Queen of Angels Catholic Parish Chicago

“Ordinary Time”

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD
On almost every weekday morning there is a small group of students from our parish school in attendance at Mass. On one morning we have the smaller children, and on another the middle grades, and on another day the older students, etc. One of the things that the children notice, and which is the topic of periodic discussion, is the varying colors that the priest wears at Mass throughout the year.

One day I was speaking to them about the green colored vestments that are worn during Ordinary Time and was trying to explain to them what the Church means by that term. At the time we were just finishing the Christmas season and all of the decorations and flowers had gone from the Church. I had to chuckle when one of the children, upon seeing the transformation of the church into a much less festive tone after Christmas, referred to it as “Plain Old Ordinary Time”.

Annual Catholic Appeal 2006

“He has put His seal upon us and given the Spirit in our hearts.”
2 Corinthians 1:22

Cardinal George has sent a letter to past contributors to the Annual Catholic Appeal Campaign. It reflected the theme shown above. If you received this letter, please respond with a generous pledge to support the ministries, programs and services provided by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

An in-pew solicitation process will be conducted at Queen of Angels so that those who do not receive the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing will have an opportunity to make a pledge. As each parish household prayerfully reflects on the amount of the pledge to be made to support the ministries, offices, programs and services of our Archdiocese, please reflect on the following questions.

Peace and Justice 2005 Summary Results

The Peace and Justice Committee conducted a survey of Queen of Angels’ parishioners at masses during October 28 to 30. The survey was designed to gauge the interest of the parish on different topics the Peace and Justice Committee could address. There were 91 surveys returned.

The four top-scoring areas of interest (of those areas on the survey) for the parish were efforts to combat hunger, world hunger (both 94% favorable), homeless shelters (93% favorable) and assistance for victims of abuse
(87% favorable).

The four lowest-scoring areas of interest for the parish were Heifer alternative holiday gift sales (71% favorable), fair-trade coffee sales (70% favorable), community-supported agriculture vegetable co-op (69% favorable) and Right to Life causes (68% favorable). These scores are still considered very favorable in survey research.

Respondents listed many topics when asked what other areas the Peace and Justice Committee should address. There were two comments regarding senior citizens rights and also two comments on separation of church and state in the community. Some respondents added that the Peace and Justice Committee should work more closely with other parish committees. Also shared were two suggestions which are to be addressed on a parish-wide basis in the near future: Young people/teen ministry and a special Ministry to assist the elderly in our parish.

The group discussed the scores at our meeting in November. In future, we will aim to better communicate how our existing programs contribute to combating hunger. The group also discussed the possibility of working with homeless shelters and further investigating how our group can assist victims of abuse as we have not addressed those two topics in the past.

Message from the Archdiocesan Office of Peace and Justice

Lent is the season for healing and renewal. The Bishops of our country have written documents to assist Catholics in welcoming the immigrants among us. The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform invites us to be a strong voice for those who are immigrants. Our spiritual ancestors, the Israelites, struggled through the desert for 40 years; when they finally arrive at the Promised Land they remember the struggles of their journey and how their hearts had been touched by pain and joy. It is our prayer that this Lent we will open our eyes and ears so our hearts can be changed in how we view immigration and how we work for justice for immigrants.

During Lent, the Queen of Angels Peace and Justice Committee asks that you please read The Guide for additional information regarding the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform and look for related activities surrounding this issue.

Announcements, February 26, 2006

ASH WEDNESDAY IS MARCH 1; NOTE NEW EVENING MASS SCHEDULE
Please note the change in evening Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday and all Holy Days. Mass in English is now at 6:30 p.m. and Mass in Spanish is at 7:30 p.m. This new schedule goes into effect Ash Wednesday, March 1. Morning Masses will continue at the established schedule of 7 and 9 a.m.

NEW PARISHIONER REGISTRATION
Regular monthly registration for new parishioners will take place next weekend in the Gathering Space after all Masses Saturday, March 4 and Sunday, March 5. If you are new to the parish and have not yet registered, now is the time! If you have moved or need to update information on your registration, this is also the time.

Comedy Night

COMEDY NIGHT IS APRIL 28
The Technology Committee announces the Fourth Annual Irregularly Scheduled Comedy Night will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, April 28 in the Voss Center. All aspiring comedians, wits, comics and humorists who want to display their comedic skills should contact Tim McCarthy at comedynight@queenofangelschicago.org. Tickets for Comedy Night will be sold after Masses starting in late March. The first three Comedy Nights sold out in advance so get your tickets early!

Dance the "Knight" Away

The Queen of Athletic Board will present the third annual “Dance the Knight Away” from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, April 1, 2006, at the Guild Hall, 4416 North Western Avenue. Tickets are $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door. DJ Al will provide music. Call 773-539-7510. You must be at least 21 years old to attend. (Parents of Queen of Angels athletes have already purchased tickets!)

“Erin Go To The Gym”

THE QUEEN OF ANGELS MEN’S CLUB
“Erin Go To The Gym”
a St. Patrick’s Family Party
6 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 17
Queen of Angels Parish Center
4412 North Western Avenue
Open Gym for Kids and Adults
Watch College Basketball in the Voss Center
Corned Beef Sandwiches and Sloppy Pats
Green River Soda and Three Floyds Irish Ale
Prepaid Tickets are:
Elementary Kids $5
High Schoolers $10
Adults $15

r.s.v.p. before and after Masses or by email at
brownpkg@comcast.net
All proceeds benefit the
Queen of Angels Men’s Club Projects

Mass Schedule and This Week at Queen of Angels, February 27 - March 5, 2006

FRIDAY, MARCH 3— ST. KATHARINE DREXEL;  WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
    7:00    MORNING MASS
        † Emmett and Margaret Mehigan
    9:00    MORNING MASS
        † Gina Marie Pecoraro
SATURDAY, MARCH 4— ST. CASIMIR
     9:00     MORNING MASS
        † Apel, Kilcourse and Scanlon Families

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

February 8, 2006

As you know, in June 2002, the U.S. bishops promised that victims of sexual abuse would be attended to; that priests who were shown to have ever abused a minor, even once, would be permanently removed from public ministry if not from the priesthood; and that programs would be set up to protect young people from harm. The Archdiocese had started on all of this long before 2002, but new initiatives were begun for training all adults to protect children and the processes to examine allegations were reviewed and strengthened. Records were re-examined to be sure that all priests ever accused of any such sinful activity were not in ministry. The Archdiocese has had a deservedly good reputation in responding to this crisis. It has conformed to national standards and to audits. It has reported, for many years, to the civil authorities every allegation it has received. Many fine and dedicated people have cared for victims and reviewed cases. In particular, we should all be proud of the Victims’ Assistance Ministry, the Independent Review Board and the Professional Fitness Office. These people’s work has been conscientiously and professionally done.

The case of Father Daniel McCormack undermines all this now.