Queen of Angels Catholic Parish Chicago

In Service of Others

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD 

We live in a world that holds competition at a high value.  Let us look at the past week and determine whether this fact was true in our experience.  Was there a time or place when we came up against the fact that being number ONE is of greatest importance?

By taking a good look at today’s readings for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we see that our society, including each one of us, is faced with no small challenges.  We hear about the apostles arguing among themselves as to who is the greatest, who is number one.  St. James points out that jealousy, selfishness, and false ambitions are the sources of much disorder.  And the book of Wisdom gives a description of a conspiracy being plotted against a righteous individual.  Doesn’t all this sound like the 21st century?  Then we see Jesus bring a child into the midst of the disciples, inviting them, as it were, to live a simple, inconspicuous life so that others might simply live.

The scripture says that Jesus took the disciples inside the house. There he began to question them concerning the nature of their conversation.  Notice that Jesus took them inside, away from the crowd.  He proceeded to point out some issues about how to view who is important in life and who might fall into this category.  The argument among the apostles about who is the greatest came to a halt, and in the quiet of the house, Jesus taught them about greatness in God’s terms. Jesus turned their expectations, and ours, upside down by saying: the greatest becomes the least and the first becomes the last.

Announcements, September 24, 2006

LEADERS NEEDED FOR CHILDREN’S LITURGY
Would you and your family like to get more out of Sunday Mass together? Do you enjoy working with children?  The Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 Mass is looking for volunteers to take children through the same Sunday readings as the Mass in church.  Leaders also prepare an interactive reflection geared for children ages 4 to 9.  Any adult Catholic with a minimum of preparation and formation can be successful in this ministry. Leaders rotate in pairs over a six-week cycle.  If you have questions or would like to volunteer, contact Cathie Karenas at mozart4@sbcglobal.net or 773-866-0164. 

WELCOME TO QUEEN OF ANGELS!

Our faith community welcomes you to a place of prayer, fellowship, and Christian service to one another.  Many parish ministries are currently looking for new members and volunteers; details are in this issue of The Guide.  New parishioners are encouraged to register at the table in the Church Gathering Space after any of the Sunday Masses.

Mass Schedule & This Week at Queen of Angels, September 25 - October 1, 2006

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25—
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † Parish Remembrance Society
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Armando Miranda
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26—
       SS. COSMAS AND DAMIAN
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † John and Mary Byrne
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  For the People of the Parish
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27—
               ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † Patricia Henshaw
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Nicholas J. Feller
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28—ST. WENCESLAUS; ST. LAWRENCE RUIZ & COMPANIONS
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † John and Mary Byrne
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † John Rogus and Richard Saraga
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29—
              SS. MICHAEL, GABRIEL & RAPHAEL
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † Alice Cusack
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Robert McMahon
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30—ST. JEROME
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † John and Mary Byrne
      5:00  EVENING MASS
  † John Jimo, Jr. 
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1— 26TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
        8:00 † Margaret Krier and Mary Krier Meder
9:30 In Honor of St. Theresa
  † Narciso and Eufrosina Dimaano
      11:00 † John McDonald
      12:30 † Deceased Family Members of Concepcion Hernandez

This Week at Queen of Angels

Monday, September 25— 
♦ Alcoholics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m., Upper Voss
♦ Confirmation Class, 6:45 p.m., Lower Voss
♦ School Board Meeting, 7:15 p.m., Upper Voss
Tuesday, September 26—
♦ Overeaters Anonymous, 5 p.m., Upper Voss
♦ Smokers Anonymous, 6:15 p.m., Upper Voss
♦ Spred Session, 7:30 p.m., Upper Voss
♦ Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Lower Voss
Wednesday, September 27—   
♦ Choir Rehearsals, 3 to 7:30 p.m., Lower Church
♦ Overeaters Anonymous, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Upper Voss
♦ Citizenship Class, 6 p.m., Upper Voss
♦ Life Logic, 7 p.m., Lower Voss
♦ Boy Scout Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Lower Church
Thursday, September 28—
♦ Circulo de Oración, 6 p.m., Lower Church
♦ Girl Scout Meeting, 6 to 7 p.m., Upper Voss
♦ Development Committee, 7 p.m., Upper Voss
♦ Spred Session, 7 p.m., Upper Voss
Friday, September 29—
♦ Choir Rehearsal, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Lower Church
♦ Bible Study (Spanish), 6 p.m., Lower Church Kitchen
♦ Cub Scout Pack Night, 6 p.m., Lower Church
Saturday, September 30—
♦ Men’s Club Golf Outing Dinner, 7 p.m., Lower Voss
♦ Prayer Group Meeting (Spanish), 7 p.m., Lower Church Kitchen
Sunday, October 1— 
♦ Contemporary Choir Rehearsal, 8:30 a.m., Lower Church
♦ Children’s Liturgy of the Word (English), 9:30 a.m.
Mass, Church
♦ Confirmation Enrollment, 9:30 a.m. Mass, Church
♦ Eucharistic Ministers Meeting, Lower Church Kitchen
♦ CCD Classes, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., School
♦ Children’s Liturgy of the Word (English), 11 a.m. Mass, Church

Dominga de Respeto a la Vida

CON DIOS NADA ES IMPOSIBLE

Para nosotros los católicos, uno de los términos que oímos mucho en la parroquia es “respeto a la vida.”  Desde el octubre 1972 la Iglesia Católica en los Estados Unidos ha celebrado “El Domingo de Respeto A La Vida” para llamar a católicos a través de la nación a recordar que la vida es sagrada en un mundo donde la vida no es respetada.  Respeto a la vida es una enseñanza básica de nuestra fe Católica que está escrita en el Libro de Génesis.  Este respeto a la vida humana también se ve en el ejemplo de Jesús, quien luchaba por los derechos de los desdichados y los rechazados por la sociedad.  Jesús desafiaba a los que estaban en posiciones de poder y autoridad a ayudar a los pobres y los que no tenían poder, y los criticaba cuando no lo hacían.

Cuando oímos el término “Respeto a la Vida” muchas veces pensamos en la controversia sobre el aborto.  Fue solamente tres meses después del primer Domingo de Respeto a La Vida en octubre 1972 que la Corte Suprema cambió todas las leyes que prohibieron abortos en su decisión histórica Roe v. Wade.  Ahora, más de treinta años después, esta decisión de la Corte Suprema es una de las más controversiales de la historia.

God's Love in Action: Good Works by Our Catechism Students

Today on Catechetical Sunday, we celebrate those people who inspire the young parishioners who are religion students in our school and our Sunday Morning CCD classes.  Last spring, two groups of these young people showed what wonderful stewards of God’s gifts they could be by sharing what they had with those in need:

For the third year running, first and second graders in Ms. Deirdre Harrison’s Level 1 CCD class raised almost $200 as part of their Lenten project last spring. Each year the children create beautiful jars in which to collect alms over Lent.  The jar is a focal point for prayer, fasting and alms.  The Sunday before Easter, the students dump all their gathered monies on the rug and count the class’s gift together. Each child is then given a candle for his or her empty jar, which goes home as a centerpiece for family grace or evening prayer.  The class talks about the Holy Spirit and letting their little lights shine!  In past years they have given to Heifer International in conjunction with other parish efforts for this charity and to Catholic Relief Services for tsunami survivors.  This year the children wished to help someone nearby. Father Jim identified a Queen of Angels family in need and made sure they received the students’ gift.  Thanks, Father!

One of the hallmarks of Queen of Angels School is that Gospel values and the traditions of Catholic faith are thoroughly incorporated in curriculum. During Lent, Ms. Jackie Chybik’s fifth grade class applied these same Gospel lessons and experienced the grace of giving to others.  For a week, the fifth graders took orders from family and friends for homemade stationery, bracelets, flower pens and key chains. For two weeks, they stayed after school making the items to complete the orders. All items were personalized and custom made, and cost $1 or $2 a piece. Their hard work paid off and together they collected an astonishing $485!  Profits were donated to Heifer International, an organization based on the Scriptural tenet that if you give a man a fish he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. The fifth graders purchased a sheep, a goat, a pig, geese, ducks, chickens, rabbits, a hive of bees and trees to be distributed to families in need around the world.

We are proud of the accomplishments made possible by the sacrifice and efforts of these students. Through these Lenten projects, Ms. Chybik, Ms. Harrison and all their students demonstrated the mission of Queen of Angels Parish: We celebrate the diversity of our people united through our spiritual life, sharing faith and knowledge, enjoyment of one another, the concern for human needs and the stewardship of all we have.  We are all grateful to these Queen of Angels children for setting the example that no gift is too small when it comes from the heart.   

Announcements, September 17, 2006

INVITATION TO MINISTRY OF CARE
If you are available on Sunday mornings for about two hours, you are invited to participate in the Ministry of Care program at Queen of Angels.  Your help is urgently needed to visit and bring Communion to homebound parishioners and hospitalized patients at Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Training is needed in preparation for this vital and rewarding ministry.  Five weekly sessions of training at Holy Name Cathedral will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20.  Please call Fran Parks at 773-478-7254 to further explore your interest. 

HEALTH CARE SABBATH
“Of all forms of inequalities, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” — Martin Luther King, Jr. Communities of faith throughout Illinois are celebrating today as the Health Care Sabbath. The purpose of this day is to call on faith communities to take action on behalf of those without access to health care and to seek statewide consensus that all residents of Illinois deserve access to affordable, high quality health care.

Facts and figures speak to the problems caused by uneven health insurance:

Mass Schedule & This Week at Queen of Angels, September 18 - 24, 2006

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18—
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † Irene Brennan
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † John and Mary Byrne
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19—ST. JANUARIUS
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † Timothy Corrigan
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Alice Cusack
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20—SS. ANDREW KIM    
         TAEGON, PAUL CHONG HASANG & COMPANIONS
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † John Jimo, Jr. 
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Stephanie Kantz
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21—ST. MATTHEW
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  For the People of the Parish
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Emmet and Margaret Mehigan
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22—
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † John and Mary Byrne
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Nicholas J. Feller
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23—
        ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA (PADRE PIO)
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Parish Remembrance Society
      5:00  EVENING MASS
  † Marge Jurinak
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24— 25TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
        8:00 † Apel, Kilcourse, and Scanlon Families
9:30 † Mary Byrne
      11:00 † Jacob Ternes and the Kreis Family
      12:30 Presentation of Mayra Jasmin Aguilar
  Raul Aguilar — 5th Birthday
  † Deceased Family Members of Concepcion Hernandez

This Week at Queen of Angels

Monday, September 18— 
-- Alcoholics Anonymous, 6:30 p.m., Upper Voss
-- Confirmation Parent Meeting, 6:45 p.m., Lower Voss
-- Spred Chairperson Training, 7 p.m., Upper Voss
-- Peace & Justice Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Upper Voss
Tuesday, September 19—
-- Overeaters Anonymous, 5 p.m., Upper Voss
-- Smokers Anonymous, 6:15 p.m., Upper Voss
-- Alcoholics Anonymous, 8 p.m., Lower Voss
Wednesday, September 20—   
-- Choir Rehearsals, 3 to 7:30 p.m., Lower Church
-- Overeaters Anonymous, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Upper Voss
-- Citizenship Class, 6 p.m., Upper Voss
-- Boy Scout District Roundtable, 7 p.m., Lower Voss
-- Boy Scout Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Lower Church
Thursday, September 21—
-- Circulo de Oración, 6 p.m., Lower Church
-- Girl Scout Meeting, 6 to 7 p.m., Upper Voss
-- Men’s Club Meeting, 7 p.m., Lower Voss
-- Parish Council Meeting, 7:15 p.m., Upper Voss
Friday, September 22—
-- Choir Rehearsal, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Lower Church
-- Bible Study (Spanish), 6 p.m., Lower Church Kitchen
Saturday, September 23—
-- Rental, 7 p.m., Guild Hall
Sunday, September 24— 
-- Catechetical Sunday, 9:30 a.m. Mass, Church
-- Children’s Liturgy of the Word (English), 9:30 a.m.
Mass, Church
-- Choir Rehearsal, 10:15 a.m., Lower Church
-- CCD Classes, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., School
-- Children’s Liturgy of the Word (English), 11 a.m.
Mass, Church
-- Children’s Liturgy of the Word (Spanish), 12:30 p.m
Mass, Church
-- Lectors Meeting (Spanish), 1:30 p.m., Lower Church
Music Room
-- Baptisms (Spanish), 2:00 p.m., Church

Share Your Gifts and Talents With Our Parish Ministries!

WELCOME TO QUEEN OF ANGELS! Are you new to the parish?  Are you a longtime parishioner looking for a way to become more involved in the life of your parish?  Are you ready to meet new people, make new friends, and experience your faith while working alongside your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Many parish ministries, representing a variety of special interests, are currently looking for volunteers and new members.

RICA—UNA INVITACION RICA significa Rito de Iniciación Cristiana para Adultos.  Esta es una oportunidad para los que no se han bautizado, o se han bautizado con poco o nada de afiliación o de entrenamiento religioso en la religión católica, para aprender y hacer preguntas acerca de la fe católica.  Esto incluye aquellos que han sido bautizados católicos, pero todavía no han recibido su Primer Comunión o Confirmación.  A veces después de las reuniones informativas, del rezo y de la reflexión, los participantes eligen comenzar el proceso para llegar a ser católicos o alcanzar la Comunión completa.  Sin embargo, no se espera ningún compromiso de participantes en este momento.

Nosotros que hemos sido católicos nuestras vidas enteras a veces nos olvidamos de ofrecer esta invitación a otros interesados en llegar a ser católicos. Compartir con otros, de una manera apacible, la información sobre RICA puede ser justo lo qué algunos de nuestros parientes, amigos y vecinos quisieran.

Favor de llamar al parroquia a 773-539-3176 y dejar su nombre y número de teléfono.  Nosotros nos comunicaremos con usted con mayor información.

RCIA—AN INVITATION TO COME AND SEE RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.  It is an opportunity for those who have never been baptized, or baptized with little or no affiliation or religious training in the Catholic religion, to learn and ask questions about the Catholic faith.  This includes those who may have been baptized Catholic, but have not yet received their First Communion or Confirmation.  Sometimes after the information meetings, prayer and reflection, participants choose to begin the process for becoming Catholic or coming into full Communion.  No commitment is expected of participants at this time.

Sometimes those of us who have been Catholic our whole lives forget to offer this invitation to others interested in becoming Catholic. Sharing with others, in a gentle way, the information about RCIA may be just what some of our relatives, friends and neighbors would welcome.

Please call the Parish Center at 773-539-7510 and leave your name and number.  We will contact you with further information.

SPRED OPPORTUNITY We continue to have openings for SPRED volunteers. Each of our small faith communities provides faith formation and opportunities for friendship to adults with special needs. Each catechist enters a personal relationship with an adult with developmental disabilities, offering respect and care.

It is a very rewarding experience for both our friends and the catechists. As a community of faith, we slow our pace and take some time to recognize the presence of God in our everyday lives and celebrate that reality in friendship and love.  Please call Joann Salas at 773-583-1371 or Julie Hess at the Parish Center at 773-539-3634.

OPORTUNIDAD CON SPRED Seguimos teniendo oportunidades para voluntariado con SPRED.  Cada una de nuestras pequeñas comunidades de fe provee formación y oportunidades de amistad a adultos con necesidades especiales.  Cada catequista entra en una relación personal con un adulto con discapacidades de desarrollo  ofreciendo respeto y cuidado.

Es una experiencia muy remuneradora para ambos, nuestros amigos y los catequistas.  Como una comunidad de fe, dejamos la prisa y nos tomamos un poco de tiempo para reconocer la presencia de Dios en nuestras vidas diarias y celebrar esa realidad en amistad y amor.  Por favor llame a Joann Salas al teléfono 773-583-1371 o Julie Hess en el Centro Parroquial al 773-539-3634 para mas información.

INVITATION TO MINISTRY OF CARE If you are available on Sunday mornings for about two hours, you are invited to participate in the Ministry of Care program at Queen of Angels.  Your help is urgently needed to visit and bring Communion to homebound parishioners and hospitalized patients at Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Training is needed in preparation for this vital and rewarding ministry.  Five weekly sessions of training at Holy Name Cathedral will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20.  Additional details will be available in The Guide in the coming weeks, or call Fran Parks at 773-478-7254 to further explore your interest.

LEADERS NEEDED FOR CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD Would you and your family like to get more out of Sunday Mass together?  Do you enjoy working with children?  The Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 9:30 Mass is looking for catechists to take children through the same Sunday readings as the Mass in church.  Leaders also prepare a short interactive reflection geared for children ages 4 to 9. Any adult Catholic with a minimum of preparation and formation can be successful in this ministry. Leaders rotate in pairs over a six-week cycle. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Cathie Karenas at mozart4@sbcglobal.net or 773-866-0164.

ATTENTION ALL MOMS & DADS WITH LITTLE ONES AT HOME! Please join us for the next meeting of the Queen of Angels Anklebiters Group, to be held at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, September 13.  Our Anklebiters participate in a playgroup which is designed to get parents, children and caregivers together for a little social interaction.  This is a great way to make new friends while the kids play in a safe place filled with lots of fun toys!  Children from birth to three years old are welcome.  Playgroups meet every Wednesday during the school year from 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. in the Motor Skills Room located in the basement of the school, 4520 N. Western.  Please call Melanee Schoendorff at 773-506-2101 with any questions. Hope to see you there!

SAVE THE DATES FOR RESPECT LIFE The Respect Life Committee is proud to announce a few upcoming events.  You are invited to a Life Logic presentation on abstinence, which will be held on Wednesday evening, September 27.  October is Respect Life Month, and planned events include the annual Parishes of Lincoln Avenue Walk For Life, which is coming to our neighborhood on Saturday, October 14.   

Milagros Entonces y Ahora

CON DIOS NADA ES IMPOSIBLE

Las lecturas de hoy presentan algunos mensajes muy poderosos acerca del plan de Dios para toda la creación, en particular las relaciones que tenemos unos con otros.  Isaías presenta las promesas de Dios sanando y bendiciendo, las cuales están directamente relacionadas al evangelio.  Marcos monta una escena en la cual Jesús ejercita el poder de Dios cuando el devuelve habla y oído a una persona afligida con la inhabilidad de hablar bien y de oír todo lo que Dios ofrecía para vivir una vida plena.  Y San Santiago desmenuza ahora las palabras cuando establece algunos principios básicos de justicia social.

Yo veo la palabra de Dios en la liturgia de hoy invitándonos a darle otra mirada a la manera como la plenitud de la vida se puede realizar en nuestras vidas y en las vidas de otros. Parece como si la carta de San Santiago sirviera como la base de lo cual Jesús hace en el evangelio.  El muestra cuidado especial por alguien que no tiene los recursos para buscar sanación y recuperación de sus discapacidades.  Viendo esto desde otro punto de vista, las narraciones de Santiago muestran una escena con la cual muchos e nosotros estamos probablemente familiarizados.  Podría apostar que todos hemos tenido experiencias en varias reuniones que incluyen las palabras de Santiago.  De ser así, ¿Que pasa cuando alguien muy bien vestido y de reputación reconocida entra al grupo?

Sin duda alguna, el o ella es invitado a un lugar especial, ¿verdad?  Rápidamente se les ofrece una bebida. Me pregunto si es que un individuo con una vida menos afortunada recibiría el mismo tipo de tratamiento o deferencia.  Es casi como si el que paga el salario es mejor que la persona que contesta el teléfono o abre la puerta.

San Santiago insiste muy claramente, “No muestres parcialidad.”  Vivimos en una sociedad que tiene alta estima por gente con dinero o poder, por aquellos que son famosos.  Pero lo que San Santiago esta diciendo elimina todas las diferencias entre los que tienen y los que no.  Todos nosotros somos hijos de Dios y ya sea que seamos pobres o ricos, famosos o poco conocidos, todos somos amados por este Dios.  Los regalos, talentos y buena fortuna que poseemos se nos dan por un Dios generoso para que sean compartidos con los demás – nuestras familias, nuestros vecinos, aquellos en necesidad.

Cuando leemos el evangelio tiene mucho significado para mi que la gente de los alrededores trajo al hombre sordo y con problemas del habla a Jesús.  Se le estaba dando a esta persona desafortunada  cuidado y atención.  No hizo ninguna diferencia si estaba bien vestido y si era alguien conocido.  Las maravillas del trabajo de Jesús y milagros lo precedieron de manera que cuando el vino a Galilea de Tyre y Sidon, la gente sabía a quien tenían que ir.

Es también interesante notar que Jesús tomó al hombre a un lado, lejos de la multitud.  En este momento el hombre sordo era la persona mas importante a los ojos de Jesús.  ¿No atesoramos todos momentos como este en nuestros encuentros con amigos y familia cuando hemos experimentado dolor y sufrimiento y que se nos ha dado cuidado y atención genuino, nacido del corazón?  Jesús puso sus dedos en los oídos del hombre y estos se abrieron y recupero su habilidad de hablar, pero mas importante, su corazón se abrió a las maravillas de Dios.  Jesús es el saludable cuyo deseo es devolver unidad a este mundo fracturado.  El nos trata así como trato al hombre sordo.  Jesús desea tanto llevarnos hacia el.

Catholic Faith Formation

CATHOLIC FAITH FORMATION The Archdiocese of Chicago proudly presents two upcoming opportunities to grow in the Catholic faith:

• Chicago Catholic Scripture School offers Catholic biblical scholarship and long-term faith formation. In two years, the foundational books of the Old Testament and the New Testament are studied.  In four years, every book of the Bible is studied. Classes will be offered from 7 to  9 p.m. Wednesdays beginning September 13 at St. Martha Parish, Morton Grove.  Call 312-243-3700.
• Interested adults are invited to attend an adult faith formation day entitled “Introducing the New United States Catholic Catechism for Adults” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 23 at St. John Brebeuf Parish, 8307 N. Harlem Ave., Niles.  The day will offer a keynote presentation and seven workshops based on the most recent compilation of our Catholic teachings.  This event is sponsored by the Archdiocesan Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry.  To register, call 312-243-3700.