Profile of an Average Mom The average mom who comes to Mary Queen for assistance, comes only one time. She experienced some unusual difficulty: (the washer died, the father of the children became violent and was put in jail, the rent money had to be used for a car problem, benefits have been slashed and rent has almost doubled so she needs food for herself and her children.) We assist with a portion of the rent or utilities due. If they come for food, we meet them at the back door of church then take them to the Food Pantry in the coat closet. We show them the bags available (Kroger pic-up bags are stronger than regular plastic shopping bags), then we step away to the the chapel. Once we feel that they have had a chance to choose items, we re-appear and encourage them to scan the offerings again in case they missed something that they need. They are particularly excited to find something like laundry detergent or a dessert. After gratitude and hugs, she is on her way. READ MORE

You may have noticed some changes in our music area over the past few weeks as we prepare for the installation of new choir risers. These improvements will provide a safer, more functional space for our musicians while better supporting their participation in the liturgy. READ MORE

Among the furnishings in our sanctuary are a few chairs reserved for the priest and other ordained ministers during Mass. While they may seem like ordinary places to sit, these chairs have an important liturgical purpose, particularly the larger chair used by the priest celebrating Mass, commonly called the presider’s chair. READ MORE

Prayers Needed for two pregnant women: SEE MORE

Assurance Pregnancy Center: This nearby agency tests clients for stds and pregnancy . . . . and has a staff that includes nurses and counselors. One of our own parishioners, Myra DeLuca, is now on their staff as well. So delighted to have Myra nearby serving moms, dads, and preborn babes. She’s an amazing addition. Please pray for all of their staff and clients. Thank you! Someone returned their baby bottle full of coins last weekend. They aren’t due back until Oct.31/Nov.1. November 1 – that’s the date when you can begin to drop off gently-used toys and clothes for the children of our moms in need. We will need items for 71 children of the moms in need. Donations for ages 1 to 12 – both boys and girls - can be left on the table in the coat room as of November 1.

You may have noticed some shifting around of instruments in the music area recently. The large wooden console that has moved closer to the sanctuary is our organ. Hopefully it has caught your eye as it returns to the location it occupied for much of the history of our church building. READ MORE

On October 1, 1995 3pm our current church was dedicated by Bishop Kendrick Williams. It was a day full of celebration with a final Mass earlier that day in the previous church space. The dedication liturgy included the blessing of the church, altar, and tabernacle and had lots of candles, music, oil, flame, and ceremony. This vivid liturgy remains important to our church as our space was set apart to incarnate grace and host the presence of Jesus Christ. Because of this, each year October 1st is elevated to be a Solemnity for our parish. READ MORE

Life Goes On –While we hope and pray that our baby bottles get filled this month, life goes on as usual for our moms in need. Some of them continue to request the opportunity to visit the Mary Queen Food Pantry. Others still struggle with monthly expenses. One particular family consists of three females – the grandmother, the mom, and a daughter – two of whom are disabled. With the lower income of females and the complications of disabilities, these moms are especially grateful for the occasional assistance this ministry has provided them. READ MORE

October Respect Life Month Fundraiser – Please take a baby bottle or baggie and throughout the month of October, deposit coins, bills, or checks in it. If, throughout the year, you’ve been filling a baby bottle with your coins/bills/ checks, that’s great! Just deposit the donation in a labeled plastic bag. We will collect the bottles/bags the weekend of October 31/November 1. READ MORE

Altar Servers certainly have the most varied ways of assisting at Mass. They use lots of liturgical tools and are in the middle of the action at Mass. This is one of the most ancient of liturgical ministries done by the laity (not priests or deacons). Though historically this role has been filled by boys (frequently those preparing to be priests) in the post Vatican II world anyone can serve in this role. READ MORE

Many thanks to those parishioners who regularly drop a donation envelope in the collection basket. Leslie Mc Graw (MQ business manager) and her Monday morning crew of volunteers make sure that those donations are directed to this ministry, so that we can meet the needs of families who request assistance – with diapers, formula, clothing for babies or toddlers, food, rent, or utilities. READ MORE

See the latest update from our Walking with Moms in Need Ministry Here

Near where our altar servers sit, you may have noticed a stand holding six processional torches. The use of light in Christian worship goes back to the early Church. What began partly as a practical necessity developed into a rich symbol of Christ, the Light of the World. By the Middle Ages, candles carried by servers were a familiar part of processions, honoring Christ in the liturgy. READ MORE

It would be a very odd thing to enter our church and find no seating in the middle of the church. Oddly enough, for much of the history of the Catholic Church, that would have been perfectly normal. When I toured Europe, I was struck that both Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Duomo in Florence did not have seating in the main spaces. Chairs would be brought out and arranged as needed. We take our pews for granted, but how they came to be such a standard part of our churches is an interesting story. READ MORE

Even though we are at the beginning of September, our Core Team is already preparing for our October Baby Bottle Fundraiser. We only have 50 of the 400 bottles with which we started. If you kept your baby bottle as a reminder to donate coins throughout the year, that’s fine. Just please bring back the donations in a little storage bag this year, so others might take a baby bottle. READ MORE

WWMIN Updates: #57, Current Economic Conditions, Prayer Cards and More. CLICK HERE

As you enter Mary Queen, two figures quietly watch over our church from either side: Mary and Joseph. Our wooden statues are elevated in niches along the sides of the church, each with a stand of devotional candles before it. Mary’s candles tend to be a little more popular, but Joseph certainly holds his own! The placement of Mary and Joseph in Catholic churches has a long history, although the familiar pairing is not as ancient as we might imagine. Images of Mary appeared very early in Christian churches, particularly Mary holding the Christ Child. Devotion to St. Joseph developed more gradually and became especially prominent in the later Middle Ages and following centuries. READ MORE

The Youth & Young Adult Assistant Coordinator supports the Youth, Young Adult, & Confirmation Coordinator in creating opportunities for young people to encounter Christ, grow in their Catholic faith, develop leadership skills, and become active participants in the life of Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish. This position assists with the planning and implementation of youth and young adult ministry activities, builds relationships with youth and families, supports volunteers, and helps foster a welcoming environment where young people can grow in faith and discipleship. SEE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION HERE

As you enter our church, your eyes are naturally drawn to the altar, the stained glass, and the statues of Mary and Joseph. You are also likely to notice what is on the right as you enter—the Divine Mercy image and our ushers’ stand, usually accompanied by welcoming people and someone counting parishioners. But you may not have noticed what is on the left-hand side. Recessed into the wall is a large cabinet with three windows. If you draw near, you will see that the lighted cabinets contain three glass bottles holding our sacred oils. This is the ambry of our church. READ MORE

One of the great Solemnities that occurs each year is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when we celebrate that, at the end of her earthly life, Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Exactly what the end of Mary’s earthly life looked like we cannot be sure. An ancient tradition speaks of her Dormition, or “falling asleep,” but the Church simply teaches that, “having completed the course of her earthly life,” Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven. Her Assumption reflects her unique union with Christ and anticipates the bodily resurrection promised to all the faithful. READ MORE