Queen of Angels Catholic Parish Chicago

January 1—Mary, Mother of God

Nothing Is Impossible With God

How often during the course of our lifetime have the words, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death” crossed our lips and moved our minds and hearts toward God? During the season of Advent, we reflected on Mary’s consent to be the Mother of Jesus and all that this request required of her. Having said “yes” to God in accepting the motherhood of Jesus/God, Mary consented to the many risks, fears, surprises, joys, and unknowns that were to come into her life as being God’s mother.

When I take a look at Mary as mother of God, and ultimately mother of Jesus who became human for us, I see so many ways in which Mary was put into situations very similar to mothers of today and of yesterday. She experienced the joy and anticipation of giving birth and, at the same time, Mary was not spared the fears and anxieties that accompanied the consent she made to God. Numerous adjustments in life were the result of Mary’s “yes” to God. It must have been rather difficult for her to pack up, leave her home during pregnancy, and together with Joseph leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem. I am sure many of us know mothers, maybe a relative or other close friend, who experienced something similar to what Mary did. Much patience and trust was asked of Mary at this time. Is this not true of countless mothers who have come after her? Or again, because she was the Mother of God, Mary was forced to relocate a second time when her child, Jesus, was still very young. She and Joseph were warned of Herod’s plot to take the life of Jesus.

Thank You For Your Kindness!

Francis Cardenal George, O.M.I
De parte del pueblo de la parroquia y la escuela de Reina de los Angeles, favor de recibir nuestra gratitud sincera por la dádiva de $103,000, para cubrir el costo de las reparaciones de emergencia en la chiminéa de la escuela. Me han dicho que ese día en noviembre 2004 fue muy difícil, pero esté seguro de que nuestra escuela está viva y el número de alumnus ha subido. Esta generosidad ayudará el proceso de curación en la parroquia de Reina de los Angeles y nos permite enfocarnos en crear un futuro vivo de fe para la comunidad. Aquí en Reina de los Angeles he encontrado una comunidad fuerte, devota y generosa. La gente me ha acogido con calor y entusiasmo. Hay muchas bendiciones aquí y espero más bendiciones en el futuro. Confíe en nuestras oraciones durante esta temporada navideña y siempre.

Sinceramente en Cristo,
Rev. James T. Kaczorowski, Pastor

Announcements, January 1, 2006

A PERFECT ‘ISAT’ SCORE FOR 4th GRADER SHEILA McINTOSH!
Parishioner Sheila McIntosh was one of 47 students in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to earn a perfect score on the 2005 Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). Sheila, a fourth grader at the Pritzker School in Wicker Park, scored a perfect 400 on the ISAT. The ISAT reading and math exams were given to approximately 100,000 Chicago students in grades 3, 5 and 8. Along with other CPS students who had a perfect score, Sheila will receive a certificate of achievement from CPS and will be honored by Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins as a member of the Chief Education Officer’s Perfect Score Club.

WORKERS’ RIGHTS CENTER FUNDRAISER EARNS $800
The Queen of Angels Peace and Justice Committee thanks parishioners for supporting the work of the Chicago Interfaith Workers’ Rights Center. During the December 4 fundraiser held by our parish, almost $800 was raised to support Workers’ Rights Center and its mission to serve as a resource for low-wage workers. The money raised by our parish directly funds the center and its mission of providing support for and information about the legal rights of workers.

Mass Schedule & This Week at Queen of Angels, January 1, 2006

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8— THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
    8:00    † Nathan Grondin
    9:00    † Jack Little and Deceased Members

“Christmas and Its Octave”

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD
As secular society begins to “wind down” its observance of Christmas, the Church is just beginning its celebration. On the day after Christmas the stores will begin to take down their decorations and the sales will begin. We won’t hear the 24/7 Christmas music on the radio and life will begin to return to normal. However, in the Church we are just beginning to celebrate Christmas. For the last four weeks we have been in the season of Advent with its penitential purple color, the Advent wreath, the somewhat subdued music in the liturgy and Scripture readings that speak of being watchful and expecting the coming of the Light, which is Christ.

For us Catholics the Christmas feast is a joyful festival. God has taken human form in the person of Jesus and dwells among us. The waiting for the coming of Christ so central to the Advent theme is over. The prophecies have been fulfilled. The central theme of Christmas is summed up very well in the Preface of the Nativity: "For by the mystery of the Word made flesh the light of Thy glory hath shone anew upon the eyes of our mind; so that while we acknowledge Him a God seen by men, we may be drawn by Him to the love of things unseen."

Two principle symbols of Christmas are the Tree and the Crib:

El Mesaje del Parroco

Queridos Parroquianos de Reina de los Angeles,

Al celebrar esta Navidad el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador, Jesucristo, tenemos la Hermosa costumbre de intercambiar tarjetas y regales. Esta es una señal del regalo más grande que nos ha dado Dios en su único Hijo, Jesús.

Que siempre podamos recorder que hay gente en nuestra familia, en nuestro comunidad, y en el mundo; que necesitan algo más que nuestros regales materials. Ellos necesitan de nuestro perdón, nuestro amor, nuestra amistad, apoyo y compasión. Cuando les damos estos regales, sabenos que tanto ellos como nosotros experimentamos a Emmanual—Dios entre nosotros—en su Hijo Jesús.

En nombre del Padre Tom Lamping, Padre John Griffiths, el Diácono Bienvenido Nieves, el personal de la parroquia y los lideres, deseo extender calurosamente lods mejores deseos para Ustedes y sus familias de una bendita Navidad y un próspero Año Nuevo.
¡Feiiz Navidad!
Padre Jim Kaczorowski
Párroco

A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
Dear Parishioners of Queen of Angels,

As we celebrate this Christmas the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we have the beautiful custom of exchanging cards and gifts. This is a sign of the greatest gift God has given us in his only son, Jesus.

Let us always remember that there are people in our family, community and world that need something more than our material gifts. They need our forgiveness, love, friendship, support and compassion. As we freely extend these gifts to them, know that both of us truly experience Emmanuel—God with us—in his son Jesus.

On behalf of Father Lamping, Father John Griffiths, Deacon Bienvenido Nieves, our parish staff and leadership, I want to warmly wish you and your families a Blessed Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Merry Christmas!
Father Jim Kaczorowski
Pastor

Announcements, December 25, 2005

ADMISSIONS TESTS JANAURY 14
The admission test for all Catholic high schools will be Saturday, January 14, 2006. Eight graders are asked to bring two No. 2 pencils and a $25 testing fee.

• Loyola Academy (co-ed), 1100 Laramie Avenue, Wilmette. No calculators allowed. The exam is from 8:15 to noon. Call 847-920-2481.
• St. Scholastica Academy (girls), 7416 North Ridge. No calculators allowed. The exam is from 8 a.m. to noon. Parents of testers are invited to stay for a breakfast reception and information session. Call 773-764-5715.
• Resurrection (girls), 7500 W. Talcott. Calculators optional. The exam is from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.. There will be two one-hour parent information sessions. Call 773-775-6616, ext. 129.
• Regina Dominican (girls), 701 Locust, Wilmette. The exam is from 8 a.m. to noon. Call 847-256-7660, ext. 234.

IT’S HIP TO BE ‘SQUARE’ FOR RCYA
8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, December 31
We can’t wait to see you at our New Year’s Eve Bash at Square Kitchen, 4600 North Lincoln Avenue—right in the heart of Lincoln Square. Join us for an evening featuring DJ, dancing, open bar, appetizers, a champagne toast at midnight and a raffle with some fabulous prizes. Has partying on this day ever been a question? And you’ll be doing it for a great cause! It’s the Ravenswood Catholic Young Adults’ biggest fundraising party of the year. Purchase tickets online at http://www sparetimechicago.com/ststore.asp (select the Square Kitchen logo). Buy tickets before December 26 at $55 per person and it will include three free raffle tickets.
Thereafter, tickets are $65. Must be 21 or older. There is no convenience fee. Contact Michael at mmessinger@ allvantage.com or at 773-552-0714.

Catholics Returning Home Begins January 4

The Queen of Angels "Catholics Returning Home" program is now forming! The first session is Wednesday, January 4, 2005 on the 2nd Floor of the Voss Center, 4412 N. Western.

What is this? A strong phenomenon of our time is some Catholics, at one point or another in their life leave the Church. Often, at a later time, there is the desire to return to the Church.

Why might a person leave? Disagreement with a Church teaching. An unpleasant encounter with a priest or another Church leader. Just growing up and growing away. Searching. Doubts. Anger at God. Having to find God in one’s own way. There are many other reasons why a person could step away from the Church, Faith or even God.

Mass Schedule & This Week at Queen of Angels, December 26, 2005 - January 1, 2006

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1—BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD
    8:00    † Dillon and Dougherty Families
    9:00    † Eufrosina Dimaano
    11:00    † Frank S. Gerhart
    12:30    Julio Mejia

The Willingness to Say “Yes”

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD
We are drawing near to the end of our preparation for the promised One, the One who would reign in the House of David and in our lives at this time. We are all people of the promise, heirs of the Kingdom and chosen by God to bring the Kingdom to life in our times. This promise, given to David, became reality in a little, unknown town in Galilee called Nazareth, a town with little resources that, at one time, prompted Nathaniel, a follower of Jesus, to say, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

It was in Nazareth that Mary, soon to be betrothed to Joseph, made her home. She was of lowly heritage, a peasant woman, who could identify with the oppressed people who came before her and those in the community at her time. God’s choice for the promised One came to fruition in the midst of the simplicity in which Mary dwelt. But within this life of simplicity lay great strength and courage which had its foundation in a faith and trust in the God who promised to save the people of Israel and all future generations.

It was to this home in Nazareth that Gabriel, God’s messenger, appeared again after visiting Zachary, husband of Elizabeth. We read in today’s Gospel that Gabriel greeted Mary with the words, “The Lord is with you, do not be afraid. You have found great favor with God.” Receiving the message and request to be the mother of God caused great consternation in Mary. She was deeply troubled since her choice in life, although at an early age in contrast to our time, was to live as a virgin. When Mary addresses Gabriel with the words, “How can this be?” the angel assures her that God’s power, the power of the Holy Spirit, was indeed with her.