ADVENT IS HERE:
SHOW THE FACE OF CHRIST
Advent is here! What does the beginning of this season remind you of? Here is some of a long list of things that came to mind for members of our Liturgy Committee at a recent day of reflection with Father Benet:
Waiting
Watchful
Review
Prepare
Anticipation
Take Note
Light
Hope
The Awaited One
Fruition
Savior Coming
Get Ready
Promise
Excitement
Waiting for the Light
He's Coming
Purify/Cleanse
Forgive
Sunrise
Sonrise
Blue/Violet
Advent Calendars
Rush
A rush
Pregnant
Snow
Blanket
Mary
Candles
Wreath
Music
Parties
Shopping
Decorating
Getting ready
These weeks of Advent involve all of these things!
This year, as we begin our season of Advent, we are all invited to consider this year's liturgical theme: Show the Face of Christ.
Speaking for myself, I will be taking this theme to heart by reflecting on each of these words. For example, one of the words on the previous list that I offered when thinking about Advent was "Pregnant." I think of Mary's pregnancy as she awaited giving birth to her Son. I even think about the pregnancy of God, in the sense that there is this fullness of life that God desires to give to the world. I also think about the people of God being pregnant with all of the hope that Christmas brings to us in its fullest meaning. So, for me, "Show," the first word of our Advent theme, relates to this. We often talk about when a woman begins to "show" during her pregnancy. During this season of Advent, how can my desire to love God and others become more visible? How can I live better so that people will say I am "showing"?
The second word is "Face." What kind of face do I want people to see? Not a face in the sense of a mask that can be changed to fit a situation. I have never really been good at that. People always tell me that they can see how I am feeling by looking at my face. Perhaps that is not a bad thing. I am like everyone else. I can be happy, sad, tired, disappointed, upset or angry. Emotions are real and God-given. But does my face show to people the joy I really have in loving and serving God, in spite of what I am feeling at the moment? I am not sure about this and so I know that this is something I can work on during this season of Advent.
Finally, "Christ." How can I be sure that Christ is truly at the center of my life? We all need time to regroup and reflect and Advent is a good time for this. It can seem like any special devotions or extra time for prayer can be "just one more thing to do" in the midst of a very busy time of year. And yet I know the truth that paradoxically, the more time we invest in our spiritual lives, the more time we seem to have for everything else we have to deal with in life. Something else for me to work on during this Advent.
What about you?
Dr. Mary
Dr. Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Dec 2nd
For all expectant parents: that these months might be
filled with joy and gratitude for the grace of God living
in their midst;
We pray to the Lord:
TABLE OF REMEMBRANCE
Our Table of Remembrance has now been taken down. If you
were unable to claim your photo last week, please call Mimi @
630-941-3851 to arrange pick up. Thank you for sharing your
memories with us. May perpetual light shine upon them!
MARY QUEEN OF HEAVEN
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Looking for money to pay off those "Christmas Gift" Bills.
Why not take a chance on our Christmas Raffle. YOU COULD BE A LUCKY
WINNER! All Raffle proceeds will benefit our Parish.
Only 250 tickets will be sold and the winners need not be
present. The odds of winning a Raffle Prize are great! The Ticket
Donation is $100. Each ticket contains 10 slots so that the cost of
the ticket can be divided with as many as 10 people if you choose.
1st Prize $10,000
2nd Prize $2,000
3rd Prize $1,000
The Drawing will take place on December 16th in Barrett Hall
immediately following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Refreshments will be
served. Please consider helping us make this event a success so
that we can continue to grow as a welcoming parish that provides
ministries involving all walks of life and continued spiritual
growth to our families and their children. Invite your family,
friends and co-workers to participate in the Raffle.
Tickets are available in the vestibule of church or can be
obtained by contacting the Parish Office or one of the following
committee members: Sheila Reiter (833-6657), Derrick StaRosa (291-
9115) Phyllis Twardowski (279-6239) or Mary White (833-9809)
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
The season of Advent is almost here, a time of waiting,
longing, and begging. It is a time to pray, "Come Lord Jesus."
We look forward to celebrating the first coming of Jesus at
Christmas. We look forward with hope to the second coming of
Jesus in His glory, and we seek Jesus out in the Eucharist and in
the people and daily events of our lives. While you are waiting
for Him to show His presence in your life, why not spend some
time with Him present in the monstrance at our next day of
Eucharistic Adoration? You can do this any time from 9 AM to 7
PM, on Monday, December 3rd. 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.
Please see our website at www.maryqueenpreschool.org and contact
the school office for more information and registration.
(630) 833-9500
Preschool classes have begun. We still have some openings in our
Tuesday/Thursday class.
Come join us!
Preschool tours scheduled upon request.
The Preschool will begin Registration for the 2008-2009 school
year beginning in January. We will be offering Open House for
those interested in visiting our classroom.
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2008
Saturday January 12, 2008 9:00am-11:00am
Sunday January 13, 2008 9:30am-12:30pm
After the 8:30am and 10:30am Masses
Tuesday January 29, 2008 6:30pm-8:00pm
Market Day
Orders for December are due Monday, December 10, at noon.
Turn in your order form in the box in the back of church or at the
rectory. Pickup on Saturday, December 15, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in
the Social Hall.
If you have questions or would like to place an order, please
call Karen at 279-4108 or Beth at 833-5469 or email her at
ekujawa121@sbcglobal.net .
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.
Aurora Arce Natalie Baker
Katherine Brennan 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
Sr. Emmanuel Kattner, OSF Irene Kmieciak
Bernadette Kohn Anne Kostas
John Larkin Baby Emma Lynde
Marie Mangano Robert Manion
Mary Martin Dennis McCabe
Mary Piszczor Raymond Mitchell
Fred Moss Mary Sabel Oye
Geri Pstrzoch Baby Faith Reid
Robert Restivo Wendy Rraffky
Vera Rossiano Agnes Sabel
Patricia Sabel Joaquina Scroppo
Joan Skimina Linda Barone Simons
Jess Smith Mary Spierowski
Joen Szypulski 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.
Due to the Christmas Holy Days, all articles for the upcoming
bulletins will have the following deadlines:
For Bulletin On Articles due by noon on :
12/23 12/13
12/30 & 1/6 12/19
Thank you for your cooperation.
STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE MINI-SERIES:
As part of our celebration of the Advent Season, St.
Margaret Mary Parish will be holding a two-part mini-series
called, Stand Against Violence. This series will focus on two
forms of violence that plague our communities; domestic violence
and gun violence.
PART I
Domestic Violence: What We Need to Know:
Wednesday, December 5, 7:30 pm,
COR Center, St. Margaret Mary Parish, 1450 Green Trails Dr.,
Naperville (at the corner of Green Trails Dr. & Naper Blvd.)
Presenters: Staff from Family Shelter Services: serves those
affected by domestic violence in DuPage County. In addition to
providing direct services, Family Shelter is a vocal public
advocate for the needs and rights of abuse victims by increasing
public awareness and support to victims and by offering general
educational programs and professional in-services on a variety of
topics related to domestic violence.
PART II
Preventing Gun Violence: A Personal Story of Redemption
Tuesday, December 11, 7:30 pm,
COR Center, St. Margaret Mary Parish, 1450 Green Trails Dr.,
Naperville (at the corner of Green Trails Dr. & Naper Blvd.)
Presenters:
Stephen Young's teenage son was gunned down in 1996 by a gang
member in Chicago using an illegally trafficked handgun.
Stephen's family journey from the murder of their son to
forgiveness for his killer is a powerful story of redemption.
Stephen has been an active participant in the public debate over
gun control, has written many op-eds for Chicago newspapers. His
family's experience was documented by Chicago Public Television
WTTW, in "A Justice That Heals."
Lights, Camera...Faith!!...is a film lectionary series
designed to help us enter into ADVENT and appreciate the Gospel
stories. We will view a movie story that creates a dialogue
between the movie and the Gospel. Sister Myra Lambert, SSCM,
Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary, will be the facilitator.
WHERE: Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary
717 N. Batavia Avenue, Batavia, IL
WHEN: Sunday, December 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd (?) from 3:00-
6:00p.m.
COST: $40 for the series.-The series consist of four 3-hour
sessions. Open to both women and men.-Registration is limited.
For more information or to register call Linda Isleib at 630-879-
1296, Monday through Friday.
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE
Advent is upon us and once again our parish is taking care
of 25 families with our Christmas Giving Tree. The Ornaments
will be on the tree the first Sunday in Advent. This year, as in
the past, we will also be supplying Elmhurst Extended Care
Nursing Home with presents for their residents. Please take an
ornament or two, purchase and wrap the presents placing the
ornament on the top of the present so that we can see the coding
telling us which family the present belongs to or if it is going
to the Nursing Home. Please return your presents placing them by
the Giving Tree by December 16th. Once again we want to thank
all who participate for their generosity and kindness in helping
someone less fortunate to have a joyous Christmas.
SENIOR CITIZENS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY
The CCW cordially invites all Senior Citizens to the Annual
Christmas Dinner Party. It is to be held in Barrett Hall on
Saturday, December 8 immediately following the 5:00 pm Mass.
Reservation forms will be available in the back of the church.
Please return these forms as soon as possible in the basket in
the vestibule of the church or to the rectory. Rides will be
available for anyone that needs assistance. For more information
please call Donna Glick at 630-833-5725 or Cheryl DeSantis at
630-279-3148
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital sponsors two (2) adult grief support
groups. One group meets in the evening and the other group meets
during the day time. The evening group meets at the hospital (200
Berteau) on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month from 6:30-8:00
p.m. in the Bates Conference Room. The other group meets at
Elmhurst Memorial Center for Health (1200 S. York Rd) in
Conference Room E. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from
9:30-11:00 a.m. For more information call 630-833-1400 Ex. 47058
or 630-833-8200 Ex. 73541
Parish News
Dear Friend of Classical Music and Supporter of PADS,
First United Methodist Church of Oak Park and the MacDowell
Artists Association will present their 7th Annual Sing-Along
Messiah on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. This popular
holiday event will feature four soloists, the Chicago Chamber
Orchestra, a Skinner organ,
and a harpsichord. The audience sings along as the Chorus. A
reception follows the concert.
A free-will offering will be received to support the Public
Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) program which provides food,
shelter, and social services for the local community through a
network of community volunteers and agencies. Additional
information on the services that PADS provides can be located on
their website
[http://wwww.westsuburbanpads.org/dnn/].
First United Methodist Church of Oak Park is located at 324
North Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302. Questions may be
directed to me at messiah@fumcoakpark.org or (708) 383-4983.
Additional information and directions can be located on the
church website at [http:///www.fumcoakpark.org]. The church is
handicap-accessible and provides hearing assistance services.
Please invite all those who love classical music. We hope
to see you there!
Cordially,
Betty Johnson
Sing-Along Messiah Coordinator
RETIRED RELIGIOUS COLLECTION
As you know, each December we take up a special collection
for the Retirement Fund for Religious. This fund distributes
grants to religious institutes for the retirement needs of senior
religious priests, brothers, and sisters. The fund also helps
religious institutes plan and manage their retirement needs and
programs. Many religious congregations and institutes in the
Diocese of Joliet benefit from this important collection. I am
pleased to say that throughout the country this collection has
been very solidly supported since its inception, and it is
important that we continue our strong support. Please be
generous in supporting the retirement needs of those who have
served us well for many, many years. This collection will take
place the week end of December 8/9.
Many thanks for your help and support!
Community News
CHRISTMAS FOOD COLLECTION
As in past years, along with our Giving Tree we also have a
Food Collection for the Families we have adopted for Christmas.
This year the Food Collection will take place on Sat. December
8th and Sunday December 9th. We are in need of non perishable
items such as fruit, vegetables, soup, potatoes, rice, prepared
food (i.e. macaroni, Hamburger Helper, etc.) baking items, cake
mixes, Jell-O, pudding, peanut butter, jelly, pasta, spaghetti,
spaghetti Sauce, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, pop and juice, paper
towels, toilet tissue, Kleenex, cleaning supplies, dish soap,
laundry soap, personal products (soap, toothpaste, shampoo,
etc.). Once again we need food for 25 families.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Reminder to all Session 3 students and families.
This Wednesday, December 5th all of our Session 3 students
will celebrate Reconciliation with the Parish at 7PM. We ask that
students and their families gather in the RE classrooms and then
walk over to church together. It will be a very powerful
experience to celebrate the sacrament as a family. W cannot
insure that the Service will conclude at 8:15PM exactly.
Therefore it is very important that all children have a family
member present with them in church on December 5th.
Attention Parents of 2nd graders:
Our 2nd graders will be celebrating Reconciliation for the
first time on Saturday, December 8th at 10:30AM in church. This is
a family celebration and all parents and/or guardians are
expected to attend.
If you have not as yet turned in the date you have
requested for your child's First Communion next spring, please do
so. The small group dates are filling up. Remember there are a
limited amount of spaces available at each date.
Attention 8th grade Confirmation Candidates & families: There
will be a meeting for all our 8th Grade Confirmation Candidates,
Parents, & Sponsors on Wednesday, December 12th from 7-8:15PM in
Church. All are expected to attend. Please note the 5:30 Grade 8
session will not meet on December 12th.
Please pray for our Confirmation candidates. The basket with
their names is at the front door of the church. It is our goal
that all 73 candidates have a "Prayer Partner".
Advent Service Projects:
This year we are again be collecting new unwrapped toys for
Marillac House on Chicago's West Side...not so very far from
Elmhurst. There will be a "toy box" in the hall of school for
donations on Wednesday, December 5th and 12th during class times.
Toys for all ages are welcome...no violent toys please. Please be
generous.
Our children will also have the opportunity to add a global
dimension to their acts of service. They will go to the "polls"
to vote for the animal of their choice to be sent to a 3rd world
country. The RE children are asked to come to class with a
donation of 50 cents that will be donated to Heifer
International. They can then "vote" for a pig, a sheep, or a
goat to be sent to a small village, which will drastically
improve the quality of life of it's residents. Our "polls" will
be open on the first two Wednesdays of December. Over the years,
our children have really enjoyed this project.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at
the REO, 832-8962.
Christian Education Commission
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Please join us for Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
this Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 8:30am at Mary Queen of
Heaven.
LITTLE ROCK SCRIPTURE STUDY
The Mary Queen of Heaven Adult Education and Spirituality
Commission continues the Year of Women in the Bible and the
Church with our next Scripture Study, Women in the Old Testament.
The study will begin the week of January 7, 2008 and continue for
9 weeks through the week of March 10, 2008. The cost once again
will be $12.00 and if you need assistance please speak to Dr.
Mary Foley.
Only in recent years has attention been given to stories of
biblical women. There are stories of queens and slaves,
assassins and victims of rape, mothers and wives, sisters and in-
laws. Our study will tell the stories of only some of the women
in the Old Testament. It is the hope of the author of the study
to encourage readers to search for more biblical women and also
to find the story of faith reflected in the stories of their own
lives.
Sign-up will take place on two week-ends: December 8-9 and
December 15-16. If you have any further questions or would like
to inquire about facilitating a group study please contact Lynn
Suwanski 630-530-2523 or Alex and Marie Grozik 630-530-0503.