Several people received an email last night supposedly from me asking for help buying gift cards for our Queens staff.  While I am sure the staff would enjoy receiving those cards, I did not send the email.  The sender address was revdfrvicar@gmail.com.  I have only one email address:  frtim@queenschurch.com.  I will never ask a parishioner to buy something for me in this fashion. Not by email or by text. 

The pastors of the Jackson Deanery have shared notes about these scams and we can say with confidence that it is happening everywhere.  I apologize for it but none of us have been able to figure out how to prevent it.  The police said these messages are likely generated overseas and that is beyond their jurisdiction and resources to investigate.

My simple advice is this:  ignore it!  Don’t open it!  Don’t respond to it!  Let me know if you ever get such an odd email request from frtim@queenschurch.com. That would mean my account has been hacked.  Beyond that, these are just the desperate attempts from people with too much time on their hands to make money from the pocketbooks of trusting people who are considered easy prey.  

Queens parish plans on celebrating those who served at the Queens School Mass at 9am tomorrow, Friday November 14th.  If you served in any branch of the U.S. armed forces please accept the invitation of our school children and join us for Mass and recognition.  This includes the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Space Force, the Seabees and all those who served in the reserves. 

8th grade parents, please be aware that the first mandatory Confirmation mini-retreat for all homeschool, public, and Catholic school Confirmation candidates is this Sunday, November 16 from 12-2pm in Star Hall at St. Mary’s (directly under the Church). Lunch will be provided.  Contact Jake Gerber for more information:

youth@queenschurch.com

First Reconciliation for second graders is fast approaching, now less than a month away.  The Queens First Reconciliation Retreat is in the Queens School Gym this Sunday November 16th beginning at 2pm.  At least one if not both parents should plan on accompanying your child for this entire event.  This includes students who attend Catholic school, public school and faith formation.

All of you are invited to attend one of our Thanksgiving Masses at 6:00pm on Wednesday November 26^th and 9am on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 27th.  During both of these Masses we invite those present to bring up non perishable food items during the offertory to place at the altar.  This food will be used to refill the pantries that are feeding the hungry of Jackson as we move into the holiday season. 

We have been blessed and we have so much to be thankful for.  Every Eucharist is a Thanksgiving.  There is no better place to give thanks to God than during Mass, the Church’s perfect prayer.  Because life is fast, busy and messy, we don’t stop often enough to thank God for His bounty that He has given to us.

The Queens Online Giving Hub is a great way for you to channel your charitable giving to the place or cause you want your money to support.  By clicking the link below, you can see the various causes we support as a parish and partner with us to make a gift of your own.  You can donate toward St. Vincent de Paul or the Jackson Community Food Pantry, youth and young adult ministry (new link added), and even the prison bible fund. 200 bibles were distributed to Jackson inmates in 2025 thanks to your generosity and we just ordered 200 more so we need to replenish that fund also.  

As our nation honored its veterans this week, the online giving hub can also be used to support the Archdiocese of Military Services.  This is the world’s largest diocese as it provides spiritual and sacramental assistance to Catholics serving on bases and ships all over the world.  

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching” (Heb 13:8-9).

Fr. Tim MacDonald

Pastor