Dear Friends,
I wonder if you have heard this story before. It is from a collection of Buddhist monastery stories. Yet, there is wisdom in it for those celebrating the season of Lent:
A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. "It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted.
"You are like this cup," the master replied, "How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"
For us, Lent must be a season of emptying ourselves so that we may better listen to God.
The traditional practice of "giving up something for Lent" was intended to do just that - to let go of something in order to be more available to God. Sometimes, the real meaning of the action can get lost when even more attention gets paid to what is craved or missing. True sacrifice is described in the book of Micah. When the people ask him what kind of sacrifice they should make to God, the prophet answers:
You have been told, O people, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you:
Only to do right (justice) and to love goodness (mercy), and to walk humbly with God.
Whatever we do during this season, this is the right spirit in which to undertake our Lenten disciplines.
Let us walk humbly with God during this Lent, with the helps the church offers to us of prayer, fasting (done in the right spirit), and almsgiving (good stewardship of time, talent, and treasure).
We have had some questions at the office about rules of the church during this season. I would like to review those here:
Fast & Abstinence Regulations
1. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent.
2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast and to abstain on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
3. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
4. To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful.
5. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year; all, in addition to following the Lenten regulations, all are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self- denial, serious prayer, and a performance of works of charity and mercy.
Another help on our Lenten journey is the Parish Reconciliation Service planned for Wednesday at 7 pm. Please come and pray with fellow parishioners so that together, we may be able to Take a Risk, Reform Our Lives and Live His Journey. At this reconciliation service, there will be the opportunity for individual confession with one of the priests who will be present.
Lent is a time of penance and preparation. As we heard in the story above, let us empty ourselves that we may listen to God, learn what God has to teach us, and open ourselves to the blessings God wants to give us. Let us also remember in our prayers those in our parish who are engaging in multiple ways of preparation during this season. Our candidates and catechumens are preparing for Easter sacraments. Our second graders are preparing for First Communion and our eighth graders are preparing for Confirmation. Let us keep them all in our prayers.
Finally, here are some meal prayers for families during this season of Lent, from the book of Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers:
Lord Jesus Christ, may our Lenten fasting turn us toward all our brothers and sisters who are in need. Bless this table, our good food, and ourselves. Send us through Lent with good cheer and bring us to the fullness of your passover. Amen.
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation; you make us hunger and thirst for holiness. Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation; you call us to true fasting: to set free the oppressed, to share our bread with the hungry, to shelter the homeless and to clothe the naked. Amen.
May God continue to bless you and our parish family during this holy season of Lent.
- Mary Foley,
Pastoral Life
Coordinator
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 19-20. 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.
Christian Service Commission
"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.
Parish News
Religious Education News
You a Catechist? Why Not?
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. The monetary
cash pay is not terrific; in fact it's non-existent. But the
perks are incredible. Each year we lose a few catechists due to
moves, jobs, or maybe moving on to another ministry in the
parish. I'm sure this year will be no exception. So if you like
the little ones, or may be the junior high is where your
interests lie, don't hesitate to call for more info. Your
children deserve the very best ... You!
Lent in the RE
Lenten Project: We continue to collect items for Easter
baskets, which will be donated to Marillac House on Chicago's
West Side. Each Wednesday of Lent there will be a "Basket" in
the hall of school for donations of candy, small stuffed animals,
grass, or other items appropriate for a child's Easter basket.
Please be generous.
Reconciliation on March 2: Our 6th and 7th grade RE students
will be joining the parish family on Wednesday, March 2, to
celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation during this holy season
of Lent. We extend a special invitation to their parents to join
them as well.
If you have questions or need more information, please call
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Christian Education Commission
Youth Groups Reminder
Meeting Dates: Feb. 27, and March 13
Wings to Heaven 5th-8th grade,
6:00-8:00 PM, Barrett Hall.
Destiny-High school
8:30-10:10 AM, School Building
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 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.
Christian Worship Commission
Community News
Feminists For Life
"The Feminist Case Against Abortion."
FFL's President, Serrin Foster, will visit Chicago in
February and March to speak at the following schools:
Northwestern Medical School
Monday, February 28, at 5 PM
Daniel Hale Williams Aud.,
Olson/McGaw Pavilions, 3rd Fl.
Northwestern University
Tuesday, March 1, at 7 PM
Swift #107
Loyola University
Wednesday, March 2, at 7:30 PM
Crown Center Auditorium
University of Chicago
Thursday, March 3, at 6:30 PM
Ida Noyes Hall, 3rd Floor Theatre
Ms. Foster's speech, which has been included in the
anthology "Women's Rights" as part of the series "Great Speeches
in History," has educated student audiences and encouraged
dialogue at campuses around the country. I hope that those of
you in the area will be able to attend one of these lectures.
Thank you for your continued support of FFL and your
efforts in support of women and children.
Bible Study Sign-up
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 Three: Human Dignity
If it weren't for Vatican II, some claim, the Church would
not have found its calling to work among the poor and oppressed
in modern society. But perhaps even more important was the
Council's declaration on religious freedom, a discussion which
would forever change the relationship between Church and state.
With freedom comes a new dialogue; in particular, a healing
dialogue among Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Protestants, Jews,
and other religions. In this segment we also learn about the
Polish Solidarity Movement and the Church in Africa.
This hour-long video presentation will be followed once
again by discussion and fellowship, and will be hosted by the MQH
Men's Group on Tuesday, March 1, at 7:00 P.M. in Barrett Hall.
For more information, contact Dick Reed at 834-4840.
MQH Council of Catholic Women Spirituality
Series
"Just Women"
(Women of Justice)
This is an opportunity for women to walk with Mary of
Nazareth, pray with women in scripture, stand in solidarity with
women who are suffering injustice throughout the world and within
the United States, and share our own stories.
Join us this month as we sit with Esther among the ashes
and learn to lean on God.
WHEN: Friday, March 4, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
WHERE: Barrett Hall
Registration is not required. However a courtesy phone call
would be appreciated, so that we may know how many people to
expect. Contact Mary Ann Reed at 834-4840.
Simple Supper and
Stations of the Cross
Friday, March 4
On Friday, March 4, the Worship Commission will have a
Simple Supper at 6:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall. Mary Queen of Heaven
and Our Lady of Lebanon will share this supper, followed by
Stations of the Cross.
The supper will consist of soup, salads, breads, and
coffee, tea or pop. Bring your family and enough soup, salad or
bread to share and enjoy the company of friends ant the
opportunity to meet parishioners from Our Lady of Lebanon.
Please fill out the form in today's bulletin so that we
will have an idea of how many people plan to attend. If you have
any questions, please call Sheila Reiter at 833-6657 or Debbie
Styka at 941-7224.
Lenten Food Collection
Our St. Vincent de Paul annual food collection will be held
the weekend of March 12 and 13. The food will be distributed to
needy families in our community for Easter.
We are collecting non-perishable items of canned
vegetables, fruit, soup, pastas, rice, spaghetti sauce, prepared
foods, coffee, tea, juice, boxed cake mixes, peanut butter,
jelly, paper products (Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels), hand
soap, and laundry detergent.
Sacred Heart Fun Fair
Spend an afternoon with your family and friends at the
Sacred Heart Fun Fair on Saturday, March 5, from 11-4 p.m. Jump
around in the moonwalk, or win some tasty treats at the cakewalk.
Create a colorful necklace at the sand art table or stop by our
snack bar for a quick bite. Assorted games, children's raffle
table, kiddie bingo, face painting and much more! Free admission
and ample parking. Sacred Heart Parish is located at 322 W.
Maple St., Lombard. Sponsored by Sacred Heart Home & School
Association.
A Vocation View
Only the Lord can give true living water, fullness of life.
Our body cannot survive without water; our spirit cannot survive
without living water. Now is the time to renew our lives in
the waters and Spirit of Baptism.
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.
St. Vincent dePaul Meeting
(Change in Date)
The meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 24th had to be
cancelled because of scheduling conflicts. It will now be held
on Thursday, March 3, 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.
Christian Service Commission
Parish Lenten Series on Vatican II
Tuesday Evenings, 7-9 PM, Barrett Hall