Queen of Angels Catholic Parish Chicago

The Church and Its Treasures

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

Soon after arriving at Queen of Angels, a friend from another parish gave me a copy of the booklet commemorating the dedication of Queen of Angels Church on May 5, 1940. He said, “My parents were married at Queen of Angels and I thought you might appreciate reading about your new parish.” That stuck with me. As pastor, I am now part of the tapestry that is Queen of Angels. We are a parish community established through the time and talents of those who came before us. It is both our great privilege and responsibility to maintain this house of worship.

Announcements, March 12, 2006

JOIN US FOR THE TWO-PARISH LENTEN MISSION
This year the joint Parish Mission with St. Matthias will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings. A Reflection on Lenten Scriptures with a simple soup supper is scheduled for March 23 in the Queen of Angels Lower Church. Reservations are required for this event. Please call 773-539-7510. The Annual Reconciliation Service will be April 6 at St. Matthias. Mark your calendars now to prayerfully join in community for these two events.

LENT—SEASON FOR HEALING AND RENEWAL
Lent is the season for healing and renewal. The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform invites us to be a strong voice for those who are immigrants. Throughout the whole of today’s scripture, we are called to sacrifice. Step back today and think about the sacrifices our ancestors made as they left family and village to stake out a better life, not just for themselves, but to give back to their families and to be, as the Psalm for today reminds us, “in the land of the living.” We need to ask the question of ourselves in understanding why people from other countries seek out this country and will sacrifice their very lives for the sake of their families. Our ancestors did. What is so different now?

Mass Schedule & This Wek at Queen of Angels, March 13 - 19, 2006

Sunday, March 19—
Contemporary Choir Rehearsal, 8:30 a.m., Lower Church
RCIA Second Scrutiny, 9:30 a.m., Church
Children’s Liturgy of the Word, 9:30 & 11 a.m. Masses (English), 12:30 p.m. (Spanish), Church
Singers Rehearsal, 10:30 a.m., Lower Church
CCD Classes, 10:45 a.m., School
Eucharistic Ministers (Spanish) 10:30 a.m., Lower Church Kitchen
Choir Rehearsal (Spanish), 11 a.m., Lower Church Music Room
Baptisms (English), 2 p.m., Church

Repent and Believe

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD
As you listened to the readings for this first Sunday of Lent, did it strike you how many symbols are placed before us by the Scripture writers? From the book of Genesis we hear about the waters that covered the earth in the time of Noah. This is followed by the rainbow that God presented as a guarantee of the covenant between the Creator and humankind. The evangelist, Mark, gives a short account of Jesus’ response to the Spirit by “driving” him into the desert following his baptism in the Jordan River.

Water, rainbow, desert—all of these symbols say something to me about the season of Lent that has just begun. Just a few days ago, on Ash Wednesday, we were signed with ashes reminding us of the inevitability of our mortal destiny. We are invited to draw back a bit and create some desert space in our lives where God’s Spirit can speak to us about this Lenten time of renewal and recommitment. Ultimately, such space and time links us to the commitment made through the waters of Baptism, either as an infant or later as an adult. Our belief and confidence in a God who is merciful leads us to place our trust in this God.

Campana Catolica Annual 2006

La Campana Catolica annual provee una parte significativa del presupuesto de la Arquidiocesis de Chicago. La mayoria de las diocesis en el pais tienen una campana de fondos una vez al ano, para ayudar a proveer los servicios y programas a sus parroquias y a su gente. Chicago no es la excepcion.

Announcements, March 5, 2006

STEP INTO HEALTH WEEK
The week of March 12, our school is expanding its annual Track-a-thon into a week–long celebration of family health and fitness.

We are planning a number of special guest speakers, field trips and activities. You are welcome to join in the fun:

• Share your expertise by volunteering to teach a class on any health or fitness-related topic, such as nutrition, CPR, first-aid or safety.
• Volunteer or participate in activities that range from fitness classes to Queen of Angels Day at the Rockwell Crossing Fitness Challenge.
• Sponsor your kids, grandkids and neighborhood children in the Queen of Angels Track-a-thon, an important fundraiser for the school.

To volunteer, please contact Principal Julia Kelly at 773-769-4211. A complete schedule will appear in next week’s Guide and students’ family folders.

ED FORESTER RETIRES
After nearly five years of service as Business Manager to Queen of Angels, Ed Forester has retired. A volunteer, Ed worked to ensure Queen of Angels was in compliance with Archdiocesan norms for Best Practices.

Ed and his wife, Barbara, will celebrate Ed’s 80th birthday this week in Arizona with their children and several grandchildren. He will return to Queen of Angels on a periodic basis as a fundraising consultant.

Thanks for all your hard work, Ed!

RESPECT LIFE MEETING
The Respect Life group needs you! We’re coming up on a very busy time, with Adopt A Mom, Life Logic, Mother’s and Father’s Day events planned. If you can help, please let us know. Our next meeting is at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, March 7 in the Voss Center. Bring friends!

Mission Chicago

Cardinal George invites all to take part in Mission Chicago, a series of events, missions and opportunities to expand and renew faith.

One part of Mission Chicago will be a series of talks by Father Robert Barron at parishes across the Archdiocese. Mission Chicago also encompasses the thousands of Masses and evangelization events celebrated at nearly 400 parishes, shrines and missions annually.

In his talks, Father Barron will focus on CHANGE, the one constant dynamic of life. His message will challenge participants to consider what is missing in their lives and why conversion to Christ is necessary. He will address the call to new life, and the joy of finding our true self by showing the importance of turning from what is incomplete toward what fulfills.

On March 9, the topic will be “Christ, The Center of Your Life” at St. Mary Star of the Sea, 6435 South Kilbourn. Call 773-767-1246. On March 15, the discussion will be “The Church and the Eucharist” at Queen of All Saints, 6280 North Sauganash. Call 773-736-6060. On March 22, “The Power of the Cross” will be presented at St. James, 831 Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Call 847-253-6305. “Your Life is Not About You” will be offered at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State. Call 312-787-8040. All talks begin at 7:30 p.m. Go to www.missionchicago.net.

Mass Schedule & This Week at Queen of Angels, March 6 - 12

Thursday, March 9—
Terra Nova Testing, School
Girl Scouts, 6 p.m., Upper Voss
Circulo de Oracion, 6 p.m., Lower Church
St. Vincent dePaul, 7 p.m., Upper Voss
SPRED, 7 p.m., Upper Voss
Respect Life, 7:05 p.m., Upper Voss
Singers Rehearsal, 7:30 p.m., Upper Church