Dear Friends,
We are people of hope. Our scriptures during this Advent season have been filled with stories of hope: the hope of the people of Israel for a savior, the hope of Elizabeth and Zechariah for John the Baptist who would prepare for His coming, and the hope of Mary and Joseph for the baby Jesus. We, too, have been people of hope during these weeks, hoping in the midst of our daily lives that this will be a good Christmas, that we really will be able to receive Jesus more fully into our hearts.
Christmas holds the hope for change, the hope for peace, the hope for love. We are busy people, worried about many things, and we are not always focused upon what is most important. The coming of Christmas helps us to refocus, helps us to rekindle hopes that have been dormant, helps us to make the changes we need to make in order to love better, to be at peace more. All we need to do is to open our hearts to receive the One who came that we might have life in abundance. My hope is that each one of us will make this a holy Christmas, that we will make amends where needed and that we will be people of light, and joy, and love.
To those of you who are visiting this weekend, thank you for worshipping with us. Our celebrations are all the better because you are here. If you are looking for a parish home, please know that all are welcome at Mary Queen of Heaven.
To Mary Queeners, thank you for making this parish what it is, a community of faith and welcome, where people share their gifts and celebrate well. I want to thank all of you for the many ways you give of yourselves, from the catechists who volunteer week after week to help form more than 500 children in the faith, to our maintenance man and Building and Grounds Committee members who attend to the physical needs of our parish campus, to the bulletin editors who enable regular communication about parish activities, to the gardeners who make our grounds beautiful, to the cooks who supply so many parish events with delicious foods, to the ushers who shake our hands or embrace us when we enter the church doors, to the 50th Anniversary Committee members who have brought together generations of the faithful, to the priests who come to celebrate the sacraments with us week by week, to the St. Vincent de Paul Society who helps those most in need, to the CCW and the Men's Group who provide opportunities for socializing and Christian service. The list goes on and on but you are all remembered in my heart this Christmas. Special thanks to all who have worked so hard to prepare for our parish Christmas celebrations - all those involved in our Music Ministry, our sound ministry, our other liturgical ministries, our Art and Environment committee, those who did the outdoor decorations for our church, and all those who by sharing their gifts of time, talent and treasure made this Christmas better for others. My heartfelt thanks, too, to the parish staff who works day- to-day without any thought of great reward, and for the members of the Parish Pastoral Council and the Finance Council, who help me in leading the parish.
May you and all those you love be blessed this Christmas with renewed hope in the power of love. Thank you for your generosity and Merry Christmas to one and all!
Love and peace at Christmas,
Mary Foley
A Vocation View
Can you honestly pray:
"I have come to do your will, O God"?
Blessed are you who trusts that
the Lord's words to you will be fulfilled.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Through your generous support and donation of monies and
gifts, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, was able to make
Christmas a little brighter for low income families in DuPage
County.
This year, through the Holiday Outreach Program, nearly
4000 individuals were "adopted" by participating parishes,
private donor families and local area businesses and schools.
Surely each family that received your gifts will have cause to
celebrate this season of the birth of Our Lord.
Again, we offer our sincere thanks and wish you and
your families every blessing of the New Year!
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
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.
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.
"Choices for Life"
Benefit Banquet
Friday, January 26, 2007
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 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.
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.
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 needed for our Wheaton office. Our Wheaton dental
clinic also needs dentists and dental hygienists. For more
information call Yessica Cabrera at 630-682-0631.
Catholic Charities
Hosts Parenting Classes
Six consecutive Saturdays
January 27 through March 3
10:00 a.m. until Noon
Are you a stressed out parent who wants to learn effective
discipline, communication and better ways to deal with your
children? Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet is
offering Parenting Classes at Catholic Charities at 203 N. Ottawa
Street in Joliet.
The fee for class is $40 per person, and a reduced fee is
available for those who qualify based on income.
To register, or for more information, call Catholic
Charities toll-free intake line at 1-800-240-7011.
Community News
Rachael's Vineyard Retreat
March 23-25, 2007
Rachel's Vineyard Retreat for post abortive men and women,
is sponsored by the Joliet Diocesan Life Office and will be held
at St.Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center. Confidentiality and
privacy will be strictly observed.
To learn more about a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat or to
register, contact Kay Corcoran at 815-838-7171.
For more information and a list of retreats in other
locations: www.rachelsvineyard.org or call the toll free national
hotline at (1-877-HOPE-4ME).
After months of study by the parish Finance Council, after
multiple surveys of parents by the Preschool Committee, and after
receiving much positive feedback from parents of preschool-aged
children, we are moving forward with plans for beginning
registration for our new preschool, starting in January. Tuition
rates for the 2007-2008 school year will be finalized by the end
of this month. The Preschool Board is in formation, with two
subcommittees already established. The Safety and Environment
Committee will be headed by Terri Kevil and the Preschool Finance
Committee will be headed by Jim Japczyk. Open Houses for the
Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool will be held on:
Sat. Jan. 6 from 9-11 am
Sun. Jan. 9 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Sat. Jan. 13 from 9-11 am
Sun. Jan 14 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Sat. Jan. 20 from 9-11 am
Sun. Jan. 28 from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Please see the insert in today's bulletin and share this
information with your family and friends.
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 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.
GoodSearch Engine
We just received our check for 2006 from GoodSearch, the
computer search engine that rewards us for everyone who uses it.
Please use GoodSearch in place of Google or other search engines
and it will benefit Mary Queen. Everyone, businessmen and women,
homemakers, and students, can all help our parish by using this
useful tool to look up things on the internet.
Enter www.goodsearch.com for web site. Type "Mary Queen of
Heaven Catholic Church" into the "I support" box, & click
"verify. Continue your search. Thanks to all who used
GoodSearch in 2006!
Parish News
Thank You to Youth Group
A special thanks to our Wings to Heaven youth group for
making the darling Thanksgiving cards for Elmhurst Extended Care
Center. The residents loved them! Also want to thank all of our
5th-8th graders that came to sing for the senior dinner and made
the little Kissmas goodies. We are blessed to have such
wonderful young people!!!! Last but not least... thanks to our
high school leaders that consistently come and help out for our
meetings... they serve as such positive role models for the
younger folks of our parish.
Please note our 2007 schedule... mark your new calendars or
palm pilots now!!!
Thank You
To all the PADS volunteers!
As we look back on 2006, we want to formally thank all the
volunteers who helped with serving food and cleaning chores at
sites in Elmhurst, Oakbrook Terrace, and Wood Dale:
David Grunwald Nancy Stern
Marie Materas Heather Styka
Armaline Mirretti Debbie Styka
Kim Nosek Randy Styka
Maureen O'Dowd Chris Tapling
Caroline Rogers Karen Vicary
If you would like to help, even once, email
debbie, and she will add you to her monthly email
invitation.
It was a wonderful evening!
All those seniors who attended the CCW Senior
Christmas Party on December 2nd had an enjoyable evening
complete with a delicious buffet dinner and entertainment.
A special thank you to Karen Vicary, the Council of
Catholic Women board members, and all the other ladies of
the parish who donated food and helped with set-up and
clean-up.
The seniors especially want to express their
appreciation to Kathleen Gusloff and our youth group for
the delightful Christmas Program and the Santa gifts given
to each senior. Thank you one and all and may you have a
Blessed Christmas.
Please Note:
There is no RE on December 27 and January 3.
RE Class sessions will resume at the normal time on Wednesday,
January 10.
Religious Education News
On behalf of all of us in the REO, we wish you a most holy
and happy Christmas.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary
Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Christian Education Commission
From Mary Foley:
We had a wonderful thing happen a week ago at the parish
house. I walked into the office after the morning Communion
Service and picked up my telephone messages. One was from
parishioner and choir member Mary Selke, saying that she had a
new microwave oven that she wanted to donate to the church.
Before I had the chance to call her, I stopped in the dining
room, where Sister Honorata and some other parishioners were
working on a project. The first thing that Sister Honorata said
to me was, "Mary, I hate to tell you this, but the microwave at
my house is broken." I told her that we already had a new one
for her and then I let her know about the telephone message I had
just received. We were all amazed! Our God, who surprised the
world with a newborn child, surprises us still, in big and small
ways. God also answers our prayers, sometimes in dramatic ways,
sometimes in ways we have to wait to understand. After Mary
Selke and I talked about what happened with Sister Honorata and
the microwave, she later also me about something that happened to
her on Sunday. Christmas is a wonderful time for telling
stories, so let me share hers with you:
Parish News
From Mary Selke:
Mary, I've got a story for you that's not quite as good as
the microwave one but it's along the same lines. When Molly got
us up on the risers for rehearsal yesterday she said something
about our beginning cantor was "just doing the psalm". Hmmm.
Sometimes when that happens I fill in the rest. So I asked Molly
if I was to do that and she said yes. Now, I probably missed her
email on that but I'm comfy jumping in on leading hymns and Mass
parts with no problem. As Mass started and we were singing the
first hymn I began thinking through what I'd need to do for the
rest of the Mass. I realized, to my chagrin, that I had no idea
what the verse was to the "Alleluia," just before the Gospel was.
During Ordinary Time there are a handful of these in the hymnal,
and Molly assigns one to the cantors. If a cantor misses it on
the Internet Mass planner it's no big deal, we just substitute a
favorite verse and nobody notices. That's not the case in
Advent. The verses are specific to each Sunday, are not in the
hymnal, and are very much Advent-oriented. In other words, if a
cantor didn't realize she was cantoring and didn't run a copy of
the verse off the website there is no way to improvise.
It was an awful feeling, to know that I was going to "hit a
wall" vocally in about 10 minutes and, of course, had no access
to the internet from the risers. I looked up at Jesus' image
behind the altar and thought, "Is there any chance You feel like
sending me a mental text message with the words to that verse?
Send it to my brain by divine telepathy or something?" I thought
this was funny and looked down so nobody could see I was starting
to laugh. Well...when I looked down I noticed a piece of paper
sticking out from under the riser. I had actually seen it when
we first got up there and - not wanting to bend over and wreck my
hair (!) - kicked it out of sight under the riser. I was mildly
annoyed that it was sticking out again so I bent down to pick it
up, figuring it was scrap paper and I'd toss it out later.
Guess what it was: the words and music to the Alleluia
verse! Now, there are only five people on a given weekend who
would have any reason to have a copy of that: Molly, Tim, the
5:00 Mass cantor, the 8:30 Mass cantor, and the 10:30 Mass
cantor. Whomever cantored the 5:00 or 8:30 probably dropped
theirs. But the chances of my finding it just when I needed it
were, well, unbelievably slim. I glanced up at Jesus' image
again - half expected to see it smiling - and thought, "uh -
thank you - !"