Dear Friends,
I am out of town this week and not able to write a whole column, however, I would very much like to share with you this note that my brothers and sisters and I received from my father. Once again, I want to thank you all for your prayers for my Dad. A physician himself, he has now been a patient who has gone through a remarkable ordeal. He is grateful for everyone's prayers and he knows I am sharing this with you because you were praying for him, too...
"If anyone were to ask me, with my medical experience, what I thought the odds were of a sudden onset stroke patient, unable to speak or communicate, receiving thrombolytic medication I.V. and getting a miraculous recovery within 2- 3 days, with no neurologic residual, I would have said, 'Impossible to maybe a million to one.'
All of you were truly part of the miracle, like a beautiful group of archangels suddenly descending upon me and Nancy to make possible the impossible. Let me just say thank you and let me assure you your kindness will never be forgotten.
With much love, Dad"
My own thanks once again to the people of Mary Queen of
Heaven. And thanks be to God.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Parish News
Mark Your Calendars!
The Mary Queen of Heaven Annual Parish Picnic
Sunday, September 11th, 12:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Come spend time with family and friends.
Enjoy music, games, food and good old family fun.
Meal tickets will be sold after each Mass starting the
weekend of August 26 and 27th. Tickets will be $8.00 for adults
and $6.00 for children (under 12). The menu will include:
fried chicken, sausage, potato salad, fruit salad, pasta salad
and roasted corn.
There will also be a dessert contest. If you are
interested in entering your special dessert, please submit your
name, phone number and a copy of your recipe to Bob Glick, Tim
Conroy or Ed Hayes.
For more information please call: Bob Glick 833-5725, Tim Conroy
834-1631, or Ed Hayes 279-5325.
Let's Celebrate!
Mary Queen of Heaven's
50th Anniversary
Our Parish's 50th Anniversary is around the corner and we
are making plans for a year-long celebration. How about joining
our committee? Our first planning meeting is scheduled for
Thursday, September 1, at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall. We need
your input and are especially looking for information on parish
history from long-time parishioners. Several people have already
volunteered to help out but we need many more hands to make this
a real Parish Celebration. We invite all parishioners interested
in helping to join us at this first meeting. A lot of
"brainstorming" will be done in an effort to have as many events
as possible to mark this special occasion. Be sure to mark
September 1 on your calendar and bring your ideas along to our
meeting.
For further information or questions, please contact Sheila
Reiter (833-6657) or Ellen Walker (279-4021).
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.
Parish Feast Day
The feast day of Mary Queen of Heaven will be celebrated
next 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.
Parish Commission/PPC Meeting
The August All Parish Commissions Meeting has been
rescheduled for Monday, August 29, 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.
Rachel's Vineyard Retreats
For post-abortive men and women
Sponsored by the Joliet Diocesan Life Office
Retreats are scheduled for Sept. 23-25, 2005, March 3-5,
2006, and Sept 22-24, 2006 and will be held at the St. Charles
Borromeo Pastoral Center in Romeoville. Confidentiality and
privacy will be strictly observed.
To learn more about a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat or to
register, contact Kay Corcoran at 815-838-7171. For more
information and a list of retreats in other locations, visit the
website at www.rachelsvineyard.org or call the toll-free national
hotline at 1-877-HOPE-4ME.
Community News
Volunteer Tutors Needed
The Sisters of St. Joseph of LaGrange Park are seeking
volunteers for its adult literacy program, School on Wheels.
Tutors are needed to teach one hour per week from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
or 3-8 p.m. in Woodridge, Hodgkins, Berwyn, Summit, Villa Park or
Westmont. Training provided August 29-30 and August 31 -
September 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You must attend one two-day
training session. No prior second language skills are needed.
For more information: 708-354-9200, est. 5060, 5085 or 5037.
Crafters' Holiday
Looking for a place to sell your beautiful handcrafts?
St. Alexander's Annual Crafters' Holiday
230 S. Cornell, Villa Park
Saturday, October 29, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
$30 per space with your table; $40 with our table.
Call Pat (941-8592) or Marianne (834-2183)
for an application and further details.
CareNet Pregnancy Services
Tee Off for Life on September 15, as CareNet Pregnancy
Services of DuPage hosts their Third Annual Golf outing to
benefit the babies of CareNet. The event will be held at Mill
Creek Golf Club in Geneva, IL from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Breakfast,
and lunch with Senator Peter Roskam are included. For more
information, call Sharon at 630-455-0335 ext 309 or go online to
golfinvite.com/carenet.
Religious Education News
Catechists are still needed.
Thanks so very much to all those who have stepped up to
help. The list of those needed is getting smaller. But we still
need your help. Our catechist meetings begin the last week of
August, so it is understandable that we are getting more than a
wee bit anxious about filling the remaining positions. Please
pray that these last few grade levels will be filled soon. We
wouldn't want to postpone the start of class because we lack a
catechist.
Listed below are the teaching slots that are still needed.
Your children are depending on you. Please contact us at the REO,
832-8962 or MQHREO@juno.com if you can help.
Wednesday, 3:15-4:30 PM
Gr. 4- 2 catechists
Wednesday, 5:15-6:30 PM
Gr. 6 - one catechist
Gr. 8 - two catechists
In addition we are in need of people to help direct traffic
in the parking lot at all three sessions. The safety of our
children is always our first concern. If you don't think teaching
is your thing, please consider helping in this very needed
position.
Have you registered yet?
Just a reminder, registrations are still being accepted at all
grade levels with the exception of Kindergarten at session one.
This class is filled. Remember that we do not place children on
class lists the week of our first in-class session, which this
year is September 21st. So if you want your children to start on
time, register now. FYI - some of our classes are reaching
capacity at certain session times, for example, Gr. 5 at session
two.
Mark your calendars for our opening event on September 14th at
6:30PM in church. Our family concert is back! Pass the word to
your friends and neighbors. You won't want to miss it.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann
Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Christian Education Commission
Effective Choices, Effecting Parenting
Offering a variety of workshops and seminars to assist
you in becoming the parent you want to be.
All Workshops and seminars are held at:
Catholic Charities inLombard
For info or to pre-register, please call 630-710-8226
Effective Choices, Effective Parenting:
Winning Cooperation with your Child
For parents of children ages 0-19
Saturday, August 27, at 1 - 4 P.M
Tuesday, August 30, at 7 - 9 P.M.
Saturday, September 17, at 1 - 4 P.M.
This workshop helps parents build on their existing strengths in
order to win greater cooperation with their children. Topics
discussed include: increasing mutual respect, positive
communication and trust in the parent/child relationship;
understanding how parent's behavior affects child's response;
developing disciplinary techniques that work; providing children
with the tools they need to survive and thrive in today's
society.
2-Hour Workshop: $20 per person; $25 per couple
3-Hour Workshop: $25 per person; $30 per couple
Pre-registration is required.
Effective Choices, Effective Parenting:
Making Sense of This Thing
Called Parenthood
For parents of children ages 0-4
Tuesday, September 6, at 7 - 9 P.M.
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.
$20 per person; $25 per couple
Pre registration is required.
SPECIAL SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND
Next weekend, we will be taking up a special second
collection that has been requested by U.S. Bishops. This
collection will be given to Catholic Relief Services and
will be used to help with severe food shortages in Africa.
A message from the head of CRS about this dire need
follows:
"You may be witnessing media reports of severe food
shortages in Niger and other affected countries within
Africa's Sahel region. Catholic Relief Services staff in
the field are confirming United Nations warnings that
millions of people in the Sahel - including Burkina Faso,
Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Northern Nigeria and
Senegal - are facing food shortages, and in some cases,
starvation. In Niger alone, where prolonged drought and an
infestation of locusts destroyed much of this year's crops
and seeds for future planting, 3.6 million people are
confronting a severe food emergency.
In the short term, CRS is providing emergency supplies of
food to those most in need of help. In Niger, CRS will
assist 235,000 people. We have also been organizing seed
fairs over the last few months and those who have planted
with these seeds have been less affected by this latest
crisis. But we just were not able to reach enough people
and now millions face the specter of starvation.
In the long term, CRS is focusing on agricultural
rehabilitation, organizing additional seed fairs, providing
tools, teaching irrigation and farming techniques and
helping to replenish livestock lost in the drought.
As this lifesaving work continues, please keep the people
of the Sahel and the relief workers at CRS in your prayers
as they work to relieve the suffering of the men, women,
and especially the children whose lives and livelihoods
hang in the balance."
Fraternally yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch
Bishop of St. Petersburg and Chairman, Catholic Relief
Services
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
Gerald Foley 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 Joe Prinske
Vincent Scilluffo Jeff Smith
Karen Sutkus Cathy Ward
Rest In Peace
Anna Fonck
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.
Christian Worship Commission
CCW Dues Reminder
As you know, all ladies of the parish are automatically
members of our Council of Catholic Women (CCW). However, we
encourage everyone to become a paid member. If you have not
already paid your 2005-06 dues of $5.00, please consider doing so
as soon as possible. You can use the pink dues envelope in your
envelope packet or an envelope marked CCW dues with your name,
address and telephone number. If you have any questions, contact
Ginny Hayes at 834-6403.
St. Vincent dePaul
The St. Vincent dePaul committee will meet on Thursday,
August 25th at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall. Anyone interested in
working with this committee is invited to attend. For more
information, contact Sheila Reiter at 833-6657.
"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 7, at
Alta Villa Banquets in Addison.
Letters have been sent to businesses and parishioners
seeking donations for our Live and Silent Auctions. We still
need people to help follow up on these letters, with telephone
calls and visits. Do you have some time to spare and help us
with this task? With the help of willing parishioners, the task
of obtaining items from businesses will help make our event
successful. We need you!
Volunteers are also needed to help with decorations,
parishioner donations, ticket sales, raffle tickets, etc. If you
can help in any of the above areas, call Sheila Reiter at 630-
833-6657.
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; and supporting the
various ministries in our parish which allow us to live our lives
through faith, hope and loving service to all.
CCW Board Meeting
Help Wanted
The first CCW Board Meeting of the new year will be held on
Wednesday, August 24th at 7:30 p.m. at Mary Connelly's home, 265
West Adams.
We are looking for ideas and suggestions for this coming
year!!
Have a fun outing, demonstration, etc. you would like to
do, or a speaker you would like to hear?
Please plan on attending the meeting and bring along your
thoughts on programs that can be used this year.
If you are unable to attend, we would still like to hear
your ideas. Please call Mary Connelly at 630-782-7626.
Diocesan News
Catholic Charities Month
Needs Never Take A Vacation
Bishop Imesch has declared August as Catholic Charities
Month. While many folks are planning or taking vacations during
August, the people who come to Catholic Charities for help are
planning where their next meal will come from, how they will pay
their rent, how they will pay for school supplies for their
children and how they will take care of an aging parent. Their
needs never take a vacation, and neither does Catholic Charities.
This year Catholic Charities faced a financial crisis and a
$500,000 budget deficit. Many cuts were made, staff positions
were eliminated and a program was forced to close. While the
agency is stretched as far as it can go, it is still able to
proudly say that 90 cents of every dollar is used for direct
client programming.
This month spend some time finding out more about Catholic
Charities and the programs and services in your community. You
can also volunteer or help organize an activity that benefits the
57,000 people served each year at Catholic Charities. For more
information or for ideas on how you can make a difference - one
life at a time - call Lorri Nagle at 815.723.3405, ext 102.
Donations can also be sent directly to Catholic Charities, 203 N.
Ottawa Street, Joliet, IL 60432.
DuPage P.A.D.S.
Job Opening/Administrative Assistant
An opportunity is open for someone with office experience
using Microsoft Office Suite Products; Raisers Edge Fund
Development software a plus. This would require entering
statistical and financial/donor data; preparing mailing and
financial lists; acknowledgement for donors, and general office
support.
Full 40-hour week, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Benefits.Qualified candidate will have an Associates Degree
preferred, experience in using Microsoft Office Products,
previous office experience required. Response: Forward resume
to info@dupagepads.org, fax 630.682.3874.
DuPage P.A.D.S. is a leader in providing services to
individuals and families who are homeless in DuPage County; we
are committed to end and prevent homelessness in DuPage County by
providing food, shelter/housing, and support. Vital to this
commitment is our collaboration with religious and community
groups.