AREA FAMILY NEEDS HELP The St. Vincent de Paul Society has received a request for winter outerwear for a family of 8. Dad works full time cleaning fish, mom was recently hospitalized. The family includes an elderly grandfather, and 5 boys, one with Down syndrome. Their sizes are:
-- 9-year-old: coat size 10, boots men’s size 2;
-- 7-year-old: coat size 7, boots boys’ size 9;
-- 3-year-old and 18-month-old twins: coat size 2 years, boots boys’ sizes 5 and 6, diapers size 5.
The children need boots, coats, hats, gloves and scarves. Dad and grandpa need coats, hats, gloves and scarves size large. Mom needs only boots size 6 ½. Please bring any items to the church or the parish office marked for the Perez family. Thank you.
GREAT THINGS AT SCHOOL
There are great things happening at Queen of Angels School. This recent letter from Joan Franklin Smutny of National-Louis University provides affirmation of the strides being made in gifted education.
Dear Mrs. Kelly,
Thank you for the opportunity to bring gifted to Queen of Angels. May I share with you a few insights about your school? Queen of Angels is an extraordinary place for students, teachers and staff. Your leadership has effected an academic excellence and creativity that pervade the school. I have delighted in my association as I continue to bring activities and materials to the teachers and students.
Queen of Angels clearly expresses an excellence in the classroom and in the kinds of challenges given to students. It offers a distinct vision for advancing and enhancing all the children. They are highly motivated to succeed and so are the teachers.
May I especially thank you for initiating and implementing a quality of thought and atmosphere that is so consistently affirmative. Children and young people thrive in a milieu that enables them to move forward positively as individuals and as learners.
Creativity is the highest form of mental functioning. Queen of Angels embodies and imparts that quality. Creativity is inherent in meeting perceptively the needs of bright, talented children and all children. It is my privilege to be supportive of your school’s forward steps in effecting this result.
Very sincerely, -- Joan Franklin Smutny, Director of the Center for Gifted, National-Louis University
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Are you willing to set aside time for a worthwhile evening? In SPRED, adult friends with developmental disabilities are partnered with a volunteer catechist. When we meet with our friends we provide a place of peace to help them discover a sense of personal dignity and develop a spirit of prayer. We spend some time working on activities which settle us and help us to focus on the present. We then retire to the Holy Room, our mini chapel, where we share life stories; listen to the Word of Our Lord; sing and enjoy calming music; and share joyfully in the restful silence. We close our session with a simple sharing of food and fellowship -- called Agape. We talk and laugh and enjoy the companionship of each other.
Sessions have a calming and renewing influence on all of us as they deepen our awareness of God’s presence and love in our lives. This wonderful opportunity is offered only 24 evenings a year. You will be delighted with what we have to offer for you as you give yourself to one of our very special friends.
To find out more about SPRED, call Joann Salas at 773- 583-1371 or Julia Hess at the SPRED Office, 773-539-3634. Thank you so much, -- Mary Murray, a most satisfied volunteer catechist
IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SHOP WITH THE ANGELS RETURNS!
You asked for it, you got it! It’s back. Queen of Angels can again simplify your shopping with Shop with the Angels. Need some Jewel gift cards? A trip to Starbucks? A loaf of bread from Panera? Gift ideas for the sitter, Aunt Sally or your best friend? You’ve come to the right place. Jewel, Dominick’s, Panera, Starbucks, Mobil, BP and Shell gift cards will be in stock. Order forms are available for other purchases. Stop by the Parish Center during the week or at the table in the Gathering Space after the 8 and 9:30 a.m. Masses. Us SWTA to meet your holiday shopping needs. Profits can go to the parish, Lyman Fund or a school tuition account. Thanks for your interest!
RELIGIOUS RETIREMENT COLLECTION
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The annual Retirement Fund for Religious Appeal has provided much needed assistance to women and men religious who have spent their lives serving our church and our world. They ministered in our schools, hospitals, parishes and charitable agencies, asking for little in return. They invested, not in pension plans, but in people, in service and in the future of the Church they served.
The people of the Archdiocese of Chicago have always responded very generously to this yearly appeal, contributing over $1 million last year alone. In these challenging economic times, I ask you to simply give what you can. I am very proud of your willingness to share in the care of our aging women and men religious.
I thank you for your support of this appeal and ask you to keep our religious sisters, brothers and priests in your thoughts and in your prayers. In our often troubled world, they remain a visible sign of Christ’s love. During this Advent season, when we prepare for the birth of Christ, I ask you to remember the love of those who taught us all about our Catholic faith: the men and women religious who served our Archdiocese.
May God bless you and your loved ones.
Sincerely yours in Christ, -- Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago
COLECTA DE “COMPARTA SU CUIDADO” ES LA PRÓXIMA SEMANA
Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo,
El Fondo de Retiro de la Colecta Religiosa Anual ha proveído asistencia necesaria para mujeres y hombres de nuestras comunidades religiosas que han pasado sus vidas sirviendo a nuestra iglesia y a nuestra sociedad. Han asistido con su ministerio en nuestras escuelas, hospitales, parroquias y agencias caritativas, pidiendo muy poco a cambio. Han invertido, no en planes de pensión, sino en personas, en servicio y en el futuro de la Iglesia por la que han trabajado.
La gente de nuestra Arquidiócesis siempre ha respondido con gran generosidad a esta súplica anual, contribuyendo más de un millón de dólares sólo el año pasado. En estos difíciles momentos económicos, les quiero simplemente pedir que den lo que puedan. Estoy muy orgulloso de su disponibilidad para compartir el cuidado de nuestros religiosos y religiosas mayores edad.
Les agradezco su apoyo a esta súplica y les ruego que mantengan a estas hermanas, hermanos y sacerdotes religiosos en sus pensamientos y en sus oraciones. En nuestro mundo, muchas veces turbulento, son un signo visible del amor de Cristo. Durante esta estación de Adviento, en la que nos preparamos para el nacimiento de Cristo, les pido que recuerden el amor de quienes nos enseñaron la fe católica: los religiosos y religiosas que han servido a nuestra Arquidiócesis.
Que Dios les bendiga a ustedes y a todos sus seres queridos.
Sinceramente suyo en Cristo, -- Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Arzobispo de Chicago
LOVE THE 80s AND 90s? The Centennial Historical Committee is seeking information and materials tied to parish life at Queen of Angels in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Please consider submitting photographs, remembrances, parish bulletins or any other artifacts that may be in your attic or basement. Contact 773-539-7510 or parish@queenofangelschicago.org.
FUND TO HELP FAMILIES IN NEED Once a month, the collection includes the regular weekly offering and the monthly Lyman Scholarship Fund. The Lyman Scholarship Fund was established to help families in need of assistance in making a tuition payment. And the school is a very important part of our parish’s mission.
Contributing to the scholarship fund in someone’s name is a wonderful way to remember a loved one. Your generosity will help continue the mission of Queen of Angels in providing a quality Catholic education.
A record number of families benefited from the Lyman Fund last school year, depleting the fund. And an even larger number of families this year are seeking assistance. Your help is needed to make sure no child is denied an education at Queen of Angels School.
Please be as generous as you can. Use the green envelope provided in your envelope pack or simply place your donation in an envelope marked “Lyman Fund.” The Lyman collection is generally the first Sunday of the month but donations are accepted at any time. Helping a family in need ensures the future of our church. The next Lyman Scholarship Fund collection will be next Sunday, December 6.
Thank you for your generosity and sacrifice.
YA VIENE EL ÁLBUM HISTÓRICO DEL CENTENARIO El Álbum del Centenario va encapsular los muchos recuerdos tan queridos de los 100 Años de Compartir y Cuidar de nuestra parroquia. Les invitamos a que anuncien su negocio o ofrezcan sus felicitaciones a la parroquia de parte de su familia en este libro que sale una vez en la vida. También puede dejar su nombre para las páginas del Legado (donación de $25 en memoria de los fallecidos) o Ángeles. El plazo para poner sus anuncios ha sido extendido hasta el 7 de diciembre, ¡pero por favor contacte al personal de la oficina parroquial al 773-539-3176 hoy!
CENTENNIAL ALBUM IS COMING The Centennial Album will encapsulate the many cherished memories from our parish’s 100 Years of Sharing and Caring. We invite you to advertise your business or offer your family’s congratulations to the parish in this book. You may also provide a name for the Legacy listing or be recognized with an Angel Sponsorship. The deadline is December 7, so please call Rachel at 773-539-7510 today!
SATURDAY ROSARY Join us to pray the Rosary after each 9 a.m. Saturday Mass. To volunteer to lead the Rosary, contact Joann at 773-583-1371 or green3256@yahoo.com.
WORLD AIDS DAY IS DECEMBER 1 World AIDS Day is an international day of celebration. It is all about people getting the facts about HIV/AIDS, getting involved in some way and caring. It was established in 1988 by the World Summit of Ministers of Health on AIDS and is observed in more than 150 countries around the world. World AIDS Day is a day to bring a message of hope, understanding and compassion to persons affected by the disease. Please remember those persons living with HIV/AIDS, their families and loved ones, caregivers, researchers and those millions orphaned by the disease in your prayers. For more information, contact the Catholic Charities HIV/AIDS Task Force at 312-948-6500.
THOUGHT ABOUT PRIESTHOOD? Is God calling you to the priesthood or religious life? For information about priesthood, contact Fr. Joe Noonan at jnoonan@archchicago.org or at 312-534-8298. For info about religious life, contact Sr. Elyse Ramirez at 312-534-5240 or at eramirez@archchicago.org.
JOIN THE SECULAR FRANCISCANS Is God calling you to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi? The Secular Franciscan Order is a religious order within the Catholic Church open to diocesan clergy and to married or single lay adults. Secular Franciscans work together in local fraternities to deepen their own spirituality and to strive to conform their lives more fully to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If this appeals to you, please call Florence Metler at 847-966-7612 or Dale Blum at 773-774-7779 for more information.
The St. Juliana Fraternity, SFO, meets at 1:15 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month at St. Juliana Convent, 7200 N. Osceola. See www.ilsfo.org for complete fraternity listing.
PARISH REGISTRATION Are you new to our parish community? Welcome! Have you recently moved? May God bless your new home! Please visit or contact the parish office at 773-539-7510 to register or adjust your existing registration. Thanks!
REGISTRACIÓN PARA LA PARROQUIA ¿Es tu primera vez en nuestra parroquia? ¡Bienvenidos! ¿Se ha mudado recientemente? ¡Que Dios bendiga su nuevo hogar! Por favor visite o contacte la oficina parroquial al 773-539-3176 para registrarse o arreglar su registración.
SHHHHH! All electronic devices, such as cell phones and pagers, should be turned off before entering the church. Please be considerate of others. Thanks!
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
December 6 — Lyman Scholarship Fund (with regular collection)
December 6 — Religious Retirement
December 8 — Immaculate Conception
December 13 — Christmas Flowers
December 25 — Christmas
December 27 — Sharing: BVM Parish (with regular collection)
