I write this article on the last night of my vacation, as I look forward to being back at the parish tomorrow. You may know that I traveled to North Carolina for the birth of my granddaughter, Emma Michele. It was a great privilege to be invited to be present for her birth. I will always be grateful to my daughter-in-law Briana (and son Jason) for such a generous gift. Jason and Briana, her mother Shirley, and myself were all together in the birthing room, and when little Emma was born, we all cried with tears of joy and wonder. What a miracle it is to witness new life coming into the world! Mom, baby, and Dad (and grandparents) are all doing very well! And today, I received the news from Eric and Jessica (my grandson Jameson's parents) that they are working on making a new sibling for Jameson and cousin for Emma! How blessed it is for a grandmother to know the love her children have for their spouses and their own children.
It was good to be able to see all of my children at different times during this trip. Being together with my family is rejuvenating for me. On my way home from North Carolina, I also stopped in downstate Illinois, where I spent the weekend with my cousin Brenda and her family. Brenda was born on the exact same day as me, and all throughout our lives, we have enjoyed each other's company and comparing notes on life. It has always been amazing how many experiences we shared in common, especially because she has always been a country girl and I've always been a city girl. There are human experiences that transcend culture and distance. Lately, we are learning more about the ones that come with advancing age!
Last night, on my way back, I dropped off Saint Catharine at the vet's office. She had come along with me on vacation but I wanted to spend my last day at the retreat house, where she is not able to stay. (Catharine is the dog I adopted earlier this year, when the last of my children moved out of state!) Before I went to bed last night, here at the retreat house, I spent some time writing the foreword and introduction for my first novel. I don't know if I will ever finish writing the novel, but beginning it was a fun exercise in imagination! Today, I spent the day reading some books that I was given as gifts. (It has been a long time since I read books unrelated to my doctoral thesis!) I read a book on priesthood given to me some time ago by Father Enright, and a book of valuable Latin sayings given to me as a graduation gift by Father Tapper. I also read much of a book given to me by my father, who happens to be a physician. This book was written by the scientist who heads the Human Genome Project. He shares the story about how, as an agnostic scientist, he came to believe in God and accept Jesus into his life. He writes about the need that science and religion have for each other, and how a person can be both a scientist and a believer. He talks about how the discovery of the genetic map of human DNA points to the working of God.
Vacations can be life-giving time. Reading books, enjoying new scenery, visiting with family, breathing fresh air, getting some rest, expanding your mind and imagination, all of these are things that we need to do in order to grow, to learn, and to be refreshed. It is not always possible to take a long vacation or to travel far (not to mention how rare is the opportunity to witness a child being born!). But we all need vacation time. I remember once hearing a presentation on aging given to some older nuns by an elderly priest. He said that we should all have 100 vacations a day. He gave some examples of how to do this, like using the time spent walking between two buildings to notice flowers, squirrels, or whatever life there is around you. We all need to relax the attention we give to the regular busyness of our lives and the things that worry us - and give our focus to other, more pleasant things for a while. (There is a favorite scripture passage of mine in Philippians - chapter 4, verse 8 - that gives good advice about what kinds of things we should pay attention to.) Paradoxically, the less time we spend worrying about things, the easier they are to manage.
So, if you have not yet had a summer vacation, I hope that you will take one. Or enjoy 100 of them, if you can! No vacation is perfect but every vacation can do something to feed your soul. Tomorrow, I will pick up Saint Catharine and return home. (By the way, she also had a good vacation and enjoyed meeting some other dogs in the family!) I still have a long to-do list that I brought with me of things I still haven't done, and I have a box of magazines I brought with me that I still haven't finished reading. I have dirty laundry in my suitcase and I know there are three boxes of mail and lots of other things waiting for me at the office. But I shall return refreshed. Thanks be to God!
Mary
Dr. Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
A Vocation View
Another sign of Vocation is that your heart is more intent on
things of heaven rather than on things of earth.
God is everything: the only thing.
Eucharistic Adoration
The saints, the artists and experts of love, were faithful,
ardent adorers of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. ...eucharistic
adoration has always been considered the closest likeness we have
to the eternal adoration in which will consist the whole of our
paradise. (Jesus our Eucharistic Love)
The Worship Commission would like to thank all who have
signed up to watch one hour with Jesus at our monthly Eucharistic
Adoration with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament over the last
2 years. For those who haven't had the opportunity, if there's
anything you need to thank or praise God for, to express sorrow
for, or to ask for, know that He waits for you to come and spend
some time with Him at our next Day of Eucharistic Adoration,
Monday, August 6, 2007 from 9 AM to 7 PM. The day of adoration
and prayer closes with Benediction at 7:00 PM. All are invited
to join us any time during the day as well as for Benediction.
We are in need of people to sign up for an hour of adoration,
especially in the middle of the day. Please see the large sign-
up poster in the back of church.
In Loving Memory of
Marquerite Strandgard
Can't believe it's a year
since we saw your beautiful face.
You left a lasting mark
on everyone you touched.
You did not die
for you live on
in our hearts and memories
that even death can not erase.
You are the eternal flame
that will burn
in the hearts of all of us
until we meet again.
We love and miss you
From the Ciamprone Family
In Memory of My Beloved Wife
Marquerite Strandgard
It's been a year since you've been gone,
My life is not the same
I love and miss you everyday,
My heart is filled with pain
Someday, My love we will be together again
Until that day, may God bless you and keep you
I miss you so much!
Love Fred
Mark your calendars! Parent Orientation Night (parents only) is
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 from 7:00pm-8:00pm in the Social Hall.
Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool is mission-driven, play-based, and
has a multiple intelligence curriculum.
Serving children ages 3-5
3 day Morning Program
2 day Morning Program
Tuition competitive with other
local programs
Approved by the Diocesan Office
of Catholic Schools
Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool registration continues! Please
see our website at www.maryqueenpreschool.org and contact the school
office for more information and registration.
(630) 833-9500
Preschool tours scheduled on request.
PARISH PICNIC UPDATE
Mark your calendars! The annual Mary Queen of Heaven
Parish Picnic will be held on Sunday September 16th from 12:30
p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Come spend time with family and friends. Enjoy music,
games, food and good old family fun. As in past years, you may
bring your own food or purchase your meal. The food will be
supplied by Cuomo Catering and the menu will include Fried
Chicken, Italian Sausage, Potato Salad, Fruit Salad, Pasta Salad
and Roasted Corn. Complimentary Desserts and Coffee will be
provided by the parish and parish families. Tickets will be
available beginning the weekend of August 11th and 12th after all
the Masses. The donation for an Adult Ticket is $9 per person,
and $6 for children under 12. Pop, Water, Popcorn and Cotton
Candy will be available for purchase.
For more information or to volunteer to help, please call:
Bob Glick (833-5725), Sheila Reiter (833-6657), Ed Hayes (279-
5325), Mary White (833-9809), Mike Launius (220-6927) or Phylis
Twardowski (279-6239).
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 Joyce Belasiek
Pam Bondfide Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante
Cosmore Ciancio Dennis Ciancio
Lou Ciancio George Cibula
Paul Cirone Ida Corriedo
Cynthia Catalano Family Rosemary Davis
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
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.
Looking for a place to sell your beautiful, clever and useful
handcrafts?
Try St. Alexander's Annual
Crafters' Holiday
St. Alexander's Hall
230 S. Cornell, Villa Park,
Scheduled this year for
Saturday, October 27, 2007
9:00AM-3:00PM
$30.00 per space with your table; $40 with our table;
Call Pat (941-8592) or Marianne (834-2183)
For an application and further details.
SCHOOL SECRETARY POSITION
St. Charles Borromeo School, 145 E. Grand Ave., Bensenville, has
a part time position available for a school secretary. If you
enjoy being with children and would like additional information,
please contact our school office at 630-766-0116.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS
The Twenty-ninth Annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass
will be celebrated on Sunday, August 19, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the
Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. All couples and their
families, no matter how many years married, are invited to attend
the event (maximum of four guests per couple, please). Bishop J.
Peter Sartain will distribute certificates to those couples
celebrating 25, 50, and more than 50 years of marriage. Please
pre-register by completing and returning the form by August 10,
2007. For more information, please call 815-838-5334.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS
Registration Form
Celebrate the Anniversaries of Marriage
at the
Cathedral of St. Raymond, Joliet
Sunday, August 19, 2007
3:00 P.M.
Last Name of Couple_________________
Husband___________Wife____________
Address____________________________
City______________Phone____________
Parish you attend_____________________
City_______________________________
Date of Marriage_____________________
# of Yrs. Married_____________________
# of children____ # of grandchildren_____
# of great-grandchildren_________
A reception will be held in the Joyce Center
following the mass.
___We will attend the mass and reception.
_____We will attend the mass only.
____# of additional guests attending (Limit of 4,
please)
Please return this form by August 10 to:
The Center for Family Ministry
402 S. Independence Blvd.
Romeoville, IL 60446-2264
FAX: 815-834-4045 Email:
familyministry@dioceseofjoliet.org
For more information, call (815) 838-5334
Religious Education News
There are just 5 weeks left until the opening of the MQHRE
07/08 year. We cannot do it without you.
Please note the positions that still need to be filled.
Are you called to be a catechist??
Are you aware that at your Baptism, all Christians are
commissioned to do the work of Jesus? Did you know that all
Catholics are called to further the teaching mission of Jesus? Have
you heard that by sharing your faith with children, you deepen your
own faith in the process? Do you know that without our volunteer
catechists, we do not have a Religious Education Program?
Please consider joining our team of dedicated men and women
just like yourself who weekly share their Faith with the young
people of the parish. We still have openings that must be filled.
Help our children to get to know our God.
The following are those grade levels where you are needed:
Session 1 - 3:15
Pre Three - 1 Aide
Session 2 - 5:15
Grade Six - 2 Grade Seven - 1
Session 3 - 7:00
Grade Six - 2 Grade Seven - 2
All sessions meet on Wednesdays. Please bear in mind because of
the size of our program we have almost 70 catechist and aide
positions to fill. We need only nine more. We are blessed. If you
can help, please call the REO today. Classes begin in just a few
weeks.
Have you registered yet?
Registrations are still being taken in the REO for the coming
year. Our opening event is September 12th. It will be here before we
know it. If you have not registered, please do so ASAP. Pass the
word to your friends and neighbors. Classes are filling up.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at the
REO, 832-8962.
MQH Parish Patron Feast Day
The feast day of Mary Queen of Heaven will be celebrated on
Sunday, August 19th, with an outdoor Mass at 10:30 a.m. We hope
you and your family will join other parishioners at this Mass of
Celebration.
The Mass will be held between the church and school
building, directly behind Barrett Hall. Should the weather be
inclement, Mass will be held in the Church.
Following Mass there will be fellowship in Barrett Hall.
This is a great opportunity for our parish families to meet and
become better acquainted with each other, while enjoying
conversation and refreshments (coffee, tea, juice and sweets).
We look forward to seeing you and your family on this special
occasion.
Catholic Charities Offers Spanish Speaking Counseling Services
Catholic Charities is pleased to offer Spanish speaking
counseling services in Will County (office located in Joliet) and
DuPage County (office located in Lombard). Services are provided
for individuals, couples and families. There is a cost for
counseling services, and fees will be assessed based on ability
to pay and financial need. For more information or to schedule
an appointment, call toll free at 1-800-240-7011. For office
locations and to learn more about program and services at
Catholic Charities, visit our website at www.cc-doj.org
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. on
either the third Wednesday or the fourth Tuesday of the month.
For more information, call toll free at 1-800-240-7011. The next
meeting dates are as follows:
August 15 - St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center
130 Woodlawn in Joliet
August 28 - St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center
101 West Loop Drive in Wheaton
VOLUNTEER TUTORS NEEDED
The Congregation of St. Joseph (formerly Sisters of St.
Joseph of La Grange Park) is greatly in need of volunteers for
its adult literacy program, School on Wheels. Tutors are needed
to teach one hour or so per week from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.
to 8 p.m. in Cicero, Hodgkin, Lombard, Summit, Westmont, and
Woodridge. Two-day trainings will be provided from 9 a.m. to 2
p.m. on August 27th and 28th or 29th and 30th. Volunteers must
attend one two-day training session. No prior second language
skills are needed.
For more information, call (708) 482-5060 or (708) 482-5085
"Catholic Charities Month"
Dear Friends,
In life we all sing a song, a melody of our own. We sing it
because God truly wants us to be happy! Unfortunately, not
everyone's song is so joyful.
August has again been designated "Catholic Charities Month"
in the Diocese of Joliet and while we are making time to
celebrate the goodness of our work, we also know that it's a time
when some families are planning where their next meal will come
from, how they will pay their rent, how they will afford school
supplies or how they will care for an aging parent.
I hope you'll make time to learn more about Catholic
Charities this month and in the months to come. Visit our
website at www.cc-doj.org. It will give you information about
the 60,000 people we serve each year, our budget and the fact
that while we made some challenging budget cuts, 90 cents of
every dollar is still used for direct client benefits.
May God bless you and your families, and may the rest of
your summer be filled with joyful songs!
Kathleen McGowan
Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet
JOYFUL AGAIN!
RETREAT FOR THE WIDOWED
JOYFUL AGAIN! Is a two-day program for widows and widowers
who want to resolve the grief they feel inside and begin to live
again after the death of their spouse. It is based on the belief
that with God's help all things are possible; that through Him we
can help each other and ourselves. The weekend employs a series
of video presentations, followed by facilitated small group
discussion and private reflection time. Participants can
discover how others are coping with their loss and what they have
found helpful in dealing with their grief. Trained facilitators,
who have been widowed themselves, help with the weekend and the
discussions.
WEEKEND DATES
What: 2-day Retreat for the Widowed
When: Sat. & Sun. August 18 & 19
Where: Immaculate Conception Parish, 134 Arthur, Elmhurst (3
doors west of York Rd. and 3 blocks north of St. Charles)
Donation: $75.00 including meals (some scholarships available)
Call: Charlotte Hrubes 708/354-7211 for more information or to
register