426 N. West Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-2171
Parish Office: 630/279-5700
Fax: 630/279-4667
Marriage Encounter A Weekend of Discovery A Lifetime of Love! We really thought we had a good marriage, but after attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend we know how great it can be! We learned how to communicate on a much more meaningful level than we ever dreamed possible! The next weekend dates are February 13-15 and March 19-21. For more details or to register, call 630-577-0778. Communication From the Bishop Dear Sisters and Brothers, Did you know that there are 85 dioceses in our country that are unable to provide basic pastoral ministries, such as religious education, campus ministry, seminary training, and youth and lay ministry programs for their people without outside financial assistance? These dioceses are part of the Home Missions of our country. Usually, when I write to you for a contribution to the missions, it is for needs outside of our own country. Now I am writing to you to ask your generous help for mission territories in our own country. Your generosity to your own parish through the Sunday collection funds the various ministries in your parish. Your generosity to the diocese through the Annual Diocesan Appeal provides funds for the 30 ministries and agencies that serve this local Church. We are blessed with very generous people who make it possible for the Church to carry on the mission of Christ. Eighty-five dioceses in our country, however, cannot provide the necessary resources for their various ministries. They depend upon us. Once more I am asking you to share your blessings by supporting the missionary efforts of our Church in our own country. Last year you generously contributed $203,000 to assist the Home Missions. I thank you for that wonderful response and ask you to offer your support again to this year's Home Missions Appeal. May the Lord bless you for your gift. Sincerely in Christ, (Signed) Most Reverend Joseph L. Imesch Bishop of Joliet Feed the Poor Drop Off Used Printer Cartridges Thanks to your generous donation of used printer cartridges, over 10,000 starving children have received a potential life-saving meal. The response to this drive has been excellent! The Mary Queen of Heaven Men's Group will continue to collect empty inkjet and toner cartridges to help feed the poor in Latin America and the Caribbean. With the non-profit organization, Food for the Poor, empty printer cartridges are recycled and the cash received used to supply food for the needy. One inkjet cartridge can feed a nutritious meal to 80 children! One toner cartridge will feed 300 children a nutritious meal! Of the estimated 300 million printer cartridges sold every year in the United states to businesses and individuals, only 2 percent, or 6 million cartridges, get recycled. The other 294 million cartridges, worth a minimum of $588 million, end up in the trash! Please look for the special Food for the Poor box in the vestibule after Sunday masses. Although most brands of inkjet and toner cartridges are accepted, a complete list of approved cartridges can be found at www.foodforthepoor.org/recycle. Thank you for your help and generosity. For more information call Russ DiOrio at 630-617-8844. Ministry Day Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Darien February 7 The annual Ministry Day gives people involved in various church ministries an opportunity to learn and share their faith. The keynote speaker will be Fr. Phil Horrigan from the Office of Divine Worship, Archdiocese of Chicago. He will also run the seminar for art & environment ministers. Steven Janco will do the seminar for music. The Very Reverend Kenneth O'Malley, C.P. will lead the seminar for Eucharistic Ministers, and Fr. Eric Meyer, C.P. will run the workshop for lectors. The Ministry Day activities will start with Mass at 9:00 a.m.. It is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Matt McCann at 630-852-3303. Diocese of Joliet Catholic Construction Corps Mission to the Navajo Reservation Please join us at the St. Charles Pastoral Center in Romeoville at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, for an Information Night on the 3rd annual mission to the Navajo Reservation. The trip is planned for June 4-19, 2004 to repair/build homes for the poor of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. This construction mission needs skilled and semi-skilled workers in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical, as well as men and women who will assist in a variety of construction tasks. Opportunities to meet the people and to learn the local culture are part of this mission. For info. call Art Sheridan, Missions Coordinator, at 815-834-4072 (asheridan@dioceseofjoliet.org) or contact (evenings) either Deacon Tom Goebel (630-782-9577) or Deacon Larry Lissak (630-629-9234). 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. This is less than a month away, so get your friends and relatives together and reserve 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 can be purchased at all the masses this weekend and the donation is $30 per person. For more information, please contact Diane Bernstein at 279-7252. As in past years, we will be having a Raffle with many more great prizes. The top three prizes will be Cash. Raffle Books were mailed out this week and you should have received them by now. Extra raffle books will be available at all the masses this weekend. 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. Fireside Theology Saturday, February 7 at 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Immaculate Conception Parish, Elmhurst Topic: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace Presenter: Father Ed Shea, an energetic and enthusiastic preacher. We'll provide the hot cocoa and marshmallows (and a continental breakfast)! Suggested Donation: $10. Call 530-3483 for more info. - THE GATHERING - Small Faith Community at Mary Queen of Heaven The Thursday evening Community, The Gathering, would like to welcome new members. Would that be you? Not a Bible study group, altho Scripture is a key element Not a social group, even tho socializing and caring for one another as friends is very important Not a prayer group, but prayer is its foundation Not a ministry committee, but service is a vital aspect of community life. A Small Faith Community is all of these. It is an opportunity to come together in a manner similar to the very first Christians almost 2,000 years ago, in each other's homes. A small church within a larger one. How can you tell if this is for you? Come and See! Call Lynn Suwanski at 630-530-2523 evenings. Protecting God's Children An Invitation Throughout the past year our parish bulletin has carried many letters from Bishop Imesch explaining how our diocese would be responding to the crisis of sexual abuse of children. One of the ways is a program designed to help us create a very safe environment where we live and where we work by becoming better informed about the signs of abuse and the characteristics of a possible offender. In September and October of 2003 Mary Queen of Heaven parish presented this program called Protecting God's Children for all individuals who are employed by Mary Queen of Heaven parish and/or who work or volunteer with the children of our parish. On the evening of February 19, 2004 the program will be presented once again. This time we extend an invitation to all interested members of our parish to come for the presentation of two short films and some discussion. The program will address the warning signs of inappropriate relationships, how child-centered programs are to be monitored, who are permitted to work with children, the importance of parental involvement and how to communicate concerns about suspected abuse. Program Time: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mime-Version: Program Date: February 19, 2004 Registration: Please call Mary Alice at 279-1159 by February 16 so that we may prepare the proper amount of chairs, tables, handouts and refreshments. Mark your calendars: Wednesday, February 4th, at 7PM in Barrett Hall There will be a special session for parents of children in our RE program who will be celebrating their First Communion this May. Friar John Paul Cafiero will be the facilitator of the session. This is a very important meeting, and all are expected to attend. Please call the office if ;you will not be present. Reminder to all parents: Please caution your children to be extra careful when crossing the parking lot, walking on the sidewalks, etc. We ask that all our parents be extra careful as well when driving in and out of the parking lot. With the snowy, icy weather we want all our children to be safe. Have you ever thought of being a catechist? This is the perfect time to start thinking if you are being called to be a catechist in our Religious Education Program next school year. It's a great time to come by on a Wednesday and see what goes on after the children arrive. The only qualification is that you love children and you want to share your faith with them. Everything else is provided. If you thought about it or know someone who is interested, call the office for details. If you have questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. Toiletry Item Drive Confirmation project for Michael Rudolph and Vince Colella! Jan. 25-Feb. 22 at Mary Queen of Heaven There will be a box in back of church for donations. Please give shampoo, razors, shaving cream, soap, toothpaste & brush, deodorant, etc. Please donate unused items. Donations will go to a local homeless shelter!! Any questions, call Michael Rudolph at 279-7902. 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, the third Wednesday or the fourth Tuesday of the month. The next meeting dates are as follows: Feb. 3 - Catholic Charities, Kankakee Feb. 18 - St. Paul the Apostle Activity Center, Joliet Feb. 24 - St. Daniel the Prophet's Parish Center, Wheaton For further information, please call the L.O.S.S. Program Center at 312-655-7283. 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. Bill Brandt Jack Brett Rose Caffarelli Betty Ciancio Cosmo Ciancio Art Heisen Tom Janicke Elizabeth Kubane John Kubane Irving Pavlik Kelly Peters Charles Ramus Anne Marie Raye Patricia Sabel Robert Schultz Edward Stefaniak Patricia Staseck If you know someone who would like our prayers, please call Mary Alice at 279-1159. Rest In Peace Adeline Gorski You are invited to a Catholic sponsored Candidate Forum for the U.S. Senate Sunday, February 8 at 2:00 p.m. Tellabs Lecture Hall, Benedictine University, Lisle Candidates will be asked how their campaign addresses principles of Catholic social teaching and related issues: Life & Dignity of the Human Person; Call to Family, Community & Participation; Rights & Responsibilities; Options for the Poor & Vulnerable; Dignity of Work & the Rights of Workers; Solidarity; and Care for God's Creation Candidates invited: Republicans: Steve Rauschenberger, Chirinjeev Kathuria, Andy McKenna, Jim Oberweis, Jack Ryan, Jonathan Wright, John Borling, Andy Martin and Norm Hill. Democrats: Dan Hynes, Nancy Skinner, Joyce Washington, Blair Hull, Barrack Obama, Gery Chico and Maria Pappas. Sponsors: St. Margaret Mary Parish, St. Raphael Parish, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Holy Spirit Catholic Community, Benedictine University, JPIC Office of the Wheaton Franciscans and others. Benedictine University, Lisle Red Carpet Day for high school senior and families to learn about Benedictine Univ. on Sunday, February 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Info: 630-829-6311. Workshop to help Jobseekers develop career strategies on February 10 at 6:00 p.m. For information, call Melissa Mouhelis at 630-829-6036. Master of Public Health information night on Wednesday, February 11 at 6 - 8 p.m. Info: 630-829-6228. 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 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. 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. Yoga Class by Debbie Styka For all ages - teenagers to senioragers It creates community as we meet each other in class. It is scheduled right after Religious Education classes. A new class starts February 4 for 4 weeks Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. 4 classes, $16 per person 4 classes $24 per family (ages 14 and older) Call Debbie 941-7224 Required:: Please bring a non-slip mat (can be purchased at Sport Authority, Target, etc/ for $13 to $20). Souper Bowl Sunday Today, Sunday, February 1, two NFL teams will play football's Super Bowl. But it's also the day on which churches across the country raise money for people helped by soup kitchens. Thus, the Souper Bowl (S-o-u-p-e-r). At the end of each Mass this weekend, Religious Education students will stand at the back of church with soup kettles, ready to take donations. All we ask is that you give a dollar. This is the sixth year Mary Queen has participated in Souper Bowl Sunday, and last year we collected $540 from this simple request. All money goes directly to support local soup kitchens. A Vocation View The Lord says: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I dedicated you. Always listen to an Old Friend. The Cenacle Retreat House Presents: Lent: A Matter of Heart, and Interactive Retreat, will be presented by Sr. Mary Ellen McAleese, OSF on March 12-14, 2004. Sr. McAleese will invite retreatants to explore together and alone the questions: Where is My Heart?; What is in My Heart?; Who is in My Heart?; What Does My Heart Need Now?. The cost is $165 for a single room, $150 for a double room. A retreat day for Spanish-speaking women will be presented by Rev. Favio Garzon on Saturday, March 13, 2004, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The cost is $25 and includes lunch. For further information, call 63-393-1231.