Volume 19, Number 2, May 2022

Getting Back On Track

Our schedule has been a little irregular since the beginning of the pandemic, depending on when we have content to publish, but for this issue, that wasn't the problem. Christmas provided plenty of content—as you will see—we just got behind schedule. The main mission of The Queen's Messenger is to communicate to you the Parish's events in a timely fashion, which didn't happen with this issue, but its secondary mission is to document these events for the future, so we're publishing this content rather than skipping it to catch up. The next issue—Lent and Easter—should appear on June 1, which will catch us up for now–The Editor.

Christmas Party with Bonfire

Before COVID, the Bonfire and the Christmas Party were separate events. However, in 2020, we didn't have a bonfire event, and the Christmas Party was turned into a drive-through visit to Santa held in our parking lot. This year, we held a combined event in and around the Pavilion. Santa made an appearance, of course, and chili dogs and hot cocoa were available, as were s'mores with marshmallows toasted in the bonfire. Jerry Kessler and Mark Blackburn led the caroling afterward. (Archie Phillips contributed the photo of Fr. Charley with Santa.)

Christmas Decorations

Bev Massa and her Arts and Environment team and all others who helped get the church, the gathering space, and the outside of the building ready for Christmas did an awesome job. Here are some photos of their work.

Christmas Eve Mass

Christmas Crèche Collection

Who knew? Fr. Charley is a crèche collector, and he put his collection on display in our gathering space for Christmas. Beautiful!

Fr. Charley's 30th Anniversary of Ordination

(All photos except the first slider slide are by Bev Massa.)

Volume 19, Number 1, December 2021

St. Joseph’s Chapel Receives New Furniture

On December 21, Fr. Charley blessed a beautiful new set of furniture for St. Joseph’s Chapel, including the new altar, a table for the Tabernacle, a credence table, tables for the St. Mary and St. Joseph statues, and an ambo. Parishioner Bernard Acker designed and built the furniture.

Upper two photos by Vicki Wilson and Tim Conley.

Parish Visited by Saints!

At the end of Mass on October 31, Fr. Charley invited the children who had dressed as saints to come to the front and tell which saint they were portraying.

Fr. Charley’s Birthday

Fr. Charley receiving birthday gifts after the Noon Mass on November 2.

November Taizé Prayer Service

The Taizé Prayer service for November was moved back a week to November 18 since the usual fourth Thursday of the month was Thanksgiving Day. The altar, however, was ready for the holiday. Mark Blackburn and Damian Hochmuth provided the music for the service.

Mandating of Liturgical Ministers

Our Diocese has asked the liturgical ministers of the parishes to receive special training in their ministries in order to participate. Once they have completed the training, they are given a “mandate” or call to serve, and participate in a “mandating” ceremony at Mass. In the photo here, Susan Turner and Pat Spinelli are receiving their mandates: Susan as a Lector, and Pat as a Sacristan.

Volume 18, Number 7, October 2021

Morgan Jellett Memorial Friends of the Poor Walk/Run

The Huntsville Area St. Vincent de Paul Society held its annual Friends of the Poor Walk/Run on September 25 on our campus. This year’s event was named in honor of Morgan Jellett, a major organizer of the Society and its programs in North Alabama, who passed away last December 22. His wife, Ceil, was on hand for the opening ceremony, where she was presented with a certificate and flowers in his honor by the Society.

Registration for the event began at 7 AM. At 7:45, members of our Choir, joined by Gary Mahon from St. Joseph’s Church, presented a short musical program, followed by the opening ceremonies. The 1K Children’s Fun Run began at 8 AM and was followed by the 5K Walk/Run. The Roos family prepared a free breakfast for all participants.

Thanks to Cappy O’Halloran, Steven Gordon, and Victoria Roos for contributing photos.

Picnic Food Take-out

Fr. Charley and the Pastoral Council were hoping we would be able to have our annual Parish Picnic this fall, but because COVID-19 hasn’t gone away, they decided it wasn’t safe yet to bring a large group together for a picnic. Instead, the Council prepared picnic food, including either a pulled-pork sandwich, a hamburger, or a hotdog, with baked beans, potato salad, either coleslaw or kale salad, chips, and a fruit cup, and distributed the food in take-out boxes after Masses on the September 25-26 weekend.

Volume 18, Number 6, September 2021

After a slow summer, it is time for another issue!  The surge in COVID-19 since May has made it hard to schedule events, but we’re trying. We now have some monthly events—the Chain Rosary, the Parking Lot Rosary, and Taizé services—and there are more events coming this fall.

Celebration Sundays!

Although we still can’t do Celebration Sunday in Joy Hall as we did before COVID-19, we have begun doing what we can. On Fathers’ Day, June 20, the Social Ministry distributed doughnuts to members of the Parish Family in front of the church as they left Mass. The Pastoral Council did the same on July 18 and on Grandparents’ Day, September 19. For August, the Social Ministry served cake for our parish feast day, the Queenship of Mary, on August 22.

Taizé Prayer Service

Our Parish held its first monthly Taizé Prayer Service on August 19. The service consisted of music by John and Karine Diven of Perfect Praise Music and Mark Blackburn, prayer, and scripture readings, followed by exposition of the Eucharist. The next Taizé service is on Thursday, September 23, at 7 pm. For more information about Taizé services, see Monthly Events .

Youth Olympics

On August 22, our Youth Ministry held a Youth Olympics for all youth from 7th through 12th grade that began at 5 PM in the Pavilion. Members were encouraged to bring a friend. As a reward for demonstrating their athletic abilities, there were prizes and snacks.

Taste and See

On Sunday, August 29, Holy Family School held a Capital Campaign Kick-Off at St. Joseph's Church. The school is raising funds for a new building! There was music beginning at 4:30 pm, and Mass began at 5 pm. Members of the choirs from all three supporting parishes—St. Mary’s, OLQU, and St. Joseph’s—participated in the music. After the Mass, there was a presentation about the campaign, and the Wiegmann family from our Parish participated—four of their children attended the school. After the Mass and presentation, there was a reception at the Fr. Messmer Center.

50 Years!

Congratulations to Jeff and Beth Anderson who celebrated their fiftieth anniversary with a ceremony on June 12.

Thanks to Claudia McClure for the photos!

Volume 18, Number 5

May, 2021

First Communion, April 25

Confirmation

Confirmation was on Saturday, May 1, at 10 AM. Bishop Raica, visiting our Parish for the first time, presided.

Crowning of Mary, May 2

Religious Education Closing Ceremony, May 2

Perfect Attendance Awards!

Have a Great Summer!

TQM 18-4

Volume 18, Number 4

April, 2021

Holy Week and Easter

Although we still aren't back to "normal," Holy Week last year was all by video. This year, we've been worshiping together in the building—using two other rooms in addition to our Sanctuary in order to maintain social distancing and to give our sanitizing crews a chance to keep our rooms safe. We did get to have Holy Thursday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday in the Sanctuary, but Good Friday was in Joy Hall, and Stations of the Cross on Good Friday was outdoors.

In spite of the large amount of work required to decorate all of our worship spaces and areas where we congregate, our Art and Environment Ministry was up to the task.

Click on any of the three photos below to see more photos.

Easter Vigil

Holy Week Art

Outdoor Stations

Our 2021 Pastoral Council

Our 2021 Pastoral Council consists of three new members, Helen Carr, Sharon Wiegmann, and Jason Duckworth; three members entering their second year, Claudia McClure, and Damian Hochmuth, and Alea Ryan; and three members who have agreed to extend their three-year term by a year, Rumaasha Maasha, Pam Mefford, and Mike Smith. Andrea Wheeler is the new Alternate. The Council would like to thank three 2020 members, Anita Larose, Carla Holder, and Rosemarie Phillips, and two alternates, Carol League and Tammy Runkle, who have finished their terms, for their service.

Rumaasha Masha will continue as Chair of the Council, Claudia McClure is the Vice Chair for a second year, and Damian Hochmuth is the new Secretary, succeeding Carla Holder.

The Council, a body which advises the Pastor on matters concerning the Parish and helps him carry out his pastoral ministry in the Parish, spent 2020 helping Fr. Charley, the Parish staff, and the ministries deal with the effects of the pandemic on the workings of the Parish, as well as conveying to Fr. Charley the needs and ideas of members of the Parish. During 2021, the Council plans to complete new strategic and security plans for the Parish, and generally, as time passes, to help Fr. Charley help the Parish get back to full function.

St. Joseph's Chapel

The old Parish Hall is now St. Joseph's Chapel! Daily Mass has been said in this room since last fall when it became too cold to hold it in the Pavilion, but Fr. Charley decided to make it a permanent worship space and named it in honor of St. Joseph, in the Year of St. Joseph. It also will continue to be overflow space for Masses in Joy Hall. The Art and Environment and Sacristan Ministries have contributed to making the room a suitable worship space.

Because of the designation of this room as a worship area, groups which had previously been meeting there will need to work with Mark Blackburn to find another spot. Other rooms in the old part of the building are being converted into meeting space, so everyone should be able to be accommodated.

TQM Update

No issues for February or March—January and February have been slow for news. Our next issue will be in early April and will cover March, which promises to be more exciting. Check the Latest News and What’s Coming tabs above to see what’s going on in the Parish.

The Communications Ministry is using this time to work on the website—stay tuned for a new website theme and new features!

TQM 18-3

Volume 18, No. 3

January 2021

Santa Claus Comes to OLQU

As promised, Santa Claus visited our Parish on Saturday, December 12, after the 5 PM Mass. The Social Committee hosted the drive-through Santa visit at the main entrance of the church. As it was also the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, there was a booth for her, and there also was a stable for Baby Jesus.

Photos are courtesy of Keith Wheeler. You can see more here.

We Have a New St. Joseph Statue!

According to Fr. Charley, it was “a number of generous parishioners” who donated the St. Joseph and Baby Jesus statue that he is shown here blessing on December 20.

On December 8, Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph to honor the foster father of Jesus. One Voice had a story about the announcement in the December 11 issue, and you can find the text of the Pope’s Apostolic Letter on St. Joseph, Patris Corde, at http://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/papa-francesco-lettera-ap_20201208_patris-corde.html#_ftn6

Christmas Decorations

Click here to see more of our Christmas decorations.

Christmas Eve Prelude and Mass

Click here to see more of our Christmas Eve photos.

 

TQM 18-2

Volume 18, No. 3

January 2021

All Souls Day Blessing

On All Souls Day, November 2, Fr. Charley blessed the names of deceased loved ones that had been placed on the bulletin board in the gathering space as part of the celebration of the day. The Mass and Fr. Charley’s birthday celebration were covered in the last issue.

New Liturgical Ministers

We have two new liturgical ministers! Fr. Charley commissioned Maria Nolen and Allwyn Graham on November 22. Allwyn is a Lector, and Maria is both a Lector and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Welcome to both!

Due to the absence of several November events that we usually cover in The Queen’s Messenger, this issue is the shortest in the seventeen-plus years of its publication. In December, however, we have the visit of Santa Claus on December 12 and Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, which give us something to look forward to for the next issue!—The Editor

TQM 18-1

Volume 18, No. 1

January 2021

Welcome to the first issue of the web version of The Queen’s Messenger. This is the beginning of the eighteenth year of the Parish newsletter, and now we evolve to a third format. In November of 2003 we started this publication with a print edition and went to a slide-show version in March of 2017 when Fr. Davis said to “use new technology.” Since our main way of disseminating the slide show was through “Celebration Sunday” in Joy Hall, which was shut down by the pandemic, and putting the PowerPoint on the website isn’t ideal, we needed a new way to keep you up-to-date on the events that are happening in the Parish.

Sunday Mass in Joy Hall

After Mass—Social Distancing

We are doing our best to make indoor Mass safe!

Parking Lot Rosary, September 8

Our Parish celebrated the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 by gathering in the parish parking lot—masked and socially distanced—to recite the Rosary for all those affected by COVID-19, for the world, and for the Parish Family. Members of the Parish had been encouraged to bring candles they would light for reciting the Rosary at home. After the recitation, Fr. Charley, with the Holy Eucharist, individually blessed those who attended and the candles they brought. You can see more photos of the event here.

Catechist Commissioning

Fr. Charley commissions the catechists on September 12. More photos here.

New Fire Pit Benches

When visiting the Pavilion this summer for Mass or a meeting, you may have noticed the new benches around the fire pit. These benches were added by the same person who built the fire pit, Gregory Roos. The fire pit was his Eagle project for Boy Scouts, and he added the benches on August 8-10 as his Summit project. Venture Scouts is part of Boy Scouts of America for youth, male and female, from 14 to 21 years of age, and its highest award is the Summit Award. The project was one of the final requirements for his Summit. He sent us some photos of the work on the project, which you can view here.

Rosary Novena

From October 7 through October 16, our Parish held a Rosary Novena beginning with a “chain rosary” on October 7, the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. From 7 AM to 8 PM, parishioners participating in the chain rosary dedicated personal prayer time to pray the Rosary in sequence. When each participant finished praying the Rosary, he or she called to let the next person on the list know to begin.

The Novena continued with Parish Family members praying privately at home, using the recorded Mysteries that were available online. We concluded the Novena with an Outside Rosary at sunset on the 16th in the parking lot. After the Rosary, Fr. Charley extended a special blessing to families with the Exposition of the Holy Eucharist to each participant. Keith Wheeler sent us photos, which you can see here. Even in the shadow of COVID-19, our parish found peace under the mantle of Our Blessed Virgin Mary.

Damian Hochmuth and Mark Blackburn

 

All Saints Day

Fr. Charley presenting prizes after the 10 AM Mass to three “Saints” who dressed for the occasion.

Members of the new Rosary Club recruiting after the 10 AM Mass. The Rosary Club is open to Middle School and High School youth.

All Souls Day

Fr. Charley celebrates All Souls Day Mass.

All Souls Day is Fr. Charley’s birthday! Here he is receiving gifts from the Pastoral Council after Mass.

Did You Know?

Thanks to Mike Janssen, we are able to bring back, at least for this occasion, a feature from early in our print days.

Did you know that Santa Claus is a member of our Lawn Care Ministry?