Queen of Apostles Catholic Parish

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Ash Wednesday Schedule

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February 14, 2023

Our Lenten journey begins with Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting and Abstinence from Meat. Please join us to hear the Word of God and receive ashes as a sign of repentance.
  • 7:00 AM– Weekday Mass with Blessing and Distribution of Ashes
  • 8:15 AM– St. Matthias All School Mass with Blessing and Distribution of Ashes
  • 8:30 AM– Queen of Angels All School Mass with Blessing and Distribution of Ashes
  • 2:00 PM– Liturgy of the Word with Blessing and Distribution of Ashes
  • 6:30 PM– Evening Mass in English with Blessing and Distribution of Ashes
  • 7:30 PM– Evening Mass in Spanish with Blessing and Distribution of Ashes

Confirmation Prep – Teen Dating Safety

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“Teen Dating Safety”

Opening and Closing Detail: Catechist Summary * Slides

Opening Prayer (5 min.)

“Sacred” – Joe Melendrez feat. Danielle Rose​
Lyrics handout


Source: https://youtu.be/kEk6tIdJjWU?si=znfetd2XkjHaPq1_&t=3

Healthy Relationships Presentation from Sarah’s Inn Staff (90 min.)

Mobile devices are needed to play a game in the Kahoot! app or on the Kahoot! website as part of the presentation.

Past activities and resources have included:

  • True/False questions about teen dating violence statistics via Kahoot!
  • Card game to choose desired qualities in an ideal romantic partner (and be randomly assigned an undesirable quality in the same partner)
  • Inventory to choose how acceptable or unacceptable certain behaviors are in a romantic partner
  • Handout of hotline contact numbers and other crisis resources for getting help when you need it

Teen Resource Guide provided by Sarah’s Inn

Adult Coloring Pages provided by Sarah’s Inn for stress reduction (links to come)

  • option 1
  • option 2
  • option 3

Reminders and Closing Prayer (10 min)

Reminders:

  • start the Confirmation Novena this Friday 2/16 and finish on Confirmation day Saturday 2/24.
  • NO class for Track A on Monday 2/19
  • practice Tuesday 2/20, 6:45pm at Q of A Church, bring your Sponsor or a parent

Homework:

  • make sure your Sponsor (or parent/other adult) knows to come to 2/20 Practice

Closing Prayer (petitions against Domestic Violence)
Handout of all petitions

Response: Lord, hear our prayer.

  1. For all who are victims of domestic or dating violence, may God help them free themselves from abuse and live safely in the peace of Christ.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
  2. For our community of faith, that we become as compassionate and sensitive toward victims of domestic and dating violence as Jesus would be.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
  3. For all victims of domestic and dating violence, may they feel neither guilt nor shame but have the courage to seek help in order to free themselves from abuse.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
  4. For all of us and our parish that we might not judge victims of domestic or dating violence but offer them the support they need to free themselves from abuse.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
  5. For perpetrators of domestic or dating violence that they may stop their abuse and seek professional help.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
  6. For those who suffer domestic or dating violence, that they may know they are not alone, they are loved, and help is only a phone call away.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
  7. For those who witness domestic or dating violence – especially young children – that they may understand that violence is never an expression of love, is never acceptable and must never be imitated.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
  8. For victims of domestic or dating violence that they may know that their suffering is not a cross to bear or a punishment from God.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
  9. For victims of all types of abuse, may they know God’s love and understand that they are not alone. May they be guided to help, support and safety.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.
  10. For our families, may they know God’s love and may they share this love with kindness and consideration for one another, free from abuse and controlling behaviors.
    We pray… Lord, hear our prayer.

Confirmation Mass information for February, 2024

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Rehearsal on Tuesday, February 20

  • Held at Queen of Angels Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside
  • 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 at 6:45 p.m. so we can find seats & get started by 7 p.m.
  • 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 Mass on Saturday, February 24

Please arrive at 12:30 p.m. so everyone is there when we begin at 1 p.m.

  • Held at Queen of Angels Church, 2330 W. Sunnyside
  • please contact Ms. Hohner if the Sponsor(s) cannot attend and will need a proxy desginated in their place
  • Suggested donation for the collection:
  • The 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).
  • General events in church at this time are mask-optional.  The Bishop and other ministers may have masks on when they will have close contact with the youth, Sponsors, or other guests, including during group photos.  Due to the number of people in the church, we strongly recommend wearing a mask.  
  • Plan on spending time (30-45 minutes) downstairs in Holy Family Hall after the Mass to
    • Take photos with the bishop
    • Enjoy refreshments at a reception provided by Religious Ed volunteers

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE MASS?

  • Candidate (young person getting Confirmed)​
  • Sponsor or Sponsor(s) / Padrino(s)​ or their proxies
  • Other guests (suggest 5-6) chosen from:​
    • Parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents from Baptism, etc.​
    • Spouse and/or children of your Sponsor(s)

Please contact Ms. Hohner if you need a Large Family Exception (which will be freely given) or need to choose a proxy for a Sponsor who will be absent from the Mass.  We don’t want to exclude anyone you have chosen to invite, but the church is only built to hold about 600 people.

LIVESTREAM FOR THE MASS

The livestream for the February 24 Mass will be broadcast on our parish website and YouTube channel and posted to our parish Facebook page on the day of the Mass.  You can also search for Queen of Apostles Chicago on YouTube or for @qofachicago on Facebook.

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.

Worship aid – program booklet in reading order

PLANNING FOR THE MASS

  • Novena: Be sure to start your novena of prayer a little over a week before the Confirmation Mass.
    • Begin on Friday, February 16 if you will be Confirmed on Saturday, February 24 at Queen of Angels Church.
  • Masks:  Our liturgies at church are officially mask-optional events.  Please respect the wishes of others to remain masked, even for photos.  For example, Bishop Turley may remain masked when anointing each candidate with oil and also for photos. Due to the number of people expected in the church, we recommend wearing a mask.
  • 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.
  • 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 by a tall person.
  • Offering: There will be envelopes distributed at the practice for a Confirmation Mass offering to be taken in the collection 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/location/182/event/29801
  • 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 downstairs in Holy Family Hall (the church basement) for photos with Candidates.  The Bishop may remain masked for photos.  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 livestream of the Mass 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.
  • Candles:  You do not need a candle for the 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 in Holy Family Hall 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.
  • Mass Roles for Students:
    • Welcome/Bienvenida (English & Spanish): Eraldo V.
    • First Reading in English (Ezekiel 36:24-28): Francesca M.
    • Second Reading in Spanish (Efesios 4:1-6): Jordy Z.
    • Prayers of the Faithful (Universal Prayer / Petitions / General Intercessions): Lulu T. (1-2), Reese C. (3-4), Declan C. (5-6), Princesa Katelyn M. F. (7-8), Noelia C. (9-10)
    • Flower Bearers: Ella P., Viviana M., Sophia B.
    • Collection Ushers: Roberto G. T., Seamus H., Noah K., Aiden M., Elizabeth R., Isabel R.
    • Gifts Bearers: Axel B.S., Axel M. S., Alisson M. M., Kevin T.
  • Mass Roles for Parents and Younger Siblings:
    • Eucharistic Ministers: Dan Richlen, Beth Kraszewski, Kerry Hurley
    • Altar Servers: Katie H., Andrew K., Rose K., (Kevin or Melalin M.P.), Lyla P.

Confirmation Prep – Purify My Heart

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Retreat 2 with Reconciliation: “Purify My Heart”

Catechist Guide * Slides (song lyrics only)

Arrival
Pick up your nametag

Early Dinner / Snack
Meal prayer
Pizza, carrots, grapes, cookies and soft drinks

Opening Prayer – “Pass the Cross”
Prompts will be given orally for individual prayer with a hand cross (2-3 crosses per table).

Pentecost
Reading from Acts 2:1-12 (Mrs. Peters) followed by a talk on how the Holy Spirit radically altered the lives of the apostles.

Connect to the chorus to “Refiner’s Fire”:

Refiner’s fire, my heart’s one desire is to be holy, set apart for you, Lord.
I choose to be holy, set apart for you, my Master, ready to do your will.

In Confirmation, we re-enact this Pentecost event. But we do not place tongues of flame above our heads or create the sound of a great driving gust of wind. Instead, we are anointed with oil.  Oil is an ancient sign of protection and purity. It is a sign of being chosen, like getting tapped on the head in “Duck Duck Goose.” In being anointed with the Sacred Chrism, we are anointed with the seal of Christ on our foreheads, anointed and chosen as priest, prophet and king.

Small Group Breakout: Chosen as Priest, Prophet, King
All 4 Question sheets

Video with lyrics and music for the retreat theme song, “Refiner’s Fire”

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y8zP34AhuU)

Purification
Reading from Malachi 3:1-4 (Ms. López) and the process of purifying metal by burning out the parts that have no value. Through purification, we are changed, converted to be closer to Christ.

Verses to “Refiner’s Fire”:

  1. Purify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver. Purify my heart, let me be as gold, pure gold.
  2. Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin and make me holy. Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin, deep within.

Full Lyrics to Refiner’s Fire: PDF |  Download Purify My Heart

Reading from Acts 9:1-22 (Mr. Michaels), the conversion of St. Paul

Reflection — Temptations and Challenges to Our Faith
Mrs. Michaels and Ms. Hohner will address to the difficult times in life when impurities can become problems in relationships with God, others, and ourselves.

Witnessing to Christ
Reading from Revelation 3:14-22 (Mr. Fix) and not being “lukewarm” in our witness as we may have been in our preparation. How do we witness to Jesus Christ after Confirmation?

As Catholics, the most important tool we have for purifying our hearts is to experience God’s forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sacraments 101: Penance and Reconciliation video from BustedHalo

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5-vu6A58E)

Reconciliation Prep
How to approach the Examination of Conscience and make a good confession (led by Mrs. Michaels)
   (Ms. Hohner goes to church to prepare for Reconciliation service)

Move to Queen of Angels Church
Mr. Michaels, Ms. López, Mr. Fix, Ms. Solache and Ms. Oviedo accompany students walking to church
(Mrs. Michaels and Mrs. Peters remain at the Parish Center to clean up)

Reconciliation Prayer Service
program booklet (order of service)
Candidates light candles when they are done with their confessions.

Retreat Reflection
evaluation

Closing Prayer
from the Reconciliation program booklet:

God, your sons and daughters stand before you in humility and trust. Look with compassion on us and heal our wounds; stretch out a hand of mercy to save us and raise us up. Keep us free from harm as members of Christ’s body, as beloved children of your family who will be anointed as priests, prophets and kings in Confirmation. Do not allow the temptations of sin to triumph over us, or death to claim us forever, for you raised us to new life and call us as your own, holy and chosen. Amen.

Homework

  • The Practice is at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday 2/20 in the church.  Bring your Sponsor(s), or bring a stunt-double (parent or other adult family member).

Confirmation Prep – Growth in Grace

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“Growth in Grace”

Catechist Summary * Slides * UPDATED Interviews Schedule

Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester

Thanks be to you, my Lord Jesus Christ,​ for all the benefits you have given me,​ for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,​ may I know you more clearly, love you ​more dearly, and follow you more ​nearly, day by day.  Amen.​

Being Confirmed, Receiving Grace (10 min)


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4Q5y_g5-e0

Being Confirmed is like making the basketball team. Your Sponsor is your coach.  If you get involved, you are playing in the basketball game.  If you just sit on the bench, you are wasting your gifts and talents you could be sharing with God’s family. And you will never get better at playing the game.

Breakout Activity at Tables: Your Prayer Style (25 min)

Read directions for prayer type inventory packet carefully!

  1. Take inventory (p. A)
  2. Read descriptions of spiritual path (p. B) & Styles of Prayer grids (pp. C-D), keeping in mind your score in each category.
  3. Discuss or reflect individually on your personal result and prayer suggestions.

A Prayerful Confirmation Mass (5 min)

Review the Invitation to Prayer and Laying on of Hands Prayer to call down the Holy Spirit in the Confirmation Mass (using p. 6 of a previous year’s Confirmation Mass program booklet).  Consider ways to call yourself back to prayer if you find your mind or hands becoming less prayerful during the Confirmation Mass.

Made for More: Invitation to Spiritual Growth (5 min)

Think back to “Is Your Faith Still in Kindergarten?” video & SMART goals from last Fall.  We hope you’ve been growing while preparing for Confirmation!


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWShaGft0wU

“You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge,” so let’s see where we’re at spiritually!

Breakout Activity at Tables: Spiritual Life Snapshot (20 min)

Tree parts worksheet for each student to complete a spiritual life tree

Lent: A Time for Spiritual Growth (10 min)


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJBMw2pQZiA

ALTERNATE VIDEO TO REPLACE THE ONE ABOVE WHICH NO LONGER WORKS:


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9rM5VOqndg

During Lent, we seek unity with Christ through personal sacrifice.  Lenten sacrifice is about giving up something you need to benefit another person.


Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-LK_MyvnLA

We can use CRS Rice Bowl as a tool for our for prayer, fasting & almsgiving this Lent.  This is a way to help the victims of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza as well as others in need around the world.

Breakout Activity at Tables: My Lenten Sacrifices (10 min)

Students write on the side of their CRS Rice Bowl bank what they are sacrificing for Lent.  Groups should also look at the calendar and recipes from the booklet inside the bank.

Confirmation Novena (5 min)

A novena is a prayer for 9 days, like the disciples awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit between the Ascension and Pentecost.

Our Confirmation Novena 2024 handout will guide you in your daily prayer from Friday 2/16 to Confirmation day Saturday 2/24.

Reminders and Closing Prayer (5 min)

Reminders:

  • retreat this Friday 2/9, 4:30pm-8:30pm
  • next class for all students Monday 2/12 @ 6:45pm
  • NO class for Track A on Monday 2/19
  • practice Tuesday 2/20, 6:45pm at Q of A Church, bring your Sponsor or a parent

Homework:

  • make sure your Sponsor (or parent/other adult) knows to come to 2/20 Practice

Closing Prayer (from back cover of textbook)

O Lord, may I feel your strength and love each day of my life.  Let me know your guiding presence so that I can grow into the fullest person I am called to be.  Increase in me the fruits of your Holy Spirit.  May your peace and light accompany me and guide me.  Let me realize how deeply loved and precious ​I am in your eyes.  Amen.

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