Dear Friends,
Our lives are filled with all sorts of beginnings. Beginning a relationship, beginning new life with a child, beginning a new job, beginning a new start after leaving something behind. Beginnings carry with them a renewed sense of hope. We celebrate beginnings in time: the beginning of a new calendar year, the beginning of a new season, the start of a new liturgical year, etc. We are at a time now of starting a new school year. Families have been very busy shopping for school supplies and clothes, making plans for transporting college students, gearing up for the changes that will come in day-to-day life.
Here at Mary Queen, we are all affected by the start of the new school year. Our Religious Education program will start again soon, and the whole parish will become a greater part of the lives of our children, as they become more a part of the life of the church. Once again, we will begin our monthly Family Masses. Once again, we will pray for the children of different age levels as they prepare for the first time to receive sacraments of the church. This year, the beginning of a new year will bring new things.
In the coming year, our Christian Education Commission will be focusing on ways to do more family catechesis, so that children and adults will be able to come together more often to learn about our Catholic faith. The first event, coming up September 27, will be an evening reflection on the Eucharist with Fr. Ed Shea that is designed for people of all ages.
Something else that we will be starting in the fall is Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 10:15 Mass. Last year, our grammar school aged children told me how much they liked Family Masses because they are geared toward their level of understanding. Children's Liturgy of the Word will provide this opportunity on a regular basis. Children will be called forward and dismissed from the church to go to Barrett Hall for breaking open the Word and sharing about Holy Scripture in a way they can understand and appreciate. After scripture sharing and prayer, the children will return to Mass to be with their parents and the rest of the congregation for communion.
Children's Liturgy of the Word will be a wonderful addition to the life of our parish that can engage children more in the celebration of the Mass. We are planning now for this new ministry to begin and we are looking for adults who would like to become leaders for Children's Liturgy of the Word. No special background or education is required. Leaders will be given all needed materials. What is needed are people who are willing to give of their time and share their faith with the children of our parish. Leaders will share the Sunday readings in a format approved for use with children. This will be followed by faith sharing and then prayer with the children, before they return to church for the rest of Mass. We hope to have enough volunteers so that teams of people can take turns. All adults participating as leaders of Children's Liturgy of the Word will receive Protecting God's Children training and have background checks before they are entrusted with children.
If you are an adult of the parish, I would like to extend an invitation, as we begin this new year, for you to consider beginning something new in your own life and in the life of our parish by becoming a leader in Children's Liturgy of the Word. If you are interested, please contact me at the parish office at (630) 279- 5700.
Also with the start of a new school year, our RCIA program will be getting into full swing once again. RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the program designed to help non-baptized persons or Christians baptized in another denomination who are interested in the Catholic faith to learn more, and, when they are ready, to prepare to receive the sacraments of full initiation into the Catholic Church. For the non-baptized, this means receiving Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. Those already baptized would be received into full communion with the Catholic Church and would receive Eucharist and Confirmation.
You will see in the bulletin information about the RCIA program for persons who are interested in becoming Catholic. I would like to expand the team of people who accompany adults through their time of learning, discernment, and preparation. If you would like to support those who are in the process of becoming Catholic by accompanying them on their journey and being part of their weekly sessions of teaching and prayer, please let me know. Once again, no special training is needed. Parish pastoral staff and catechists will be doing most of the teaching. What is needed on the team are people who are willing to be supportive, model Catholic discipleship, and share their faith in a small group setting. Please contact me if you would be interested in becoming part of the RCIA team.
Finally, back-to-school has new meaning for me this year. Some of you may know that I am a Doctor of Ministry Candidate at Catholic Theological Union. The only thing still needed for completion of my doctorate is the completion of my thesis. I was to have finished last year but had to put aside my writing during the first year of my new ministry. I have received an extension until next spring. Beginning this fall, I will start to take a second day off to work on my thesis. My usual day off is Friday and I am going to try to take Thursday as my writing day. My completed thesis is due by April. So, please include me in your prayers, along with all of the other students of our parish - young and old - who will be returning to school this fall! And may we each find renewed hope in this time of new beginnings!
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
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.
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 each 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.
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 this
weekend of August 27 and 28th. 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 News
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.
Religious Education News
Another Plea for Help!!!
You are probably all tired of reading about our "needs" in
the RE program this year. It is rare that this far along in the
summer, we still have some catechist's slots to fill. But
because of our new session, our "needs" have been much greater
than in the past. So once again a huge thank you to the almost
70 volunteers who have stepped up to answer "His" call. If you
have seen any other Church bulletins recently, you know how
blessed we are here at Mary Queen.
As of this week we still have just three slots to fill with
catechists.
It is really getting down to the wire. Please consider
joining our team of dedicated men and women just like you who
weekly share their Faith with the young people of the parish. If
you can help, call the REO today. We really, really need you.
This past week Pope Benedict XVI said to the young people
gathered in Germany for World Youth Day: "Anyone who has
discovered Christ must lead others to him. A great joy cannot be
kept to oneself. It has to be passed on."
Class begins in just a few weeks. Help our children to get
to know our God. Help us pass on this great joy. It would be a
shame to have to delay the start of class for grades four and/or
six because of a lack of catechist. I look forward to hearing
from you.
Mark Your Calendars:
Tuesday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall we will
meet with all catechists new to the program this year.
Wednesday, August 31 at 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall - all
catechists will meet. Sister Jane Schlosser will be here to help
us get our year jump-started.
Have you registered yet?
Registrations are still being taken in the REO. Our opening
event is September 14. It will be here before we know it. If
you have not registered, please do so ASAP. Pass the word to your
friends and neighbors. Classes are filling up.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann
Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Parish News
"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 or come to our next meeting on Tuesday, August 30 in
the school social 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; and supporting the
various ministries in our parish which allow us to live our lives
through faith, hope and loving service to all.
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
Patty Growney 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 Eleanor Sikorski
Jeff Smith Karen Sutkus
Cathy Ward
Rest in Peace
Joseph Prinske
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
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.
L.O.S.S. Support Group Meetings
(Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide)
Through the collaboration of Catholic Charities (the
Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet), support groups
are in place for anyone who has lost a relative or friend to
suicide. A trained facilitator and a mental health professional
assist these groups. The groups meet from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. on
either the first Tuesday of the month, the third Wednesday or the
fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting dates are as
follows:
Sept. 6 at Catholic Charities Office Kankakee
Sept. 21 at St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center Joliet
Sept. 27 at St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center Wheaton
For further information, please call the L.O.S.S. program
Center at 312-655-7283.
Community News
Effective Choices, Effecting Parenting
Offering a variety of workshops and seminars to assist you
in becoming the parent you want to be.
Making Sense of This Thing
Called Parenthood
(For parents of children ages 0-4)
Tuesday, September 6, at 7 - 9 P.M
At Catholic Charities in Lombard
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 required.
For info or to pre-register, please call 630-710-8226
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 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.
We need two for the fourth grade which meets on Wednesday
afternoons at 3:15 to 4:30, and one for Grade 6, Session 2, at
5:15-6:30.