Mary's Corner

Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church
426 N. West Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-2171
Parish Office: 630/279-5700
Fax: 630/279-4667

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 - !"


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