Queen of Angels Catholic Parish Chicago

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Part 1)

Part 2 * Part 3

Because the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12) falls on the Third Sunday of Advent this year, our parish has a unique opportunity to celebrate this important day in the life of the Church along with our Mexican brothers and sisters. As Queen of Angels parish we honor Mary, our Mother under many names and titles, and this particular feast day holds special importance not only for Mexico, but also for all Catholics in North and South America.

Today we begin our Advent journey that prepares us to receive the Christ Child into our hearts. The first reading for Sunday is from Isaiah and proclaims that the Spirit of the Lord descended upon Isaiah that he might announce good tidings to the poor and oppressed. In the Gospel reading we hear John the Baptist proclaim, “Make straight the way of the Lord.”

Rest in the Lord's Peace: Our Oldest Parishioner, Charles Fenlon

In the early morning hours of Friday, November 19, 2004, our oldest parishioner, Charlie Fenlon, died peacefully in his sleep. He was married to his wife, Anna, for almost 70 years and died just two months short of his 101st birthday.

In his working years, Charlie was a chandelier maker, Chicago Public School building engineer, and during the summer months, an engine repairman for larger Lake Michigan boats. He was a father, a grandfather and a gentleman.

Some of you who are regulars at the 9:30 Mass know Charlie and Anna. They were faithful to that Mass until Charlie could no longer leave home about two years ago. Though his memory was failing, as soon as the prayers began when Holy Communion was brought to his home, his face lit up and he said every prayer. He did not miss a word. The words of prayer never left his mind.

Our prayers for Anna who has lost her dearest one. They were never apart. Our prayers for Charlie that he may rest in the Lord.

At this time, we salute the woman who is now our oldest parishioner: Mathilda Ecimovich. Most of us call her “Tillie.” To Tillie: long life and health!

World AIDS Day is December 1

The theme for this year is Stigma and Discrimination. The members of the Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Task Force ask all to join in prayer for all those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Mother of God, Light in All Darkness
Shelter Him, our flame of hope with your tender hands.
And in times of dread and nightmares,
Let Him be our dream of comfort.
And in our times of physical pain and suffering,
Let Him be our healer.
And in times of separation from God and one another,
Let Him be our communion. Amen.

Other Announcements, November 28, 2004

INMACULADA CONCEPCION
La comunidad Nicaraguense, invita a toda la comunidad de Reyna de los Angeles, a la misa de la Virgen Inmaculada Concepcion, a celebrarse el dia 4 de Diciembre proximo, a las 7 PM en esta Iglesia, y tambien a la fiesta en el Guild Hall, localizado en el 4416 N. Western, inmediatamente despues de la misa, muchas gracias de antemano por su asistencia.

CANDLELIGHT ADVENT CONCERT AND VESPERS ON DECEMBER 19
The quiet anticipation of Advent gives a perfect antidote to the stress of pre-Christmas preparations. The Candlelight Advent Concert and Vespers will be a wonderful way to stop, reflect and enjoy the wait. As part of the vespers reflection, the Queen of Angels Women’s Chorus will perform John Rutter’s Dancing Day with harp accompaniment. The concert and vespers will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 19.

Mass Schedule and This Week at Queen of Angels, November 29 - December 5, 2004

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4 — ST. JOHN OF DAMASCUS

    3:00    WEDDING
        Cathleen A. Reisinger and Joel G. Jaglin

Other Announcements, November 21, 2004

CANDLELIGHT ADVENT CONCERT AND VESPERS ON DECEMBER 19
The quiet anticipation of Advent gives a perfect antidote to the stress of pre-Christmas preparations. The Candlelight Advent Concert and Vespers will be a wonderful way to stop, reflect and enjoy the wait. As part of the vespers reflection, the Queen of Angels Women’s Chorus will perform John Rutter’s Dancing Day with harp accompaniment. The concert and vespers will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 19.

ECUMENICAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE
An ecumenical Thanksgiving Service will begin at 7:30 p.m., Monday, November 22 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 4640 N. Ashland. The event is sponsored by the Ravenswood Ministerial Association.

Attendees are asked to bring canned goods and donations to benefit the Ravenswood Food Pantry.

Gift That Keeps on Giving: A legacy to Queen of Angels School

Friends of Queen of Angels School are giving back in all sorts of ways. Did you know that there are many ways for you to help make an investment in Queen of Angels' future?  "Planned giving" is the act of planning your gift to maximize its beneficial impact -- both to you and Queen of Angels.  Three simple planned giving techniques are: including Queen of Angels School in your will; naming the School as a beneficiary or partial beneficiary in your life insurance policy; and establishing a trust fund which provides you with a tax credit, pays you interest income for years, and eventually benefits Queen of Angels School in a meaningful way.

Consider SPRED Ministry

Does the routine of daily life ever numb your appreciation of beauty and wonder and meaning? Do you ever long to make your own life more meaningful and influence someone else for the better? Do you have 24 evenings out of 365 each year to emerge from your shell, to share your stories, to be in community with others like you, and to make a difference in the life of someone special?

If this resonates with you, SPRED can offer a unique opportunity to fulfill yourself in the company of like-minded parishioners who meet weekly from September to May (not in January) to share life experiences, depeen our faith, and model the impact of faith in our lives for retarded adults in our community.

Through story, music, gesture and expression, we visit the depths of our own faith and communicate God’s love for each and every person — all this while forming long lasting friendships with very special people.

The Wednesday night SPRED group at Queen of Angels has a great need for catechists. Please call Erika Gilfeather at 773-972-0765 to set up a time to observe one of our sessions of peace and faith.

Mass Schedule and This Week at Queen of Angels, November 22 - 28, 2004

MONDAY,  NOVEMBER 22—  ST. CECELIA
    7:00    MORNING MASS
        † Antonio DeMaria
    9:00    MORNING MASS
        † Gregory Schofield

TRIP into Savings-- It's Easier Than You Think!

You hear it every week at mass announcements…”Food and gift certificates are available for purchase at the back of the church.”

But what are we really talking about? The Queen of Angels TRIP (Tuition Reduction Incentive) program. A fundraiser that already brings thousands of dollars to the school and parish each year. It is a great fundraiser, but one which has not yet met its potential for earnings.

Who knew?!