Queen of Angels Catholic Parish Chicago

Families Serving Families

A community dinner on Thanksgiving Day at St. Benedict Parish, PB&J sandwich-making party on November 30 for St. Teresa Loaves and Fishes program, and Scholastic pajama drive ending December 1 offer opportunities for parishioners of all ages to serve others through family-friendly service activities this holiday season.

Announcements, Week of November 20, 2011

DON’T EAT DINNER ALONE! Why eat dinner alone on Thanksgiving Day when you can share in a warm environment with friends? Saint Benedict Parish will host a wonderful turkey dinner with all of the trimmings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 24 in the Social Center, 2219 W. Irving Park Road. All are welcome for this annual event. Food and volunteers are needed. Please call Saint Benedict Rectory at 773-588-6484.

SHARE AMERICAN FREEDOM In 2010, a total of 619,913 people who came to this country as immigrants swore the oath of allegiance and became U.S. Citizens. The road to citizenship can be long and difficult. At Queen of Angels, a ministry exists to help those who are studying for the required interviews and examinations. Volunteers are needed to lead these classes, which are offered free of charge. Training is available. For more info, to volunteer or to sign up for the class, please call the parish office at 773-539-7510.

SSVD REFLECTS... Today as we celebrate Christ the King we hear Jesus say: “...whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me.” Knowing that we find the face of Christ in the poor, this month, through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent dePaul was able to serve five families, providing clothing, emergency assistance for rent and referrals for housing, utility assistance and social services. Thank you!

A STAR IS BORN Fifth grade parishioner Sally Elting is performing in A Christmas Story, the Musical, based on the classic holiday comedy film. The show is touring through Hershey, Detroit, Raleigh and Tampa before its final stop at the Chicago Theatre from December 14 to 30. Tickets are available. Visit www.achristmasstorythemusical.com for ticket information.

REMEMBER A LOVED ONE Mass intentions may be offered in the name of friends or relatives, living or deceased, for those in need of extra prayers or in honor of a beloved saint. Suggested donation is $10 per Mass. Call 773-539-7510.

INSTITUTO DE LIDERAZGO CRISTÓFORO El Instituto de Liderazgo Cristóforo esta ofreciendo clases para aquellas personas que quieran eliminar sus temores y complejos, recordar nombres y adquirir dotes de líder. Apúrese y regístrese este 25, 26 y 27 de Noviembre en el salón parroquial de la iglesia San Jerónimo localizada en el 1709 W. Lunt Ave (7000 al norte). El costo es de $145 ($130 por adelantado). La cuota incluye material, comidas y diploma. Las clases serán los viernes desde las 6 p.m. hasta las 10 p.m. y los sábados desde las 8 a.m. hasta las 8 p.m. Si tiene alguna pregunta, llame al 773-472-1515 o al 773-481-0628.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
November 20 – Catholic Campaign for Human Development
November 24 – Thanksgiving (St. Vincent DePaul)

Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair 2011

The Queen of Angels community likes to kick off the holiday season with our annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair slated for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 12. This is an important fundraiser for our school that is filled with fun and offers activities for the whole family. Each year, the fair features over 35 crafters that offer unique and interesting items, plus so much more:

iPad2 Raffle * Breakfast or Lunch with Santa
Little Angels Bakery * Prizes from Santa's North Pole
Student Crafts * Kids' Games, Face Painting & Temporary Tattoos

You're Invited for Breakfast, Books and Baubles

In early November Queen of Angels will present three fun events centered on the young people of Queen of Angels.  Jump-start your holiday season (and find some great gifts and decorations) with our school families at the annual Holiday Arts & Craft Fair.  Our school library will host the Scholastic Book Fair with some great reads, and Boy Scout Troop 894 are cooking up a storm for their all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast.

Announcements, Week of September 25, 2011

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER FOR CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS ED CLASSES Children not attending a Catholic school may be registered for Sunday Morning Religious Education Classes (Kindergarten through Level 7) and Confirmation Preparation (eighth grade through high school). These classes have already begun for the 2011-2012 school year. Classes are structured to help children learn and grow in their faith during each successive year.
Preparation is included for the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation, but a well-rounded religious education includes much more. Help your children develop the gifts of faith that you and their godparents gave them at Baptism.
Children are invited to begin Religious Education when they enter kindergarten or first grade. For students new to the program or transferring from another church or school, we will work with each family to place them in the appropriate program and class. Register at the parish office or by calling the Religious Education office at 773-769-4211.

A REFLECTION FROM SSVD On September 27, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Vincent dePaul, who knew that “God had sent him to bring good news to the poor.” Together with your gifts, the members of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul continue his work and mission in our parish. This month, through your gifts, the Society of St. Vincent DePaul was able to “bring good news to the poor,” by assisting nine families, providing assistance with groceries, public transportation, referrals for social services and rent bills. Thank you!

PET BLESSING OCTOBER 4 Join us at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, October 4 in the Courtyard for the Annual Pet Blessing. All pets must be leashed, caged or contained. We will be collecting donations for “found,” a local, non-profit, no kill, rescue and re-homing center. Bring donations to the school or church by October 7. Needed are food (Wellness or Science Diet for dogs, Friskies or Science Diet for cats), leashes, collars, bowls, treats, litter boxes and liners, 30-gallon garbage bags, rubber cleaning gloves, hand soap, laundry detergent, paper towels, clean towels and blankets. The event is sponsored by Commons Community Service Group.

SSVD BOX RELOCATED Due to problems with the St. Vincent dePaul donation box, it was removed from the Queen of Angels parking lot in August. The box has been relocated to the parking lot at St. Matthias Parish, 4934 N. Claremont. Your donations of clothing, shoes and small household items help the Society of St. Vincent dePaul to meet the needs of the poor in our community.

CLASS OF ‘61 SCHEDULES REUNION The Class of 1961 will gather for a 50th class reunion on October 22, 2011. For more information, contact Tim Rose at 312-953-8004.

THOUGHTS FROM RESPECT LIFE... “As a gift from God, every human life is sacred from conception to natural death. The life and dignity of every person must be respected and protected at every stage of and in every condition. The right to life is the first and most fundamental principle of human rights that leads Catholics to actively work for a world of greater respect for human life and greater commitment to justice and peace.” —U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

SCOUTER REUNION IS OCTOBER 15 Come one, come all to our annual Scouter Reunion! Invited are all former and current Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders, parents and members. The Scouter Reunion and Potluck Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, October 15 at Luther Memorial Church in the gymnasium, 2500 W. Wilson. Please mark your calendar to save the date, and bring a dish to share. On the agenda, in addition to the food, are ceremonies, songs, skits, remembering our deceased members, crafts demonstrations, sharing of memories and just good old-fashioned camaraderie. Bring something for “Show and Tell.” It will beat anything that’s on TV that evening! Program suggestions are welcome. Uniforms in order. Show off all your medals and patches! RSVP to Dorothy Witschonke at 773-588-3637 or Maria Bappert at 773-728-8127 and let us know what dish plan to bring. Thank you, and hope to hear from you!

SUPPORT THE CALL TO PRIESTHOOD
-- How many times in our lives has a priest brought healing to you and your families?
-- How many times has a priest celebrated the liturgy on Sunday, throughout the week and at special parish and family celebrations, bringing Christ to you through the Eucharist?
-- How many times has a priest stood with you in joy at the birth of a child, at your bedside in the hospital, or in sorrow at the death of a loved one?
Let us pray for vocations to the priesthood; that we may have priests whose lives are directed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the service of God’s people. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and financial support for this weekend’s collection for the Seminary System of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

QUE TENGAMOS SACERDOTES
-- ¿Cuántas veces un sacerdote trajo alivio a nuestras vidas y a las de nuestros familiares?
-- ¿Cuántas veces ha celebrado un sacerdote la liturgia del domingo, las de toda la semana y aquellas que con motivo de una celebración especial de la parroquia o de nuestra familia, celebra trayéndonos a Cristo a través de la Eucaristía?
-- Cuántas veces ha estado un sacerdote a nuestro lado en la alegría que de el nacimiento de un hijo; al lado de nuestra cama en el hospital o ante el dolor que provoca la muerte de un ser querido?
Oremos por las vocaciones para el sacerdocio; porque tengamos sacerdotes cuyas vidas estén dirigidas por la Palabra de Jesucristo en el servicio del pueblo de Dios. Gracias por sus continuas plegarias y por su apoyo financiero a la colecta esta semana para el Sistema de Seminarios de la Arquidiócesis de Chicago.

STATEMENT OF FRANCIS CARDINAL GEORGE IN SUPPORT OF THE DREAM ACT “Brothers and sisters: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing... humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for your own interests, but also for those of others.” (Phil 2:1-4) One of the most precious gifts God gives us is our young people. They encourage us with their passion to learn and their desire to create a better world. In this year that the Archdiocese especially dedicates to our youth and young adults, I am asking that the Catholic community reach out in a special way to nurture the faith and intellectual and moral development of our youth. One way I encourage you to do this at this time is through your active support of immigrant youth who have been brought to this country while very young children, been educated in our grade schools and high schools, yet because of their undocumented status are not able to pursue higher education and currently have no hope of being able to become citizens and to share their gifts in a country where they have grown up, a country which they have grown to love and cherish. Many live in fear each day that they may be deported. Only recently has the current administration stepped up to give some reassurance to these young people which may allay some of those fears. We commend this with the great hope that there will be significant progress on this issue in the near future. The Catholic Bishops of the United States, along with leaders of other faith traditions, are encouraging the passage of federal legislation called the DREAM Act which would give these students an opportunity to realize their dream of becoming full citizens and contributors to the social and economic fabric of this country. I encourage your prayers and support for our youth and their families, and for our legislators; also I ask you as a member of the Catholic community to support and promote the passage of the DREAM Act and the eventual goal of the passage of compassionate comprehensive immigration reform legislation. DECLARACIÓN DEL CARDENAL FRANCIS GEORGE EN APOYO A LA LEY “DREAM” “Hermanos y hermanas:¿Puedo pedirles algo en nombre de Cristo, hablarles del amor? ¿Han recibido el Espíritu y son capaces de compasión y ternura? Entonces denme esta alegría: pónganse de acuerdo, estén unidos en el amor, con una misma alma y un mismo proyecto...Que cada uno tenga la humildad de creer que los otros son mejores que él mismo. No busque nadie sus propios intereses, sino más bien preocúpese cada uno por los demás.” (Flp 2,1-4) Uno de los dones más preciosos que Dios nos ha dado es el de nuestros jóvenes, pues ellos nos animan con su pasión por aprender y con su deseo de crear un mundo mejor. En este año que la Arquidiócesis está dedicando especialmente a nuestros adolescentes y adultos jóvenes, estoy pidiendo a la comunidad católica que extienda su mano de una manera especial con el fin de alimentar la fe y el desarrollo intelectual y moral de nuestra juventud. Una manera en que les invito a hacer esto es a través de su apoyo activo a los jóvenes inmigrantes que fueron traídos a este país cuando eran niños muy pequeños, que han sido educados en nuestras escuelas primarias y secundarias y que, debido a su condición de indocumentados, no pueden cursar estudios superiores y quienes en la actualidad no tienen ninguna esperanza de convertirse en ciudadanos y de compartir sus dones con el país en el que han crecido, un país al que han llegado a amar y valorar. Muchos de ellos viven a diario el miedo de ser deportados. Apenas hace poco el gobierno actual se decidió a actuar para dar cierta tranquilidad a estos jóvenes y disipar algunos de sus temores. Apoyamos esta actuación con la gran esperanza de que habrá un progreso significativo en esta cuestión en el futuro cercano. Los Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos, en coalición con líderes de otras tradiciones religiosas, estamos alentando a los legisladores a que aprueben la ley federal conocida como “Ley DREAM” (Ley para el desarrollo, alivio y educación de menores extranjeros, por sus siglas en inglés), la cual daría a estos estudiantes la oportunidad de hacer realidad su sueño de convertirse en ciudadanos de pleno derecho y colaboradores de la estructura social y económica de este país. Les invito a que apoyen y hagan oraciones por nuestros jóvenes y sus familias, y por nuestros legisladores; también les pido, como miembro de la comunidad católica, que apoyen y promuevan la aprobación de la Ley DREAM y el objetivo final de aprobar una legislación de reforma integral compasiva a la ley de inmigración.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
September 25 — Seminaries
October 2 — Lyman Scholarship Fund (with regular collection)
October 16 — Sharing: Maternity BVM (with regular collection)
October 23 — World Mission Sunday / Propagation of the Faith
November 1 — All Saints’ Day
November 2 — All Souls’ Day

Summertime at Q of A

Summertime may bring about a slower pace of life for many of our parishioners, but there are a number of summer events and activities going strong through the summer at Queen of Angels. Reunions for school alumni and former Choristers, a summer choir for high school and college youth, a toiletries drive for the homeless and Theology on Tap faith discussion events for adults are among the programs available during the summer months.

Kindergarten Class of 2011

"READY OR NOT, HERE WE COME!"
KINDERGARTENERS GRADUATE, MOVE TO FIRST GRADE
Kindergarteners reached one more milestone when they graduated from Mrs. Thilmany’s and Ms. Manning’s classes on Wednesday, June 1. They now ready themselves for the world of First Grade with all its excitement, spirit and learning. Please remember these children and their families in your prayers as they embark on the first step towards ”further education.” Continued blessings to their teachers as well. Congratulations!

Annabelle Aimone Holden Austen Jessie Beyer Elise Borelli Dylan Bradley Thomas Budziszewski William Cabonargi Maximo Castillo Rita Chandler Christian Cortes Grace Delowery Mary Gorski William Hartman Maeve Hogan	Greta Hyde Van Immonen Emmett Jeske Jack Kennedy Stella Konstantoudakis Gabriel Kuchan Stephanie Lawless Ryan Lim Isabella Lorenzini Madeleine Lunt Grace McCaleb David Meadows Daniel Montesdeoca Liam Nelson	Emmett O’Brien Elena Park Grayson Patnode Blake Resendiz Robert Rivera Liliana Rohlf Analiese Samuels Isabella Schmidt Kathryn Siko Roan Thomas Janet Way Liam White Emmett Williams Megan Woelfl
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Rev. Msgr. James T. Kaczorowski, Pastor Mrs. Julia Byrns Kelly, Principal Mrs. Lynn Thilmany and Ms. Katie Manning, Teachers Mrs. Norma Leverenz and Mrs. Sally Gombert, Teacher Aides

Congratulations, Class of 2011

MOVING ON: GRADUATES BID FAREWELL
The Queen of Angels Class of 2011 joined the ranks of alumni on Friday, May 27 after the graduation ceremony. The 26 young people will attend a variety of Catholic and selected enrollment public high schools. Many of these young people started at Queen of Angels as preschoolers, so the move to a
new school is an adjustment for both students and their families. Please pray for this group of talented students as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. May God bless them all!

Taylor Brooks Rachel Brown Gabrielle Castillo Christina Cigir Molly Corbitt Amaris DeLeon Ayanni DeLeon Carlos Diaz William Donnelly James Du Jacob Esparza Martin Figueroa Naomi Gonzalez

Darwin Guerra William Hynes Isabel Irvine Paul Johnson Johnny Lee Justine Malicdem Katrina Monreal Keegan Ruscheinski Kylie Ruscheinski Lorna Sanchez McCann Kendale Spain Kelzie Tuason Harry Winters

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Rev. Msgr. James T. Kaczorowski, Pastor
Mrs. Julia Byrns Kelly, Principal
Middle School Teachers:
Mr. Scott Grube	Mrs. Mary Kate Lubawski
Mr. Noah Madden	Ms. Meg Mehan
Ms. Katie Neumann

Calendar Raffle 2010-2011

2010-2011 CALENDAR RAFFLE WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The following individuals won the Calendar Raffle drawing for the 2010-2011 school year. We congratulate them and thank them for their support of Queen of Angels School. All winners received $150 except for the dates of Christmas (December 25, 2010) and Easter (April 24, 2011). Those prizes were $500.

• October 2010: 8-Martin Perdoux; 15-Mike Carbonargi; 22-James Helm; and 29-Martin Luby.
• November: 5-Jose Bustos; 12-Deb Dorion; 19-Megan Lee; and 26-Lisa Collins.
• December: 3-Elizabeth Uligian; 10-Joan Castillo; 17-Nicole Donoso; 24-Liquin Xiong; 25-Estela Luengas; and 31-Romina Flojo.
• January 2011: 7-David Muller; 14-Ken Czechanski; 21-Rima Lussenhop; and 28-Isabella Lorenzini.
• February: 4-Eric Lim; 11-Tom Budziszewski; 18-Amy Manojlovski; and 25–Cynthia Hing-Brown.
• March: 4-Jen Sobocienski; 11–Paulina Esparza; 18-Michelle Beall; and 25-Lisa Krappman.
• April: 1-Rhonda Erickson; 8-Dave Duszynski; 15-Garrett Tershel; 22-Bart Aimone; 24-Anthony Pricco; and 29-Kim France.
• May: 6-Sara Byerly; 13-Mario Lara; 20-Brenda Remess and 27-Ernestine Sanetra.

Thank you to all who supported the raffle for Queen of Angels School!

Announcements, Week of May 1, 2011

BAPTISMS / BAUTISMOS
Isabella Zoely Garcia, child of Claudia and Arnoldo
Saul Guzman, child of Maira and Saul
Xitaly Cornelio Hernandez, child of Maria Guadalupe and Juan Carlos
Claire Rose Kinsella, child of Amy and Daniel
Jack Michael London, child of Abab and Seth
Allan Fernando Quintanilla, child of Nancy and Rafael

JANE’S EGG BASKET Our Respect Life Committee and Society of St. Vincent DePaul are hosting the “Jane’s Egg Basket” drive again this year to support the work of the Women’s Center and the teen Parenting ProGRESS outreach at Ravenswood Evangelical Covenant Church. If you picked up a plastic Easter egg from the Jane’s Egg Basket table on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday, don’t forget to shop for and bring back the donation suggested to you. Please return the requested item(s) to the church gathering space on the next two weekends, May 7-8 and May 14-15.

CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Queen of Angels offers Religious Education (CCD) classes for children in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade not attending a Catholic school. We welcome school-age children seeking a closer connection with God and understanding of the Catholic faith. The program is designed for continuous faith formation from one year to the next, and it includes preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation. Registration for the 2011-2012 school year is now open, and family registration fees will increase on July 1. To register, please call 773-769-4986 ext. 23.

ELECTIONS FOR ALL BOARDS The School Board, Athletic Board and Commons will follow the same communications, nominations and election processes to solicit and elect new members for each of their boards. The school invites you to consider running for one of several leadership roles that are opening up for election. There are four positions opening on the School Board, six board positions on the Athletic Board and two officer positions open for Commons. Sharing your time and talents with Queen of Angels is a wonderful way to help make the school the best it can be. All candidates must attend at least one meeting of School Board or Athletic Board prior to election. Contact Mrs. Kelly, school principal, at 773-769-4211.

A REFLECTION FROM THE SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL In the Gospel today, Jesus stands in our midst and says: “Peace be with you!” During Mass we turn to each other and say, “Peace be with you!” As you put your gift into the St. Vincent dePaul box at the top of the stairs, you say “Peace be with you!” to those who are poor and hungry.

COMPADRES GROUP SAYS “THANK YOU”
Dear Students and Staff:
Thank you for your contribution of $300 for the ComPadres ministry to our soldiers and chaplains overseas. Because of your gift, we have been able to provide our troops with helpful items to bring relief and encouragement. We are grateful for your continued help, generosity and friendship.
Sincerely, — Pam Lippert and the ComPadres

TRACK-A-THON SCHEDULED The All School Track-a-Thon will be this Wednesday, May 4. This event is a major fundraiser for our school. Students get sponsorships for running laps in the Guild Hall Gym. If you are interested in supporting a student or simply making a financial gift to the school, please call 773-769-4211. Your support is always appreciated.

THE APOSTLES WORKED MANY WONDERS “I came to Catholic Charities when I was near death… both from drinking and from an infection I was too far gone to address,” says Brian, a former client in our substance abuse program. “I had no money for insurance, but Catholic Charities accepted me.” Brian’s counselor, a seasoned professional, worked wonders with Brian, who had resisted help from other sources. Somehow, she was able to get through to him. Today, Brian has a radio show where he spreads the “good news” of his recovery to help and inspire others. Your gift to the Catholic Charities Collection on Mother’s Day helps us give critical support to people fighting addiction, particularly the uninsured. LETTER FROM CARDINAL GEORGE: CATHOLIC CHARITIES MOTHER’S DAY APPEAL NEXT WEEK The Season of Easter is a season of hope. This year, the Catholic Charities Collection on Mother’s Day very appropriately occurs during this holy season. The life, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ won for us the gifts of salvation and hope. On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the life-giving love and devotion of the heroic women who modeled and passed on to us the gifts of hope and faith. During the Season of Easter, the readings reiterate themes of the new life that is ours in the Risen Christ. As Catholics, we are people of hope who share this gift with our brothers and sisters of all faiths, especially those who are in need. For 93 years, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago has restored hope to poor or struggling families and individuals, because hope is what matters most to a homeless family with a parent out of work, or a senior on a limited income who lives alone. Last year, more than a million people of all ages, races and religions received services through Catholic Charities’ 159 programs at 156 sites in Cook and Lake Counties. Seniors, parents and children, pregnant and parenting teens, and hungry and homeless families and individuals come to Catholic Charities hoping to find the basic necessities to maintain life: food, clothing, housing, parenting skills and a renewed sense of dignity. They find professional and compassionate help to ease their anxiety, work their way out of poverty, build healthy family relationships, and solve the problems that keep them from independence and financial self-sufficiency. From conception to natural death, Catholic Charities strives to maintain the dignity and respect to which every human being is entitled. As our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI stated in his encyclical letter on Christian hope, Spe Salvi: “The one who has hope lives differently; the one who hopes has been granted the gift of a new life.” Thank you for your continued gift of hope, your charity and your willingness to open your hearts in prayerful and practical support of the poor and vulnerable with your gift to the Catholic Charities Collection on Mother’s Day. May Mary, the Mother of Jesus and of the Church, and her Divine Son bless you and your families with hope, peace and joy as you celebrate Mother’s Day and the Easter Season. You and those you love are in my prayers; please keep me in yours. Sincerely yours in Christ, — Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago CARTA DEL CARDENAL GEORGE La Semana Santa es un periodo de esperanza. Este año, la Colecta de Caridades Católicas con motivo del Día de las Madres se lleva a cabo de manera muy apropiada durante este tiempo santo. La vida, muerte y resurrección de Nuestro Señor Jesús ganó para nosotros los dones de la salvación y la esperanza. En el Día de las Madres, celebramos el amor que da la vida y la devoción de la mujer heroica que fue modelo y que nos heredó los dones de la esperanza y de la fe. Durante la temporada pascual, las lecturas reiteran los temas de la nueva vida que es nuestra gracias al Cristo resucitado. Como católicos, somos un pueblo de esperanza que comparte este don con nuestros hermanos y hermanas de todas las religiones, especialmente aquellos que están en necesidad. Durante 93 años, Caridades Católicas de la Arquidiócesis de Chicago ha devuelto la esperanza a las familias e individuos que están en la pobreza pobres o que experimentan dificultades, porque la esperanza es lo que más importa a una familia sin hogar, con un padre desempleado, o a una anciana con un ingreso limitado que vive sola. El año pasado, más de un millón de personas de todas las edades, razas y religiones recibieron servicios a través de 159 programas de Caridades Católicas en 156 sedes en los condados de Cook y Lake. Adultos mayores, padres y niños, adolescentes embarazadas, padres adolescentes y familias e individuos con hambre y sin hogar, vienen a Caridades Católicas con la esperanza de encontrar una manera de cubrir las necesidades básicas para mantener la vida: comida, ropa, vivienda, cuidado infantil y un renovado sentido de la dignidad. Todos ellos encuentran ayuda profesional y compasiva para aliviar su ansiedad, se esfuerzan por encontrar una salida de la pobreza, construyen relaciones familiares saludables y resuelven problemas que les impiden la independencia y la autosuficiencia financiera. Desde la concepción hasta la muerte natural, Caridades Católicas se esfuerzan por mantener la dignidad y el respeto a la que todo ser humano tiene derecho. Como lo declaró nuestro Santo Padre el Papa Benedicto XVI en su carta encíclica sobre la esperanza cristiana, Spe Salvi: “Quien tiene esperanza vive de otra manera; se le ha dado una vida nueva.” Gracias por su continuo regalo de esperanza, gracias por su caridad y su voluntad de abrir sus corazones para apoyar de manera devota y práctica a los pobres y vulnerables a través de su donativo a la Colecta de Caridades Católicas del Día de las Madres. Que María, la Madre de Jesús y de la Iglesia, y su Divino Hijo bendiga a ustedes y a sus familias con la esperanza, la paz y la alegría ahora que celebren el Día de las Madres y el Tiempo de Pascua. Ustedes y sus seres queridos están presentes en mis plegarias; por favor ténganme presente en las suyas. Sinceramente suyo en Cristo, -- Cardenal Francis George, O.M.I., Arzobispo de Chicago

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
May 1 — Lyman Scholarship (with regular collection)
May 8 — Catholic Charities Mother’s Day Appeal
May 15 — Sharing: Maternity BVM (with regular collection)