across the country to help various levels of
government allocate dollars to fund the appropriate agencies that
assist the homeless population throughout the next calendar year.
The survey will be conducted with the assistance of local law
enforcement agencies. Catholic Charities is recruiting and
training volunteers to perform the overnight survey count.
Needed funding for helping the homeless depends on the
accuracy of the count. Please help spread the word and recruit
the volunteers.
A training session will be held at Catholic Charities, in
Lombard, on January 16.
Groups and volunteers should RSVP to Jane Tyshenko, Catholic
Charities, 630-495-8008.
Diocesan News
Joliet Diocesan Life Office (JDLO)
Join us on Sunday, January 14, 2:00 p.m.
34th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision
Commemorative Prayer Service for the Unborn & All whose
lives have become endangered since the January 22, 1973, Supreme
Court Decision, Roe v. Wade.
The Celebrant of Benediction and Homilist will be
Bishop J. Peter Sartain.
Refreshment and fellowship will follow.
Sponsored by the Knights, and the Joliet Diocesan Life Office.
The Cathedral of St. Raymond.
402 S. Independence Blvd. Romeoville, IL 60446
prolife@dioceseofjoliet.org
(815) 838-1002
Christian Education Commission
Religious Education News
Thank you to all who participated in our RE Advent Service
Projects. Several boxes of new unwrapped toys were collected for
Marillac House. Sr. Antoinette is very grateful to everyone for
their generosity. Many children on the near West Side...not so very
far from Elmhurst, will have smiles on their faces this Christmas
morning because of you.
After Christmas we will report which animal received the
most votes in our Heifer International project. Thanks to all our
children who took part in this most worthy, educational, and fun
activity.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann
Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
"Breakfast in Galilee"
is a quiet retreat for men
held at Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein on
January 12 - 14, 2007.
Come sit with Jesus on the shore. He's just risen from the
dead and has such stories to tell you! Presenters are Fr.
Jonathan Foster, OFM and Mary Jo Valenziano. The cost is $180
for private room and bath.
For reservations, please call 630-323-1620.
Community News
Volunteers Needed
for DuPage Community Clinic
The DuPage Community Clinic is a free medical/dental clinic
serving low-income, DuPage County residents who have no insurance
or governmental assistance with offices in Wheaton and Villa
Park.
Our medical clinic is seeking Nurses, LPNs, CNAs, and EMTs
to volunteer at either office. Primary care physicians,
cardiologist, dermatologists, endocrinologists, gynecologists,
nephrologists, optometrists, orthopedics, and surgeons are also
needed to volunteer at the clinic or as referral specialty site
at your private office. Dietitians, social workers, certified or
experienced medical translators, data entry, receptionist, and
clerical/office volunteers are also needed for our Wheaton
office. Our dental clinic is also seeking dentists and dental
hygienists for our Wheaton office.
Anyone interested in volunteering or seeking more
information contact Yessica Cabrera at 630-682-0631 or e-mail
ycabrera@dupagecommunityclinic.org
Mayslake Ministries
"Circle of Stones,"
for women, will be held on
Thursday evenings, Jan. 11 and Feb. 8.
These women gather to pray, contemplate and share. They
meet at 760 Pasquinelli Drive, Ste. 304 in Westmont from 7:30 to
9:00 p.m. The cost is $15 and the facilitator is Mary Jo
Valenziano from Mayslake Ministries.
Please call 630-323-1620 to sign up, but walk-ins are
welcome. Light refreshments are served.
Christmas Trees
Enjoy cutting down your own special Christmas tree at
Marmion Abbey, Aurora. Your fresh-cut tree will hold its needles
longer. And you will help ease the financial burdens of Marmion.
The trees are only $25 and $30.
For more information and how to get to Marmion, call (630)
897-3011.
Christmas Eve
Mass with Children's Pageant
Christmas Eve Mass at 5 PM has traditionally been a very
special liturgy for Mary Queen of Heaven. Children and families
of our parish portray the Gospel story of Jesus' birth. It has
been filled with blessings with each passing year. Please
consider being part of it beginning this year. You haven't
missed signing on!!!
Rehearsals begin this Sunday, Dec. 17th:
1:30 PM Sacred Dancers gathering at Mary's
Gathering Space (transferring to church
when available).
3:30 PM - Gospel Tableaux players in Church.
The schedule is:
Sacred Dancers - 3 - 5 PM - Tues. Dec. 19
Gospel Tableaux - 3 - 5 PM - Mon, Dec. 18 and Wed.
Dec. 20
Full dress rehearsal is: Thursday, December 21 from
3 - 6 PM - All participants must attend.
There's still enough time for children and families to
participate as gift bearers, proclaimers, shepherds, angels,
sacred dancers, choir, aides and assistants, etc. We always have
room for you! Thank you! God Bless you!
For more info. call: Wendy Krafcky: 617-0066/cell: 559-4044
or Ruth Maple 279-5612/cell: 290-7218.
MQH Parish Pastoral Council
Summary of November, 2006 Meeting
Below is a summary of the PPC November meeting. The
complete minutes are posted in the display case in the vestibule
of the church.
* Bishop Gumbleton will give a Lenten presentation at the parish
in March.
* It was suggested to change the time of the Sunday Offertory
Renewal Program to the spring of the year to coincide with the
fiscal year, in order to project a reasonable budget for the
following year.
* The Pre-School is planning Open Houses in late December or
early January. Michael Fonck, brother of Fr. Benet Fonck, OFM
will contact graduates of MQH School encouraging them to
support Catholic education returning to MQH School.
* The PPC is sponsoring donuts and coffee during Advent after
the 10:30 Mass. If this is successful, it may be expanded to
other Masses after Christmas.
* Our Parish Mission is scheduled for February 4 - 7, 2007.
Father Richard Fragomeni will lead the mission.
* Bible Study of Exodus will begin the week of January 8th and
continue for 10 weeks with time off for the Parish Mission.
The PPC has one new adult member, Mona Sykora and three new
youth members, Katie Converse, Jorge Solis, and Marc Vicary