Dear Friends,
I want to keep you abreast of new developments within our parish. Our new Adult Education and Spirituality Committee is working on plans to implement a Bible Study program, one that can have groups meeting at the parish at different times on different days. The program they are evaluating now is the most widely used in Catholic parishes around the country. It has a video component, as well as participant books. The committee is planning to do a sign-up drive during Advent and then begin Bible Study groups in January. This committee is also helping to coordinate programs and speakers being sponsored by various ministries of the parish.
One special program coming up this week will be a presentation on the Spirituality and Life of Saint Francis. This talk will be given by Franciscan priest Ed Shea. Father Shea was with us over the summer for little Rebecca Kevil's baptism. I know Father Ed from grammar school, where we were classmates. Ed and I, along with our good friend Peggy Bonfield, used to travel together for CYO band practice. Ed was a trumpet player, I was a flutist, and Peggy played the French horn. It has been delightful to discover later in life how Ed and I both ended up serving in ministry for the church. But I digress. Not only that, but bringing Father Ed here was not my initiative. His presentation here, open to all members of the parish, is being sponsored by our Men's Group.
Another special presentation coming up soon will be a more in-depth exploration of the U.S. Bishops' document, Faithful Citizenship. On Monday, October 25, we will have with us two representatives from the Diocese of Joliet to talk more about consideration of Catholic Social Teaching as we prepare for this year's elections. I was touched by the remarks of one parishioner last Sunday after we viewed the Faithful Citizenship video in church. He said that he did not know how to vote after watching the film, because it was clear that each candidate was in line with some aspects of Catholic Social Teaching, but not all. He was left feeling quite uncomfortable. I think perhaps that is the best reaction for anyone to have. Anyone who thinks this election is clear cut or about a single issue should consider things more deeply. Either candidate should leave us feeling uncomfortable. The good news is that a place of uncomfortability is often fertile ground for the Holy Spirit to work within us - helping our ongoing conversion and deepening our faith. We may still be left feeling uncomfortable when casting our ballots but through it all, we may receive the wisdom and fortitude necessary to become stronger Catholic citizens and faith leaders.
Please consider coming to the Oct. 25 Faithful Citizenship presentation and discussion. Let us all continue to learn more about what our church teaches. Our new Adult Ed and Spirituality Committee will be helping with this. Our new parish library will soon be stocked with Catholic periodicals, as well as books. I have been asked to start a regular column on Catholic teaching about a variety of subjects, including doctrine and liturgical practices, and this will begin soon. Our own diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Explorer, can also be a good source of information about Catholic life and teaching. Please support our youth group as they sell subscriptions to this weekly publication. I have been happy to see articles representing different perspectives on the candidates and issues in the Explorer. A particular article of interest in the Oct. 8 issue reported on a statement issued by Pax Christi USA, which is part of the international Catholic peace movement. Their statement, Life Does Not End at Birth: Catholics Called to Vote for the Common Good, can be found on the Pax Christi website at www.paxchristiusa.org.
Back to new developments within our parish: Our new Health Committee is eager to have health needs surveys (inserted into last week's bulletin) returned as soon as possible. If you need a new copy, please contact the rectory. Next week, watch for a wonderful surprise! We have a new member of our parish, Shannon Donovan, who will be beginning Young Adult Ministry here at Mary Queen, beginning with work to start a monthly Sunday evening Mass for young adults. Shannon is a grad student at Loyola University, where she is working on a Masters degree in Health Care Ethics. When she finishes this program, she plans to go to medical school. What high aspirations for a young woman of 23! And what a gift to the church to have a young woman so grounded in her vocation and in her faith. Thanks be to God for Shannon and for all of those who so generously give of their time, talent, and treasure to our parish. You will hear more from Shannon herself next week. Until then, may God continue to bless you.
Mary Michele (Regina) Foley
Pastoral Life Coordinator