There has been some construction on water lines going on recently at the intersection of Carlton Blvd and Bowen St. That intersection is now entirely closed and it looks like it will remain that way for the weekend. In the picture above taken from Google Earth, I blacked out the areas where parishioners will be unable to park this weekend, and it includes both east and west on Carlton as well as all of Bowen on the block between Carlton and Morrell.

Last weekend, there was a ‘road closed’ sign but the intersection was still open for you to turn right on Bowen to exit. Now, there is nowhere to go but back the way you came.

I don’t recommend trying to park in front of the church headed east this weekend, as you would need to be able to back out and that sounds both dangerous and chaotic when other cars and pedestrians are present. The same problem exists going west, where you would have to back in off of Carlton and that is ill-advised.

I am asking all able-bodied parishioners who are used to parking very close to the church to please be generous and park further away from the building so that seniors and those with mobility issues won’t have so far to walk since we are losing some prime parking for the weekend.

I apologize for the sudden inconvenience but this is completely out of my control.

VBS T-SHIRTS: For children attending VBS, youth and adult volunteers, the VBS T-shirts will be in Vincentian Hall after all Masses this weekend and available for pick up. We hope participants will wear them each day of the Bible school. It’s not late to register. Use the link below or sign up and pay at the door on the first day. All volunteer slots are now filled. Thanks to everyone for their willingness, and of course to all who donated items making this possible.

THIS Monday July 13 and Friday July 17, the Queens daily 9am Mass will move to 8am so I can be present for the opening session of VBS in the school.  If you attend these Masses make a note of this, or if you know someone from a different parish who does, please let them know.  Thank you for your patience.  

THURSDAY 3AM

Please be our guest after the 6pm Mass this Wednesday July 15th for a special presentation by John and Judy Drake in Vincentian Hall about the Lingap Center in Toledo City, Cebu, the Philippines. John founded this orphanage 20 years ago and has helped over 700 children rise out of poverty.

This will be a chance for all of us to learn about the work they do and the kids they help, as well as a chance for the Drakes to thank Queens parishioners for their consistent support of Lingap stretching all the way back to 2006.

The evening features homemade ethnic foods from the Filipino Church Ladies. You won’t want to miss that!

After you learn more about the Lingap Center and the plight of the poor Catholics in the Philippines, perhaps that will inspire your generous support of our annual mission appeal next weekend, July 18 – 19, when Queens welcomes Fr. Percy Tenam, O.F.M., to speak about the work the Franciscan Missionaries are doing in the Philippines and to invite your prayers and monetary support. His order works in many different developing countries but Father will focus his message here on the work he is personally involved in. The monies we raise will support Franciscan missions in Ukraine, Vietnam, India, Congo, Guinea, Bissau and Pakistan.

This will not involve a second collection. You can prepare your gift ahead of time and place it in the offertory baskets as they pass, or you can take home one of the envelopes from the ends of the pews next weekend. Checks should be made payable to ‘Queens/Mission Appeal.’ You could also use the link below, just click on ‘Giving’ in the right hand corner. When you get to the menu of our various online giving accounts, scroll down until you find ‘Mission Co-Op Appeal.’

“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