426 N. West Avenue
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126-2171
Parish Office: 630/279-5700
Fax: 630/279-4667
Mary's Corner…
Joy and peace to you as we continue our journey together in this Easter season! I have now completed my first month of service at Mary Queen. These have been busy weeks, indeed! As much as possible in the future, I would like to use my bulletin column to engage in some spiritual reflection with you. For now, in these early weeks, I feel it is important to share as much information with you as I can…
Installation
Next week, Bishop Imesch will be here to celebrate my formal installation as Pastoral Life Coordinator. This will take place at the 10:30 Mass on Sunday, May 9. I hope that you will be part of this celebration. I know that we will have a significant number of outside guests present, too. We are preparing Barrett Hall as an overflow space, and there will be a video projection of the Mass into that room if we need it. A reception will follow the Mass, and I hope that you will come and meet my family and friends who will be here for this celebration.
Clarification of Roles
As you know, I have been named by Bishop Imesch as the Pastoral Life Coordinator of this parish. Even though my letter of appointment was read at all weekend Masses at the end of March, it is important to repeat and clarify what this role is. As Bishop Imesch's letter of appointment stated:
The role of Pastoral Life Coordinator will be to provide overall pastoral and organizational leadership for the parish and to empower the people of the faith community to carry out the mission of the Church. All of the things that a pastor normally provides for a parish, with the exception of sacramental matters, the Pastoral Life Coordinator will provide for Mary Queen.
This is a big change for some people, to get used to the idea of someone serving in many ways as the pastor (except for sacramental ministry) without being a priest. This is only allowable under a special provision in canon law which gives a bishop the right to make a direct appointment to such an office.
What will I do? Ultimately, I am responsible for providing pastoral care to the members of this parish. Let me say a little more about what this means. I am responsible for coordinating prayer, worship, and the spiritual formation of the people of our parish. I will be involved in sacramental preparation programs for children and adults, provide for adult education programs, and be involved in youth ministry. I am charged with helping the parish to respond to issues of justice and charity, both within our parish community and within the wider communities of city, state, and world. I am responsible to heighten awareness of Catholic spiritual and social justice values and responsibilities. I will visit the sick, provide pastoral counseling to individuals and families in need of help, and minister to the poor and the suffering. I will work to encourage, promote, and cultivate the talents and gifts of members of our faith community.
I am also responsible for the administration of the parish, supervising staff, programs, and business management of the parish. It is my responsibility to discern parish needs and plan for the future. None of these things I do alone. While I am responsible for decision making in the parish, I will do this in collaboration with the parish pastoral staff and parish pastoral council. In the coming days, I will be working on an informational chart to help you get to know who these other important parish leaders are.
Bishop Imesch has appointed Father Tom Wolter to serve as Sacramental Minister of the parish. This is a very important, but limited role. In some respects, there is little change in the way that Fr. Tom will be serving the parish. His primary ministry remains as Hospital Chaplain. However, his appointment as Sacramental Minister assures that the sacramental needs of the parish will be provided for, and I am grateful to Bishop Imesch and to Fr. Tom for this. In other parts of the country where the model of Pastoral Life Coordinator exists, the Sacramental Minister usually lives elsewhere, and comes in to the parish for sacramental celebrations. Since Fr. Tom is a resident in our rectory, it might be easy to confuse him with being an associate pastor. However, he is not. His role as Sacramental Minister is different from a regular pastoral staff position and he does not work at the rectory, he only lives there. Father Tom will be celebrating weekend Masses, as he has been doing. I will also be inviting other priests to celebrate Mass with us. Over the next couple of months, I hope to introduce you to some of my friends who are priests, as I begin to know more priests from the Diocese of Joliet. Over time, I am sure we will develop more regular patterns for presiders. I ask you to please be patient as we move through this time of transition, and to keep loving and welcoming all who are part of this faith community.
Parish Leadership Day
All pastoral staff, parish pastoral council members, and everyone involved in a commission of our parish will be invited to participate in Parish Leadership Day in June. On this day, we will begin the visioning and long-range planning process for our parish. I will keep everyone informed as time goes along.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the members of the parish who have provided a warm welcome to me. It is a privilege and a joy to be here with you.
Mary Michele (Regina) Foley
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about being a catechist for 2004/2005 school year. As always, we will be losing some of our wonderful catechists. Reasons vary from moves, to children growing up, to getting involved in other ministries. In particular, it looks like next fall we will need catechists in the afternoon and evening sessions. If you are available in the afternoon or the evening, please consider giving a few hours of your time each Wednesday. If you enjoy working with younger children or know someone who might, let us know. If you are one of those special people that enjoy junior high young people, we may have a slot for you. Remember you don't have to be a theologian, just someone who loves children, loves your faith and wants to share it. We will help you with the rest. 2004/2005 Registrations have been mailed. Please be sure to return them ASAP. Remember classes fill up fast, especially for Pre-School and Kindergarten, as class size is limited at those grade levels. If you did not receive a registration or are new to the parish or know someone who is, please call the office and we will mail one to you. It is very helpful to us in planning for next fall to have the registrations returned early. Remember tuition does not have to accompany the registration. If you have questions or need more information, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. Special gatherings to meet The Pastoral Life Coordinator Please join Mary Foley to share your hopes, dreams and ideas about Mary Queen of Heaven Parish. These are three special gatherings for May, with more sessions to come! Long-time Parishioners Tea You are specially invited to come and enjoy tea and finger sandwiches and share your stories of the history of our parish! Friday, May 7, at 11:00 a.m. in Barrett Hall R.S.V.P. to Mary White, 833-9809 Newcomers and Young Adults You are welcome! Come and enjoy some wine and cheese as we share ideas for the future of our parish life together. Friday, May 21, at 7:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall R.S.V.P. to Karen Vicary, 279-4108 Teenagers - The Future of Our Church Please come and share pizza as we get to know each other and talk about the ways that you would like to be involved in the life of our parish community! Sunday, May 23, At 6:00 p.m. in Barrett Hall R.S.V.P. to Kathleen Gusloff, 832-4348 Installation of Mary Foley Pastoral Life Coordinator Bishop Joseph Imesch will formally install Mary Foley as Pastoral Life Coordinator at Mary Queen of Heaven Parish at the 10:30 Mass on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9. All members of the parish are invited to share in this celebration, along with Mary's family and guests. A reception will follow in Barrett Hall. CCW Sponsors Plant Sale The Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring a Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, May 15, at 10:00 in the church parking lot. Order forms were in last week's bulletin and more copies are available in the church vestibule. Orders and payment can be turned in to the rectory or in the vestibule of church as you are leaving Mass. All items must be pre-ordered and paid for before the day of the sale. The deadline for placing orders is Sunday, May 2. If paying by check, please make it payable to Mary Queen of Heaven CCW. For information, please call Mary White at 833-9809 or Sheila Reiter at 833-6657. New Mass Times! Our thanks to Father Alfred and the community of Our Lady of Lebanon for helping us to alleviate the tension over close Mass times on Sunday mornings. Beginning in May, Sunday Mass times will be changing in order to provide more relaxed celebrations for our parish. Beginning May 9: Our Lady of Lebanon's Mass time will change from 12:00 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. Beginning on May 16: Mary Queen of Heaven's Sunday Mass times will be 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. The Saturday 5 p.m. Mass will remain the same. With these changes, we will end up with an extra half hour between our services on Sunday mornings. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we have worked toward an arrangement that will provide for fuller celebrations for both our faith communities! 2004 Diocesan Annual Appeal Diocese of Joliet Pledge Weekend, April 24/25 Seeds of Hope “I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move.” -Matthew 17:20 All pledge cards should be returned to the parish for forwarding to the diocese. By doing this, all pledges will be recorded and everyone will receive proper acknowledgement. Youth Group News Wings to Heaven 5th - 8th Graders LOCK-IN All 5th-8th graders invited to attend 7:00 p.m. on May 14th - 10:00 a.m. on May 15th Permission slip needed. $10 fee. Welcome Ice Cream Social Sunday, May 16th, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Barrett Hall All 4th graders welcome to attend… If you have never tried Youth Group, this is a great way to get involved. If you have any questions, please call Kathleen Gusloff 832-4348. Men's Group Kane County Cougars Friday, August 13th It is baseball time again! Join us at the Kane County Cougars game. Tickets are $8.00 per person and parking is free. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and game time is 6:30 p.m. There will be a fireworks show after the game and a chance to run the bases after the fireworks. Flyers are available in the vestibule of the Church. Money is due by June 28. For more information or if you have questions, call Menarek at 630-834-4075 or jmenarek@sbcglobal.net. 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 Kathleen Bryers John Brani Kathy Calzante Cosmo Ciancio Eugene Clarke Michelle Humann Maureen James Tom Janicke Tom Kwiatkowski Lisa Langler Brian Morley Anne Marie Raye Therese Shaheen If you know someone who would like our prayers, please call Mary Alice at 279-1159. MQH Men's Group 3rd Annual Golf Outing Mark your calendars now!!!!! Friday, June 18 At Glendale Lakes Golf Club in Glendale Heights 11:30 a.m. Registration,; 12:30 p.m. start $95/person includes lunch, golf, door prize & dinner For more information, please contact Jim Japczyk at 833-6853 or Mark Connelly at 782-7626. 2004 Confirmandi Congratulations to all those who were confirmed on April 24. First Communicants Congratulations to all those who received Eucharist for the first time on May 1. Thomas Edward Achtien Keith Michael Babcock Carlos Anthony Bonilla Matthew Kirk Cole Steven Conness Alexandra Rose Garcia Anne Therese Hallgren Mark Krafcky Nicole MacKenzie Kathleen Nicole McCall Myles Charles Moroney Holly Nicole Nieves Gregory George Polak Joseph Paul Robertson Michael Yaroslav Rudolph Stephanie Marie Schumacher Jennifer Teresa Smith Kimberly Elizabeth Vicary Elizabeth Merritt Wiese Laura Marie Adkins Tina Jean Bonarirgo Matthew John Brahm Vincenzo Collella Shawna Rae Gaetto Ricardo Guerrero Kathryn Clare Hochleutner Amanda Nicole Loehman Robert Joseph Marsan John Patrick McGovern Dominic Christopher Mosher Siobhan Kellyne Nolan Lisa Marie Pronove Patrick Rosengren Brittney Nocole Scalise Andrew Shennan Maria Theresa Tremmel Daniel John Weber Taylor Adams Alexis Barbato Bridget Bergheger Perri Brinkmeier Casey Callans Christina Cepero Kevin Dever Caroline Dierkheide Gloria Frank Gregory Gornick Ana Juvan Eugene Kirby Thomas Krafcky Jack Lindsay Rachel Maniola Gabriel Marrero Monica Medina Nicholas Partyka Maggie Regan Matthew Rodriguez Troy Rosenbery Jordan Santiago James Shennan Madison Symber Mary Tiedje Colin Weigel Joseph Zomaya Alan Antony Grace Baumgartner Biana Bova Diana Cahill Sondra Catalano Lukas Craggs Natalie DiCianni Jake Ferzacca Kristin Gleason Megan Jankovec Chandler Kachiroubas Arthur Krafcky Tessa Kroll Michaela Luckey Michael Marino Dominic Maurella Crosby Muth Jake Pulver Keely Resing James Rogers Jarrett Rossiano Jake Schelberger Michael Stramel Cole Tiedje Erin Ward Brian Wise CCW Ladies Night Out Tuesday, May 18, at 7:00 P.M. The Council of Catholic Women is sponsoring a Ladies Night Out. This is a wonderful opportunity to relax and enjoy fellowship with your friends from MQH. We will be honoring Sheila Reiter, our Woman of the Year, for her dedication and work in our parish over the years. The celebration will be held at Ki's Restaurant, 705 North Avenue, Glendale Heights. Dinner will include soup or salad, chicken, beef, pasta, potato, coffee, soft drinks, an ice cream dessert and wine on the tables. A cash bar will also be available. The cost for the evening will be $25.00 per person. Please make checks payable to Mary Queen of Heaven CCW. The deadline or reservations is Sunday, May 16. For your convenience, a reservation form is included in this bulletin. It can be returned to the rectory or placed in the basket in the church vestibule. For further information, please call Mary White (833-9809) or Phylis Twardowski (279-6239). RE Easter Fixings Dear friends, Thank you for your generous donation of Easter goodies. It was complete with all that was needed to assist poor parents prepare Easter baskets for their children. Your kindness has made many children happy. Sister Antoinette, SND, Marillac House Mass of the Angels A Memorial Mass to remember children and infants who have died through miscarriage, or stillbirth will be said on Friday, May 7, 2004 At Immaculate Conception Church, Elmhurst All families and individuals are welcome to attend this Mass in remembrance of their children who have died. A special ceremony will take place for family members to commemorate the lives of their loved ones. Elizabeth Ministry volunteers will assist in hosting the event. All are welcome. This Mass is sponsored by the Elmhurst Elizabeth Ministry. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Gliatis at 630-279-1147. The election of 4 new Parish Council members will be held the weekend of May 15 and 16. Please read the following information to learn more about the nominees: Kathleen Gusloff, Milt Honel, John McGovern, Mike Nevin, Brenda Scanlon, Lynn Suwanski. Mother's Day Tribute MQH Respect Life Committee, is selling carnations to honor the nurturing women in our lives (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, friends). The carnations will be placed at Mary statue in the Gathering Place for Mother's Day, May 9th. Carnations can be purchased for $1.00 each at the Respect Life sign-up table in the church vestibule after all the Masses this weekend, May 1 & 2. Please stop at the table and place your order. The names of all those being honored will be published in an insert in our parish bulletin the weekend of May 8/9. Proceeds will benefit Respect for Life. End of Life Issues On Sunday, May 16, 2004, 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church, 820 Division St., Lisle, all are invited to hear Rita Marker, J.D. speak about Advance Directives, Durable Power of Attorney, Nutrition and Hydration, Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, Stem Cell Research, and Cloning. No admission charge. Donations will be accepted. Presenter: Rita Marker, J. D. is the Executive Director of the International Task force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. She is a practicing attorney, an educator and speaker, former adjunct professor of Political Science and Ethics at the University of Steubenville, Ohio, and author of the critically acclaimed book Deadly Compassion For more information call the Joliet Diocesan Life Office: 815-838-1002. We especially invite Medical personnel and health care professionals. Surviving Spouses Sunday, May 16, at 1:00 p.m. St. Alexander Parish Center 300 S. Cornell, Villa Park “Whoever survives a test, whatever it may be, must tell the story. That is his duty.” (Elie Wiesel in Healing after Loss, by Martha Whitmore Hickman.) This is what we are about; telling our stories, surviving our losses and helping others do the same. For more info., call Pauline Bonze, 834-9162 or Carol Nash, 834-8152. RE Food Drive a Success Evening Religious Education students ended their RE year on April 21 by going door-to-door in our parish neighborhood asking for donations of non-perishable food. Over 100 students and 14 adults participated. As a result of their effort and the generosity of our RE families, we collected 1,654 pounds of food and related items, as well as $115 in grocery store gift certificates and $40 in cash. Not bad for less than an hour's work! All was donated to the People's Resource Center in Wheaton This is the 6th year RE has sponsored this food drive, and this year's contribution brings our six-year total to more than 5,500 pounds of food. The food drive itself has also been featured in Catechist, a national magazine for RE teachers, explaining how to hold similar drives. Thank you to everyone - students, parents, catechists, parishioners and neighbors. Way to go! Invitation to Dinner & Dialogue Sponsored by the Justice and Peace Network of the Wheaton Franciscans. Monday, May 17, 6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. Topic: Franciscan Bridge Building Francis, building peace where there is conflict: Two Franciscans share their peacemaking journey to Cuba. The evening begins with a simple meal, followed by a prayer, engaging presentations and then table discussions. Upcoming Sessions: August 2, Franciscan Community Building and November 8, Franciscan Integrity. Cost: $15 for the session, $30 for all three sessions. To register or for questions, call 630-784-2555 or email justicepeace@wheatonfranciscan.org M.O.M.S. (Moms Offering Moms Support) On Thursday, May 6 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. in Plunkett Hall, lower level of the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Nancy Walters, from Blue Frog beads in downtown Elmhurst will be with us. She'll provide the tools and supplies to make a bracelet using a simple technique that you can repeat at home. Cost is $15.00 Babysitting is available for a nominal fee. For information, call Katie Gallagher at 941-8755. Yoga Class by Debbie Styka This centuries-old art uses a series of postures that bring the mind, body and spirit into harmony. Yoga at Mary Queen welcomes all ages. It creates community as we meet each other in class. All are welcome. May 12 thru June 16 Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. $24 for one person or $36 per family. All that is required is a yoga mat. Please call Debbie 941-7224 Joliet Diocese Fall Mission to Bolivia Information Night: May 12 at 7:30 p.m. At St. Charles Pastoral Center, Romeoville The Diocese of Joliet is preparing for the fall Mission to Sucre, Bolivia (October 23 to November 6). We are looking for social workers, counselors, and prison ministers interested in working with the Sucre prison ministry. Also needed are people to be involved with community services, including pre-school or elementary teachers to work with a day care center. We are also seeking an accountant to assist with a budget review and an audit of our mission hospital. For the medical team we need surgeons in all specialties, anesthesiologists or CRNA's, respiratory therapists, PT's and OT's, assistance in community outreach, and a dentist. Additionally, we are looking for a bio-medical technician to assist in the calibration of hospital equipment as well as training of local hospital technicians. We are looking for willing workers and helpers for the construction team. No special building skills are required but are a definite plus. We are looking for a priest, religious, and others for the Pastoral team to support the teams and serve the Bolivian people with whom we work. Spanish language skills are an asset but not a requirement. Persons with willing hands and loving hearts who are interested in participating in this mission are invited to attend. For more information, visit our web site: www.paxjoliet.org, or call Art Sheridan at 815-834-4072. Retired? Eager to “give something back”? The Ingatian Lay Volunteer Corps is accepting volunteers (age 50+) to work with the poor in the Chicago area two days weekly beginning in September. For information or to attend an introductory meeting, call George Sullivan, 312-845-3741, or ILVC National office at (toll-free) 888-831-4686, or see www.ilvc.org. Benedictine University, Lisle Summer Activities Benedictine University offers a variety of summer camps for youth and adults that include science and technology, language and culture, mathematics, art music, gardening, martial arts and self-improvement, as well as a full range of athletic camps. In addition, Benedictine University is offering its Summer Fun Day Camp for boys and girls ages 6 to 13. Nine weekly sessions from June 14 thru August 13. The camp starts at 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Activities include fishing, field sports and swimming. Lunch is provided. For more information or to obtain a catalog, please call 630-829-6083, e-mail mlopez@ben.eu or visit www.ben.edu/resources/community.asp.