Look Within and Return to the Way of the Lord
Many of you know from the announcement in church last week about the death of Mark Turkula. Mark was killed last Saturday morning in a snowmobiling accident. He was 38 years old and he and his wife Sheri have a daughter who will be turning 2 years old and a son who is 5. Mark's parents also live in the parish. Please continue to keep the entire Turkula family in your prayers.
Last Sunday afternoon, I met with Sheri, Mark's sisters, and some of their friends at the parish house. We met to plan Mark's funeral Mass. As you can imagine, this was a very difficult time for everyone. We shared scripture readings and there were tears. When we were finished, they left to go home and prepare for the wake the next evening. Shortly afterwards, I left the house to go out for a little while.
When I walked out the front door, I could see people in cars at the other end of the parking lot beginning to leave. I realized that these were families who had just had babies baptized by Deacon Tom. All of a sudden, I became aware that within the distance of a parking lot, I witnessed the span of Christian life. At one end were the newly baptized. I stood at the other end, where the Turkula family had just planned a Mass of Resurrection for Mark. I looked across the parking lot and considered the scripture passage: We who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death...We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him (Romans 3: 3-9).
This image of seeing the span of Christian life across the parking lot has not left me all week. The parking lot is so small; at first I resisted thinking in terms of this image. But our lives are all short, whether we have 38 years or 38 days or 38 grandchildren. In God's eyes, it is not the length of our days that matters, as was proclaimed in the first reading at Mark's funeral (Wisdom 4: 7-15). It is how we live our lives, as short as they may be. Perhaps the length of the parking lot is not too small to think of if we try to put ourselves in God's perspective, within all of eternity. We are all here but a short time.
I remember once hearing the great spiritual writer Fr. Henri Nouwen say that our lives are like this: He raised his hand high in the air and said that our beginning is with God. Then he lowered his hand and made a great arc with a swooshing sound all the way across the front of himself until his hand was raised high at the other side. This high point, he said, was our return to God. Fr. Nouwen then said that God has always said yes to us. We are given the time in between our coming and going to say yes to God. This, it seems to me, is like the distance of the parking lot I experienced last Sunday afternoon. From the time of our baptism until the time of our death, what is most important is how we live, how we love. Mark Turkula deeply loved his family and friends. This Lent that we are now beginning just a few days after Mark's death gives us the opportunity to reflect upon how we are living and how loving we are in our relationships. "Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel," are words we hear on Ash Wednesday. This is the time for us now to "Look Within and Return to the Way of the Lord," the words of our Lenten theme this year.
As we begin this Lent, let me share some other thoughts I have had during this week when I have reflected on the parking lot image. Over the last few years, I have observed many events in our parking lot. First of all is the craziness of mornings when there seem to be hundreds of cars with parents dropping children off at school, sometimes crowding out the people who are trying to come for morning Masses or Communion Services. Isn't that how we all are sometimes? Busy and rushed, with our spiritual lives often taking a back seat to all of our work and other responsibilities? Then there are the times that I find myself trying to leave from the house driveway just when school is getting out. There are days when it seems like not only me but no one else is able to get a break. Cars just pass by, not letting anyone in, everyone concentrating only on where they want to go, ignoring others. How often have we plowed ahead with our own agendas or special interests, ignoring or not being sensitive to others? In our parking lot, there are often dangerous drivers who cut into the exit lane from the other side or from a parking spot and almost cause an accident. Recently on an icy day, someone came into the parking lot and did donuts with his car. Are there times when we get out of control with our own vices? And then there are days like today, when the parking lot is full of snowy, slippery, slush, making it likely for people to fall or for cars to get stuck. How often do we fall into sin or get stuck in negative behaviors?
Lent is an important season in the liturgical life of the church, one which draws our focus to the ways we have been living our lives from one end of the parking lot to the other, so to speak. As we begin this Lent remembering Mark Turkula and his family, let us be mindful that none of us knows the length of our days. May we look within, repent of our sinfulness, and return to the way of the Lord.
Dr. Mary, Pastoral Life Coordinator
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 Margaret Barone
Jim Brankin Katherine Brennan
Pam Bondfide Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante
Josephine Castro Cosmore Ciancio
Dennis Ciancio George Cibula
Paul Cirone Ida Corriedo
Cynthia Catalano Family Rosemary Davis
Deacon Bob Delbeke Trudi Dolato
Baby Dobrowolski Virginia Feret
Cecilia Garstki Mary Goggins
Mary Hagerty Anna Heffel
Michelle Humann Bob Hummell
Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt
Maureen James Richard Jones
Kathy Johnston
Sr. Emmanuel Kattner, OSF Irene Kmieciak
Anne Kostas Wendy Kraffky
John Larkin Baby Emma Lynde
Marie Mangano Robert Manion
Mary Martin Dennis McCabe
Mary Piszczor Jennie Milazzo
Raymond Mitchell Fred Moss
Baby Faith Reid Robert Restivo
Vera Rossiano Patricia Sabel
Vi Sabel Joaquina Scroppo
Joan Skimina Jess Smith
Steve Snyder Rachael Thompson John Unger
Richard Vanni
REST IN PEACE
Johanna Mesner
Mark Turkula
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.
Christian Worship Commission
Market Day
Orders for February are due Monday, February 18, at noon.
Turn in your order form in the box in the back of church or at the
rectory. Pickup on Saturday, February 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 Karen at 279-4108 or Beth at 833-5469 or email her at
ekujawa121@sbcglobal.net .
A Vocation View
Lent is a season of renewal, of spiritual growth. These forty
penitential days invite us to strive for our true calling.
L.O.S.S. UP-COMING 10 SESSION GROUP
The L.O.S.S. (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)
Program provides services to those who are grieving a death by
suicide of a family member or close friend. Eight weekly
sessions and two monthly follow-up meetings for those grieving
the death of a loved one will be offered. Meetings are held from
7 to 9 p.m.
St. Daniel the Prophet (Rm.106)
101 West Loop Drive
Wheaton, IL
Tuesdays, March 4 thru April 22
May 6th and June 3rd
We need at least 10 people signed up to convene a group.
Call Laura Vargas at 815-724-1152 to register or for additional
information. Deadline to register is Wednesday, Feb. 27th.
L.O.S.S. is a program provided by Catholic Charities.
SENIORS INVITED TO DEFER PROPERTY TAXES
Qualified senior citizens, aged 65 years and older are
invited to apply for the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral
Program. The program allows participants to defer property tax
payment until the property is sold. The deferral is treated as a
loan and accrues 6 percent simple interest until paid. To
qualify, the applicant's household income cannot exceed $50,000.
Additionally, the property must be used exclusively for
residential purposes.
The application period closes March 1, 2008. For more
information, contact the DuPage County Treasurer's Office at 630-
407-5900 or www.dupageco.org/treasurer.Gwen Henry, Treasurer
YOUTH NEWS
Any youth interested in finding out more of what it means to be
called to a vocation in the priesthood or religious life, please
note the following programs held in our diocese.
OPERATION ANDREW DINNERS: These dinners with Bishop
Sartain are open to all men who are high school age or older.
Each evening begins at 6:00 p.m. and ends by 8:00 p.m. They will
have dinner with Bishop Sartain, hear a vocation story, ask
questions and meet other young men interested in knowing more
about the priesthood. There are four different locations
throughout the Diocese of Joliet so that each person who is
interested can attend one of these dinners. Have the men speak
to the pastor if they are interested in coming to one of the
following:
Thursday, February 28 - Holy Family Parish in Shorewood
Thursday, April 10 - St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale
Thursday, April 24 - St. Teresa Parish in Kankakee
JEREMIAH DAY: Boys in grades 7-10 are invited to Mundelein
Seminary on Saturday, March 1. This day will provide the young
men a chance to visit a seminary and experience the life of a
seminarian. For more information, contact the Vocation Office by
phone ((815-834-4004) or email noral@dioceseofjoliet.org.
MARIAN DAY: Girls in grades 7-10 are invited to Loretto Convent
on Saturday March 1 to learn more about religious life. The day
will provide young women a chance to visit a convent and
experience the life of religious sisters. For more information,
contact the Vocation Office by phone ((815-834-4004) or email
noral@dioceseofjoliet.org.
YOUTH GROUP MEETINGS:
Wings to Heaven ... Lock in
Mark your calendars for Friday April 11th
Food, fun and worship
Cost is $15 and every child must have a permission slip
We hope you will join us.. it is a BLAST!!
Destiny (high school)
Youth Leadership Conference June 27-29th
Lewis University, Romeoville
PLEASE NOTE THE FRAMED CANVAS IN THE BACK OF CHURCH FOR
MEETING TIMES AND INFO REGARDING YOUTH GROUPS.
If you would like to be added to our email list or have any
questions
Please call Kathleen Gusloff 630-832-4348
THANK YOU, MOLLY LINDBERG
After more than four years of strong leadership of our
Music Ministry, Molly Lindberg will be leaving us. We want to
thank her for all of her hard work and her dedication. Molly
completes her service as Music Director with the special concert
planned for February 24. We hope that you will come to the
concert and enjoy the performance and honor her for her
giftedness and for all she has done for the parish. Following
Molly's departure, Tim Barton, our regular accompanist, will
serve as the Interim Music Director for the rest of this choir
season and he will have assistants working with him with our
children's choirs. We are beginning a national search process
for our new Music Director. The search process will be led by
parishioner Paul French, who is Music Director of Our Lady of
Mount Carmel Church in Chicago. Paul is a nationally known
liturgical musician who has served on the Board of Directors for
the American Federation Pueri Cantores, the official student
choral organization of the Roman Catholic Church. If you are
interested in being part of the committee working together with
Paul, please contact the Parish Office.
Parish News
MARY QUEEN OF HEAVEN
CHOIR CONCERT, FEBRUARY 24, 2008
Tickets for the Mary Queen of Heaven choir concert will be
sold before and after all Masses beginning February 2, 2008. Ticket
cost is $25.00. The choir will sing the Rutter Requiem. There will
be additional performances by all four choirs (Adult, Treble,
Middle School and 2-4 grade choir). Hope you will join us!
Mark your calendars:
Wednesday, February 13th
Gr. 2 parents of First Communicants are expected to attend a
special meeting at 7:00PM in Barrett Hall. The meeting will last
approximately 1 hour.
Saturday, February 23rd
Market Day pick-up is from 9:45 to 10:30AM in the Social Hall of
the school building. Please consider ordering from Market Day. It
supports our Religious Education Program.
Saturday, March 1st
Our 8th grade Confirmation candidates will be interviewed for the
final time from 9:00AM to Noon in the School classrooms. Each
candidate will receive an Interview time in the mail.
Please note the date has been changed from the original March 8
which appears on the RE calendar.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at
the REO, 832-8962.
Attention RE Families:
Newsletters went out last week. Some included the second notice
of an outstanding tuition balance. If you are unable to promptly
pay your balance, please let us know.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Christian Education Commission
CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH (CHRP)
DON'T MISS OUT!
MEN'S REGISTRATIONS DUE THIS WEEKEND.
WOMEN'S REGISTRATIONS DUE BY FEBRUARY 27!!!
Do you want to experience a spiritual renewal? Do you want
to enhance your Lenten experience? At the same time, meet others
who are struggling with the same daily issues you might be, learn
more about scripture, get to know other parishioners you might
only have seen in Church and begin a new phase in your faith
journey. This weekend is so powerful you only experience it once
- it's not a weekend you make over and over again. You can
continue on and become team to present the weekend but you can
experience it as a participant only one time. Curious? Is Jesus
knocking at your heart? Please prayerfully consider attending
the Men's CHRP weekend (February 15-17, 2008) and the Women's
weekend (March 7-9, 2008). I guarantee it will impact your life.
Mary Queen of Heaven's CHRP Reservation Form
Men's Weekend: February 15-17, 2008
Women's Weekend: March 7-9, 2008
IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SPEND THE NIGHT!!!
7:30 p.m. Friday night to Sunday ending at approximately 6:30
p.m.
Cost: $30
Name:______________________________________________________
_________________________
Address:___________________________________________________
__________________________
City/Zip:__________________________________________________
___________________________
Phone:_____________________________________________________
__________________________
Email:_____________________________________________________
__________________________
Emergency Contact Person:
______________________________________________________
_______
Emergency Phone
Number:____________________________________________________
_________
Special Dietary
Needs:_____________________________________________________
_____________
Other Special Needs:
______________________________________________________
_____________
Please make the check payable to Mary Queen and return with
your reservation form to Mary Queen of Heaven, Attn: CHRP - Karen
Sutkus, 426 N. West Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60126 or return this form
Attn: Karen Sutkus in the collection basket on Sunday.
If for some reason you cannot afford the cost of the
weekend or cannot spend the night please do not let this prevent
you from experiencing the weekend. Contact Karen Sutkus at (630)
279-3240 or ksutkus1@comcast.net with any questions or concerns.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE Please call the Preschool for
information. Become a part of our growing school. Schedule a
visit, meet the teacher, come "Light the Way" with us.
The Preschool is accepting Registration for the 2008-2009 school
year. We are offering Open Houses for those interested in
visiting our classroom.
Please see our website at www.maryqueenpreschool.org and
contact the school office for more information and registration.
(630) 833-9500
Preschool tours scheduled upon request.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Please join us on Fridays during Lent at 7:00
PM to pray the Stations of the Cross.
Eastern DuPage Deanery
Joliet Diocesan Council of Catholic Women
Lenten Evening of Reflection
Open to all Women of the Parish
Thursday, February 28th
A Lenten Evening of Reflection is being planned for members
of the Eastern DuPage Deanery. It will take place at Christ the
King Church at 1501 South Main Street in Lombard. Fr. Peter
Jarosz, Pastor of Christ the King Parish and Moderator of the
Council of Catholic Women Eastern DuPage Deanery will be the
Spiritual Director of the evening. Mark your calendar and plan
to come. The date and time for the event is Thursday, February
28th at 7:30 PM. The Eastern DuPage Deanery Council of Catholic
Women sponsors this event.
CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC HEALING MASS
Fr. Paul Hottinger
Presider
Deacon Marty Hetzel
Assisting
St. Margaret Mary Church
1450 Green Trails Drive
Naperville, IL 60540
Friday, February 15, 2008
Sacrament of Reconciliation 6:30 PM Mass 7:30 PM
Sponsors: New Life Prayer Group
For more information, please call Joey Rose at
630-941-7304
VALENTINE GIFT
When all the Hustle and Bustle of the holidays are
over...Don't you and your spouse deserve a beautiful romantic
weekend away together? If you agree then you'll want to attend a
Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend. Upcoming Marriage
Encounter Weekends are February 22-24, April 11-13th. Call 630-
577-0778 or visit us at www.wwmejoliet.org
ROSARY CANDLELIGHT OUTDOOR PROCESSION
St. Peter the Apostle Parish, 524 N. Rush Street in Itasca
will be celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Our Lady of Lourdes by
having a Rosary Candlelight Outdoor Procession on Sunday, February
10, 2008, at 6:30 PM. Each mystery of the rosary will be led in a
different language, as the way it is prayed at Lourdes. Everyone
is welcome to attend. Any questions, please call: 630-773-1272.
Parish News
YOUR DINING OUT AND YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT CAN HELP THE
PARISH!
Parishioners who dine at the Elmhurst Family Restaurant on
Lake Street can help contribute to the parish. Just
identify yourselves as being from Mary Queen of Heaven and
10% of your restaurant bill comes back to the parish.
Also, parishioners who open a new checking account with
$100 at Standard Bank and Trust in Villa Park will receive
$75 from the bank and another $75 will come to the parish.
For details, please contact parishioner and banker Karen
Biggs at (708) 499-2062, ext. 61115.