Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church Newsletter — April 2022

april 2022

Fiat for the Future:

O

An Update on Our Campaign

ur parish mission here at Queen of the Holy Rosary is to truly say “yes,” just as Mary did, to whatever the Lord asks of us: “Inspired by the 2 Celebrating the Real love and compassion of our Mother Mary, and Presence of Christ in united with her Son Jesus in the Eucharist, we say the Eucharist ‘fiat,’ to our commitment to Hospitality, Prayer, Eucharistic Revival Formation, and Service to the most vulnerable in Begins in 2022 our Parish, Community, and World.”

Taking Mary as our heavenly mother, source of inspiration, and namesake of our parish, we 3 All Things and All say “yes” to what God has in store for our parish. In July 2019, the Fiat for the Future CamPeople Are Made New paign was launched, with the goal of building the Fiat Center. This was a co-campaign with the One Faith, One Future Campaign from the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, which 4 The Art and dedicated some of the funds to archdiocesan projects. We’ve raised about $2.6 million in fiveEnvironment Ministry year pledges. The portion of the money for the archdiocese, $1 million, has been satisfied.

The Stewardship of Parish Council Chair Bill Maloney has been helping to oversee the capital campaign project.

Our Church Enhances “We have a very generous community here at Queen of the Holy Rosary,” Bill says.

Parishioners’ Worship “These past two years have offered many challenges for all of us, but people have remained devoted to our parish.”

6 Responding to the Glory When this campaign began, we had no idea we would enter into such a difficult time of Christ’s Resurrection with all the rising costs and delays brought on by the pandemic. The original design at Easter for the Fiat Center has been adjusted to save money. Originally, the rectory and office Dying, He Destroyed Our building was going to be taken down, but now, it has been incorporated into the design.

Death; Rising, He Restored The project will also cover some updates at the school. Even with those adjustments, Our Life an additional $1 million needs to be raised in pledges and gifts. Expect to hear more after the Easter weekend.

“We look forward to when the Fiat Center is complete and we have a new 7023 W. 71st Street meeting and conference room space and a reception area for people as they come Overland Park, KS 66204 to visit the parish,” Bill says. “The space will also be much more accessible.” www.queenoftheholyrosary.org continued on back cover

Inside

Queen of the Holy Rosary C at h o l i c C h u r c h

Celebrating the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist Eucharistic Revival Begins in 2022

A

2019 Pew Research study found that only one in three Catholics believes in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and Precious Blood. With this statistic largely in mind, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched a three-year Eucharistic Revival, titled “My Flesh for the Life of the World.”

The revival will culminate with the National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024 in Indianapolis.

Here at Queen of the Holy Rosary, we will celebrate the Eucharist with a special event during each month of 2022. The first events were held from March 13 to 15, with presentations from the Holy Family School of Faith. The event also included exposition, the Rosary, and benediction. The Knights of Columbus served a simple chili meal on March 13.

“The purpose of these events and the Revival is to reflect on Jesus’s real presence and what a gift it is,” Fr. Bill Bruning says. “At Mass, we receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. We receive it from the tree of life — the Eucharist.”

This year, a Eucharistic event will take place one Saturday per month, beginning after 4 p.m. Mass. Join fellow parishioners for the Rosary, a presentation from the Holy Family School of Faith, Eucharistic Adoration, and a procession around the neighborhood.

“We want this to be a Eucharistic witness in the neighborhood,” Fr. Bill says.

The upcoming Eucharistic event dates are April 2, May 7, June 18, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, and Nov. 5. June 18 will also be a celebration of Corpus Christi.

The emphasis for the July 2 event will be to pray for our nation as we approach Independence Day. On Aug. 6,

we will pray for the Kansas election for greater respect for life.

“We want to bring back the appreciation for the Eucharist,” Fr. Bill says. “We really lost that with the COVID-19 shut-downs. We want to undo the misconception that the Eucharist is optional.”

Fr. Bill believes these gatherings will be an excellent opportunity to gather as the Body of Christ once again.

He also wants to encourage more people to sign up for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration — it is truly a gift to spend an hour with Jesus.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus returned from praying and found Peter asleep. He asked him, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?” We should consider these words and ask how to spend more time with our Lord.

“There is nothing more important in our schedule than spending time with Jesus,” Fr. Bill says. “We should never forget the gift we receive and reflect on it.”

Please join us in celebrating the gift of the Eucharist on April 2, May 7, June 18, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, and Nov. 5 after the 4 p.m. Mass.

2

A Letter From Our Pastor

All Things and All People Are Made New

Dear Parishioners,

W

e associate the Easter season with springtime — a time of new life and new beginnings — and Holy Scripture addresses this idea of newness many times. The Lord declares, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

This idea of being “new” is important to us as Catholics, and it is important to our parish. We need to strive to do this on a regular basis — even on a daily basis. Think of the fact that all was once new. Regardless of how you view the development of this earth and those of us who occupy it, all was once new.

During this Easter season, we need to retain that idea of being “new.” And being “new” means conversion, and we have often pointed out that conversion is at the heart of a life of stewardship.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it, “The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life” (654).

In other words, Christ’s Resurrection is the source of our new life — our own future resurrection. St. Paul wrote about it to the Romans (Rom 6:5) — “For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.”

Hope for a new life beginning now and extending on into heaven is the result of Jesus’ Resurrection. What greater grounds for thanksgiving can there be than this

Easter hope? We should sing with joy about God’s promise to us, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5).

St. Paul also wrote (Col 3:1-2), “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” Jesus’ Resurrection and His promise of a new life for us mean that we need to live in conformity with our status as adopted children of God. How do we show our joy and our gratitude to God for this amazing gift He has given us? We join in worship and praise God by word and song. We share the Good News of Jesus’ victory over death with our family, friends, and neighbors. And we offer back to the Lord a portion of the time, talent, and treasure He has entrusted to us.

Yes, the Easter message that we share in the benefits of Christ’s Resurrection indeed makes all things new — the ultimate foundation for all Christian stewardship.

The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. William Bruning Pastor

3

Queen of the Holy Rosary C at h o l i c C h u r c h

The Art and Environment M

A

The Stewardship of Our Church Enhances Pari

s we journey through the liturgical year, the transformation of the church environment reminds us of each new season. As we approach Easter, we can look forward to the Lenten purples being replaced by the joyful colors and flowers of spring. Behind this transformation is a team led by Sharon DeHaemers.

“Our goal is to enhance the parishioners’ worship and make it more meaningful,” Sharon says.

There is a lot of work to be done throughout the year, particularly at the transition from one season to another.

There are flowers to be ordered, plants to be arranged, and banners to be hung. Sharon is grateful for a group of men who help hang the banners and drape colored cloth over the crucifix.

Holy Week is a particularly busy time for Sharon and the Art and Environment team. They carefully prepare the church for each special liturgy, from the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday to the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Mass. A unique feature that

parishioners may keep an eye out for is the Garden of Repose, set up on Holy Thursday. Sharon uses palms and greenery to create a small Garden of Gethsemane, where the Eucharist will be kept. A kneeler by the garden makes it a beautiful opportunity for prayer and reflection.

Easter brings spring flowers — lilies, hydrangeas, and mums in bright colors. Sharon orders flowers from a local nursery and arranges them in the church. The flowers are cared for throughout the Easter season.

Sharon likes to be inspired each year and keeps things fresh with new ideas. She incorporates nature and live plants wherever possible.

The Art and Environment Ministry is a natural fit for Sharon, as she has a long history with interior design. She worked professionally in the field for many years and has previously helped at two other parishes.

“I think that God has given me a talent for design,” Sharon says. “I feel like this is a good way to share the

“I think that God has given me a talent for design. I feel like this is a good way to share the talents He has given me with other people. I can help make the service a little more beautiful.”

— Sharon DeHaemers

4

Ministry

ishioners’ Worship

If you would like to join the Art and Environment Ministry, please contact Sharon DeHaemers at 913-449-2474 or sdesigner476@gmail.com.

talents He has given me with other people. I can help make the service a little more beautiful.”

Sharon is always looking for more help and decorating the church is a big job. There are a lot of things to move and arrange on decorating days, and then the plants must be maintained throughout the season. If you have an eye for balance, know how to care for plants, or are up for a little physical labor, please consider joining the Art and Environment Ministry. Sharon found that getting involved helped her get to know the parish better.

“This ministry helped me get to know a lot of different people,” Sharon says.

5

Queen of the Holy Rosary C at h o l i c C h u r c h

“He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

On the third day He rose again from the dead” – Apostles’ Creed

Responding to the Glory of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter

Dying, He Destroyed Our Death; Rising, He Restored Our Life

A

s we have recently come to the end of our Lenten journey toward Easter, let us take a moment to meditate on three pivotal lines from the ancient creed, which comprise the central events of our redemption.

Far from being a mere myth or legend, in Jerusalem around the year 30 A.D., Jesus Christ — the Son of God made man — was tortured at the hands of the Romans.

He was flogged, beaten, spit upon, and crowned with thorns. He was made to carry the cross through the crowded streets to Golgotha and, once there, He was crucified — He was nailed to a cross and died. Just as someday we will each be laid in our graves, Jesus was laid in His. The most obvious question that confronts the observer of this

6

horrific reality is “why?” Luckily, Christ made the impetus for His self-sacrifice quite clear: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” ( Jn 3:14-15).

The reasons Christ died on the cross are twofold, one negative and one positive. The negative cause is sin. Only in witnessing the cost of redemption — the death of the Son of God — can we begin to comprehend the profound magnitude of sin: “You have been purchased at a price,” says St. Paul (1 Cor 6:20).

Conversely, Christ willingly accepted the cross because of love.

St. John famously says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone

who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life” ( Jn 3:16).

Uniting these two causes, St. Paul says, “God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).

In His limitless compassion, Christ entered into the fullness of human suffering — physical torment, emotional agony and utter isolation — so that He might share complete solidarity with mankind. Accordingly, His passion and death not only accomplished our redemption, but by the cross, He also showed us the way to true discipleship. For Christ taught His disciples long before His crucifixion, “if anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).

Christ’s is the final and perfect covenant between God and man, and it is a covenant of love, with Christ Himself as its high priest.

Nevertheless, this covenant is not based on love as popular culture conceives of it, but love as Christ displayed it: “The way we came to know love was that He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16).

Joined with the passion, Christ’s Resurrection is the key to the entire Gospel — for in rising from the dead, Jesus proved true His bold promises. He had prophesied to the apostles, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again” ( Jn 10:18). The

Resurrection vindicates this promise and validates His teaching and miracles.

Furthermore, Christ, “the firstborn from the dead,” opened the door to eternal life and to new creation (Col 1:18). Out of the darkness of despair, the scattered and frightened disciples saw the risen Christ and were renewed and transformed. Filled with faith in the crucified and resurrected Savior, they evangelized the known world.

St. Paul summarizes the centrality of the redemptive power of the Easter Triduum with his characteristic zeal: “If Christ has not been raised, then empty (too) is our preaching; empty, too, your

faith. Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised.

For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:14-17).

This Easter, let us respond to the glory of Christ’s Resurrection by exclaiming, as St. Thomas the Apostle did, “My Lord and my God!” And may each of us be filled with faith in God of our salvation, hope in the rewards He has won for us, and love for Him who has deigned to bestow them on us.

This Easter, let us respond to the glory of Christ’s Resurrection by exclaiming, as St. Thomas the Apostle did, “My Lord and my God!” And may each of us be filled with faith in God of our salvation, hope in the rewards He has won for us, and love for Him who has deigned to bestow them on us.

7

Queen of the Holy Rosary C at h o l i c C h u r c h

7023 W. 71st Street Overland Park, Kansas 66204 (913) 432-4616 | www.queenoftheholyrosary.org

Fiat for the Future: An Update on Our Campaign continued from front cover

With all the separation we have experienced over the past two years, it will be even more of a blessing to gather together and enjoy fellowship.

“The Fiat Center will allow us to live our mission, part of which is prayer and further formation in our faith,” Bill says. “We aren’t made to be alone.”

Bill invites everyone to consider how they may support the Fiat Center, whether that be to have new families get involved or have current pledges increase.

“This is an exciting project,” he says. “The parish under Fr. Bill’s leadership has become more vibrant. I think people have a desire to grow in their faith. I think this space will allow us to better live out our mission.”

Queen of the Holy Rosary is a very important place to Bill, and he’s been involved with the parish for more than 30 years.

“Queen is just an extension of my wife and I’s family,” he says. “We have many friendships here and we spend a lot of time at the parish. We both see the need for additional space for groups to meet that are accessible.”

The Fiat for the Future Campaign will kick off this spring. Please prayerfully consider how you might support this project. Watch for more information in the coming months.

WEEKEND MASS

Saturday: 4:00 p.m. | Sunday: 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m.

DAILY MASS

Tuesday - Friday: 8:15 a.m.| First Saturday: 8:15 a.m.