Dear Friends,
This past week, I read an interesting article about Diane Sawyer, familiar to many as co-anchor of the ABC program Good Morning America. She was also the first female correspondent for 60 Minutes, and she once served as a press assistant for the White House.
In the article (which appears in Guideposts), Sawyer recounts the time in her life when she pulled away from the religious training she had as a child. She talks about how some teenagers are "embarrassed" by religion. She says, "Teenagers are terribly self- conscious. And Jesus represents a kind of simplicity and humility that is not at all attractive if you're primarily concerned with what people think of you."
Sawyer goes on to say: "Furthermore, I'd use the word 'vulnerability.' There is something about Christ's life of sacrifice and service that made him totally vulnerable to people. Whether we admit it or not, young people pull away from situations where we can be hurt. And so we pull away from identifying with Christ who was hurt."
I think that Sawyer has some good insight here, and I do not think it applies only to young people. There are saints of the church - people like Mother Teresa who cared for the poor of India, Dorothy Day who founded Catholic Worker Houses, and Blessed Father Damien who took care of lepers - who are known for intentionally devoting their lives to the poor and suffering in extraordinary ways. Most of us, in some way, share our lives or our money with those who are less fortunate than we are. But most of us do not come close to the example given by these saints of the church.
There is something to what Sawyer says about being uncomfortable with the suffering of Jesus, which these saints of the church recognized in the lives of the poor, despised, and forgotten. But we know that if we get too close, if we risk too much, we, too, become vulnerable.
Today, we begin Holy Week. During the days of the Triduum (three days) that are to come, we have the opportunity to come close to the One who suffered so terribly for us. He was betrayed and abandoned by his closest friends. He was tortured, enduring stripping, whipping, a crown of thorns, and the grief of his mother and the women who accompanied him on the way to his crucifixion. He was nailed to a cross and hung until he died.
I remember last year at this time seeing the movie The Passion of the Christ. This movie certainly helped to focus people on the suffering of Jesus. However, it was a movie that left me wanting more of the unfinished ending. The suffering of Christ is meaningless without the resurrection.
During these days of Holy Week, we have the opportunity to enter deeply into the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ through the days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.
On Thursday, we will celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper, recalling how Jesus shared a meal with his friends before he died, how he gave us the gift of the Eucharist, and how he modeled a life of service to others in washing the feet of the disciples. All of us will be invited to have our feet washed by another and to wash someone's feet in return, as a sign of our acceptance of this kind of life of service.
On Good Friday, we hear the story of the Passion once again. We will then venerate the cross, the symbol of Jesus' death. In this ritual, we remember that just as we were born into the life of Christ through our baptism, so, too, we were born into his death. There is no faithful Christian who can escape the cross. In our Good Friday ritual, we will embrace the cross, or we may kiss it, accepting the fact that Jesus gave his life for us and embracing his journey as our own.
On Holy Saturday, we celebrate the Easter Vigil, a stunning celebration of fire and light, in which we recount the history of creation from before the time of Adam and Eve all the way through history to the time that the disciples of Jesus found his tomb empty. The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter is our first celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord. We receive into the Church the new life of Christ in the persons of those who will be baptized, confirmed, and receive the sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time.
It is in the celebration of these three days in their entirety that the suffering of Jesus has meaning. I hope that you will be able to make the sacrifice of time to share these evenings with fellow parishioners. Let us not shy away from the vulnerability of Jesus but take the risk to follow him on his journey.
Diane Sawyer is right. Being close to Jesus who suffered can make us vulnerable. We want to pull away because we do not want to suffer. The great paradox is that it is in embracing the cross of the vulnerable Jesus that we receive the gifts that God wants to give us of healing and new life.
Celebrating these days of the Triduum can help us delve more deeply into the meaning of the Paschal mystery, where the suffering and death of Jesus are completely overcome and transformed by the power of God into life-giving, life-saving perfect love. Please join us and follow the journey of Jesus this week as we make our way to Easter.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
"Women in the History of the Church" Tuesday evening, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall. Presentation by Mary Foley, sponsored by CCW; All men, women, and teens are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served. Parish 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 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 Loretta Mazgaj 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 Service Commission Good Friday Walk March 25 at 10:00 a.m. St. Alexander Parish in Villa Park (Cornell and Prairie Path) is again sponsoring the Good Friday Walk on March 25. Assemble in the Church by 10:00 a.m. for orientation, prayer, and song. Participants are provided a free brochure containing prayers, commentary, and songs. The walk will visit several churches and sites in the area. At about noon the walk will terminate at St. Alexander parish. Everyone will be invited to partake of a simple soup and bread lunch in the Church gym. This version of the Stations of the Cross will help participants in the walk make a connection between Jesus' trial, suffering, and execution and the social issues that need to be addressed by Catholics today. If you have any questions, feel free to call Rosalie and Milt Honel at 279-7086. Council of Catholic Women MQH "Woman of the Year" Election This weekend the Election of the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Woman of the Year will be held by CCW. Several names of worthy women were submitted for nomination by parishioners. The names of these ladies, along with a short bio of some of their involvement in parish activities can be found on the flier in this weekend's bulletin and on the poster in the church vestibule. Please stop by the voting table and cast your ballot for one of the candidates as you leave Mass. At this time, we would like to mention that Kathleen Gusloff, Karen Vicary, Ellen Walker and Mary White were among the ladies nominated but were ineligible, as they had been MQH "Women of the Year" during the past 15 years. Thank you one and all for your interest in this award and for your participation in the election today. Christian Worship Commission Welcoming Catholics Home Do you know someone who has left the Church? Most of us don't have to think hard to find nonpracticing Catholics in our circle of family and friends. Many of us are concerned about them, but we do not know how to help them find their way home to the Catholic Church. First we need to pray for them. Next, we need to extend a personal invitation to come home to the Catholic Church. Many nonpracticing Catholics are waiting for an invitation to return. Many mistakenly think they are excommunicated and are not welcome to return for a variety of reasons. You can make a tremendous difference in someone's life by reaching out to them and telling them we miss them and would like them to come back home to our Church family. We are excited to offer a six-week series entitled "Welcoming Catholics Home" to help nonpracticing Catholics return. The series begins on Tuesday, April 5, at 7:30-9 p.m. at Mary Queen of Heaven Church. Other information on this series will be available in the back of church and in the bulletin in the next few weeks. Please pass this information on to anyone who might be interested. For more information or to register for the series call Donna Klopacz at 832-3618. 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. 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. Our enrollment is approaching the 500 mark; our need for catechists will be great this coming fall. We ask that you pray about it, then call us at the REO for more information. Your children deserve the very best ... You! Lent in the RE Thanks to all who have been so generous in their donations of candy and other items for the children of Marillac House's Easter baskets. Know that you will bring smiles to many little ones on the West Side on Easter Morning. Thank you. Mark your Calendar: Good Friday, March 25, at 3:00 in Church - The Living Stations will be done by the 7th grade RE students. Wednesday, March 30 - No RE Class- Spring Break Wednesday, April 6 - 8th graders and their parents gather in the Barrett Hall at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9 - First Communion Retreat Morning for 2nd graders at 9-11 a.m. in the School Social Hall. If you have questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. Christian Education Commission Sisters Host Vocation Retreat The Sisters of the Living Word are hosting a weekend retreat for young adult women on April 8-10 at the Living Word Center in Arlington Heights. The weekend is intended for any single woman, age 18-40, who wants to experience the spirituality and passion for mission that characterizes the Sisters of the Living Word. The weekend will provide guidance in spiritual growth, prayer, and faith sharing, as well as an invitation to greater service of others in need. There is no fee for this retreat, but registration is required by March 31. For more information about this retreat or to register contact Sister Sharon Glumb, SLW, Director of New Membership by phone (662-252-9801) or by email (glumbs@aol.com) Wilder Mansion Meetings The Elmhurst Park District and the city of Elmhurst invite you to a public meeting for community feedback about future use of the Wilder Mansion. Williams Architects will facilitate the meetings, which include a short slide show tour of the facility. The two (2) remaining meetings are at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 21 or Thursday, March 24. If you can attend one of them, please RSVP to the Wilder Park Administrative Office at 630-993- 8900. Reservations are not required but are appreciated. Is your marriage tearing you apart? If your marriage has become troubled or stressed, unloving or uncaring, or if your relationship has grown cold or distant, if you are thinking of separation or divorce, or if you are already separated or divorced, but you want to try again - then Retrouvaille is the program that can help you. For more information, call 1-800-470-2230. You may call anonymously. There are no group discussions. Hope is only a phone call away! The next Joliet Diocese Retrouvaille Program will be held April 1-3 at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville. Call for other dates. Diocesan News Community News M.O.M.S. Group I. C. Parish, Elmhurst 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. There are no membership fees, nor are there any requirements to join the group. Babysitting is provided for a nominal fee. On Thursday, March 24, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., come pitch in and help prepare for our biggest fundraiser of the season: The Ladies' Tea! All hands are welcome and needed. We will be writing thank you notes, rolling silverware, making centerpieces and more. For more information call Jean Lawrence at 630-832-0575 or Melanie Schneider at 630-782-0868. Visit http:\\calendar.yahoo.com/icmoms for updates. Reminder No smoking is allowed in any building of Mary Queen of Heaven parish. Thank You Parish Library Resources The newly established parish library has a wide selection of books and magazines available on topics involving religion and spiritual life. Among the topics are: The Church Today, Church History, Biography, Spirituality, Devotional, Women, Fiction, and Biblical Affairs. There are also magazines covering a variety of topics from a Christian viewpoint. The library is open Saturdays from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Books may be checked out for three weeks by filling out the card in the pocket at the back of the book. Complete instructions are available in the library. New books are on order for several topics, including Children, Young Adults, and Peace and Justice. They should arrive in the next several weeks. Little Rock Scripture Study The response to the Mary Queen of Heaven Scripture Study Program last weekend was very heartening! Four of our groups are filled to capacity. There are still a few spaces left in the Friday 7:30-9:00 p.m. group if anyone is still hoping to participate. If you are interested in the Friday evening group, or if you have any questions about the program, please contact Lynn Suwanski at 630-2523. Anointing Mass Saturday, April 2, at 11:00 a.m. Followed by a light luncheon in Barrett Hall All persons who are of advanced age, ill, facing surgery, handicapped or in need of the Sacrament of the Sick are encouraged to attend. Rides and assistance will be provided to anyone who has a need. A light lunch will be served in Barrett Hall after Mass for all who attend. Please call the parish office and let Sr. Marlene know if you will be attending so that we can have an idea of how many people to expect at Church and for the luncheon. Also, if you need transportation or help in any way so that you can attend, please let us know and we will be happy to assist you. For more information, please contact Sheila Reiter at 833- 6657 or Mary Alice Steck at 279-1159. Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3 Visitation Church, Elmhurst Pope John Paul II established the first Sunday after Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. The mercy of God is unlimited and available to even the greatest of sinners. Simply come to Him for He told St. Faustina: "I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My passion." Visitation Parish invites you to share in the extraordinary graces of the first worldwide celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. Holy Communion should be received on the Feast of Mercy. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available throughout the afternoon. Devotions on Sunday, April 3: 1:30 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation 3:00 p.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet 3:45 p.m. Celebration of Mass Request for Your Prayers this Week Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children Throughout the past six months you have witnessed and taken part in the blessing of our candidates and catechumens as they have been dismissed from our Saturday and Sunday masses. Now, as we draw near to the day in which they will complete their sacraments of initiation and/or be received into full communion with the Catholic Church, we again ask for your prayers Both this year and last, we have been richly blessed with the addition of children to our group. Children show us that special openness and response to the word of God that makes us want to renew and deepen our own relationship to God. Last Saturday our children received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Mary Foley led the children in prayer and preparation, and Father Benett gently guided them through their first experience. The adult members of our RCIA group received the Sacrament of Reconciliation with other parish members at our Communal Penance Service on March 6. Our adult candidates also lead those of us who are privileged to spend time with them each week to a deepening realization of God's daily presence in our lives. As they share their stories of faith we see them grow closer to God and become more committed to the way of the gospel. Next Saturday evening at the Easter Vigil Service, some of our candidates will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation (those who are of 8th-grade age or are coming into our faith from another Christian tradition.) All members will be receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. So we have much to be grateful for and celebrate. As members of Mary Queen of Heaven parish family, all of these candidates are entrusted to us. Let us pray in earnest this week for God's blessing on each of their individual journeys. Let us pray in thanksgiving for their presence in our community and let us pray for their continued growth in the life of the spirit. After the Vigil Service there will be a reception for all of our new members. Please come to help us celebrate. If you would like to bring them a card of congratulations, their names are above. Thank you, Mary Alice Steck, RCIA Coordinator Michelle Pringle Jackie Sinks Molly Holmes Michael Holmes Anastasia Cottone Edgar Prado Michelle Sinks Robert Murphy Megan Holmes Nicholas Cottone Alexander Cottone Zavier Prado Interested in Adoption or a Foster Child? You're invited (single or married) to a panel discussion on adoption with presentations from two agencies (Catholic Charities and Lifelink) and two Immaculate Conception parishioners who have adopted children. Topics to be covered: Domestic adoption, International adoption, Foster care, Orientation to the adoption process, Timeline & cost. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the I.C. Rectory (3rd building west of York Road). If you have questions, call Carol at 530-3497. Holy Week Schedule All parishioners are encouraged to participate Holy Thursday, March 24 7:30 p.m. Mass of the Lord's Supper Good Friday, March 25 3:00 p.m. Living Stations 7:30 p.m. Good Friday Service & Communion Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 26 7:45 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass Easter Sunday, March 27 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 a.m. Easter Masses Community News The Parish Office will be Closed on Good Friday, March 25 and Easter Monday, March 28. Hold this Date Wednesday, May 18, 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall Msgr. Stuart Swetland will speak on the topic: Is the Catholic Church Conservative or Liberal? Overcoming the Great Divide: An Advanced Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching Sponsored by Peace and Justice Ministry