Queen of Angels Catholic Parish Chicago

“My Sheep Hear My Voice”

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

Perhaps you recall that this particular Sunday after Easter has traditionally been known as Good Shepherd Sunday.  When we look carefully at the readings selected for this Sunday, we will notice that we are to give our attention to the flock rather than the shepherd.

Speaking about sheep and shepherds is surely foreign to our experience, but in the time of Jesus, sheep herding was a common occupation. Hence, in his teachings, Jesus often made analogies to the types of things that were familiar to the people’s experience.  So today in the gospel reading, he uses the symbol of shepherd and sheep to speak about care for one another, to indicate the many differences there are among us as is true of a flock of sheep.  This was also done to emphasize that unity is a value amid the diversity and differences we experience among ourselves and in our neighborhood.

Jesus’ words indicate that the sheep are his.  Remember, he compares himself to the shepherd. When he calls the sheep, they hear and heed his voice.  What’s more, under his protection they are secure; he makes it clear that “no one can take them out of my hand.”  This is very reassuring for us especially in a world that cannot guarantee security.

Announcements, April 30, 2007

FEAST OF ST. PEREGRINE Mass for the Feast of St. Peregrine, patron against cancer, will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 6 at the National Shrine of St. Peregrine, Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, 3121 W. Jackson Blvd. At the conclusion of Mass, persons with cancer and others seeking healing will be invited to come individually for a blessing with a relic of St. Peregrine. Ample, secure parking at the rear of the Basilica. Call 773-638-5800, ext. 19.

YOUTH RETREAT AT ST. BENEDICT Attention young people ages 13-30! The message of World Youth Day is being spread throughout the world through a retreat movement called YOUTH 2000. YOUTH 2000 responds to the call of Pope John Paul II to enable young people to live and proclaim the Gospel.

You are invited to the upcoming YOUTH 2000 Retreat May 4 to 6 at St. Benedict Parish, 2215 W. Irving Park. You will have the opportunity to gather with hundreds of other young people for prayer, adoration, singing and learning about our Catholic Faith. Call Father Steven Bauer at 773-588-6484, visit www.missionchicago.net or by emailing YouthRetreat@StBenedict.com.

What if you’re not a “youth” but still want to help? YOUTH 2000 has adult volunteers continuing Eucharistic Adoration throughout Friday and Saturday nights of the retreat. Contact Christy for a one-hour timeslot: christywaldhoff@yahoo.com or call 312-961-9205.

Mass Schedule & This Week at Queen of Angels, April 30 - May 6, 2007

TUESDAY, MAY 1—ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER
Acts 11:19-26|Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7|Jn 10:22-30
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † Albert Tuffey—Birthday
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Mae L Grondin

WEDNESDAY, MAY 2—ST. ATHANASIUS
Acts 12:24-13:5a|Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6 and 8|Jn !@;44-50
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † Miho Minami
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Julia and Ludwig Eichermueller

God Versus Science

7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2007
Queen of Angels Voss Center
4412 N. Western Ave.

To be a true scientist, must you also be an atheist? Can natural science be reconciled with religious beliefs? Listen to some thoughtful scientists and a perceptive historian discuss these topics.  Panelists include Professor John Rogers, Computer Science; Professor Warren Schultz, History; Kathy Mortell, Organic Chemistry; and Sarah Ma, Chemical Engineering.  Thomas Donnelly will moderate. 

The event is sponsored by the Queen of Angels Men’s Club.

“Acts of the Apostles”

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

During the liturgical season of Easter we hear a reading from the Acts of the Apostles at both the Sunday and weekday liturgies.  The book of Acts of the Apostles was written by St. Luke as the second volume of this two-volume work.  His first volume, The Gospel of Luke tells of the life and teachings of Jesus up to and including his Resurrection. In the book of Acts of the Apostles he continues his presentation of biblical history recounting for us many details of the growth of the Church in the first years of its history after the Resurrection of Jesus.  He describes how the salvation promised to the Jews in the Old Testament and accomplished through the sacrifice of Jesus, is now, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, extended to people outside the Jewish faith. This is accomplished through those special people chosen and prepared by Jesus, his Apostles and Disciples.  The book of Acts of the Apostles speaks of the many gifts bestowed on the Church by the Holy Spirit and the great miracles that the Jesus’ disciples do in His name.  The followers of Jesus are subjected to the same type of persecutions as Jesus, and many end up giving their lives as martyrs. Because of their openness to the Holy Spirit, they are able to face these often life-threatening challenges to their faith with courage.

In today’s first reading from Acts of the Apostles, there is a conflict between the Jewish Court (Sanhedrin), made up of Jewish authorities, and the Apostles.  The Jewish authorities accuse the Apostles of having disobeyed their direct order to stop talking about Jesus.  St. Peter, speaking for all the Apostles, rejects their authority saying, “We must obey God rather than men.”  The standoff ends with the Sanhedrin issuing the Apostles another order to stop speaking in the name of Jesus.  The Apostles leave, not having had their faith shaken nor with fear in their hearts, but rather, “rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.”

Announcements, April 22, 1007

CONSIDER  MINISTRY OF CARE Among the church’s ministries, the care of the sick, the aging and the frail has been essential. The Ministry of Care program is an outreach to those unable to participate in the celebration of Eucharist because of illness and age. This ministry allows people to experience the nearness of God through the presence of the faith community and through the reception of the Eucharist.

Parishioners share in the Ministry of Care by bringing the Eucharist to patients in the health care facilities within the parish and to homebound parishioners. The next Ministry of Care Training Program will be at St. Clement Parish School, 2534 N. Orchard. Sessions will meet from 8:45 a.m. to noon on three consecutive Saturday mornings, May 5, 12 and 19.

To register, call the parish office at 773-539-7510. For information, contact Fran Parks at 773-478-7254.

HEALTH AND FITNESS FAIR TODAY; EVENTS CONTINUE AT SCHOOL THIS WEEK Count on Queen of Angels to help you and your children get ready for Spring through a healthy approach to family nutrition, fitness and safety. This week of events is designed to help kids learn more about the importance of exercising and eating right.

Join us after Mass today  in the lower level of the church to experience health and fitness in a whole new way. Talk to representatives from various fitness groups and health centers to see how they can improve your life. Free admission, snacks and a raffle will make this the perfect way for you and your family to kick off Queen of Angels Health Week. Highlights  include Health World, That’s My Buddy Walk, a presentation from a pediatric dentist, strength and flexibility classes for adults, the annual school track-a-thon, and a kickball game between eighth graders and Queen of Angels school faculty.

Mass Schedule and This Week at Queen of Angels

We Remember: Margarita A. Loredo, Robert Zeff, Josef Freller and Members of the Parish Remembrance Society
We Pray For: David Deering and Bill Zander

MONDAY, APRIL 23—ST. GEORGE, ST. ADALBERT
Acts 6:8-15|Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30|Jn 6:22-29
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † Jacqueline Ferraro
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  Mary and the late Albert Tuffey—
                  Wedding Anniversary

TUESDAY, APRIL 24—  ST. FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN
Acts 7:51-8:1a|Ps 31:3cd-4,6 and 7b and 8a, 17 and 21ab|Jn 6:30-35
      7:00  MORNING MASS
  † Parish Remembrance Society
      9:00  MORNING MASS
  † Thomas Fryer, Jr.

Comdey Night Returns!

The Irregularly Scheduled Comedy Night will appear for the fifth time at the Voss Center on Saturday, May 5. This year, in addition to some of your favorite teachers and  parents, the Almost There Band, and the Queens at Night Players, we’re featuring as special guests the Chicago Underground Comedy, a group of young and talented comics that have made late-night comedy a hot item on the North Side. Tickets at $15 are on sale now at school and after masses.

“Mi Señor y Mi Dios”

CON DIOS NADA ES IMPOSIBLE

Hace casi dos semanas la lectura del Evangelio dominical se centraba en el apóstol Pedro y su negación de Jesús. Hoy leemos la historia de Tomás, otro de los seguidores de Jesús, quien tenía algunas dudas verdaderas acerca de creer en un Jesús resucitado. Cuando leí el pasaje me pregunté a mi mismo que tan profundamente profeso mi creencia en el Jesús Resucitado. Les pregunto a ustedes lo mismo. ¿Qué tan convencidos estamos de este Jesús quien dio su vida en la cruz y resucito de entre los muertos? Ambos Tomas y Pedro pasaron tres años con Jesús, escuchando sus enseñanzas, atestiguando milagros, y aprendiendo los modos de ser un seguidor de Jesús. Lo que me parece evidente a mi es el hecho de que ambos, Tomás y Pedro tenían fuertes convicciones y creencias en Jesús pero también poseían algunas limitaciones humanas que estaban en el medio cuando el compromiso se ponía a prueba. También nosotros nos enfrentamos con retos en nuestras lealtades y creencias. Aprendamos hoy de Tomás quien lucho cuando se sintió rechazado y dejado fuera.

Era el final del primer día de la semana, Pascua, el día en el cual Jesús se levanto de entre los muertos. Todos los apóstoles a excepción de Tomás, estaban reunidos en un lugar por temor de que ellos también pudieran ser buscados y llevados a juicio. Jesús apareció entre la comunidad reunida y los saludó con “La paz esté con ustedes.”

La noticia se propago rápidamente a Tomás que Jesús se había mostrado a sus acompañantes. En la lectura del Evangelio de hoy escuchamos a Tomás replicar, “A menos de que pueda poner mi mano en su costado y mis dedos en las heridas de sus manos, no lo creeré.”

Announcements, April 15, 2007

SISTER BERNADETTE HARRISON Sister Bernadette Harrison, O.S.B., born Josephine Bernadette Harrison, died April 2 at St. Scholastica. She was baptized at Queen of Angels and attended the parish school. She was a Benedictine for 73 years and worked in both educational and pastoral fields. Please remember Sister Bernadette in your prayers.

SPRED DINNER DANCE NEXT WEEK There will be a dinner dance Sunday, April 22 at the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The proceeds benefit MAMRE, Inc., the fundraising arm of the Archdiocesan SPRED agency. MAMRE, Inc. supports the work of community religious workers who assist parishes in developing the SPRED program. Our SPRED groups enjoy participating in the dinner dance. Some cannot afford the $65 per person cost of a ticket to the dinner dance.

We are in need of people who would like to sponsor our friends with development disabilities so they can enjoy this festive event. There are also raffle tickets available at $10 each. The prizes are two $500 cash awards. If you would like to join our SPRED groups at this event or make a donation, please call Teresa Fett at 773-728-7637.