Tomorrow, as it will be every first Monday of the month, we will be holding Eucharistic Adoration with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the church from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
"The celebration of the Eucharist in the Sacrifice of the Mass is truly the origin and end of the worship given to the Eucharist outside of the Mass." (Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia)
We are a Eucharistic people. The sacrament of the most holy Eucharist is central to our identity as Catholics. Every time Mass is celebrated we recall the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and follow the command given at the Last Supper that we break bread and share the cup in remembrance of Him. Catholics believe that the bread and wine that are consecrated by the priest at Mass become the real Body and Blood of Christ that we receive at communion. The celebration of the Eucharist is the summit of our worship lives as Catholics. We are called to become what we eat, Christ's body and blood through our lives for the world.
Some of the hosts that are consecrated for Mass are reserved in the tabernacle. At Mary Queen of Heaven, if you are facing the main altar, the tabernacle is located at the left-hand side on a side altar. The red candle that hangs to the right above the tabernacle, in our church as in every other Catholic Church, is a sign that the reserved sacrament is present in the tabernacle. Except for the time from Good Friday night to the celebration of the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, there are always consecrated hosts in the tabernacle.
The primary reason for reserving the Blessed Sacrament is so that there will be Holy Communion that can be shared with those unable to attend Mass, above all for the sick and those of advanced age. The presence of Christ in this great Sacrament also makes possible the form of worship called Eucharistic Adoration. Pope Paul VI, in an encyclical message, encouraged the faithful to visit the Most Holy Sacrament "as a proof of gratitude, a pledge of love, and a debt of adoration due to Christ the Lord who is present in it."
Eucharistic Adoration can take place any time one prays in church, contemplating the Most Holy Sacrament present in the tabernacle. Pope John Paul II says that this communion of desire powerfully joins the faithful to Christ. Every Catholic Church should have some time available each day for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Here at Mary Queen of Heaven, that time is available each day before and after Mass.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place when a large consecrated host is placed in a beautiful sacred vessel called a monstrance. The monstrance, which allows the glass- enclosed host to be made visible, is placed on the altar for a time of public worship. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is not a private devotion but a liturgical service in which the community is gathered together in worship.
Eucharistic Adoration with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament only recently started on the first Monday of each month at Mary Queen of Heaven. Throughout this day, there are prayer books available to help worshippers enter more deeply into adoration. People may also offer their own prayers, pray the rosary, or remain silent in adoration, contemplating the love of the Lord and listening for his voice. At the close of Exposition, just before 7:00 p.m., the prayer of Benediction is led by one of the ministers of the church.
During the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the guidelines of the church allow for celebration of some of the Liturgy of Hours or Eucharistic Services of Prayer and Praise, which are prayers that can be shared together by those present. As time goes on, we will further develop our liturgy for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament here at Mary Queen. In these first months, we encourage you to become more aware of the Lord's real presence in the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the tabernacle. Take time for adoration before or after Mass.
We also ask you to please consider spending an extra hour with the Lord on the first Monday of each month when we hold Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church. The purpose of all adoration is to draw us closer to Christ and into deeper worship when we celebrate the Mass.
Please join us tomorrow between 9:00 and 7:00.
Parish News
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.
Christian Service Commission
"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
follow up on the letters that have been mailed. 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!
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 in
any of the above areas, give Sheila Reiter a call at 630-833-
6657 and let her know where you can help, or attend our meeting
on August 4th at 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall.
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.
Christian Worship 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 John Brennan
Kathleen Bryers Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante
Cosmore Ciancio Paul Cirone
Rhonda Colletti Trudi Dolato
Dino Fuggitti Anna Heffel
Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt
Pat Holmes Maureen James
Tom Janicke Valorie Kaffka
Irene Kmieciak Bernadette Kohn
John Lane Baby Emma Lynde
Robert Manion Bobbi Nannini
Vincent Scilluffo Jeff Smith
Karen Sutkus Cathy Ward
Rest in Peace
Eileen Shea
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.
Diocesan News
Parish Feast Day
The feast day of Mary Queen of Heaven will be celebrated
on Sunday, August 28, with an outdoor Mass at 10:15 a.m.
Our Mass will be held between the church and school
building, directly behind Barrett Hall. Should the weather be
inclement, Mass will be held in the Church.
Following Mass there will be Fellowship, sponsored by the
Men's Group, in Barrett Hall. This is a great opportunity for
our parish families to meet and become better acquainted with
each other, while enjoying conversation and refreshments (coffee,
tea, juice and sweets). We look forward to seeing you and your
family on this special occasion.
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.
Diocesan News
14th Annual Back to School Fair
The 14th Annual Back to School Fair, coordinated by Catholic
Charities, will be held on Wednesday, August 10, from 11:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton.
Approximately 100 agencies will provide a wide variety of
information and free health services for children ages newborn to
18 years. The health services include immunizations, dental and
lead screenings. A limited number of physical exams (grades K,
5, and 9) will be available at the Fair. Participants should
call Elmhurst Hospital at 630-782-7878 to schedule a free
appointment.
Parents will also find information regarding financial
assistance, child care options, affordable housing, legal needs,
educational and career opportunities, voter registration,
nutrition, social security, car seat and booster seat safety,
D.A.R.E. cars, bicycle helmets, clowns and much more! A ten-
dollar voucher for the exclusive purchase of school supplies will
be distributed to each eligible student in the family.
Interpreters will be available and it is required that a parent
or guardian accompany the children.
Please bring proof of income and residency, identification
for each child in your family and any health information that may
relate to the health services that are being sought. For more
information about the Back to School Fair, call Mary S. Tarnow,
Catholic Charities, at 630-495-8008.
Partners in Prayerful Praise Ministry
As was announced at Mass a few weeks ago, 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.
Families Pray for Peace
In Commemoration of the 60th Anniv. of Hiroshima
A prayer service will be held on Sat., August 6, at 7:00
p.m. at The University of St. Francis, located at 500 Wilcox
Street, Joliet, where we will gather in the grotto. If the
weather is too hot or rainy, we will re-locate to the auditorium.
This prayer service is co-sponsored by Pax Christi Will County,
The University of St. Francis, and the Joliet Diocese and Social
Justice Ministry.
A Vocation View
Why is it that we lack real trust when the Lord calls
us? We think we may drown, or have to give up too much, or
fear failure. These attitudes can help to strengthen our
faith in the Lord.
New Gather Books-Choir Edition
Thanks to the generous response of parishioners, we will be
able to replace our Gather Book hymnals in church with almost
twice as many new books. Music Director Molly Lindberg has
recommended that we purchase the brand new edition of the Gather
hymnal, which costs the same but contains much new music. We
will still use the green Gather Books, placing them in Barrett
Hall for use with overflow Masses and Religious Ed children.
Since we are purchasing the new edition, the choir will
need new books. These cost $25, and like the congregation books,
may be donated by parishioners.
If you would like to donate a choir book with your
inscription inside, please fill out the order form found in this
bulletin or in the back of church.
Joliet Diocese
50th Anniversary Mass
The Diocese of Joliet will hold its 27th annual Wedding
Anniversary Mass on Sunday, August 28, at 3:00 p.m. at the
Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. All couples and their
families, no matter how many years married, are invited to attend
the event (maximum of four guests per couple, please).
During the liturgy, Bishop Imesch will lead the couples in
a renewal of their marriage vows. Couples celebrating 25, 50,
and more than 50 years of marriage will receive a special
certificate. Please pre-register by completing and returning the
form by August 12, 2005. For more information, please call 815-
838-5334.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS
Registration Form
Celebrate the Anniversaries of Marriage at the Cathedral of
St. Raymond, Joliet, Sunday, August 28, 2005, 3:00 P.M.
Last Name of Couple__________________________________________
Husband________________________Wife________________________
Address_____________________________________________________
City_____________________Zip___________Phone________________
Parish you Attend_________________________City________________
Date of Marriage________________________# of Yrs. Married______
# of children_____ # grandchildren_____ # great-
grandchildren_____
____# of additional guests attending (Limit of 4 guests, please)
Please return this form by August 12 to:
The Center for Family Ministry
402 S. Independence Blvd.
Romeoville, IL 60446-2264
FAX: 815-834-4045 Email: familyministry@dioceseofjoliet.org
For more information, call (815) 838-5334.
Note from Mary foley
Any parishioner who is sick or homebound is able to receive
communion at home. Please contact me if you would like to be
brought communion. Also, if you are hospitalized and would like
to be visited, please, please call! Hospitals no longer
automatically notify us of the admission of parishioners because
of new privacy laws. Finally, if you would like your name added
to our prayer list (published in the bulletin), please contact
the parish office. The number is 279-5700.