Category: Nuntium

A Mass for Lost Children will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 19. This annual Mass honors the memory of any children that have been lost to members of our parish community. Any who are mourning children of any age or relation, for any reason — such as illness, suicide, accident, miscarriage, abduction, abortion or violence — are invited to pray with us, and allow our parish community to pray for you and for your precious child. Prayer intentions for individual
children may be written at any time in the parish petitions book, which is located on a stand in the back aisle of the church, near the hymnal carts. Help us to remember all the children who have touched us, heal us from their loss and celebrate the lives they led on earth as well as their new lives in God’s merciful embrace. The Mass is hosted by the Respect Life Committee.

The Religious Education programs of our parish and school teach our young people about the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as an experience of God’s love and mercy. At 11:30 a.m. next Saturday, January 18, the 89 children in the lower grades who are preparing for First Communion in May will gather to celebrate their First Reconciliation. Students have been learning about the meaning of the Ten Commandments; the role of conscience in making good decisions; the differences between venial sins and mortal sins; and the steps of Reconciliation including making a good confession.

It is important to make peace with God, receiving forgiveness from our Lord and from the Church community, so that the graces of the Eucharist can go to work in our lives. We hope that the joy of growing closer to the Lord in Reconciliation will be a lesson for a lifetime, instilling in these children and their families a habit of seeking love and mercy from God all their days.

ACT OF CONTRITION
My God, I am sorry for all my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have
sinned against you whom I should love above all
things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance,
to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

ACTO DE CONTRICIÓN
Oh Dios mío, me pesa de todo corazón haberte
ofendido porque eres infinitamente bueno y digno de
ser amado. Propongo firmemente nunca más pecar,
apartarme de todas las ocasiones de ofenderte,
confesarme y cumplir la penitencia. Amén.

The Church Decorating Committee is in need of volunteers Sunday, January 12 at 1:45 p.m. to help take down the Christmas trees, poinsettias and the Nativity scene and return them to storage areas in the church at the end of the Christmas season. Please come and offer your help to the parish. Volunteers should enter through the side doors of the church from Claremont Ave., behind the rectory. To sign up, please contact Katie at 773-988-1930 or kep.phelps@gmail.com.

Ever wondered about the meaning of symbols in Queen of Angels Church? Want to know more about the history, art, architecture and uses of our parish’s worship space?  Please mark your calendar and join our RCIA participants for a tour of the church from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. this Tuesday, January 7. This is a rare chance for us to journey back in time to the building of our church, look closely at our church’s artwork, decode some of its mysteries and puzzle over others. All are welcome!  Light refreshments will be served. Call 773-539-7510.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Across this liturgical year, we hear Saint Matthew’s Gospel. And in this holy season that celebrates the birth of Jesus, we hear a story unique to Matthew—the journey of the Magi. He writes: “The Magi were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother.” We can imagine their joy.  They discovered the one for whom they longed and searched. He is the newborn Jesus. His mother Mary holds him in her arms and, at the same time, presents him to the world. In this simple gesture, she evangelizes, gives us the living good news of her son. Then and now, it is a moment wrapped in joy.

On our journey of renewal in the Archdiocese of Chicago, may this image of Mary, mother of the Lord, inspire and encourage us to carry and present Jesus to a world that is so much in need of him. In our marriages, families, workplaces, and communities, may we joyfully carry and present him who is the great light shining in darkness. God bless you and all your loved ones in this holy season.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Cardinal Blase Cupich

Archbishop of Chicago