.

5^th Sunday of Lent

March 9, 2008

 

Elmhurst, Illinois

Mary Queen of Heaven Church

 

Reflection for Fifth Sunday of Lent

by Cathleen Crayton, Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace

Ezekiel 37:12-14
Romans 8:8-11
John 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

An Ignatian prayer and reflection practice is to place oneself in the story to gain a greater understanding of the action of the Scripture:

I go with the people who are following Jesus and Martha and Mary to Lazarus’ tomb. I glance at the grieving sisters as they walk with Jesus. Their affection for Jesus is plain, even while they are perplexed that he did not respond to their pleas to heal his beloved friend—and their brother—Lazarus and to save him from death. Now, walking beside them as they approach Lazarus’ tomb, I try to read the sisters’ faces as a mirror to my own heart. Do their faces register disappointment or anticipation? Is it hope or unbelief I see? I stand, waiting, as a large man from the crowd walks up and rolls away the stone from Lazarus’ tomb. I listen as Jesus beckons toward the tomb, “Lazarus, come out.” Moments later, my breathing quickens, and I gasp, as in wonder I witness Lazarus slowly walking from the tomb with his head covered and his feet and hands tied with burial bands.

Jesus raising Lazarus back to life foretells the resurrection of Jesus himself. The similarity of Jesus’ resurrection and that of Lazarus strike me—in both narratives, the task of rolling away the stone from the tomb becomes an important act and ritual in the story. In the Easter account, Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was inferred because no body was found in the tomb after the stone was rolled away. In Lazarus’ case—after the stone was rolled away—Lazarus emerges from the tomb at Jesus’ beckoning. But why did Jesus allow Lazarus to die in the first place when he had the power to heal? Why must a grain of wheat fall to the ground before it bears much fruit? Why do we often “hit bottom” before we can be fully brought back to our feet? Lazarus’ rising from the dead speaks of the power of God to resurrect our lives here in this life from the misery of sin and death. If Jesus’ resurrection promises what awaits us after our earthly life, Lazarus’ resurrection speaks to the promise of Jesus that the kin-dom of God is now in the present, in our earthly existence—our God is the God of second chances!

Questions for Reflection:

·      What in my life has had to “fall to the ground” in order to bear fruit?

·      When have I rolled away the stone from my own heart and allowed God’s life-giving   

  mercy to enter?

·      How do I manifest my belief that the kin-dom of God is present?

 

Reprinted with permission from Pax Christi USA, www.paxchristiusa.org

 

 

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Parish News

 

EASTER EGG HUNT

 

            An annual Easter Egg hunt has been the tradition at our parish.  The Easter Egg hunt (for children ages toddler-5th grade) is held on Holy Saturday morning immediately following the Blessing of Baskets.  It is held on the parish grounds.  We are looking for volunteers and or donations to help continue this tradition.  The children look forward to the hunt and the families come together to join in the fun!  Please consider offering a hand to help with this activity.  Many hands help to make for a light load.  We also welcome those who are looking to volunteer for service hours.  Contact Jerry Cote at 630-530-8882 for further information or to make a donation to our activity.

 

MQH COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN

"Woman of the Year" Nominations

Weekend of March 15/16

            Nomination slips will be distributed in the pews. All parishioners, ages 18 and older, will be asked to nominate a woman they feel leads a life of faith and love and who has given generously of her time and talent to the various ministries and organizations in our parish. They will also be asked to give a reason why they feel their nominee should be chosen. To be eligible for the "Woman of the Year", nominees must be MQH parishioners, not on staff at the parish, over 18 years of age, and not have held the title in the last 10 years.

 

 

St. Vincent DePaul “Easter Food Baskets”

            Thank you to all those who have so generously given donations to help us create baskets for those in need.  Your kindness is greatly appreciated.

            If you would be interested in helping sort the food and making up the baskets for the families, we could use your help on Thursday, March 13th at 7:30 p.m.  We will be working in the Church.  For further information, please call Sheila Reiter, 833-6657.

 

 

PARISH LENTEN SCHEDULE

 

Stations of the Cross  

March 14

Friday evening at 7 p.m.

 

Holy Thursday

Thursday, March 20

7:30 p.m.

 

Good Friday

Friday, March 21

Living Stations at 3 p.m.

Passion of Our Lord at 7:30 p.m.

 

Holy Saturday

Saturday, March 22

Blessing of Easter Baskets at 11 a.m. in church

Easter Egg Hunt for Children Ages: Toddler to 5th Gr. (Immediately following Blessing of Baskets)

Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m.

 

    Easter Sunday

Sunday, March 23

Masses:

8:30 AM

10:30 AM

12:30 PM

 

SEARCH PROCESS FOR MUSIC DIRECTOR

           

            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.

 

Christian Education Commission

 

 

Religious Education News

 

Our annual collection of Easter Basket items for Marillac House will wind up next Wednesday, March 12th. There is a “basket” in the hall of school for donations of small stuffed animals, candy, toys, etc, anything that would be appropriate for an Easter Basket. Please be generous. You will bring smiles to many small faces on Easter morning.

 

Are you being called to be a catechist?

Every year there are catechists who cannot return for one reason or another. This year will be no different. So if you have always wondered what goes on in the building after you drop your children off, this is the perfect time to stop by and say hi. Remember you don’t have to be a theologian; you just have to love children, love your faith and want to share it. Our more than 75 volunteer catechists, assistants, office helpers, etc. etc. are the backbone of our RE program. Please consider joining them. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Market Day pick up is next Saturday, March 15^th in the Social Hall from 11:30 to 12:15PM. Please note the change of time for this one date only.

 

Mark your calendar:

Wednesday, Mar. 19^th -      No Class – Holy Week

Good Friday, March 21^st  - Living Stations at 3:00PM in church.

Wednesday, April 2^nd  -      No Class – Spring Break

 

If you have any questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.

 

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 have opened up a second classroom for the Monday, Wednesday, Friday class and look forward to being able to serve your child and your family for the 2008-2009 school year.  We are offering Open Houses for those interested in visiting our classroom.

 

 

OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE

Monday, April 14, 2008  6:00p.m.-8:00p.m.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m.

 

 

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.

 

 

Parish News

 

Due to the Easter Holy Days, all articles for the upcoming bulletins will have the following deadlines:

For Bulletin On                  Articles due by noon on :

      3/23                                      3/13

      3/30                                      3/24

      4/06                                      3/26

Thank you for your cooperation. 

 

 

YOGA

            Yoga Classes - Tuesday and Wednesdays Stop in anytime. Recommended for ages 10 to 75 (however, everyone is welcome)

            Increase your flexibility, strength,  and decrease your stress. It is about balance, strength, and mobility.

All Tuesdays in March

 9 am to 10 am

Wednesdays, March 12, 26 -

8:30 pm to 9:30 pm

$4 per class ($6 for families)

            Call Debbie Styka at 941-7224 or email debbie@styka.com

            Please bring a non-slip yoga mat if you have one.

Required:  comfortable clothing

 

Christian Service Commission

 

ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY

            Did you know that we are the only Church in Elmhurst that has a St. Vincent DePaul Society that actively participates with the Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry in helping the needy families in Elmhurst and the surrounding area?  How do we help?  We assist the Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry when they are networking funds for rental assistance, utility bills, medicine and doctor bills, phone bills and car repairs.  In addition, when needy persons cannot be helped by the Walk-In-Ministry, our St. Vincent DePaul Society is called upon to see if we can provide assistance.  Many of the people we assist are homeless or in need of food and gas vouchers.

            We could not do any of this without the generosity of our parishioners who continue to support our SVDP Society thru monetary donations, donations of food and clothing.  We are very blessed to have such wonderful giving people in our parish and we are truly grateful for every one of you.  During the Lenten season we are asked to pray for the needy and less fortunate and as part of our Lenten commitment to consider almsgiving.  This year at our Holy Thursday Mass the collection will be given to the St. Vincent DePaul Society Fund enabling our parish to continue helping those who are needy in our area.

            Thank you again for your continued generosity!

 

RCIA

            Are you someone who is drawn to the Catholic Faith? Were you raised in another faith tradition, married a Catholic, and are raising your children in the Catholic Faith? Do you wish to be confirmed in the Catholic faith?

            Or perhaps you were not raised in a religious environment, but now feel drawn to a deeper relationship with God. Would you like to explore the richness of the sacramental life of the Catholic Church?

            Well, COME AND SEE! Our RCIA team meets each Tuesday evening. We are there to share our faith, answer questions and learn from one another. Questions? Call Tom @ 530-4502 or Mimi @ 941-3851.

            There is no obligation to commit; just COME AND SEE!

 

 

A Vocation View

Seeing physically dead people return to life is not a

common event.  But Christians, serious about their vocation, are eager to help the “down and out” find new meaning in Christ and live a full life.

 

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.

 

 

      Margaret Barone                            Jim Brankin                                                      

      Katherine Brennan                          John Brennan                                       

      Pam Bondfide                                 Pat Caffarelli                                       

      Rose Caffarelli                                Kathy Calzante                                    

      Josephine Castro                            Cosmore Ciancio                                  

      Dennis Ciancio                                George Cibula                                    

      Paul Cirone                                     Ida Corriedo                                        

      Cynthia Catalano Family                 Deacon Bob Delbeke               

      Trudi Dolato                                                Baby Dobrowolski                                

      Virginia Feret                                  Cecilia Garstki                                     

      Mary Hagerty                                Anna Heffel                                                     

      Bob Hummell                                   Jen Huwalt                                                       

      Tom Huwalt                                     Maureen James                                               

      Richard Jones                                 Kathy Johnston                                    

      Sr. Emmanuel Kattner, OSF              Irene Kmieciak                                     

      Anne Kostas                                                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                                      

      Patricia Sullivan                              Rachael Thompson                               

      Richard Vanni

REST IN PEACE

Sabina Jankowski

Andrew Joseph DeTolve, III

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.

 

MARKET DAY

TIME CHANGE THIS MONTH ONLY

TAKE NOTE!!!

 

Market Day

            Orders for March are due Monday, March 10, at noon.  Turn in your order form in the box in the back of church or at the rectory.  Pickup on Saturday, March 15, from 11:30 – 12:15 p.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 .

 

 

Diocesan News

 

TEENS FOR PRO-LIFE

            TEENS- Are you pro-life but wish you could do more for the cause? Or, are you pro-life but don’t really know why?  Check out for the surrounding parishes of the diocese of Joliet, a newly founded teen pro-life club, Apostles for Life, where teens aged 13 to 18 can participate in monthly meetings where they can discuss pro-life issues and plan events/activities to help promote a love for the culture of life. Their next gathering will be held on Friday, March 14th at the Stutzke Center of Sacred Heart Parish, in Lombard from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by refreshments and social time until 8:30 p.m.  Featured at this meeting will be Mr. John Jansen, co-director of Generations for Life (Youth Outreach of the Pro-Life Action League), speaking about how to defend your pro-life beliefs against ‘pro-choice’ arguments. For more information, please call Margaret Ascenzo at (630) 858-4877 or Ava Voissem (630) 469-5280

 

Life is Precious: Parishes Gathered in Prayer

            How often do we ignore the phrase, "stop and smell the roses" and instead submit to the all too "urgent" task at hand.

            Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God's care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind?

            The Psalmist speaks of God's handiwork: the heavens, the work of his "fingers," and then points to God's masterpiece -- human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts.

            God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something "more important."

            God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things -- the human being.

            There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us.

            Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child.

            God cares for Life. We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.

 

PRAYER

            Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life.

            Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

            Join Fr. Peter Jarosz at the aanchor abortion clinic every Saturday. Call the day before if you wish to carpool. 630 629.1717x6079 Interested in being a part of the Reverence for Life Team in our area? Parishioners of all ages are invited.

 

Community News

 

Interfaith Good Friday Walk

for Peace & Justice

            Join the one mile walk on Good Friday, March 21st, with a peace & justice theme.  We’ll start at 10AM with a short prayer service in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, 134 Arthur St. (corner of York Rd, 3 blocks north of St. Charles Rd.) Elmhurst, and then make a number of stops along the Walk.  The Walk will end with soup and bread at 11:30AM in MPH (lower level of chapel).  All are welcome.  Families with strollers and wagons are invited to the walk.  Cars will be available for those unable to complete the walk.

            If you have questions call Deacon Tom Goebel 630/782-9577.

            Join the community Good Friday Service at noon sponsored by the Elmhurst Ministerium at:

 

First Congregational Church

Corner of Church & Kenilworth, Elmhurst

 

Seder dinner at First Congregational Church

Thursday March 20th at 6:30pm

Please RSVP 630-832-2580

 

VOLUNTEER TUTORS NEEDED

            Join the Sisters of St. Joseph of LaGrange in their new adult literacy/ESL program, Tutors on Wheels.  Teaching takes place in churches, businesses, and social service agencies.  Volunteers are needed to teach English as a Second Language and Citizenship one hour a week on a one-on-one basis in Addison, Bloomingdale, Glendale Heights, Naperville, Wheaton, and Countryside weekday mornings and some late afternoons (and/or evenings).  Training, books, and other materials will be provided.  You do not need to speak or understand another language.  For more information call (708) 354-9200 for Jeanie Jadran ext. #5035, or Barbara Bernhard ext. #5037.

 

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.

 

Ministry Schedule	Saturday, MARCH 15,2008	Sunday, march 16, 2008
	5:00 PM	8:30 AM	10:30 AM
Presider	Fr. Benet	Fr. Barrett	Fr. Benet
Lector	M. Reed B. Lawlor	Grozik M. Grozik	F. Tremmel S. Napollili
Eucharistic Ministers	Dr. M. Foley. H. Todd (S) D. StaRosa (C) G. Pstrzoch M. White	Dr. M. Foley K. Vicary (S) T. Nanak (C) G. Regan D. Bernstein	Dr. M. Foley B. Fazzio (S) K. Gusloff (C) T. Kevil J. Spears J. Eichorst
Altar Servers	E. Zielinski J. Vosicky	S. Lewand M. Nosek	J. McDonough M. McDonough

 

 

Mass Intentions For the Week

 

Sunday, March 9, 2008

     8:30 AM     +  Charles Smith

   10:30 AM     +  Larry Ryder

 

Monday, March 10 2008

     8:30 AM     +  Brigid and Daniel White

 

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

     8:30 AM         Communion Service

 

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

     8:30 AM         Mary Queen of Heaven 

                                 Music Ministry

 

Thursday, March 13, 2008

     8:30 AM         Communion Service

 

Friday, March 14, 2008

     8:30 AM         People of the Parish

 

Saturday, March 15, 2008

     8:30 AM         Communion Service

     5:00 PM         People of the Parish

 

Sunday, March 16, 2008

     8:30 AM     +  Albert P. Kabat

   10:30 AM     +  Aris C. Villamil

 

+ indicates person is deceased

 

Use GoodSearch search engine & earn money for MQH!

 

Enter www.goodsearch.com for web site.

Type “Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church” into the

“I support” box, & click “verify”.  Continue your search.

 

Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world."

- Jn 11:25-27

Readings for the Week of March 9, 2008

Sunday:            Ez 37:12-14/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Monday:           Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62/Jn 8:1-11

Tuesday:           Nm 21:4-9/Jn 8:21-30

Wednesday:     Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Jn 8:31-42

Thursday:          Gn 17:3-9/Jn 8:51-59

Friday:              Jer 20:10-13/Jn 10:31-42

Saturday:         2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Rom 4:13,16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a

Next Sunday:   Mt 21:1-11/Is 50:4-7/Phil 2:6-11/Mt 26:14-27:66 or 27:11-54

 

Collection total for Sunday,

March 2, 2008

 amounted to $8692.72

Thank you for your support.

 

 

ParishPay

            Making it Easier to Give

Please consider this option when choosing how to best support our Parish Family at Mary Queen of Heaven.

Contact  www.parishpay.com, or call 866-PARISH-1 for further information.

 “God loves a cheerful giver”