Dear Friends,
In today's first reading, we heard the story of God calling Abram to leave his familiar home and travel to a land he had never seen. God promises that Abram will be blessed and Abram went as the Lord directed him. Abram was a man of remarkable faith.
Whenever I hear this story, I remember something that happened in my own life about 15 years ago. I was a theology student and was getting ready to do a parish internship. I had made arrangements with the pastor and was due to start in about one week. On this particular afternoon, I was home in my kitchen, washing my dishes. I started thinking over what I was about to do.
For some reason, I had been moved to do this internship in a parish in the inner city of Chicago. As I stood at the sink washing dishes, lots of things starting going through my mind. While the pastor had agreed for me to do my internship there, I knew no one at this parish. No one at all. It was an African- American parish and I did not know the culture well. What if nobody talked to me? How would I learn? Was I making a mistake? Then, I started wondering if I would even be safe driving through some of the neighborhoods. All of a sudden, with the wet dishcloth in my hand, I slapped my hand down on the counter and said - our loud to myself - "You must be crazy!"
Just then, something very mysterious happened, which I could not fully explain to you. It was as if I felt a presence just behind me at my shoulder, and someone saying to me, "If you know that God is calling you there, then go and do not be afraid." I turned, but there was no one in the room but me.
Now, I am not prone to mystical experiences, but I think that this was one. I do not know where the words came from, but I thought about Abraham - once Abram - who was called by God to go to a place he did not know. There was never any question that I felt called by God to go to that parish, though for what reason I did not know. When this event happened in my kitchen and my thoughts went to Abraham, I gained the courage I needed to make the journey.
In the end, in being faithful to where God was leading me, I was richly blessed. In that parish, I learned to pray in a way that was deeper, more free and open than I had ever known. I had wonderful teachers who taught me about African-American history and the Black Catholic Church. I had the privilege of serving the holy people of God in a community of faith that was poor in the eyes of the world but rich in the gifts of the Spirit. It was an experience that forever changed my life. And, by the way - I ended up not only serving my internship there but revisiting that parish for years. My travel was always safe, and I realized how I also had to overcome fear and prejudice that had affected me in subtle ways.
Why do I share this story with you? I think that the story of Abram in today's first reading is meant for all of us. When God called Abram to travel into the unknown, Abram responded to God with great trust and faith. We are invited to do the same.
God is always close to us, as close as standing at our shoulder. However, we are not always open to hear God calling to us. All of the fears and concerns of our lives can get in the way. Or, we become accustomed to listening in only one way, not realizing that there are all different ways in which God speaks to us - through scripture, through our life experience, through the words of another, through prayer, through words imprinted into our very being - even while standing at our kitchen sink.
We are presently celebrating the season of Lent, a time for conversion of heart through really listening to the Lord. How is it that God is calling us to change? How is it that God is calling us to be people of faith? Where is it that God is calling each of us to travel on our journey of faith? During this Lenten season, we have also begun our Parish Stewardship Campaign. How is it that God is calling us to give of our time, talent, and treasure for the benefit of others?
Let us all spend these weeks as a community of faith, and as individual disciples, seeking a word from the Lord. And when you learn what it is that God is calling you to do in your life, let me share with you something I learned a long time ago. If you know that God is calling you - even if it is to something new and unfamiliar - then go, and do not be afraid. Remember the story of Abram. Trust God. You will surely be blessed.
- Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Community Conversations Let Your Voice Be Heard The Elmhurst Senior Citizens Commission introduces Community Conversations. This informal setting provides a forum for seniors living in Elmhurst to celebrate systems already in place, as well as provide a voice for concerns and opinions that directly effect aging well in the Elmhurst community. Topics will focus on diverse subjects such as housing options, senior services and healthcare. Please join us for the first of a series of three Community Conversations on Monday, February 21, at Immaculate Conception Church, at 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The topic will be "Aging in Place." Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to Carol Yesko at 630-530-3497. The 2nd Community Conversations will be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, March 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., entitled "Choices." The 3rd Community Conversation will be held at First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst, April 12, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., entitled "A Look at Elmhurst." Questions concerning the Community Conversations may be directed to Commissioners Cathy Raymond at 630-306-9745 or Melissa Cheek at 630-336-0774. St. Alexander Parish Mission You are invited to join St. Alexander Parish in their annual Parish Mission on February 20, 21 and 22 in St. Alexander Church, 300 S. Cornell in Villa Park. The services begin at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday and at 7:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. John Donahue Grossman will speak on "Feeding the Hungers of Our Lives." Mr. Grossman has been involved in parish ministry and Catholic education in the Chicago and Rockford areas for almost two decades and is known for speaking to people where they are in their life journey. For more information call: 630-833-7730. Host Families Sought for Children of Northern Ireland The Irish Children's Fund is seeking host families to welcome children from the troubled areas of Northern Ireland into their homes during the summer of 2005. This will be the 24th summer that the ICF has brought an equal number of Catholic and Protestant children to the Chicago area. During their visit, the children will participate in activities designed to foster the spirit of cooperation and friendship, breaking the barriers of mistrust they have been brought up with. Upon returning to Northern Ireland, the children have a follow-up program available to them through which they can continue to come together in ICF-sponsored activities and maintain the friendships formed in the United States. For additional information, call 630-833-1910. Youth Groups Reminder Meeting Dates: Feb. 27, and March 13 (We have only one designated meeting in March due to Easter and Spring break.) Wings to Heaven 5th-8th grade, 6:00-8:00 PM, Barrett Hall. Destiny-High school 8:30-10:10 AM, School Building The Holy Father's General Mission Intention for February: That the sick, and especially the poorest of them, may receive the care and medical treatment worthy of human beings. 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. * Retired Man Needed. Part-time help needed for Lombard office maintenance, 2-3 mornings per week (no weekends). Person would work in conjunction with current maintenance man. Mechanical skills required. Call John at Catholic Charities for more information 630-495-8008, ext 41. * 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 ext. 73714, or home 630-530-2523, and be able to provide a resume. Parish News "Gather Books" You may have noticed that our "Gather" books are looking tattered and many of them have been lost. A new edition is now available. 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 like to donate a book. Every book donated will have a donor bookplate with the words, "Gift Of" and your family name, or inscribed with the words "In Memory Of." These books are an important part of our liturgies. We hope to provide four "Gather" books at each end of our pews (8 per pew). There are forms available in the church vestibule. Please return the form with your check made out to Mary Queen of Heaven. Thank you for your generous contributions to our thriving parish. Christian Service Commission Fellowship Sunday Today February 20, after the 10:15 a.m. Mass, Members of our Parish Pastoral Council will be the hosts. Please join us for this very special fellowship in Barrett Hall where we will be welcoming new parishioners to our community and celebrating the grand opening of our new parish library. Christian Education Commission 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, alone or as a family. Thank you. Pam Bondfide Heather Marie Brennan Kathleen Bryers Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante Jim Clynch Jenie Colletti Trudi Dolato John Doyle 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 Stephanie Shostok Jeff Smith Joe Tinnerello Tyler Vincer 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. Rest in Peace Alejandro Villamil Bible Study Sign-up Begins in 4 Weeks On March 5 & 6, after every Mass, a 15-minute video with information about the Bible Study Program will be shown in Barrett Hall. Informational pamphlets will also be available, and questions will be answered, and there will be an opportunity for advanced sign-up. Advanced sign-up for Bible study groups will be on March 12 & 13 after every Mass. The group meeting days and times will be available, and each participant will select a group that meets at a time on a day of the week that is convenient. There will be a $10 charge per participant for study materials (collected at the first group meeting). However, cost should not discourage anyone who wishes to participate from doing so. The first group meetings will be during the week of April 3, and the groups will continue until the first week in June. For information, please contact Lynn Suwanski at 530-2523. The MQH Adult Education and Spirituality Committee invites you to explore 40 Years of Catholic Tradition The Faithful Revolution: Vatican II Session Two: Inspired Awakening In our second session a new pope, Paul VI, is elected who keeps "perfect continuity" with his predecessor as the "prophet of worldwide unity." For the first time, the Roman Catholic Church begins to examine and discuss the changing role of women in both the Church and society. (Inviting women to the council was considered by some an "inspired awakening.") The entire Christian community is permeated with a great hope for unity, and discussion focuses on three major areas: liturgy, laity, and ecumenism. Please join us for this hour-long video presentation followed by discussion and fellowship hosted by the MQH Parish Council on Tuesday, February 22, in Barrett Hall at 7:00 P.M. For information, contact Dick Reed at 834-4840. Religious Education News Mark Your Calendars Bishop Schlarman will be here to talk to our 8th grade Confirmation candidates, their parents and sponsors on Wednesday, February 23, at 7:00 PM in Barrett Hall. We are delighted that Bishop Schlarman will be here since he will be the presider at our Confirmation celebration on April 23. It is our hope that all of our parents and all of our local sponsors will be here with their candidates Please let us know if for some reason you cannot attend. It's Not Too Early To Start Thinking of Being a Catechist This is the perfect time to start thinking if you are being called to be a catechist in our Religious Education Program next school year. It's also a great time to come by on a Wednesday and see what goes on after the children arrive. The only qualification is that you love children and you want to share your faith with them. Everything else is provided. With our enrollment nearing the 500 mark, the need for catechists is even greater. If you thought about it or know someone who is interested, call the office for details. Reminder to all Parents Continue to ask your children to be extra careful when crossing the parking lot, walking on the sidewalks, etc. We ask that you be extra careful as well when driving in and out of the parking lot. Winter is still with us and that means the outside surfaces can be slippery. Please help us keep our children safe. St. Patrick's Day Party The Men's Group is hosting a St. Patrick's Day Party in Barrett Hall from 7:00 p.m. until Midnight on Saturday, March 19. The admission price of $25 per adult (over 21) will include a catered buffet dinner, beverages, musical entertainment and a few surprises. Admission will be on a first-come, first-serve basis (120 people maximum), so get your tickets now! For admission ticket information, contact Ray Schneider at 834-5604 or Mark Connelly at 782-7626 Council of Catholic Women "Woman of the Year" Nominations Nominations for Mary Queen of Heaven C.C.W. "Woman of the Year" will be held the weekend of March 5-6. Nomination slips will be distributed in the pews. Ladies of the parish will be asked to nominate a woman they feel leads a life of faith and love and has given generously of her time and talent to the various ministries and organizations in our parish. They will be asked to give a reason why they feel she should be chosen. The election for the "Woman of the Year" will then be held the weekend of March 12-13. The lady chosen will be invited to attend the 27th Annual Woman of the Year Mass and Luncheon on Saturday, April 23, at the Cathedral of St. Raymond, and will be honored in June in our parish. Please pray and think about this and be prepared to make your nomination on March 5-6. Stations of the Cross Friday, Feb. 25, at 7:00 PM in Church Lenten Project: For the past several years we have collected Easter basket "fixings" for the children of Marillac House. This year on all the Wednesdays of Lent there will be a "Basket" in the hall of school. The need is for Easter candy, small plush animals, toys, anything that one can put into a basket. Your generosity will make the children who live on Chicago's West Side just a little happier on Easter morning. Thank you in advance. If you have any questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. Christian Service Commission St. Vincent de Paul Our monthly St. Vincent de Paul meeting will be held on Thursday, February 24th at 7:30 p.m. in Mary's Gathering Space. All who are interested in working with this ministry are invited to attend. For more information, please call Sheila Reiter at 833-6657. January Celebrations We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the following who was baptized in January: Kevin Richard Butzen Diocesan News L.O.S.S. Support Group (Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide) Through the collaboration of Catholic Charities (from 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. on either the third Wednesday or the fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting dates are as follows: Feb. 22 St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center 101 West Loop Drive in Wheaton For further information, please call the L.O.S.S. Program Center at 312-655-7283. M.O.M.S. M.O.M.S. (Moms Offering Moms Support) is a social organization that provides an opportunity for mothers of young children to meet other mothers. It is a time to relax over coffee and snacks while learning and discussing issues of interest. There are no membership fees, nor are there any requirements to join the group. On Thursday, February 24, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., M.O.M.S. will have its meeting in Msgr. Plunkett Hall, lower level of the Immaculate Conception chapel. Join us to discuss your parenting concerns with licensed clinical psychologist Jo Macariola, Psy.D. Dr. Macariola is an IC parishioner who practices in Elmhurst and specializes in children, adolescents, and parenting. Come prepared in advance with your topics of interest, as our speaker will talk generally for a few minutes, and then spend time fielding and addressing your specific questions. Babysitting is provided for a nominal fee. For more information call Jean Lawrence at 630-832-0575 or Melanie Schneider at 630-782-0868. Also, please visit the M.O.M.S. calendar at http://calendar.yahoo.com/icmom for updates. A Vocation View The Lord called Abram to go forth to a new land and begin a new nation. There's no telling what we can become by responding to the Lord's invitation to us. Yoga Class A new class starts Wednesday, February 23 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for 4 nights 4 classes, $16 per person or 4 classes, $24 per family (teenagers and adults) All monies will be donated to Mary Queen of Heaven. Call Debbie at 941-7224. Required: Please bring a non-slip yoga mat. Thanks to all who participated in last Saturday's Family Mass. Our next family mass will be Sunday, March 13, at 8:30 a.m.