Dear Friends,
Last Sunday, an older gentleman walked over to talk with me outside of church. He had a wonderful smile on his face as he came from morning Mass. He said that he was a widower, that his wife had died a number of years ago. With a look of discovery on his face, he told me that he realized he was now ready to get married again.
What a blessing it was to see the Easter story lived out before my eyes in that moment! What a tribute to our community's celebration of the Eucharist, and what a testimony to the grace of God. It was as if through encountering the risen Jesus that morning, this man, once saddened by death, was now alive again. How much this reminded me of the stories of disciples who were depressed and shaken until the risen Jesus brought them back to life.
I believe that our entire Catholic Church is also experiencing an Easter event that reveals the real power of God present in the resurrection story. We have been in the midst of mourning the loss of our Holy Father, a man who had great impact on the world for the last 26 years. We lament the loss of a charismatic leader who was able to relate so well to all different sorts of people, one who dedicated himself to fostering unity and peace. Over and over again, we hear the words of church and world leaders who say that there could never be anyone exactly like John Paul II. There has been a palpable sense of sadness and loss all around.
And yet, there has been something new breaking through this veil of sorrow. Day by Day, the airwaves are full of stories of the goodness of the pope's life as leader of the Church. More people than ever before are learning about what it means to be Catholic. I heard on television a Cardinal and a news anchor promise prayers for each other. The renewed interest in the Church is incredible. People are fascinated by how this man engaged the world and b y how Catholics all over the world are bound together in the event of his death. Easter is being lived out in our midst. The Pope has died but through his death, new life has come. We are witnesses to the miracle of resurrection.
+ + + + + + +
Some people have asked me about who I think the next Pope should be. The truth is, I do not know. People have come to me with names of Cardinals about whom they have been reading and they have wanted to know what I think. Mostly what I think is how amazing it is that there is such renewed interest in the Church! It is also fas- cinating to me to realize how much things are different at this point in history. Members of the College of Cardinals now have at their disposal the internet and mass media to help them learn about each other. We too, have the same opportunity to learn more about the papabiles, or those most likely to be considered for the next papacy.
There is a book I could recommend if you are interested in learning more about some of the men who will be gathering in conclave soon. The book is called Conclave, and it was written a couple of years ago by John Allen, who is Rome correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter and also for CNN.
I can also share with you that I met one of the men that John Allen thought might be the next Pope. His name is Cardinal Walter Kasper. Cardinal Kasper (affectionately known as Kasper, the Friendly Cardinal), is the highest ranking ecumenical officer in the Church. He is President of Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and he also oversees the committee for relations between Catholics and Jews. Originally a bishop from Germany, Kasper has been serving in Rome since appointed to this office by Pope John Paul II.
When I started work on my doctoral thesis, I wrote to Cardinal Kasper at the Vatican and requested an interview with him. Much to my surprise, I was granted one. I will never forget meeting him at his office at the Vatican two years ago. He welcomed me and graciously invited me to sit next to him as we talked for an hour. He seemed as comfortable with me as if I had been his sister. It was a remarkable visit and he is a remarkable man.
The last thing I said to Cardinal Kasper before leaving his office was that there are some people who think he would be a good Pope. His response to me was to say that he is very happy with what he is doing now, something I thought was a very good sign! It is interesting to think that this man I sat next to and talked with for an hour might be our next Pope. However, I think there may be a number of good candidates and I do believe that the College of Cardinals will be seeking the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in their deliberations. Our parish church will be kept open longer while the Cardinals are in conclave. May John Paul join with us and the entire Church in prayer for them and for the man who will be our next Pope.
March Celebrations We welcomed into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family: Jennifer Therese Manion, who was baptized at the Easter Vigil. Also welcomed into Full Communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil were: Megan Holmes Michael Holmes Molly Holmes Robert Murphy Edgar Prado Michelle Pringle Jackie Sinks Michelle Sinks 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. 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. 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. Religious Education News RE Registrations Registrations for the 2005-2006 RE year have been mailed this week. Please call the office if you are new to the Parish or are new to our program and would like to receive a registration form. It is very important that you return your form ASAP to the RE Office in order to insure your first choice of time session for your child. Catechists Needed As this RE year begins to wind down, we are thinking about our needs for next fall. With the addition of a third class session for the coming year, our need for catechists has increased dramatically. There will be openings at almost every grade level. Please call the office if you would like to help. Although next September seems very far away, it will be here before you know it. Now is the time to come by and see for yourself what wonderful things go on in our RE classes on Wednesdays. Remember you don't have to be a theologian, you just have to be someone who loves your Faith and would enjoy sharing it with our children. Call the REO for more info. Attention Parents of Confirmation Candidates. Mark your Calendars for the following: Tuesday, April 19. We will have Confirmation Practice for our Candidates (no sponsors) in Church from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.. Since this is the only practice, it is mandatory that all be present. Saturday, April 23. Our celebration of Confirmation will take place at the regularly scheduled 5:00 p.m. Mass in Church with Bishop Stanley Schlarman presiding. 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 Paul Cirone Jenie Colletti Trudi Dolato John Doyle Dan Focht 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. 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 info., please call Dick Reed at 834-4840. 2005 Diocesan Annual Appeal Diocese of Joliet Pledge Weekend, April 9/10 Living our Faith This is Pledge Weekend for the 2005 Diocesan Annual Appeal. Your gift will make a difference in the lives of children in our schools and religious education programs, in our Catholic Charities Outreach, in he ministry and services offered each day through the diocese. Please be generous and make your pledge today. 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. Parish Library Selections The parish library has a wide selection of books and magazines available on topics involving religion and spiritual life. The subjects covered range from Biblical affairs to relationships, and from biography to spirituality. Among the works in the library are John McGreevy's Catholicism and American freedom; Jaroslav Pelican (ed.)'s World Treasury of Modern Religious Thought; John Paul II's Crossing the Threshold of Hope; Peter Steinfels' A People Adrift; and Eugene Kennedy's Cardinal Bernardin.. The library also has George Weigel's widely acclaimed John Paul II; Witness to Hope; William O'Malley's Why Be A Catholic?; Romulo Guardini's The Art of Praying, and Joseph Girzone's Joshua and the Children. The library is open each weekend from 5:30 pm. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Sundays. Council of Catholic Women Who are we? We are an organization within Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, affiliated with the Joliet Diocese and the National Council of Catholic Women. Membership is open to all women in our parish. Our annual dues, beginning June 1st through the end of May, are $5.00; however, every woman in our parish is automatically considered a member of The Council whether dues are paid or not. Board meetings are held monthly and programs or social events take place several times during the year. The CCW at Mary Queen of Heaven has sponsored many programs and activities, some of which are: Candlelight Bowl (co- sponsored by the Men's Group), Mother's Day Right to Life Flower Sale , Annual Seniors' Christmas Party, Nostalgic Wedding Fashion Show, Days of Recollection. Flower Sale, Antique Shows, Special programs for the holidays, Women's Spirituality Series, May Crowning, Parish Woman of the Year, and "Ladies Night Out." Our purpose: * To provide service, help and assistance wherever and whenever needed in our parish. * To provide a medium for Catholic women to speak and act with one voice upon matters of common interest in Church and society. * To support social justice issues and the protection of human life at all stages. * To promote Catholic spirituality and prayer. * To help Catholic women to become leaders in Church and society. How do I benefit from being an active member? * You will have the opportunity to use your gifts and talents as you offer assistance to our parish and the organization which are all vital to our growing as a spiritual group of women dedicated to spreading the work of Christ in all our actions. * Your faith life and spiritual enrichment will be enhanced. * You will have opportunities to use your gifts and talents and to participate in various areas of interest. * You will enjoy the company of other women who are interested in helping our parish to be a vibrant, flourishing, faith- filled community. Perhaps you would be interested in volunteering to work on the CCW Board. We would welcome any parishioner who could give of her time and bring new ideas to our organization. If you have any questions about CCW or would like to help out by being an active member of the board, please contact Mary White (833-9809) or Sheila Reiter (833-6657. CCW SPRING INSTITUTE The Eastern DuPage Deanery of The Council of Catholic Women will hold their Spring Institute at Mary Queen of Heaven Parish on Tuesday, May 10, 2005. Women from all the parishes in Eastern DuPage have been invited to attend, and at this time we are cordially inviting ALL THE LADIES OF MARY QUEEN to join us. The theme for the Spring Institute is "Nourished By the Eucharist." Please mark this date on your calendar and invite your friends to come. The evening schedule will be as follow: 5:30 P.M. Registration 6:00 P.M. Dinner (Barrett Hall) 7:15 P.M. General Meeting followed by Commission Workshops 8:30 P.M. Mass (concludes the evening) The donation for the evening is $10 per person and reservation forms will be available in next week's bulletin. The deadline for reservations is May 4th. For further information, please call Sr. Marlene at the parish office (279-5700). Fellowship Sunday April 17th Please join us for fellowship after the 10:15 a.m. Mass on Sunday, April 17th in Barrett Hall. Stop in after Mass for some pastries and a cup of coffee or juice and the opportunity to talk with friends and fellow parishioners and their families. Peace and Justice Ministry News Last August many MQH parishioners came together for a series of discussions designed to help identify ways the MQH Peace and Justice Ministry could serve our parish. The predominant message we heard during these discussions was "teach us about peace and social justice issues." This spring, the Peace and Justice ministry invites you and your family to join us as MQH begins on a journey to discover how peace and justice issues an the Seven Social Catholic Teachings play a role in our daily lives and in the lives of others throughout the world. S. T. E. P. - Steps Toward Eliminating Poverty An all-ages event/walk is scheduled for Sunday, May 1st. It is designed to create greater awareness about local and global poverty issues and the various ways we (children to adults) can make a difference. STEP participants will gather at Immaculate Conception Church. This event is sponsored by the Peace and Justice ministries at MQH, IC and Visitation. Details will appear in the near future. Catholic Social Teaching Lecture Series Is the Catholic Church Conservative or Liberal? Overcoming the great Divide: An Advanced Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching will be presented by Msgr. Stuart Swetland on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall. More details will follow in upcoming bulletins. Men's Group Meeting Thursday, April 14th at the Odeum in Villa Park. Christian Service Commission Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Our sincere "thanks to everyone who helped to make our Easter Liturgy Celebration at Mary Queen blessed and beautiful. A special "thank you" to all especially Mary Foley, our Parish Life Coordinator, Fr. Tom, Fr. Brad, Fr. Benet, Deacon Tom Nolan, our Worship Commission, the R.C.I.A. Team, proclaimers, ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, sacristans, choir director and choir members for their beautiful music, and all those wonderful people who helped to decorate with the Art and Environment Committee during Holy Week and for Easter Sunday. Once again, the St. Vincent DePaul Society with the help of our parish, provided Jewel Food Certificates, Easter Food Baskets, and Easter Baskets full of goodies for the children of twelve needy families in our area. Thanks again for the continued generosity of our parishioners. It's wonderful to be such a "Giving Parish." A Vocation View We can feel the Lord's call at the strangest places and times. The call can haunt us and pursue us until we say, "Lord, what will you have me do?" St. Pius X Parish Mission/Retreat You are invited to join St. Pius X Parish for our Mission/Retreat. The theme is "Do this in Memory of Me!"...The meaning of and purpose of the Eucharist in our daily lives, in the life of the parish and world. Fr. Chuck Faso, O.F.M., will lead the Mission. It starts on Monday, April 18th through Thursday, April 21st. The services will begin each morning at 9:15 (after the 8:30 Mass) with a duplication at 7 PM that night. Fr. Chuck Faso led a Mission at St. Pius two years ago and is an excellent speaker. Fr. Chuck Faso will also preach the weekend of April 16/17. Yoga Class in Barrett Hall We will have class the following dates: April 27, May 4, May 25, June 1 and June 8. 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Please call Debbie Styka at 941-7224 if you are interested and have not attended before. Class fee ranges from $16 to $30. All monies will be donated to Mary Queen. Diocesan News MQH Help Opportunities For Parishioners Parishioners may submit ads to appear in the bulletin to MQH Bulletin@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. * Family in parish seeks part-time companion care for elderly person. Medical background not necessary. Please call 834- 2842. Catholic Charities Positions: * Transitional Housing Resource Specialist needed to work to coordinate and secure apartments for lease/housing resources for North Area Transitional & Permanent Supportive Housing Program participants. Requires High School Diploma. Part time position for 19 hours per week. * Case Manager needed in our duPage County Transitional Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing Programs to provide screening, assessment, case planning and case management to homeless families in transition or crisis. Requires a Masters degree in Social work or other social science field + 1 year related "field experience. Must have auto. Full time, normally Monday thru Friday. Mail/Fax/Email resume to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, ATTN: CC-03-05,203 N. Ottawa Street, Joliet, IL 60432, Fax: 815-724-0367, hr@cc-doj.org,www.cc-doj.org. EOE Lost and Found Two rings were found in our parish parking lot. If you think they may be yours, please call the parish office (279-5700) office to identify and claim them.