Dear Friends,
Joy and peace to you this Easter season! As we continue to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, we have many visible signs of new life around us. Spring is working its way into Elmhurst, with warmer weather coming, the singing of more birds waking us in the morning, and green shoots starting to push their way through what was not long ago hard, frost- crusted earth.
There is more new life coming that is not fully visible yet. Sixty-three people are getting ready to begin Bible Study, in five new groups that will begin meeting on the parish campus this week. There are a number of people who will be starting their journey back to the Catholic Church through our new Welcoming Catholics Home program that starts next week. Our candidates who were received into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil now start their time of mystagogia, a time of prayerful reflection on the new life they have received through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our children in 2nd grade and our young people in 8th grade are preparing for the new life they will receive in the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation. Several couples in our parish are preparing for marriages that will be taking place in the coming months. What new gifts has God given them all that will soon be brought forth into our faith community? I enjoy looking around outside during these days, imagining what it will look like soon with flowers blooming all around us. Just imagine what else will be flowering about Mary Queen soon as new families, new talents, new beauty, and even more new life in our faith community begins to grow.
The cycle of the liturgical year of the church continually repeats itself. Each year, we journey from birth to death to new life, over and over again. There are echoes of the paschal mystery in nature around us, in the rhythm of our physical life cycle, and in the patterns of spiritual life over time. During this Easter season of 50 days, we have the opportunity to reflect on this mystery more deeply, in order to understand more fully how God is calling us to new life. For some, it will mean leaving behind former destructive ways. For some, it will be nurturing newly discovered gifts and talents. For some, it will be finding new ways to share blessings with others. All of us should be searching for some way to build up the family of God that Jesus came to save.
There are some who are literally preparing for death with the hope of eternal life. Some who have been in the news lately are the family of Terri Schiavo and our own Pope. Without further intervention, it is possible that Terri Schiavo may have already died by the time you read this. And while the medical help that the Pope is receiving now may extend his life even longer than expected, the reality is that he will not live forever. Pastors are already receiving instructions about what we are to do when the Pope does die.
This points to two other things we can pay attention to during this Easter season. One is the value and dignity that Catholics attribute to human life, which is created in the image of God. No matter what the circumstances or physical deficiencies, this dignity remains. The Catholic Church also teaches that this human dignity allows us to make decisions for ourselves about extraordinary means being taken to prolong life beyond its natural end. The Pope has recently had a feeding tube inserted because it is apparently his wish to fight for his life right now and he cannot otherwise obtain the nutrition he needs. The terrible battle over Terri Schiavo has carried on exactly because her own wishes were never made known in writing and persons with competing value systems were left to fight over what they felt best for her.
Perhaps during this Easter season we can also contemplate the cycle of life and death under these circumstances and give some thought to what is called "advanced directives" that give us the opportunity to make decisions about our own medical care while we are still able to do so. These advanced directives are commonly known as living wills or durable power of attorney for health care (the latter of which is the stronger legal document). You can obtain information about them from your doctor or hospital. We also have some of these documents available at the parish office, since they were left over from our Health Committee's recent End-of-Life seminar. Feel free to call or stop by to obtain a copy while they are still available.
In the meantime, let us pray for all those who are dying, trusting in the promise that those who die in Christ will be raised with him. And in this Easter season, let us also be prayerful about the new life that God has to give us right now, in our individual lives, and in our community of faith.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
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
"Fairway to Heaven" Teeing Off in May
Catholic Charities will be hosting this golf outing
fundraiser on Monday, May 9, at White Eagle Golf Club.
Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12:30
p.m. The event will also feature several attractions including a
"Beat the Priest" contest and "Beat the Investigative Reporter"
featuring Dave Savini. Lunch, dinner, beverages and lots of
prizes are also included!
Tickets are $225 each if registration is received before
April 23. After that time, tickets are $250 each. All funds
raised will be directed toward programs and services offered
through Catholic Charities. For reservations or information,
call Sue Kaiser at 815.723.3405, ext. 139.
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
"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.
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.
A Vocation View:
It is only through people like you that others will be able
to say: "We have seen the Lord." With the resurrection to
empower you and with Jesus to lure you, you too can inspire
others who have not seen to believe.
Parish Library Resources
The recently opened Mary Queen of Heaven library has a wide
variety of books available for members of the parish. Among the
many works are George Weigel's widely-acclaimed biography of Pope
John Paul II, Witness to Hope, Fr. Raymond Brown's The Birth of
the Messiah, Rheinhold Neibuhr's classic Moral Law and Immoral
Society, Eamon Duffy's Saints and Sinners; A History of the
Popes, Eric Marshall's Children's Letters to God, and Robert
Cormier's A Faith that Makes Sense.
There are also works of fiction - both short stories and
full length books - books by and about the famous English author
C.S. Lewis, and John McGreevy's Catholicism and American Freedom.
The library is open each weekend from 5:30 to 6:30 PM on
Saturdays and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Sundays. Books can be
checked out for three weeks at a time.
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!
Mark your Calendar:
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.
Saturday, April 23 - Confirmation with Bishop Schlarman
If you have questions or need more information, please call
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
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
John Brett
Angeline Romeo
Vince Scilluffo
2005 Diocesan Annual Appeal
Diocese of Joliet
Pledge Weekend, April 9/10
Living our Faith
The Diocesan Annual Appeal begins in our parish this week.
Every family will receive a letter from Bishop Joseph Imesch
asking for a pledge to help continue the ministry service and
charity of our diocese. Please return your pledge to the parish
the weekend of April 9/10.
Please return pledge cards to the parish for forwarding to
the diocese. By doing this, all pledges will be recorded and
everyone will receive proper acknowledgement.
Diocesan News
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.
Annual Senior Health & Safety Fair
Saturday, April 23
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At York Community High School in Elmhurst
The fair includes free blood pressure and diabetes tests;
and vision, hearing and podiatrist screenings.
* Skin Cancer Screening, Pre-registration required. To
register , call The Abbey at 993-8989.
* Cholesterol Screening 8:30 - 11 a.m. ($15 fee). Pre-
registration required-call Care Match, 782-7878.
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.
Come and join us for a special evening gathering on
Thursday, April 7. This replaces the regular Thursday morning
meeting. Come at 7:00 PM to socialize and our program will begin
at 7:30. Please RSVP to Katie at 941-9755 for information on
location and to let her know if you can bring an appetizer,
dessert or drink.
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.
God Calls You by Name ...
"You are Mine."
God is inviting you on a journey of love into the heart of
Jesus. Are you listening? How will you answer the call? If
you're a single, Catholic woman between 20 and 50, consider
joining us for a Discernment Retreat on
April 15-17 at
St. Scholastica Monastery, Chicago.
Discover God's deepest yearnings for you. Learn
discernment practices you can use the rest of your life. Spend a
weekend really discerning God's will.
Contact: Sr. Margarita Walters
773-764-2413, ext. 267
mwalters@osbchicago.org www.osbchicago.org
LITTLE ROCK SCRIPTURE STUDY
"Commissioning of the Twelve"
These twelve parishioners who completed facilitator
training for our scripture study program will be commissioned at
a ceremony during the 10:15 Mass this weekend.
Renee Bladek Carol Reisenbuckler
Kay Diggins Joseph Sapien
Milt Honel Bob Scalise
Rosalie Honel Lorraine Scott
Jose Nateras John Unger
Bob Nosek Don Walker
We ask for your continued prayers for these and for all of
those who are undertaking the study of the Acts of the Apostles
over the next ten weeks.
Reminder to those who have registered for the scripture
study program: Please stop by the table in Mary's Gathering Space
after Mass today to purchase your study guides and commentaries.
Men of the Parish:
Deacon Tom Goebel
to Speak on Male Spirituality
The Men's Group is proud to sponsor a talk by Deacon Tom
Goebel from IC Parish on Male Spirituality on Tuesday, April 12,
at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall.
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 and inspirational evening.
For more information, please call Dick Reed at 834-4840.
CCW "Woman of the Year."
Congratulations to Diane Bernstein who was elected "CCW
Woman of the Year."
Diane will be honored at the 27th Annual Woman of the Year
Mass and Luncheon on Saturday, April 23, at the Cathedral of St.
Raymond. She will also be honored in June at our CCW "Women's
Night Out."
Just Women Series
Tuesday , April 5, 7:30 PM, Barrett Hall
April 8, 9AM, Barrett Hall
Men's Group NCAA Party
The Men's Group is sponsoring an NCAA Championship Game
Party for the men of the parish at 7:00 p.m. on April 4th in
Barrett Hall. Food, snacks and beverages will be served. Come
join us and cheer on our favorite team.
For further information, please contact Ray Schneider at
630-834-5604.
Market Day
Orders for April are due Monday, April 18, at noon. Turn
in your order form in the box at the back of church or at the
rectory. Pickup on Saturday, April 23, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in
the Social Hall.
If you have questions or would like to place an order,
please call Mary at 832-8263 or Karen at 279-4108.
If you have Family Members in Military Service
and would like their names printed
in the bulletin so we can pray for them,
please call the Parish Office.
MQH Council of Catholic Women
Spirituality Series for Women
Just Women
(Women of Justice)
An opportunity to walk with women of scripture,
spend some time in quiet reflection,
and share our stories with one another.
"Ruth, Stranger in a Strange Land"
Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 P.M.
Or
Friday, April 8, 9:00 A.M.
Barrett Hall
For information contact Mary Ann Reed at 834-4840