What sort of persons ought you to be,
conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for
and hastening the coming of the day of God...
2Peter 3:11-12
From today's Second Reading
Dear Friends,
It is always fascinating to see how the Church, in its wisdom, places readings together in the lectionary. Sometimes, there are obvious connections we make between Hebrew scripture (Old Testament) and Christian scripture (New Testament) when our reading of history is illuminated by the light of Christ. Further, it is interesting to see how all of the readings for a particular season connect with one another. Certainly, this is the case during Advent. I would like to take the passage above from today's reading and connect it with some of the other scripture readings we were given for the First Week of Advent.
One of the books of the Bible that we hear from most often during Advent is the Book of Isaiah. Last Tuesday, the lectionary gave us the reading from Isaiah 11:1-10. Sometimes read for one of the Sundays of Advent (though not this year), this passage is one of the most beautiful and familiar readings in the Bible. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the One who is to come, a shoot sprouting from the stump of Jesse (Jesse was the father of David, and both were ancestors of Jesus). "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him," proclaims the prophet, a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength, knowledge and fear of the Lord. With the coming of the Messiah, there will be peace in the world. The wolf shall be the guest of the lamb, the calf and the lion shall browse together with a little child to guide them, the baby will play by the cobra's den, and there shall be no more harm or ruin in all the earth.
It is a paradox that we probably think that it will be the second coming of Christ that will fulfill such a prophecy, for how could we ever imagine the world being at peace, with enemies becoming friends, and all living in harmony? At the same time, as Christians, we believe that Jesus was the Messiah foretold throughout Hebrew scripture. Should not, then, the world have changed into the peaceful kingdom when Jesus first came?
The passage at the top of this page holds within it the mystery of this paradox and the mystery of this season of Advent. The peaceful kingdom is both here now and not-yet. During Advent, we anticipate the fullness of God coming into the world with the birth of Christ, even as we await his second coming. This is the double-meaning of Advent. Leading holy lives means not only waiting for the second coming of Christ, but also working to hasten it, helping it to come bit by bit through the actions of our lives. How can we do this? Looking more deeply into our Advent scriptures can help us.
Isaiah proclaimed that "the Spirit of the Lord would rest upon him," upon the One we understand to be Jesus. This proclamation was a return to the charismatic tradition which held that those who received Yahweh's Spirit (Moses, David, the prophets, and others) were able to fulfill missions which would have been impossible for them to accomplish on their own. This is why the Messiah would be able to bring about a world of peace - because the Holy Spirit would be with him.
We profess belief in this Holy Spirit, the Spirit who rested upon Jesus, the same Holy Spirit who was given by Jesus to his disciples. We claim a share in the life of the Holy Spirit by virtue of our Baptism and Confirmation. As Christians, we also believe that we share in the mission of Jesus. This means that we are called to help to bring about the peaceful kingdom. This is how we live holy lives and this is how we hasten the coming day of God.
How can this be possible in the world we live in today, a world in which countries are at war and there is such great poverty and suffering? If we cannot even be at peace with those closest to us in our families, in our neighborhoods, in our workplaces, or even in the church, how can we have any hope at all of hastening the peaceful kingdom proclaimed by the prophet Isaiah? In our prayers, we say all of the time that we want this kingdom of God to come but do our actions always match our words?
I would like to return to the scriptures of the same Tuesday of the First Week of Advent. After the proclamation of the prophet Isaiah, we listen to Jesus in the Gospel (in Luke 10:21-24) proclaim himself that the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the childlike. What better time than during our season of Advent and preparation for Christmas to consider the ways of children.
Children believe. When they are small, they believe in Santa Claus; when they are older, they believe in their parents. They believe, too, that they will receive whatever they ask for from them.
We say that we believe we have already received the Holy Spirit of God, a Spirit that can help us do more than we can ourselves, a Spirit that can help us bring peace and justice into our daily lives and into our world. The same Holy Spirit who rested upon Jesus has already been given to us so that we can continue his mission to bring about the peaceful kingdom, so that we can hasten the coming of the day of the Lord.
Let us pray during this season of Advent that we may open ourselves more fully to the Holy Spirit. Let us ask for the grace of God so that we may make peace wherever we can. Let us ask God to give us what we need to help make the world a better place for everyone. Let us be childlike in our prayer, believing and expecting that we will receive what we ask for.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
November Celebrations
We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the
following who were baptized in November:
George Melvin Finke
Genevieve Anne Fisher
Nicholas Lyle Musgrave
Jaxson Andrew Pelosi
Bella Rose Przyszlak
Eva Marie Wojcik
Maya Faviola Zurkowski
50th Anniversary Committee
The Mary Queen of Heaven 50th Anniversary Committee will
meet on Tuesday, December 6th in Barrett Hall at approximately
8:00 p.m. (following the Reconciliation Service).
Plans for this year-long celebration are well underway but
much help is needed to work on various events. We are looking
for memorabilia from the past. If you have any treasures (i.e.
pictures, booklets, newspaper articles, etc.), please bring them
to the meeting.
Also, we would like to have names and addresses of previous
parishioners or alumni of our school, to invite them to our
celebration. Info or questions: contact Sheila Reiter 833-6657
or Ellen Walker 279-4021.
We plan to have a 50th Anniversary Cookbook with the best
recipes from Mary Queen of Heaven Parishioners. We invite you to
share your favorite recipes from the past 50 years, so bring out
those "oldies but goodies" and your "new favorites" too!
Recipes to be considered for the cookbook should be
carefully printed or typed. We ask that you please double check
them for accuracy. Recipe forms are available for your
convenience in the vestibule of church and can be sent to the
rectory to the attention of Mary Nanak or Ellen Walker.
We thank you for your participation in this project. We
are eager to begin working on this and look forward to receiving
your recipes. If you have any questions, call Mary Nanak 530-
4502 or Ellen Walker 279-4021.
St. Vincent DePaul
Christmas Giving Tree
This Christmas, we will be taking care of 25 families and
will also be providing gifts for the Elmhurst Extended Care
Nursing Home.
There are a number of ornaments still on the "Giving Tree."
If you have not already done so, please take one this weekend.
All gifts must be returned by December 11th so that they can be
sorted and placed in boxes for the respective families. Please
remember that after you purchase and wrap your gift, the tag must
be taped to the package with the written side of the ornament
facing up, so that we will know to which family the gift belongs.
Every ornament is coded and this coding needs to be visible. If
you have any questions, please call Sheila Reiter at 833-6657.
Advent Toy Collection
This year we are again collecting new, unwrapped toys for
Marillac House. Toys may be left in the box in the School on
Wednesday, December 7 and 14. As you are aware, Marillac is
located on the West Side of Chicago just a short distance from
Mary Queen. Marillac helps many families in that community.
Please be generous.
Heifer International Project
In addition to our toy collection for a local organization, we
have a global dimension to our Advent giving. Once again this
year our children will be able to go to the polls to vote for
their favorite farm animal for us to send to a third world
country. The voting will take place the first two Wednesdays of
December during class time. We are asking each child to bring a
small monetary donation, if they are able, when they cast their
ballot. We encourage all the children to "vote early and often".
This project is not only fun for the children, but it is truly a
gift of hope for impoverished communities across the world.
Mark your calendars:
Saturday, December 10, at 10:30 a.m. in Church our second
graders will celebrate their First Reconciliation. All parents
of 2nd graders are expected to be in attendance as well. Please
let us know if you cannot attend.
Confirmation Prayer Partners Needed
We are asking parishioners to pray for our Confirmation
candidates. Please take a card with a candidate's name from our
basket in the vestibule. Pray for that particular person until
Confirmation day on April 22nd. It is our hope that each one of
our candidates will have someone praying especially for them.
For more info on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods
at the REO, 832-8962.
Market Day
Orders for December are due Monday, Dec. 5, at noon.
Pickup on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the Social
Hall.
If you have questions or would like to place an order,
please call Maria at 279-2238 or Karen at 279-4108.
A Vocation View
The cry of the people: "Lord, let us see your kindness." Who
will prepare the way of the Lord coming to us today?
Catholic Charities Serves
Needy Families
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, hopes to make
Christmas a little brighter for low income families in DuPage
County. This year, through the agency's Holiday Outreach
Program, over 3000 individuals have already been "adopted" by
donor families and local area businesses and schools.
During the fall, client families completed a "wish list" at
the Lombard office. Catholic Charities staff then coordinated
with area churches, businesses and individuals to provide toys
and needed clothing for the children. Donors also provided food
certificates for each needy family so that they might enjoy a
traditional Christmas dinner.
Although most families were assigned to donors during
October and November, Catholic Charities is still in great need
of donations to purchase food and gift certificates for families
who will ask for our help in December. Your donation to purchase
food and gift certificates for these families and their children
may be mailed to Catholic Charities, 26 W. St. Charles Road,
Lombard, IL 60148.
The agency relies on the continued generosity of the
community to help them serve every needy family. Without your
support, some families may not have much to celebrate this
Christmas.
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 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 Edward Owca
Geri Pstrzoch 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.
Rest in Peace
John and Juliana Brani
Anne Marie Carney
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 December 15, celebrate Christmas with seasonal
treats, activities, cookie exchange and a visit from Santa! For
more information please contact Kelly at 833-7223 or Colleen at
832-4662.
It's Cold and Flu Season!
Just a little reminder from the Health Committee.
We want to remind our parish community to speak with their
health care providers or read up on the internet regarding
whether they are at risk for the flu. The website, www.cdc.gov,
is extremely helpful. It also describes the symptoms of both
colds and flu, and when antibiotics or antiviral agents are
indicated. The flu shots are available now in most doctor's
offices. Some of those at high risk for whom the flu shot is
highly recommended include adults over 65, adults and kids 6
months and older with chronic heart or lung diseases, diabetes,
kidney disease, or weakened immune systems, women who may become
pregnant during the flu season, all children 6 months to 23
months of age, or any other person with certain problems with
their respiratory system. Also, the people living in households
with any of these high risk individuals may want to consider the
flu shot. Finally, some may choose to get the vaccine to simply
avoid this nasty illness.
A few more reminders:
* The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine. This is not a
living virus that can cause the flu.
* The flu is a severe respiratory illness as opposed to the
"stomach flu."
* Diligent hand washing can help to reduce the risk of
getting the flu or other viral illnesses.
* Finally, every year 5-20% of the population gets the flu.
Greater than 200,000 people are actually hospitalized
annually due to the flu and its complications, and about
36,000 people die from the flu each year.
Hope everyone can stay healthy this winter. Additional
information is available on the Centers for Disease Control
website as mentioned above.
Christmas Food Collection
Our Annual Christmas Food Collection will take place the
weekend of December 10th-11th.
We are collecting non-perishable items to make Christmas
food baskets for needy families. We expect to have 25 families
to care for. Some of the items needed are: canned vegetables,
cranberries, dressing mix, potatoes, cereals, canned fruit, soup,
canned meats and fish, peanut butter, Jelly, Jell-O, boxed cake
mixes, dish soap, soap bars, deodorant, hair shampoo and paper
products such as Kleenex, toilet paper, and paper towels.
If you wish to donate a turkey, we ask that you please
purchase Jewel or Dominick certificates and put them in an
envelope indicating that they are for the purchase of a turkey.
These certificates, along with the food baskets, will be given to
the families we are taking care of. Items can be brought to
church until December 11. Baskets will be provided for your
donations.
We will be preparing the baskets for distribution on
Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m. The more people we have to
help, the faster and easier the task. If you have an hour or so
free and would like to help out, please call Sheila Reiter at
822-6657.
Advent, Christmas and
New Year Schedules
Reconciliation
Tuesday, December 6
Families, adults, and 7th & 8th grades- 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Masses
Saturday, December 24
Christmas Eve - 5:00 p.m. Children's Liturgy
9:30 p.m. Choir Prelude
10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass
Sunday , December 25
Christmas Day - 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
New Year's Masses
Saturday, December 31
New Year's Eve - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 1, 2005
8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. - Mary, Mother of God and
World Day of Prayer for Peace
New Internet Resource for Our Parish
The e-Series from Celebration: Parish Life
The GATHERING, a small faith community here at Mary Queen
of Heaven is offering you, as a fellow parishioner, a valuable
resource for spiritual growth and parish community development.
We have purchased a license for an Internet publication from
Celebration-the e-Series. It is called Parish Life. We have a
subscription for one year from 11/05.
Our license allows all parishioners to receive this monthly
Internet publication with a one-time registration using our
parish code.
Go to www.celebrationeseries.org and click the Parishioner-
Participant E-mail Registration button to register with our code
to receive the monthly publication.
Once you have registered, you will be notified by e-mail
each month when the publication is available. No passwords are
necessary. (Please refrain from distributing the code to persons
who are not members of this parish.) If you have questions about
or problems with registration, the Web site
www.celebrationeseries.org will direct you.
Volunteer Work to Fit Your Schedule
Debbie and Randy Styka need a few helpers every month or
two, on a Sunday morning, early, probably 5:30 to 7:30 a.m.
Bethel Church and Mary Queen will be taking care of the 2nd
Sat/Sun or each month to serve the homeless at a PADS site at
Elmhurst Presbyterian Church on Spring & St. Charles in Elmhurst.
Duties may include serving breakfast, cleaning up after
breakfast, putting away bedding. Call Debbie at 941-7224 if you
can help one time or more. She will add you to her monthly e-
mail reminder list. Thank you for considering this work.
Special Kids Day
Wednesday, December 7, at 4-8 p.m.
Elmhurst Camera Shop, 535 Spring Road
This is a holiday event that is all volunteer and totally
free of charge for children and individuals with special needs
and their families. During the event all participants have an
opportunity to meet with Santa Claus, have their photo taken,
receive a free basket of goodies, and enjoy a holiday ice cream
treat and cookies homemade by local community volunteers. For
more info call, 630-834-4000.
Elmhurst College Festival
Of Lessons & Carols
Elmhurst College will welcome the holiday season by
presenting its annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. This
popular event will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7,
in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel (190 Prospect Avenue). The
festival is free and open to all. For more information call 630-
617-3033.
Annual Men's Smoker
The Holy Name Society of Sacred Heart Parish will hold its
32nd annual men's smoker on Friday, December 9, at 7:30 p.m. in
the Parish Hall, Maple and Elizabeth Streets, Lombard. $10
donation at door. Raffles, food, drinks, and door prizes.
March for Life 2006
Attention Teens, Young Adults, and Adults:
The Joliet Diocesan Life Office is sponsoring its second
annual March for Life Trip to Washington, D.C. on January 21-24,
2006. Join us as we "take on Washington" to promote the
Inalienable Right to Life on this 33rd anniversary of the tragic
1973 Roe v. Wade Decision which legalized abortion in the United
States.
Youth (High School and up): $255 (4 to a room)
Chaperone (age 21 and up): $255 (double occupancy)
Adult (non chaperone): $280 (double occupancy)
Adult (non chaperone): $300 (single occupancy)
The trip includes transportation, lodging, and food.
Registration and payment due by December 10, 2005.
Chaperones needed. Limited availability, call the Joliet Diocesan
Life Office at 815-838-1002.
Parish Advent
Reconciliation Service
We will have our Advent Parish Reconciliation Service on
Tuesday, December 6, at 7:00 .p.m.
All families of the parish, adults and children, are
invited to this celebration. For the 7th and 8th graders in our
Religious Education program, this will be their seasonal
celebration of the sacrament and all should attend.
We will have a communal prayer service and there will be
multiple priests here from different parishes to hear individual
confessions. Please join your parish family to prepare for the
coming of Christ more fully into our hearts this Advent Season.