Dear Friends,
She never knew what hit her.
How many times I have heard these words in the last two days! Maureen Guttman, the daughter of our retired Deacon John Maloney, was involved in a tragic car accident this week. As I write this, I know that she is expected to die, perhaps even before you read these words.
What a terrible, sad event this has been for the Guttman and Maloney families. I have been with them through these days of watching Maureen, unresponsive, unrecognizable, after suffering a massive head injury. In a freak accident, a deer that jumped in front of the car in which she was a passenger crashed through the windshield, crushing Maureen. At the moment of impact, Maureen's head was turned to adjust the car radio. She never knew what hit her.
There are so many people suffering from shock and pain at what happened to Maureen - her father, whose wife (Maureen's mother) died less than five months ago, her five siblings, her friends who were in the car and survived the accident, Maureen's husband and their two sons, ages 19 and 23. How can anyone understand such a tragedy? Why does God allow things like this to happen?
There is no answer I can give, except that God allows all of creation to run its course, and that for each of us, in one way or another, our lives on earth will come to an end.
There have been so many things going through my mind and my prayers this week. I have thought of other parishioners whose lives have been affected by tragedy - the family who lost a young daughter in an accident, the mother who lost a son to cancer, the sister whose brother died after successful open heart surgery. I remembered my son's girlfriend, killed in a waterfall accident. I thought about all of those killed recently in natural disasters - hurricanes, earthquakes. Trying to take in the immensity of all of the grief and mourning can be overwhelming.
What does God have to say in the face of tragedy? I can share with you the scriptures that have spoken to my heart this week. The first that came to me, from the Gospel of Luke, concerned the eighteen people who were killed when a tower fell upon them. That seemed to me to be close to what happened to Maureen, having something suddenly crashing in on her. Jesus gives no reason or explanation for this tragedy. Neither does he give a reason for the violent death of the Galileans, referred to in the same passage. It seems from the response of Jesus that these things just happen. Accidents happen. Tragedies happen. People are killed. Jesus does not dwell on these things at all. They are a part of life. The only thing Jesus does want to draw our attention to is the way we choose to live our lives for as long as we are here on the earth.
None of us knows the length of days we have been given. The other scripture that spoke to my heart related to this. It was when I prayed with Maureen at her bedside. I prayed the prayers of the church for the commendation of the dying. Stroking her hair, I read for her many of the scripture passages recommended in this rite of the church. From the Letter to the Romans, "Who can separate us from the love of Christ?" and again, "Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's." From Second Corinthians, "We have an everlasting home in heaven," and from First Thessalonians, "We shall be with the Lord forever." Psalm after psalm spoke of the great love of God. The Book of Revelation spoke of a holy city, a new Jerusalem, where God will dwell with his people, wiping every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning. And then I read the scripture passage that echoed in my heart. It was the parable from the Gospel of Matthew about the virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom. Those who were wise were ready when the time came, and they went into the wedding feast. Those who were foolish were not prepared, and they missed their chance. Jesus uses this parable to teach the disciples, saying to them, "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Maureen never knew what hit her, any more than did the 18 who were felled by the tower at Siloam. But she has lived a wise life, being faithful to the Gospel, sharing her gifts and talents with others, and bringing new life and love into the world. I imagine her entering the great wedding feast prepared for her, united with the God who created her, who shared her life with us, who is calling her back home again.
Tragedy and death are a part of life that we will never fully understand. Still, it is the heart of our Catholic faith - it has been the heart of Maureen's faith - to proclaim over and over again our belief in the Resurrection, in the power of God to bring life after death. God will bring new life to Maureen in the Resurrection. God will bring new life even to Maureen's family and friends who are so brokenhearted now. Let us pray together that God will comfort them in their sorrow. Let us pray for a strengthening of their faith, and ours, in times of tragedy. Let us also stay awake, for none of us knows the day or the hour, or the circumstances under which we will each be called home to God. May we pray, as did Pope John Paul II at the very beginning of his last will and testament, that everything that makes up our earthly lives will prepare us for this moment.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Effective Choices, Effecting Parenting
Offering a variety of workshops and seminars to assist you
in becoming the parent you want to be.
Building Effective Relationships
with our Children
For parents of children ages 0- 19
Tuesday, October 18, at 7 - 9 p.m.
Tuesday, October 25, at 7 - 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 12, at 1 - 4 p.m.
At Catholic Charities in Lombard
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; and 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.
Catholic Charismatic Healing Mass
Friday, October 21, Mass at 7:30 p.m.
Father James Holup, Presiding
Deacon Jose Lopez, Assisting
Sacrament of Reconciliation - 6:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Church
4801 Main Street, Downers Grove
For information, please call 630-964-0216
L.O.S.S. Support Group
(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:
November 1 - Catholic Charities Office
270 N. Schuyler Ave. in Kankakee
November 16 - St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center
130 Woodlawn in Joliet
November 22 - St. Daniel the Prophet Parish Center
101 West Loop Drive in Wheaton
Jewel Food Stores
Shop and Share Days
Will be held on October 24, 25, and 26
(Monday-Wednesday)
To benefit the
Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry
By shopping at Jewel on any of these days, 5% of the total
purchases will be donated to the Elmhurst Walk-In Ministry by the
stores. Whether you do your weekly shopping or just pick up a few
items, every slip turned in counts!!
All you need to do is present the identification slip, with
your signature, to the check out person. There is absolutely no
cost to you to participate in this fundraiser.
Please feel free to reproduce these slips and distribute
them to your family, friends, and neighbors. The identification
slips are accepted at all Jewel locations.
Thank you for your support of this wonderful ministry!
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.
Bi-monthly meetings include a mother/child activity or a guest
speaker with babysitting provided. There are no membership fees
and everyone is welcome. M.O.M.S meets in Msgr. Plunkett Hall,
lower level of the Immaculate Conception chapel, Elmhurst from
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
On Thursday October 27, bring your little ghost or goblin
in costume to enjoy a Halloween party with games and treats! For
more information please contact Kelly at (630) 833-7223 or
Colleen at (630) 832-4662.
Young Adult Ministry
Attention:
Young Adults of the Parish (ages 18-35),
All Parish Leaders, and Everyone Else
One of the new parish goals recently established by our
Parish Pastoral Council is to develop a Young Adult Ministry at
Mary Queen of Heaven. We have 362 young adults in our parish,
ages 18-35, and we want to serve them and engage them in parish
life. To help our parish achieve this goal of reaching out to
young adults, the Adult Education & Spirituality Committee has
invited Paul Mach from the Joliet Diocesan Young Adult Ministry
Office to meet with representatives of our parish.
All young adults of the parish, parish leaders, and any
other interested parishioners who would like to participate in
fostering the development of this important ministry here at Mary
Queen are invited to this meeting. It will take place on
Tuesday, October 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall (located
inside of the School Building). For more information, please
call the parish office at (630) 279-5700.
All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Religious Education News
Mark your calendar:
Sunday, October 23, at 10:15 a.m. - 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.
Wednesday, October 26, at 7:15 p.m. in church there will be
a special session for all Confirmation candidates, parents, and
sponsors. Please note that this session is in lieu of the 8th
grade 5:15 session. All candidates and parents are expected to
attend. Please call the REO if you cannot.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann
Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
St. Vincent de Paul
Fall Clothing Drive this weekend
Truck in Parking lot after all Masses
"Thank You for Helping Us to Help People."
Bereavement Ministry
Table of Remembrance
The Bereavement Ministry Team is preparing for the All
Soul's Day Mass to be held Nov. 2nd at 7:00 p.m.
There will be a Table of Remembrance set up beginning the
weekend of Oct. 22-23 to hold pictures of our deceased loved
ones. ALL parishioners are invited to bring a framed picture
(with your name and phone number on the back) to be placed on the
table as a reminder of those who have gone before us. The table
will stay up until the middle of November.
MQH Garden Club Update
Thanks to everyone who has been helping this summer to keep
our gardens watered. Our droughty summer presented its
challenges, but we rose to them! Some more good news is that we
have welcomed a few new people into our service group. Now,
believe it or not, it's cleanup time. We will be meeting on the
last Saturday of October to put our gardens to sleep for the
winter. Plant material and soaker hoses will be removed from the
gardens, and containers will be emptied. We will also store the
hoses for the winter.
Date: Saturday morning, October 29
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Parking lot near church
Tools: Gloves, clippers, and shovels
For questions, please contact Rose Wilkes at
Begonia22@actlink.net or 833-7238 or Sheila Reiter at 833-6657.
Fellowship Sunday October 23rd
Please join us for fellowship after the 10:15 a.m. Mass on
Sunday, October 23, in Barrett Hall. Stop in after Mass for
some pastries and a cup of coffee or juice, the opportunity to
talk with fellow parishioners and friends, and welcome new
parishioners and their families.
Christian Service Commission
Continue to exercise extreme caution in the parking lot on
Wednesdays. As the days get shorter, some of our little people
are more difficult to see.
Health Committee Meeting
We will have a health committee meeting on October 22, at 9
a.m. at the Parish Center/Rectory to plan some goals for the
upcoming year. Please join us if you are interested in helping
to promote health or support people with illness (and/or their
families) in our parish. All are welcome. If you have any
questions, please call Corinna Wojcik at 782-2152.
Dinner Dance
Our 8th Annual "Evening Under the Stars" Dinner Dance and
Auction, held Friday, October 7, was once again a delightful
evening. The Harvest theme made for a fun-filled, exciting time
with the special decor of pumpkins, scare crows, corn stalks and
mums.
Special thanks to chairpersons: Diane & Joel Bernstein,
Donna Glick, Diane Gornick, Ginny Hayes, Anne Hoey, Terri Kevil,
JoAnn Madden, Mary Ann Reed, Phylis Twardowski, Karen Vicary, Don
Walker, Mary White, and all the wonderful people who worked with
them to make this event a success.
Congratulations to the raffle prize winners:
1st Prize $500 Valerie Heroux
2nd Prize $250 Michelle Schlesser
3rd Prize $100 Doreen Eichorst
Financial figures and more information will be in next
week's bulletin.
Immaculate Conception High School
Open House 2005
Class of 2010
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
7:00-9:00 PM
Sunday, November 6, 2005
2:00-4:0-0 PM
For information call:
Kathy Kowieski, Director of Recruiting,
@ 630-530-3484
Or
May Madsen, Main Office @ 630-530-3460
Attention Catholic Lawyers!
The St. Thomas More Society of DuPage County is sponsoring
the second annual Red Mass with brunch immediately following, for
lawyers and their spouses, on Sunday, November 20, at 12:30 p.m.
at St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church in Wheaton.
The featured speaker at the brunch will be Congressmen
Henry Hyde. For further information on the Red Mass or the
brunch, please call Eddie Wollenberg at 668-2415.
A Vocation View We do not choose a vocation
completely on our own. We must prayerfully reflect on how we can
best give to God what is God's, and then live as though
everything depends on God.
Council of Catholic Women Fun Night
Tuesday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Barrett Hall
Mary Queen of Heaven Council of Catholic Women is
sponsoring a fun night for the ladies of the parish, their
friends and relatives. Ladies, call a friend or relative and
invite them to come and enjoy a relaxing evening of conversation
and games (Scrabble, Bunco, Yatzee, cards, etc). If you have a
favorite game that you would like to play, bring it along. Each
person attending is asked to bring a bottle of wine, hors
d'oeuvres, snack food, or dessert to share with others. We will
provide the coffee and soft drinks.
This should be an excellent opportunity to enjoy each
other's company and get to know each other as we begin our
programs for the coming year.
For more information, please call Mary Connelly (782-7626)
or Mary White (833-9809).
Visitation CCW Annual Christmas Bazaar
Visitation CCW is sponsoring our
Annual Christmas Bazaar
On Saturday, November 5, 2005, 9:00-3:00
in Valentino Center
Christmas Crafts, handmade items, a raffle tree and a
Country Bakery are some of the popular attractions at this annual
event.
Win a Christmas Shopping Spree!
Bazaar Raffle
This year the grand prize at our Christmas Bazaar is a $500
Shopping Spree.
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
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.
New Gather Books-Choir Edition
If you wish to donate a new choir book with your
inscription inside, please fill out the order form found in this
bulletin or in the back of church. The cost is $25.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RCIA Update
We are preparing for the Rite of Acceptance / Welcome the
evening of Saturday, October 22, at the 5:00 evening Mass.
This special rite will be followed by a Pot Luck Supper.
All parishioners are encouraged to join us, meet the new people,
and have fun! So, put it on your calendar and bring a dish to
share.
Diocesan News
Medicare Part D
Major changes will be taking place regarding prescription
drug benefits and medicare effective January 1, 2006. Learn
about these changes on Sat., November 5th at 10:00 a.m. at
Elmhurst City Hall, 209 N. York.
A representative from social security will be present to
assist with applications for prescription subsidy. Free blood
pressure screenings available. RSVP 306-7077.