Dear Friends,
Summer is a big time of transition. We move from the busyness of the school and religious education year to a time filled with outdoor activities and vacations before everything starts back up again in the fall. In the church year, we have moved from Easter and Pentecost to Ordinary Time, a season that will last until the new church year starts later in the fall, with the feast of Christ the King and then a new season of Advent. Summer is in some ways an in-between time, but it is a time that must be savored for what it is: a time for refreshment, renewal and enjoying the ordinary stuff of life.
Within our parish, there are changes that happen in the summertime. Last night, I met with the Board of the CCW, as they prepare for the installation of their new officers. Our Parish Pastoral Council had its last meeting of the year on Monday night. The summer will be a time of change for them, too. In July, the PPC will have a summer social, which will be a time for celebrating the gifts of those whose terms have come to an end. It will also be a time for remaining PPC members to come to know those who will be new to the PPC starting in the fall.
Next week, I will write about those who will be serving on our PPC next year. I thought it might be a good idea to start by sharing information about what a Paris Pastoral Council is and how it functions.
Canon Law (the set of laws that govern the Catholic Church) recommends that that every diocese have a pastoral council to advise the bishop in pastoral matters. Parish Pastoral Councils are established in areas where it is recommended by the diocesan bishop. More and more in the United States, especially in the last 10 years, bishops have been recommending pastoral councils for parishes. They are more or less active, depending on the commitment of the pastor and those who serve on the council. (As Pastoral Life Coordinator of Mary Queen of Heaven, I fill the role of pastor except in sacramental matters). How they function, however, is different from the way Americans understand other forms of governance in society or in corporate structures, because the church does not function as a democracy.
Canon law describes a Parish Pastoral Council in this way: The pastor presides over it, and through it the Christian faithful give their help in fostering pastoral activity. The pastoral council possesses a consultative vote only and is governed by the norms determined by the diocesan bishop.
There are some who feel that this consultative role of the laity in a parish (or in a diocese, for that matter) is not of great value. To the contrary, our church would be in much better shape overall if bishops and pastors had been consulting with the laity about important decision making, especially in areas of clerical misconduct and church finances. It is important for the future of the church that pastors and laity take the consultative role of pastoral councils more seriously.
A recent article in Origins (a publication of the Catholic News Service and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) talked about the value of consultation in church structures as an essential element of our communion with each other in the church. Consultation expresses the reality that the church is God's work: "The presence of the Spirit dwells in our midst and the church needs structures through which it stays in touch with that Spirit."
A Parish Pastoral Council does not function like a collection of aldermen who take the complaints of residents of an area and to try solve them or form voting blocs for the passage of city ordinances. Our diocesan guidelines describe a parish pastoral council as "A PRAYER GROUP THAT DISCERNS A VISION FOR THE PARISH." These are some of the guiding principles that are to be followed by a PPC:
*Each member is committed to the development of his/her spiritual life.
*Each member is committed to a communal sense of spirituality with other council members.
*PPC members are formally commissioned during the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist in the presence of the parish community.
*Each member uses prayer as a tool to prepare for each meeting.
*Prayer is a major agenda item for each meeting.
*Prayer is regularly mixed with group social celebrations. A yearly retreat is also recommended.
*The members trust that the Lord will work in the council.
Most PPC members are nominated by parishioners. This year, like many other parishes, Mary Queen of Heaven moved away from election to prayerful discernment as a way of selecting new members from those nominated. This process was written up by the PPC in the April 17 issue of the bulletin. In our first year of using discernment, some excellent new members were chosen for the PPC. Time constraints in this first year prevented some other people from being able to participate in the full discernment process. Next year, the PPC will be able to publish discernment information and dates well in advance, so that even more people may participate. Besides those who are nominated by parishioners, the pastor may appoint additional members in order to have more diversity represented on the council.
Next week, I will talk some more about the PPC and the organizational structure of our parish and I will introduce you to the new PPC members. In the meantime, enjoy these summer days and keep cool!
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Joliet Diocese 50th Anniversary Mass
The Diocese of Joliet will hold its twenty-seventh annual
Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, August 28, 2005 at 3:00 p.m.
at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. If you were married
in 1955 and are celebrating your 50th anniversary this year,
please contact the rectory so that we may submit your name to the
Diocese for a formal invitation.
St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul sends our sincere
appreciation to the community of Mary Queen of Heaven Church for
the wonderful donations from the clothing drive!
Thank you for Helping us to Help People!
2005 Diocesan Annual Appeal
Diocese of Joliet
Living our Faith
This is just a reminder to send your Appeal coupon with
payment to the Diocesan Appeal Office by the 15th of each month.
We meet our parish goal only when pledges have been fulfilled.
Thank you.
Vocation Retreat for Women
Sister Marlene Geimer's Religious Community, The Sisters of
the Living Word, is hosting a weekend retreat for young adult
women on July 29-31, 2005 at the Living Word Center in Arlington
Heights, Illinois.
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
needs. There is no fee for this retreat, but advance
registration is required by July 21.
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 e-mail (glumbs@aol.com).
Vocation Retreat for Women
July 29 - 31, 2005
Sister Marlene Geimer's Religious Community, The Sisters of
the Living Word, is hosting a weekend retreat for young adult
women on at the Living Word Center in Arlington Heights,
Illinois.
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
needs. There is no fee for this retreat, but advance
registration is required by July 21.
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 e-mail (glumbs@aol.com).
Are you someone who would like to help this new
ministry get started?
Are you a stay-at-home Mom or Dad who has computer
skills?
Partners in Prayerful Praise Ministry
Are you homebound or do you need to limit your parish
activity?
Would you still like to be more involved in the life of
the parish?
We are also in need of a small committee to put the monthly
newsletter together. One person in the committee must have
computer skills adequate to get a camera-ready copy together.
All copying, envelopes, and stamps will be provided by the parish
office. The committee needs only to organize the newsletter each
month and stuff the mailing envelopes. Come fall, we will invite
our young religious education children to submit drawings to be
included in mailings as a way of cheering those ministers who are
at home and praying for us. This newsletter committee only needs
a couple of people to get started and takes very little time each
month. If you are interested in serving on this committee,
please contact Mary Foley at the Parish Office.
As was announced at last weekend's Masses, a new ministry
will be starting soon at Mary Queen, one that will actively
involve the homebound and those with limited mobility in some
real ministry of the church. We will be commissioning people to
this new ministry which will involve praying regularly for the
people of the parish and for special intentions each month. Each
member of this ministry will receive a letter of commissioning, a
rosary and a prayerbook, and a monthly newsletter listing the
special intentions for that month.
Our retired Deacon John Maloney, who now lives at St.
Patrick's Residence in Naperville, will be serving as a
"Spiritual Moderator" for this ministry, through his writing of a
monthly column for the newsletter. If you would like to be
commissioned to this ministry, please contact Sister Marlene at
the Parish Office. All that is needed is an open heart and a
genuine commitment to regular prayer. This ministry will be of
great benefit, not only to those who are commissioned, but for
the whole parish through their prayers.
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 John Brennan
Kathleen Bryers Rose Caffarelli
Kathy Calzante Paul Cirone
Peggy Delbeke Trudi Dolato
Anna Heffel Jen Huwalt
Tom Huwalt Pat Holmes
Maureen James Tom Janicke
Albert P. Kabat Valorie Kaffka
Irene Kmieciak Bernadette Kohn
John Lane Robert Manion
Bobbi Nannini Vincent Scilluffo
Eileen Shea Jeff Smith
Cathy Ward
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.
Joyful Again!
(A Widowed Ministry)
Are you widowed?
Do you know someone who is widowed?
If you have been recently widowed and are struggling with
the loss, or if you have been widowed for a while and need
something to get you through this difficult time, this program is
designed to help you move on with your life while treasuring your
past and its precious memories.
This weekend program will be held at Mary Queen of Heaven
parish, in Elmhurst. All are invited. The Joyful Again! retreat
is for both men and women (all ages) who have been widowed and
are still trying to find hope and joy in their lives.
What: Weekend retreat
for widowed men and women.
When: July 16-17, 2005
Where: Mary Queen of Heaven Parish, Elmhurst
Donation: $75 - includes meals (adjusted if needed)
For further information, call: 708-354-7211.
Religious Education News
Registrations!
If you have not yet registered, please do so ASAP. Please
spread the word to your friends and neighbors. Classes are
filling up quickly.
Catechists are still needed at many levels.
We Can't Do It Without You.
We are very blessed at MQH to have so many dedicated men
and women stay on from year to year sharing their faith with our
children and young people. However, this year the addition of the
new session means we need 20 more catechists and at least 5 or 6
folks to help as support staff in the office, halls, and parking
lot.
People have been coming forward and we are grateful, but
the need is still great. At last count, we need approximately 15
more classroom staff. Your children are counting on you.
Market Day Coordinator is Still Needed.
If you have a few hours once a month (except for July and
August) that you could spend coordinating Market Day, please call
Karen Vicary at the REO for details. If you always wanted to help
in the RE program, but the classroom is not your thing, this is
your chance. We look forward to hearing from you. We do not want
to have to discontinue Market Day at Mary Queen. It is the only
fundraiser for our RE program.
If you have questions or need more information, please call
Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Christian Education Commission
Catholic Charities DuPage County
Back to School Fair
Imagine being a child who goes to school on the first day
of class with no supplies - no paper, no pencils and no crayons.
Imagine being a child that has had to leave school because you
didn't complete your immunizations or school physical. Some
children today don't have to imagine it - they live it. That's
why Catholic Charities has coordinated the Back to School Fair in
DuPage County for the past fourteen years.
The Back to School Fair will be held on August 10 at the
DuPage County Fairgrounds from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. This free
event is open to any DuPage family who lives near or below the
poverty level. Several thousand children and their families will
receive a wide variety of health and human services. Some of
these services offered include free school physicals provided by
the Loyola Mobile Medical Van, dental and vision screenings and
immunizations. Catholic Charities will also give each school-age
child a $10 certificate for the exclusive purchase of school
supplies.
Please consider donating to the Back to School Fair. Your
donation will allow Catholic Charities to purchase these school
supply gift certificates for distribution at the Fair. Donations
may be mailed to Catholic Charities, Back to School Fair, 26 W.
St. Charles Road, Lombard, IL 60148
Backyard Theology
Thursdays, July 14 and 21 at 7-9 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Parish, Elmhurst
In the Marian Room
July 14: "The Inner World & Its Workings: Exploration Into
Inner Space," presented by Avis Clendenen- a presentation,
conversation, and guided meditation about the things of the
spirit and the mysterious and challenging paths to inner growth,
integrating Ignatian spirituality with in-depth psychology.
July 21: "70 X 7: Forgiving the People You Love to Hate,"
presented by July Logue - We all know a lot about forgiveness,
but no one tells us exactly how to forgive. This presentation
will look at the psychology and spirituality of forgiveness and
offer strategies to get rid of resentments that bind us. The
goal is to come away with insight, determination and confidence
to get on with life.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Father Benet on his recent birthday!.
June was also the 33rd anniversary of his ordination as priest and
his 40th anniversary of entering religious life in the Franciscan
community. (If you would like to send a card to Fr. Benet, you
may do so c/o the Parish Office.)
Worship Commission Meeting Notes
June 20, 2005
We now have a person who will be coordinating all overflow
situations in the liturgy.
The liturgy committee of the Worship Commission continues
to look for new membership and someone to coordinate the sound
ministry.
The Commission's faith sharing at parish meetings
recommendation will be implemented by the various parish
committees.
We will soon have children's Mass books thanks to a
donation from a parishioner.
Future dates/activities to note:
Eucharistic Adoration for July: Monday, July 11, due to
Independence Holiday.
Sunday, August 28. Parish feast day, Mary Queen of Heaven
outdoor Mass.
Fall: Talk on the Eucharist by Fr. Ed Shea.
All are invited to attend our meetings, which are held at 7
p.m. on the third Monday of the month. NOTE: There will be no
meeting in July. We will resume with a meeting on Monday, August
22.
Peace Corps at College of DuPage!
Information Meeting
COD Instructional Center Room 1000
Thursday, July 7, at 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Interviews
Career Services Office
Thursday, July 14, at 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Applicants must bring a completed Peace Corps application
to the interview. To schedule an interview or for more
information, contact Jamie Diatta at 312-353-1126 or
jdiatta@peacecorps.gov
June Celebrations
We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the
following who was baptized in June:
Abigail Josephine Vaisnoras
Catholic Charities
One volunteer doing little things with much love can make a
great difference in many people's lives
Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet office in Lombard, is
seeking a Development Volunteer Coordinator. This volunteer
position would coordinate and manage volunteers, and assist the
Senior Development Officer with fundraising activities for
Catholic Charities. The time commitment is eight hours per
month. This person should have basic computer skills, including
knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
The Development Volunteer Coordinator should also have a
car or some other reliable means of transportation to attend
monthly meetings at the Catholic Charities office in Lombard, 26
West St. Charles Road.
For more information, please contact Rosemary Echevarria,
Senior Development Officer, at 630-498-8008 x33, email
rechevarria@cc-doj.org, or fax 630-495-9854.
A Vocation View: Have you discovered yet that
there is more to life than what only material things have to
offer? We live in the Spirit. Only in the Lord can we find
lasting peace. Speak the Good News.
Pro-Life Message
We are not some casual or meaningless product of evolution.
Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is
willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.
(Pope Benedict XVI Homily, Installation Mass)
Free Ministry to Traveling Catholics
For nationwide Mass times and locations,
phone 1 800-Mass Times
(1-800-627-7846)
Or Internet www.Masstimes.org
A Note From
Parish Pastoral Council Member Kathleen Gusloff:
I wanted to comment on the state of our kitchen and Barrett
Hall. We have a beautiful space and I know everyone wants to
keep it that way. I realize many different groups use this
space, so lets all work together to ensure it stays beautiful.
If everyone could check tables, counters, cabinet doors, walls,
floors, garbage cans even if your group doesn't use them all, it
will help keep the space clean.
Youth Group News
Wings to Heaven .. 5th-8th grade...
* Watch the bulletin for our upcoming hotdog and game night....
Those of you on email will receive info that way as well. Please
be sure to tell your friends about it.
Destiny .. high school ...
* A very special congratulations to Chris McCall, Nick Stefani,
Lauren McGing and Donna Glick. They were all honored by the city
last month. All of them were nominated for The City of Elmhurst
and Character Counts Service Awards, for their outstanding
volunteerism to our youth groups. Lauren and Donna received
exemplary awards. They were honored at an awards ceremony hosted
by the city at Elmhurst College. We should be very proud of all
of our volunteers. If not for them we would not be the awesome
community that we are!!
* Our high school group recently held a sleepover at church.
They worked on decorating our destiny room in the school
building.. and just hung out together. It was a great evening.
Thanks to all that attended.
* Any teens wanting service hours, especially 8th graders...
please call me as there are a couple of cleaning projects that
need to be done.
* Last, but certainly not least. Thank you to all the teens in
the parish that give so selflessly of their time and talent.
Whether you are in youth group, music ministry, help with
religious ed, server, choir, sound, Eucharistic minister,
..whatever you do to contribute... please know that you truly make
a difference. God bless you and I hope everyone has a blessed
and safe summer.
Kathleen Gusloff .. 832-4348 .. the5ofgus@aol.com