Something that I have certainly come to realize over the course of the last year is that many people come from near and far to visit the basilica. They come because it’s a beautiful place to pray, and as some have told me, it’s also the only church that they could find open during the day. So while they might not be from our parish, we are happy to provide an oasis in the midst of the day where they can come and spend a few quiet moments with the Lord present in the Holy Eucharist.
I remember as children we would often receive a periodical from one of the various missionary endeavors that my family supported. At the top of every newsletter there was a saying attributed to St. Therese that I haven’t forgotten. She says in regards to the work in the missions; “some give by going to the missions, and some go by giving to the missions, but without both there are no missions.”
What a grace to have with us this weekend at our Saturday evening Mass all those from our vicariate, and so many others, coming to celebrate and thank God for his presence in the Holy Eucharist! ...
Last Sunday was a glorious day. We basked in the sunshine and lifted our hearts and voices in gratitude and praise for the gift of Msgr. Pollard’s priesthood to the Church in Chicago and to Queen of All Saints. It was a perfect celebration that also marked the end of the school year and the beginning of summer at QAS. I am grateful to the members of the Men’s Club, the Filipino American Community Association and the Scouts for putting on a show. Even Cardinal Cupich graced us with his presence and enjoyed the afternoon.
In 2022, the Catholic bishops of the United States launched a three-year National Eucharistic Revival mission aimed at “renewing the Church by kindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.” The revival's vision is to “inspire a movement of Catholics across the United States who are healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist—and who are then sent out on mission ‘for the life of the world.’”
THANK YOU to everyone who, through your presence and active participation in this year’s United Parish Program, have not only helped us celebrate our community but also played a crucial role in supporting our ongoing efforts as the parish of Queen of All Saints. Your involvement has brought immense joy and pride to our faith community, and your commitment to our many ministries and activities is truly commendable.
Happy Mother’s Day! Every culture and nation honors mothers in a particular way. It is because we know instinctively the gift of a mother, she who carried us in her womb, the first home, before we were offered to our family or to the world.
If you have attended an Easter Vigil celebration, you realize that it is rich with the many symbols and sacraments of the new life Christ shares with us through the Church. All the other sacraments continually renew the life of Christ in us, and strengthen us in our life in Christ. In baptism, God gives us His own life and makes us His children. In confirmation, He strengthens us with the power of the Holy Spirit...
We were blessed to have a wonderful day as we celebrated Easter - not just Easter but the entire Triduum. These three most sacred days in the Church awaken in us a new appreciation of the liturgies of these days that are rich in symbolism and meaning and are beautiful expressions of our faith. It takes extra effort and attention to detail to preside at these liturgies...
Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Happy Easter! Thank you for your presence and prayers as we celebrate this special feast. I especially extend a warm welcome to all those who are visiting us from other places or faith backgrounds. As we gather today, we celebrate the beautiful gift of life that God has blessed each of us with...
The days are coming... Last weekend I wrote about the most sacred week in the life of the Church which begins with the Palm Sunday liturgies. We then enter the three most sacred days – the Triduum – Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. During these three days, or rather, evenings, we celebrate not history, but mystery. We celebrate not what once happened to Jesus, but what is now happening to us as a people called to conversion, gathered in faith and gifted with the Spirit of holiness.
I love the way today’s first reading begins: “See, the days are coming when ...” These words of anticipation touch our hopes and spark our expectations.
We are midway through the season of Lent. It is a good time to take stock of our fidelity to our Lenten promises and strengthen our resolve to be faithful to the end. Lent, as a season, does not have the mass appeal or media coverage of Christmas or Easter. It is a quiet time, a somber time, a time to look inward and assess where we are in our relationship with God...
If you weren’t present for the mission, you missed some wonderful talks by our presenter Beth Knobbe. On the first night she spoke of the surety of God’s love for us, no matter what. When she spoke of forgiveness, on the second night, two words stuck with me – humility and generosity. In the context of forgiveness, we must be humble to ask for forgiveness and generously forgive others. In the context of this Sunday’s first reading, the people of Israel were assured of God’s love for them through his saving acts in their lives; and through the commandments they were called to love both God and neighbor...
We have begun our Lenten journey in earnest, with all the good intentions of embracing the disciplines of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. We may have renewed some of the tried and tested resolutions, such as giving up chocolate, booze, caffeine or gossiping about others. We may have resolved to attend Mass throughout the forty-days of Lent, or on the Sundays of Lent. Or perhaps we have decided that as a family we will pray together each day through the season...
Thank you for your many prayers and well wishes for a successful surgery. On January 29, I had revision surgery on my right knee, which was replaced in 2011. This surgery was necessary as the button behind the kneecap was loose. My recovery time also gives me time to ponder and prepare for the season of Lent...
As you came to Mass this Sunday, you would have noticed that the Nativity scene outside has been taken down and put away. We have come to the end of our Christmas celebrations. At this time, allow me to express, on your behalf, a word of gratitude to the many who made it possible for us to celebrate the beauty and the mystery of the Incarnation.
The Christmas story will not change. It is a story rich in human sweetness and delicacy because it has a child at its center. We were all children once, and childhood memories touch our tenderness and allow us to go back in time and relive the excitement of Christmas.
One week before Christmas, with the third Sunday of Advent, known as ‘Gaudete Sunday,’ there is a marked shift in the focus of our Advent preparation. There is a lighter mood, and a heightened sense of joyous anticipation proclaimed through the readings. For the first two weeks of Advent, the focus can be summed up in the phrase, “The Lord is coming.” But beginning this week with Gaudete Sunday, the summary might be, “The Lord is near.”
