Fr. Simon's Letter - February 13, 2022

Last weekend we kicked off this year’s UPP 2022 with the theme “Lights, Camera, Auction.” The goal of our United Parish Program is twofold, to celebrate and build our community and to raise funds needed to provide the many ministries and services Queen of All Saints offers our parish community, and beyond. We accomplished this in the past by gathering under a sprawling tent pitched in the shadows of one of the most beautiful churches in Chicago. We gathered to acknowledge the past with gratitude, to be reminded of our present and to be encouraged to contribute to the future of our faith community.

Early UPP raffle ticket sales to date are encouraging. Be sure to purchase your raffle tickets ASAP so that you will be eligible for the first Early Bird Drawing on February 18. Help us achieve our goal of selling 3500 raffle tickets. Once we’ve reached our goal, you will have more opportunities to win as additional prizes will be added.

Last year, our Stefani Prime dinners and brunch were very popular and much appreciated. The brunch and dinners offered yet another opportunity to come together and celebrate QAS Strong. Stefani Prime graciously offered to open their doors exclusively to QAS once again for this year’s UPP for dinner on Monday, February 28 and Monday, March 28 and for brunch on Saturday, March 26. Please make your reservations early for these popular dinners and brunch (children are welcome to the brunch).

As news about the environment continues to brighten, we are encouraged that this year we will once again gather on May 13 on our lawn, inside our UPP tent with Lights on and Camera rolling to kick off an evening of fun and fund-raising ( Auction).  Make your plans to attend by taking a look at our bulletin, website and social media for details to make reservations and for other information about this special event.

While we are committed to our one and only parish fundraiser, this weekend and the next we are also invited to participate in the Annual Catholic Appeal. This is an opportunity for all of us to support the essential ministries and services provided by the Archdiocese which benefit our parish and school, those in the local church and the people around the world, regardless of religious affiliation, whose lives are devastated by natural disasters, illnesses, wars and famine.

The theme this year is ‘ Making all things new…God’s promise and our responsibility.’ Our response to discipleship is our participation in the Annual Catholic Appeal. Our parishioners have actively participated in this life-giving mission of the Church and I am continually grateful for the wonderful generosity of the people of Queen of All Saints. This year the goal set for our parish is $117,000 and with your help I am confident that we can once again reach our goal. Any amount received over our goal will be returned to our parish and we will add it to our parish savings account. Your participation, regardless of the amount, makes a difference and helps us continue the mission of Christ not only at the parish but in the local and universal Church.

Finally, later this week I invite you to attend our Town Hall Meeting on Renew My Church. We encourage all who can to attend in person. We are also making arrangements to help parishioners who are unable to attend in person to participate via zoom. The zoom link will be made available through the weekly email and on our website. Please see details on the next page about how you can prepare for this important meeting.

Good things are happening here at QAS! Come, be a part of it!

Blessings!!