Dear Friends,
Recently, I was invited by both the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst and the Women's Group of the First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst to speak at their meetings. They were interested in getting to know me as a local church leader and they had many questions about ministry in the Catholic Church. I found these gatherings very enjoyable and their questions very interesting.
It occurred to me that there has not been much of the same opportunity within our own parish. Sure, I have been at countless meetings here, but many of them have involved coordinating ministries, dealing with administrative issues, or focusing on problems. Even though I am regularly present for each weekend Mass, some parishioners are still uncertain about what I do. This became very clear to me in the past week, when I received a letter from one of our commission members. I was surprised to learn that she is still unsure about what exactly is my role within the parish.
I have found things to be different with individuals and families who I have been involved with in pastoral care, in preparation for sacraments, or in welcoming them into the parish. We have had the opportunity to share with each other in ways that were more personal. I have found that when there has been the opportunity to be with people at a more intimate level, there has been the possibility for a deeper level of relationship.
I would like to have the opportunity to sit with parishioners who would be interested in getting to know me better, as a way of continuing to build our lives together as church here at Mary Queen of Heaven. I will reserve the meeting room in the lower level of the parish office for Sunday night, Oct. 16, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. This will be an informal gathering, a kind of "fireside chat" (there is actually an artificial fireplace downstairs!). I would like to suggest the same format that the Kiwanis and Methodist women used for their meetings. I will share stories about my journey in ministry and the role of a Pastoral Life Coordinator. Then, I would like to answer questions you might have about ministry in the Catholic Church.
Whether or not you are able to attend this gathering, I would like for everyone to know a little more about the ministry of Pastoral Life Coordinators in the United States. A new study has just been released by CARA, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, based at Georgetown University. CARA is the research organization used by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops to study different things involving ministry in the Catholic Church in our country.
As you may know, Pastoral Life Coordinators are appointed under a special provision in canon law that allows a bishop to entrust the pastoral care of a parish to a qualified person other than a priest in times of priest shortages. While we have the first such model in the Diocese of Joliet, there have been PLCs in the United States for 20 years. Now that PLCs are increasingly being appointed to head larger parishes outside of rural settings, there is a great deal of interest in learning more about this emerging model of ministry.
According to the CARA study, the number of parishes in the U.S. with PLCs grew from 268 in 1993 to 566 in 2004. Those numbers represent a doubling of the numbers of parishes entrusted to someone other than a priest from 1.4 percent of all parishes to 3.0 percent. The largest number of PLC parishes are in the Midwest. They are commonly found in dioceses in southern Illinois. However, there are only two PLCs in the northern dioceses of our state, so it is still an unfamiliar model here.
Still, at Mary Queen of Heaven, we are on the upper end of the scale on a number of factors. Almost 50% of parishes with a PLC model have 200 or fewer families. When I came to the parish in 2004, we had over 700 families. Now, we have over 800 families. This places us in the category of 12% of parishes with PLC parishes having between 500-1200 families. Another 7% have 1201 families or more.
We are also at the lower end of the scale on another factor, the average age of PLCs. (This probably the one and only instance in which I could be legitimately considered in the "young adult" category!)
Ninety-four percent of PLCs have attended Catholic educational institutions (many from grammar school onward). PLCs who have been entrusted with parishes with a large number of registered households have graduate and professional degrees. (It is my hope that by next year, I will fall into the category of 12% who have completed their doctoral degrees!)
Most PLCs are entrusted with only one parish. However, 10 percent are entrusted with two parishes and four percent are entrusted with three or more. (Recently, I was told by a representative of our diocesan priest personnel board that there is not only a shortage of priests but also a shortage of persons with the experience and qualifications to be PLCs. (We should all pray for God to continue sending workers for the harvest - both vocations to priesthood and vocations to lay ecclesial ministry.)
PLCs widely vary in their liturgical roles. Half of all PLCs preach at Mass. My preaching in the parish has generally been more limited in my first year and a half to worship outside of Sunday liturgies. In the coming year, I hope to be able to preach on some Sundays.
I will not give "homilies"- only the priest or deacon can do this, but as PLC, I do have the permission of the bishop to offer reflections at Mass as the pastoral leader of this community. This will begin to happen on occasions when it can be coordinated well with the presiding priest.
Most PLCs live in the rectory. Since Fr. Tom lives in our rectory (while serving as full-time hospital chaplain and sacramental minister for us), I am one of the 22% of PLCs that is provided with a housing allowance. This will change someday when parish-owned housing becomes available.
In 1965, there were just over 500 U.S. parishes without a resident priest-pastor. Currently, there are more than 3,100 such parishes (some are headed by PLCs, some by priests or pastoral teams who oversee multiple parishes). This means that today, 16% of parishes in our country do not have a resident priest-pastor. The CARA study concludes, "In future years, as the pressure of declining priests available to serve as pastor continues to grow, U.S. bishops may consider appointing PLCs in greater numbers." I am grateful for the opportunity to build this model with you here at Mary Queen. I hope that we will all take advantage of ways we can come to know each other well so that be can be church together well.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Community News
Father Alfred Badawi
Requests the honor of your presence
for
The Divine Liturgy and Dedication ceremonies
of
Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church
Celebrated by
His Excellency Robert J. Shaheen
Bishop of the Diocese of Our Lady of Lebanon
Sunday, the thirtieth of October
At eleven thirty a.m.
950 North Grace Avenue
Lombard, Illinois 60148
"Evening Under the Stars" Auction/Dinner Dance
Friday, October 7, 2005
Alta Villa Banquets, in Addison
Cocktails at 6:30 p.m.
Dinner at 7:30 p.m.
This is the last weekend for ticket sales. Invite your
friends and relatives and purchase your table today. The Ticket
Donation is $35 per person.
Besides being a perfect opportunity to purchase auction
items at great prices as gifts for the holidays or special
occasions, the music is great for dancing and the food is
delicious.
This is the eighth year for our "Evening Under the Stars"
Auction/Dinner Dance, and those who have attended in the past are
anticipating another wonderful evening of relaxation and fun.
Diane & Joel Bernstein are in charge of the ticket sales and are
looking forward to booking a table for you, your families and
friends. If you have any questions, they can be reached at 279-
7252.
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.
Parish News
Scripture Study is Back!
Sign-Up This Weekend,
October 1 and 2,
after each Mass.
This 11-week series on the Gospel according to Luke will
begin the week of October 10 and will run for 6 weeks, take a
short "holiday break," and pick up again for 5 weeks after the
first of the year.
Schedule:
Week of Oct. 10 through week of Nov. 14, 2005
Break
Week of Jan. 9 through week of Feb. 6, 2006
Cost of $10-covers Gospel of Luke Text and Commentary, and
the Study Guide. (Don't let the cost deter you. Talk to Mary
Foley at the Parish Office, 279-5700, for assistance).
Religious Education News
Our RE classes are in full swing.
Continue to exercise extreme caution in the parking lot on
Wednesday afternoons and evenings. All little ones from Grade
Pre-School through Grade 2 should be escorted to the door of
their classroom. Remember only the back door of the school will
be accessible during the construction period. In the evening, it
is even more important to be careful. It is very dark and thus
even more dangerous. Please be sure to be on time to pick up your
children.
Registrations
If you have not as yet registered, please do so ASAP. We are
still accepting registrations for all grade levels except Pre
School and Kindergarten which are at capacity.
Mark your calendar:
Any RE volunteer who has not as yet attended a Protecting
God's Children session must do so on one of the following dates
in Barrett Hall :
Saturday, Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
or Monday, Oct. 10 at 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 12 - First Reconciliation Parent Meeting in
Barrett Hall. All Grade 2 parents are expected to attend. Friar
John Paul Cafiero OFM will facilitate.
Sunday, October 23, at 10:15AM - Our first Family Mass of the
year. Our 6th graders will be presented with their Bibles in a
special ritual. However, as always, all Religious Education
Families are expected to attend.
For more info on any of the above, 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 Heather Brennan
Kathleen Bryers Pat Caffarelli
Rose Caffarelli Kathy Calzante
Family of Cynthia Catalano
Cosmore Ciancio Paul Cirone
Margaret Conroy Rhonda Colletti
Trudi Dolato Gerald Foley
Dino Fuggitti Anna Heffel
Jen Huwalt Tom Huwalt
Pat Holmes Michelle Humann
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
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
Catholic Charities Seeks Board Members
Responsibilities include assisting with program promotion,
public relations, fundraising and advocacy efforts on the local
and state level. Board members meet 6 times a year in the
Catholic Charities office in Lombard.
Catholic Charities serves individuals, children and
families in homelessness prevention, emergency assistance,
housing for low-income families, counseling, foster care,
adoption and maternity services for women facing an unplanned
pregnancy. If you are interested in learning more about being a
board member, or volunteering at Catholic Charities, please call
Rosemary Echevarria at 630-495-8008.
Diocesan News
Francis of Assisi
(1191? - 1226), October 4
"Francis, go out and build up my house, for it is falling
down." St. Francis of Assisi heard the Lord say these words in a
vision in the crumbling chapel of San Damiano and set to work at
once. Renouncing his father's wealth and privilege, St. Francis
embraced a life of radical poverty that found him begging, door to
door, for the means to rebuild the church and assist the poor.
Friends thought he was mad. But before long, his genuine love for
the poor led others to join him. These itinerant preachers who
followed St. Francis and lived the Gospel with such simplicity and
joy became the Order of Friars Minor, or "Franciscans." The life of
poverty and humility to which Christ called St. Francis "built up"
the Church in ways he could never have imagined that first day in
San Damiano. Few of us will be called to the total poverty of St.
Francis, but, inspired by his example, we can seek to live more
simply and be better stewards of the abundance that is ours to
share.
Senior Fair offers facts, and fun
Senior Citizens are invited to attend the DuPage County
Seniors' and Caregivers' Fair on Friday, October 14 from 8:30-
12:30. The fair will take place in the Exhibition Hall, Annex
and Home Economic Buildings of the DuPage County Fairgrounds,
2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton. Free parking will be
available.
Many free health services will be available, including
blood pressure, glucose (2-hour fast required, water & medication
allowed), vision, hearing, podiatry and bone density screenings
as well as brochures, free giveaways, raffle prizes and
refreshments. For a nominal charge, DuPage County residents can
obtain flu shots. (Flu shots are subject to availability, and
appointments may be needed.) A representative from the Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program will be available to accept
applications and provide information about help with heating
bills. Also, since the Medicare D prescription drug coverage
program is on the horizon, representatives will be available to
offer information and assistance.
The fair is sponsored by the DuPage County Senior Citizen
Services. Cosponsors are DuPage County Health Dept., NE Illinois
Area Agency on Aging, DuPage Senior Citizens Council,
Metropolitan Family Services, and Assn. of Senior Service
Providers-DuPage.
For more information about this Fair, call DuPage County's
Senior Citizen Services at 630-407-6500 or toll-free at 1-800-
942-9412.
M.O.M.S.
(Moms Offering Moms Support)
Elmhurst Catholic M.O.M.S. is a social and spiritual
organization that provides an opportunity for mothers of young
children from Elmhurst Catholic parishes to meet other mothers.
There is no membership fee and everyone is welcome. On Thursday,
October 6, M.O.M.S. will meet at 7:30 p.m. in place of its
regular Thursday morning meeting.
Come join the group as Lori Tompos leads us through a
discussion of our personality types, how we may change when we
become parents and how we can cope with the motherhood challenges
of our particular personality type. Please call Kelly at (630)
833-7223 or Colleen at (630) 832-4662 for information on meeting
location and to volunteer to bring an appetizer, dessert or
drink.
Widowed?
Joyful Again! is a faith-based program that helps
people still dealing with the death of their spouse.
It explores what they have been experiencing after their
loss and offers tools to assist them in moving on with their
life. If you or someone you know is widowed, plan on attending
the program currently being offered.
When: November 12 & 13, 2005
Where: St. Charles Center, Romeoville
How: Call 1-708-354-7211
Mentor Training
For Transitional Housing in DuPage County
This free training course is for volunteer mentors to
families who were previously homeless and are now participating
in Transitional Housing Programs. Mentors work with families,
supporting them and helping them meet daily challenges. Mentors
should be compassionate, non-judgmental, respectful and sensitive
to the confidentiality required to preserve the family dignity.
The 3-session training will be on Wednesdays, starting
October 5, at 7-9 p.m. at Catholic Charities in Lombard. To
register for the training, please call 630-495-8008 before Oct.
3.
Free Adoption Information Meeting
Children all over the world need a loving family. Have you
considered adoption? Not sure where to start? Sunny Ridge
Family Center invites you at a free Adoption Information Meeting
on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at
Sunny Ridge Family Center, 2 South 426 Orchard Road, Wheaton IL
60187. Learn about children available from the United States,
China, Guatemala, Ukraine, Poland, the Philippines and more.
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 630-668-5117 ext. 228 or
visit our website at www.sunnyridge.org
Guerin Prep Reunion 2005
Did you graduate from Holy Cross or Mother Theodore Guerin
high school, River Grove, in 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990,
1995, or 2000? Then don't miss your class reunion on Friday,
Nov. 18, at the Park Ridge Country Club, 636 N. Prospect Ave.,
Park Ridge Il 60068.
The reunion begins at 7 p.m. with Hors D'oeuvres and a Cash
Bar, followed by dinner at 8 p.m., and dancing afterwards.
Ticket price is $50 per person. For more information contact
Janis Ryan at 708-453-6233 ext. 43.
St. Vincent de Paul
Fall Clothing Drive
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Mary Queen of Heaven
Parish is sponsoring a Fall Clothing drive on the weekend of
Saturday, October 15/16.
People are in need of clean coats, jackets, clothing,
shoes, linens, bedding, house wares, books, small working
appliances, knick-knacks, toys, etc. There is a special need for
school clothing for children. The St. Vincent de Paul truck will
be in our parking lot before and after all Masses on this
weekend. Donation bags will be available after all masses next
weekend, October 8/9. Please pack fragile items carefully to
avoid breakage. Our parish has always been exceptionally generous
and we hope to fill the truck to capacity. Please clean out your
closets and fill those SVdP bags.
For pickup of furniture and heavy items, please call 630-
231-4658 and SVdP will send a truck to your home. Tax receipts
are gladly given.
"Thank You for Helping Us to Help People."
Council of Catholic Women Fun Night
Tuesday Evening, October 18
In Barrett Hall
More information to come next week.
MQH Men's Group
Next meeting, Wednesday, October 12, at the Odeum, 2nd
floor, 8:30 p.m. We will be discussing the 05-06 calendar. All
members are encouraged to attend.
Vocation View
An employer would probably fire any employee who never does
the job properly. God's plan calls us to live our vocation daily
in the best way we can.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA Update
We continue to grow and change! We presently have 2 young
men and 2 women who are participating in the journey towards
completing their initiation into the Catholic Church. They will
experience the Rite of Acceptance / Welcome the evening of
October 22nd at the 5:00 evening Mass. Watch the RCIA bulletin
board in the back of church to learn more about these individuals
in the coming weeks..
Help is still needed in 3rd grade at the
3:15 session. Please call us ASAP.
Volunteers Needed for One Day
Catholic Charities is looking for volunteers to help with
the Christmas "adopt a family" registration. It will be held on
Wednesday, October 5, at the Lombard Park District Log Cabin,
located at 16th and Main streets in Lombard. This is an all-day
event, but we welcome volunteers for all or part of the 9:00 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. day.
Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially appreciated.
Call Mary Tarnow at 630-495-8008, ext. 13.
Mayslake Village Fall Bazaar
Sat., Oct. 8 (10 to 4) Sun., Oct. 9, (Noon to 4)
All are invited to our 41st Annual Bazaar! Mayslake Village
Senior Center is at 1804 35th Street, between Route 83 and
Midwest Road.
For information, please contact Mary Ann Vacek at 630-920-
0264 (home) or 248-302-9423 (cell).
Blessing of Animals
Tuesday, October 4, is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. In
commemoration of this feast, there will be a blessing of animals
in front of church after school at 4 p.m.