Dear Friends,
I am sure that I cannot be alone in the surprise I am feeling that Advent is so quickly upon us! Since the bulletin deadline is early this week, Thanksgiving Day has not arrived yet. Opportunities to be with friends and family on that day, news announcements about day-after-Thanksgiving sales, more holiday decorations and the fact that there will be more radio programs airing Christmas music this week - all of these things might have helped us to move a little further mentally into the change of season by the time this article is printed.
Still, we could let these weeks pass as quickly as the weeks that have preceded them if the Church did not give us the rich gift of its liturgical calendar. As you may know, we have just concluded the lengthy period of Ordinary Time, something that makes up most of the Church year. Today is not only the First Sunday of Advent but it is the first Sunday of the new Church year. This new beginning is itself a gift of the Church, a reminder that we can always start again, that things are always made new. The seasons and feasts of the Church calendar help us to look more deeply into the seasons and experiences of our lives - times of waiting and expectation, times of repentance and reconciliation, times of sorrow and loss, times of new life and joy.
Saint Irenaeus, who was an early bishop of the Church, once wrote: "The glory of God is the person fully alive." The Church helps us to develop into a fully alive person (no matter how old or young we are or no matter what are our physical limitations) by helping us to become more aware of the gift of our lives and of God's love. All of the seasons of our lives can help us to deepen our relationship with God. This happens to a greater degree the more we are aware of our human experiences and God's presence with us.
Advent is a time that helps to prepare us for that deeper awareness. In the weeks that precede Christmas, we know we are preparing to remember the event of Christ's birth, and we are reminded that Christ will come again someday. But in giving us this season of Advent in the liturgical year, the Church also offers us the opportunity to pay attention at an even deeper level. Who are we, really? What are the ways that we can open our hearts to experience God's love more fully? How do we prepare the way - in ourselves, in our families, in our workplaces and in our world for the love of God to find a place of welcome? How do we work to eliminate what separates us and closes us off from God and one another?
The scriptures that we hear in these early weeks help us to focus on what we need to do. Walk in the Lord's ways. Beat swords into plowshares and transform our actions with each other so that instead of conflict, we can have peace. Build our families and our parish as communities of unity, as Jerusalem was called to be. Pray for the good of one another. Wake from the sleep of dreary living. Put away bad habits and lead holy lives. Pay attention because every moment counts.
As we begin this season of Advent, let us be intentional about our new beginning. Let us, through our lives of worship and service together, focus on what really matters. Let us share with one another the love of Christ so that each person may become more fully alive in the knowledge that they are a beloved child of God. Let us build peace and unity within our homes and within our parish. Let us be people of integrity, demonstrating honesty and accountability in our relations with one another. Let us not let these weeks slip away from us but pay attention to our lives with one another and with God.
During this Advent season, our Liturgy Committee has chosen the theme, "Let Us Build the City of God." This theme will be woven into our liturgies, and ministry representatives will offer reflections on this theme in the weeks to come, as a help in our Advent journey.
I hope that Thanksgiving was a good time of renewal and refreshment for all of our families. May this season of Advent, this time of new beginning, bring new life into our hearts and into our parish family. In the days to come, enjoy the music of the season. Shop within reason. Have fun at the holiday parties. Let the decorations and lights delight and dazzle the senses. But don't let these days slip away quickly without taking advantage of the chance that the Church offers us to pay attention to what this time of waiting and expectation can mean at a deeper spiritual level. May we grow into persons who are fully alive. May our parish become known as a place of welcome for God and neighbor. Let us build the city of God so that one day, and not on Christmas alone, people may live together in love and peace. May this all come to be, for the glory of God.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
MQH Help Opportunities For Parishioners Parishioners may submit ads to appear in the bulletin to MQHBulletin@aol.com for approval by the Pastoral Life Coordinator. No ads will be accepted for real estate or by those offering child care services (although those looking for child care providers may place an ad and screen candidates themselves). The parish accepts no responsibility for goods or services offered. The ads are a free service to parishioners. * Christian Elmhurst family seeking childcare for baby, 4 months old. Approx. 1-3 days per week, 8:30-2:30. Please contact Carol at 630-279-1147. * Senior in need or ride to local hospital or doctor office. Senior couple in need of any type of furniture, particularly sofa or love seat. Lamps and end tables are also needed. Please call 279-3854. Pre-Cana Facilitators We are looking for married couples interested in becoming Pre-Cana facilitators for soon-to-be married couples. You will meet with engaged couples five times prior to their wedding. If you are interested or would simply like more information, please call Valerie Cahill at 630-832-2771. "Friendship Walk" & "Patio" Bricks The winter freeze will be setting in soon but there is still time to get another load of paver bricks engraved and placed before the snow and ice. Become a part of the "Friendship Walk" or "Patio" in back of Barrett Hall. "Friendship Walk" pavers lead up to the Parish Center entrance and cost $250 each. "Patio Pavers are directly outside of Barrett Hall. They cost $50 each. Pavers in both the "Friendship Walk" and the "Patio" can be personalized with 1-3 lines of 14 characters per line. For your convenience, order forms are in the church vestibule. Advent Wreath and Candles Advent, that time of the year prior to Christmas when we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. Perhaps you have wondered how you prepare for His birth. One way is to have an Advent Wreath in your home and hold a special prayer service during each week of Advent. We will have Advent Wreaths and Candles available for purchase in the Church Vestibule until our supply is exhausted. The donation for the Wreath Sets (includes a wreath, 4 candles and an Advent Prayer) is $9.00. The donation for a set of Replacement Candles is $2.00. Parish News St. Vincent de Paul Monthly Meeting Tuesday, November 30, at 7:30 p.m. In Mary's Gathering Space Senior Citizens' Christmas Party Sunday, December 4 The Council of Catholic Women cordially invites all Senior Citizens to the Annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 4, following the 5:00 p.m. Mass. Reservation forms are in the church. Please return these reservation forms as soon as possible in the basket, in the vestibule of church or to the parish office. Rides will be provided for anyone who needs one. For more information or to register, please call Karen Vicary at 279-4108, Mary White at 833-9809 or Sheila Reiter at 833-6657. Christian Service Commission Religious Education News Advent Toy Collection We will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for Marillac House. Toys may be left in the box in the School on Wednesday, December 1 and 8. As you are aware, Marillac House is located on the West Side of Chicago just a short distance from Mary Queen. Marillac helps many families in that community. Please be generous. Heifer International Project This year our children will be able to go to the polls to vote for their favorite farm animal for us to send to a third world country. The voting will take place the first two Wednesdays of October during class time. We are asking each child to bring a small monetary donation, if they are able, when they cast their ballot. We encourage all the children to "vote early and often". This project is not only fun for the children, but it is truly a gift of hope for impoverished communities across the world. Mark your calendars: Saturday, December 4, at 10:30 a.m. in church, our second grades will celebrate their First Reconciliation. All parents of 2nd graders are expected to be in attendance, as well. Please let us know if you cannot attend. Confirmation Prayer Partners Still Needed We are asking parishioners to pray for our Confirmation candidates. Please take a card with a candidate's name from our basket in the vestibule. Pray for that particular person until Confirmation day in April. It is our hope that each one of our candidates will have someone praying especially for them. For more information on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. Christian Education Commission Christmas Eve Children's Liturgy As we prepare to celebrate the wonderful gift that God, our Father, shared with us by sending us the gift of Jesus on Christmas Day, we are reminded of just a few ways that Jesus touches our lives. And we will celebrate with a special Children's Liturgy at 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. We hope to have many of the children of our Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family present and also hope that some will share the gift of themselves as participants. Adults and older teens, we are especially needy of your participation. We are in need of Adult Aides, Group Leaders, Servers, etc. Children are needed to be Greeters, Readers, Angels, Shepherds, Banner Bearers, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, families as Gift Bearers and Music Ministers. A general "getting to know you" and information gathering session will be held Sunday, Dec. 5, at 2-3 p.m. in Barrett Hall. Everyone who plans to participate, children with a parent, adults, and families, need to attend. For more information please call: Ruth Maple at 279-4844 or Kathy Rhea at 833-2592 (please leave a message). God's blessings! Thank you. Special Kids' Night With Santa Wednesday, December 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. At Elmhurst Camera/Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream 535 Spring Road, Elmhurst This fabulous evening gives children with special needs and their families a chance to get out and have some fun. The event is free and includes a photo with Santa, a goodie bag, and an ice cream treat, and lots of handicapped parking and access. For more info: 630-834-4000. Supported by the students and faculty of the Education Department, Elmhurst College Volunteer Food Sorters Needed for Holiday Outreach Needy families in Elmhurst are referred to United Community Concerns through School District 205 and the Elmhurst churches. These families receive gifts for the holidays, and food and grocery certificates throughout the year. Please join us in donating, sorting and/or packaging food any day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning Monday, November 29, through Friday, December 10. Location: City of Elmhurst Public Works facility, 985 Riverside Drive, Elmhurst (immediately south of the Holiday Inn Express off Route 83). Please call if you have any questions or to volunteer: Sharon Klein 833-4886 or Susie Sands 941-8116 Community News Elmhurst College Festival of Lessons & Carols Wednesday, December 1, at 7:00 p.m. The Festival will take place in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel (190 Prospect Avenue), with a closing reception in the chapel narthex. The Festival of Lessons and Carols consists of nine lessons telling the story of the birth of the Messiah, interspersed with musical performances. The event is free and open to all. For more information, call 630-617-3033. M.O.M.S. Group I. C. Parish, Elmhurst On Thursday, December 2, from 9-11 a.m., M.O.M.S. will meet in the lower level at Plunkett Hall. Get your creative juices flowing and make some holiday gifts! Create a Mosaic, formerly Bits and Pieces, will join us. Design a picture frame or tray: $15 fee. Babysitting is provided for a nominal fee. For more information, call Jean Lawrence at 630-832-0575 or Carolyn Doherty at 630-516-3519. Christmas Giving Tree The Christmas Giving Tree in Church is decorated with ornaments for needy families in our area and for the elderly and sick in the Elmhurst Extended Care Nursing Home. All of the ornaments are made by our Religious Education students, and we are truly grateful for the wonderful array of ornaments for our Giving Tree. Please take an ornament off the tree and purchase the item written on the back. Wrap the item in Christmas wrapping paper, tape the ornament securely on the top of the package (with the writing facing up), and place the gift under the Giving Tree. The deadline for returning your gifts is Sunday, December 12. If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Reiter at 833-6657 or Karen Vicary at 279-4108. MQH Help Opportunities For Parishioners Parishioners may submit ads to appear in the bulletin to MQHBulletin@aol.com for approval by the Pastoral Life Coordinator. No ads will be accepted for real estate or by those offering child care services (although those looking for child care providers may place an ad and screen candidates themselves). The parish accepts no responsibility for goods or services offered. The ads are a free service to parishioners. * The parish has received notice from the U.S. Postal Service about employment opportunities in the Carol Stream and Mundelein areas. If interested, please contact the parish office. * Looking for loving babysitter to watch 16-month-old son in our Elmhurst home. Part-time, 2 1/2 days/week, approximately 20 hours/week. If interested, please contact Laura at 630-965- 3888. * Bedroom furniture available free: King size platform water bed. The bed will accommodate conventional or water mattress. It comes with a massive headboard containing a mirror, shelves, bins & cabinets. Call Kevin & Mary Conway at 630-530-4976. * Support a young member of our music ministry. Heather Styka, cantor, has CD's of her music for sale. Please see her website at http://heather.styka.com or call the Stykas at 630-941-7224. * Nurses: Full-time night shift position is available for RN's and LPN's in long-term care facility. (Part-time may be considered.) Rewarding opportunity to provide quality and concerned care for our elderly residents. Competitive salary & benefits. Contact Sr. Therese DON, or Sylvia Maculitis, HR, St. Joseph's Home for the Elderly, Little Sisters of the Poor at 847-358-5700. * Christian Elmhurst family seeking childcare for 4-month-old baby. Approx. 1-3 days per week, 8:30-2:30. Please contact Carol at 630-279-1147. * Senior in need or ride to local hospital or doctor office. Senior couple in need of any type of furniture, particularly sofa or love seat. Lamps and end tables are also needed. Please call 279-3854. Worship Commission Meeting Notes November 15, 2004 The ushers, Eucharistic ministers and lectors have held their fall meetings. Attendance was good, and our leaders in each of these ministries shared what's new for each ministry in addition to reviewing some issues pertinent to the ministry. There was also an opportunity for enriching our spiritual life at these meetings. The Liturgy Committee of the Worship Commission is on track for setting up a peace corner in the back of church. The flag moving ceremony will begin at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Friday, December 31, and conclude at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on January 1. For all who are looking forward to participating in some scripture study, it will begin around Easter time 2005. The Spiritual Life Committee is in the process of viewing a 10-week series called Little Rock Scripture Study. The parish will purchase the Acts of the Apostles portion of the series. During Lent 2005, we will be offering a parish Lenten series based on information about the Second Vatican Council which ended in 1965. Some time was spent discussing the possibility of a Children's Liturgy of the Word offered for MQH children during one of the Sunday Masses. More discussion will take place in December when the Education and Worship Commissions spend some time on this during a joint meeting. Members of the Worship Commission are encouraged to bring their ideas on how to celebrate the Year of the Eucharist to our next meeting. Our next meeting is Monday, Dec. 20, at 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall. Members of the parish are welcome, as always, to share ideas, suggestions or concerns with members of the Worship Commission. You are also welcome to attend our meetings. 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, alone or as a family. Thank you. Pam Bondfide Kathleen Bryers Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante Jenie Colletti Jeannette Elderkin Dan Focht Paul Francetic Anna Heffel Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt Pat Holmes Maureen James Tom Janicke Irene Kmieciak Baby Emma Ann Lynde Nancy Maloney Robert Manion Bobbi Nannini Michaelene Parrilli Anna Marie Raye 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.