426 N. West Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-2171
Parish Office: 630/279-5700
Fax: 630/279-4667
Market Day
Orders for March are due Monday, March 15, at noon. Turn in your order
form in the box at the back of church or at the rectory. Pickup on
Saturday, March 20, 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.
February Celebrations
We welcome into the Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Family the following who
were baptized in February:
Nicholas David Dobrowolski
Antonio Hernandez
Answering the Call
Chris Floss is an only child. After graduating from
Bradley-Bourbonnais High School and studying for a year at Kankakee
Community College, he entered the college seminary program at Conception
Seminary College. Chris graduated from Conception in 2000 and is
currently in his last year of formation at the North American College, in
Rome. He has served as an Eucharistic minister and minister to the
homebound at his home parish. Chris has a love for music and enjoys
singing, playing the piano, and composing songs. He also plays tennis,
racquetball, and golf. During his formation, he has done internships
with the chaplain corp for the Air Force in Europe and at St. Philip the
Apostle Parish, Addison, and St. Joseph Parish, Downers Grove.
For information regarding vocations visit www.vocations.com or call the
Diocesan Vocation Office at 815.834.4004.
Spring Craft Show
Accepting Crafter Applications
St. Beatrice School in Schiller Park is hosting its 20th Annual Bunny
Boutique Craft Show on March 26-27. They are currently accepting crafter
applications for what promises to be an excellent show. For more
information and applications, please call the school at 847-678-1752 or
e-mail stbeatricecraftshow@yahoo.com.
Monastery Live-in Experience
Attention prayerful single men and women!
St. Procopius Benedictine Abbey (for men) in Lisle, IL., St. Benedict's
Abbey (for men) in Benet Lake, Wisc., New Melleray Trappist Abbey (for
men) in Dubuque, Iowa, the famous Gethsemani Trappist Abbey (for men) in
Trappist, Kentucky, and Mary Immaculate and St. Joseph Abbey (for women)
will be hosting “Live-in Experience” vocational retreats soon. Work and
pray with the monks and nuns. Hear the interesting vocational talks.
There is no cost, but space is limited. Dates include Feb. 27-29, March
12-14, and March 19-21. Other weekend dates available. Some
restrictions may apply. Call toll free 1-800-221-1807.
Caregiver's Support Group
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital, Wheaton
Do you feel as if you are torn in too many directions and that you're
not doing anything well? Is your loved one demanding more than you can
give? Caregiving begins with taking care of yourself. How do you
balance your own life's demands with those of your role as a Caregiver?
This group can help you find the balance.
Learn strategies that can allow you to care for your loved one and take
care of yourself. The most common reason for loved ones entering a
nursing home is caregiver burnout. Learn how to avoid resentment that
begins to mount as you struggle to do too much by yourself. Our meetings
provide resources for caregivers in all situations. The group meets the
3rd Wednesday of every month at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.
Marianjoy also has the following support groups: Amputee, Aphasia,
Guillain-Barre, Brain injury, Chronic pain, Spinal cord, and Stroke. For
further information, please call Lois Sheridan at 630-462-4081.
Annual Senior Health & Safety Fair
Saturday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
York High School Commons (new Elmhurst location)
The fair, which is sponsored by the Elmhurst Senior Citizens Commission
and the city of Elmhurst, will include free blood pressure, vision,
hearing and glucose (diabetes) screenings.
Individuals who wish to participate in the $20 comprehensive cholesterol
screening (HDL, LDL and triglycerides) will need to fast for 12 hours
prior to the test and call CareMatch at 782-7878 to pre-register.
Osteoporosis screenings will be offered for a $5 charge. Call the Abbey
at 993-8989 to register. The fair will also include refreshments,
informative exhibits, timely presentations and information on volunteer
opportunities. Bring your used eyeglasses and hearing aids for donation
to the needy. For more details, watch for a flyer in your utility bill
or check local newspapers.
Parish Lenten Series 2004
The 2 remaining Mondays are March 8, and 22
3/8 The Rosary, Hail Marys and Beyond - Dee Janicke
Finding God Within - Ellen Walker
3/22 Guided Walks with God- Mary Ann Reed
Conversations with Christ - Milt Honel
Each evening will take place in Barrett Hall from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Refreshments will be served during break.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
All parishioners are invited to march in the Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day
Parade on Saturday, March 13th with the Men's group. For additional
information, contact Mark Connelly at 782-7626 or 258-1648.
Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross are held on the Friday evenings of Lent at 7:00
p.m., beginning February 27. Perhaps you could make a special effort for
the entire family to attend. We hope you will be able to join us.
Men's Group
The Men's Group meets the 2nd Thursday of every month at 8:00 p.m. at
Crossroads Restaurant in Elmhurst.
The Men's Group is hosting a St. Patrick's Day Party on Saturday, March
20 in Barrett Hall from 7:00 PM until Midnight. The admission price will
be $25 per adult (over 21) and will include a catered buffet dinner,
beverages, live musical entertainment and a few surprises. Split-the-pot
raffle tickets will be on sale prior to the Party with the winners to be
announced at the Party. Admission will be on a first-come, first-serve
basis (120 people maximum), so get your tickets now!
For admission ticket information,
contact Bob Kevil at 279-4165 or 688-1875.
For raffle ticket information,
contact Mark Connelly at 782-7626 or 258-1648.
You a catechist? Why not?
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.
The monetary payment is not terrific; in fact, it's non-existent. But
the perks are incredible
Each year we lose a few catechists due to moves, jobs, or maybe moving
on to another ministry in the parish. I'm sure this year will be no
exception. Our sessions currently meet on Wednesdays, at 3:15 to 4:30
for pre-school through grade 4, and 7 to 8:15 p.m. for grades 5 through
8. So if you like the little ones, or maybe the junior high is where
your interests lie, don't hesitate to call for more info. Your children
deserve the very best … You!
Lenten Project
This project has been so successful in the past; we are doing it again.
We are collecting items for Easter baskets, which will be donated to
Marillac House on Chicago's West Side. Each Wednesday during Lent, there
will be a “Basket” in the hall of the school for donations of candy,
small stuffed animals, grass, or other items appropriate for a child's
Easter basket. Sister Antoinette, who is on the staff at Marillac, is a
relative of the Klein family who are parishioners. Sister really looks
forward to our collections. Please be generous.
Mark Your Calendars!
On Saturday, March 20, we will be conducting our Confirmation Interviews
in the School from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Schedules will be mailed to our
8th grade families this week.
If you have questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann
Woods at the REO, 832-8962.
Taize Prayer Service
Sunday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m.
The monthly Taize Prayer Service will take place at Sacred Heart
Monastery, located on the northeast corner of Maple and Yackley Avenues
in Lisle.
Paulist Productions and ABC Television Network
Proudly present the World Premier of
“JUDAS”
The story of Jesus from the point of view
of the friend who betrayed him.
Monday, March 8 at 8 p.m.
Television Channel 7
Help support quality entertainment rooted in faith by spreading the word
to your family and friends.
St. Alexander School, Villa Park
New Family Registration
Registration of new families for the 2004-2005 school year will take
place on Wed., March 10. An original, county birth certificate and a
baptismal certificate will be needed unless the child was baptized at St.
Alexander. A non-refundable registration fee of $100 per family,
applicable to next year's tuition, will complete the registration. The
school office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please call 834-3787
for additional information, to arrange another time, or to schedule a
school tour.
Deacon Applications
The Diocese of Joliet is accepting applications for its permanent deacon
program class of 2009. They will continue to accept these applications
through October 2004. If you are interested, please contact Father John
at the Mary Queen of Heaven rectory.
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.
Bill Brandt Pam Bonafide
Jack Brett Kathy Calzante
Betty Ciancio Cosmo Ciancio
Tom Janicke Brian Morley
Robert Schultz Roy Schultz
If you know someone who would like our prayers, please call Mary Alice
at 279-1159.
Rest In Peace
Charles Ramus
Human Cloning & Stem Cell Bills
The Illinois General Assembly is currently considering two positive
bills that would ban human cloning while promoting adult stem cell
research in Illinois. Please contact your state Senator and
Representative to urge them to: vote YES and sign up as a co-sponsor for
SB 2934 (Illinois Senate) and HB 6693 (Illinois House), the “Human
Cloning Ban/Adult Stem Cell Research Act.”
We urgently need a strong bill in Illinois to ban this unethical
experimentation. Human cloning has never helped a single patient, and
exploits people by turning procreation into a manufacturing process,
treating human life as a commodity. In addition, this legislation
encourages adult stem cell research and other ethically responsible
alternatives, which have already helped hundreds of thousands of
patients.
To find your state legislators, call the Capital Switchboard at
217-782-2000 and ask for your Representative and Senator offices or log
on to www.catholicconferenceofillinois.org.
M.O.M.S
Moms Offering Moms Support is a social organization that provides an
opportunity for mothers of young children to meet other mothers. It is a
time to relax over coffee and snacks while learning and discussing issues
of interest. There are no membership fees, nor are there any
requirements to join the group. On Thursday, March 11, from 9:00 to
11:00, we will meet in Plunkett Hall, lower level of the Immaculate
Conception chapel, Elmhurst.
Join us to hear about the keys to hosting a successful kid's birthday
party. From invitations, favors, games, food, the cake and more, you're
sure to learn tips to help you with your next celebration. Please bring
at least one idea to share with the group.
Babysitting is available for a nominal fee. For more information, Call
Katie Gallagher at 941-8755.
George Fares Zghaib and Sharon Rose DeBoth
Creating Family Memoirs
Monday, March 8, at 7:00 p.m.
At St. Charles Borromeo in Bensenville
The CCW and the RE Board present Mr. Andrew Lyke, Coordinator of
Marriage Ministry and Family Ministries for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Mr. Lyke will bring back the art of storytelling and the importance of
multi-generations getting together to share stories, photos and other
mementos of past and present family activities, which will be lost to
future generations if not told and retold. He retells stories of his own
family as examples of how each family can bring home biblical narratives
and integrate them into ordinary experiences of life.
Join us for a learning, fun evening complete with dialogue, networking
opportunities and refreshments.
What would you do with $100,000?
Buy a Ferrari, pay for your child of grandchild's college tuition, take
a trip around the world? Here's your chance to answer that question!
Bishop McNamara High School's Dinner Auction Raffle will have a grand
prize of $100,000. Only 2,000 tickets, each $100, will be sold. The
winning ticket will be drawn at the 20th Annual Dinner Auction on May 8.
For tickets, call 815-791-3483.
Voter Information
For Catholic voters , the respect for life is an important issue. Since
it is difficult for the average citizen to find accurate information
about the many candidates, Illinois Citizens for Life has prepared
non-partisan voter information based on survey, public statements, and/or
voting records. This guide is not an endorsement and may not be used to
advance the candidacy of any individual.
For information, access the ICL web site at www.pair.com/icl. Click on
“Candidate Info” (left side of the page). You can find your own
districts by clicking on “Find Your Legislative Representative” or by
checking your voter card. If you do not have internet access, call ICL
at 630-852-5448 and they will send you the information. Your vote
carries much more weight in a primary election, since so few people
bother to participate. Please take your responsibility to vote very
seriously.
Project Love Victorian High Tea
Ladies, bring your moms, daughters, sisters, granddaughters, or your
friend or neighbor to a lovely Victorian High Tea to be held at The
Carlisle, in Lombard, on Saturday, March 27, from noon to 3:00 p.m. A
delicious light meal will be served with fancy sandwiches and sweet
confections. Talented young teens will provide music.
The highlight of the occasion will be the presentation of the “Caritas”
award to the Hon. “Patti” Bellock, State Representative (47th District)
for her commitment to pro-life efforts. Make reservations by calling
Illinois Citizens for Life at 630-852-5448. Donation: Adult $20, Child
under 12-$14.
There is a raffle, with the top prize of $500. If you cannot attend,
you can mail your donation ($5/ticket or $10/three) to Project Love, 5021
Fairview Ave. Suite B, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Your name will be put on
the raffle tickets and entered in the drawing. Your support is very much
appreciated.
Since it's beginning in 1996, Project Love has assisted 235 Illinois
families with modest grants to help them through a difficult or unplanned
pregnancy. Applications are made through public, private and faith-based
crisis pregnancy organizations, who screen the applicants. Only one
grant per pregnancy is awarded, but this financial help is often enough
to help a troubled young woman decide to carry her child to term.
Benedictine University, Lisle
Business management workshop Thursday, March 11, from 8:30 to 11:30
a.m. Call 630-829-6215.
Adult accelerated degree programs; Information sessions March 13 & 24 in
Lisle. Call 620-829-2277.
Graduate education programs; Information night Tuesday, March 23, at 6-8
p.m. Call 630-829-6293.
Family Mass
Saturday, March 20
At 5:00 p.m. in Church
PADS Help Needed
Are you aware that our Men's Group works the overnight shifts for PADS
the 4th weekend of each month? PADS provides shelter for homeless
persons at various sites from October through April. The time our Men's
Group works is from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the morning.
Our Men's Group has divided the time into two three-hour sessions: the
11-2 and the 2-5 shifts, using two men per shift. They need volunteers
to help out, especially the dates of March 27-28, and April 24-25.
During these shifts the men monitor the groups using the PADS facility
and prepare lunches for the following day. If you could give a night or
two, or more, to this worthy cause, please call Steve Lindberg at
941-1355 or e-mail him at steve@fallaw.com. If you would like more
information, he will be happy to answer your questions.
Voices of Angels
We'd like to thank all our Angels who sang so beautifully at the
February Family Mass. And, we'd like to invite any interested young
people to join Voices of Angels for the last 2 Family Masses of the year.
Practices for the March 20 Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on March 11 and 18.
Practices for the April 17 Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on April 8 and 15.
If you have any questions, please give us a call.
Thank you.
Ruth Maple and Mary Jean Adkins
Auction/Dinner Dance Update
It was our seventh “Evening Under the Stars” Auction/Dinner Dance, and
once again it was a great success and the word is: “enjoyed by all.” The
Gross Profit thus far is $24,300. All expenses are not in yet, but as
soon as all the bills are received, a Net Profit will be announced.
Fellowship Sunday - March 21
As many of you have probably noticed, we have several new parishioners
who have joined our Parish Family. All parishioners are invited to
WELCOME the new members of our Parish at a Special Fellowship in Barrett
Hall in their honor after the 10:30 a.m. mass on Sunday, March 21.
Members of the Religious Education Ministry will host this fellowship,
and we invite you and your family to stop in and introduce yourself,
visit awhile and enjoy some coffee, tea, juice and some goodies! We look
forward to seeing you!
Feed the Poor
Drop Off Used Printer Cartridges
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.
Joliet Diocese Catholic
Charismatic Healing Mass
Friday, March 19, 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. Rick Simon, Presiding
Deacon John Freund, Assisting
For information, please call 630-964-0216