426 N. West Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-2171
Parish Office: 630/279-5700
Fax: 630/279-4667
December Celebrations
We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the following who
was baptized in December:
Cayliann Marie Gillie
Reporting Sexual Abuse
Anyone who has reasonable cause to suspect the sexual abuse of a minor
by a member of the clergy or other Church personnel is urged to report
the matter immediately. To inform the Diocese of Joliet, call Sr. Mary
Frances Seeley, OSF (Victim Assistance Coordinator) at 1-815-263-6467 or
write the Diocese of Joliet, 524 Summit Street, Joliet 60435.
Contact DCFS at 1-800-252-2873 or call the office of the local County
States Attorney.
Fireside Theology
Immaculate Conception Parish, Elmhurst
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Suggested Donation: $10
A winter companion to our popular summer program, this series will help
us focus on finding balance and inner peace in our lives. Come spend
some cold Saturday mornings with us. We'll provide the hot cocoa and
marshmallows (and a continental breakfast)! Call 530-3483 for more
information.
Saturday, January 24: Bringing Balance to Life:
Harnessing Stress and Mastering Time
Today more than ever, we are pulled in many directions. The demands of
work, family life, and friendship are ever increasing. We are further
stressed by the impact of living in a time of global unrest. There just
don't seem to be enough hours in a day to meet obligations, let alone
have time for oneself. How can we move out of living in the urgent
mode?
Presenter: Joan Zientek, a certified marital and family therapist.
Saturday, January 31:
The Dynamics of Power in Daily Living
This morning will give you the opportunity to explore the dynamics of
power in everyday life, to probe the meaning of God's power expressed in
the life of Jesus, and to discover the implications of power for
relationships, community and ministry.
Presenter: Sister Helen Cahill, a member of the staff at Claret Center
for Counseling and Spiritual Direction.
Saturday, February 7:
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
St. Francis of Assisi sensed a oneness with all of God's creation. This
sense of unity with creation urged him to live at peace-with himself,
with his God, and with all the universe. We will explore this sense of
peace, and how we might claim it for our lives.
Presenter: Father Ed Shea, pastor of the Church of St. Joseph in
Chicago's famed Back of the Yards neighborhood, an energetic and
enthusiastic preacher.
The St. Michael (Wheaton)
Class of 1974 Class Reunion, Summer of 2004.
If you are or know of someonewho is a 1974 graduate,
Please contact Sheila Murphy Russell at 630-754-6060.
The Cenacle Retreat House
In Warrenville Presents:
Seeking Winter's Sabbath, a quiet retreat, will be presented by MaryJo
Valenziano and David Nowak, of the Mayslake Ministries on Jan. 30-Feb. 1.
This weekend of solitude and contemplative prayer, will include
conferences and celebration of the Sabbath rituals of Kidush and
Hadvalah. The cost is $165 for a single room only, with a $50 deposit
required.
Catherine of Siena: Passioate Mystic, on January 30-February 1. Sr.
Mary Meegan, OP, will present this quiet retreat. The focus will be on
Contemplative quiet, as well as reflection on the life and writings of
this 14th century mystic.
Staying Centered in a Frenetic World on February 6-8. Sr. Joyce Kemp,
r.c., PhD., invites participants to discover how they can live a
spiritual life in the midst of daily activities and learn that action and
contemplation are not opposed to each other.
Learning to Love: God, Ourselves and Each Other, on February 13-15.
Rev. Charles Miley, will help participants to understand how once they
experience how beloved they are by God, they are able to love themselves
and become capable of caring for others.
Imagining Choices, Living Choices, a spiritually based workshop, will
be presented by Cenacle Sisters Janice Bemowski, r.c., MA and Mary Guido,
r.c., MA on February 20-22, 2004. Men and women of all faiths between
the ages of 25-45 are invited to come and discover new ways of
approaching the choices that are part of everyone's life.
The cost is $165 for a single room, $150 for a double. For further
information or to register for any of these programs, please call
630-393-1231.
Fresh Start is a peer support group to help those coping with Separation
or Divorce. The group normally meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the
month at 7:15 p.m. in the Marian Room (2nd floor of the Parish Center) at
Immaculate Conception Parish in Elmhurst.
The next meeting will be on Monday, January 19. If you have questions,
please call Jeri at 630-530-5282.
MQH Eucharistic Minister Training
Saturday, January 17, 2004
9:00 a.m. to noon in MQH Church
All Eucharistic Minister trainees should attend this training session.
In addition, anyone currently on the roster who would like a refresher,
plus those who may be interested in learning more about this ministry,
are encouraged to attend.
Discussion will include some theology and history of the Eucharist, as
well as practical instruction on the procedures. The facilitators will
be Sister Sharon of the Office of Divine Worship and Deacon Tom Nolan.
If you have any questions, please call Anne Hoey at 834-1783.
Record of Parish Contributions
If you would like to receive a record of your 2003 financial
contributions, please call the parish office at 279-5700. Any 2003
contributions must be received no later than January 11th and clearly
marked Christmas or 2003 in order to be included in our 2003 records.
Bowlin' for Fun!
January 24
The CCW and the MQH Men's Group are sponsoring a Candlelight Bowl at
Stardust Bowling Lanes, 27 E. Lorraine, in Addison. The evening will
include dinner, three regular games of bowling, and one crazy game. The
cost is $45 per couple. Prizes will be awarded, and raffles will be
held. Call your relatives, neighbors and friends and invite them to join
in the fun!!
For reservations, call Mary White at 833-9809 or stop by the table in
the vestibule of Church this weekend. If you are able to contribute door
prizes, such as bottles of wine, gift certificates, etc., please give Jim
Japczyk a call at 833-6853.
Home Maintenance for Seniors
DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC) offers affordable home repair
services at a subsidized cost to seniors in Elmhurst, age 60 and over.
Home repairs include electrical, plumbing, carpentry, general maintenance
and safety equipment installation.
Costs for home repairs in Elmhurst are $40 per service hour (billed in
15-minute increments, 30 minutes minimum per service call). There is no
charge for estimates. Other no-cost home maintenance services available
to seniors in Elmhurst include a home inspection to assure personal, home
safety and weatherizing needs, and a contractor referral service.
In addition, DSCC offers their Chore Days Program in the Spring and Fall
to assist with seasonal outdoor clean up. For more information, please
contact Hina at 630-620-0804.
RE Sponsors Blood Drive
January 11
This Sunday, January 11, the 8th graders in Mary Queen's Religious
Education program will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross.
Donations are sought from healthy individuals, ages 17 and older (16 with
parental consent), with all blood types and who have not donated blood
for the previous 56 days.
If you are a regular donor, please note that November 16 was the last
day you could have donated blood and still be eligible to donate at Mary
Queen's drive on January 11. If you have a choice as to when to donate,
we'd appreciate your support.
Active Parenting Today
A 6-Part Parenting Program
Tuesdays, January 13 to February 17
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
At Catholic Charities, Lombard
This parenting program is designed to help parents improve effective
discipline and communication skills and develop skills that encourage our
children and help build their self-esteem. The program is designed for
parents who have children between the ages of 5 to 12.
Cost: $50 per person or $70 for couples
Instructor: James M. Gilligan, MSW
Pre-registration is required.
Call Catholic Charities at 630-495-9850 to register.
Scholarships for Students
Entering Catholic High Schools
The Kazma Family Foundation, through the Diocese Catholic Education
Foundation, will again provide scholarships, in the amount of $3,000
each, to 25 freshmen entering one of eight Catholic high schools located
in our Diocese. The scholarships are automatically renewed for four
years, provided the student meets the requirements set by the Kazma
Family.
Awards are based primarily on financial need, as determined by the
Private School Aid Service's consideration of 26 factors. Additional
consideration is given to academic achievement, personal circumstances,
and attendance at a Catholic grade school.
Parents of qualifying students may contact the high school their student
wishes to attend and request an application form.
Completed applications are due by Friday, February 20, 2004, at St.
Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center. No exceptions can be made to this
deadline.
Attention: Widows and Widowers
Have you recently lost your spouse? Are you struggling with the loss?
Have you been widowed for some time and sense the need for something to
help you over the hump because you feel stuck in your grief? Then,
Joyful Again! may be what you need.
Joyful Again! is a weekend (Saturday & Sunday) program designed for both
men and women of all ages who have been widowed and are seeking to renew
hope and joy in their lives.
When: Saturday, February 7 and Sunday, February 8, 2004
Where: Mary Queen of Heaven church, in Elmhurst
Donation: $75 usual donation, includes meals and handout materials.
(Adjustments can be made if the cost presents a difficulty at this time.)
The weekend is sponsored by St. Alexander & Mary Queen of Heaven
parishes. For further information, call Joyful Again! at 708-354-7211.
One-day Spirituality Workshop
January 17, from 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
in LaGrange Park
The Art of Personal Spiritual Growth, is a one-day workshop offering
an introduction to skills helpful to developing one's inner life. The
workshop is intended for those who desire to deepen the spiritual
foundation of their lives and work, and is open to people of all faiths.
The day is sponsored by the Institute for Spiritual Leadership (ISL) of
Chicago and the Institute of Spiritual Companionship (ISC) of Evanston.
It will be held at The Well Spirituality Center at 1515 W. Ogden Avenue
in LaGrange Park.
The day will feature a morning presentation on the skill of Focusing, a
process for learning to pay attention to the way emotions and insights
are carried in the body. An afternoon session will provide an
introduction to techniques for keeping a journal.
The cost of the workshop is $35, and includes a light lunch. Space is
limited to 25 persons. The deadline for registrations is January 14,
2004. For more information call Jane Zimmerman at 773-752-5962, ext. 17.
www.spiritleader.org or www.iofsc.org
Stewardship
Jesus, whom God called my beloved Son, is also the servant of whom
Isaiah speaks in the first reading. We who are baptized in Christ must
follow His example and use our time and resources serving our God and
neighbor.
Joliet Diocese Catholic
Charismatic Healing Mass
Friday, January 16, Mass at 7:30 p.m.
Sacrament of Reconciliation - 6:30 p.m.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Catholic Church
4801 Main Street, Downers Grove
Rev. Michael Lane, Presiding
Deacon Marty Hetzel, Assisting
For information, please call 630-964-0216
Worship Commission Notes
Meeting on December 15, 2003
At 10:30 Mass on January 11, there will be a rite of acceptance for
people who have come into the RCIA program since the fall rite of
acceptance. There are 18 catechumens and candidates.
Focus for the Christmas season is Jesus, the Promise Revealed.
Training for Eucharistic Ministers is on Saturday, January 17, 2004.
Plans are well underway for the Lenten season.
Volunteer Tutors Needed
Join the Sisters of St. Joseph of LaGrange in their literacy/ESL
program, School on Wheels. Volunteer tutors are needed to teach adults
one hour/week at Berwyn, Hodgkins, Summit, Villa Park, Westmont, or
Woodridge, weekday mornings, some late afternoons and/or evenings.
Training will be provided on January 31 and February 14, from 9 a. m.
until 2 p. m., at the Motherhouse/Ministry Center in LaGrange Park. You
must attend one 2-day training session. No prior second language skills
are required. For more information, call (708) 354-9200: Sr. Marybeth
at ext. 5060, Jeanie Jadran at ext. 5085, or Barbara Bernhard at ext.
5037 .
Evening Under the Stars
Friday, February 20, 2004
Need an evening of relaxation and fun? Plan on attending the 7th Annual
Evening Under the Stars Auction and Dinner Dance being held on Friday,
February 20, at Alta Villa Banquets in Addison.
Get your friends and relatives together and plan on reserving a table.
The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m., with a cash bar and an opportunity
for all attendees to view the wonderful auction items that have been
donated by our parishioners and businesses in our area. Tickets for this
event will be available beginning this weekend, and the donation is $30
per person. For information, please contact Diane Bernstein at 279-7252.
All parishioners should have received a letter from Mary Connelly and
Teri Kevil requesting donations of articles, theater tickets, dinners,
football games, special events, weekend trips, collectibles, children's
items, donations of service, etc. We are counting on your help to make
this year's auction/dinner dance as great as it has been in the past.
So, give the girls a call and let them know when to pick up your
donation. Because of the time needed to compose and print the Auction
Program Book, we ask that all donations please be in by January 26. Of
course, monetary donations are always acceptable to help purchase auction
items or defray expenses.
As in past years, we will be having a Raffle with many more great
prizes, the top three prizes being Cash. Raffle Books will be mailed to
your homes around the third week in January.
Much help is needed. If you have a few free hours and would like to
volunteer to help us with this event, give Sheila a call at 833-6657.
Watch the bulletin for more information in the coming weeks.
Prayer Requests
To pray for the sick is an important responsibility of the Christian
Community. We hope that you will pray for these persons every day, alone
or as a family. Thank you.
Jack Brett Rose Caffarelli
Betty Ciancio Cosmo Ciancio
Adeline Gorski Art Heisen
Tom Janicke Elizabeth Kubane
Kelly Peters Anne Marie Raye
Patricia Sabel Robert Schultz
Edward Stefaniak Patricia Staseck
Patrick White Marion Whitting
If you know someone who would like our prayers, please call Mary Alice
at 279-1159.
Rest In Peace
Adele Jacoby, sister of John Brani
Helen Owca, mother of Mary Napolilli
Norine H. Sherlock
Market Day
Orders for January are due Monday, January 19, at noon. Turn in your
order form in the box at the back of church or at the rectory. Pickup on
Saturday, January 24, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the Social Hall.
If you have questions or would like to place an order, please call Mary
at 832-8263 or Karen at 279-4108.
Giving Tree Thank you
Dear parishioners,
Thank you so very much for your gracious and generous gifts. The
residents' faces light up when they open their gifts. One resident said,
I hope it's a purse, and sure enough it was a purse. We at Elmhurst
Extended Care Center are extremely grateful for your generosity.
Thank you to each person who participated in the giving tree program.
May God bless each of you.
Cindy Gawryla, Activity Director
Elmhurst Extended Care Center, Inc.
Host Families Sought for
Children of Northern Ireland
The Irish Children's Fund is seeking host families to welcome children
from the troubled areas of Northern Ireland into their homes during the
summer of 2004. This will be the 24th summer that the ICF has brought an
equal number of Catholic and Protestant children to the Chicago area.
During their visit, the children will participate in activities designed
to foster the spirit of cooperation and friendship, breaking the barriers
of mistrust they have been brought up with.
Upon returning to Northern Ireland, the children have a follow-up
program available to them through which they can continue to come
together in ICF-sponsored activities and maintain the friendships formed
in the United States.
For additional information, call 630-833-1910.
St. Patrick's Day Party
The MQH Men's Group has scheduled a St. Patrick's Day Party on
Saturday, March 20, from 7:00 p.m. until 12:00 Midnight in Barrett Hall.
This adult event will include a catered dinner, beverages, entertainment,
raffles and, potentially, a silent auction on select items. More details
will be announced within the next couple of weeks.
Benedictine University, Lisle
Winter activities and camps for adults. Include kayaking, scuba diving,
body shaping and Tang Soo Do martial arts, beginning this week. For info:
630-829-6088.
Jim Ryan seminar to address issue of violence against women: Weekly
beginning January 14 at 4:30-5:45 p.m. Cost $285. Call 630-829-6074.
Annual King breakfast on Monday, January 19, at 7:30-9:00 a.m. Former
Mississippi governor Winter will speak; Tickets: $25; Information:
630-942-3965.
Intercessions for Life
For every little child,
that through their Baptism we may recommit ourselves
to defend their life and nurture them in Christ.
Vocation View
Come on, continue your Baptism by baptizing others in the Holy Spirit
and fire.
You are my beloved child, says the Lord!
Affordable Housing
and Homelessness in DuPage
Pax Christi DuPage, a chapter of Pax Christi USA, a national Catholic
peace and justice movement, is sponsoring a panel discussion on
affordable housing and homelessness in DuPage County and statewide
entitled, It Takes a Home to Raise a Family. The event will take place
on Wednesday, January 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Joan of Arc Parish in Lisle.
Featured on the panel will be Ms. Julie Dworkin, a policy specialist
with the Illinois Coalition for the Homeless; Ms. Tracy Occomy with the
Statewide Housing Action Coalition; and Sr. Sheila Kinsey with the
Wheaton Franciscans.
For more information, contact John & Rose Bagley at 355-5023 or Tom
Cordaro at 236-8633.
Please mark your calendars:
Family Mass - 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 17
All RE families are invited to join as the second graders celebrate their
First Communion Commitment Ritual.
Confirmation Retreat for all 8th graders - Saturday, January 31, at 9
a.m.-3 p.m. in Barrett Hall
First Communion Parent Meeting - Wednesday, February 4, at 7:00 p.m. in
Barrett Hall
As always please be very careful in the parking lot. Winter weather
makes dropping off and picking up children a real challenge. Remember
our children are precious; let's all strive to insure their safety.
If you have questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann
Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Collection totals:
Sunday, Dec. 21, 2003 (correction) $5,932.00
Sunday, Dec. 28, 203 $5,129.00
Sunday, January 4, 2004 $5,641.50
Thank you for your support.
The Cenacle Retreat House
In Warrenville Presents:
A new series, Thursdays with Teilhard: Readings in Spirituality, will
be presented by Sr. Rita Anne Houlihan, r.c. starting on January 22
through May 20, 1:00-3:30 P.M. Sr. Houlihan will explore some of the
classic texts in spirituality in this series. Teilhard's The Divine
Mileiu will be the first book to be discussed, and is available in the
Cenacle bookstore. The series will run for five (5) sessions. The cost
is $15 per session/$60 for the series.