News - January 2025

In early February it’s a bit “out of season” to remind ourselves that air conditioning at one time was considered a luxury...

Some years ago I was on retreat at a Benedictine Abbey and it happened that while I was there the Church celebrated the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, or as it is often called Candlemas Day, the feast we celebrate this weekend. It was certainly a beautiful celebration to participate in early in the morning as each of the monks in their cowls, processed from the cloister into the dark abbey church carrying a lighted candle. But something else that I haven’t forgotten from that morning was the homily given on that day...

Welcome to Catholic Schools Week! Catholic Schools Week is not just a week-long event; it is a reminder of the commitment we have made to provide a Catholic education that nurtures the mind, body and spirit of our young learners. The theme for this year’s celebration, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community,” encapsulates the essence of our mission to instill knowledge, promote a personal relationship with Jesus, encourage service to others, foster leadership skills and ultimately empower our students to succeed in all aspects of their lives...

Today is the start of Catholic Schools Week. Our deep pride and satisfaction in the excellent work done by our school is tempered by the unfortunate reminder that the Illinois legislature terminated the Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship program last year on December 31, 2023...

In order to remain strong, the School Council has begun implementation of our Queen of All Saints five-year Strategic Plan. This strategic plan reflects our foundational strength while offering a path for continued sustainability and growth. We invite you to view the Executive Summary.

With Fr. Simon’s return, I was hoping that you would be spared of having me write again in this portion of the bulletin. One thing I certainly learned while Fr. Simon was away was how many different things fall on the pastor’s plate. I only experienced a portion of those things, and when he asked as “a favor” if I would occasionally write the bulletin article for him, I couldn’t say no (though I did try to convince him otherwise)!

Happy New Year!!! I am happy to be back at Queen of All Saints after my sabbatical that was both restorative and restful. 29 flights, 8 train rides, 6 bus rides, 1 cruise, 4 continents, 12 countries, 39 cities and towns later I realize how fortunate and blessed I am to have had this time off...

We have asked for a significant increase in our Sunday collections, but we also believe that any request for support must be based on a well-documented need. We rely on three main sources of funds: Sundays, Holidays, UPP; Long-Term Savings: Capital Campaign...

One Christmas some time ago, someone gifted me a little prayer card. At first glance I thought it was just another prayer card, with an image of the Magi, or the Wise Men, making their journey to Bethlehem. Then I realized that part of that prayer card included a little relic of sorts – a piece of cloth, as the card told, that had been touched to what are piously believed to be the earthly remains of the Wise Men...