Dear Friends,
Just this morning, on this Advent Wednesday that I write to you, I learned that I am going to have a grandson! I have known for weeks that my oldest son Eric and his wife Jessica were expecting a baby. Yesterday's ultrasound examination confirmed the sex of the child. We're going to have a boy!
I've never experienced anything quite like this before. Not only is this my first grandchild but I've never experienced knowing ahead of time if a baby to be born into our family was to be a boy or a girl. Frankly, though, at least on my side of the family, there have been mostly boys. My father has five brothers and one sister (my Mom had only one brother), I have two sisters but we were outnumbered by five brothers. I have four sons of my own, gaining daughters only through the marriages of my sons! I think we all thought that the odds were due to change in this next generation. All of Eric's brothers told him that he was sure to have a girl, and I think everyone was kind of expecting the same thing. I was never too keen on learning the sex of the baby in advance, being pretty old-fashioned, I guess. But today, I experienced just as much surprise as if it had been the day he was born. We're going to have a boy!
Also surprising has been the mix of feelings and memories that this news has brought in the early moments of this day. Honestly, the first thing I thought of was one day when I came upon my young sons walking home from school together. I thought I would surprise them when I pulled up in the car alongside them. I was the one who was surprised, however, when I found them carrying about 50 small garter snakes in their plastic insect carrier. They had gathered them up from under rocks in the park on their way home. I got out of the car and immediately told them to let the snakes go, insisting that they could not be brought home. (What happened with a larger snake on another occasion is another story!) I must admit that there were some things about boys that I never really understood!
I cannot explain the reasons why certain memories came to mind this morning. The next thing I remembered was the first day Eric slept long enough in his crib that I was able to drink a whole cup of coffee before getting up to change and feed him. It was glorious! But something in my young mother's intuition couldn't let me stay still long. I went over to his room, opened the door and peeked in, only to be greeted by a smiling baby who had taken off his own diaper and used its contents to fingerpaint every inch of his crib and the surrounding walls that he could reach! My beautiful baby boy...
The next memory of this morning was of a time not long after that. Eric was still in diapers but I was already expecting my next child. It was a cold winter morning, very much like today, and I was wrapped up in a fuzzy pink robe, cuddling Eric to myself on the couch. All of a sudden, I was completely overwhelmed with the love I had for this child and I suddenly felt sad because I thought I could never possibly love the second child in the same way. I remember feeling that it just could not be possible that human beings could have twice as much love within themselves as I was feeling for Eric in that moment.
I was a very young mother, much younger than Eric and Jessica are now. But what I learned then, at a very young age, was something that they will soon discover. Children are a great gift from God. For parents, grandparents, and all who receive children into their lives in some way, children bring a kind of joy that cannot be compared to anything else in life. But children are not only a gift to individual persons or families. Children are a gift of God to the world. They are constant reminders to us of who God is. God is love. Pure, abounding, abiding love. Love without limits. I had my first deepest sense of that with my first child. I knew it with all of my heart when I found within it the same fullness of love for each of my children that was there with my first. The love of God is so pure and so immense that we can only partially comprehend it. But one of the greatest gifts that God gives us to help us understand this truth is the gift of a child. I believe that is why Jesus came to us as a baby.
As we enter the final week of this Advent season, I gratefully await the birth of a baby boy into our family. What a wonderful thing it is to be reminded in a special way this morning of the gift of God that comes to us in a child. During these last days of Advent, let us all enter more deeply into the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph who were expecting the baby Jesus. This morning, as I remember my first baby boy and the new one that is to come, I cannot help but wonder if Mary and Joseph ever had to deal with snakes or fingerpainting in their house! I also cherish the thought that with the birth of this Christ Child, they came to know the love of God more fully and completely than we can ever imagine. Let us make room for this love to be born in us, love that is pure, love that is without limits, love that was shared by Mary and Joseph in the most intimate way, love that came into the world for us all.
Mary Foley, Pastoral Life Coordinator
Mark your calendars:
NO RE classes on Dec. 21, 28, and Jan. 4.
Classes resume on Jan 11, at normal times.
Religious Education News
Advent Toy Collection
We have had a tremendous response to our annual toy drive
for Marillac House. 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. Thank you all for
putting smiles on the faces of the children on Christmas morning.
If you have any questions or need more formation, please
call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Parish Help Wanted:
The parish is looking for help in three areas:
St. Vincent de Paul Volunteers: For a long time, Tom and Diane
Phillips have been humble servants of our parish by making weekly
deliveries of all of the clothing and goods we collect for the
St. Vincent de Paul Society regional facility. The Phillips are
now moving to Florida. We thank them for their dedicated
service. We would like very much to continue this charitable
work but are in need of some new volunteers to make these
deliveries. Please contact Sheila Reiter if you can assist in
this way. She can be reached at 630-833-6657.
Printer Cartridge Delivery: We are also in need of new
volunteers to package the printer cartridges we collect.
Proceeds from the ink cartridge collection will now benefit our
chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the parish ministry
that provides assistance to those most in need. Mailing
materials are provided by the company that accepts the ink
cartridges, but we need volunteers to keep up with the packaging
and mailing. If you are able to help with this simple but very
important work, please contact Sheila Reiter at 630-833-6657.
Evening office helper: There is a part-time paid position
available for a teenager to work in the parish office from 4-7
p.m. a few nights a week, beginning in January. This position
requires someone who has good telephone and written communication
skills, loves people, is proficient with Microsoft Word, and is
able to do some lifting and carrying of packages. Please call
Sister Marlene if you are interested in being interviewed for
this position. She can be reached at the parish office at 630-
279-5700.
Parish News
Help Someone Come Home!!
Welcoming Catholics Home Ministry is looking for interested
and compassionate parishioners to join our team. This is an
outreach ministry for Catholics who are interested in coming back
home to the church.
Our first six-week series was last April and May and, as
explained in the article above, we are planning our next series
which begins on Tuesday, January 24, at 7:30 p.m. and will run
for six consecutive weeks.
Are you a compassionate, non-judgmental individual, who is
willing to join the team and walk with those seeking to return to
their Catholic faith? Are you seeking to strengthen your own
faith? Do you acknowledge that struggles in your faith journey
help you grow closer to God? Are you a Catholic that 'came
home'?
If you would like to be part of this exciting ministry, or
if you know of someone who is seeking to return to the Catholic
faith, please call Donna Klopacz at 630-832-3618.
Welcoming Catholics Home
Do you know someone who has left the church? Most of us
don't have to think hard to find nonpracticing Catholics in our
circle of family and friends. Many of us are concerned about
them, but we do not know how to help them find their way home to
the Catholic Church.
First we need to pray for them. Next, we need to extend a
personal invitation to come home to the Catholic Church. Many
nonpracticing Catholics are waiting for an invitation to return.
Many mistakenly think they are excommunicated and are not welcome
to return for a variety of reasons. You can make a tremendous
difference in someone's life by reaching out to them and telling
them we miss them and would like them to come back home to our
Church family.
We are excited to offer a series entitled "Welcoming
Catholics Home" to help non-practicing Catholics return. It will
meet for six consecutive weeks beginning on Tuesday, January 24,
at 7:30-9 p.m. at Mary Queen of Heaven Church.
Other information on this series ill be available in the
back of church and in the bulletin in the next few weeks. Please
pass this information on to anyone who might be interested. For
more information or to register for the series call Donna Klopacz
at 832-3618.
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.
Joe Abruzzo Pam Bondfide
Heather Brennan Katherine 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.
Christian Worship Commission
New Ministry of Commentator
Beginning in January, our Liturgy Committee will be
instituting a three-month trial with the ministry of Commentator.
This is a traditional ministry of the Church, still allowed,
which provides for the introduction/explanation of certain parts
of the Mass. Here at Mary Queen, we will be trying out the role
of Commentator to introduce the Sunday readings. Many people
always liked the way that Father John introduced the readings,
saying that the introduction helped them to more fully enter into
Word of God. On the Sundays that Father John is still here, he
will continue to do this. Now, with the role of Commentator, we
will be able to have an introduction to the readings at all of
the other weekend Masses, too.
The role of Commentator will be filled by our Lectors.
Usually, the role of Commentator is a separate ministry, with the
Commentator speaking from a different microphone. Given our
sanctuary space limitations, this will be a combined ministry for
our Lectors, who will read the introduction before beginning the
readings. The introduction will be prepared in advance by the
Pastoral Life Coordinator.
The first three months of the year will be a trial period
for this new ministry of Commentator. After that time, there
will be an evaluation to see if this will remain a regular part
of our liturgical practice.
Advent, Christmas and New Year Schedules
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
Father Carl O'Rourke
Father Carl O'Rourke, a priest who once served this parish
has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. It has
affected his colon, lungs, liver, and possibly his lymph system.
The doctors have given him about six months of life. Cards may
be sent to him at Tabor Hills Nursing Home, Room 210, 1347
Crystal Avenue, Naperville 60563.
A Vocation View
Christmas comes but once a year.
But you can be Christ to others the remaining 364 days.
In fact, He is counting on you."
Senior Christmas Party
The Senior Citizen Christmas Party held on December 3rd was
wonderful as usual.. The food donated by parishioners was
delicious and the entertainment provided by the "Wings to Heaven"
group was great. The seniors that attended enjoyed everything
and wish to thank everyone for a fun-filled, enjoyable evening.
Special thanks to the Council of Catholic Women, Karen
Vicary who chaired the evening, and all the wonderful ladies who
helped by baking, serving and cleaning up afterwards.
"Evening Under the Stars"
Auction/Dinner Dance Final Report
At last all income and expenses from the "Evening Under the
Stars" Auction/Dinner Dance are in, and we are elated to let you
know the final figures. Many months of work by the Auction
Committee, the generous participation of parishioners by either
attending, making donations or giving of their time and talents
made this evening a great success.
The gross income totaled $21,649.00 and the net proceeds
amounted to $14, 904.64.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Plans for the MQH 50th Anniversary year-long celebration are
well underway but much help is needed to work on various events.
The following are some of the areas where we need information and
help.
1. Memorabilia from the past (pictures, booklets, newspaper
articles, etc).
2. Names and addresses of previous parishioners or alumni of
our school so we can invite them to our celebration. For more
information or questions: contact Sheila Reiter 833-6657 or Ellen
Walker 279-4021.
3. A 50th Anniversary Cookbook with best recipes from MQH
parishioners is planned. Recipes should be carefully printed or
typed and checked for accuracy. Recipe forms are available 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 and if you have any questions
please call Mary Nanak (530-4502) or Ellen Walker (279-4021).
Your Generosity is Unbounded!
Once again we want to thank our parishioners for the
wonderful response to our Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Drives.
Your generosity provided food baskets for 25 families at
Thanksgiving and will provide 25 food baskets for the families
for Christmas.
In addition, our "Giving Tree" ornaments were all taken
and, aside from sending 200 gifts to the Elmhurst Extended Care
Nursing Home to provide each resident with two Christmas
presents, 300 gifts will be distributed among the 25 families we
have adopted for the holidays. A very special "Thank You" to all
who participated and especially to those people and groups who
adopted a whole family this year.
May God Bless each and every one of you in the coming New
Year.
"Thank You for Helping Us Help Others!"
Peace And Justice
This is a reflection by our parishioner Neal
Styka, who is a student at Marquette University.
Recently, Neal attended the annual protest at the
School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Year by year, there has been more support in
Congress for closing this school which provides
training in war and torture for Central and South
American military personnel. Some SOA graduates
are responsible for some of the worst human rights
abuses in Latin America.
Motive For Going
My motive for participating in this protest and rally
is to be a voice for the voiceless. To say Presente for all
those who have been murdered or disappeared. It is a
tradition of many South and Latin American countries to
honor their dead by saying that while they may have died
their spirit lives on and is still present. We continue
this tradition as we become pilgrims seeking peace and
healing. This is my second time going to the School of the
Americas/World HISC. In going this time I am more aware of
how our government uses military force to try and solve
problems or impose a will different from that of the
people. Peace can not be achieved by using guns to
institute one's thoughts. Violence always brings about more
violence. It is with these thoughts that I returned to the
protest there at the gates of Ft. Benning. This time I knew
more and was more prepared and open to learn. Going to the
protest is a very symbolic thing for me. The ultimate
physical goal of going there is to close the school, but by
going there I want to say that I do not support violence,
torture, imposed fear and hatred.
Some Reflections On What I Experienced There.
I decided to kneel in front of the gates and pray. I
joined half a dozen other people in doing this. It was much
more powerful than I could have imagined. I examined what
brought me here and what I will do. I stayed for a long
while just staring at the fence or with my eyes closed. I
knew that there were thousands of people gathered around
me. The first fence was covered in cloth (so that we
couldn't see through or put anything in the fence); there
were 2 fences behind it. This first fence is only erected
for when we come. In between the 2 fences is where the Fort
Benning sign is. This time it was covered. In a way it was
almost good to see their reactions. If they had nothing to
hide from us then it would have been completely open. The
covering of the sign was to prevent people from covering it
with something else and to prevent paint and other things
getting on it. They have tried various methods to contain
and control us and seem to be more worried each year. We as
a group had a large variety of mixed reactions from the
local people and soldiers. We had some who were willing to
sit down with us and dialogue with us. We appreciated and
respected this. We also had some who were very hostile to
us and still others who had never heard of the SOA/WHINSEC
even though it was on their base.
Before leaving we had a few orientation sessions. One
was specifically on what happens at the vigil and the other
two were more about the historical background. I helped to
lead an information session about the trip detailing the
history of the SOA and why we feel the way we do. I also
provided pictures to show people what it was like going to
Fort Benning and protest. I enjoy telling other people
about it because I think there are large number of social
injustices that we need to work towards fixing. The SOA
represents a very large injustice in the USA. Going to the
Fort to protest shows our solidarity with the people of
America - South and North.
Peace,
Neal
For more information on the School of the Americas, see
http://www.soaw.org
Christmas Schedule Parish Office
Beginning tomorrow, Dec. 19 and through Jan. 2,
the parish office will be open during weekdays
from 9:00 a. m - 4:00 p.m.
except for the following days when it will be closed:
Thursday December. 22
Friday, December 23
Monday, December 26
Friday, December 30
Monday, January 2
As always, in case of emergency, the pastoral life
coordinator can be reached at (630)379-8355.
5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass
The Children's Mass on Christmas Eve has been a beautiful
celebration to welcome the baby Jesus to Mary Queen of Heaven and
to the world.
Rehearsals are in the early stages, and there's still a
place for you to join with us to bring this Christmas message to
life. Families, children and adults are invited to be shepherds,
angels, banner carriers, singers, liturgical dancers, readers,
teen helpers or adult helpers. The door is always open! For
more information, call Ruth Maple at 279-5612, e-mail
Barisinger@aol.com, or Wendy Krafcky at 676-0349.