Queen of Apostles Catholic Parish

Building on 100 years of sharing and caring.

Confirmation Mass information for April, 2025

by

Preparations for the Confirmation Masses

  • Novena: Be sure to start your novena of prayer (bright pink handout from our final class) a little over a week before the Confirmation Masses.
    • Begin on Friday, March 28 if you will be Confirmed on Saturday, April 5
    • 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, April 2

  • 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 (Byrne, Cancel, DeJovine, Mejorada, Neville/Murray, Ortiz, Rodriguez, Ronan and Stronsky 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/Jaimes, Benitez, Bucio/Flores, Bucio/Zetina, Calle/Matute, Carmona/Bailon, Carrillo, Crespo/Reyes, Garcia/Cruz, Garcia/Perez, Garfias, Herman, Hernandez/Garcia, Hernández/Vaca, Martinez/Jazo, Mata, Mendoza, Mondragon/Monterrosas, Munoz, Patiño/de Jesus, Perez-Zetina, Ponce/Coss, Romero/Bautista, Sierra/Lopez, Solache/Marin, y Zetina/Vaca)  
  • 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, April 5

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 Perry 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 Perry 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 (parts for SMS students are still being assigned):
    • Welcome (English only): Tom L.
    • [First] Reading in English (Jeremiah 11:18-20): Maya L.
    • Prayers of the Faithful (Universal Prayer / Petitions / General Intercessions): Sophia S. (intro & 1-3), Cristian S. (4-7)
    • Flower Bearers (main altar x2, Mary altar): Natalie B., Jillian D., Abby R.
    • Collection Ushers: Lukas D., Anthony D., Marco M., Geonathan M., Xavi O., Brigid R.
    • Gifts Bearers: Nick K., Kyla M., Grace O., Savannah P.
  • Mass Roles for Catechists, Parents and Siblings:
    • Eucharistic Ministers: Melissa Richlen, Nicole Pacholski, and Joe Rosales?
    • Altar Servers (5): TBD per Father Michael
  • 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:
    • Welcome/Bienvenida: Lucca N.-S. (English) and Gianna C. (Spanish)
    • [First] Reading in Spanish (Jeremías 11:18-20): Heidi G.
    • Prayers of the Faithful (Universal Prayer / Petitions / General Intercessions): Teddy G. (intro & 1), Camila M. (2), David F. (3), Ayslin R. B. (4), Rubi H. (5), Sophia S. (6), Ady G. (7)
    • Flower Bearers (main altar x2, Mary altar, Guadalupe): Ella G., Lizzy G., Mariella H., Frankie S.
    • Collection Ushers: Eli B., Sophie B., Joe F., Brandon P., Baz S., Collin V. T.
    • Gifts Bearers: Nico C., Sophie D., Vera R., Melanie Z.
  • Mass Roles for Catechists, Parents and Siblings:
    • Eucharistic Ministers: maybe Matt or Madeline Herman, Kristen Komara or Ryan Van Tiem, and Emily Thompson?
    • Altar Servers (5): TBD per Father Michael
  • While Queen of Angels Church is normally wheelchair accessible through the ramp and elevator, you have sincere apologies that the church elevator is still Out of Order and will in all likelihood not be repaired and inspected before Saturday’s Mass.  Loved ones unable to climb the stairs and join us in church are invited to join via livestream (information below).
  • 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 April 5 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/watch?v=RrC1RFfkpGQ or Queen of Apostles Chicago YouTube Channel
Worship aid – program booklet in reading order

After some partially failed tests of the livestream (good sound and network strength, but unable to use the streaming link already set up), we have switched smartphone apps and are hoping for better success tomorrow.  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/watch?v=7Iw4671MK2g
Worship aid – 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.  

Confirmation Prep – Growth in Grace

by

“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.

Confirmation Prep – Parent Night

by

Class with Parents

Session Overview for Catechists
Slides * Catechist Guide

  • Track A & B: Monday 12/4/2023, 6:45-8:30 p.m. at Queen of Angels Church

Gathering Icebreaker (10 min.)

Candidates and their Parent(s) will do an icebreaker evaluating their faith-based experiences using:

Opening Prayer (10 min)

Responsory for Early Advent

The night passes on; ​it will be morning soon.​
The hour has come, Lord:  ​wake us from our sleep.
Allow us to ​ walk with children of light ​toward your coming dawn.​
​Come, ​Lord Jesus! ​ Come soon!​

La noche está pasando;​ pronto será​ de día.   ​
La hora ha llegado, Señor: despiértanos​del sueño.
Permitenoscaminarcomo​hijos de la luz ​hacia la llegada​de la Aurora.​
​¡Ven, ​Señor Jesús! ​¡Ven, ya no tardes!​​​

Holy Family slideshow

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn6Snr2sppk)

​Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph… ​ pray for us! ​

Sagrada Familia de Jesús, María y José… ​ oran por nosotros.

Introductory Comments from Father Jason Malave (10 min)

Catholic Identity and the Sacraments of Initiation (15 min)

Are you carrying anything with you right now that identifies you as a Catholic?  Look in your pocket, bag, purse, or wallet – what’s there that shows you belong to Christ & his Church? 

Baptism is the sacrament that identifies us as members of Christ’s Church.  ​It is one of the 3 Sacraments of Initiation, along with Eucharist and Confirmation.  The steps and signs of Baptism mark us as Catholic Christians: 

  • Sign of the Cross
  • Baptism with Water
  • Anointing with Oil
  • Lighting a Candle (“the light of Christ”)

As you plan to celebrate Confirmation, look back on your child’s Baptism and reflect on how Baptism/initiation is “completed” by Confirmation.

  • Parents and Guardians, ​what have you done for your child to grow in discipleship since his/her Baptism?
  • Candidates, ​what will you do for yourself​ to grow in discipleship once you are Confirmed?

Split into two groups (5 min):
English group stays upstairs, Spanish group moves downstairs to Holy Family Hall

Parent Panel Discussion (15 min)

  • Describe your older child’s experience of Confirmation.  How did you celebrate the day as a family?
    Describe la experiencia de la Confirmación de su hijo mayor. ¿Cómo celebraron el día en familia?
  • What difference does it make in your family by being disciples of Jesus?
    ¿Qué diferencia hace en tu familia ser discípulos de Jesús?
  • What challenges do you face in encouraging your older children to live their faith after Confirmation, and how have you tried to address those challenges?
    ¿Qué desafíos enfrenta al animar a sus hijos mayores a vivir su fe después de la Confirmación, y cómo ha tratado de abordarlos?

 

Videos on Participation in the Mass (10 min)

English:


(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBgqcVQVZ8g&)


(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEGd0QYjrKI)

Spanish:


(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZlTnM7Gd6k)


(Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q70BwaU1cew)

Partner Work: Questions on Mass Verbs Cards (25 min)

A verb is a word that shows actions, states of being or relationships.  There are many verbs that describe the actions and relationships of the community celebrating Mass together.

Each pair (student and his/her parent/guardian) should choose one of the verbs and together complete the question sheet (English | español).

Candidates will work with their Parent(s),  When choosing a card, try to pick something where the word means something to you, or the picture captures your attention, or both. The complete list of verbs is in the table below:

“One Word At A Time” Mass Verbs
Reflections from the Archdiocese of Chicago, Strategic Pastoral Plan
Photos by John Zich, James Hohner and the Catholic New World
acclaim adore believe bless
bow
(inclinarse)		 break call deepen
die direct drink eat
feed forgive gather give
go hear hope invoke
join keep
(conservar)		 kiss
(besar)		 know
lift link love open
point praise pray prepare
quiet recognize remember rise
(levantarse)
see send serve share
sign sing sit stand
support
(apoyar)		 take thank think
unite wait walk witness

Homework and Reminders (5 min)

HOMEWORK FROM LAST CLASS (due second week of December)

  • Textbook pp. 53-56
  • Journal pp. 36
  • Gifts of the Spirit crossword puzzle

REMINDERS

  • Father Jim Kaczorowski Loving Service Award application due in the spring for eligible 8th Graders in Confirmation Prep
  • Next class session is next week – this is when your book/journal homework will be due!
    • Track A Monday 12/11, 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
    • Track B Wednesday 12/13 and Friday 12/15 in 8th Grade Religion class

Closing Prayer

Renewal of Baptism Promises (slides, in your preferred language)

Do you reject Satan and all his works and all his empty promises? I do. ​
Do you believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth? I do. ​
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who came up on the apostles at Pentecost and will be given to you sacramentally in Confirmation? I do. ​
Do you believe in the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? I do.​
This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. ​

¿Renuncian ustedes ​a Satanás?  Sí, renuncio.​
¿Creen ustedes en Dios, Padre todopoderoso, creador del cielo y de la tierra?  Sí, creo.​
¿Creen en Jesucristo, su Hijo único y Señor nuestro, que nació de la Virgen Maria, padeció y murió por nosotros, resucito y está sentado a la derecha del Padre?  Sí, creo.
¿Creen en el Espíritu Santo, Señor y dador de vida, que les va a ser comunicado de un modo singular por el sacramento de la​
Confirmación, como fue dado a los Apóstoles el día de Pentecostés?  Sí, creo.​
¿Creen en la santa Iglesia católica, en la comunión de los santos, en el perdón de los pecados, en la resurrección de los muertos y en la vida eterna?  Sí, creo.​
Esta es nuestra fe. Esta es la fe de la Iglesia, que nos gloriamos de profesar, en Jesucristo, nuestro Señor.  Amén.​

Note for later on:

  • Service Hours can be done and turned in now; due finally in mid-January. 
  • Letter to the Pastor due in early January, to be assigned as classwork in December during the Anointed lesson.

How Common Is Domestic Violence

by

 

17th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report 2023

Illinois Summary

On September 7, 2022, 49 out of 57 (86%) IL domestic violence programs participated in a national count of domestic violence services conducted by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). These statistics represent the services they provided during the
24-hour survey period.

2,626 Victims Served

1,287 adult and child victims of domestic violence found refuge in emergency shelters, transitional housing, hotels, motels, or other housing provided by local domestic violence programs.

1,339 adult and child victims received non-residential supportive services related to legal needs, housing advocacy, transportation, mental health, public benefits, and more.

975 Hotline Contacts Received Domestic violence hotlines are lifelines for victims in danger, providing support, information, safety planning, & resources via phone, chat, text, and email. Hotline staff received 975 contacts, averaging nearly 41 per hour.

199 People Educated Local domestic violence programs provided 19 public training sessions (educational sessions provided to the public) to 199 people, addressing topics like domestic violence prevention and early intervention.

589 Unmet Requests for Services Victims made 589 requests for services that programs could not provide because they did not have the resources. Approximately 28% of these unmet requests were for emergency shelter, hotels, motels, and other housing.

If you are a victim or survivor of domestic abuse seeking help:

National Hotline: 1-800-799 SAFE (7233); 1-800-7873224 (TDD)

Novena for Our Lady of Penafrancia

by

Please join the Confraternity of Our Lady of Penafrancia (COLP) and their invited guest celebrants for a 9-day novena of prayers and Masses beginning September 8th and leading up to her feast day of “Ina” on Saturday, September 16th. Novena prayers will include the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Holy Rosary, and other special prayers to Our Lady of Penafrancia, a sacred image of Our Blessed Mother from Naga City in the Philippines and patron saint of Bikolandia. All events will take place at Queen of Apostles Parish, 2330 W. Sunnyside in addition to our regular worship schedule:

  • Friday, September 8, 2023 – 6:45 p.m. –  Procession inside the church followed by Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Rosary, Novena then the Holy Mass
  • Saturday, September 9, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. –  Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Rosary, Novena then the Holy Mass
  • Sunday, September 10, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. –  Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Rosary, Novena then the Holy Mass
  • Monday, September 11, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. –  Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Rosary, Novena then the Holy Mass
  • Tuesday, September 12, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. – Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Rosary, Novena then the Holy Mass
  • Wednesday, September 13, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. – Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Rosary, Novena then the Holy Mass
  • Thursday, September 14, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. –  Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Rosary, Novena then the Holy Mass
  • Friday, September 15 2023 – 7:00 p.m. –  Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Rosary, Novena then the Holy Mass
  • Saturday, September 16 2023 – 6:30 p.m. –  FEAST DAY OF “INA” Fr. Jason Malave, Pastor – Main Celebrant Outside Procession followed by Chaplet of the Divine Mercy, Rosary, Novena & the Holy Mass.

For inquiries, please contact: Roger Odiamar – 773-406-1117

devotional statue of Our Lady of Penafrancia, crowned with and surrounded by flowers
Our Lady of Penafrancia enshrined at Queen of Apostles Parish.
Translate »