OUR MISSION: Queen of Heaven Parish is a prayerful, vibrant and proactive community sharing Christ's love through numerous ministries.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, How are our actions guided day to day? It is easy to complain about the things that are going wrong in the world. Yet how much thought do we seriously give to making people and things around us better? Jesus was a man of word, but even more so a man of action. For daily Catholic living I would argue we need to be both. Without the intentional thought or wisdom behind an action, the action has very little guidance. Without the action, knowledge and attitudes simply fall flat. The parable this weekend seems to present a moral dilemma. On the one hand we have a compliant son in action but not in word. The other son is true to his word but ends up choosing against the action asked of him by his father. So, which son did the right thing and how then does that guide our collective behavior? An added footnote – we love to get caught up in who is right don’t we? I do believe, as in most parables, Jesus wants to challenge his listeners to examine their hearts. Interesting, the chief priests and elders are unanimous in their answer to Jesus’ question: “the first son did the Father’s will.” Now put yourself in the story. Obviously, we have all been at one time or another both sons in this parable. We have made promises we could not keep. We have refused to listen to what God asked of us at first because “that is only for holy people,” and I could not possibly know where to begin. However, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians, God does not call the qualified, but rather qualifies the called. And we are all called to know, love, and serve God in this life so we can remain with Him in the next! The two great commandments. Love God and love neighbor. Simple in thought, harder in action. Let’s be people of word and action! In Christ’s peace, Steve Dyer |
Dear Friends, Fr. Don Oleksiak recently sent all the priests a reflection on discouragement. I found it most inspiring. I thought you might like to have an opportunity to reflect on it as well. Though it primarily is intended for priest and deacons, I think it is most appropriate for all of us especially at this unprecedented time. It is titled “Optimism and the Parish Priest” published in 1949. The article reflected on the life of a priest who built his philosophy of living upon what he called the Three Great Refusals: Refuse to be disappointed, refuse to be discouraged, refuse to be offended. The article used a story about the devil’s workshop, which, illustrates the point in question. Once upon a time, the devil decided to go out of business. He offered his tools for sale, arranged them attractively, and marked each with its price. They were a bad-looking lot: Malice, Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Sensuality, Deceit, and all the other implements of evil. Set apart from the rest lay a harmless looking, wedge-shaped tool, much worn, yet priced higher than any of the others. Someone asked the devil what it was. “That’s discouragement, and it is priced so high because it is more useful to me than any of the others. I can pry open and get inside a person’s conscience with that when I could not get near him with any of the others, and when once inside, I can use them in whatever way suits me best. It is so worn because I use it with nearly everybody, since few people know that it belongs to me.” Discouragement is believed to be the most frequent mischief and sin among the clergy and among religious. It is dangerous as the devil is dangerous and it is so easy to slip into it unaware. Therefore, it is essential at the outset, even before temptation comes, to take a definite stand against it by assuming an attitude so positive that the two will be mutually exclusive. It is well to begin by refraining from wasting vital forces by worrying over things that have gone amiss. Nothing is to be gained thereby. If things do not come your way today, make them do so tomorrow. They will, if you set about it in the right way; for a refusal to look upon the dark side of events frequently accomplishes much. “I cannot” is a powerful enemy. Adhere to “I will”. You may have in your hand the very key that will open the door; but it may be the last key on the key ring. A doctor knows well how discouragement will hamper the cure of a patient, how it breaks the spirit, and that a broken spirit quickly surrenders to defeat. Discouragement blots out everything that is helpful or friendly to us; it paralyzes ability and self-confidence, destroys efficiency, and curtails effectiveness of every faculty. It hides God’s means and methods; it hides God himself. (Le Seminaire, 1949) As we continue living with all the stress of the pandemic, political rhetoric and upcoming election concerns, racial tension and a society that moves further and further away from the promotion of the common good, it is easy to slip into discouragement. Once we start down the slippery road, the devil takes hold and leads us down the road to ruin. To combat this dangerous path, I would encourage you to continue to nurture your spiritual life. Foster fraternity by reaching out to a classmate or clergy friend to simply say hello or check up on their wellbeing. Continue or begin spiritual direction, make a good retreat, and work to be the best priest or deacon you possibly can be making the world and Church a better place for others. Please know that you remain in my daily prayers. I remain grateful for the gift and blessing of being in this wonderful diocese and part of the Church doing so much to bring about the kingdom of God. Most of that good work happens right where you are! Pray too for our new bishop that he might receive the grace he needs to transition well and begin his new ministry as our shepherd and spiritual father. God bless all of you and stay healthy! Sincerely, Father Dave |
What’s at the center of our lives – that place we call mind, heart or perhaps soul? With all that’s swirling around us these days – social unrest, sickness, political madness, uncertainty – do problems dominate the center stage of our lives? Or do we find ourselves being anchored otherwise – perhaps focused more on solutions rather than on problems? In truth, Jesus Christ our Lord does not merely have a solution to the world’s troubles, tribulations and evils. No, he the Creator and Sustainer of all is the solution to all problems for each of us that call this planet Earth “home.” Our Lord tells us in John’s Gospel, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life!" And he goes on to say, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life!" Problems arise in our lives when something – a person, a place, a thing, an event, a temptation, anything at all – causes us anxiety and we see no way out. But if Jesus were to come and take center stage of our hearts, the place in which he so desires to dwell, where he should dwell, that he can dwell on the one condition that we are willing to accept him – then we would no longer have any real problems. With our lives fixed firmly on this Divine central foundation, we’ll most likely still have difficulties, sufferings and pain, but we’ll have no cause for concern, unrest or anxiety at the core of our lives. Why? Simply because Christ is there. This complete confidence in Providence can permeate every aspect and detail of our lives. Not that each life experience will turn out just as we might like it to, but we can be at peace knowing that the final result, whatever it is, will be under the directing influence of Divine wisdom and power and love for us, personally. St. Paul reveals in his letter to the Galatians what was at the center of his life: "I have been crucified with Christ and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me. The life that I am now living, subject to the limitation of human nature, I am living in faith, faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” Choose Christ: the solution to our problems! Right now, he’s standing at the door knocking! May God the Father grant you, through his Son, his peace, his grace and his light of life! Deacon Steve |
Dear Friends,
The month of September we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. I would like to share with you the following information about this feast that was in the Avilas of the Diocese of Cleveland newsletter…
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on September 14, recalls the finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine. In a deeper sense, the feast also celebrated the Holy Cross as the instrument of our salvation. This instrument of torture, designed to degrade the worst of criminals, became the life-giving tree that reversed Adam’s Original Sin.
After the death and resurrection of Christ, authorities in Jerusalem made efforts to obscure Christ’s tomb in the garden near the site of His crucifixion. The earth had been mounded up over the site and pagan temples had been built on top of it. The cross on which Christ had died had been hidden (tradition said) by Jewish authorities somewhere in the vicinity. Also, according to tradition, Saint Helena, nearing the end of her life, was divinely inspired to travel to Jerusalem in 326 to excavate the Holy Sepulcher (tomb) and try to locate the True Cross. Three crosses were found on the spot. According to one tradition, the inscription Jesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum (“Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”) remained attached to the True Cross. According to a more common tradition, however, this was missing, and Saint Helena and Saint Macarius, the bishop of Jerusalem, knowing one was the True Cross and the other two belonged to the thieves crucified alongside Christ, devised a way to determine which was the True Cross. The three crosses were taken to a woman who was near death; when she touched the True Cross, she was healed. In another instance, the body of a dead man was brought to the place where the three crosses were found and laid upon each cross. The True Cross restored the dead man to life.
The Cross is special because Christ used it as the instrument of our salvation. Two thousand years later, we continue to look to the Cross. Christ said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). In doing so, we unite ourselves to the sacrifice of Christ on His Cross. When we participate in the Mass, the Cross is there, too. When we receive the Eucharist, we do not simply unite ourselves to Christ, we nail ourselves to the Cross, dying with Christ so that we might rise with Him. Christianity without the Cross is meaningless. Only by uniting ourselves to Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross can we enter into eternal life. God changed the cross from a sign of death, defeat, and grief to a sign of hope, promise and expectation. We keep the corpus (body) of Jesus on the cross so that we never forget what Jesus did on the cross two-thousand years ago. The cross is not a piece of art, a symbol or a piece of jewelry. In our simplest prayer we trace the cross on our bodies…”In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.” We trace a cross on our forehead, lips and heart before listening to the Gospel. The cross is so much a part of our lives we sometimes forget its power.
The Cross is front and center in just about every Catholic Church. It is at the head of our processions. It is displayed in our homes for us to look at daily. We see everything we most fear: suffering, torment, loss humiliation, nakedness, hatred, scorn, mockery, ridicule, rejection, and death. And the Lord and the Church say, “Look! Don’t turn away. Do not hide. Face the crucifix and all it means.” Christ said, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (John 16:33b).
Jesus, Himself, told us that each one of us must pick up our crosses and follow Him. But our salvation is being achieved by our picking up our crosses, big or little, no matter what they may be, and following Jesus Christ. The world is living in hatred and division, amongst violence and wars; it is heading to self-destruction. This is because the world is living away from God and even against His moral principles. It is precisely for the salvation of the world that Jesus offered his life on the cross as ransom so that mankind can be reconciled to God. Jesus Crucified is the salvation for the whole world.
Remember when you look at the Cross that Jesus came down from heaven, humbled Himself, loving us enough to accept death on that cross so He could be raised up for us to look upon and be saved. That’s the triumph of the cross. That’s our salvation.
Please mark your calendars now for Monday, September 14, The Feast of the Holy Cross, for an Outdoor Stations of the Cross event, in which we will gather three times to publicly pray the outdoor Stations of the Cross at 12:00 p.m. (noon), 6:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. (under the lights). We invite our parish families to come to one of the times listed. This will be one of the five events scheduled for our Parish-wide event called TOGETHER: HOPE IN THE CROSS! See the bulletin and website for more information (https://queenofheavenparish.org/together-hope-in-the-cross).
Love in JMJ,
Father Dave
Dear Friends, This parable was used in our R.C.I.A. classes in the past, and since I am an avid cyclist, I really enjoyed it. I thought you might also enjoy the gentle reminder it sends all of us. BICYCLING WITH GOD At first, I saw God as my observer; my judge; keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like the president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I did not know Him. But later on, when I recognized my higher power, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back helping me to pedal. I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since...life with my higher power, that is. God makes life exciting! When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring but predictable. It was the shortest point between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at break-neck speeds; it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal." I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on our journey, God's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So, I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. I did not trust Him at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it. But He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I'm learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view, and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, my high power. And when I am sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says, "Pedal." ~ Author Unknown Have a blessed week, Father Dave P.S. We know that “Higher Power” is Jesus Christ and having a personal relationship with Him. |
Dear Friends, This weekend Queen of Heaven Parish celebrates our patronal feast, The Queenship of Mary! What an awesome title for Mary, the mother of Jesus, the mother of the Church, and our mother. How did this Marian title come to be and what does it mean for us? Marian titles have developed over the long history of the Church. I believe there are more than 100 titles for Mary. But one title in particular – Queen – encapsulates them all. The earliest record of the queenship title are said to have originated with the Church Father St. Ephrem in the 4th century, when he referred to Mary as “Lady” and “Queen.” Scripturally, the queen image of Mary is described by John in the Book of Revelation with great awe: “And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” Scholars believe the twelve stars on her crown represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. In Jewish culture it would have been expected to call the mother of the king – queen. Mary shares in reigning in heaven with Jesus her son as Queen of Heaven because of her nature here on earth as his mother, the mother of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So how does Mary exercise this queenship title? By watching over us, her children. Children who turn to her in prayer, to thank her or to ask her for her motherly protection and her heavenly help, perhaps after having lost our way, or when we are oppressed by suffering or anguish in this life. In serenity or in life’s darkness let us address Mary, entrusting ourselves to her continuous intercession so that she may obtain for us from her Son every grace and mercy we need for our pilgrimage through this world. The devotion to Our Lady is an important element of the spiritual life. Think of the Assumption and the Coronation in the glorious mysteries of the rosary. In our prayers let us not fail to address her with trust. Mary will not fail to intercede for us with her Son. Looking at her, let us imitate her faith, her full availability to God’s plan of love, her generous acceptance of Jesus. Let us learn how to live from Mary. Mary is the Queen of Heaven who is close to God, but she is also the mother who is close to each one of us, who loves us, and listens to our voice. St. Maximilian Kolbe whose feast is the vigil of the Assumption (August 14) said this about loving Mary. “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.” So, friends, with great joy we raise our minds and hearts on this our patronal feast and ask the Queen of Heaven to wrap her mantle of protection over this great parish. May we always be a beacon of light in a world troubled by stormy seas. Amen. Hail Holy Queen, pray for us! Best, Steve |
| August sure is a busy month liturgically. The Church calendar is filled with all kinds of celebrations: On top of a slew of optional memorials we have a solemnity (the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), three feast days (the Transfiguration of the Lord, St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr and St. Bartholomew, apostle) as well as ten obligatory memorials (Saints Alphonsus Liguori, John Vianney, Dominic, Clare, Maximilian Kolbe, Bernard, Pius X, Monica and Augustine) with all these celebrations being capped off with the Passion of St. John the Baptist. But there’s one day this month that is special to all our hearts and that is the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary coming up on Saturday, August 22nd. Deacon Steve |
| Dear Parishioners, |
First, on behalf of Fr. Durkee, Deacon Steve, and the RCIA team, we would like to welcome our newest Catholic adults who received their Sacraments of Initiation in a private Mass held for them and their families last week. Please join me in praying for them by name: Tonya Coleman, David Tucker, Brandy Crouch, Ann Binnie, and Alex Haney. Under normal circumstances this would have occurred at the Easter Vigil, however churches were closed then due to the Virus, and so we were granted permission to hold this most special occasion sometime after re-opening. To these folks we say thank you—thank you for your yes to Christ and His Holy Church. May God continue to watch over and protect you always!
They say repetition is the “mother of all learning.” God must be a fan of this saying. He consistently and repeatedly offers us his promises, his love, and his kindness even when we fail to respond. It seems then that God wants us to take some things to heart. Right now, there is a lot of anxiety around the starting of school and all the decisions around re-opening again as normally and safe as possible; with the unknown comes fear and stress but St. Paul confidently reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus. This is something worth repeating to ourselves. Suffering in all its many forms (especially now), however awful, will not come between God and us. That is good news worth sharing!
Sharing the good news gives us opportunities to build up the Kingdom of God through action. Today, we hear the story of Jesus performing one of the most familiar miracles - multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed the hungry crowd. Initially Jesus wanted to be alone after learning of the death of his friend and cousin, John, but (this is the key piece of this Gospel) his heart was so moved by compassion for the people that he put himself aside to serve them in their moment of desperation. We too can act like Christ when we put down our sufferings and turn in charity toward others. This allows us to shift satisfying our own needs and desires to providing for our neighbor – something that is certainly a challenge in the consumerism culture we live in where the focus remains on “I.” Let us pray for continued healing in our country and world, and for an end to all suffering.
Peace be with all of you.
Steve D
| Heavenly Father, Pour forth abundant graces on Your servant, David, on this occasion of his 40 years as a priest. We are grateful to be able to see Christ in him and, more importantly, his ability to see Christ in others. May Your Holy Spirit continue to sustain and enlighten him as he witnesses to the Good News. Thank you for his devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady which he so beautifully shares with others. Richly bless him on this day, now and always. Amen. ~ Composed by the Spiritual Life Commission, June 2005 (modified June 2020) |
Gracious and loving God, we thank your for the gift of our priest, Father David Durkee.
Through him, we experience your presence in the sacraments.
Help Father Dave to be strong in his vocation.
Set his soul on fire with love for your people.
Grant him the wisdom, understanding, and strength he needs to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
Inspire him with the vision of your Kingdom.
Give him the words he needs to spread the Gospel.
Allow him to experience joy in his ministry.
Help him to be an instrument of your divine grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest.
Amen.
O Mary,
you always brighten our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the Cross, took part in Jesus’ pain while remaining steadfast in faith.
O loving Mother,
you know what we need,
and we are confident you will provide for us as at Cana in Galilee.
Intercede for us with your Son Jesus,
the Divine Physician,
for those who have fallen ill,
for those who are vulnerable,
and for those who have died.
Intercede also for those charged with
protecting the health and safety of others
and for those who are tending to the sick
and seeking a cure.
Help us, O Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who took upon himself our
sufferings and carried our sorrows,
so as to lead us, through the Cross,
to the glory of the Resurrection. Amen.
Under thy protection we seek refuge, O Holy Mother of God.
In our needs, despise not our petitions, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
Adapted from the prayer of Pope Francis
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love. Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace. May victims regain their strength and health through quality medical care. Heal us from our fear. Stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace. Hear our prayer, O Divine Physician. Hear our prayer. Amen.