Dear Friends,
Happy Third Week of Advent! We continue to prepare ourselves this Advent season to receive what God offers to the world in Jesus, God's own presence and love abiding with us. We prepare as individuals and as a parish family for growth and deepening of our spiritual lives so that we may continue the mission of Jesus through our own lives. Here at Mary Queen, we continue our Advent theme of "Let Us Build the City of God."
As Catholics, our lives are also connected to those in the larger Church. Many of you may know that the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops recently met together in Washington, D.C. for their fall conference. In a report delivered to the bishops by Archbishop Daniel Buechlein of Indianapolis, a summary was presented of the seven greatest pastoral challenges facing the church in the United States, as identified by our bishops. This week and next, I would like to share with you these seven challenges, making some commentary on how our lives at Mary Queen relate to these themes. This week, I will focus on the first, which requires more time because of its special significance to our current situation. Next week, I will return to the remaining six challenges identified by our bishops.
Weekly celebration of the Eucharist in the parish... This concern is a priority for the bishops for a number of reasons. Primarily, bishops around the country are struggling to address the shortage of priests which is becoming more significant in most dioceses in the United States. We will simply not have near enough priests to staff parishes the ways they have been staffed in the past. The church in this country will look dramatically different within the next ten years. How will it look? That depends upon what models of parish life can be successfully maintained.
Here in our diocese, Bishop Imesch and the Priest Personnel Board have decided to try the model of Pastoral Life Coordinator here at Mary Queen of Heaven. I am not sure that the parish was prepared well for the model. There was much talk about an "Administrator" coming here, but even the way Father John himself talked about this led some people to believe that he would still be here in much the same way that he was, with someone else fulfilling business functions of the parish. This was not the model established by the diocese. Instead, I was appointed as the Pastoral Life Coordinator by a special provision under Canon Law which allows a bishop to appoint someone besides a priest to be responsible for both the pastoral care and the daily administration of a parish. Father Tom has been appointed as the Sacramental Minister here and there will continue to be other priests helping with the sacramental ministry of the parish.
I know that some people have been very open, accepting of me, and in some cases, thrilled that the church is allowing women to serve in capacities of more responsibility. I am also aware that this change has been very difficult for some, who not only grieve the loss of Father John as pastor, but who also grieve the loss of a familiar model of ministry. I love this parish and its people and am committed to being sensitive to parishioners through this time of transition. I also take the leadership role with which I have been entrusted very seriously, and so I think that it is important to share with you some of the things that have come from my own personal reflection.
As many of you know, my family (and many others) suffered a great tragedy when my son's girlfriend was killed in an accident in 2003. My son continues to grieve this loss. Grief never completely leaves us but it is possible to experience healing over time so that our lives can continue to grow. Sometimes, however, this process is not easy. We have to help each other to live through it and not get stuck in it. About a year after her death, my son seemed to be getting worse instead of better. He became convinced that he would never be able to love again, that because he had loved someone as special as Helen, that no one could ever compare to her and he could never love again. As the mother and leader of my family, I had to take responsibility for helping my son with the depression he was feeling, because depression, left untreated, can be fatal. The whole family became more involved in finding ways to give him support. Bryan still grieves but he is beginning to experience some healing and new life.
As the spiritual mother of this faith community, I have seen many signs of new life and growth in this parish. However, I am still aware that a grieving process is going on and this will take some time. I am concerned, however, about some negativity within the parish that holds the potential for destructiveness. There are some women who became angry at young children referring to me as "Pastor Mary" (in the understanding of the children this refers more to my function in the parish than my title under ecclesiastical law) because it seemed to them to be a Protestant model for a woman to be in charge of a parish.
Where am I going with all of this in the middle of an Advent reflection? Let us return to the first of the seven pastoral challenges facing the church, as identified by the bishops. Weekly celebration of the Eucharist in the parish, as we face a time of shrinking numbers of priests, is the primary challenge. Bishops around the country are trying to address this challenge in different ways. In the Diocese of Joliet, they are trying the model of Pastoral Life Coordinator, starting here at Mary Queen of Heaven. Will it work? This will depend upon all of us, working together, helping each other through the process of grieving for what has been lost and helping one another to heal and grow into new life and love that awaits us. I am confident that we can succeed. I know that people love this parish and I have seen the dedication of laity who are strong enough in faith to take responsibility for their future. But we must address the depression in our community, too, so that it does not kill the new life that is coming. I want you to know that the model of Pastoral Life Coordinator is not the only one being used by bishops around our country. Some are deciding to close or merge parishes instead of having them led by a Pastoral Life Coordinator. Some are bringing in priests from Africa and Poland to lead parishes; in many places the difference of language and culture that come with some of these priests is bringing new problems.
I believe that the model the diocese is using here is a good one. I believe, too, that God called me to this ministry with you. We all have to make sacrifices for this to work but I believe that it will work as well as we want it to. As we continue our Advent preparation and reflection, let us pray about all the ways we can build the city of God, beginning right here at Mary Queen.
By the way, Father John will be here to celebrate the 5 pm Mass on Christmas Eve. May God continue to bless you all.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Christian Worship Commission Thank You Thank you to all who helped set up, prepared food and helped clean up for our Senior Citizen's Christmas Party. A special thank you to the Wings of Heaven for providing the entertainment. Their performance was thoroughly enjoyed by all. November Celebrations We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the following who was baptized in November; Anthony Robert Cotner Advent, Christmas and New Year Schedules Reconciliation Tuesday, December 14 Families - 7:00 p.m. Christmas Masses Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve - 5:00 p.m. Children's Liturgy 9:30 p.m. Choir Prelude 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass Saturday , December 25 Christmas Day - 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. New Year's Masses Friday, December 31 New Year's Eve - 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 1, 2005 9:00 a.m. - Mary, Mother of God/World Day of Prayer for Peace 5:00 p.m. Mass-Vigil for Epiphany of Our Lord Diocesan News 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 Carol Yesko 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. Christmas Food Collection Weekend of December 11/12 This weekend, we are collecting non-perishable items to make up Christmas food baskets for needy families. We expect to take care of 29 families. Baskets are provided in church for your donations. Gift certificates from Jewel or Dominicks can be put in an envelope marked "Christmas Turkey" and placed in the collection basket. We will be preparing the baskets for distribution on Monday, December 13, at 10:00 a.m. The more people we have to help, the faster and easier the task. If you have an hour or so free and would like to help out, please call Sheila Reiter at 822-6657. MQH Parish & Family Skate at YMCA Saturday, December 18, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The Men's Group has rented the ice rink and is sponsoring this FREE event for all members and families of the Parish. Skates are available and free, from the YMCA, and hot chocolate and goodies will be served. This is a great way to start your Christmas Holiday vacation with your family. There is no need for reservations, just come, skate and enjoy! If you have any questions, please call Steve Lindberg at 941-1355. 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. The next meeting dates are as follows: Dec. 15 - St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center 130 Woodlawn in Joliet Dec. 21 - St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center 101 West Loop Drive in Wheaton Jan. 4 - Catholic Charities Office 270 N Schuyler Avenue in Kankakee For further information, please call the L.O.S.S. Program Center at 312-655-7283. Religious Education News Advent Toy Collection Thanks to all who so generously donated new toys. The children that are served by Marillac House will be very happy on Christmas morning because of you. Congratulations Congratulations to all our second graders who celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Saturday, December 4th. Please pray for them as they continue on their journey to first Eucharist in the spring. Mark Your Calendars Tuesday, December 14, is our Parish Advent Reconciliation Service at 7 p.m. in church. We invite all our RE families, in particular, those with children above the 4th grade level to attend. What better way to prepare for Christmas than by celebrating this sacrament? Monday, January 29, our 8th grade Confirmation Retreat will be held in Barrett Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is mandatory for all 8th grade Confirmation candidates to attend. If you have not as yet returned your child's permission form, please do so ASAP. There will be NO RE Classes on the following Wednesdays: December 15, 22, and 29. Classes will resume at the regular time on Wednesday, January 5. For more information on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES IS COMING! In response to expressed parish interest, a parish Bible Study program will be beginning the week of April 3, 2005, after Easter. The Acts of the Apostles has been selected for the first ten-week session. The Adult Education and Spirituality Committee is coordinating the program and has selected the Little Rock Scripture Study program, the most widely used Catholic Bible Study program in the United States. Every participant will have a Bible commentary booklet and reflection guide for each session and small groups will meet weekly for prayer, discussion and a video component. Morning, afternoon, and evening Bible Study groups will be formed at the parish. Our Bible Study groups will be open to friends and neighbors. Sign-up will be in March 2005. In the meantime, facilitators and co-facilitators are needed. Facilitator training consists of four 2-hour sessions in February 2005. We are beginning to look for facilitators now. No special background is necessary. Facilitators are provided with training and leadership materials. If you are interested in becoming a facilitator, please contact Lynn Suwanski at 630-530-2523 or the Parish office at 630-279-5700. Christmas Giving Tree Please remember to bring your Giving Tree gift this weekend (Dec. 11/12). 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. If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Reiter at 833-6657 or Karen Vicary at 279-4108. Christian Service Commission Community News A Vocation View "As your models in suffering hardships and in patience, friend, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord." (James 5:10) A vocation is responding to the call of God. 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. * MQH family seeking part-time child care in our home, 2-3 day per week, mostly school hours, January to June (or beyond). Must drive, be legal to work in U.S. and love children! Call Elizabeth at 630/993-1931. * Wanted: Used lateral files for MQH parish office. Please call 279-5700 and speak to Sr. Marlene. * Physician looking for an Office Manager for 2-physician practice, 2 office sites in Elmhurst Hospital area. Call Lynn Suwanski for more information. Call at work 630-833-8200 X73714, or home 630-530-2523, and be able to provide a resume. * Lynn Suwanski, who works for an Elmhurst Memorial Hospital physician hospital organization, occasionally hears of openings for positions in physician offices in the Elmhurst area. If you would like to give her your name and phone number in case she finds out there is a need, she will contact you. Please call her at work 630-833-8200 X73714, or home 630-530-2523, and be able to provide a resume. Record of Contributions If you would like to receive a record of your 2004 financial contributions, please call the parish office at 279- 5700. Any 2004 contributions must be received no later than January 16 and clearly marked "Christmas" or "2004" in order to be included in our 2004 records. Thank you for your help. Parish News Mayslake Ministries "To Pray All Ways ... Praying with Distractions" Saturday, January 8 from 9:30 until noon This is Part 3 of a 4-part Saturday Series for men and women at Mayslake Ministries, 760 Pasquinelli Drive, #304 in Westmont. Call 630-323-1620 to register. The cost is $10. "Gather Books" You have no doubt noticed that our "Gather Books" are becoming tattered looking and many of them have been lost over the years. A new edition became available in 2004. The cost for each hardcover book, engraved with our parish name, is $15. Replacing our books would be quite an expense to the parish, so we thought perhaps our parishioners would be interested in donating a book. Every book donated by a family would have a donor bookplate bearing the words, "Gift of" and your family name. The "Gather Books" are a very important part of our liturgies. We hope to provide four "Gather Books" for each pew. This weekend, our bulletin will contain a form for donating a book. Please fill in the form and send it along with your check made out to Mary Queen of Heaven to the parish rectory or drop it in the collection basket. Once again, we wish to thank you for your generous contributions to our thriving parish. What happened to the bells at Mass? Ringing the bells at the time of the consecration was a practice of the Church before the time of the Second Vatican Council. When the Mass was said in Latin, the bells helped people to know the moment of the consecration, since they did not know what the priest was saying. They have not really been needed over the last 40 years, since the Mass has been celebrated in the language of the people, which for us is in English. The practice of continuing to ring the bells has been a carryover from this time. It is not against the guidelines of the Church to ring them, but it does not necessarily fit in with current liturgical teaching, either. The Committee on the Liturgy for the United States Bishops' Conference tells us that "During the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass, we have more to do than to look forward to the moment of consecration and remain there while the prayer of the priest continues." Our understanding of the liturgy today emphasizes that the entire Eucharistic Prayer is the central prayer of the entire celebration of the Mass. The Bishops tell us, "Not only does Christ become present, body and blood, soul and divinity, under forms of bread and wine, but Christ's saving action, His passion, death and resurrection are once again enacted and offered to the Father by Christ Himself in the person of the priest, and by all present." Moreover, in this prayer, "We do not offer Christ alone; we are called to offer ourselves, our lives, our individual efforts to grow more like Christ and our efforts as a community of believers to spread God's Word and to serve God's people." Some have noticed that the bells are not being rung for regular Masses anymore. This is because they are not needed any longer and also because the priests currently serving our parish do not wish to use them. Our attention should be drawn to the entire Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass. We will still ring the bells at times when the liturgical teaching of the Church calls for them, especially at Eastertime. Parish Advent Reconciliation Service Tuesday, December 14, at 7:00 p.m. On Tuesday, December 14 at 7 p.m., we will have our Parish Reconciliation Service. All families of the parish, adults and children, are invited to this celebration. For our Religious Education program, this will be the seasonal celebration of Reconciliation for all of our young people in grades 3-8. We will have a communal prayer service and there will be multiple priests here from different parishes to hear individual confessions. Please join with your parish family to prepare well for the coming of Christ more fully into our hearts this Advent season. Parish Bulletin Deadline Due to the Holiday Schedule, the publisher has given us an early date for some of the parish bulletins. Items for the December 26 bulletin must be in the parish office by Thursday, December 16. For the January 2 bulletin, the deadline is Sunday, December 26.