OUR MISSION: Queen of Heaven Parish is a prayerful, vibrant and proactive community sharing Christ's love through numerous ministries.
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Good News Letter
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"10 Ways To Be Thankful" By Father Dave
Dear Friends,
This Thursday we are celebrating an awesome holiday “Thanksgiving Day.” This day is more than a day of eating turkey and stuffing, watching endless football, or watching the Macy’s Parade. As people of faith, we know there is a deeper meaning for today—this day is what we are all about as followers of Christ. To follow Christ is to have an attitude of gratitude.
As St. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
St. Gianna Beretta Molla put is so beautifully when she said, “The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He in His goodness sends to us day after day.” Gratitude is a way of life, not just one day out of the year, and a way that we recognize everything is a gift from God.
As I was preparing my homily for Thanksgiving Day, I came across this article from Franciscan Media that I would like to share with you.
“10 Ways to be Thankful”
On Thanksgiving Day, Americans flock to the dining room table—and subsequently the big, comfy couch—in the name of showing our gratitude for the abundance we’re privileged enough to enjoy. But as we all know, turkey and candied yams aren’t required for us to be grateful. We have so much for which to be thankful! Here are some ways to show it every day....
Smile. Smile at your family, your coworkers, strangers. Smile at the bus driver, the cashier, the guy crossing the street while you wait at the stop sign. That outward projection of inner joy might be the simplest, clearest way to show you’re delighted just to have another day on earth.
Pray. For the most part, we know from childhood to say “please” and “thank you” to the people with whom we interact. But how often do we remember to thank God, the one without whom we would have none of this wonderful world? We can never thank God enough, and that’s OK. A simple prayer—a thank-you from the bottom of your heart—is all God wants to hear.
Give. If you’re reading these words, there’s a likelihood you have a pretty good life and have been provided with more than you need. All of us here at Franciscan Media know we have! What among our things can we give to others? What money, resources, and possessions do we take for granted that could be the difference-maker for someone else?
Serve. One of the greatest things we can do for others is to give of our time. Whether it’s handing out meals in a soup kitchen or lending an ear to a friend in need, service is a powerful way to walk with Christ and bear grateful witness.
Share. Even those who are materially poor are often rich in wisdom and experience, two gifts that can be easily overlooked. What knowledge have you amassed that might change the life of a young person? What hard-learned lessons can you lovingly impart to show your thanks for all that life has taught you?
Love. We have what we have because God loves us. It’s really that simple. And we have the power to reflect, and magnify, that love in our relationships with others.
Remember. Family and friends are the most beautiful blessings God gives us. When you’ve lost a loved one, you can celebrate cherished memories as a sign of how much you valued that person’s place in your life and how much richer your life is as a result.
Remind. It’s easy to fall into a rut of negativity, especially when people close to you are struggling. And who among us hasn't struggled these last two years? Sometimes we all need a little nudge, a reminder of how good we really do have it. So go ahead and vent and commiserate—but don’t forget to balance it with a reminder: thousands of things go right for each of us every day.
Write. The idea of a gratitude journal is nothing especially new, but the reason it’s been around so long is because it’s a good idea! Each day, jot down at least one thing for which you’re thankful. Chances are that once you get in the habit, you won’t want to stop.
Speak. We saved the most obvious one for last! It’s so basic, but so impactful. Say “thank you” as often as humanly possible. Really, do you ever get tired of hearing those words?
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving Day and Happy Feast of Christ the King today!
Love,
Father Dave -
"One Day At A Time" By Deacon Steve 11.13.22
Today’s Gospel is filled with signs of gloom and doom – wars, famines and dreadful plagues. But let’s not get hung up by the negativity. Clearly the Gospel writers’ ultimate objective in recording their end-of-time narratives is to point to that great day when Jesus will return, bringing this world to an end and with that establishing the eternal Kingdom of God. But the Gospel today hints that we’re not to limit its meaning to the last day at the end of time. Why? As we know, the truth is that in our everyday lives we experience moments when our individual worlds seemingly come to an end. Everyone experiences moments of change, when one world ends and another begins. These moments can be joyful, fearful or a mix of both.
When we commit ourselves to another person in marriage, when there’s a birth in the family or when we’re told that we no longer have a job, when we receive a negative medical diagnosis, or when a person we love dies, one world ends and a new one begins. And with those beginnings come new opportunities along with corresponding new responsibilities. As much as we would like, we can’t go back to the old world again.
In all of these moments of passage, in all of these changes – even when they’re joyful – there’s always some fear. Will I be able to be the parent that my child needs me to be? How will I face the holidays without the person I love? How will I do with chemotherapy? Fear comes packaged with our fallen human nature. It’s simply a fact that when we face a new reality, when we enter a new world, there’s going to be fear. So, how do we deal with this demon called “fear”? How do we cope when our world changes? There’s Good News! As Christians, we’re not left helpless.
Today’s Gospel points us in a direction away from fear. Jesus says, “By your perseverance you will secure your lives.” What our Lord is saying is that when we enter a new world we must be willing to persevere. But what does that mean practically – to persevere? You can define perseverance in a lot of different ways and here’s one: perseverance is living one day at a time. Perseverance is refusing to be overwhelmed by all the things that we don’t understand and can’t control in the new worlds in which we are thrust. Perseverance is actively choosing to live one day (or even one hour) at a time then living the next day or hour – choosing to take these steps as best as we can and to keep taking the next step until we end up where God wants us to be. But you might ask, “Is this ‘one day at a time’ approach too simplistic in dealing with change and its corresponding fear?” Well, the answer is “no.”
As Christians we believe that God is living our lives with us, that God is in fact guiding us. We believe that when we live that one day, when we take that next step, God is lovingly leading us in the right direction. We believe that when we live one day at a time, that day that we live is connected to grace-filled tomorrows.
In facing our fears in faith, we have the freedom to take the next step, to live only this day, and to leave the rest to our providential Father God. That’s what Christianity is all about!
May God bless your soul with His peace and make it all His!
Deacon Steve -
"If The Ressurection is Not True, Then Our Faith is in Vain" By Steve Dyer 11.6.22
St. Therese of Lisieux, whose feast day we celebrated at the beginning of October, lived by the motto of offering up the small things with great love for God. Her spirituality plays out in today’s Old Testament reading from 2 Maccabees. We hear the story of the mother and her seven sons who were faithful to the Mosaic Law. We know that Jewish Law forbids the eating of pork. What does the king do in this story? He tries to force the mother and her sons to eat pork. What seems like a small thing to us, was so important to them that they were willing to shed their lives to uphold their covenant with God. Because of their deep trust in God ‘s providence, they believed their deaths would not be in vain, and that God would raise them up after death. Their faithful obedience to God and not the world was why they were resurrected.
The theme of resurrection also presents itself in our Gospel reading in Luke. The Sadducees, we are told, did not believe in the Resurrection. So, what do they do? Like the king in the Old Testament, they try to trap Jesus in what seems like an unrelated matter. Jesus knows better and delivers them the truth. It is this truth that we also profess when we recite the Nicene Creed at every Mass after the homily and before the intercessions. The second to last line is, “I (We) believe in the Resurrection of the Body.” This is our assertion of great hope as Catholic Christians. Because we profess this belief in the resurrection of the body, we can say, like St. Therese, that we commit to small actions with great love. If we did not profess this belief, then we would be affirming that this life has no real meaning. Like St. Paul says, if the Resurrection is not true, then our faith is in vain.
November is the month for remembering the saints that are resurrected in Heaven. They lived knowing that even small actions have eternal consequences. In keeping our covenant with God in small things, we honor Him in the big things. Let us pray that God’s wisdom will guide us in our lives and keep us from following the foolishness of this world. Amen.
In Christ’s peace,
Steve Dyer -
"The Lord Is A Lover of Souls" By Father Dave 10.30.22
Every now and then I like to share in my column someone else’s words. I came across this reflection by Dr. Scott Hahn for the readings on this Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time. I think you will agree with me that they are well said.
Lover of Souls
Our Lord is a lover of souls, the Liturgy shows us today. As we sing in today’s Psalm, He is slow to anger and compassionate toward all that He has made.
In His mercy, our First Reading tells us, He overlooks our sins and ignorance, giving us space that we might repent and not perish in our sinfulness (see Wisdom 12:10; 2 Peter 3:9).
In Jesus, He has become the Savior of His children, coming Himself to save the lost (see Isaiah 63:8–9; Ezekiel 34:16).
In the figure of Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel, we have a portrait of a lost soul. He is a tax collector, by profession a “sinner” excluded from Israel’s religious life. Not only that, but he is also a “chief tax collector.” Worse still, he is a rich man who has apparently gained his living by fraud.
But Zacchaeus’ faith brings salvation to his house. He expresses his faith in his fervent desire to “see” Jesus, even humbling himself to climb a tree just to watch Him pass by. While those of loftier religious stature react to Jesus with grumbling, Zacchaeus receives Him with joy.
Zacchaeus is not like the other rich men Jesus meets or tells stories about (see Luke 12:16–21; 16:19–31; 18:18–25). He repents, vowing to pay restitution to those he has cheated and to give half of his money to the poor.
By his humility he is exalted, made worthy to welcome the Lord into his house. By his faith he is justified, made a descendant of Abraham (see Romans 4:16–17).
As He did last week, Jesus is again using a tax collector to show us the faith and humility we need to obtain salvation.
We are also called to seek Jesus daily with repentant hearts. And we should make our own Paul’s prayer in today’s Epistle: that God might make us worthy of His calling, that by our lives we might give glory to the name of Jesus.
Of other things…
This week we celebrate two important feasts: Tuesday, November 1 is All Saints’ Day, and Wednesday, November 2 is All Souls’ Day. The Masses for the holy day of obligation, All Saints Day, are 7:00 p.m. (Vigil Mass) on Monday, October 30, and 8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1. All Souls’ Day Masses on Wednesday, November 2, are 8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. The 7:00 p.m. Mass on All Souls’ Day will include praying by name and lighting a candle for all those of our parish who have died since last All Souls’ Day. All are encouraged to attend. One of the spiritual works of mercy is to pray for the living and the dead. The whole month of November is the month to remember our deceased (the Holy Souls in Purgatory). They are not out of sight, out of mind.
God bless you all,
Father Dave -
"Beware of the Trap -- Stop Judging!" By Deacon Steve 10.23.22
In today’s Gospel, Jesus addresses a parable to a group of individuals who were convinced of their own righteousness. It’s the familiar story where two people go to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a lowly tax collector. We know the moral of the story, “…whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
But just for fun let’s look at this parable from a different angle. To do that, forget for a moment how the parable as it is written plays out, and then answer this question: “What thoughts regarding the efficacy of the prayer of these two individuals come to mind?” We probably would assume that the prayer of the supposedly devout Pharisee would be more pleasing to God than that of the seemingly morally lost Publican.
But today’s Gospel is meant to trap us. When Jesus told this parable in its original setting, He set a trap with the first line: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, a Pharisee and a tax collector.” In the first century many people blindly saw the Pharisees as sincere, religious people, people who supposedly cared for the poor and downtrodden. Tax collectors, on the other hand, were universally hated. They cooperated with the Roman oppressors in collecting taxes and would often cheat their own people in order to make a profit. Thus, back in the time of Christ His audience would presume, based on their biases, that the Pharisee prayed well, while the tax collector did not. But as the parable concludes, we find that the opposite is true. It’s the tax collector, who goes home justified, while the Pharisee does not. This parable reverses the customary beliefs about the characters. It overturns our expectations. So, an alternate lesson of this story is that it’s easy for us to go off self-righteously without the facts and then pre-judge.
Today’s parable is a warning against pre-judging others. It warns us about the quick, ill-informed judgments we often make about the people in our lives. The word “prejudice,” at its root comes from “pre-judging” because it is a prejudice to judge people without knowing who they are or what they think or why they believe as they do. Let’s face the facts: we pre-judge people all the time – maybe it’s subconscious, but we do. For example, how about the guy in front of us in the checkout line whose skin color may be different. Maybe he is planning to rob the place! What about those individuals whose political loyalties differ from ours? We all know those darn conservatives/liberals are lost and wrecking our society!
We may say, “I don’t pre-judge.” But is that completely true? Beware of the trap! Beware of making judgements based on preconceived, usually biased assumptions, rather than on fact. Or better yet, follow our Lord’s exhortation, “Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged…”.
Glory be to the only just judge forever and ever!
Deacon Steve -
"God Wants Us To Be Persistent in Prayer" By Steve Dyer 10.16.22
This weekend we continue reading from the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 18:1-8, we are told the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. Why did Jesus spend time sharing this story with His followers? Precisely because in it we learn the importance about persistence in prayer. What is prayer? St. Therese of Lisieux said this, “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy."
The Church teaches us that there are five basic forms of prayer. Adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, and praise. The prayer that comes out of today’s parable is that of petition. What does the widow ask of the unjust judge? She comes to him relentlessly petitioning him to defend her against her adversary. This man has a hardened heart. He does not believe in God and does not follow God’s commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet, despite all his curmudgeonous, he hears her plea. How much more then, does God, who is all good, want us to come to Him persistently in prayer?
Sometimes persistence in prayer seems tiring and that God does not actually hear us. Has anyone had this experience? St. Augustine said that God sometimes delays in giving us what we ask for because He wants our hearts to grow. By allowing the desire for something to grow deep within us, we are more grateful for it when we receive it. In allowing this spiritual development, God establishes a more permanent relationship with us. The important point here is, like the widow in the parable, we never give up or give in too easily in asking God to hear our prayers. The more I pray to God, the better I get to know Him. The better I get to know Him, the more I will love Him in my daily life. In this regard, we treat God as He ought to be treated. He is more than just my “servant.” In union with Him, I can have peace in my life and be overjoyed by His love for me. Then I can be truly grateful for all the things He generously shares with me.
In Christ’s peace,
Steven Dyer -
"A Walk With The Saints Continued" By Father Dave 10.9.22
Dear Friends,
I want to continue my explanation of the 11 shrines on the “A Walk with the Saints” Eagle Scout project that was recently installed on our property. About a month ago, I wrote about the first three shrines—St. Jude, St. Dominic, and Archangel Gabriel—and now I want to continue with the others.
#4 St. Maximillian Kolbe – This saint is at the bottom of the hill. He is most noted for laying down his life in love for his neighbor. The story is told that while he was in the concentration camp at Auschwitz, one of the prisoners escaped, and the punishment for this was that ten prisoners would die. When one of the prisoners (who was chosen out of the ten) exclaimed, “But my wife and my children…”, Maximillian stood up and said, “I have no wife and children. I am a Catholic priest. I will take his place.” I thought, how appropriate this saint is for our walk that connects to the Divine Mercy Chapel. God is mercy, and so our call is to be merciful.
#5 St. Francis of Assisi - Even though we have a shrine dedicated to him already, I felt that we could use double the images at Queen of Heaven since he is so beloved by so many. We just celebrated his feast day last Tuesday.
The next saint is one of the most famous followers of St. Francis…
#6 St. Anthony of Padua - He was a Franciscan priest who was noted for his gift of preaching, and he is the patron saint of lost things. Everyone knows the prayer, “Tony, Tony, look around, something’s lost and must be found.” The older I get, the more I need to pray that prayer.
…Which reminds me of a story. Did you hear about the priest who asked one of the older members of his parish, “Have you been thinking about the hereafter at all?” She says, “I have. In fact, every time I go into my bedroom, the living room, or the attic, I say to myself, ‘What am I here after?’”
#7 Our Lady of Guadalupe - I figured if we were doing a “Walk with the Saints,” Mary should be included since she is the Queen of all saints.
Speaking of Mary, October is her month, the Month of the Holy Rosary. Keep praying those beads, because “the family that prays together, stays together.” See elsewhere in the bulletin for the added schedule of public rosaries, particularly this week on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m. at a campfire behind the Rectory, followed by s’mores.
To be continued...
Peace in JMJ,
Father Dave
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"Write Down The Vision Clearly..." By Deacon Steve
If someone would ask us to list the names of the eighteen prophetic books of the Old Testament, how well would we do? Unless we’re some sort of Scripture scholar, most of us would come up with only a handful of the familiar ones – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel or Daniel for example. But in today’s Scripture readings we’re presented with a lesser-known prophet. And his name is Habakkuk. In the three-year Sunday Lectionary cycle, today is the only time we hear from this prophetic man.
In four short verses our friend Habakkuk conveys a powerful lesson: “How long, O Lord? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not intervene. Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord. Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write down the vision clearly…so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late.’” (emphasis added)
Although written some twenty-six hundred years ago, given the world we currently face with its madness and violence, the prophet’s words could easily be ours. And most importantly, God’s response to the human lament remains the same over the centuries, “Write down the vision clearly…”
From the dawn of time, God has had a vision and a plan for the human race. And that vision is simple—an eternal Divine/human unity in a heavenly place. Our Lord makes it clear from today’s Old Testament reading that it’s up to each of us to convey that vision of hope and beauty to the sometimes dark world that surrounds us.
We’re called to bear witness to God’s vision, in lives lived in ways such that everyone can see. We’re called to bear witness in the thick of things—in the midst of violence, ruin, strife, destruction and discord. Where else would this lived vision have real meaning? God’s vision, the one we’re called to write about with our lives, is proved in ways of peace and justice, right relationships and kindness, in generosity and healing and in a love that’s not anxious or afraid.
The world needs to see God’s vision. It sees plenty of the other vision—the vision of sorrow and brokenness, of violence and terror, of tears and grief. It’s up to us—and no one else—to get out of our comfort zones and make evident God’s life-giving vision and hold out its promise of hope.
This call is not easy, but the world needs to see us, as followers of Jesus, with our arms reaching out in love without fear. So, with our lives, let’s write the vision as our Lord calls us to do. Show the world what God is like even in the midst of all that mess that God is not. Let’s hold out hope.
In all that you do, may our Lord be your strength!
Deacon Steve
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Bp. Barron's Advent Reflections
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News
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A bus will leave from Queen of Heaven church on Thursday morning, January 19, 2023, to Washington DC for an overnight pilgrimage to the March for Life, returning Friday night, January 20. The theme of the 50th annual march, titled “Next Steps: Marching in a Post-Roe America,” seeks to orient the national pro-life movement as it moves to dismantle abortion across all 50 states. We are celebrating the wonderful blessing of Roe v. Wade being overturned and a call to all pro-life people to work to build a culture of life in the United States of America. We envision a world where every life is celebrated, valued, and protected. Flyers/registration forms are available in the parish office.Read More
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Lessons and Carols will be presented on Friday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. by P.J. Chavez and his friends. The service includes carols and scriptural readings; music will be sacred and secular.Read More
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Monday, December 12, 2022, 6:00 p.m. Mass and a Free Mexican Feast & Talk following Mass in St. Joseph Hall. During the feast, brothers P.J. Chavez and Miguel Chavez will give a presentation about Our Lady of Guadalupe. P.J. Chavez is Director of Mission & Ministry for the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and leads our parish in music at the 4:30 p.m. Saturday and the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Masses. Miguel Chavez is the Senior Vice President of Mission & Ministry for the Sisters of Charity Health System.Read More
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An Advent Family Celebration will be held in the Queen of Heaven Parish Life Center on Sunday, December 11 from 1-3 pm. There will be art, crafts, snacks, Santa’s Workshop, prayers, a live nativity with live animals and special visits by St. Nicholas and Santa. There is not a charge to attend, but donations for shut-ins will be accepted.Read More
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All are welcome and encouraged to come to Queen of Heaven's First Friday Devotions and an Avila Holy Hour of prayer for vocations with Exposition, guided prayers & Benediction every first Friday of the month after the 8:30 a.m. Mass. First Fridays for the 2022 year are: January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7, November 4, December 2.Read More
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Spiritual Life Commission Prayer For Father Dave
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) -
Prayer for Father Dave on His 40th Anniversary Of The Priesthood
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. -
Prayers During This Time of CrisisPope John Paul II encourages us to “cultivate in our hearts a constant desire for the Sacrament of the Eucharist” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 34). The practice of spiritual Communion, in which you ask the Lord to enter your heart, is an opportunity for union with God at times when you cannot receive Communion. However, it is not a substitute.
When unable to receive Holy Communion, you may use this prayer of St. Francis:
Prayer of Spiritual Communion
I believe that You, O Jesus, are in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You and desire You. Come into my heart. I embrace You. Oh, never leave me. May the burning and most sweet power of Your love, O Lord Jesus Christ I beseech You, absorb my mind that I may die through love of Your love, who were graciously pleased to die through love of my love. Amen. -
Protection Prayer for Pandemic
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 -
Coronavirus Prayer
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.
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