Dear Friends,
Joy and peace to you at Easter! Thank you for sharing with us the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, who shares with all of us the promise of new life.
No matter what the circumstances we face, we can be confident that with faith in the love of God, the power that raised Jesus from the dead will save us. Jesus came that we might have life, and life in abundance. During the past days of Holy Week, we have been reminded that no disappointment, no betrayal, no humiliation, no suffering is beyond the understanding of Jesus, who came to show us the love of God. Jesus lived so that we might have life in him - fully and forever.
If you are visiting Mary Queen of Heaven today, please know that you are welcome here. If you are looking for a place to worship God, please consider making Mary Queen your parish home. I am the day- to-day pastor of this parish, having been appointed one year ago by the bishop to care for and lead this community of faith. I can tell you honestly that our parish is not perfect. We are made up of ordinary human beings, people who sometimes misunderstand each other, people who occasionally hurt one another, and there is conflict sometimes. No human family is ever perfect. However, I can also tell you honestly that here you will find a place full of life and joyful worship, because ordinary people here work hard at being Christian, trying to be better people, trying to overcome what divides us, trying to take seriously the Gospel message to build the kingdom of justice and peace. This parish is not free of human shortcomings but it is also full of the very best of human beings can be. We welcome and embrace others as Jesus did. We encourage all of the people of God to share their giftedness for the good of the church and the world. We help people to know the love of God through us.
If you are already a member of Mary Queen, let us use this joyful occasion to draw others to Christ. Inside today's bulletin, you will find more information about our Welcoming Catholics Home program that will be starting soon. It is designed to welcome back those who have left the Catholic Church over the years, for whatever reason. If you have friends or neighbors who have never been Catholic but are looking for a new church home, we also have a wonderful RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) team who can help lead people on a journey to full membership in the church. More information on both of these programs can be obtained by calling the parish office.
Once again, welcome! Rejoice in the saving power of God. Life begins anew today. Where will it lead you? Listen with your heart and you will learn. May God continue to bless you and our faith community of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
"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.
Men's Group Meets
2nd Thursday of each month at 8 p.m.
At the Odeum in Villa Park
Please contact Tom Gusloff at 832-4248
for further information
St. Vincent dePaul Society
The St. Vincent dePaul Society is looking for volunteers to
help parishioners who have recently been released from the
hospital, are elderly and no longer drive, have doctors'
appointments, need medicine picked up, or other circumstances
which require transportation.
Do you have a few hours now and then to help out? If so,
we certainly welcome your assistance. If you would like to
volunteer, please call Sheila Reiter at 833-6657. We will use
the utmost discretion when you are called to help a fellow
parishioners. Thank you for considering volunteering. We can
assure you that the benefits you receive from helping will be
most rewarding.
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.
* Portable Dining Table Top Enlarger: Made to be placed on top
of a regular dining table, felt backing comes in 2 sections &
folds for easy storage. Opened size 72" long, 48" wide; seats
8; Price $40; Please call Barb 630-530-2016.
* Looking for Baby Sitter: Looking for someone responsible,
caring and kindhearted to take care of our 9 month old baby
and pick up our 7 year old. You have choices of full-time or
part-time. If full time, it will be 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; if
part-time, it will be 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (M - F). Please
call: Night: 630-917-0808 or Daytime: 312-240-2790 (9:00 -
5:00)
* Used Maytag Gas Dryer: good working condition, almond color,
Asking $15; Elmhurst location; Moving, call 630-279-8158
The Parish Office will be Closed
Easter Monday, March 28.
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.
Christian Worship Commission
Christian Service 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 Dan Focht
Paul Francetic Anna Heffel
Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt
Pat Holmes Maureen James
Tom Janicke Bud Jensen
Irene Kmieciak Baby Emma Ann Lynde
Nancy Maloney Robert Manion
Loretta Mazgaj Bobbi Nannini
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
Julia Gon
Leonard Paladino
Mary Passanante, mother of Dorothy Buchholz
Lee Wantroba
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.
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.
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.
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!
Mark your Calendar:
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.
On behalf of the entire Religious Education staff, we wish
you all happy and holy Easter. Christ is Risen! Christ is truly
Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
If you have questions or need more information, please call
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Christian Education Commission
Community News
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)
Diocesan News
A Vocation View:
You have been given new life in Christ.
Forsake earthly materialism,
in order to live life to the full.
2005 Diocesan Annual Appeal
Diocese of Joliet
Pledge Weekend, April 9/10
Living our Faith
Very soon at all the Masses we will be discussing the
importance of the 2005 Diocesan Annual Appeal. It is an annual
effort that allows us as part of the diocesan family to "share
our gifts" with others through the charities, ministries and
services offered through the Diocese of Joliet. Please be
generous when asked to pledge.
All pledge cards should be returned to the parish for
forwarding to the diocese. By doing this, all pledges will be
recorded and everyone will receive proper acknowledgement.
Parish News
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
Deacon Tom Goebel to Speak
On Male Spirituality
Tuesday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall
Sponsored by The Men's Group
Deacon Tom will reflect on how we can be more Christ-like
in our daily lives as husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers, and
in our business dealings. All men of the parish are invited to
share in this thought-provoking evening. Refreshments will be
served. For more information, please call Dick Reed at 834-4840.
If you have Family Members in Military Service
and would like their names printed in the bulletin, please
call the Parish Office.