Queen of Apostles Catholic Parish

Building on 100 years of sharing and caring.

Presentation of Flowers to Mary on May 2-3

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2025 Presentation of Flowers
2025 Presentation of Flowers
Our Religious Education students will celebrate the end of their year on Sunday, May 3, with a presentation of flowers to the Virgin Mary at the beginning of Mass.  All children of the parish, including those enrolled in our Catholic schools, are invited to join in on Saturday evening or at any of the Sunday Masses!
To make sure we have enough flowers for everyone, please sign up online in advance or call/text Rachel at 312-857-6782.

Teen Triduum Back Up

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Rebuild as a back-up of Post with current QR codes in play. Please do not delete or replace with outdated 2025 information. – RH, 3/18/2026

Deanery II-C and II-E parishes present an interactive, multi-day experience for 8th Grade and H..S. Youth during Holy Week 2026!

Teen Triduum

Register here: Teen Triduum Registration for Queen of Apostles Parish by Sunday, March 29!

Online payments for youth from Queen of Apostles Parish: Give Central
($30 per youth, $50 for 2 siblings)

If you are from a different participating parish, please scroll down and use the separate registration links provided below. 

DAILY SCHEDULE for participants from Queen of Apostles Parish

Holy Thursday, April 2: 5 p.m. to 12 midnight, beginning and ending at the local parish

  • 5 p.m. at Queen of Angels site (or St. Padre Pio site, depending on numbers) – youth gather with parish leaders for dinner and formation
  • 7 p.m. youth participate in the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at their local parish
    buses depart after Mass from each local parish site to meet at St. Andrew
  • 8:45 p.m. Buses meet at St. Andrew as a group for the pilgrimage to other churches
    • St. Andrew Church, corner of Paulina & Addison, 3546 N. Paulina St., Chicago, IL 60657
    • St. Alphonsus Church, corner of Wellington, Southport & Lincoln, 1429 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. IL 60657
    • St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1010 W. Webster Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
    • St. Michael Church in Old Town, near intersection of 1633 N. Cleveland Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
    • St. John Cantius Church, near intersection of Ogden Avenue and Chicago Avenue, 825 N. Carpenter St., Chicago, IL 60642
    • St. Mary of the Angels Church, corner of Hermitage & Cortland, 1850 N. Hermitage Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
  • 12 midnight – buses return to Queen of Angels site for pick-up by parents

Good Friday, April 3: 10 a.m. at St. Padre Pio (corner of Bryn Mawr & California) to 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Mercy (4432 N. Troy)

  • includes lunch, walking pilgrimage with Way of the Cross along 1 mile of city streets, and 3 p.m. Liturgy of the Lord’s Death
  • parents and families can join in the 3 p.m. Liturgy of the Lord’s Death at Our Lady of Mercy Church, 4432 N. Troy St.

Holy Saturday, April 4: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Viator gym (3644 N. Kedvale), with evening Mass at local parish 

  • includes lunch, witness talks, and activities focused on the Resurrection and preparation for the Easter Vigil
  • youth participate with their families at 7:30 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass celebrated at Queen of Angels Church 

COST

$30 per youth, or $50 for 2 siblings (Give Central to Queen of Apostles Parish, or by cash or check the Parish Office at 4412 N. Western)

ORGANIZERS

Deanery Parishes and staff cooperating on the event:

  • Saint Edward Parish — Fr. Dominic Clemente, Paul Minarik
  • Our Lady of Mercy Parish — Fr. Tom Byrne, seminarian Derek Damasco, Sandra Narvaez
  • Saint Mary of the Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish — Fr. Sergio Rivas Tamayo, seminarian Carlos Sepulveda
  • Queen of Apostles Parish (Queen of Angels & St. Matthias) — Fr. Jason Malave, Fr. Sergio de la Torre, Rachel Hohner
  • Saint Padre Pio Parish (St. Hilary & Transfiguration of Our Lord) — Fr. Peter McQuinn, M. Yanett Banda, Roberto Carvajal, Ashley Ramirez
  • Saints Viator and Wenceslaus — Fr. Benjamin Arevalos, Sister Carmen Loredo, Miriam Martinez

 

 

Confirmation Prep – Connecting Beyond Confirmation

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“Connecting Beyond Confirmation”

Catechist Summary * Slides

  • Tracks A and B together: Monday, February 23, 2026 from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Mission Hall

Icebreaker: Spiritual Gifts Inventory (15-20 min)

Upon arrival, catechists should check in with their table’s candidates and together proofread the lists of Confirmation Names for each table’s candidates.  It will be used later in class to practice the Anointing with Oil dialogue with each candidate.

Candidates then complete the Spiritual Gifts Inventory to help them figure out what gifts they have to offer the church and the world.

Opening Prayer (5 min)

Personal prayer in the style of Alpha (new session in our parish beginning this week!)

  • “Come, Holy Spirit!”​
  • “Sorry….” ​What do you need to ask God’s mercy for? ​
  • “Thank you…” What are you grateful to Jesus for doing in your life or in our world? ​
  • “Please…” In what ways do you need the Holy Spirit to help you or our world? ​
  • “Come, Holy Spirit!”

​Sing and (re)learn “Ven, Oh Espíritu / Come, Holy Spirit” (Lorenzo Florian) which will be the opening hymn for at least one of our Confirmation Masses.  We also sang this way back in September at our first class of the year!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3cAXWfmJsI

The Rite of Confirmation (15 min)

We will review the responses and procedures of the Rite of Confirmation using the center pages of one of last year’s Confirmation Mass programs, the 2025 bilingual program booklet, or an earlier version similarly bilingual. (Not all students will be in the bilingual Mass, but using the bilingual Mass program booklet to practice allows for unity of instruction.)

  • Practice Presentation of Candidates (calling full names alphabetically by Mass; candidates, listen for yours and stand at your place!)
  • Practice Renewal of Baptismal Promises
  • Practice interaction with Bishop (each catechist, in the place of the bishop, practices dialogue with each candidate using proof list of Confirmation names)

[Confirmation Name], be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Peace be with you.  AND WITH YOUR SPIRIT.  

Video: It’s NOT Graduation (5 min)

(from the V-Cat Video Catechism)

If you get Confirmed, then be Confirmed and live Confirmed.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGCom6oiMXw)

Discerning Parish Involvement (45 min)

At their tables, students complete the Parish Involvement Questionnaire (parish give and take) to see what types of ministries they may wish to serve in and be served by.

Panel Discussion: Ministry Fair

Youth guests and a few catechists represent various parish ministries, with an emphasis on the opportunities open to H.S. and post-Confirmation youth in parish liturgical ministries:

  • Communion Ministers (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion) (youth Madeline Herman, with Mrs. Melissa Richlen) — share the Eucharist with others by inviting them personally to receive the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass
  • Lectors (youth Elizabeth Richlen, with Ms. Rachel Hohner) — proclaimers of the Word and leaders of Prayers of the Faithful
  • Music Ministry (youth Philip Kyle, with guest Mr. Ethan Valentin) — singing in the Adult Choir or playing an instrument for parish Masses

If time allows, this panel may be concluded by brainstorming some other ways to stay involved in parish life, to live out one’s Catholic faith in the parish community.  This could include attending Sunday Mass with your family or on your own; joining in teen-specific efforts like Teen Triduum retreat during Holy Week or future Small Faith Communities open to youth; praying; donating; continuing in a previous ministry such as altar serving in a new way like becoming a Master of Ceremonies; serving at events; etc.

Novena, Reminders and Closing Prayer (10-15 min)

Confirmation Novena:

A novena is a prayer over 9 days, like the disciples awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit between the Ascension (40 days after the Resurrection) and Pentecost (50 days after Passover).  Many families pray a novena together when a loved one dies or in honor of a beloved saint or for the Divine Mercy (Good Friday to the Sunday after Easter Sunday).

Our Confirmation Novena 2026 handout will guide you in your daily prayer from Friday 2/27 to Confirmation day Saturday 3/7.  For each day, there is something short to read, a short prayer to pray, and some small action to do.  It is totally doable!  You may need to set an alarm or a reminder for each day to help you not forget to do it.

Reminders:

  • Fr. Jim Kaczorowski Loving Service Award application due 3/28, do not wait until the last minute to request recommendations! 
  • rehearsals (practices) Wednesday 3/4, bring your Sponsor or a parent
    • 6pm at Saint Matthias Church, 2310 W. Ainslie
    • 7:30pm at Queen of Angels Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside

  • Apparel for Candidates & Sponsors: dress nicely (not too casual), modestly (not too revealing or flashy) & appropriately for church (not a walking advertisement)​

    • Women: nice dress, or blouse with dressy slacks ​or skirt; low heels or flats recommended​
    • Men: button-down shirt with collar & tie; nice sweater, vest, sport  or suit jacket recommended​
    • All: NO gym shoes, jeans, or hoodies; in the church, hats come off and and headphones come out of our ears​

    You are NOT expected to wear white or put on a graduation gown over your clothing. ​You certainly CAN wear white, or red like the bishop and priests that day, but any color is fine.

  • Among all we will be doing to get ready for our Confirmation — our class assignments, making sure we have nice clothes to wear, welcoming family visitors from out of town — let us not forget to be “in the moment” and be fully present to the experience as it is happening, at our Confirmation.  Others with us can record videos or photos or communicate with absent loved ones, but Sponsors and candidates should have their phones away and their focus on prayer and what is happening right now.

Homework:

  • Journal page 57
    • you can use the rest of your journal for continued reflection after your Confirmation, as suggested in the Novena handout
  • make sure your Sponsor (or parent/other adult) knows to come to the right Rehearsal (Practice) on Wednesday, March 4
  • set an alarm or calendar reminder to pray your Confirmation Novena each day, Friday 2/27 through Saturday 3/7

Prayer:

“Go, Make of All Disciples” verses 1, 2, and 3

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrHmgGJrMI8)

Option to add personal prayer in the style of the Hallow app Lent40 Challenge for Lent 2026, but there will probably not be time!

  • In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
  • “Empty me….” ​What do you need to remove from your life this Lent to be a better disciple of Jesus? ​
  • “Fill me…” What Gift(s) are you hoping the Holy Spirit will particularly strengthen in you at Confirmation? ​
  • “Use me…” How do you want your Spirit-led actions to improve our world? ​
  • In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Confirmation Mass information for March 7, 2026

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Preparations for the Confirmation Masses

  • Novena: Be sure to start your Novena of prayer (bright handout from our final class) a little over a week before the Confirmation Masses.
    • Begin on Friday, February 27 if you will be Confirmed on Saturday, March 7
    • If you forgot to start your novena on time, please begin today!
  • Clothing for Candidates and Sponsors: Students do not need to wear white.  They can wear white or any color of church-appropriate, modest, special-occasion clothing.
    • Suggestions for Women: nice dress, or blouse with dressy slacks ​or skirt; low heels or flats recommended​
    • Suggestions for Men: button-down shirt with collar & tie; nice slacks; nice sweater, vest, sport or suit jacket recommended​
    • All: NO gym shoes, jeans, or hoodies. Hats should be removed in church.  You will not be asked to wear a red graduation gown over your clothes.
  • Offering: There will be envelopes distributed at the rehearsal for the Confirmation Mass offering to be taken in the collection on Saturday by student ushers.  The suggested donation is $25 from the Sponsor(s), and $25 from the family of the student(s) being Confirmed. Or you may use GiveCentral: https://www.givecentral.org/customizable-online-giving/182/event/29801
  • Candles:  You do not need a candle for the Confirmation Mass.  If your Sponsor or family want to give you a candle for prayer, or other religious items such as a Bible or rosary, they can bring them to get blessed at the end of the Mass.  Do not bring them up with you during the Mass when you go with your Sponsor to get anointed or for Communion.

Rehearsals on Wednesday, March 4

  • 6 p.m. at St. Matthias Church, 2310 W. Ainslie St.
    • for the English-only Mass at 10 a.m. on Saturday
    • includes 8th Graders from St. Matthias School and English-speaking RE students (Allabastro, Avila Alanis, Carachure/Jaramillo, Gabor, Gorgis, Johnson, Lobato/Martinez, Ortiz, Rodriguez/Peralta, Schmidt, Sidlo, Vezo, and Wiss/Waldron Families)  
  • 7:30 p.m. at Queen of Angels Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside Ave.
    • for the bilingual Mass in English and Spanish at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday
    • includes 8th Graders from Queen of Angels School and bilingual and Spanish-speaking RE students (Familias Aguilar/Garcia, Alvarez/Maeda, Ayala/Martinez, Barrera Godinez, Bustos, Calderon, Carrera/Bucio, Chabla/Novilio, Diaz/Herrera, Espino/Perez, Esteban/De Jesús, Flores Estrada/De Leon, Herrera/Hernandez, Martinez Ramirez, Mazariegos/Perez, Medina/Aguayo, Mondragon/Pichardo, Orellana/De Jesús, Patiño De Jesús, Perez, Ramirez/Sanchez, Reyes/Sotelo, Ruiz, Rumbo/Gurgua, Sarmiento/Leon, Soto, Sucuzhanay/Calle, y Villatoro)  
  • each student being Confirmed should attend and also bring their Sponsor(s) – if the Sponsor(s) cannot attend, a parent or other adult from the family​ should accompany the student
  • please arrive a few minutes early so we can begin on time
  • Students and Sponsors will receive a stick-on nametag to wear during the rehearsal.  It is important that this nametag be visible when students go up to practice getting anointed, as this is how Father Jason (standing in for the bishop) will know your Confirmation Name (in really big print) to call you by.
    • Please place the nametag on or close to your right shoulder so it can be seen easily.
    • Parents standing in for absent Sponsor(s) should wear the nametag(s) for the Sponsor(s).
  • Students will NOT need the textbook, journal, or Bible at the practice or Mass.  They are yours to keep! 
    1. The Catholic Youth Bible is a wonderful tool for continued prayer and spiritual growth after Confirmation. There are many articles and guides to help you understand how God is speaking to you today through the Sacred Scriptures.
    2. The textbook is a good handbook for the teachings of the Catholic faith.
    3. The journal makes an excellent journal for reflecting on your faith journey now and in the future.

Confirmation Masses on Saturday, March 7

General Information for Both Masses

  • Who should attend? 
    • Candidate (young person getting Confirmed)​
    • Sponsor or Sponsor(s) / Padrino(s)​ or their proxies – please contact Ms. Hohner if the Sponsor(s) cannot attend and will need a proxy desginated in their place
    • Immediate family – parents and siblings
    • Other guests including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents from Baptism, family friends, and the Spouse and/or children of your Sponsor(s)
    • Because of having the gift of two Confirmation Masses this year, it is not expected that we will place a limit on the number of guests per student or per family.  Each church holds about 600 people.
  • Please arrive 30 minutes early so everyone is there when we are scheduled to begin the Mass
  • Nametag: Students and Sponsors will receive a pin-on nametag to wear during the Mass.  It is important that this nametag be visible when students go up to get anointed, as this is how Bishop Turley will know your Confirmation Name (in really big print) to call you by.  Please place the nametag on or close to your right shoulder so it can be seen easily.
  • Photos and Videos:
    • During the Mass, you may only take non-flash photos from your seat.  We suggest that photography or video-recording be entrusted to family members who are not the youth being Confirmed or their Sponsors.
    • After the Mass, Bishop Turley will be available for photos with Candidates.  There will be a group picture and then guests can line up for photos with the Bishop.  Please take your own group or individual photos with the Bishop.
    • The livestreams of the Masses will remain on the parish’s YouTube channel to watch later or share with relatives and friends who could not travel to the Mass because of distance or illness.
  • Suggested donation for the collection:
  • Candles:  You do not need a candle for the Confirmation Mass.  If your Sponsor or family want to give you a candle for prayer, or other religious items such as a Bible or rosary, they can bring them to get blessed at the end of the Mass.  Do not bring them up with you during the Mass when you go with your Sponsor to get anointed or for Communion.

Specific Information for the
10 a.m. Mass at St. Matthias Church, 2310 W. Ainslie

  • Please arrive at 9:30 a.m. so everyone is there when we begin at 10 a.m.
  • Mass Roles for Students:
    • Welcome (English only): Veda K.
    • First Reading in English (Isaiah 11:1-4): Dominic G.
    • Second Reading in English (Ephesiasns 4:1-6): Daisy C.
    • Prayers of the Faithful (Universal Prayer / Petitions / General Intercessions): Isabella “Bella” G. (intro & petitions 1-3) and Vincent Duong (petitions 4-7)
    • Flower Bearers (main altar x2, Mary altar): Olivia L., Evelyn “Evie” S., and Chloe S.
    • Collection Ushers (6): Jake G., Grace J., Kaia M., Braydan Ra., Jonah W., and Owen V.
    • Gifts Bearers (4): Brandon L., Chloé N., Abigail “Abi” S.-N., and Sofia Y. 
  • Mass Roles for Catechists, Parents and Siblings:
    • Lay Eucharistic Ministers (2): Nicole Pacholski and Melissa Richlen, assisting Bishop Turley, Father Jason, Father Sergio, and Deacon Bill
    • Altar Servers (5): Patrick C., Noah K., Michael M., William M., and Kendall P.
  • St. Matthias Church is wheelchair accessible through the ramp entrance off Claremont Ave.
  • Whatever your family celebration plans are that day, please plan to remain at the church until at least 11:45 a.m.  Again, do not plan to leave the building before 11:45 a.m.
    • The morning Mass is expected to last about 1.25 hours, but may be longer or shorter depending on how much quality time the Bishop spends with each candidate and Sponsor(s) at the time they go forward for the anointing with chrism (specially blessed oil) and the length of the Homily.
    • Plan on spending time at the reception (about 30 minutes) in the church and vestibule after the Mass to
      • Take photos with the bishop, including waiting in line
      • Enjoy light refreshments at a reception provided by St. Matthias School

Specific Information for the
1:30 p.m. Mass at Queen of Angels Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside

  • Please arrive at 1 p.m. so everyone is there when we begin at 1:30 p.m.
  • Mass Roles for Students:
    • Collection Ushers (6): Daniel “Danny” B., Fernando M. R., Kevin M., Noah R., Trinity S., and Liana V.
    • Gifts Bearers (4): Valeria A., Aaron E., Siona N., and Cormac O.
  • Mass Roles for Catechists, Parents and Siblings:
    • Eucharistic Ministers (2): Beth Kraszewski? and Joe Rosales, assisting Bishop Turley, Father Jason, Father Sergio, and Deacon Bill
    • Altar Servers (5): Max B.?, Vivian C.?, Andrew K., Noah K., and Melalin M. P.?
  • Queen of Angels Church is normally wheelchair accessible through the ramp and elevator from next to the alley.
  • Whatever your family celebration plans are that day, please plan to remain at the church until at least 3:45 p.m.  Again, do not plan to leave the building before 3:45 p.m.
    • The afternoon Mass is expected to last about 1.5 hours, but may be longer or shorter depending on how much quality time the Bishop spends with each candidate and Sponsor(s) at the time they go forward for the anointing with chrism (specially blessed oil) and the length of the Homily.
    • Plan on spending time at the reception (30-45 minutes) downstairs in Holy Family Hall (church basement) after the Mass to
      • Take photos with the bishop, including standing in line
      • Enjoy light refreshments at a reception hosted by Religious Ed volunteers

LIVESTREAMS FOR THE MASSES

The livestreams for the March 7 Confirmation Masses will be broadcast on our parish website and YouTube channel (Queen of Apostles Chicago) and posted to our main parish Facebook page (@qofachicago) on the day of the Mass.  Please use these links to make sure you are checking the right page.  On Facebook there are many similarly named churches/parishes and even unofficial pages (not run by our parish staff) showing the same church.

10 a.m. Mass at St. Matthias:  https://www.youtube.com/live/fjMpDruMe6Q or Queen of Apostles Chicago YouTube Channel
Worship aid – English program booklet in reading order

In the event that the 10 a.m. Mass cannot be streamed live, either at the posted link above or as a new “Go Live” unscheduled stream on the parish YouTube Channel, the Mass will be recorded for uploading and watching at a later time.  The best chance of catching it live as the Mass is happening is to be subscribed to our YouTube Channel Queen of Apostles Chicago and to Enable all notifications by tapping the bell icon twice. 

1:30 p.m. Mass at Queen of Angels: https://www.youtube.com/live/lotvrBvxTWM or Queen of Apostles Chicago YouTube Channel
Worship aid – bilingual program booklet in reading order

Queen of Angels Church has tech infrastructure in place for regular livestreaming each Sunday, so we do not anticipate problems with the 1:30 p.m. Mass livestream.  

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