We talk about stewardship as time, talent and treasure. Let’s talk about time. For some time we have been free of most COVID restrictions (although we very much respect those who are hesitant and still wear masks and maintain distances). School is preparing to resume in a few weeks, our work and recreation schedules have become more flexible, new experiences are still planned and yet we remember the need to return to our basilica for worship, for prayer and for spiritual comfort.
It is hard to believe that it was two and a half long years ago that a global health crisis from COVID-19 was sprung on us very quickly and without warning. Every day seemed to bring more uncertainty and we were called to do our best for ourselves and for each other, even in our gatherings for Mass and other liturgies here at Queen of All Saints.
Over the last several weeks we published the names and donor levels of everyone who contributed to our very successful capital campaign, From Generation To Generation. This was done to make sure the commemorative plaque that will be installed in the northwest hallway of the basilica opposite the Millennium Campaign plaque is complete and accurate.
It is only the first Sunday in August, and many of us are already preparing for the new school year. As summer winds down, the days get shorter, evenings get cooler, and beach chairs are removed from the car trunk to be stored in the garage. Labor Day plans are discussed, and the last propane tank of the season is purchased for the grill. Days of relative leisure morph into frenetic afternoons of “back to school” shopping for new uniforms, clothes, and supplies.
Many parishioners know that their ability to support our parish may be limited due to their current housing, medical and other expenses. However they also know that including our parish in their estate planning may be an alternative that provides them the comfort that they have made the right provision for the parish they have known for many years.
Wanted: enthusiastic and professional teachers to impact the minds and hearts of our students. Queen of All Saints School is currently seeking the following teaching positions for the 2022-23 school year...
At this time anyone who has donated or pledged to our From Generation to Generation campaign should have received a letter confirming your donation amount*, giving level and name listing for the campaign plaque. This is to ensure an accurate listing on the From Generation to Generation campaign plaque to be placed in the northwest hallway of the basilica opposite our Millennium Campaign wall. Donor names will be listed by the giving levels below.
For most of us, summer is when “everyday” life closes down, and people can "vacate" their day-to-day activities and responsibilities. Some of us are taking family trips for relaxation. Others enjoy backyard BBQs and working in the garden. Here at QAS, this is when we are busy with the regular summer tasks of attending to building needs so we can be ready for the new school year. Along with the school, this summer, following a five-year repair and wait of the side altars, we began to install the marble background over the altars. Completing this work in the next couple of weeks will restore the side altars to their original glory. Thank you for your patience and support.
Fr. Julius will be here the weekend of August 6th and 7th asking for support for the Diocese of Kitui, Kenya. The Diocese of Kitui is large, growing and vibrant. It began in 1956 with four parishes and less than 2,000 Catholics and has since grown to include 29 parishes with about 330,000 baptized Catholics. It is a leader in providing charitable services for all those who live in its boundaries.
We are seeking troop leaders and troop support volunteers for our 1st grade Daisy troop at QAS. No prior experience in Girl Scouting is needed, only a desire to guide our 1st grade girls in a multitude of fun skill-building, leadership, citizenship and service experiences aimed at making the world a better place!
July is the heart of our hot, languid summers. It’s vacation time for many, time to rev up the grill or skip out to the beach. Even our reading material changes with the heat and light: that heavy biography becomes an easy on-the-beach thriller. So it’s probably true that our approach to stewardship changes with the seasons as well – it changes but doesn’t disappear.
SPRED is a ministry that welcomes children and adults with developmental disabilities and leads them toward - a deeper awareness of God in their lives, an awareness of themselves as persons of dignity who are deeply loved by God and an awareness of their integral relationship to the parish community and the entire Church. This is accomplished by meaningful one-on-one relationships within a small faith community.
At this time anyone who has donated or pledged to our From Generation to Generation campaign should have received a letter confirming your donation amount*, giving level and name listing for the campaign plaque. This is to ensure an accurate listing on the From Generation to Generation campaign plaque to be placed in the northwest hallway of the basilica opposite our Millennium Campaign wall. Donor names will be listed by the giving levels below.
Last weekend we heard Jesus say to us, "love your neighbor." And when asked: Who do you mean? Who is my neighbor? He didn't answer directly but told the well-known story of the Good Samaritan. He then asked, "who was neighbor to the man who fell to the robbers?" The point of the story he left for us to work out, but one thing is sure, no one is ruled out. Your neighbor is the one who is close to you, the one who crosses your path.
This fall over 300 students in kindergarten through eighth grade will sign up to learn about the Catholic faith and grow in their relationship with Christ. Help share our faith with the next generation of Catholics while deepening your own relationship with Christ by volunteering as a catechist.
At this time anyone who has donated or pledged to our From Generation to Generation campaign should have received a letter confirming your donation amount*, giving level and name listing for the campaign plaque. This is to ensure an accurate listing on the From Generation to Generation campaign plaque to be placed in the northwest hallway of the basilica opposite our Millennium Campaign wall. Donor names will be listed by the giving levels below.
This past Monday was a quiet and uneventful morning until around 11 am. Driving north on Route 41, I saw Glenview police cars whizzing past me. Since I was past Glenview, I wondered where they were going. I then saw more police vehicles speeding down the road on the opposite side of the highway. These were coming from Lake Forest, Libertyville, and Buffalo Grove. I wondered what was happening. Later, when I saw the news, I got my answer. With this pandemic of gun violence across the country, I ceased asking the question ‘why?’ More than being outraged, I felt tired. I wish I had a solution to this scourge of gun violence and mass shootings, but sadly I do not.
Are you comfortable at Mass? With July temperatures normally ranging from merely warm to outright nasty, you might hesitate before going out your door, but you know that our basilica will be a place where we can all worship together as one family in grateful celebration of all that God has given us.