I am writing this column on Memorial Day. It is a Memorial Day unlike any other because today, my brother Joe, a United States military officer just a few years short of retirement, is being shipped off to war. To people who don't know him, he is part of the military build-up taking place in Iraq. To me, he is my youngest brother with whom I've always had a special bond. I am the first and Joe is the last of eight children in our wonderful family. Wonderful though it is, Joe didn't have it so easy growing up. My Mom died when Joe was still very young. He saw her suffer for a long time and in his adult life, he has been a person sensitive to suffering, someone truly compassionate, someone who respects and values human life. Joe entered the military when he was very young. I think he was trying to find himself and recover from loss. He has ever since been devoted in his work and he has always tried to help others. I have three other brothers who have served in the military. Joe is the first among the four of them to serve in a combat situation. He is prepared for what he is facing. I am not.
In fact, it is hard to deal with some of my feelings. I am angry about the war. Like our U.S. Bishops Conference and our Pope, I did not believe that we should have gone to war in Iraq. Because we did, however, we are morally bound to help the people of Iraq achieve stability and to rebuild. Will a military build- up help to attain these things? I do not know. It has been frightening to see things get worse instead of better in Iraq. It has been heartbreaking to see so many people injured and to know that so many - soldiers and civilians - have died in this war. Now, our family, like so many others, also fears for the safety of a family member. To know that my brother will be in harm's way and in a position in which he may have to harm another is personally devastating.
Please join me in prayers for my brother and for the many other servicemen and women who have been called into service in Iraq. Memorial Day is a day for remembering with gratitude those who have given of themselves in service of our country, sometimes risking or sacrificing their lives. Memorial Day is also an occasion to pray for an end to war. Our prayers cannot be empty ones. We must be people willing to become peacemakers ourselves if our prayers for peace are to have integrity. We must be people willing to let go of grudges; we must be willing to forgive, something that can be harder to do than fighting back. We must try to be bridge-builders between people who hate or hurt each other. As Catholics, we are also called to "faithful citizenship." This means that we participate in the political life of our country responsibly, promoting for office and voting for people whose positions are in line with the broad range of Catholic social teaching (not only those in agreement with a single issue). It means letting our legislators know what we think about matters of life and death, war and peace.
It is also important in our decision-making that we learn what the leaders of our church have to say about such matters. The following questions and answers were recently published by our U.S. Bishop' Conference:
What is the position of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on Iraq today?
In the wake of the President's new plan for Iraq, on January 12 Bishop Skylstad issued "Evaluating Plans for a Responsible Transition in Iraq." The statement reiterates the "grave moral concerns about military intervention in Iraq and the unpredictable and uncontrollable negative consequences of invasion and occupation" that were expressed by the Holy See and the bishops' Conference prior to the war. However, it goes on to argue that the Conference now supports "broader regional and international engagement to increase security, stability and reconstruction in Iraq." The statement lifts up a key moral question that ought to guide our nation's actions: "How can the U.S. bring about a responsible transition in Iraq?" Each alternative course of action "ought to be evaluated in light of our nation's moral responsibility to help Iraqis to live with security and dignity in the aftermath of U.S. military action. Our nation's military forces should remain in Iraq only as long as their presence actually contributes to a responsible transition. Our nation should seek effective ways to end their deployment at the earliest opportunity consistent with this goal."
What does USCCB mean by a "responsible transition"?
"Any action or failure to act should be measured by whether it moves toward [key] benchmarks and contributes to a responsible withdrawal at the earliest time, or whether it is likely to increase divisions, violence, and loss of life." Benchmarks for progress toward a responsible transition in Iraq include: minimally acceptable levels of security; economic reconstruction that creates employment for Iraqis; and political solutions that help overcome divisions, broaden participation, and increase respect for religious freedom and basic human rights.
Let us pray for all of those affected by the war in Iraq.
Let us pray for an end to all wars.
Dr. Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
You can learn more about the church's statements by going to
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/mideast.htm.
"Ladies Night Out" Dinner
The Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring "Ladies Night
Out" on Tuesday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m. This is a great
opportunity to relax and enjoy fellowship with your friends from
MQH. We will be honoring Teri Kevil, our Woman of the Year, for
her dedication and work in our parish over the years.
The celebration will be held at Anyways Restaurant & Pub, 5
E. Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace. Dinner includes your choice
of one of the following entrees: 1) Anyway's Pasta 2) Penne
Mozzarella Pasta 3) Junior Sirloin Steak 4) Grilled Chicken Pasta
5) Mediterranean Chicken 6) Blackened Catfish or 7) Pasta
Milano as well as coffee, soft drinks or tea and an ice cream
dessert. A cash bar will also be available. The cost for the
evening will be $25 per person and checks should be made payable
to Mary Queen of Heaven CCW.
The deadline for reservations is Sunday, June 10, as we
have to give the restaurant a one-week's advance notice. A
reservation form is in this weekend's bulletin. Please return
your reservation as soon as possible to a CCW representative, the
church office, or drop it in the collection basket.
CCW representatives will be in the church vestibule this
weekend and June 9/10 to take reservations. For further
information call Mary Connelly (782-7626) or Diane Bernstein
(279-7252).
Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool registration continues!
Please see our website at www.maryqueenpreschool.org and contact
the parish office for more information and registration.
Preschool tours scheduled on request.
Parish News
St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive
This Weekend, June 2 and 3
Spring cleaning?? Clear your home of all that extra
clutter!! We are having a collection for The Society of St.
Vincent de Paul and we are looking for clean gently used
clothing, shoes, cookware, linens, dishes, toys, books, lamps,
etc. Your donations benefit the needy.
For your convenience, St. Vincent de Paul bags are
available in the church vestibule this weekend. Please fill
these bags, or your own bags and boxes, with the items you are
planning to donate and bring them to church the weekend of June
2/3.
There will be a St. Vincent de Paul truck in the parking
lot until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 3. We would appreciate it if
you would place your donations in the St. Vincent DePaul truck.
Receipts are always available for your donations If you
have donations of large items, please call 630-231-4658 to
schedule a pick up from your home.
Thank you for Helping Us to Help People!
Christian Service Commission
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Diocese of Joliet
Make a Marriage Encounter weekend and watch your love for
each other grow.
Contact Tom & Mary Leonard at: 630-577-0778.
Upcoming weekend dates:
June 22-24, Sept. 21-23 and Oct. 26-28.
Visit us on the web at wwmejoliet.org
"Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least
brothers of mine, you did for me."
Mt 25:40
Thank you for your participation in the 2007 Catholic
Ministries Annual Appeal. You now can contribute by credit card
using the diocesan web page. Go to www.dioceseofjoliet.org and
click on Donate now Click and Pledge. This is an easy way for
you to help our parish fund the ministries in our diocese that
help so many.
May God continue to bless you for your generosity.
Diocesan News
Mayslake Ministries
"JOURNEY: In Scripture,
In the Spiritual tradition, In Adult Development"
Saturday, June 16
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
At St. Margaret Mary Parish, in Naperville
This School of Spirituality workshop will explore the theme
of journey as a multi-faceted theme of life and spiritual
development.
Fr. Albert Haase, OFM, Fr. Bill Burton, OFM and Joan Lopina
will facilitate this workshop. The cost is $75 per person.
Call 630-323-1620 to register by June 6.
Community News
Catholic Charities
is in need of
new born/infant clothing, diapers,
and newborn "care packages"
Last year, Children's Services of Catholic Charities,
provided loving care for 398 children in foster care, many of
whom needed long-term, specialized therapy to heal from the abuse
and neglect they have suffered. Our maternity services helped
mothers with keeping and raising or finding an adoptive home for
15 of their infants.
In order to continue providing these services Catholic
Charities needs your help. One way you can help is by conducting
clothing drives or "baby Showers" for new clothes and
newborn/infant "care packages" (wipes, lotion, powder, shampoo,
bibs, pacifiers, grooming sets, medical kits, newborn
developmental toys, diapers, etc.) for these babies.
You are in a unique position to dramatically impact the
first days of a baby's life or a child's first stay in their new
foster home by helping us replenish our supply of newborn, infant
and children's clothing for boys and girls sizes 0 to 3T.
Please do not donate used clothing, as we cannot use those.
We will accept any size clothing and diapers.
For more information, please contact Rose Bayr Maritato at
630-495-8008 x 33.
Religious Education
Catechists Needed
Before school is out for the summer break, please consider
helping us as a catechist next fall. We thank those who have
responded to our plea. However, we are still in need of
catechists at various grade levels at various session times.
If you are a loving, welcoming, accepting, forgiving person
of faith, you have the most important qualifications for being a
catechist. You don't have to be a theologian, just someone who
can help our children understand how the Gospel can be applied to
their lives. Come share your Faith with the over 500 young
people of our RE program. Call for more info.
If you have any questions or need more information, please call
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Christian Education Commission
Market Day
Orders for June are due by Monday, June 18, at noon. Turn
in your order form in the box in the back of church or at the
rectory. Pickup on Saturday, June 23, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in
the Social Hall.
If you have questions or would like to place an order,
please call Maria at 279-2238 or Karen at 279-4108.
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.
monthly. For more information, call toll free at 1-800-240-7011.
The next meeting dates are as follows:
June 20 - St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center
130 Woodlawn in Joliet
June 26 - St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center
101 West Loop Drive in Wheaton
People's Resource Center
MQH Peace and Justice Committee is offering YOU a great
opportunity to be part of the group from Mary Queen who are going
to stock shelves at the People's Resource Center in Wheaton on
Saturday, June 23 from 8:30 until noon. Mark your calendar. We
have five members of the Peace and Justice committee signed up.
We have room for about 8 parishioners to participate in this
project.
Don't wait! Call Milt Honel (279-7086) to confirm that we
still have room in one of the vehicles driving to Wheaton.
You will have an opportunity to help the clients served by the
PRC...we might even stop off for lunch on the way home. So call
Milt. We are going to have fun and we will be doing our Good Deed
for that day.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
From the Peace and Justice Ministry
The United States is the world's single largest contributor
to global warming, with average annual emissions of 19.6 tons per
person, nearly five times the world average of 3.9 tons per
person. We can all take actions to reduce the amount of carbon
pollution or heat-trapping gasses that we generate.
Reduce Energy Use
"People know that cars contribute to global warming, but
they don't realize that every time they turn on a light bulb a
power plant is discharging heat-trapping gasses into the
atmosphere" says WWF scientist Dr. Lara Hansen. "Everyone needs
to recognize the implications of energy use - it's a privilege,
not a right." Make a commitment to reduce the amount of energy
you use. Simple actions like using compact fluorescent light
bulbs, driving less, adjusting thermostats, and recycling can
reduce your emissions.
Dear Mary,
I wanted to thank you and the rest of the
parish for the recent opportunity I had to win 1st
Prize in the 50th Anniversary Raffle.
The winnings couldn't have come at a better
time because I recently lost my job (and my husband
is retired) and the funds will help to make up lost
income.
Yours very truly,
Moira J. Murray
Christian Service Commission
Dear Parishioners,
On the day this message is being written, the first scripture
reading for the day is about giving generously and cheerfully
(Sir. 35: 1-12). We are writing to thank you for doing this.
While our fiscal year does not end until June 30, at this time,
barring any unforeseen circumstances, we will end the year much
better than we expected. This is thanks to many people working
together - our staff and Finance Council who have worked to
contain or lower expenses wherever possible; our many volunteers
who have helped us with parish fundraising activities and the
members of the parish who have supported them; and above all, the
many parishioners who have increased their Sunday contributions,
the primary source of support for the parish.
The time has come for people to vacation and go away on
weekends for the summer. Please do not forget your financial
contributions to the church because we count on them! You may
have noticed that the collection reports are always higher the
first two weeks of the month. This is because of all the
parishioners who are now using Parish Pay to make their
contributions electronically. Please consider this as an option
for your family. A flyer is included in today's bulletin to
explain this program.
Thank you for your generosity and for supporting all of the
ministries of our parish. In the Gospel reading for today (Mark
10: 28-31), Jesus reminds us that all of our sacrificial giving
will be rewarded. May God bless you for all the ways you give to
our parish!
Mary Foley and the Parish Finance Council
RCIA - Update and Invitation
With Pentecost upon us we send forth Jesse Nelson and Beth
Wrobel with our love, support and blessing! They have completed the
Mystagogy experience and now will share their gifts of the Spirit
with the world!
Jerry Cote will continue the RCIA journey for short time
longer. During the summer months our sessions will occur on the
following Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m.: June 3rd and 17th, July 8th
and 29th, August 19th and 26th.
Anyone interested can join us following the 8:30 Mass, enter
into a discussion time or come for the discussion prior to attending
the 10:30 Mass.
Are you interested in becoming part of the Catholic faith?
You are invited to "Come and See"
* If you would like to inquire about the Catholic Faith
* If you are not Baptized
* If you are a Baptized Catholic but have never received the
Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation
* If you might like to bring someone you know who is interested
in our Catholic Faith
* If you would like to be a sponsor for someone along the journey
Questions?? Please contact Mimi Wolak (941-3851) or Tom
Nanak (530- 4502)
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.
Natalie Baker Pam Bondfide
Pat Caffarelli Rose Caffarelli
Kathy Calzante Cosmore Ciancio
Dennis Ciancio Lou Ciancio
George Cibula Paul Cirone
Ida Corriedo Cynthia Catalano Family
Deacon Bob Delbeke Trudi Dolato
Baby Dobrowolski Virginia Feret
Kathy Filipiak Cecilia Garstki
Mary Goggins Mary Hagerty
Anna Heffel Jen Huwalt
Tom Huwalt Michelle Humann
Maureen James Richard Jones
Kathy Johnston Irene Kmieciak
Bernadette Kohn Anne Kostas
John Larkin Baby Emma Lynde
Marie Mangano Robert Manion
Dennis McCabe Mary Piszczor
Raymond Mitchell Fred Moss
Mary Sabel Oye Geri Pstrzoch
Baby Faith Reid Robert Restivo
Vera Rossiano Agnes Sabel
Patricia Sabel Joaquina Scroppo
Jess Smith Mary Spierowski
Rachael Thompson John Unger
Richard Vanni
Rest in Peace
Gerald Bodmer
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.
A Vocation View
Human beings establish lasting loving bonds.
But the Trinity shows us perfect love:
you, God and neighbor.
There is nothing more than love.