Items that will be included in the Nuntium section on the home page of the web site
The pandemic has led to a shortage of donated blood. If you are eligible to donate, please donate to the Red Cross blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Sunday, June 7 in the school gym at St. Matthias, 4910 N. Claremont. For an appointment, call 800-733-2767. Walk-ins are also welcome. Please bring a photo ID or your blood donor card, or two other forms of ID.
Many people are looking for ways to connect, something to do to help others. We have something simple for you and/or your family to do. As the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples at Pentecost to leave their upper room and go out into the world, we invite you to go into your neighborhood, if you are able, and share the love of Jesus in a simple way.
As you walk your dog or just stretch your legs through the neighborhood, we ask you to say a prayer for the people who live in the homes along the way. If you know them, call their names to mind as you pray; if not, just mention “all those who live in this house.” Pray in your own words or using this sample prayer:
God, please bless and care for all those who live in this house. Help them not feel alone. Give them hope, health and peace. Amen.
Along with your prayer, you can leave a note of greeting for the neighbors you held in prayer. Please download and print this note in English or Spanish. You can add your own comments to the printed note or let your children decorate an envelope. Along with sending your neighbor your greetings, the note contains useful information to contact faith-based ministries serving all people without exception and according to their needs:
It may feel odd to do this. Some people will throw the note away. Others may even think it is weird. But there are people among us, our neighbors, who are alone, looking for connection, a sign of hope. Will you be that sign of hope for them in honor of this Pentecost Sunday?
And if you have stories to share about this experience, please let us know at parish@queenofangelschicago.org!
Cardinal Blase Cupich has announced that Reverend Monsignor James T. Kaczorowski, current pastor of Queen of Angels Parish, will be appointed as Pastor of the parish to be formed by the union of Saint Matthias Parish and Queen of Angels Parish in Chicago. This appointment will be effective upon the establishment of the new Queen of Angels and Saint Matthias Parish now scheduled for August 1, 2020. For more information regarding this appointment please see the documents below.
About Monsignor James T. Kaczorowski:
After ordination on May 9, 1973, Father Jim Kaczorowski was assigned to St. Michael Parish in the South Shore neighborhood. He was reassigned in 1981 as Pastor of St. Adalbert in Pilsen. There he worked with the Latino community on justice issues, catechesis in Spanish and urban renewal through the Resurrection Project. During this time, he also served as professor of medical ethics at the nursing college of St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital (1984-1987), was Dean of the parishes in Pilsen and Little Village (1988-1992) and President of the Presbyteral Council (1992-1996).
In 2000, Father Jim became the Vicar for Priests while residing at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. Since 2005, he has been Pastor at Queen of Angels Parish and the Dean of Deanery II-C. He was given the honorary title of Monsignor as a Chaplain to His Holiness in 2010. He has also been Administrator of Resurrection Parish in the Avondale neighborhood since September 21, 2018. Monsignor Jim is honored to be a parish priest, a servant leader in building God’s kingdom on earth, and helping parishioners and priests to become the best possible versions of themselves—spiritually, intellectually, emotionally and physically.
Our Easter Season Journey to New Life: A Note from the Pastor
Dear parishioners,
As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord during this Easter season, we know deep in our hearts that the road to resurrection and new life may be the one we least expect. In his book Show Me the Way, Henri Nouwen describes our
Lord’s life as one of “hiddenness.” In other words, Christ’s journey toward resurrection and new life was paradoxically one of downward mobility, a life where power, popularity and ambition had no value.
The Light of Christ still shines through the darkness, even in the midst of this pandemic when coronavirus is attacking our world. Let us continue to be Christ’s light, reaching out to the elderly, infirmed, hungry, unemployed, and isolated. As we reach out to the most vulnerable, let us neither seek nor desire power, popularity nor upward mobility. Let our only concern be to fill the hearts of our hurting brothers and sisters with the warmth and love of Christ. May we also continue to be instruments of Christ’s light, breaking through and shattering the darkness that so many of our brothers and sisters are experiencing during this most challenging time.
Thank you for continuing to bring love, light and hope to others, especially those affected by this invisible enemy.As always, be assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones.
God bless and keep safe,
Monsignor Jim Kaczorowski, Pastor
Estimados feligreses,
A la vez que continuamos celebrando la Resurrección de nuestro Señor durante esta temporada de Pascua, sabemos profundamente en nuestros corazones que el camino hacia la resurrección y la nueva vida puede ser el que menos esperamos. En su libro Show Me the Way (Muéstreme el Camino), Henri Nouwen describe la vida de nuestro Señor como una de “ocultamiento”. En otras palabras, el viaje de Cristo hacia la resurrección y la nueva vida fue, paradójicamente, un viaje sin búsqueda de prestigio, una vida donde el poder, la popularidad y la ambición no tenían valor.
La Luz de Cristo aún brilla a través de la oscuridad, incluso en medio de esta pandemia del coronavirus que está atacando nuestro mundo. Sigamos siendo la luz de Cristo, cuidando a los ancianos, enfermos, hambrientos, desempleados y aislados.
A medida que nos acercamos a los más vulnerables, no busquemos ni deseemos poder, popularidad ni prestigio. Que nuestra única preocupación sea llenar los corazones de nuestros hermanos y hermanas heridos, con la calidez y el amor de Cristo. Que también sigamos siendo instrumentos de la luz de Cristo, rompiendo y venciendo la oscuridad que tantos de nuestros hermanos y hermanas están sufriendo durante este momento tan desafiante.
Gracias por continuamente brindar amor, luz y esperanza a los demás, especialmente a los afectados por este enemigo invisible. Como siempre, sepan que mis oraciones están con ustedes y sus seres queridos.
Dios los bendiga y los mantenga fuera de peligro,
Monseñor Jim Kaczorowski, Párroco
For the latest information on parish facility closing due to the coronavirus (COVID19), please see this post.
Our prayers are united with all who are suffering, sheltering in place, or worried about the COVID19 pandemic. Know that our Pastor Monsignor Jim continues to celebrate Mass privately each day, for the intentions of those who are sick from COVID19, for health care workers and first responders, and for the requested intentions for Masses as they would normally be celebrated in the parish. Online Masses with Monsignor Jim are available for the faithful to participate from home in English or Spanish each week.
Spiritual Communion Prayer for when we cannot receive the Eucharist
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.
Daily Readings from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Devotions
In times of need, we turn to Mary our mother for her intercession by praying the Rosary on on our own or with others through the internet.
The bells of our church are ringing 5 times per day, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to call us to prayer with specific intentions during this crisis.
Our community’s devotions such as Eucharistic Adoration on Friday mornings, the annual May crowning with our school children, and the Rosary on Saturday mornings are no longer possible at church due to the Illinois shelter-in-place order.
Special Marian devotions during May:
Though Lent is over, much suffering continues in our world. You may wish to continue to pray the Stations of the Cross with this parishioner-made slideshow of the Stations in our church. The Stations images were created in Italy, so please especially remember the people of that stricken country as you pray.