Dear Friends,
A couple of weeks ago, I began writing about our Parish Pastoral Council and its role as a prayerful advisory group that helps to set the vision for the parish. This week, I would like to share some more with you about the PPC and the Commissions structure of our parish. I would also like to introduce to you those who will be new members of the Parish Pastoral Council in the coming year.
First of all, I want to commend those who have just completed their term on the PPC. They are Terri Kevil, Monica Babcock, and Richard Bracken. The last three years have brought many challenges to the parish, and lay leaders on the PPC have worked very hard to help during this time. After dealing with difficult events of prior years, the PPC, along with everyone else in the parish, had new challenges with my arrival in March of 2004. I was a new leader with her own personality and style, and Mary Queen of Heaven had a completely new model of ministry with a Pastoral Life Coordinator heading the parish. It was not an easy first year for any of us! I am very grateful for the ways that members of the PPC and many parishioners have worked together with me through the challenges. Your faith and perseverance have helped me and our parish to grow, even during this time of transition!
In the last year, our PPC also worked very hard at redeveloping the parish mission statement, something that I needed as a guide in my role as pastoral and administrative leader of this faith community. In addition, in a year-long process that began with Parish Leadership Day in summer 2004, the PPC put together a set of goals that the Commissions will now start working on when they reconvene in the fall. I think that it is fair to say that the PPC did at least two years worth of work in this last year. Every person on the PPC deserves thanks for their dedication and service. I would also like to name the remaining members who will be continuing to serve on the council this year. They are: Mark Connelly, Kathleen Gusloff, Milt Honel, Tom Nanak, and Lynn Suwanski. Last year's youth representatives were Stephanie Japczyk and Rebecca McGovern.
Before I introduce those who will be the new members this coming year, let me say a little bit more about the Commissions that I mentioned. The PPC structure includes four Commissions: Christian Service, Christian Worship, Christian Education, and Administration. Each of the first three is composed of leaders or representatives from every ministry that relates to it. For example, the Christian Service Commission has representatives from every outreach ministry of the parish. It includes representatives from Peace and Justice, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Men's Group, the CCW, the Returning Catholics program, Welcoming Ministry, and others.
The fourth Commission, the Administration Commission, is something that we will be building up in the coming year. It will include representatives from our Finance Council and Building and Grounds Committee, as well as others who can help with administrative matters of the parish, including assistance with budget efforts. We will have a new leader of the Administration Commission this year. If you have a financial background, business or technology skills, or are familiar with building maintenance and would be interested in serving on the Administration Commission, please contact me at the parish office.
In the coming year, each of the Commissions will be helping to develop a plan for achieving the parish goals outlined by the Parish Pastoral Council.
We have four new adult members coming on to the PPC this year. Two of them came through our new PPC discernment process. (There were others who were nominated for discernment to the PPC, but were unable to serve. Some nominees declined because of other responsibilities and others were not able to attend the required discernment sessions, the dates of which had been published in advance. Next year, we will be able to publish the dates of discernment sessions much farther in advance, so that even more people might be able to participate.)
The two new PPC members who came through the discernment process are Brenda Scanlon and Mary Ann Reed. Brenda has been a member of the parish for 21 years. She holds graduate degrees and certification from St. Xavier College and Loyola University in Chicago. Brenda has been a teacher in Catholic Schools for 40 years, serving 19 of them as Principal or Assistant Principal. She is catechist for children in our RCIA program, and is also a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Mary Ann Reed has been a member of Mary Queen of Heaven parish for nine years, along with her husband, Dick, and their two daughters, Melissa and Cassie. A member of the Faith Connection (Small Christian Community), the Adult Education and Spirituality Committee, and the Peace and Social Justice Committee, she is also a lector, has served on the Liturgy Planning Committee, and was active in Renew 2000. Prior to starting her family, Mary Ann worked for 12 years in the field of interfaith and community relations.
Besides the two new members who came through the discernment process, I have also appointed two new members, in order to provide some balance for the council.
They are Joseph Goryl and Hector Garcia. We needed some young adults (currently, our youngest adult council member is 42 years old!). These two additional new members of the PPC also bring other kinds of diversity to the council. Joseph Goryl, who is in his 20's, is a newer member of MQH. He is newly married to Michelle, whom he accompanied through the parish RCIA process last year. Originally from a small town in Michigan, Joe grew up in a family active in the local Catholic parish there, where his mother was in charge of both Religious Education and Music Ministry! After graduating from college with a degree in Printing Management, Joseph moved to Illinois in 2002. He currently works as Account Manager for Southern Graphics Systems. Hector Garcia was raised in both Mexico and Chicago, IL. He and his wife Tricia, who were catechists in our Religious Education program in 2004-2005, have been members of Mary Queen for a number of years. They have three children: Katie, Colleen, and Aidan (who is just about one week old as I write this article!) Hector currently serves as Principal of Morton East High School in Cicero, IL. He holds a Ph.D. from Loyola University in Chicago. Prior to serving as Principal for Morton East, Dr. Garcia served as Director of Education Services at Girls and Boys Town in Omaha, NE.
We also have two new youth representatives on the PPC this year. They are Kerry Poreda, who will be a freshman at York High School, and Heather Styka, who will be a senior at Driscoll Catholic High School in Addison. At the request of the PPC, last year's youth representatives will remain on the council for one more year to help mentor Kerry and Heather.
Welcome to all of our new PPC members! We have a wonderful new year ahead of us all!
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Our journey through life is seldom a straight path. Our
personal choices or decisions that others make for us can impact
our lives including our spiritual lives.
* Are you, or do you know of someone who was baptized in the
Catholic faith, but for various reasons never completed their
sacramental preparation by receiving Eucharist and
Confirmation?
* Perhaps your family moved frequently or you never connected to
a parish family in your younger years and were not part of a
Religious Education program.
* Have you been attending Mass with your Catholic spouse, and
have an interest in learning more about the Catholic faith?
* Do you know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic?
If you can relate to these situations, consider completing
your sacramental preparation by looking into the RCIA!
Contact Mimi Wolak at 941-3851 to learn more about how you
can enrich your spiritual life through full participation in the
life of the church through the sacraments.
Christian Education Commission
Religious Education News
The summer of 2005 is now in full swing. However, before we
know it those "back to school" ads will be splashed all over the
newspapers. Before that happens, please consider being a
catechist for 2005/2006 RE year. We are in need of catechists at
many levels at all three sessions. With our increasing
enrollment, it is more important than ever to please consider
giving a few hours of your time each Wednesday.
If you enjoy working with younger children or middle school
children or know someone who might be, let us know. Remember you
don't have to be a theologian, just someone who loves children,
loves your faith and wants to share it. We will help you with the
rest. The pay is not terrific, in fact it's non existent, but the
perks are incredible. Your children need you.
If you have not done the following, please:
1. Register for the 2005/2006 RE year.
2. Tell your friends and neighbors to do the same.
3. Volunteer to be a catechist.
4. If you are a catechist already, recruit one of your friends or
neighbors to join you.
5. Volunteer to be a Market Day coordinator.
Market Day Coordinator is needed.
Our Market Day Program is our sole fundraiser for the RE
program. In this day of rising costs, every little bit helps so
we don't want to discontinue it. Please consider volunteering a
few hours each month to help us retain Market Day. Market Day is
held one Saturday morning each month with the exception of July
and August. Call Karen Vicary at the REO, 832-8962 for details.
We are all counting on you.
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 John Brennan
Kathleen Bryers Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante
Paul Cirone Peggy Delbeke
Trudi Dolato Anna Heffel
Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt
Pat Holmes Maureen James
Tom Janicke Valorie Kaffka
IreneKmieciak Bernadette Kohn
John Lane Baby Emma Lynde
Robert Manion Bobbi Nannini
Vincent Scilluffo Eileen Shea
Jeff Smith Cathy Ward
Rest in Peace
Albert P. Kabat
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.
Parish Outdoor Mass
The Annual Mary Queen of Heaven Outdoor Mass will be
celebrated on Sunday, August 28th at 10:15. This celebration
follows the feast of our patron saint, Mary Queen of Heaven
Parish Commission Meeting
The August All Parish Commissions Meeting has been
rescheduled for Monday, August 22nd, at 7:00 p.m., when they will
meet together with the Parish Pastoral Council for a special
presentation.
The PPC will meet afterwards at 8:30 p.m.
"Evening Under the Stars" Auction/Dinner
Dance
Plans are well under way for our "Evening Under the Stars"
Auction/Dinner Dance which will be held on Friday, October 7th
2005 at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison, Illinois.
Letters have been sent to businesses seeking donations for
our Live and Silent Auctions. We are in need of people to help
with following up on the letters that have been mailed out. Many
hands are needed to call and visit the businesses we have written
to in an effort to obtain as many donations as possible. Do you
have some time to spare and help us with this task? Without the
help of willing parishioners, the task of obtaining items from
businesses for the auctions will make our efforts fruitless. WE
NEED YOU! Please consider attending our next planning meeting on
Wednesday, July 20th at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall.
There are also many other areas where volunteers are
needed; helping with decorations, parishioner donations, ticket
sales, raffle tickets, etc. If you would be willing to help, we
invite you to attend the next meeting on July 20th or give Sheila
Reiter a call at 630-833-6657 and let her know you are willing to
help in a certain area.
This is the eighth year for our "Evening Under the Stars"
Auction/Dinner Dance and many are looking forward to a wonderful
evening socializing with parishioners and friends, and the
opportunity to purchase auction items at great prices that can be
given as gifts for the holidays or special occasions.
The proceeds from this benefit will be used to help support
our Church Mission of reaching out to those who are hungry, sick
and otherwise in need; supporting our youth who are the future of
the Church and our world; and supporting the various ministries
in our parish which allow us to live our lives through faith,
hope and loving service to all.
Diocesan News
St. Raymond Young Adult Group's Summer
Sizzler
When: Saturday, August 13th
Where: American-Italian Culture Club
1918 Donmaur Drive, Crest Hill, IL.
Age: 21 and up
What: 3-Minute Dating and Non-Stop Music
(Band-No Limit), snacks, cash bar,
dancing
Registration: 6:30 p.m.
Dating at 7:00 p.m.
Band at 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $15 before August 1 and $20 at door.
Contact Mary Schlop for registration and information
(815)370-0382. E-mail maryschlop@hotmail.com.
Diocesan News
Tuesday, July 19th, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Effective Choices,
Effective Parenting:
Winning Cooperation
with the Teenage Child
For parents of children ages 13 - 19
This two-hour workshop teaches participants practical,
usable skills and insights on how to parent effectively during
the challenging teen years.
Tuesday, July 26th, 7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Effective Choices,
Effective Parenting:
Making Sense of This
Thing Called Parenthood
For parents of children ages 0-4
This two-hour workshop assists parents of infants and
toddlers in gaining a better understanding of their children's
needs and behavior as they grow. In addition, it presents the
well-researched and successful "Systematic Training for Effective
Parenting Method" that enables parents to increase positive
interaction with their children.
The cost for workshops: $20 per person; $25 per couple.
Pre-registration is required.
All Workshops and seminars are held at: Catholic Charities,
26 W. St. Charles Rd., Lombard, IL 60148 Please call
630.710.8226 for more information or to pre-register
Free Adoption Information Meeting
Children all over the world are in need of a loving family.
Have you recently considered adoption? Not sure where to start?
Sunny Ridge Family Center invites you to attend a free China
Adoption Information Meeting on Tuesday, July 19, and Tuesday,
July 26, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Sunny Ridge
Family, 2 South 426 Orchard Road, Wheaton.
Come and learn about children available from China and
meet with our China Program Coordinator to learn the requirements
and process for adopting.
Sunny Ridge, a leader in domestic and inter-country
adoption, is a licensed, nonprofit agency serving children and
building families.
For more information or to register for the free meeting,
please call Sunny Ridge at (6300 668-5117 ext. 228 or visit our
website at www.sunnyridge.org
Community News
Theology on Tap
Immaculate Conception Parish in Elmhurst AND St. Joe's in
Addison will be hosting a special program for adults in their
20's and 30's. It's called THEOLOGY ON TAP, a four week speaker
and discussion series directed to the needs and experiences of
adults, college age and older, married or single. Please join
other adults for a great experience.
July 17
What About Living Together? A Catholic
Psychologist's Perspective
Jim Healy
July 24
Is Jesus Really Present in the Sacraments?
Fr. Burke Masters
Each session starts with socializing and a small dinner at
6:15 p.m. and the speaker at 6:30 p.m. The evenings will be held
at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center, 134 Arthur Street in
Elmhurst. Please call Kristin Kramer at 630-530-3482 for more
information.
Diocesan News
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 Vocation View
There are many weeds growing with the wheat in our lives.
Sometimes the weeds strangle our growth, or prevent us from
healing clearly God's voice. We need time to reflect on the
garden of our life.
Community News
Lewis University's Philip Lynch Theatre
Presents:
Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
July 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31
Performance Showtimes:
Thursday & Fridays 8 PM
Saturdays 4 PM and 8 PM
Sunday Matinees 2:30 PM
Tickets: $12 for adults and $11 for seniors and students.
Group Sales Available
For more information, call the box office at 815-836-5500 or
website:www.lewisu.edu/plt.
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.
MQH Peace and Social
Justice Committee
Pray for an End to the Genocide
This weekend, a coalition of Christian, Jewish and Muslim
religious leaders will join a bi-partisan group of United States
Senators for a National Weekend of Prayer and Reflection for
Darfur, Sudan.
One year ago, on July 21, 2004 the United States Congress
unanimously declared the massacre taking place in Darfur, Sudan
to be a genocide. Since the beginning of the atrocities in 2003,
at least 400,000 people have lost their lives. More than two and
a half million people have been displaced, their livelihoods and
villages destroyed by government forces and their proxy militias,
and many thousands of women and girls have been raped.
Perhaps because we in the West are preoccupied with
concerns about terrorism in our cities and the conflict in Iraq,
neither our media nor our political leaders are calling much
attention to the genocide in Darfur. However the killing, the
suffering, goes on.
Please pray for all those suffering in Darfur and
elsewhere, and for the courage and commitment of the
international community to end this genocide.
More information on the crisis in Darfur is available at:
www.savedarfur.org